Shares of Phillips Edison & Company, Inc., a prominent real estate investment trust specializing in grocery-anchored neighborhood and community shopping centers, have recently come under the spotlight for a mix of reasons: notable trading activity from both institutional investors and a sitting member of Congress, shifting analyst sentiment, and the company’s latest financial results. The company, listed on NASDAQ under the ticker PECO, has seen its stock price and analyst coverage fluctuate throughout 2025, reflecting a dynamic environment for both the firm and its investors.
Institutional interest in Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. remains robust, with hedge funds and large investors holding approximately 80.70% of the company’s stock, according to MarketBeat. In the first quarter of 2025, several major institutions increased their positions. Townsquare Capital LLC grew its stake by 3.6%, now holding 8,610 shares valued at $314,000 after adding 303 shares. Fifth Third Bancorp made a more aggressive move, upping its holdings by 78.1% to 732 shares worth $27,000. Norinchukin Bank also raised its stake by 6.9%, and State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its position by 0.3%, now owning a substantial 128,895 shares valued at $4.7 million. Xponance Inc. lifted its holdings by 5.3%, now holding 9,276 shares worth $338,000. These moves underscore a continued faith in the company’s business model and growth prospects among institutional investors.
Recent months have also seen smaller players and new entrants join the ranks of PECO shareholders. Assetmark Inc., CX Institutional, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB, and State of Wyoming have all initiated or expanded their positions in the company, reflecting broad-based investor interest. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB, for example, grew its stake by 79.4% in the first quarter, now holding 1,360 shares valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 602 shares. This wide-ranging activity is a testament to Phillips Edison’s appeal across different segments of the investment community.
Amidst this institutional activity, a notable insider transaction also made headlines. Representative Lisa C. McClain, a Republican from Michigan’s 9th Congressional District, disclosed the sale of between $1,001 and $15,000 in Phillips Edison stock on August 4, 2025, according to filings made public on September 12. The transaction, carried out through her Charles Schwab brokerage account, forms part of a broader pattern of trading by the congresswoman, who has also recently executed trades in companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, ACI Worldwide, HCA Healthcare, Kite Realty Group Trust, ServiceNow, Trade Desk, US Foods, and Agree Realty. McClain’s trading activity, while not unusual for members of Congress, often attracts public attention given ongoing debates about the propriety and transparency of lawmakers’ financial dealings.
Turning to the company’s financial performance, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. reported its latest quarterly earnings on July 24, 2025. The company posted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.64, just edging past analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.63. Revenue for the quarter came in at $173.47 million, narrowly missing the consensus forecast of $174.38 million. However, the company’s revenue showed a healthy 10.1% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year, when it posted $0.59 EPS. Phillips Edison’s net margin stood at 9.91%, with a return on equity of 2.64%—figures that, while not eye-popping, suggest steady performance in a competitive sector.
The company has set its fiscal year 2025 earnings guidance in the range of $0.610 to $0.640 EPS, and analysts expect Phillips Edison to post $2.55 EPS for the current year. These projections, while modest, align with the company’s strategy of focusing on well-occupied, necessity-based retail centers—a business model that has proven resilient even as broader retail trends shift.
Dividend investors have also found reason to pay attention. Phillips Edison recently announced a monthly dividend of $0.1083 per share, payable on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to shareholders of record as of Wednesday, October 15. With a dividend yield of 3.7% and a payout ratio of 236.36%, the company continues to provide regular income to its investors, though the high payout ratio does raise questions about long-term sustainability. The ex-dividend date for this payout is also October 15, 2025.
From a market perspective, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. stock opened at $35.10 on Friday, September 19, 2025, down 1.1% for the day. The company’s shares traded 1,701,151 times during mid-day, a figure well above its average volume of 710,769. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average was $34.66, and its 200-day simple moving average stood at $35.09. Over the past twelve months, the stock has ranged from a low of $32.40 to a high of $40.12, giving it a market capitalization of $4.41 billion. The price-to-earnings ratio is a lofty 63.82, with a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.55, suggesting the stock is less volatile than the broader market but also commands a premium valuation.
Analyst sentiment towards Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. has been mixed in recent months. On August 27, 2025, Barclays lowered its price target from $37.00 to $36.00, assigning the stock an "equal weight" rating. Mizuho followed suit on July 17, reducing its target from $38.00 to $37.00 but maintaining an "outperform" rating. On September 9, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH initiated coverage with a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price target, while Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock from "hold" to "sell" on September 13. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently holds an average analyst rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $38.83. Three analysts rate the stock as a Buy, while three others assign a Hold rating, reflecting a balanced but cautious outlook.
Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. continues to operate as a real estate investment trust focused on grocery-anchored shopping centers. The company’s portfolio features a mix of national, regional, and local retailers, offering necessity-based goods and services—a strategy that has helped it weather retail market turbulence better than some peers. In addition to its core real estate holdings, the company also operates an investment management arm, providing property management and advisory services to clients.
For investors, the coming months will be telling. With a steady stream of institutional interest, ongoing analyst debate, and continued insider trading scrutiny, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. stands at an interesting crossroads. The company’s ability to deliver consistent returns, maintain its dividend, and adapt to changing market conditions will be closely watched by both Wall Street and Main Street alike.
