General Growth Properties Earnings Preview: Revenue, EPS Expected to Fall

General Growth Properties GGP unveils its next round of earnings this Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Here is Benzinga's everything-that-matters guide for this Wednesday's third quarter earnings announcement.

Earnings and Revenue:

Wall Street expects an EPS of 22 cents/share and revenues of $683.7 million. General Growth Properties' latest numbers will no doubt be compared with the company's year-ago quarter, when it reported a profit of 45 cents/share on revenues of $769.7 million. Investors are bracing themselves for Wednesday when we'll learn if the company reports lower EPS and slightly reduced revenue from the year-ago quarter, as analysts are predicting.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Quarter	Q2	Q1	Q4	Q3
EPS Estimate	$0.23	$0.23	-$0.97	$0.52
EPS Actual	$0.20	$0.22	$0.25	$0.45

Stock Performance:

As of November 3, 2011, General Growth Properties' current share price was $14.71. Shares are down 3% year to date. For a full 12 months, the return has declined by 2.8%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are probably a little upset going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already wary of 12-month losses prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts is a Hold. Over the past three months this rating's strength has declined slightly.

Competitors:

Wondering how some of the other financials companies are doing? Here are a few of General Growth Properties' peers in that sector.

• Alexander's ALX: Hold with a $5.60 recent quarter EPS
• Saul Centers BFS: Hold with a $0.44 recent quarter EPS
• CBL & Associates Properties CBL: Hold with a $0.48 recent quarter EPS
• Entertainment Properties EPR: Hold with a $0.80 recent quarter EPS

General Growth Properties is in the REIT-equity trust industry, which has experienced price/earnings growth of 2.6%.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: General Growth Properties is a real estate investment trust, which through its subsidiaries and affiliates operates, manages, develops and acquires retail and other rental properties, shopping centers, which are located throughout the United States.

Take Action:

Now that you have reviewed all the numbers, be ready to move if the upcoming General Growth Properties earnings report has any surprises. Also, come back to Benzinga after the announcement for a full recap and a guide to your next steps.

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