Cousins Properties price target lowered to $19 from $22 at Mizuho

Mizuho analyst Vikram Malhotra lowered the firm’s price target on Cousins Properties to $19 from $22 and keeps an Underperform rating on the shares. The office real estate investment trust sector “screens somewhat fair on absolute valuation,” but risk premiums are still expensive given potential cyclical risks, the analyst tells investors in a research note. In addition, the firm’s work shows the sub-sector implies negative 8%-10% forward market rent growth, which it feels is likely too optimistic. By region, however, Mizuho still sees opportunities. It sees a better risk/reward on the West Coast.