American Tower

AMT

Market cap $84.9B

U.S. equity markets staged a broad rally in the holiday-shortened week, while benchmark interest rates dipped to the cusp of multi-year lows, as investors leaned into December rate cut expectations. Reports that Kevin Hassett- a close Trump ally- has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Fed Chair Powell in 2026 further sharpened expectations for a more explicitly dovish policy approach. The "Hasset trade" revived appetite for long-duration and rate-sensitive equity sectors, as investors priced in a lower terminal-rate environment and a steeper path of 2026 policy accommodation.

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.

U.S. equity markets dipped in a volatile week, while benchmark interest rates pulled back from one-month highs, as renewed anxiety over stretched AI-driven valuations collided with mounting monetary policy uncertainty. Public commentary from Fed officials revealed an unusually fractured committee, with a divide that was deepened further by a mixed slate of employment data via the long-delayed September payrolls report. Payrolls data showed that the U.S. economy added 119k jobs in September- better than estimates- but prior months were revised lower and the unemployment rate rose to four-year highs.

The past few years have not been kind to real estate investors. Despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, 30-year mortgage rates remain historically elevated, and major homebuilders are seeing steep declines.

The current AI investment boom risks creating a bubble, with funding needs outpacing hyperscalers' cash flows and raising concerns of a lost decade for stocks. AI-related stocks have driven market gains, but overinvestment and high valuations make the S&P 500 (SPY) vulnerable to poor long-term returns. Dividend growth investors should focus on reasonably valued REITs and dividend stocks, which historically outperform during tech downturns.

American Tower Corp. offers an attractive valuation and nearly 4% yield after a strong Q3 earnings beat and raised guidance. AMT's fundamentals remain robust, with solid AFFO growth, strong balance sheet, and ongoing demand for mobile data and cell towers. Despite positive long-term prospects, I downgrade AMT from buy to hold due to sector re-rating and limited near-term upside potential.

American Tower offers a compelling opportunity for dividend investors, with its stock down 20% from its 2025 peak and robust fundamentals. AMT benefits from defensive, consumer-independent revenue streams, AI-driven data demand, and global 5G/data center expansion, supporting top line and AFFO growth. The company maintains a strong dividend track record, sustainable payout ratio, and improved balance sheet, appealing to income-focused investors, despite market volatility.

U.S. equity markets stumbled this week as unexpectedly hawkish Fed commentary clashed with fragile risk sentiment, muting investor relief over the deal to end the longest-ever government shutdown. December rate cut odds dipped below 50% after Fed officials firmly pushed back on rate-cut expectations, citing uneven inflation progress, pockets of financial-market froth, and the economic-data blackout. The S&P 500 finished flat, but hawkish commentary sparked renewed pressure on smaller-cap and rate-sensitive market segments, with the Mid-Cap 400 and Small-Cap 600 dipping 1%.

Over 200 U.S. REITs and homebuilders have reported third-quarter earnings results over the past five weeks, providing critical information on the state of the commercial and residential real estate industry. Overall, REIT earnings results were marginally better than consensus expectations despite a handful of high-profile flops that overshadowed some impressive individual results across a balanced mix of sectors. Two-thirds of the sector (67 REITs) raised their full-year FFO outlook—above the historical average of 65%. Notable winners included Industrial, Senior Housing, Data Center, Retail, and Billboard REITs.

The Touchstone Dividend Equity Fund (Class A Shares, Load Waived) outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. Selection within Information Technology, Health Care, and Financials was the primary driver of positive relative returns, while selection within Communication Services and Materials detracted modestly. The Fund added one new name during the quarter, Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW) and sold one name, Intel Corp. (INTC).