Goldman Sachs REIT Stocks: Top 12 Stock Picks

8. Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR)

Goldman Sachs Equity Stake: $245.18 Million

Number of Hedge Funds Holding: 40

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) is one of Goldman Sachs’ top REIT stock picks. On February 5, Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) reported its full-year and fourth-quarter 2025 results, highlighting strong growth across its senior housing portfolio.

CEO Debra Cafaro noted that Same-Store Cash NOI in the Senior Housing Operating Portfolio (SHOP) rose by more than 15% for the year, driven by U.S. occupancy gains and higher revenue per occupied room. The company completed $2.5 billion in senior housing investments during 2025 and raised $3.2 billion in equity, maintaining a strong balance sheet with $5.3 billion in liquidity and a Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.2x.

Fourth-quarter results showed net income of $0.15 per share and normalized FFO of $0.89 per share, up roughly 10% from the prior year. SHOP Same-Store Cash NOI grew over 15%, led by 18% growth in the U.S., supported by rising occupancy and RevPOR. Full-year results included net income of $0.54 per share, normalized FFO of $3.48, and total company NOI growth of 16%, reinforcing Ventas’ strategy of driving both organic growth and accretive external investments. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.52 per share, an 8% increase.

Looking ahead to 2026, Ventas expects continued SHOP segment growth and plans approximately $2.5 billion in senior housing investments. Full-year guidance projects net income of $0.57 per share and normalized FFO of $3.83, an 8% increase on a comparable basis. The company also updated its FFO calculation methodology to exclude non-cash stock-based compensation, aligning with industry peers and its financial covenant metrics. Early 2026 activity already includes over $0.8 billion in senior housing acquisitions, reflecting strong pipeline momentum.

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and manages a diverse portfolio of over 1,200-1,400 healthcare and senior living properties across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The company focuses on investing in senior housing, medical office buildings, and research/innovation centers to support the aging population.