Real Estate Investing for Beginners: 10 Best Stocks to Buy

2. Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ)

Potential upside: 36.19%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: CUZ

On February 6, 2026, Evercore ISI raised its price target on Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) to $32 from $30 previously and kept an Outperform rating. In a post-earnings note, the analyst said FFO guidance carries “upward bias,” pointing to improving trends coming out of the quarter.

That optimism followed the company’s fourth-quarter report the same day. Cousins posted revenue of $255.03 million, ahead of the $251.49 million consensus estimate. Management leaned heavily on leasing momentum and portfolio positioning. CEO Colin Connolly said, “Improving office fundamentals are providing strong tailwinds for Cousins. We executed 700,000 square feet of leases during the fourth quarter and currently have a late-stage leasing pipeline of approximately 1.1 million square feet.” The company also closed on the acquisition of 300 South Tryon in Uptown Charlotte earlier in the week, adding to an active stretch on the transaction front.

Over the last six quarters, Cousins has purchased $1.4 billion of lifestyle office properties. According to Connolly, those deals have upgraded the quality of the company’s Sun Belt trophy portfolio and have been immediately accretive to earnings. Management said 2026 earnings guidance reflects recent performance and the contribution from acquired assets, tying together leasing activity, acquisitions, and forward expectations.

Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed REIT that primarily invests in Class A office buildings in high-growth Sun Belt markets through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP.