Creative Media & Community Trust CMCT

NASDAQ CMCT

$2.82 -0.23 (-7.54%)

At close: Sep 9, 2026 · 4:00 PM EDT

Key Stats

Market Cap2.13 Mn

Div. Yield0.00

Add ratio to table…

About

Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation is a Maryland corporation and real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring developing owning and operating premier multifamily properties and Class A creative office assets in vibrant communities across the United States. The company also owns a hotel property in northern California and previously operated a lending platform that originated loans to small businesses under the Small Business Administration 7(a) program before its sale in January 2026. Its strategy is to apply the expertise of its affiliate CIM Group to target areas that feature high barriers to entry high population density positive population trends and a propensity for growth. By concentrating on qualified communities the firm seeks to benefit from redevelopment externalities that enhance property values and generate returns above those of comparable assets elsewhere. All of its real estate holdings are held in fee simple with some assets held through unconsolidated joint ventures. The firm operates as a REIT and distributes earnings to shareholders in accordance with its tax status.

The company generates revenue primarily from leasing activities across its office multifamily and hotel properties and from interest income on its lending business. For the year ended December 31 2025 the office segment contributed approximately 43.1 percent of total segment revenue the hotel segment contributed approximately 35.6 percent the multifamily segment contributed approximately 13.6 percent and the lending segment contributed approximately 7.7 percent. Office revenue is derived from contractual rents paid by tenants occupying approximately 1.3 million rentable square feet across twelve office buildings. Hotel revenue comes from room sales food and beverage and ancillary services at a single property with five hundred five rooms which reported a revenue per available room of one hundred fifty two dollars and seventy cents for the year. Multifamily revenue consists of monthly rents from five residential properties that achieved an average occupancy rate of eighty five point three percent. Lending revenue prior to its divestiture consisted of interest and fees earned on loans originated to small business borrowers under the SBA 7(a) program. The firm also earns modest income from development related fees and joint venture promotions although these are not reported as separate revenue streams.

The company operates through four reportable segments that are defined by asset type rather than geography. These segments are office hotel multifamily and lending. Each segment is managed separately to allocate resources and assess performance based on the distinct characteristics of the underlying assets. The following bullet points provide a detailed description of the activities and key metrics associated with each segment.

The office segment comprises twelve Class A office properties totaling approximately 1.3 million rentable square feet located in urban and suburban markets that match the firm’s qualified community criteria. As of December 31 2025 the portfolio reported an occupancy rate of seventy four point eight percent with leases typically structured on a gross or net basis depending on tenant needs. Rental income is generated from a diverse mix of tenants including technology firms professional services companies and corporate users. The segment contributed roughly 43.1 percent of the company’s total segment revenue for the year ended December 31 2025. Ongoing asset management includes property maintenance capital improvements and tenant relations activities overseen by CIM Group’s affiliated property management team.
The hotel segment consists of a single full service hotel with an ancillary parking garage located in northern California. The property offers five hundred five guest rooms and provides services such as room accommodations food and beverage outlets meeting spaces and parking facilities. For the year ended December 31 2025 the hotel achieved a revenue per available room of one hundred fifty two dollars and seventy cents reflecting average daily rates and occupancy levels typical for upscale lodging in its market. Revenue is derived from room sales ancillary food and beverage charges and event hosting. The segment accounted for approximately 35.6 percent of total segment revenue in the same period. Operational oversight is provided by CIM Group’s hospitality management professionals who handle front of house and back of house functions.
The multifamily segment includes five residential properties that together provide a mix of apartment unit types ranging from studios to three bedroom layouts. As of December 31 2025 the portfolio reported an average occupancy rate of eighty five point three percent with leases typically structured on an annual basis. Monthly rental income is collected from individual tenants and subsidized housing programs where applicable. The segment contributed roughly 13.6 percent of total segment revenue for the year ended December 31 2025. Property management responsibilities are carried out by CIM Group’s residential operations team which oversees maintenance leasing and resident services.
Prior to its sale on January 21 2026 the lending segment operated as a national lender that originated loans to small businesses primarily under the Small Business Administration 7(a) program. The segment generated revenue from interest income and fees associated with the loan portfolio which was diversified across various industries and geographic regions. For the year ended December 31 2025 the lending business contributed approximately 7.7 percent of total segment revenue. The platform employed credit analysts underwriters and servicing specialists who evaluated borrower creditworthiness structured loan terms and monitored portfolio performance. After the divestiture the company no longer reports lending as a separate segment and has redirected capital toward its core real estate activities.

The company operates in a highly competitive real estate industry that includes publicly traded REITs private equity funds pension funds sovereign wealth funds hedge funds and various institutional investors pursuing similar strategies in office multifamily hotel and lending markets. Many of these competitors possess greater financial scale broader access to capital markets and longer operating histories which can allow them to pursue larger acquisitions or more aggressive development pipelines. Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation differentiates itself through its close affiliation with CIM Group a vertically integrated owner operator lender and developer that provides in house expertise across acquisition credit analysis development financing leasing and property management. This relationship enables the firm to source off market opportunities execute complex joint ventures and manage assets with a high degree of operational control. Additionally the firm’s focus on qualified communities with high barriers to entry and strong growth trends aims to create a defensible market position that is less susceptible to broad economic cycles than assets located in less desirable locales.

The company’s customer base consists of a varied mix of corporate tenants hotel guests residential renters and small business borrowers. In the office segment tenants include technology firms professional services companies and other corporate users who lease space under long term agreements. The hotel segment serves both business and leisure travelers who utilize rooms food and beverage services and event spaces at the northern California property. The multifamily segment houses individuals and families seeking rental housing in urban and suburban settings with a portion of units participating in affordable housing programs. Prior to its divestiture the lending segment served small business owners across multiple industries who required working capital or expansion financing under the SBA 7(a) program. A notable tenant is Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Incorporated which occupied space in one of the company’s Oakland California properties and represented approximately twenty three point four percent of annualized rental income for the year ended December 31 2025. No other single tenant accounted for more than ten percent of the company’s annualized rental income during that period.

Investment Thesis

▲ Bull case

The company has significantly strengthened its balance sheet by redeeming nearly four hundred million dollars of preferred stock into common stock which removes a costly dividend obligation and improves the capital structure toward long term targets. This action is expected to boost funds from operations by roughly sixteen million dollars annually starting in the second quarter of twenty twenty six. In parallel the firm has shifted to an asset based financing model having completed financings on nine assets and fully retired its recourse credit facility leaving minimal recourse debt on the books. The resulting financial flexibility provides management with capacity to pursue selective asset sales or debt extensions without jeopardizing liquidity. Moreover the redemption aligns the equity base with the company’s stated goal of maintaining approximately thirty eight% common equity seven% preferred equity and fifty five% debt on a fair value basis. The improved leverage profile reduces interest rate sensitivity and enhances the ability to weather market volatility while preserving upside potential from operational improvements.
Operating trends in the multifamily portfolio show clear improvement with occupancy rising to eighty nine point six% overall and to ninety one point nine% in the Bay Area assets reflecting a nine hundred forty basis point increase year over year. The Oakland market is exhibiting early signs of recovery supported by growing AI related employment and investment which is driving demand for residential units. Rent growth in the Downtown San Francisco market reached seven point six% in twenty twenty five followed by an additional seven% increase in twenty twenty six while vacancy fell to four point three% the lowest level in nearly twenty years. The recently delivered Echo Park multifamily building is at fifty two point eight% leased and offers upside as lease up continues and market rents exceed in place rents. Joint venture multifamily assets in Los Angeles are benefitting from strong demographic trends and steady rent rolls which provide a stable cash flow foundation. Collectively these factors suggest the multifamily division is poised to deliver growing net operating income as occupancy stabilizes and rental rates climb toward market levels.
The office segment is stabilizing outside of the Oakland asset with lease percentage up four hundred seventy basis points year over year to eighty five point seven% excluding the troubled Oakland office. In Los Angeles the 11600 Wilshire Boulevard renovation program targeting several small suites is expected to be completed in the first half of twenty twenty six which should enhance leasing activity and tenant demand. Austin and Culver City creative office assets are seeing increased leasing pipelines indicating broader demand for flexible workspace. The company is actively seeking an extension of the mortgage on the Oakland office property which matures in the third quarter of twenty twenty six and successful extension would remove a near term refinancing risk. Even if the extension carries a modestly higher rate the improved loan term would reduce refinancing frequency and provide greater predictability for cash flow planning. Furthermore the firm continues to evaluate selective asset sales where value can be unlocked and proceeds redeployed into higher returning multifamily or hotel initiatives. These actions collectively aim to transform the office division from a drag into a modest contributor to overall NOI.
The hotel asset has undergone a comprehensive renovation of all five hundred five guest rooms and public spaces marking the first major upgrade since acquisition in two thousand eight and positioning the property for improved performance. RevPAR for the first quarter of twenty twenty six was one hundred seventy eight point seventy one up slightly from the prior year reflecting the benefit of the completed rooms renovation. Management is evaluating an opportunity to convert underutilized space into eight additional guest rooms which would be highly accretive to earnings if executed. Discussions with lenders are underway to potentially upsize the loan on the Sheraton Grand and reduce the borrowing spread which would lower interest expense and increase cash flow. The property’s renovated public spaces and upgraded room inventory are expected to attract higher rated corporate and leisure guests driving average daily rate growth. Should the additional room conversion proceed the hotel could see a meaningful uplift in RevPAR that outpaces the broader market recovery in travel demand.
The undepreciated common book value per share stands at approximately one hundred forty seven dollars which provides a sizable margin below the current market price suggesting the shares may be undervalued relative to the underlying real estate assets. As the preferred stock drag is removed and FFO begins to turn positive the gap between market price and intrinsic value is likely to narrow offering a potential re rating opportunity. Core FFO though still negative showed a smaller year over year decline indicating that operating performance is improving absent the one time preferred redemption impact. Continued execution on the balance sheet strengthening plan and selective asset sales could unlock further value and support a upward revision in analyst expectations. Moreover the company’s focus on premier multifamily assets in supply constrained markets such as the Bay Area and Echo Park Los Angeles creates a structural advantage that should generate sustainable cash flow over the long term. Investors who recognize the embedded value in the real estate portfolio may benefit as the market reweights the stock toward its asset based worth.

The company has significantly strengthened its balance sheet by redeeming nearly four hundred million dollars of preferred stock into common stock which removes a costly dividend obligation and improves the capital structure toward long term targets. This action is expected to boost funds from operations by roughly sixteen million dollars annually starting in the second quarter of twenty twenty six. In parallel the firm has shifted to an asset based financing model having completed financings on nine assets and fully retired its recourse credit facility leaving minimal recourse debt on the books. The resulting financial flexibility provides management with capacity to pursue selective asset sales or debt extensions without jeopardizing liquidity. Moreover the redemption aligns the equity base with the company’s stated goal of maintaining approximately thirty eight% common equity seven% preferred equity and fifty five% debt on a fair value basis. The improved leverage profile reduces interest rate sensitivity and enhances the ability to weather market volatility while preserving upside potential from operational improvements.
Operating trends in the multifamily portfolio show clear improvement with occupancy rising to eighty nine point six% overall and to ninety one point nine% in the Bay Area assets reflecting a nine hundred forty basis point increase year over year. The Oakland market is exhibiting early signs of recovery supported by growing AI related employment and investment which is driving demand for residential units. Rent growth in the Downtown San Francisco market reached seven point six% in twenty twenty five followed by an additional seven% increase in twenty twenty six while vacancy fell to four point three% the lowest level in nearly twenty years. The recently delivered Echo Park multifamily building is at fifty two point eight% leased and offers upside as lease up continues and market rents exceed in place rents. Joint venture multifamily assets in Los Angeles are benefitting from strong demographic trends and steady rent rolls which provide a stable cash flow foundation. Collectively these factors suggest the multifamily division is poised to deliver growing net operating income as occupancy stabilizes and rental rates climb toward market levels.
The office segment is stabilizing outside of the Oakland asset with lease percentage up four hundred seventy basis points year over year to eighty five point seven% excluding the troubled Oakland office. In Los Angeles the 11600 Wilshire Boulevard renovation program targeting several small suites is expected to be completed in the first half of twenty twenty six which should enhance leasing activity and tenant demand. Austin and Culver City creative office assets are seeing increased leasing pipelines indicating broader demand for flexible workspace. The company is actively seeking an extension of the mortgage on the Oakland office property which matures in the third quarter of twenty twenty six and successful extension would remove a near term refinancing risk. Even if the extension carries a modestly higher rate the improved loan term would reduce refinancing frequency and provide greater predictability for cash flow planning. Furthermore the firm continues to evaluate selective asset sales where value can be unlocked and proceeds redeployed into higher returning multifamily or hotel initiatives. These actions collectively aim to transform the office division from a drag into a modest contributor to overall NOI.
The hotel asset has undergone a comprehensive renovation of all five hundred five guest rooms and public spaces marking the first major upgrade since acquisition in two thousand eight and positioning the property for improved performance. RevPAR for the first quarter of twenty twenty six was one hundred seventy eight point seventy one up slightly from the prior year reflecting the benefit of the completed rooms renovation. Management is evaluating an opportunity to convert underutilized space into eight additional guest rooms which would be highly accretive to earnings if executed. Discussions with lenders are underway to potentially upsize the loan on the Sheraton Grand and reduce the borrowing spread which would lower interest expense and increase cash flow. The property’s renovated public spaces and upgraded room inventory are expected to attract higher rated corporate and leisure guests driving average daily rate growth. Should the additional room conversion proceed the hotel could see a meaningful uplift in RevPAR that outpaces the broader market recovery in travel demand.
The undepreciated common book value per share stands at approximately one hundred forty seven dollars which provides a sizable margin below the current market price suggesting the shares may be undervalued relative to the underlying real estate assets. As the preferred stock drag is removed and FFO begins to turn positive the gap between market price and intrinsic value is likely to narrow offering a potential re rating opportunity. Core FFO though still negative showed a smaller year over year decline indicating that operating performance is improving absent the one time preferred redemption impact. Continued execution on the balance sheet strengthening plan and selective asset sales could unlock further value and support a upward revision in analyst expectations. Moreover the company’s focus on premier multifamily assets in supply constrained markets such as the Bay Area and Echo Park Los Angeles creates a structural advantage that should generate sustainable cash flow over the long term. Investors who recognize the embedded value in the real estate portfolio may benefit as the market reweights the stock toward its asset based worth.

▼ Bear case

Despite the recent preferred stock redemptions the company still carries a sizable preferred equity layer that will continue to accrue cumulative dividends which could pressure cash flows if additional redemptions are not pursued. The dividend rates on the Series A1 preferred stock are tied to the federal funds rate plus a spread resulting in a variable cost that may rise in a higher interest rate environment. Any further redemption requests from holders would require issuance of additional common stock causing dilution for existing shareholders unless the company opts to settle in cash which would deplete liquidity. The current stance of not intending to elect additional redemptions leaves the preferred dividend obligation as a recurring drag on earnings. Moreover the cumulative nature of these dividends means that any delay in redemption compounds the cost over time eroding the benefits of balance sheet cleanup. Investors should watch for any changes in the preferred stock outlook as it directly impacts net income attributable to common shareholders.
A material near term risk exists with the mortgage on the Oakland office property which is scheduled to mature in the third quarter of twenty twenty six and the company has stated it cannot guarantee an extension will be agreed upon with the lender. Failure to secure an extension would force a refinancing potentially at less favorable terms or could trigger a default scenario that might necessitate a forced sale of the asset at a distressed price. The Oakland office already faces challenging demand conditions and any disruption to its financing could exacerbate the segment’s weakness and weigh on overall company cash flow. Even if an extension is obtained the loan may carry a higher interest rate reflecting current market conditions increasing expense. The uncertainty surrounding this maturity creates a potential overhang on the stock as markets price in the risk of a distressed asset sale or costly new debt. Until clarity is achieved on the Oakland office financing the office division remains a source of volatility for the company’s earnings profile.
The office segment outside of Oakland continues to show softness with same store net operating income down year over year driven by lower tenant reimbursement revenue at an Oakland office property and higher real estate tax expense at a Beverly Hills asset tied to a prior year tax refund. Leasing activity while improving remains modest with only twenty thousand five hundred sixty two square feet of leases signed in the first quarter of twenty twenty six which may not be sufficient to absorb vacancy or support meaningful rent growth. The reliance on a few flagship assets in Los Angeles and Austin makes the segment vulnerable to localized economic downturns or shifts in tenant preferences toward remote work. Until occupancy and rental rates demonstrate a sustained upward trend the office division is likely to remain a drag on consolidated NOI. Additionally the company’s exposure to high cost markets such as Beverly Hills could result in further tax reassessments that increase operating expenses unexpectedly. These factors combine to keep the office business under pressure despite modest improvements in leasing metrics.
Although the hotel renovation is complete the property still experienced a mechanical issue in March that temporarily removed rooms from service and caused a year over year decline in NOI indicating that operational stability is not yet guaranteed. The hotel’s performance remains highly sensitive to travel demand macroeconomic trends and any slowdown in tourism or business travel could quickly erode the RevPAR gains seen after the rooms upgrade. The proposed addition of eight guest rooms is contingent on securing approvals financing and construction timelines which introduces execution risk and could delay the anticipated earnings boost. Until the hotel demonstrates consistent RevPAR growth above market averages the upside from the renovation remains uncertain. Furthermore the hotel operates in a competitive Sacramento market where new supply and shifting consumer preferences could limit pricing power. These dynamics suggest that the hotel may need more than a cosmetic refresh to achieve durable profitability improvements.
Core FFO remains negative at minus five point nine million for the quarter showing that the underlying operating business has not yet generated positive cash flow after adjusting for non GAAP items. The company continues to rely on asset sales such as the disposal of the lending business for liquidity and any further divestitures may need to occur at discounted prices given the market for non core assets. Limited scale and diversification across only a handful of office hotel and multifamily properties increase concentration risk making results vulnerable to asset specific setbacks. The absence of a clear catalyst for sustained earnings growth beyond the balance sheet cleanup raises the possibility that the stock could stay range bound or decline if macroeconomic headwinds intensify. Moreover the company’s dependence on a few geographic regions such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles exposes it to regional economic shocks that could disproportionately affect NOI. Investors should weigh these structural limitations against the potential upside from operational improvements when assessing the risk reward profile.

Despite the recent preferred stock redemptions the company still carries a sizable preferred equity layer that will continue to accrue cumulative dividends which could pressure cash flows if additional redemptions are not pursued. The dividend rates on the Series A1 preferred stock are tied to the federal funds rate plus a spread resulting in a variable cost that may rise in a higher interest rate environment. Any further redemption requests from holders would require issuance of additional common stock causing dilution for existing shareholders unless the company opts to settle in cash which would deplete liquidity. The current stance of not intending to elect additional redemptions leaves the preferred dividend obligation as a recurring drag on earnings. Moreover the cumulative nature of these dividends means that any delay in redemption compounds the cost over time eroding the benefits of balance sheet cleanup. Investors should watch for any changes in the preferred stock outlook as it directly impacts net income attributable to common shareholders.
A material near term risk exists with the mortgage on the Oakland office property which is scheduled to mature in the third quarter of twenty twenty six and the company has stated it cannot guarantee an extension will be agreed upon with the lender. Failure to secure an extension would force a refinancing potentially at less favorable terms or could trigger a default scenario that might necessitate a forced sale of the asset at a distressed price. The Oakland office already faces challenging demand conditions and any disruption to its financing could exacerbate the segment’s weakness and weigh on overall company cash flow. Even if an extension is obtained the loan may carry a higher interest rate reflecting current market conditions increasing expense. The uncertainty surrounding this maturity creates a potential overhang on the stock as markets price in the risk of a distressed asset sale or costly new debt. Until clarity is achieved on the Oakland office financing the office division remains a source of volatility for the company’s earnings profile.
The office segment outside of Oakland continues to show softness with same store net operating income down year over year driven by lower tenant reimbursement revenue at an Oakland office property and higher real estate tax expense at a Beverly Hills asset tied to a prior year tax refund. Leasing activity while improving remains modest with only twenty thousand five hundred sixty two square feet of leases signed in the first quarter of twenty twenty six which may not be sufficient to absorb vacancy or support meaningful rent growth. The reliance on a few flagship assets in Los Angeles and Austin makes the segment vulnerable to localized economic downturns or shifts in tenant preferences toward remote work. Until occupancy and rental rates demonstrate a sustained upward trend the office division is likely to remain a drag on consolidated NOI. Additionally the company’s exposure to high cost markets such as Beverly Hills could result in further tax reassessments that increase operating expenses unexpectedly. These factors combine to keep the office business under pressure despite modest improvements in leasing metrics.
Although the hotel renovation is complete the property still experienced a mechanical issue in March that temporarily removed rooms from service and caused a year over year decline in NOI indicating that operational stability is not yet guaranteed. The hotel’s performance remains highly sensitive to travel demand macroeconomic trends and any slowdown in tourism or business travel could quickly erode the RevPAR gains seen after the rooms upgrade. The proposed addition of eight guest rooms is contingent on securing approvals financing and construction timelines which introduces execution risk and could delay the anticipated earnings boost. Until the hotel demonstrates consistent RevPAR growth above market averages the upside from the renovation remains uncertain. Furthermore the hotel operates in a competitive Sacramento market where new supply and shifting consumer preferences could limit pricing power. These dynamics suggest that the hotel may need more than a cosmetic refresh to achieve durable profitability improvements.
Core FFO remains negative at minus five point nine million for the quarter showing that the underlying operating business has not yet generated positive cash flow after adjusting for non GAAP items. The company continues to rely on asset sales such as the disposal of the lending business for liquidity and any further divestitures may need to occur at discounted prices given the market for non core assets. Limited scale and diversification across only a handful of office hotel and multifamily properties increase concentration risk making results vulnerable to asset specific setbacks. The absence of a clear catalyst for sustained earnings growth beyond the balance sheet cleanup raises the possibility that the stock could stay range bound or decline if macroeconomic headwinds intensify. Moreover the company’s dependence on a few geographic regions such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles exposes it to regional economic shocks that could disproportionately affect NOI. Investors should weigh these structural limitations against the potential upside from operational improvements when assessing the risk reward profile.

Peer group

Peer Comparison

Companies in the Office REITs

S.No.	Ticker	Company	match	Market Cap	P/E	P/S	Total Debt (Qtr)
1	BPYPM	Brookfield Property Partners L.P.	primary	15.48 Bn	-60.69	2.16	28.14 Bn
2	ARE	Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.	primary	8.61 Bn	-8.35	3.03	12.81 Bn
3	CUZ	Cousins Properties Inc	primary	4.59 Bn	-9.37	4.44	3.73 Bn
4	KRC	Kilroy Realty Corp	primary	4.11 Bn	15.99	3.69	3.95 Bn
5	CDP	Copt Defense Properties	primary	3.97 Bn	24.15	5.06	2.59 Bn
6	SLG	Sl Green Realty Corp	primary	3.71 Bn	-19.45	3.57	2.23 Bn
7	HIW	Highwoods Properties, Inc.	primary	3.33 Bn	21.73	4.05	3.52 Bn
8	DEI	Douglas Emmett Inc	primary	1.81 Bn	-4.68	1.80	5.72 Bn

Creative Media & Community Trust CMCT

About

Investment Thesis

Peer Comparison

Create an account

Sign In

Reset Password