Griffin Realty Trust/Peakstone NYSE Listing Bad News for Investors
The White Law Group continues to investigate potential securities claims involving the liability that brokerage firms may have for improperly recommending Griffin Realty Trust Inc. (now known as Peakstone Realty Trust) to investors. Our firm continues to file claims on behalf of investors who have suffered investment losses in Peakstone.
Griffin Realty Trust (formerly known as Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT), a publicly registered non-traded REIT, has now changed its name to Peakstone Realty Trust and announced a one-for-nine reverse share split, according to a filing with the SEC on March 8, 2023.
Peakstone Realty Trust (NYSE: PKST) is a industrial and office REIT. Unfortunately for investors, Office REITs in particular have taken a hit due to the changing landscape of remote work. With more people working from home, the demand for office space has shifted. Companies are adopting flexible work arrangements, which might mean they need less office space or could opt to downsize their current office footprint. Reduced demand for office space can lead to higher vacancy rates in office properties, potentially impacting the rental income generated by office REITs. If these REITs have a significant investment in office properties, they could experience declining rental income and property values.
Peakstone’s Trading Price
Many investors looking forward to the opportunity for liquidity after Griffin suspended its redemptions were disappointed at Peakstone’s trading price. After the 1 for 9 reverse stock split, the company estimated its Net Asset Value (NAV) at $66.87.
Shares of Peakstone (PKST) reportedly opened at $8 per share and closed at $11.65 per share on the first day of trading on April 13, 2023. It reached a high of $39.65 in June and closed yesterday at $17.74 per share. According to Peakstone, the capital markets and the specific market for office properties have negatively changed since it last updated the NAV.
Reverse Stock Split – What does it mean for Shareholders?
A reverse stock split occurs when a company decreases the number of shares in order to increase the dollar value of the individual shares. In one example, if the company has $100,000 worth of outstanding shares, with 10,000 shares at $10 per share, they may elect to create 2,500 shares at $40 per share.
Because the share price increases, it may look more attractive to new investors, resulting in more money invested into the company, creating the perception that a company’s stock has increased in value. Or a company may do a reverse stock split so that its share price will appear like its competitors.
Unfortunately, companies whose stock price has been decreasing for a while may execute reverse stock split in an attempt to hide it. It potentially could be a sign that the company is in poor financial health.
Griffin Realty Trust – NAV Declines
The company reported an updated Net Asset Value (NAV) per share of $7.37 as of June 30, 2022, a decrease from 2021 of NAV of $9.10 per share – a decline of 18%. According to a filing with the SEC, the company reported that the lowered NAV is due to the decrease in the value of office properties, which was partially offset by an increase in the value of its industrial properties.
The company noted that “office properties continue to be negatively impacted by pandemic-related work-from-home trends.”
Tender Offer Suggests Losses for Shareholders
In January 2023, the board of Griffin Realty Trust Inc. reportedly sent a letter to their shareholders announcing their neutrality regarding an unsolicited tender offer from CMG Partners LLC and its affiliates. CMG’s offer included the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of Class A and Class AA common stock for just $3.40 per share.
In a letter to stockholders, Griffin’s board of directors stated that CMG Partners’ offer is approximately 54% less than the most recently published NAV of $7.37 as of June 30, 2022.
Potential Lawsuits to Recover REIT Investment Losses
The trouble with non-traded REITs is that they are complex and inherently risky products.
Lack of liquidity is often problematic for many investors. Investors looking to sell often have difficulty finding a buyer and can suffer significant losses on the sale.
Broker dealers are required to inform clients of the risks associated with investment recommendations. They must ensure that those recommendations are suitable for the investor considering the investor’s age, risk tolerance, net worth, and investment experience. Firms that fail to do so may be held responsible for any losses.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides regulatory services to the financial industry by licensing and regulating brokerage firms. FINRA also operates the largest dispute resolution forum in the securities industry. FINRA Dispute Resolution is the forum for almost all disputes between investors, brokerage firms and brokers.
If you have suffered losses investing in Griffin Realty Trust, Inc. (now known as Peakstone Realty Trust), you may be able to recover your losses by filing a FINRA Dispute Resolution Claim. Please contact The White Law Group at 888-637-5510 for a free consultation.
The White Law Group, LLC is a national securities fraud, securities arbitration, investor protection, and securities regulation/compliance law firm with offices in Chicago, Illinois and Seattle, Washington. For more information on the firm, visit www.WhiteSecuritiesLaw.com.
Tags: Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT lawsuit, Griffin realty trust NAV, Griffin Realty Trust lawsuit, IndustrialCo, non-traded REITs, Peakstone Realty Trust Last modified: December 5, 2023
