Gladstone Land Upgraded to Strong-Buy, Analysts Respond

Shares of Gladstone Land Corporation (NASDAQ: LAND) received a significant boost following an upgrade from Zacks Research, which raised its rating from “hold” to “strong-buy” in a report released on Monday. The upgrade reflects a positive shift in analyst sentiment, particularly among income-focused investors interested in the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector.

Several other financial institutions have also weighed in on Gladstone Land’s performance. Wall Street Zen recently downgraded the stock from “hold” to “sell,” while Alliance Global Partners maintained a “neutral” rating in early November. Additionally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating, indicating a mix of opinions in the market. Notably, Industrial Alliance Securities set a price target of $10.00 for the stock. Currently, one analyst has assigned a strong buy rating, another a buy rating, one a hold, and one a sell rating, leading to an average rating of “moderate buy” with a consensus target price of $10.00, according to data from MarketBeat.

Recent Earnings and Dividends

Gladstone Land recently reported its quarterly earnings on November 5, revealing an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.04. This figure surpassed analysts’ expectations, which had forecasted a loss of $0.03 per share. The company generated revenues of $17.79 million for the quarter, significantly above the anticipated $15.08 million. The REIT displayed a net margin of 14.50% and a return on equity of 1.46%. Analysts predict that Gladstone Land will achieve an EPS of $0.52 for the current year.

Moreover, the company announced a monthly dividend of $0.0467, set to be distributed on March 31, 2026. Investors who are on record as of March 23, 2026, will be eligible for this payout. The ex-dividend date is also scheduled for March 23. This dividend reflects an annualized yield of 5.8%, though it’s worth noting that the company’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at a negative 254.55%.

Institutional Investment Trends

Institutional trading activity surrounding Gladstone Land has seen notable changes recently. Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new stake in the company valued at $405,000 during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings by 5.9%, now owning 407,183 shares valued at approximately $4.28 million after purchasing an additional 22,557 shares.

In the same period, Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its position by 1.5%, bringing its total to 101,376 shares valued at $1.03 million. Additionally, ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new stake worth about $6.10 million, while Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake by 65.5%, owning 14,577 shares now valued at $148,000. Collectively, institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 53.60% of Gladstone Land’s stock.

The recent positive sentiment surrounding Gladstone Land has also resulted in its inclusion on Zacks’ list of “Best Income Stocks to Buy,” further attracting income-seeking investors due to its reliable dividend payouts. The company has confirmed monthly cash distributions for the first quarter of 2026, which may enhance its appeal among yield-focused investors.

As analysts continue to assess Gladstone Land’s performance amidst varying ratings, its recent upgrade and positive earnings report may play a crucial role in shaping investor confidence moving forward.