CBL Gains More than 77% in a Year: What's Driving the Stock?

CBL & Associates Properties’ stock gained 77.1% over the past year, far outpacing the real estate sector’s 10.7% increase and the S&P 500’s 17.5% gain. The Chattanooga, Tennessee-based self-managed REIT cited momentum driven by two recent developments: the sale of York Town Center in York, Pennsylvania, and an announcement of promising second-quarter 2026 results in August. In that second quarter, CBL reported higher revenues and earnings supported by increased rental income, improved occupancy, and gains from real estate activity. Same-center net operating income rose on better occupancy, contractual rent escalations and percentage rents, while adjusted FFO per share also improved. Leasing demand and tenant sales improved as the company diversified uses and continued refinancing to extend maturities.