Easterly Government Properties (DEA) is drawing investor interest after recent share price moves, with the stock last closing at $25.33. This price puts the government-focused REIT’s market value at about $1.30b.

Over the past year, Easterly Government Properties has combined an 18.86% year-to-date share price return with a 20.11% total shareholder return. The 3-year and 5-year total shareholder returns are 10.78% and 35.31% lower, respectively, signalling improving recent momentum after a weaker longer-term run.

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Easterly Government Properties sits on long leases to a single, highly rated tenant, yet the stock has just run ahead of some analyst targets. Is this a solid business now trading at a stretched price, or still reasonable value?

Preferred P/E of 111.6x: Is it justified?

On traditional metrics, Easterly Government Properties looks expensive, with the stock trading on a P/E of 111.6x at the recent $25.33 close.

The P/E ratio compares the company’s share price to its earnings per share and is a common way investors frame how much they are paying for each dollar of profit. For a REIT focused on long leases to U.S. government tenants, a high P/E can reflect investor willingness to pay up for perceived income durability, but it can also signal very low current earnings.

Here, the story is tilted toward a stretched valuation. Easterly Government Properties carries a P/E of 111.6x while the global Office REITs industry sits around 16x, and the company’s own estimated fair P/E is 36.3x. That gap is wide, suggesting the current multiple is well above both peer levels and the level the fair ratio points to as a potential anchor over time.

Result: Price-to-earnings of 111.6x (OVERVALUED)

However, Easterly Government Properties still faces risks, including its heavy reliance on a single tenant and analyst targets that already sit below the current share price.

Another view on Easterly Government Properties using our DCF model

While the current P/E makes Easterly Government Properties look expensive, our DCF model paints a very different picture. At a share price of $25.33 and a DCF value of $48.50, the stock is indicated as trading about 47.8% below that estimate, which raises a clear question: which signal do you trust more?

Simply Wall St performs a discounted cash flow (DCF) on every stock in the world every day (check out Easterly Government Properties for example). We show the entire calculation in full. You can track the result in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted when this changes, or use our stock screener to discover 49 high quality undervalued stocks. If you save a screener we even alert you when new companies match - so you never miss a potential opportunity.

Next Steps

If this mixed picture on Easterly Government Properties leaves you uncertain, take a closer look at the underlying data now and decide where you stand, starting with 2 key rewards and 3 important warning signs.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.