In this article, we will take a look at the global warehousing industry along with the 7 best warehouse stocks to buy according to analysts.
The Global Warehousing Industry at a Glance
According to a report by IMARC, the global warehousing and storage industry was valued at $505.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $700.2 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of 3.5% between 2024 and 2032.
On a regional level, Asia Pacific currently dominates the global market. India’s booming warehousing and logistics sector has been witnessing a strong momentum. As reported by the real estate research and brokerage firm Colliers India, the sector recorded $2.5 billion in inflows in Q2. The industrial and warehousing sector accounted for 61% of total investments with $1.5 billion. As compared to Q2 2023, the institutional investments in the industrial and warehousing segment surged 11 times. The rapidly growing e-commerce and retail consumption in the country are expected to drive the demand for AI-enabled warehouses and micro-fulfillment centers in the next quarters.
Global giants have also looked to expand into India’s warehousing market in an attempt to diversify their supply chains beyond China and leverage the national economic boom and growth potential over the next 15 to 20 years. However, India lags in the warehousing stock with estimates from Avendus Capital stating that China has three times more than India’s 412 million square feet of Grade A warehouses meanwhile the US has 13 billion square feet of warehousing stock.
In light of the current events taking place in the US, a surprising sector that could potentially benefit from the ongoing port strikes is warehousing. This is the event of the first such shutdown in almost 50 years with tens of thousands of dockworkers going on strike indefinitely at ports across much of the country. As analyzed by CNBC’s Diana Olick, warehouses will see more demand and higher pricing power as tenants need workarounds for their goods and containers. An example of this case is the cold storage warehouse firms such as those storing food inventory which are expected to experience increased demand in the case of import disruptions. Warehouse REITs such as Prologis are providing storage areas to temporarily store inventory. However, this is only a short-term win since ports closing for the long term will be a loss for all including warehouses with no goods coming in or out of them. Since the warehouse construction has been low and occupancy rates on warehouses are currently high, the higher pricing power is only valid for the short term.
With that being said, let’s move to the 7 best warehouse stocks to buy according to analysts.
An aerial view of a large warehouse full of food storage containers.
Our Methodology:
In order to compile a list of the 7 best warehouse stocks to buy according to analysts, we first sifted through ETFs and online rankings to gather a preliminary list of 25 such stocks. We then selected the top 7 stocks that had the highest upside potential, according to Wall Street analysts. The best warehouse stocks to buy according to analysts are arranged in ascending order of their average upside potential, as of October 3.
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7 Best Warehouse Stocks To Buy According to Analysts
7. Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD)
Average Upside Potential: 11.13%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD) is a global industrial real estate investment trust that owns and manages space for warehouses, distribution, manufacturing, and large-scale storage. The firm leases modern logistics facilities to 6,700 customers across two categories including business-to-business and retail/online fulfillment. It has built its legacy through the acquisition, development, and maintenance of the largest collection of high-quality logistics real estate globally.
Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD) has emerged as one of the largest warehouse-focused REITs. The company claims that 2.8% of the global GDP flows through its distribution centers globally. Additionally, its irreplicable premier global portfolio makes it stand out. The firm owned or had investments in properties and development projects amounting to nearly 1.2 billion square feet in 19 countries, as of June 30.
The warehouse operator leased 52 million square feet in its portfolio during the second quarter representing a 27% increase over the first quarter and one of its highest quarters in the past years. While the customer demand was subdued, it is improving and is expected to continue improving which is a positive omen for Prologis. The firm also sees its future growth in opportunities in data centers and energy.
Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD) has one of the largest global portfolios of logistics real estate and an industry-leading position. The stock has an average upside potential of 11.13%, as of October 3.
6. DSV A/S (OTC:DSDVF)
Average Upside Potential: 14.20%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
DSV A/S (OTC:DSDVF) is a freight forwarder that connects companies with the world and enables smooth and efficient storage and transport of their goods. While the firm started its journey in Denmark in 1976, it has emerged as one of the largest transport and logistics companies in the world. It is divided into 3 divisions namely DSV Road, DSV Air & Sea, and DSV Solutions.
DSV A/S (OTC:DSDVF) is a truly global player with an international network of partners and agents as well as offices in over 80 countries. The firm operates 400 warehouses with a total capacity of over 6 million square metres. The market position is strong with one of the highest market shares among other third-party logistics providers. The firm has recently strengthened its competitiveness by agreeing to acquire Schenker from Deutsche Bahn, a transformative event in DSV’s history that is expected to make it the world’s biggest logistics company.
Regardless of a competitive market, the firm closed Q2 with further market share gains and sequential growth in all three divisions. While the gross profit stabilized in Air & Sea, Road saw a stable gross profit and a 4.4% increase in EBIT before special items. Simultaneously, Solutions witnessed a gross profit increase of 8.1%. Therefore, the company is well set to grow in an ever-changing market despite the challenges. In Q2, the firm also launched a company-wide operational efficiency initiative whose gains will be reaped in the coming quarters.
With resilient segment performance and the status of a leading logistics giant targeting sustainable future growth, DSV A/S (OTC:DSDVF) is in an attractive spot. As of October 3, the average price target for the stock stands at 14.20%.