Elme Communities Completes Sale of 19 Multifamily Communities for $1.6 Billion - Elme (NYSE:ELME)

Multifamily REIT executives said renter demand is holding up as new apartment supply begins to peak, citing stronger absorption and moderating deliveries on Q2 earnings calls. MAA highlighted resilient demand and declining deliveries. AvalonBay and Equity Residential proposed a merger. Camden sold a 11-community California portfolio for about $1.62B. Q2 core FFO per share: AVB $2.86, CPT $1.68, ELS $1.00, MAA $2.08, UDR $0.60, ES $4.08, UDR $0.60, CPC $1.27.

Elme Communities’ liquidation plan hit a setback when its agreed sale of Riverside Apartments (1,222 units) to a Beitel Group subsidiary for $280 million was terminated, according to an SEC disclosure reported by Bisnow. The failure raises questions about Elme’s ability to repay a $520 million Goldman Sachs term loan; the loan balance was $251 million as of Wednesday. Elme is restarting marketing and has repeatedly cut payout guidance.

Bloomberg reported the US Army plans to buy at least $400 million of AeroVironment counter-drone laser systems, citing a person familiar with the deal. The order would include dozens of LOCUST units that use AI to detect and track small to medium drones and then engage them with a high-energy laser. AeroVironment’s stock rose about 8% on Friday.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) said it won a $397 million U.S. Space Force contract to develop, launch, and operate multiple Flatellites for the SB-AMTI program. Flatellites are slimmer, stackable satellites intended to increase deployments per launch and integrate with Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket. The article cites analyst forecasts for revenue rising from $602M (2025) to $1.7B (2028).

Diversified Energy (LSE:DEC, NYSE:DEC) said it will shift from acquisition-led growth to drilling its own wells, launching a one-rig operated development programme in Oklahoma in 2H, spending $35m to $50m. It expects drilling to materially affect 2027 production. Q2 adjusted EBITDA fell 14% to $240m; guidance calls for $960m-$1.01b adjusted earnings and ~$440m free cash flow.

Bloomberg reports the Pentagon will buy laser-based counter-drone systems from AeroVironment Inc. in a deal valued at at least $400 million. The contract is expected to supply the Army with dozens of Locust systems, described as an AI-enabled laser system for tracking and disabling small and medium UAVs. AeroVironment shares rose 8.1% intraday, according to the report.