** Self-storage REIT CubeSmart CUBE.N shares up ~1.1% to $43.17
** BMO upgrades CUBE to "outperform" from "market perform" rating
** Brokerage says CUBE's under-levered balance sheet provides a defensive bulwark in case of macroeconomic headwinds, while also allowing for accretive acquisitions
** "We see CUBE's high-quality, urban portfolio allowing for both attractive relative growth with lower risk," - BMO
** Brokerage raises PT to $49 from $48, a ~14.7% upside on stock's last close
** Six of 18 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 12 "hold"; their median PT is $47 - LSEG data
** Including session's moves, stock up ~0.8% YTD
(Reporting by Prakhar Srivastava in Bengaluru)
((Prakhar.srivastava2@thomsonreuters.com))