April 29 (Reuters) - Real estate investment trust BXP

on Tuesday forecast a muted second quarter after

reporting lower profit for the first quarter, as steady leasing

activity was offset by higher expenses.

Shares of the company, which operates in six markets

including New York and San Francisco, fell 1.7% in aftermarket

trading.

Despite the push for employees to return to the office, the

commercial real estate market remains under pressure due to

economic uncertainties, which have increased financing costs.

BXP said it expects second-quarter FFO to range between

$1.65 and $1.67 per share, below analysts' estimates of $1.69

per share, as per LSEG data.

The company reported FFO, a key measure of a REIT's

performance, at $1.64 per share for the quarter ended March 31,

down from $1.73 per share last year, impacted by lower earnings

from unconsolidated joint ventures in the quarter.

However, its revenue rose 3.1% to $865.2 million in the

quarter, aided by a steady increase in leasing activity.

Net income attributable to common shareholders fell to $61.2

million, or $0.39 per share, compared with $79.9 million, or

$0.51 per share, a year earlier.