May 2 (Reuters) - Multifamily residential REIT Camden

Property Trust beat Wall Street estimates for

first-quarter funds from operations (FFO) on Thursday, helped by

strong demand for rental spaces in markets such as Southern

California and Southeast Florida.

Camden has 172 properties containing 58,634 apartment homes

in 15 major markets across the U.S., according to its latest

annual report.

The Houston, Texas-based company reported FFO, a key

performance measure for REITs, of $1.67 per share in the quarter

ended March 31, compared with analysts' average estimate of

$1.66 per share, according to LSEG data.

The REIT reported property revenues of $383 million, up from

$378 million last year.

However, the company maintained its full-year FFO forecast,

stating it expects higher interest expenses for the remainder of

the year, with low odds of the U.S. Federal Reserve cutting

rates.

Shares of the company were down about 5% in trading after

the bell.