Healthcare Realty Trust rporated(HR) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Normalized FFO per share for Q1 2025 was $0.39, aligning with expectations and marking a strong start to the year [22] - Same store cash NOI growth was 2.3%, impacted by higher operating expenses and weather volatility, with expectations for acceleration in growth for the remainder of the year [22][23] - Net debt to adjusted EBITDA remained unchanged at 6.4 times, with expectations to decrease to a range of 6 to 6.25 times as the year progresses [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store occupancy at the end of Q1 was 89.3%, with expectations for sequential growth throughout 2025 [11] - The company commenced nearly 1,500,000 square feet of new and renewal leases during the quarter, with a solid signed non-occupied pipeline of over 630,000 square feet [17][20] - Tenant retention improved by over 300 basis points to almost 85%, contributing to the slight uptick in occupancy [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for outpatient medical space remains robust, with health systems experiencing improving revenue and margin trends, driving further growth and space needs [20] - The company’s on-campus portfolio received an A+ score in a recent industry research piece, indicating a resilient outpatient portfolio compared to peers [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The new CEO emphasized a focus on leasing, portfolio optimization, balance sheet improvement, organizational efficiency, and financial discipline as initial strategic priorities [11][14] - The company plans to exit markets with limited scale and focus on selling assets rather than contributing them to joint ventures [13][31] - The dividend will be an output of the strategic plan, with discussions ongoing at the Board level regarding its future [16][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong fundamentals of outpatient medical real estate, with muted new supply and steadily increasing demand [7] - The company anticipates occupancy growth throughout 2025, with a target of 75 to 125 basis points of absorption by year-end [21] - Management is cautious about potential federal healthcare budget cuts but noted that outpatient medical assets may benefit indirectly from such changes [45] Other Important Information - The company maintained its dividend at$ 0.31 per share for the quarter, with discussions ongoing regarding its future based on earnings clarity [16] - The company sold four buildings for $28 million in Q1, with plans for further dispositions as part of its strategy [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Did the areas of focus listed by the new CEO represent a priority order? - The CEO indicated that while not in perfect order of priority, portfolio optimization and deleveraging are immediate focuses, while leasing improvements may take two to three years [30] Question: How does the company view the joint venture model? - The CEO expressed a preference for maintaining existing joint ventures but emphasized the need to sell assets rather than contribute more to these ventures [31] Question: Is the current guidance for 2025 confirmed? - The CEO reaffirmed the guidance after reviewing the 2025 forecast, indicating comfort with the numbers presented [35] Question: How will dispositions impact earnings and dividend coverage? - The CEO acknowledged that while there may be a negative impact from asset sales, efforts are being made to offset dilution through efficiencies and leasing upside [104][105] Question: What is the outlook for rent collection from tenants? - The CFO reported full rent collection from a key tenant for February, March, and April, indicating stability despite ongoing bankruptcy processes [62] Question: How does the company plan to utilize retained cash flow? - The CEO highlighted redevelopment opportunities as a priority for retained cash flow, aiming for higher returns on reinvested capital [115]