Essential Properties(EPRT) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an AFFO per share of $0.45, representing a 7% increase compared to Q1 2024 [23] - Total AFFO for the quarter was $85.7 million, up $14.6 million or 21% year-over-year [24] - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.295, resulting in an AFFO payout ratio of 66% [25] - Pro forma net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDAre was 3.4 times at quarter-end [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company invested $308 million through 21 transactions at a weighted average cash yield of 7.8% [13] - The weighted average lease term was 14 years, with only 5.4% of annual base rent expiring over the next five years [12] - The weighted average unit level coverage ratio was 3.5 times, indicating strong tenant profitability [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with investments in 2,138 properties leased to 423 tenants across 16 industries [11] - Same-store rent growth was 1.5%, slightly up from the previous quarter [17] - The carwash industry exposure was reduced to 13.9% of annual base rent, below the soft ceiling of 15% [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on middle market sale leasebacks with growing operators in targeted industries [8] - The investment pipeline supports the upper half of the guidance range of $900 million to $1.1 billion for 2025 [11] - The company aims to maintain a well-capitalized balance sheet with low leverage and significant liquidity to support growth [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The operating environment remains favorable despite a choppy capital markets backdrop [7] - The company expects modest cap rate compression in 2025, but competition has been less than anticipated due to market volatility [10] - Management reaffirmed the 2025 AFFO per share guidance range of $1.85 to $1.89, indicating over 7% growth at the midpoint [31] Other Important Information - The company issued over $300 million of equity and upsized its credit facility, resulting in liquidity of $1.5 billion [9] - The company sold 11 properties for $24.3 million in net proceeds during the quarter [20] - The company has a strong focus on tenant relationships, with 90% of investments being sale leaseback transactions [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of ongoing tariff situation on tenant health - Management believes the impact will be minimal as 93% of their portfolio is service and experience-based [35] Question: Competition levels across target industries - Competition is more pronounced in larger transactions, while smaller transactions remain less competitive [37] Question: Factors for not raising acquisition guidance - Management indicated it is still early in the year and visibility on the pipeline is limited to 60-90 days [45] Question: Details on Dave and Buster's acquisition - The investment was based on a long-standing relationship and favorable terms due to less competition [49][50] Question: Current watch list and evolving dynamics - The watch list is down 50 basis points quarter-over-quarter, indicating a stable credit environment [62] Question: Transaction environment and competition - Management noted that while competition has decreased, there is still active dialogue with new relationships [108] Question: Leverage and potential scenarios for increase - Management anticipates remaining conservative on leverage, with sufficient liquidity to avoid increasing leverage [90] Question: Trends in car wash tenants - Coverage and average unit volumes were flat across car wash operators [117] Question: Overall economic outlook and tenant base resilience - Management expressed confidence in the tenant base's ability to withstand economic pressures due to strong rent coverage [165]