Pilgrim's Pride (PPC) Q4 2024 Earnings Call February 13, 2025 09:00 AM ET Company Participants Andrew Rojeski - Head of Strategy, Investor Relations & Net-Zero ProgramsFabio Sandri - President and Global Chief Executive OfficerMatthew Galvanoni - CFOPeter Galbo - Director - Equity ResearchHeather Jones - FounderPooran Sharma - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Benjamin Theurer - AnalystAndrew Strelzik - Equity Research AnalystPriya Ohri-Gupta - Analyst Operator Good morning, and welcome to the ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the year 2024, the company reported an annualized base rent (ABR) of approximately $197.8 million, reflecting a 14.5% increase from $172.8 million in 2023 [20][21] - The adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share for Q4 2024 was $0.60, a 5.3% increase from $0.57 in Q4 2023, while the full year AFFO per share was $2.34, up 4% from $2.25 in 2023 [20][21] - The company achieved a fixed charge coverage ratio of 3.8 times as of December 31, 2024, indicating strong financial health [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company invested $289 million in high-quality convenience and automotive retail assets, acquiring 71 properties and providing development funding for new industry assets [7][8] - The investment activities were diversified, with 57% focused on non-convenience and gas property types, including express tunnel car washes and auto service centers [14][16] - The company reported a trailing twelve-month tenant rent coverage ratio of 2.6 times, indicating strong rent coverage across its portfolio [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded its presence in top metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), with 60% of annualized base rent coming from the top 50 MSAs and 76% from the top 100 MSAs [13] - The investment activity in 2024 was characterized by a balanced approach, with convenience stores representing 41% of transaction volume, express tunnel car washes 33%, auto service centers 21%, and drive-thru quick service restaurants 5% [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a diversification strategy that has increased total ABR by approximately 70% since the end of 2019, with rental income from non-convenience and gas properties now accounting for 28% of total ABR [11] - The management emphasized the importance of a relationship-based sale leaseback strategy to generate continued acquisition opportunities in the convenience and automotive retail sectors [10][12] - The company remains committed to executing its growth and diversification plans while creating value for shareholders [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management characterized 2024 as a challenging year for transaction markets but expressed confidence in the company's ability to source attractive investment opportunities [6][17] - The company anticipates modest cap rate compression from the 8.3% yields achieved in 2024, driven by larger portfolio transactions [17] - Management revised the AFFO guidance for 2025 to a range of $2.38 to $2.41 per share, factoring in potential rent adjustments and uncollectible rents [27][28] Other Important Information - The company disposed of 31 properties for gross proceeds of approximately $13 million in 2024, including seven properties for $7.5 million in Q4 [19] - The company has a strong capital position with $17 million in cash and over $280 million of capacity on its unsecured revolving credit facility, providing ample resources for future investments [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the Zipps situation? - Management indicated that the seven sites in question were primarily new to industry locations and expressed confidence in re-leasing them without significant capital requirements [30][31] Question: Are there concerns regarding the financial health of other operators? - Management reassured that they maintain regular communication with tenants and are comfortable with their current car wash roster, emphasizing the focus on large, experienced operators [33][34] Question: How will the capital plan be structured moving forward? - The CFO explained that the company plans to use debt proceeds to pay down the revolver first, followed by utilizing equity for acquisitions throughout the year [38] Question: What are the assumptions regarding the potential downtime for the Zipps properties? - Management acknowledged a range of outcomes regarding downtime and rent recovery, emphasizing that they are capturing this variability in their AFFO guidance [42][44] Question: Can you provide more details on the recent portfolio transaction? - Management confirmed that the recent transaction is a direct sale leaseback and expressed intentions to pursue more such transactions in the future [46][47]

Patria Investments Limited (NASDAQ:PAX) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 12, 2025 9:00 AM ET Company Participants Rob Lee - Head, Shareholder Relations Alex Saigh - Chief Executive Officer Ana Russo - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Beatriz de Abreu - Goldman Sachs William Barranjard - Itau BBA Ricardo Buchpiguel - BTG Pactual Operator Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Patria Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all par ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q2 2025 were $106 million, a decline of 24% compared to the same quarter last year [7][12] - Gross margin improved from 37% to 42%, despite the drop in revenues [28] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter reached $15.4 million, down from approximately $24 million in the year-ago quarter [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Crop Protection**: Revenues fell from $71 million to over $55 million, primarily due to performance in Argentina, with a year-to-date decline of 20% [17][18] - **Crop Nutrition**: Sales were $28 million in Q2, with declines attributed to micro-beaded fertilizer sales in Argentina [22][23] - **Seed & Integrated Products**: Revenue decline was anticipated due to strategic decisions, with growth in seed treatment solutions driven by soybean-based treatments [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Argentine market faced significant challenges, with lower commodity prices and reduced farmer income impacting purchasing capacity [13][14] - Sales outside of Argentina grew during the first half, indicating progress in geographic diversification [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning to a more capital-light business model and exiting breeding, seed production, and commercialization, opting to partner with established seed companies [9][10] - A new agreement with GDM for soybean development and a revised partnership with Florimond Desprez for wheat were announced [10][46] - The focus is on enhancing profitability and cash flows while navigating market volatility [39][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges in the Argentine market as temporary and expressed optimism about mid to long-term prospects [38] - The strategic repositioning of the seed business and tighter inventory management are seen as initial steps to address short-term challenges [40] Other Important Information - Total net debt at quarter-end stood at $238 million, with a leverage ratio of 3.3 turns, above the target threshold [36] - The company is implementing a tighter inventory management policy, resulting in inventory levels being 18% lower than last year [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Transition in the seed business and its economic implications - Management indicated that transitioning existing channels to key customers will improve cost structure and generate royalties over the next two to three years [54][60] Question: Impact on the balance sheet from the transition - The strategic pivoting is expected to free up working capital and reduce SG&A expenses, with cash returning to the balance sheet from grain inventory divestments [60][61] Question: Focus on biologicals and new trait development - The company is prioritizing biologicals where development costs are lower, while still pursuing incremental technologies through partnerships [64][66] Question: R&D platform and solutions for South American crops - Management is exploring solutions for challenges like target spot in soybeans and corn stunt, leveraging partnerships for regulatory clearances [68][72] Question: Expectations for OpEx related to the seed business - A meaningful reduction in OpEx is anticipated in the coming quarters, alongside a focus on stabilizing EBITDA margins [82][84] Question: Revenue from non-core third-party products - Non-core products account for approximately 25% to 30% of revenues, with a focus on maintaining high-margin products while reducing lower-margin offerings [95][99] Question: Cash balance and capital needs - The current cash balance of $29 million is deemed sufficient to support the revised business strategy without immediate capital raising needs [111][112] Question: Deconsolidation of revenue with new agreements - Revenue from new partnerships will depend on the structure of agreements, with royalties expected to contribute to the top line [120][121] Question: Inventory decline contributions - Both grain sales and tighter inventory management contributed to the decline in inventories, with both factors being equally significant [124][126]