Michael Aron is chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management. Mike, always appreciate having you on. You know, stocks may be due for whatever, but it doesn't mean they're going to do that, does it.It doesn't, Brian. The foundation for this bull market remains solid. So, trades coming into clearer focus.It's not perfect, but we've avoided the worst outcome. Now, we're throwing a little gasoline on the fire with both fiscal policy and monetary policy. Oh, and by the way, earnings are grow ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 2025, total revenues were $62.9 million, a 12% decrease from Q1 2025, primarily due to tenant defaults [18] - Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) for Q2 was $48.4 million or $1.71 per share, also a 12% decrease compared to Q1 2025 [18] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $2.6 billion in primarily unencumbered gross assets and a low debt to gross assets ratio of 11% [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on optimizing occupancy across its cannabis portfolio while facing challenges from tenant defaults [7][8] - The investment in IQHQ, a life science REIT, is expected to be highly accretive to AFFO with a blended yield exceeding 14% [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The cannabis industry is forecasted to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 7% from 2024 to 2029, reaching $44 billion by 2029 [7] - The life science fundraising in 2025 is on track to be the highest since 2021, indicating strong investor confidence in the sector [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is diversifying its portfolio by investing in the life science sector through IQHQ, while continuing to evaluate opportunities in the cannabis industry [4][5] - The management team emphasizes the importance of maintaining a conservative financial profile and pursuing high-quality investments with attractive risk-adjusted returns [19][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the persistent macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory challenges in the cannabis industry but remains optimistic about long-term growth [7][12] - The company is actively pursuing legal remedies to enhance the performance of its real estate portfolio amid tenant defaults [8][10] Other Important Information - The company has closed on a $7.8 million acquisition in Maryland and completed two dispositions totaling $10.8 million in Michigan and California [15] - The company repurchased 367,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $53.98 per share for a total cost of $19.8 million [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the real estate investment case specifically for IQHQ? - Management clarified that the investment is in an operating company within the life science sector, not directly in real estate, and highlighted the potential recovery in the life science industry [22][23] Question: What attracted you to IQHQ specifically? - The management noted that IQHQ's portfolio is well-positioned to capitalize on AI demand and the future growth of the life science industry [27][28] Question: How does the investment in IQHQ compare to share buybacks? - Management stated that the investment is expected to provide a higher return than the current dividend yield, emphasizing the importance of overall cost of capital [33][34] Question: How does the decision to diversify capital away from cannabis relate to dividends? - Management indicated that the investment in IQHQ was strategically evaluated to provide current income and yield while addressing underlying issues in the cannabis sector [41][44] Question: What is the current cash yield on the revolver investment? - The current cash yield on the investment is stated to be north of 10% [64]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted profit before tax for Q1 2025 was $96 million, up 42% year-over-year, with revenues growing 28% to $467 million [6][10][18] - Reported return on equity increased to 29%, up six percentage points year-over-year [10] - Adjusted diluted EPS rose to 91¢ per share, reflecting a 32% increase year-over-year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Clearing revenue grew 18% to $119 million, driven by higher net interest income despite lower average Fed fund rates [20] - Agency and execution revenue surged 42% to $240 million, with securities revenue increasing 59% to $151 million [20][21] - Energy revenue rose 20% to $88 million, benefiting from record volumes and strong demand [21] - Market making revenue grew 27% to $53 million, with security revenues doubling [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Exchange volumes in Q1 were up 15% year-over-year and 12% compared to Q4 [7] - Average daily value at risk remained low at $3.4 million, indicating effective market risk management [22] - Average balances increased to $17.1 billion, up from $11.3 billion a year ago, reflecting growth in client balances [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to generate reliable earnings growth across cycles by servicing client flow and gaining market share [14] - There is a focus on expanding the prime services offering and enhancing margins in the agency and execution segment [36][41] - The company is actively evaluating M&A opportunities while maintaining strict discipline to meet return targets [32][68] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the firm's operational resilience and ability to convert higher volumes into revenue and profit growth [30] - The company anticipates continued momentum for the rest of the year, despite potential risks from falling interest rates [31] - Management noted that client health remains strong, with minimal liquidity pressure observed during recent volatility [74][78] Other Important Information - The company successfully executed a $500 million senior notes issuance to enhance liquidity [9][17] - A dividend increase to 15¢ per share was announced for Q1 2025, up from 14¢ in 2024 [10][29] - The firm maintains a strong capital and liquidity position, with total funding increasing to $4.3 billion [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the Prime business and its recent performance - Management noted a significant pickup in prime services, indicating unmet demand has been captured, but growth rates may slow [36][37] Question: Contribution from the Arna acquisition - The Arna acquisition closed at the end of Q1, with minimal contribution in the quarter, but early performance in April met expectations [42][43] Question: Divergence between cleared volume growth and commission revenue growth - Management explained that the previous year's unusually positive environment in agriculture affected year-over-year comparisons, but no pricing pressure was noted [48][51] Question: Client clearing balances growth - Average balances grew significantly, driven by increased house liquidity and client onboarding, with expectations for continued growth [59][62] Question: M&A appetite and activity - The company remains active in pursuing acquisitions, with a disciplined approach to ensure target returns are met [66][68] Question: Client health and potential risks - Management reported strong client performance with minimal stress observed, despite recent volatility [74][78] Question: Front office headcount changes - Some remapping of headcount occurred, particularly in the agriculture business, but overall growth and investment in clearing remain strong [80][82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2024, consolidated revenue increased by 2% year-over-year, while consolidated adjusted EBITDAre grew by 1% and AFFO increased by 4% [17][18] - Full-year consolidated revenue growth was 8%, adjusted EBITDAre growth was 10%, and AFFO growth was 12% [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same-store hospitality business generated approximately $496 million in revenue for Q4, marking the second-best quarter ever [21] - ADR increased by approximately 2% year-over-year to a record $260, with strong growth in both group and leisure rates [22] - The entertainment segment reported record revenue of $98 million for Q4, a 12% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDAre increasing by approximately 6% [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Leisure room nights at Gaylord Texan decreased by 19% and at Gaylord Opryland by 6% during the last two weeks of December, which is a critical period accounting for nearly 40% of leisure room nights [19][20] - The JW Hill Country saw RevPAR and total RevPAR growth of 14% and 27% respectively, driven by successful live programming [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to long-term positioning of hotel assets to capture premium group customer base, with a focus on driving mid-teens unlevered returns on incremental growth investments [8][9] - Significant investments are being made in Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Rockies to attract high-rated corporate group business and enhance food and beverage capacity [9][10] - The company is optimistic about the future, projecting adjusted EBITDAre in the range of $900 million to $1 billion by 2027 [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that Q4 results were below expectations due to factors affecting the same-store hospitality portfolio in late December, but expressed optimism about bookings production and long-term strategy [6][14] - The company anticipates a stable macro environment for 2025, with expected RevPAR growth of 2.25% to 4.75% and adjusted EBITDAre of $675 to $715 million [35][36] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with $478 million in unrestricted cash and a total available liquidity of approximately $1.2 billion [42] - A first-quarter dividend of $1.15 is declared, payable on April 15, 2025 [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the renovations planned beyond the current one and the timing? - Management indicated that work at Gaylord Opryland is ongoing, with completion expected in June 2025, and renovations at Gaylord Texan starting in Q2 2025 [49][51] Question: How much did labor and wage costs increase in 2024 and what is expected for 2025? - Wages increased by about 3.3% in 2024, with a similar increase expected for 2025 [65][68] Question: What is the mix of bookings and how does it impact out-of-room spending? - The company is seeing a higher mix of corporate bookings, which typically have higher out-of-room spending compared to association business [72][75] Question: What is the outlook for Gaylord National in 2025? - Management expressed confidence in forward bookings for Gaylord National, while also noting minimal reliance on the local DC market [111][112] Question: Are there any additional investment plans in the entertainment segment? - The company is excited about its investment in Southern Entertainment and is exploring various opportunities in the entertainment sector [142][143]