Summary of the 2026 Asia EM Equity Outlook Conference Call Industry or Company Involved - Focus on the Asia Emerging Markets (EM) equity outlook for 2026, with a particular emphasis on Japan and other emerging markets. Core Points and Arguments 1. **Market Strategy for 2026**: The company recommends maintaining a market risk exposure closely aligned with benchmark indices, with a slight preference for Japan over other emerging markets. This strategy aims to achieve excess returns amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties [3][4][5]. 2. **Global Economic Outlook**: The outlook for 2026 is cautiously optimistic, driven by generally constructive global growth expectations, particularly the potential for acceleration in 2027. The baseline index target price has been raised, reflecting a wider range between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios due to six key macroeconomic dimensions [3][4][5]. 3. **Key Macro Drivers**: The six dimensions influencing market performance include: - U.S. economic growth - Dollar movements - China's re-inflation - U.S. interest rates - Multipolar world dynamics - Capital expenditures in artificial intelligence and semiconductor demand [3][4][5]. 4. **Japan's Performance**: In the baseline scenario, Japan is expected to slightly outperform emerging markets. Earnings per share (EPS) expectations for Japan are slightly above market consensus, while those for emerging markets and China are below consensus. The trend of re-inflation and improvements in return on equity (ROE) are expected to be supported by the new government through moderate fiscal policies and regulatory reforms [4][5][22]. 5. **Emerging Markets Outlook**: Emerging markets are anticipated to lose momentum in 2026 due to stabilizing dollar conditions, which will limit further easing of financial conditions. A moderate optimism is maintained for the Chinese market, with expectations that the multi-polar world risk will diminish, keeping valuations close to current levels [4][5][22]. 6. **Sector Recommendations**: The company continues to recommend overweight positions in financials, consumer discretionary/e-commerce, and industrials, while underweighting energy and materials. Information technology, telecommunications, and real estate are maintained at equal weight [5][22]. 7. **Investment Themes**: The core investment themes for 2026 include a multipolar world, technology diffusion, longevity trends, and the future of energy, reflecting a rapidly changing global landscape [15][18]. Other Important but Possibly Overlooked Content 1. **Valuation and Earnings Forecasts**: The company has adjusted its earnings forecasts, particularly for Japan, while making smaller adjustments for China and emerging markets. The forecasts reflect a more optimistic view on global growth and inflation, as well as resilience in the financial sector [22][40]. 2. **Historical Performance Context**: The year 2025 is noted as an anomalous year, with market performance resembling that of 2020, driven by U.S. tariffs, fiscal, and monetary policies. The current valuations are significantly above long-term averages, which may limit the outlook for emerging markets [15][18]. 3. **Volatility Expectations**: The company expects continued significant differentiation in market, sector, and stock returns, a key characteristic of 2025, indicating a need for robust portfolio construction to navigate uncertainties [18][20]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and recommendations from the conference call regarding the outlook for Asia's emerging markets in 2026, highlighting the strategic focus on Japan and the broader macroeconomic context influencing investment decisions.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported normalized FFO per share of $0.88 for Q3 2025, representing a 10% year-over-year increase [28] - Total company same store cash NOI increased by 8%, driven by a 16% growth in SHOP [28][11] - The company expects year-over-year growth of 9% in normalized FFO per share and 7.5% total company same store cash NOI at the midpoint of improved guidance [12][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The SHOP same store portfolio delivered 16% NOI growth year-over-year, with U.S. communities leading at 19% growth [17] - The Outpatient Medical and Research (OMAR) business reported same store cash NOI growth of 3.7% year-over-year, with outpatient medical occupancy improving to 90.6% [28] - The research business, representing 8% of NOI, saw a decrease in same store cash NOI due to lower rents on certain tenants [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. senior housing market is experiencing strong demand, with the over-80 population expected to grow by 28% over the next five years, while supply remains at record lows [10] - The company has closed $2.2 billion in senior housing acquisitions year-to-date, with a robust pipeline of investment opportunities [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its private pay senior housing business, with a goal of closing $2.5 billion in investments during 2025 [8][12] - The strategy emphasizes organic growth in the SHOP business and leveraging favorable demographic trends in senior housing [9][10] - The company has transitioned 27 of 45 senior housing communities from triple net to SHOP, expecting significant occupancy and NOI upside [13][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to capitalize on the growing demand for senior housing, with a strong focus on enhancing the SHOP portfolio [9][16] - The company anticipates continued strong performance in the fourth quarter, driven by robust demand and occupancy growth [57] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with operators to ensure high-quality service delivery [20] Other Important Information - The company has improved its leverage, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 5.3 times, reflecting a full turn improvement from the previous year [29] - The company has over $4 billion in liquidity, supporting growth and financial flexibility [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the underwriting criteria and potential for lower initial yield requirements? - Management indicated a willingness to be ambitious in growing the senior housing business and is open to acquiring properties with higher growth potential, even if initial yields are lower [34][36] Question: What is the target leverage and how does the company weigh equity and debt for growth? - Management confirmed a strategy of organic growth combined with equity-funded investments, emphasizing the importance of investing in the best assets [39][40] Question: Can you provide updates on the Brookdale SHOP transitions and the planned CapEx? - Management detailed that the transitions are progressing well, with a focus on routine refreshes and minimal disruption to current results [44][46] Question: How does the company view the potential for margin expansion as occupancy increases? - Management noted that as occupancy exceeds 90%, incremental margins could increase significantly, driven by operating leverage and pricing power [48][49] Question: What is the company's strategy regarding potential expansion into the U.K.? - Management stated that while the U.K. is of interest, the primary focus remains on expanding the private pay senior housing business in the U.S. [60] Question: How does the company assess new operator relationships and their fit within the Ventas platform? - Management emphasized the importance of strong operator relationships and the ability to leverage data and analytics to drive performance [118]