Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core FFO per share for Q4 and full year 2025 was $0.32 and $1.17 respectively, aligning with guidance [9] - Same-store NOI grew 1.8% in Q4 and 2.4% for the full year, driven by a 2% increase in same-store revenue [9][10] - Average effective monthly rents increased by 60 basis points in Q4 and 80 basis points for the full year [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same-store revenue growth in Q4 was supported by a 124 basis point improvement in bad debt and a 60 basis point increase in average effective monthly rents [10] - For 2025, same-store operating expenses were modestly higher due to increased advertising and contract service costs, offset by lower insurance and real estate taxes [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Job growth in major markets is forecasted to average 60 basis points, double the national average of 30 basis points [8] - The majority of NOI is generated from communities in high in-migration states, with nearly 70% of NOI from seven of the ten highest in-migration states [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to renovate between 2,000 and 2,500 units in 2026, with a focus on value-add programs [7] - The strategy includes maintaining operational stability and efficiency to maximize revenue growth while capitalizing on market recovery [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the recovery of market fundamentals, driven by job and population growth exceeding national averages [23] - The company anticipates same-store NOI growth of 1.7% and a 3.4% increase in total same-store operating expenses for 2026 [18][20] Other Important Information - The company sold a 356-unit community for $50 million and entered a new joint venture for a 318-unit community [14] - A $350 million unsecured term loan was secured to improve liquidity and manage debt maturities [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the new lease rate growth assumption incorporate market rent growth? - The new lease growth starts negative in January and improves throughout the year, with first half guidance at -2.25% and second half at +75 basis points [25] Question: Can you discuss the performance of non-same-store properties? - Non-same-store properties are performing in line with expectations, but two development deals are behind schedule due to higher concessions [27] Question: What impact do concessions have on rent growth projections? - Lower concessions are expected in the second half of the year, which should improve rental rate growth [31] Question: What are the expectations for occupancy stabilization at the Flatirons development? - Occupancy is expected to stabilize at about 90% by June, which is a quarter behind expectations due to market supply pressures [80] Question: What is the strategy regarding fixed and floating rate debt? - The company plans to maintain a more floating rate debt strategy in the current environment, with a focus on managing interest rate expenses [87]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Core FFO for Q4 2025 at $2.23 per diluted share, aligning with the midpoint of guidance, contributing to a full-year Core FFO of $8.74 per share [18] - Same-store NOI for Q4 was in line with guidance, with same-store revenues slightly unfavorable by one cent, offset by favorable expenses [18] - The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio was 4.3 times, with 87% of outstanding debt fixed at an average maturity of 6.4 years and an effective rate of 3.8% [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average physical occupancy improved to 95.7%, a 10 basis point increase from Q4 2024 and Q3 2025 [12] - Renewal lease rates improved by 50 basis points, while new lease rates remained flat [12] - The company completed 1,227 interior unit upgrades in Q4, totaling 5,995 units for the year, achieving rent increases of $95 above non-upgraded units [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong pricing power in mid-tier markets, particularly in Virginia and South Carolina, with Charleston, Greenville, Richmond, and the DC area showing strong occupancy [13] - Austin was identified as the weakest market in terms of pricing, still working through a significant inventory delivered over the past four years [14] - The company expects to see a job growth of approximately 340,000-350,000 jobs in its markets for 2026, supporting demand [79] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to expand its capital investments in technology initiatives by over 10% in 2026 to enhance resident experience and operational efficiency [7] - The development pipeline is currently valued at $932 million, with plans to start construction on 5-7 new projects in 2026 [9] - The company aims to leverage its strong balance sheet to invest in growth opportunities, particularly in a market with limited access to capital for others [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about entering 2026 with stronger fundamentals, expecting a 110-160 basis point improvement in blended lease rates and an 85 basis point improvement in effective rent growth compared to 2025 [5] - The company anticipates that demand will remain solid, supported by stable job growth, immigration, and healthy wage gains [6] - Management acknowledged that while uncertainty remains in the broader economy, it appears lower than in 2025, with expectations for sustained GDP growth [5] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 207,000 shares at a weighted average price of $131.61, marking its first repurchase since 2001 [20] - Initial earnings guidance for 2026 projects Core FFO between $8.35 and $8.71 per share, with a midpoint of $8.53 [21] - The company expects same-store operating expenses to grow at a midpoint of 2.65% for the year [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you run through the new renewal and blended outlook numbers again? - Management provided guidance of about 1%-1.5% for blended rates in 2026, with renewals expected to be in the 5.25% range [30] Question: Can you comment on the transaction market and your decision to focus on development? - Management noted that the transaction market remains aggressive for core assets, with a 50-75 basis point spread between core and value-add assets [34] Question: What gives you confidence in new lease growth despite macro challenges? - Management highlighted improving fundamentals and a significant decline in new deliveries, which should support stronger demand and pricing [51] Question: How do you expect turnover to impact your leasing strategy? - Management expects consistent turnover, with no significant increases anticipated, supporting renewal performance [58] Question: What is your outlook on job growth and its impact on demand? - Management projected job growth in their markets to be slightly up compared to last year, supporting positive demand metrics [79]

Core Insights - Apartment supply in the Sun Belt negatively impacted MAA in Q4 2025, with same-store revenues declining by 0.1% year over year and net operating income decreasing by 0.5% during the period [1] Market Conditions - Approximately two-thirds of MAA's competitors are providing concessions, averaging around five weeks, which increases to eight to ten weeks for lease-ups [2] - Despite broader economic concerns, MAA executives anticipate a recovery in demand for their region, indicating optimism for the upcoming year [3] Financial Performance - Rent-to-income ratios have improved, making rents more affordable, with new apartment deliveries sharply declining by over 60% in 2026 compared to peak levels [4] - MAA expects the creation of 340,000 to 350,000 jobs in its markets this year, while apartment completions are projected to be about half that number, indicating an improving job-to-completion ratio [4] Regional Performance - Richmond, Virginia; Kansas City, Missouri; and Greenville, South Carolina showed strong performance in Q4, with same-store revenue rates increasing by 4.2%, 3%, and 2.9% year over year, respectively [6] - MAA's mid-tier markets, particularly in Virginia and South Carolina, are outperforming the overall portfolio, with strong pricing power and occupancy rates [6] - Atlanta and Dallas, MAA's two largest markets, are also showing steady progress in pricing and occupancy, with significant year-over-year improvements in Q4 [6]