Core Viewpoint - Healthcare Realty Trust reported its Q2 2025 earnings, showing improved operational performance despite a GAAP net loss per share and a decline in revenue compared to the previous year [1][8]. Financial Performance - Normalized FFO per share was $0.41, exceeding analyst estimates, while GAAP net loss per share was $(0.45) [1][8]. - Revenue for the quarter was $297.502 million, down 5.9% from $316.3 million in Q2 2024 [2]. - Funds Available for Distribution (FAD) was $115.4 million, reflecting a 7.2% increase year-over-year [2][8]. - The quarterly dividend was reduced by 23% to $0.24 per share to enhance sustainability and retained earnings [9][10]. Business Overview and Strategy - The company specializes in owning and managing medical office buildings, focusing on outpatient healthcare facilities leased to leading health systems and physicians [3]. - Strategic priorities include optimizing the property portfolio, improving operational efficiency, and managing the balance sheet [4]. Operational Highlights - Same store cash Net Operating Income (NOI) improved by 5.1%, with occupancy rising to 90% and margins reaching 64.3% [5]. - Tenant retention was at 83%, with health system tenants accounting for 33% of new leasing volume [5][13]. - The company executed 1.5 million square feet of leases, with 452,000 square feet in new agreements [5]. Portfolio Management - The company sold $182.4 million of assets during the quarter, targeting non-core or underperforming assets, with an additional $700 million in sales under contract [6]. - The Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio improved from 6.4x to 6.0x, with further reductions anticipated by year-end 2025 [6]. Leadership and Governance - Leadership changes included a new President and CEO, along with a streamlined board governance structure [7]. - A comprehensive strategic plan was launched, focusing on margin expansion and disciplined capital allocation [7]. Future Guidance - Full-year Normalized FFO per share guidance was raised to a range of $1.57 to $1.61, with same store cash NOI growth expectations lifted to 3.25% to 4.00% [15]. - The company aims for a Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.4x to 5.7x by year-end [15]. - Key themes to monitor include execution of pending asset sales, margin expansion, and operational improvements [16].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings of $0.65 per share for Q2 2025, with total loans growing by 1% quarter-over-quarter and 3% year-over-year [9] - Net interest income reached a record $300 million, up $43 million or 17% compared to the same period last year [10][11] - The return on tangible common equity was 12.96%, a 62 basis point improvement from Q1 [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Commercial and industrial (C&I) loans grew by over $700 million in the first half of 2025, with $356 million added in Q2 alone [6][10] - Total average quarterly loans increased by nearly $400 million versus Q1, with C&I leading the growth [14] - Non-interest income for Q2 was $67 million, a 3% increase year-over-year [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core customer deposits were up 4.3% compared to the same period last year, despite seasonal outflows in Q2 [10][15] - The net interest margin climbed above 3%, reflecting a strong profitability profile [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its strategic plan, which includes enhancing profitability through a mix shift in its asset base [5][12] - There is a strong emphasis on organic growth in customer relationships, with the best organic checking household growth in nearly a decade [5][16] - The company aims to reduce reliance on wholesale funding by increasing lower-cost core customer deposits [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to grow core customer deposits in the second half of the year, citing strong household growth trends and a growing commercial pipeline [10][16] - The management remains vigilant regarding credit quality, with a proactive approach to managing portfolios amid macroeconomic uncertainties [8][30] Other Important Information - The company added nine basis points to its CET1 capital in Q2, totaling a 19 basis point increase year-to-date [7] - The efficiency ratio improved to below 56%, the lowest level since early 2023 [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Seasonal decline in deposits - Management acknowledged the seasonal decline but noted that it was anticipated and that they expect a rebound in the second half of the year due to a growing commercial pipeline [36][39] Question: Update on office CRE portfolio - Management indicated that the office CRE portfolio is evolving positively, with proactive clients benefiting from improvements [46][48] Question: Margin outlook and deposit pricing strategy - Management discussed the importance of asset-side growth in maintaining margin strength and emphasized disciplined pricing strategies for deposits [53][59] Question: Thoughts on acquisitions - Management stated that any potential acquisition would need to be a good strategic, financial, and cultural fit, emphasizing the priority of executing their current strategic plan [68][70] Question: Increase in ACL for C&I portfolio - Management explained that the increase in the allowance for credit losses (ACL) for the C&I portfolio is primarily due to growth in that segment [72] Question: Sustainability of positive operating leverage - Management expressed confidence in sustaining positive operating leverage into 2026, driven by growth in commercial loans and disciplined expense management [79][81]

Core Viewpoint - Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH) is positioned for top-line growth due to strong loan demand and high interest rates, although concerns about weak asset quality and elevated expenses persist [1] Group 1: Growth Drivers - Solid loan balances have recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2019 to 2024, contributing to revenue growth despite a decline in 2020, with a five-year CAGR of 4.2% [2] - Total revenues are expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% by 2027, with capital market fees projected to grow at 5.1% and loan fees and sales at 5% [3] Group 2: Interest Rates and Balance Sheet Strategy - The Federal Reserve's steady interest rates will support CBSH's net yield on interest-earning assets, which expanded to 3.47% in 2024 from 3.16% in 2023 and is expected to reach 3.75% by 2027 [4][5] - CBSH's balance sheet repositioning strategy, initiated in May 2024, involves selling debt securities and reinvesting proceeds at higher yields, which is anticipated to boost growth [4] Group 3: Capital and Liquidity Position - As of March 31, 2025, CBSH had total debt of $624.7 million and cash and due from banks totaling $3.3 billion, indicating strong earnings capacity to meet debt obligations [6] - CBSH has a history of consistent capital distribution, including a 5% stock dividend for over 25 years and a share repurchase program, enhancing shareholder value [7] Group 4: Near-Term Challenges - Asset quality has been deteriorating, with a significant rise in provisions for credit losses recorded in 2022 and 2023, and total net loan charge-offs (NCOs) showing a CAGR of 2.8% over four years ending in 2024 [8][9] - Non-interest expenses have increased at a CAGR of 4.4% over the last five years, primarily due to higher salaries and benefits, and are expected to continue rising amid technology investments and inflationary pressures [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter GAAP earnings per common share were $0.47 while distributable earnings were a loss of $0.09 per common share [15] - Net interest income declined to $14.6 million, primarily due to the movement of non-core assets to nonaccrual status [15] - Book value per share remained flat at $10.61, with total leverage declining to 3.5 times [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The total CRE loan portfolio was bifurcated into $5.9 billion core loans and $1.2 billion non-core loans [7] - Core portfolio payoffs resulted in a 5% decline to $5.9 billion, with 78% concentration in multifamily [8] - Non-core portfolio was reduced by 6% to $740 million, with expectations to further reduce it to approximately $270 million in the second quarter [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The multifamily sector showed resilience with a 1% increase in rents in Q1 2025 despite macroeconomic pressures [5] - The twelve-month default rate for the SBA business was 3.2%, slightly better than the industry average of 3.4% [12] - Freddie Mac volume was down in Q1 due to tightened processes, with a more robust pipeline expected in Q2 [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company initiated a balance sheet repositioning plan in Q4 2024, focusing on liquidating non-core assets to reinvest in the core portfolio [14] - The strategy aims to restore net interest margin (NIM) to peer group levels by 2025, with accretion expected in 2026 [14] - The company remains committed to supporting the Portland mixed-use asset project, aiming for stabilization and eventual exit of components [11][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the recovery in the commercial real estate (CRE) market is affected by tariffs and recession risks, but the multifamily sector remains strong [5] - The company expects to maintain its current dividend level until the earnings profile warrants an increase [14] - Management expressed confidence in navigating the shifting policy landscape in the SBA business, despite anticipated moderation in volume [12][51] Other Important Information - The company completed the UDF merger, generating a bargain purchase gain of $102.5 million, which added $167.1 million of equity to the balance sheet [17] - Liquidity remains healthy with unrestricted cash over $200 million and $1 billion of total unencumbered assets [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of April's volatility on non-core book expectations - Management indicated that ongoing conversations with various parties are progressing well and do not expect material diversion from pricing or timing expectations [23][24] Question: Near-term expectations for distributable earnings trajectory - Management highlighted that the repositioning of assets is a key catalyst for future earnings improvement, with expectations for a gradual upward trend post-liquidation [30] Question: Current views on share repurchases versus liquidity - Management is balancing the benefits of share repurchases with the need to maintain liquidity given upcoming debt maturities [31] Question: Catalyst for CLO interest coverage issues - Management noted that elevated rates are impacting NOIs, leading to increased modifications and stress within CLOs [39] Question: Status of the Portland asset and future plans - Management confirmed that the asset is currently levered and will remain so, with plans to stabilize and sequentially exit components as they improve [43][44] Question: Expected moderation in SBA volumes - Management anticipates SBA volumes to be below the $1.5 billion mark for at least a couple of quarters due to policy changes and administrative delays [52]