Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Nareit FFO per share growth of 7.2% and core FFO per share growth of 7% for 2025, with same-center NOI growth of 3.8% [3][11] - For 2026, guidance indicates mid-single digit growth rates for Nareit FFO and core FFO per share [3][12] - Fourth quarter Nareit FFO increased to $88.8 million or $0.64 per diluted share, while Core FFO increased to $91.1 million or $0.66 per diluted share [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core business remains focused on grocery-anchored shopping centers, with a strong operating platform driving rent and NOI growth [5] - The company executed 1,026 leases totaling approximately 6 million square feet in 2025, with portfolio occupancy ending the year at 97.3% leased [7][9] - Comparable renewal rent spreads were 20% in Q4, and new leasing rent spreads were strong at 34.3% [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted high demand for necessity-based retail with no signs of slowing, contributing to strong leasing activity [6] - The portfolio retention rate remained high at 93% at year-end, indicating strong tenant stability [8] - The company expects bad debt in 2026 to be in line with 2025, which was approximately 78 basis points of revenue [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deliver gross acquisitions guidance of $400-$500 million in 2026, focusing on grocery-anchored opportunities and under-managed retail centers [4][10] - The company is committed to maintaining a disciplined acquisition strategy with targeted unlevered IRR of 9% for grocery-anchored acquisitions and above 10% for everyday retail centers [4][10] - Development and redevelopment projects are a key growth driver, with 20 projects under active construction and an estimated investment of $70 million [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the consumer and the strength of the grocery-anchored portfolio despite market uncertainties [3][12] - The company anticipates continued solid earnings growth, projecting net income guidance for 2026 in the range of $0.74-$0.77 per share [12][14] - Management believes that the company can consistently deliver 3%-4% same-center NOI growth and achieve mid to high single-digit core FFO per share growth on a long-term basis [14] Other Important Information - The company has approximately $925 million of liquidity to support acquisition plans as of December 31, 2025 [11] - The company sold approximately $145 million of assets in 2025 and plans to sell between $100 and $200 million in 2026 [13] - The company is focused on maintaining a high-quality portfolio while improving long-term growth profiles through strategic dispositions [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for acquisition volume and competition for grocery-anchored assets - Management noted increased competition but also a high level of product on the market, maintaining confidence in reaching acquisition targets [16][17] Question: Update on the Ocala development parcel and other strategic land acquisitions - Management highlighted the growth in the Ocala market and the potential for strong returns on the project, with ongoing discussions for larger grocery-scale developments [20][21] Question: Insights on portfolio occupancy and leverage in renewal negotiations - Management indicated that high occupancy levels provide leverage in negotiations, with expectations for continued demand and potential for further increases in inline occupancy [24][25] Question: Capital deployment strategies beyond acquisitions - Management discussed the potential for ground-up development and share buybacks, emphasizing a focus on acquisitions and dispositions to manage capital effectively [35][38] Question: Impact of Amazon's store closures on grocery demand - Management acknowledged Amazon's challenges in brick-and-mortar retail but emphasized the strength of traditional grocers in the market [40][41] Question: Discussion on bad debt and expectations for 2026 - Management confirmed that bad debt levels are consistent with previous expectations, with no significant concerns noted [47][49] Question: Credit rating and cost of debt considerations - Management believes they are an underrated credit and is focused on increasing scale to improve credit ratings and reduce borrowing costs [52][54] Question: Insights on disposition strategy and market conditions - Management outlined a strategy focused on trading out stabilized assets for higher-return opportunities, with expectations for continued strong pricing in the disposition market [63][64]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - FFO per share diluted as adjusted was $2.16 for Q4 2025 and $9.01 for the year, aligning with prior guidance [5] - Same property net operating income (NOI) decreased by 6% for Q4 and 3.5% for the full year 2025 [8][10] - Occupancy at the end of 2025 was 90.9%, up 30 basis points from the prior quarter [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Leasing volume for Q4 was 1.2 million sq ft, up 14% over the prior four-quarter average [6] - The leasing of vacant space completed during Q4 was 393,000 rentable sq ft, nearly double the average over the last five quarters [6] - Free rent and rental rate changes on renewed and released space were under pressure, reflecting market realities [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects occupancy to dip in Q1 2026 due to 1.2 million sq ft of key lease expirations [8] - The company reiterated its year-end 2026 occupancy range of 87.7%-89.3% [7] - The Greater Boston region saw an 11% increase in tenants, marking the first increase in several quarters [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic focus for 2026 includes timely execution of plans, maintaining a strong balance sheet, and reducing capital expenditures [4] - The company aims to significantly reduce the size of its pipeline and construction spending needs [13] - The disposition program for 2026 is expected to include a significant component of land, targeting non-core assets [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted the life science bear market and the challenges posed by regulatory changes and market dynamics [3] - There is cautious optimism regarding venture capital funding, but decision-making remains slow among companies [26] - The company anticipates a recovery in leasing demand but acknowledges the need for more robust public biotech activity [50] Other Important Information - The company achieved general and administrative cost savings of $51.3 million, or 30% compared to the prior year [12] - Realized gains from venture investments were $21 million, down from the previous quarterly average [15] - The company has a strong balance sheet with liquidity of $5.3 billion and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.7x [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of VC funding on leasing outlook - Management noted that while there is sustained funding in private biotechnology, the overall environment remains cautious, and decision-making is slower [25][26] Question: Strategy regarding The Fenway office property - Management indicated that retaining The Fenway office property for leasing is specific to that location and not a broader strategy [28] Question: Cap rate trends for dispositions - Management mentioned that cap rates for non-core assets range from mid-sixes to mid-nines, depending on market conditions [31] Question: Leasing pipeline and notable groups - Management highlighted that smaller spaces under 50,000 sq ft are in demand, but there is a lack of activity from public biotech companies [32][33] Question: Guidance for Q4 2026 FFO - Management confirmed that the guidance for Q4 2026 FFO remains at $1.40-$1.60, representing a trough for the year [34][41] Question: Capital allocation priorities - Management stated that the priority is on debt reduction before considering stock buybacks [52]