Industry Overview - The U.S. apartment market demonstrated resilience in Q2 2025, absorbing over 227,000 units, surpassing previous peak leasing periods in 2021 and early 2022 despite economic uncertainties [1][11] - National occupancy rates increased to 95.6%, a rise of 140 basis points year-over-year, indicating strong demand for professionally managed apartments [3][11] - Rent growth remained subdued at 0.19% in June, with operators prioritizing occupancy over rent increases, suggesting a "heads-in-beds" strategy to maintain stability amid high new supply [3][4] Supply and Demand Dynamics - Over 535,000 units were completed in the past year, with approximately 108,000 delivered in Q2 2025, reflecting the market's capacity to absorb new supply [4] - Regional markets such as San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, and New York showed momentum, aided by easing supply and return-to-office trends, while Sun Belt markets like Dallas and Atlanta also exhibited recovery [5] Company Performance AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) - AvalonBay reported a 3% year-over-year increase in same-store residential revenues for the two months ending May 31, 2025, with occupancy at 96.3% [7][11] - The company is expected to announce Q2 2025 earnings on July 30, with a revenue estimate of $761.75 million, indicating a 4.92% year-over-year increase [8] Equity Residential (EQR) - EQR maintained strong occupancy levels and reported same-store revenue growth in Q1 2025, supported by improving demand and limited resident turnover [9][11] - The company is set to release Q2 2025 earnings on August 4, with a revenue estimate of $769.26 million, suggesting a 4.78% year-over-year increase [12] Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) - Essex benefits from substantial exposure to the West Coast market, which has favorable demographics and high median household incomes, supporting its revenue growth [13][14] - The company is expected to announce Q2 2025 earnings on July 29, with a revenue estimate of $469.19 million, indicating a 6.07% year-over-year rise [15] UDR, Inc. (UDR) - UDR's diversified portfolio and strong demand for rental units position it well for growth, with occupancy nearly at 97% [16][17] - The company is set to announce Q2 2025 earnings on July 30, with a revenue estimate of $422.24 million, reflecting a 2.15% year-over-year increase [18]

Encompass Health (EHC) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - Encompass Health is the largest operator of inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the United States [1] Key Points and Arguments Volume Growth and Capacity - Encompass Health has a long-term target for discharge growth of 6% to 8% annually, with total discharge growth exceeding 6% for the last eleven quarters [6][8] - The company reported a first-quarter discharge growth of 10% in the previous year, influenced by an extra day due to leap year and the quarter ending on Easter Sunday [7] - In 2025, Encompass Health plans to open seven new hospitals, with five openings occurring after September, which will affect growth rates [8] - The expected breakdown for discharge growth is approximately two-thirds from same-store growth and one-third from new store growth [8] Occupancy Rates and Bed Expansion - The occupancy rate reached 78.8%, the highest ever recorded, reflecting a systematic increase in private room availability [10] - The percentage of private rooms in the portfolio increased from 40% in 2020 to 56% by the end of Q1 2025, enhancing occupancy levels [12] - Bed expansions are projected to yield high returns, with internal rates of return (IRR) exceeding 30% [13][14] - The company plans to add approximately 120 beds to existing hospitals in 2026 and 2027 [14] Joint Ventures and Market Strategy - Joint ventures (JVs) account for about 40% of Encompass Health's business, with a robust pipeline of potential partnerships [26] - JVs provide advantages such as faster ramp-up times and management fees, enhancing financial returns [27][28] - The company employs a data-driven approach to identify markets for new facilities, considering demographics, competition, and local healthcare needs [19] Medicare Advantage and Payer Mix - The Medicare Advantage payer mix has increased from under 9% in 2018 to approximately 30% in Q1 2025, with ongoing efforts to improve this further [35] - The reimbursement gap between Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service has narrowed from over 25% to less than 2% [36] - The conversion rate for Medicare Advantage referrals to admissions is currently about half that of fee-for-service, indicating significant growth potential [42] Regulatory Environment and Risks - Encompass Health does not foresee immediate risks from potential Medicare cuts, as IRFs represent less than 2% of overall Medicare expenditures [50] - The company is subject to frequent audits and maintains a low bad debt expense of around 2% [51] - There has been no recent discussion regarding the home health transfer policy, which had previously raised concerns [54] Cost Management and Financial Strategy - Construction costs for new facilities are approximately $1.2 million per bed, with bed expansions costing between $800,000 and $850,000 per bed [58] - The company has not observed upward pressure on construction or supply costs, benefiting from reduced demand among contractors [60] - Encompass Health repurchased $32 million of its stock in Q1 2025, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders while expanding capacity [64] Additional Important Insights - The aging demographic is a significant driver of growth, with projections indicating that one in five Americans will be over 65 by 2030 [17][18] - The company emphasizes its value proposition in treating complex medical conditions, which resonates with Medicare Advantage plans [40] - Encompass Health's strategic focus on expanding its capacity and improving payer mix positions it well for future growth opportunities [63]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The normalized FFO per share for Q1 2025 was $0.35, up from $0.34 in Q1 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 2.9% [13] - The normalized AFFO per share for Q1 2025 was $0.37, compared to $0.35 in Q1 2024, indicating a year-over-year increase of 5.7% [13] - Cash rental income from the triple net portfolio totaled $90 million for the quarter, up from $89 million in Q1 2024 [13] - Cash NOI from the managed senior housing portfolio increased to $24.1 million in Q1 2025 from $19.1 million in Q1 2024, a year-over-year increase of 26.3% [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Skilled nursing and triple net senior housing EBITDARM rent coverage reached 2.19 and 1.41, respectively, with behavioral health coverage at 3.77, marking the highest levels since year-end 2023 [5] - Skilled occupancy increased by 80 basis points sequentially, while the skilled mix improved by 10 basis points [6] - Triple net senior housing occupancy rose by 50 basis points sequentially [7] - The same store managed senior housing portfolio's revenue grew by 6.3% year-over-year, with occupancy increasing from 82.6% in Q1 2024 to 85.4% in Q1 2025 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic portfolio occupancy was 83%, gaining 340 basis points year-over-year, while the Canadian portfolio occupancy was 90.9%, adding 140 basis points [10] - RevPAR in the same store portfolio increased by 2.8% year-over-year, with Canadian RevPAR growing by 4.9% [10] - Cash NOI growth in US communities was 14.4% year-over-year, while Canadian communities saw a 24.7% increase [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a busy deal pipeline primarily in senior housing, with over $200 million in awarded deals expected to close this quarter, surpassing the total for all of 2024 [7][8] - The strategy includes entering new relationships with proven operators and maintaining a selective approach to acquisitions [33][56] - The company aims to balance its portfolio between senior housing and skilled nursing, emphasizing the importance of operational recovery and predictable earnings [80][86] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued occupancy growth and potential Medicaid rate increases in the summer, which could enhance coverage [90] - The company remains cautious about the skilled nursing facility (SNF) market due to ongoing uncertainties regarding Medicaid reimbursement [70] - Management believes that the current operating environment will support improved coverage for the foreseeable future, despite potential challenges [90] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, representing a payout of 81% of the first quarter normalized AFFO per share [18] - The net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 5.19 times as of March 31, 2025, down from 5.27 times at the end of 2024 [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on skilled nursing facility sale - Management confirmed that the expected $50 million skilled nursing facility sale is still on track, although regulatory hurdles have delayed the process [20] Question: Trajectory of RevPOR and expense growth - Management indicated that as occupancy increases, pricing power is expected to improve, leading to potential revenue growth [22][23] Question: Guidance and deal flow - Management reiterated that current acquisitions are not included in guidance until closed, maintaining a conservative approach to projections [28][29] Question: Competition in the transaction market - Management noted a robust pipeline of deals, primarily in senior housing, with private equity firms as frequent sellers [34][37] Question: Genesis exposure and NOI - Management reported that the impact of Genesis on NOI is negligible, with no missed payments and improved operations since subleasing to a trusted operator [50] Question: SNF acquisition attractiveness - Management highlighted challenges in acquiring SNFs, particularly those with financial difficulties, making them less attractive for investment [68] Question: SHOP portfolio occupancy trends - Management expects occupancy to pick up in the second quarter, particularly in Canadian assets, as seasonal factors improve [72] Question: Interest in large portfolios - Management emphasized a commitment to maintaining a simple and predictable strategy, focusing on smaller, manageable deals rather than large portfolios [80][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a healthy first quarter with core FFO per share exceeding the midpoint of guidance by $0.05, driven by a consolidated portfolio performance ahead of plan with same property revenues growing 3.4% year-over-year [11][12] - Blended net effective rent growth was 2.8% for the first quarter, with new lease rates improving sequentially from the fourth quarter [4][11] - Delinquency improved to 1.3% of scheduled rent in Los Angeles, down from 3.9% in the same period last year [4][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New lease rates turned positive in all three major regions, led by Northern California at 1.5%, Seattle at 1.3%, and Southern California at 0.2% [5] - The turnover rate was notably low at 35%, contributing to stable occupancy levels [4] - In April, renewal rates landed in the low fours, consistent with plans, while new lease rates remained steady [36][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total new housing supply delivery as a percentage of stock in 2025 is exceptionally low at only 50 basis points in Essex markets, expected to moderate throughout the year [7] - Deal volume in the markets was higher in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, totaling $2.5 billion with cap rates in the mid to high 4% range [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reallocating capital into higher rent growth markets and optimizing its operating platform to generate above-market returns [3][4] - The company remains cautious about revising guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly regarding U.S. and global trade policies [6][12] - The company is actively pursuing opportunities to enhance shareholder accretion while maintaining a disciplined investment strategy [10][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the West Coast multifamily fundamentals, stating they are well-positioned for a wide range of economic outcomes due to low supply [7][93] - The company noted that while the tech sector's job growth has been steady, it is closely monitoring potential impacts from macroeconomic changes [21][92] - Management highlighted that the labor market remains soft in Los Angeles, affecting pricing power, and emphasized the need for delinquency recovery to improve occupancy and pricing [60][61] Other Important Information - The company has refinanced the majority of its 2025 debt maturities and maintains over $1 billion in available liquidity [15] - The preferred equity portfolio saw around $27 million in redemptions, with expectations for further redemptions in the upcoming quarters [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and Rate Growth - The company confirmed that the original guidance included a slight increase in blended rate growth in the second half of the year, and they remain confident in achieving this [17][19] Question: Impact of Tech Sector - Management indicated that job openings in the top 20 tech companies have remained steady, suggesting continued hiring in the sector [20][22] Question: Occupancy Strategy - The company is maintaining its occupancy strategy while pushing rents in Northern California, with a focus on occupancy in Southern California due to supply dynamics [25][27] Question: Renewal Rates - Renewal rates in April were steady, landing in the high threes, consistent with the company's plans [37] Question: Market Conditions in LA - Management noted that pricing power in LA depends on delinquency recovery and that the labor market remains soft, impacting overall performance [60][61] Question: Development and Investment Strategy - The company is actively looking for new investment opportunities but remains disciplined in its approach, focusing on long-term performance [64][111] Question: Concessions and Loss to Lease - Concessions have improved significantly from the fourth quarter to the first quarter, and loss to lease metrics have also shown improvement [113]