Revenue per available room (RevPAR)

Search documents
IHG(IHG) - 2025 H1 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-08-07 08:30
Financial Performance - H1 2025 global RevPAR increased by 1.8%[15], with ADR up by 1.4%[15] and occupancy up by 0.3%pts[15] - Fee margin increased by 3.9%pts to 64.7%[15], with TTM EBITDA reaching $1.259 billion, a 10% increase[15] - Adjusted EPS increased by 19% to 242.5¢[15], and free cash flow reached $302 million[15] - The interim dividend increased by 10% to 58.6¢[15] System Growth and Development - Gross system growth increased by 7.7% YOY, and net system growth increased by 5.4% YOY[15] - A record 31.4k rooms (207 hotels) were opened in H1, a 75% increase YOY[15] - Signings reached 51.2k rooms (324 hotels), a 15% increase YOY[15] - The pipeline consists of 338k rooms (2,276 hotels), representing 34% of the current system size[16] Capital Returns - $423 million (47%) of the $900 million share buyback program has been returned, representing 2.4% of the opening share count[15] - The company expects to return >$1.1 billion in 2025, representing 5.9% of the opening market cap[15] Strategic Priorities - Loyalty enrolments increased by 22% YOY in H1[102], with ~65% of room nights booked by members[102] - Co-brand fee revenue is on track to double by 2025 and more than triple by 2028[114] Regional Performance - Americas RevPAR increased by 1.4%[184], with a fee margin of 82.7%[184] - EMEAA RevPAR increased by 4.1%[188], with a fee margin of 65.8%[188] - Greater China RevPAR decreased by 3.2%[192], with a fee margin of 57.9%[192]
Host Hotels Gears Up to Report Q2 Earnings: Key Factors to Consider
ZACKS· 2025-07-25 16:41
Core Viewpoint - Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 earnings on July 30, with anticipated revenue growth but a decline in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share [1][6]. Financial Performance - In the previous quarter, HST reported an AFFO per share of 64 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents, reflecting a year-over-year revenue increase [2]. - Over the last four quarters, HST's AFFO per share surpassed estimates three times, with an average surprise of 6.52% [2]. Market Position and Strategy - HST has a portfolio of luxury and upper-scale hotels in prime U.S. markets and the Sunbelt region, strategically located to drive demand [2][3]. - Continuous improvement in group business has contributed to hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth, which is expected to continue in Q2 [3]. Revenue and Occupancy Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HST's Q2 revenues is $1.50 billion, indicating a 2.1% increase from the previous year [5]. - The estimated RevPAR for Q2 is $232.12, up from $224.29 in the same quarter last year, while the average occupancy rate is expected to decrease to 73.9% from 74.4% [5]. Interest Expenses Impact - Interest expenses for Q2 are projected to rise by 14.7% year over year, which may negatively affect HST's performance [6][7]. - The consensus estimate for AFFO per share has been revised down to 51 cents, reflecting a 10.5% decline from the previous year [6]. Earnings Prediction Model - The quantitative model does not predict a surprise in AFFO per share for HST this quarter, with an Earnings ESP of -2.39% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [7][8].
Will Strong Travel Demand Support Hilton's RevPAR Growth in 2025?
ZACKS· 2025-07-17 14:51
Core Insights - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) entered 2025 with steady momentum, driven by a diversified travel demand base, with system-wide RevPAR growing 2.5% year over year in Q1 2025 [2][9] - Group travel led RevPAR growth, increasing more than 6% year over year, while Business Transient and Leisure Transient also contributed positively [2][3] Company Performance - Business Transient's RevPAR rose 2% year over year, primarily from stable travel patterns of small and mid-sized companies, which constitute around 85% of the segment [3][9] - Leisure Transient's RevPAR increased by 1% year over year, showing robust activity early in the quarter but some slowdown later due to broader sentiment trends [3] - Hilton expects Group travel to remain the strongest segment for the remainder of 2025, supported by strong bookings and a healthy pipeline into 2026 [4][9] Industry Context - Peers such as Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) and Hyatt Hotels Corporation (H) are also experiencing RevPAR growth, benefiting from strong booking trends and recovery in group and business travel [5] - Marriott reported a 5.2% rise in global RevPAR in Q1 2025, while Hyatt's RevPAR increased by 5.7%, with luxury brands driving notable gains [6][7] Financial Outlook - Hilton reaffirmed its full-year system-wide RevPAR guidance of flat to up 2% for 2025, with expectations for Group and Business Transient to lead [4] - Earnings estimates for Hilton have increased to $7.91 and $9.04 per share for 2025 and 2026, respectively, indicating year-over-year growth of 11.1% for 2025 and 14.3% for 2026 [11] - Hilton's shares have risen 29.9% in the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Hotels and Motels industry, which grew by 9% [8]
Braemar Hotels & Resorts(BHR) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-08 16:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a comparable RevPAR of $400, reflecting a 4.2% increase year-over-year, marking the highest quarterly RevPAR in its history [7][8] - Comparable total hotel revenue increased by 4.4% year-over-year, while comparable hotel EBITDA was $70.8 million, representing a 5.3% increase [8][14] - The net loss attributable to common stockholders was $2.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, with AFFO per diluted share of $0.40 [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The resort portfolio reported a comparable RevPAR of $800, a 1.9% increase year-over-year, with combined comparable hotel EBITDA of $62 million, a 2% increase [9][10] - Urban hotels achieved a comparable RevPAR growth of 11.3%, with the Capitol Hilton benefiting from the presidential inauguration, showing a 19.3% year-over-year RevPAR growth [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The group revenue pace for 2025 is up 7%, with continued growth projected at 10% for 2026 [11][24] - The urban portfolio's comparable total revenue increased by 10%, and comparable hotel EBITDA increased by 39% year-over-year [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company successfully extended its mortgage loan secured by the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe, improving its maturity schedule and lowering the cost of capital [11][12] - The company is focused on strategic capital expenditures, anticipating spending between $75 million and $95 million in 2025 to enhance portfolio quality and brand alignment [29][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the portfolio's resilience amid economic uncertainty, noting strong booking trends and a solid balance sheet [7][30] - The company highlighted the effectiveness of its cost control initiatives, resulting in improved hotel EBITDA margins [20][40] Other Important Information - The company redeemed approximately $90 million of its non-traded preferred stock, representing about 20% of the original capital raise [13] - The company is exploring asset sales, with increased buyer activity noted in the marketplace, particularly for upper upscale assets [52][53] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any trends in group bookings regarding cancellations or macroeconomic volatility? - Management noted that while the booking window is shortening slightly, there is no significant impact on group bookings, with Q1 group revenue up 31% year-over-year [32][33] Question: What is the company's exposure to international inbound business? - The company indicated that international inbound is a small part of the portfolio, with minimal impact observed, varying by market [34][36] Question: How does the company plan to grow EBITDA margins? - Management expressed optimism about margin growth, citing aggressive cost containment measures and productivity improvements [37][40] Question: Can you provide details on the Magnificent Mile conversion? - The conversion is expected to enhance asset value and performance, with minimal CapEx planned for public and meeting space renovations [41][42] Question: What is the status of preferred stock redemptions? - The company explained that redemptions are subject to timing and the structure of the security, with holders able to redeem after three years [46][49] Question: What is the outlook for asset sales and use of proceeds? - Management reported increased buyer activity and plans to utilize proceeds for preferred equity redemptions, share buybacks, and retiring corporate convertible notes [52][54]
Service Properties Trust(SVC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-07 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, normalized FFO was $10.8 million or $0.07 per share, down from $0.13 per share in the prior year quarter [24] - Adjusted EBITDAre increased slightly year over year to $115.8 million [24] - Comparable hotel RevPAR grew by 2.6% year over year, with gross operating profit margin percentage declining by 330 basis points to 21.4% [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable hotel RevPAR growth was supported by occupancy and ADR gains, with a 10.6% increase in RevPAR for the select service portfolio, primarily driven by occupancy growth in Hyatt Place and Sonesta Select hotels [11][10] - Full service hotels reported a 1.9% increase in RevPAR, while extended stay portfolio RevPAR was essentially flat due to renovation impacts [10][11] - Adjusted hotel EBITDA for the hotel portfolio was $23 million, a decline of 20.5% year over year, primarily due to renovations and increased costs [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The lodging portfolio experienced a softening in RevPAR as the quarter progressed, influenced by reduced government and international travel [8] - Group revenue pace increased by 6.5% year over year, indicating a positive trend despite overall market challenges [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to sell 123 hotels in 2025 with estimated proceeds of $1.1 billion to strengthen the balance sheet and reinvest in growth opportunities [9][14] - A strategic shift towards increasing net lease exposure is anticipated, with a target to adjust the investment composition from 56% lodging assets to 54% net lease properties [16] - The company aims to optimize its portfolio through asset sales and reinvestment in high-potential hotels, while gradually expanding net lease acquisitions [12][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties but expressed confidence in the resilience of the net lease portfolio and the potential for long-term value creation through portfolio optimization initiatives [16] - The company expects challenges in the travel and lodging industries to impact key segments, but anticipates a seasonal benefit in Q2 [27] Other Important Information - The company is monitoring potential impacts from tariffs on capital improvement costs and supply chain uncertainties [29] - The net lease portfolio was nearly 98% leased with a weighted average lease term of eight years, providing steady cash flow [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the RevPAR trends in the quarter? - Management indicated that RevPAR started strong in January but showed deceleration by March, with preliminary April numbers indicating a 1% year-over-year decrease [32][33] Question: What is the impact of international and government business on demand? - Approximately 30% of the portfolio is in top markets affected by international travel, with a modest decrease in government business noted [34][35] Question: How confident is the company in completing hotel sales at the expected price? - Management expressed confidence due to a robust selection process and strong buyer interest, with transactions expected to occur in phases [36][38] Question: Will the company continue to have hotel exposure in the future? - Management confirmed that while there will be a shift towards net lease properties, the company will maintain hotel exposure to drive EBITDA [41][43] Question: What is the outlook for the Sonesta stake? - The company believes the value of its 34% stake in Sonesta will grow as Sonesta transitions to a franchise model, enhancing margins [50][51]
Sabra(SBRA) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 18:02
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]
DiamondRock Hospitality pany(DRH) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-02 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable RevPAR increased by 2% over 2024, while total RevPAR increased by 1.6% [4] - Hotel adjusted EBITDA margins increased by 54 basis points, with hotel adjusted EBITDA in Q1 at $61.3 million, reflecting a 2.2% growth over 2024 [9] - Adjusted FFO was $0.19 per share, an increase of $0.01 or 5.6% over 2024 [10] - Free cash flow per share increased by 10% to $0.63 per share over the prior four-quarter period [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Urban portfolio RevPAR grew by 5%, driven by group and business transient segments, with room revenues up 3.1% in January, 2.6% in February, and 5.4% in March [4] - Food and beverage revenue at urban hotels declined by 3.3% year over year, but excluding the Chicago Marriott, it increased by 5.5% [5] - Resort portfolio comparable RevPAR declined by 2.1% over 2024, with total revenues slightly up in January and February but down 4.3% in March [6][7] - Group room revenues increased by 10.4% over last year on a 5.2% increase in room nights [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Florida assets saw mid-single-digit revenue declines, with RevPAR down 5.9% and total RevPAR down 4% [7] - Outside of Florida, RevPAR increased by 1.7% and total RevPAR increased by 2.9% [7] - Preliminary April RevPAR showed better than 2% growth [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on adding groups to resorts to preserve pricing and improve profitability [8] - Plans to refinance maturing loans through a combination of corporate debt issuance and recasting the corporate credit facility [12] - The company is pursuing opportunities to dispose of non-strategic assets while recycling proceeds into attractive investment alternatives [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the unsettled macroeconomic environment has led to softer closure rates for group bookings [9] - The long-term secular drivers for US resorts remain strong, but near-term performance could be soft [20] - The company expects economic anxiety to settle as 2025 progresses, with a focus on increasing earnings per share [27] - Revised full-year 2025 RevPAR outlook to a range of -1% to +1% growth, reflecting a cautious stance on group bookings [23] Other Important Information - The company intends to continue paying a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share in 2025 [10] - Share repurchases totaled approximately $16 million or 2.1 million shares at an average price of $7.85 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Preliminary portfolio-wide RevPAR for April - Preliminary April is showing a little better than 2% growth [30] Question: Renovation project costs and tariffs - Costs depend on the type of renovations; efforts are being made to secure materials before tariffs are reinstated [31][32] Question: Group conversion profile and average group size - The average hotel is about 200 to 250 rooms, with groups running the gamut from associations to corporate [36][37] Question: Group pacing in specific markets - Denver and Salt Lake are showing significant strength in group bookings [41] Question: Holes in group bookings for the rest of the year - The biggest holes are due to difficult comps in Chicago and Boston [48] Question: Average booking window for groups - Smaller groups tend to book 4 to 6 months out, while larger groups book 8 to 12 months out [53] Question: Competitive supply growth and developer behavior - Approximately 40% to 50% of markets have little to no supply growth due to anti-development stances [82]
Host Hotels & Resorts(HST) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-01 16:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDAre for the first quarter was $514 million, a 5.1% increase year-over-year, while adjusted FFO per share was $0.64, up 4.9% from last year [6] - Comparable hotel total RevPAR improved by 5.8% compared to the previous year, with a 7% increase driven by strong rate growth [6][7] - Comparable hotel EBITDA margin improved by 30 basis points year-over-year to 31.8% as revenue growth outpaced expenses [6][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Transient RevPAR grew by 6%, particularly strong in resorts due to a late Easter, with Maui's transient rooms sold up approximately 70% year-over-year [8][9] - Group RevPAR increased by 7% year-over-year, driven by special events and strong corporate group bookings [10][25] - Food and beverage RevPAR grew by 5%, with solid growth in both banquet and outlet revenues [11][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong performance noted in Washington DC, New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Maui, with Maui showing a 16% RevPAR growth [9][10] - Business transient RevPAR was up 2%, driven by rate growth, while group room nights were down slightly compared to the previous year [10][25] - Total group revenue pace increased by 3.3% compared to the same time last year [10][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital allocation, including share repurchases and property renovations, with $585 million remaining under the share repurchase program [14][15] - Continued investment in portfolio reinvestment, with comprehensive renovations completed at several properties [14][16] - The company maintains a cautious outlook for 2025, with guidance reflecting potential economic uncertainties [18][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautious due to heightened macroeconomic uncertainty, maintaining comparable hotel RevPAR guidance with slight reductions to total RevPAR [18][28] - The company is well-positioned to weather economic fluctuations, supported by a strong balance sheet and diversified portfolio [19][31] - Future guidance includes expectations for a $32 million to $37 million change in adjusted EBITDAre for every 100 basis point change in RevPAR [29][30] Other Important Information - The company expects to complete the mid-rise condominium building at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando by the fourth quarter of this year [15] - Total property damage and remediation costs at the Don Cesar are estimated between $100 million and $110 million, with $10 million collected in business interruption proceeds [13][30] - The company has a weighted average maturity of five years at a 4.7% interest rate, with $2.2 billion in total available liquidity [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Recent trends in April from a demand standpoint - Management noted that top markets are performing well, with international inbound travel affecting only a small portion of total room nights [36] Question: Outlook for Maui for the remainder of the year - Maui's EBITDA projection has improved, with expectations for continued improvement throughout the year [46] Question: Opportunities for acquisitions in the current market - Management expressed uncertainty about the transaction market but remains opportunistic in capital deployment [51][54] Question: Consumer environment and off-peak periods - No significant changes in trends were observed, with consistent performance across weekdays and weekends [64] Question: CapEx budget risks due to tariffs - Management is maintaining CapEx guidance and does not anticipate significant impacts from tariffs at this time [72][73] Question: Impact of administration policies on labor supply - No pressure on labor supply has been observed, with a strong recovery in staffing levels post-COVID [85][86] Question: Performance of the Rich Carlton, Turtle Bay - Turtle Bay's RevPAR was up 13% in the quarter, with positive performance expected [100]
Apple Hospitality REIT(APLE) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-02-25 18:04
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable hotels total revenue was $329 million for Q4 2024 and $1.4 billion for the full year, up approximately 4% and 2.5% compared to the same periods in 2023 respectively [26] - Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDARE increased by approximately 7% and modified funds from operations (MFFO) rose by approximately 6% compared to Q4 2023 [10][36] - Comparable hotels RevPAR for Q4 was $109, up approximately 3%, with ADR at $153, up approximately 1%, and occupancy at 71%, up 2% compared to Q4 2023 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved comparable hotels RevPAR growth of approximately 3% for Q4 and more than 1% for the full year, driven by improvements in both ADR and occupancy [9] - Comparable hotels occupancy for the full year was 75%, approximately 1% higher than 2023, and comparable hotels ADR was $159, up approximately 1% [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 55% of the company's hotels had no new upper upscale, upscale, or upper midscale product under construction within a five-mile radius at the end of Q4 [11] - The company noted that supply-demand dynamics remain favorable, with limited supply growth in its markets enhancing the overall risk profile of the portfolio [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to monitor its distribution rate and timing relative to hotel performance and potential capital uses, maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation [12][13] - Recent acquisitions have positively contributed to overall portfolio performance, with seven hotels acquired since June 2024 producing an unlevered 9% yield after CapEx [16] - The company is actively underwriting additional opportunities and is well-positioned to act where attractive yields can be achieved relative to other capital allocation choices [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to produce strong returns for investors over the coming years, citing stable operating fundamentals and favorable supply-demand dynamics [22][42] - The outlook for 2025 includes expectations for net income between $173 million and $202 million, with comparable hotels RevPAR change projected between 1% and 3% [39] Other Important Information - The company paid distributions totaling $58 million or $0.24 per common share during Q4, bringing the annual payout to approximately $244 million or $1.01 per common share [37] - The company has approximately $1.5 billion of total debt outstanding, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.7% and a debt maturity profile averaging three years [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: What operating expense growth has been assumed in 2025 guidance? - Management indicated that normalizing for fixed cost hurdles, the assumed increase for total hotel expenses is around 4.2% at the midpoint, with variable expenses outside of fixed costs around 3.5% [50] Question: What percentage of the portfolio would be described as having outsized CapEx needs? - Management stated that between 7% and 10% of the portfolio fits this category, with a focus on strategic and tactical reasons for prioritizing asset sales [52] Question: How close is the midweek ADR to weekend ADR? - Management noted that midweek ADR is getting closer to weekend levels, with continued opportunities for growth as occupancy improves [60] Question: What is the outlook for RevPAR growth in 2025? - Management believes that both business and leisure demand could contribute to outperforming the guidance, with midweek growth expected to be a significant driver [73] Question: What is the expected wage benefit growth this year? - Wage benefit growth is expected to be between 3.5% and 4% [130] Question: What is the current state of the transaction market? - Management indicated that the transaction market remains challenging, with fewer bidders interested in portfolios, but they expect conditions to improve as the year progresses [66][110]