Core Insights - Agree Realty (ADC) is recognized as the highest quality name in net lease REIT coverage due to its strategic capital allocation and careful underwriting practices [1] - The investment strategy emphasizes finding undervalued companies with strong balance sheets and management teams in sectors with long-term growth potential [1] Group 1 - The company has established its reputation through intentional efforts in capital allocation and underwriting [1] - The leader of the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks focuses on stocks with a high probability of delivering significant alpha compared to the S&P 500 [1] - The investment approach combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation hurdles to enhance the margin of safety [1] Group 2 - Features of the investment group include exclusive access to high-conviction stock picks, comprehensive research reports, real-time trade alerts, macro market analysis, and a community chat for continuous engagement [1] - The analyst's strategy involves identifying companies with secular growth that appreciate over time [1]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 index is near all-time highs with a yield of approximately 1.3%, making it challenging for dividend investors to find high-yield stocks. However, W.P. Carey, with a yield of 5.8%, presents an attractive opportunity for those willing to invest when others are selling [1]. Company Overview - W.P. Carey is a net lease real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns single-tenant properties, where tenants are responsible for most property-level expenses. It ranks second in the net lease REIT sector with a market cap of $13 billion, following Realty Income at $50 billion and ahead of NNN REIT at $8 billion [2]. - Net lease REITs are generally considered stable income stocks, with their business driven by sale/leaseback deals. However, higher interest rates have negatively impacted their profitability and ability to secure new deals, leading to a decline in W.P. Carey's stock, which is down about 30% from its 2019 highs [4]. Dividend Performance - W.P. Carey cut its dividend in 2023, while its peers, NNN REIT and Realty Income, have consistently increased their dividends for 36 and 30 years, respectively. Despite the cut, W.P. Carey has resumed increasing its dividend quarterly since then, indicating a recovery [5][7]. - The company’s focus has shifted away from the troubled office sector to more lucrative industrial, warehouse, and retail properties, which has improved its portfolio [7][8]. Growth Potential - The exit from the office sector has provided W.P. Carey with cash to invest in new properties, which is expected to enhance growth in the coming years. The company’s last dividend increase was over 3% year-over-year, compared to Realty Income's 0.2% increase [9][10]. - W.P. Carey incorporates inflation-linked rent escalators in its leases, which supports growth and differentiates it from peers that are less aggressive in this regard [10]. Investment Consideration - Investors often overlook W.P. Carey in favor of Realty Income or NNN REIT, but the company’s strong dividend growth history and differentiated property focus on industrial and warehouse assets make it a compelling addition to a net lease portfolio [11][12].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, the company recorded revenue of $132.4 million and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $200.3 million, which is expected to improve significantly upon closing the remainder of the multi-tenant portfolio sale [19][20] - The gross outstanding debt balance was $3.9 billion at the end of Q1 2025, down by $1.3 billion from the end of Q1 2024 [20] - The net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 6.7 times at the end of Q1 2025, improved from 8.4 times at the end of Q1 2024 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a milestone with the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of its multi-tenant portfolio, generating $1.1 billion in gross proceeds from the first phase, which included 59 unencumbered properties [8] - The portfolio's occupancy stood at 95% at the end of Q1 2025, with a weighted average remaining lease term of 6.3 years [12] - Following the departure of Contractor Steel, the company sold five vacant properties for a combined $60 million, which helped minimize vacancy downtime [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Geographically, 76% of straight-line rent is earned in North America and 24% in Europe, providing diversification across economic cycles [15] - The portfolio features a stable tenant base, with 60% of tenants receiving an investment grade or implied investment grade rating [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing leverage and enhancing financial flexibility, with a goal of achieving an investment grade credit rating [5][9] - A $300 million share repurchase program was approved, with 7.9 million shares repurchased at a weighted average price of $7.5, reflecting a strategic approach to capitalize on undervalued stock [11] - The company is strategically scaling back its exposure to the gas and convenience store sector, reallocating capital toward higher growth sectors [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating market volatility and highlighted the importance of a strong balance sheet for future growth [5][24] - The company reaffirmed its AFFO per share guidance range of $0.90 to $0.96 for 2025, indicating a positive outlook despite current market conditions [23] Other Important Information - The company has a closed plus disposition pipeline totaling $2.1 billion, with total asset sales expected to reach nearly $3 billion by the end of 2025 [9][10] - The weighted average interest rate on debt stood at 4.4%, with an interest coverage ratio of 2.5 times [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down the remaining $300 million in the disposition pipeline by sector or geography? - Management indicated that the remaining pipeline consists of non-core dispositions identified since the end of 2024, continuing the deleveraging strategy [29][30] Question: How will market volatility impact asset sales and pricing? - Management believes there will still be opportunities to sell assets, leveraging relationships with local brokers to navigate the market [31][32] Question: Is the 12% AFFO yield the hurdle rate for future buybacks? - Management expressed satisfaction with the current buyback execution and indicated that they will continue to monitor AFFO accretion for future buybacks [33][34] Question: What is the capital allocation strategy regarding share buybacks versus debt repayment? - Management emphasized a focus on reducing leverage and opportunistic share buybacks, while also maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation [40][41] Question: Can you share insights on credit rating upgrades and potential savings? - Management noted that conversations with credit agencies are confidential but acknowledged the positive credit watch status and the long-term goal of accessing investment grade debt opportunities [46][47] Question: What types of dispositions are being targeted moving forward? - Management mentioned looking at retail opportunities and continuing to evaluate the portfolio for potential sales, particularly in the gas and convenience store sector [49][50] Question: Did Contractor Steel pay any rent in Q1? - Management confirmed that Contractor Steel did not pay any rent in Q1 [78] Question: How should investors think about the run rate for AFFO in the back half of the year? - Management explained that the income statement already accounts for discontinued operations related to the multi-tenant portfolio, and they expect a decrease in G&A expenses due to the sale [82] Question: Are there more vacant assets available for future proceeds? - Management indicated that after the completion of the multi-tenant sale, the portfolio would be nearly 98% occupied, suggesting limited future vacant asset sales [86]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) of $71.8 million or $0.36 per share for the quarter, benefiting from recent investments and lower operating expenses [20][23] - The company maintained its 2025 AFFO guidance range at $1.45 to $1.49 per share, reflecting approximately 3% growth at the midpoint [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company invested $103.9 million in new property acquisitions, build-to-suit developments, and revenue-generating capital expenditures, with a weighted average initial cash cap rate of 7.2% and a weighted average straight-line yield of 8.3% [16][20] - The committed build-to-suit developments pipeline stands at approximately $305.9 million, with an expected initial cash cap rate in the 7s and straight-line yields in the mid-8s to mid-9s [5][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has approximately $132.9 million of acquisitions under control and $4.5 million of commitments to fund revenue-generating CapEx with existing tenants [16] - The company reported 99.1% occupancy and 99.1% rent collection for the first quarter, indicating a resilient and diversified portfolio [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a differentiated strategy focused on disciplined growth, with a goal of adding at least $500 million in additional build-to-suit developments to its committed schedule [10][11] - The company is expanding its developer relationships, recently partnering with Prologis for a $78.2 million project, which is expected to enhance its pipeline and growth opportunities [6][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the macroeconomic uncertainties, including potential tariffs and consumer spending trends, but expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage risks [8][9] - The company remains vigilant in monitoring tenant credit risks, particularly in consumer-centric industries, while maintaining a diversified portfolio to mitigate impacts from individual credit events [17][18] Other Important Information - The company amended its $1 billion revolving credit facility, extending the maturity date to March 2029 and reducing the all-in borrowing rate by 10 basis points [21][22] - The company ended the quarter with pro forma leverage of 5.0 times net debt and approximately $826 million available on its revolving credit facility, providing ample capacity for future investments [22][23] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company monitoring credit exposure in the industrial sector due to tariffs? - The company is taking both top-down and bottom-up approaches to assess individual tenants and industries affected by tariffs, emphasizing that manufacturing is not uniform and varies by tenant [25][26] Question: What is the guidance for bad debt this year? - The company started the year with a bad debt guidance of 125 basis points and plans to maintain that figure, reassessing after Q2 and into Q3 [29][32] Question: What is the exposure to Claire's and how is the company managing it? - The company owns Claire's sole distribution facility in the U.S., which accounts for 78 basis points of exposure, and is actively monitoring their logistics and inventory sourcing due to tariff impacts [34][36] Question: Can you provide an update on the build-to-suit pipeline? - The company remains confident in its goal of $500 million in build-to-suit developments for the year, with a robust pipeline despite some macroeconomic uncertainties [39][40] Question: How does the company plan to fund its existing build-to-suit pipeline? - The company has ample capital available and does not intend to put permanent financing on any of the current deals, focusing on controlling its own destiny [43][46] Question: What is the nature of the relationship with Prologis? - The relationship with Prologis is expected to yield repeat business, with ongoing discussions for future projects, highlighting the value of their partnership [76][78]