Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue growth accelerated in Q2 to 1.9% on a consolidated acquisition adjusted basis, marking the seventeenth consecutive quarter of acquisition adjusted revenue growth [4][10] - EBITDA increased by 2% on an acquisition adjusted basis, with a slight improvement in margins compared to Q2 of the previous year [4] - Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) totaled $225.3 million in Q2, an increase of 5.5% from $213.5 million in the previous year [12] - Diluted AFFO per share increased by 6.7% to $2.22 per share compared to $2.08 per share in the previous year [12] - The company revised its full year AFFO per share guidance to a range of $8.1 to $8.2, a reduction of $0.55 from the prior range [6][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Billboard operations experienced low single-digit top line growth, while the airport and logos division significantly outpaced the broader portfolio, growing revenue by 11.76% and 6.1% respectively [11] - Local and regional sales accounted for approximately 79% of billboard revenue in Q2, continuing to grow for the seventeenth consecutive quarter [12] - Programmatic advertising increased by around 10% [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Categories of strength included services (up 8.2%), financial (up 11%), building and construction (up 16.3%), and insurance (up 22%) [20] - Weaker categories included education (down 3.8%), beverages (down 16%), and telecom (down 17%) [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on acquisitions, having spent $87 million on 20 acquisitions through Q2, with a total year-to-date cash acquisition amount of approximately $110 million [7] - The company completed a milestone UPREIT transaction, which is expected to be a tool for future acquisitions [8][39] - The management expressed optimism about the potential for increased M&A activity due to the favorable UPREIT structure [39][41] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The current operating environment is described as solid but not spectacular, with increased activity in national RFPs and local proposals [5] - Management is cautious about October due to potential headwinds from political advertising [5][30] - The company expects back half growth to be better than the first half but not as strong as earlier expectations [6] Other Important Information - The company ended Q2 with approximately $3.4 billion in total consolidated debt and a weighted average interest rate of 4.7% [14] - Total leverage was 2.95 times net debt to EBITDA, among the lowest levels ever for the company [15] - The company paid a cash dividend of $1.55 per share in both the first and second quarters, with a recommendation to declare the same for the third quarter [18][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you quantify the updated guidance for top line growth and visibility into the back half? - Management indicated that Q3 political headwind is about 100 basis points and about 200 basis points in Q4, with a significant amount of political revenue from the previous year to replace [28][31] Question: Clarification on the reduction in AFFO guidance? - Management clarified that the reduction is due to both slower operational performance and the exit from the Vancouver contract [34][36] Question: Will the UPREIT structure accelerate M&A activity? - Management believes it will be a significant factor in increasing M&A activity, as it provides a tax-efficient option for sellers [39][41] Question: Why are airport and transit results holding up better? - Management noted that airports are experiencing strong growth due to a rebound in air travel, while transit operations have a different recovery profile [46][48] Question: Timeline for integrating acquired assets? - Integration timelines vary; expense synergies happen quickly for fill-in acquisitions, while revenue synergies take longer due to existing contracts [50][51]

Core Insights - Lamar Advertising Company has completed its first-ever UPREIT transaction in the billboard industry by acquiring Verde Outdoor's assets [1][5] - The acquisition adds over 1,500 billboard faces, including 80 digital displays, across 10 states, enhancing Lamar's market presence in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions [2] Company Overview - Verde Outdoor was established in 2021 and has rapidly expanded through strategic acquisitions and organic development, particularly in Sioux City, Charleston, Savannah, Hudson Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic [3] - The transaction involved Verde contributing its assets to Lamar Advertising Limited Partnership, with Verde's owners receiving common units of Lamar LP that track the value of Lamar's Class A common stock [4] Transaction Structure - The UPREIT structure allows Lamar to issue partnership units to billboard owners on a tax-deferred basis, facilitating acquisitions [5] - The CEO of Lamar highlighted the significance of this deal and expressed optimism about using the UPREIT structure for future acquisitions [6]

Summary of Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR) FY Conference Call - May 13, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR) - **Industry**: Advertising, specifically Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising Key Points and Arguments Market Conditions - The mood at the OAAA Industry Conference was constructive, with no signs of trouble in the market [1] - Q1 results showed organic growth of just over 1%, with business strong enough to maintain guidance [2][3] - 75% of revenue is already under contract, typical for this time of year [3] Financial Performance - The company expects to achieve its goals for the year, with organic growth outlook remaining around 3% [4][5] - The impact of events like the Super Bowl and leap year was material, particularly affecting the Southwest region, which saw a 1% decline [9][10] - Political advertising is expected to contribute approximately $15 million in the second half of the year [11] Economic Outlook - Historical performance during garden variety recessions indicates that Lamar typically holds the line on rates and experiences only minor occupancy declines [14][15] - Current pacings suggest a steady year ahead, with no significant downturn anticipated [15] Sector Insights - Local auto dealers are adapting to inventory issues by shifting advertising focus from new car sales to service promotions [16][18] - Retail advertising saw a 6% increase in Q1, but potential tariff impacts on inventory are being monitored closely [19] - Legal services remain a strong vertical, accounting for about 10% of revenue, with a stable customer base [21][22] Competitive Landscape - Lamar is gaining market share from local TV and radio, with a noted shift in advertising dollars towards billboards [24][27] - National advertising has been slightly underperforming, attributed to changes in agency strategies [28][29] Programmatic Advertising - Programmatic advertising is expected to exceed $50 million in 2025, with a 30% increase in Q1 [33] - The company is testing programmatic on the local side, driven by demand from more sophisticated local customers [37] Digital Conversion and CapEx - Lamar plans to convert over 350 boards to digital in 2025, with consistent returns historically between 25% to low 30% [45] - The pace of conversions is primarily governed by regulatory permitting [46] M&A Activity - The company has completed $70 million in acquisitions and expects to surpass $200 million this year, driven by pent-up demand [54] - Acquisitions typically yield high margins, with forward multiples expected to be in the 10 to 11 range post-synergies [56] Capital Allocation - Lamar is focused on digital conversions, acquisitions, and purchasing land under billboards, with a projected $20 million for easements this year [62][63] Share Repurchase Program - A $150 million share repurchase program was initiated to avoid dilution from acquisitions, executed at an average price of $108 [68][70] Transit and Airport Business - Transit revenue is stable, primarily from bus wraps, while airport business remains steady despite potential impacts from international travel [71][73] - Combined revenue from transit and airport operations is approximately $160 million, contributing around 15-17% EBITDA margins [74] Additional Important Insights - The company is navigating minor cost increases due to tariffs but does not anticipate significant supply chain issues [51][53] - The recent sale of a 20% stake in Vistar to T-Mobile is expected to enhance outdoor measurement and attribution capabilities [39][40] This summary encapsulates the key insights and financial outlook for Lamar Advertising Company as discussed in the conference call, highlighting the company's resilience and strategic focus in the advertising industry.