Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same property NOI for the quarter was $44.3 million, representing a 6.4% increase year-over-year, driven by embedded rent escalations, occupancy gains, and positive rent spreads [10] - NAREIT FFO was $38.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, reflecting an 8.9% increase compared to the same quarter last year [10] - Year-to-date NAREIT FFO totaled $111.1 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, a 6% year-over-year increase [11] - Total liquidity stood at $571 million, including $71 million in cash and a full $500 million available under a revolving credit facility [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a same property NOI growth of over 6%, with healthy rent spreads and positive leasing activity across both anchors and small shops [4] - New leases for the third quarter achieved a 25.6% spread, while renewals averaged at 10.4%, resulting in a blended leasing spread of 11.5% [17] - Retention rate year-to-date was 82%, with a higher rate of 89% when excluding a single anchor space undergoing redevelopment [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Census data indicated retail sales are up year-over-year, with sustained strength in suburban centers across the Sunbelt [6] - The company noted that nine of the top 10 U.S. retail metros are in the Sunbelt, where it is heavily concentrated [6] - The limited level of new open-air retail development is seen as a competitive advantage, with rising costs and restrictive zoning keeping new supply muted [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains a hub-and-spoke operating model to manage a broad network of top-tier assets across Sunbelt markets efficiently [5] - The capital allocation strategy remains measured and disciplined, targeting opportunities that align with strict return thresholds [8] - Approximately 70% of the portfolio consists of neighborhood and community centers, with a focus on high-quality tenant bases and financial flexibility [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to deliver solid total returns for shareholders, supported by favorable strip center fundamentals [9] - While household debt levels are rising and consumer confidence has weakened, day-to-day consumer behavior in the company's centers remains resilient [6] - The company raised its full-year same property NOI growth guidance to a range of 4.75% to 5.25% [14] Other Important Information - The company completed four acquisitions totaling $250 million during the quarter, funded primarily with cash on hand [13] - An annualized dividend of $0.95 per share was declared [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on tenants in discretionary categories, including restaurants - Management noted strong demand from quick service and sit-down dining, with most restaurants performing well in the portfolio [22][23] Question: Percentage of core grocery versus power and lifestyle in acquisition pipeline - The pipeline remains robust, with over $1 billion in assets being considered, primarily grocery-anchored [25][26] Question: Trajectory of occupancy over the next couple of quarters - Management expects a slight decline in small shop occupancy but anticipates a reacceleration in 2026 [32][33] Question: Confidence level to grow creatively from acquisitions moving into 2026 - Management emphasized the importance of responsible and creative growth strategies, focusing on high-quality assets [41][42] Question: Remaining budgeted bad debt expense for the year - The forecast includes visibility into the lower end of the bad debt range, with some assumptions for unforeseen fallout [46] Question: Lease-to-economic occupancy spread and its future - Management indicated that the spread is influenced by timing and expects it to stabilize between 150 to 200 basis points [53][54] Question: Balance between grocery sector strength and dining out trends - Management observed that both sectors have been complements rather than substitutes, with strong performance in both areas [56][57] Question: Comfort with increasing share of tertiary markets in the portfolio - Management is open to secondary and tertiary markets as long as the quality of assets remains high [62][63]