American Healthcare REIT(AHR) - 2024 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2024, the company reported a 15.7% same-store net operating income (NOI) growth, with a year-to-date growth of 14.4% [5][17] - The normalized funds from operations (NFFO) guidance for the full year 2024 has been increased to a range of $1.23 to $1.27 per fully diluted share, reflecting a $0.04 increase to the midpoint of earnings guidance [17][18] - The net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 5.9x as of the end of Q2 2024, down from 6.4x at the end of Q1 2024 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The integrated senior health campuses segment is expected to grow between 18% and 20% in 2024, while the SHOP segment is projected to achieve 45% to 50% NOI growth [18] - The same-store NOI for the integrated senior health campuses segment grew by 24.1% year-over-year in Q2 2024 [10] - The SHOP segment achieved a 49.1% year-over-year same-store NOI growth in Q2 2024, driven by occupancy gains and accelerating revenue per occupied room (RevPOR) growth [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Assisted living occupancy reached approximately 85% in Q2 2024, matching pre-COVID levels, with the company's same-store integrated senior health campus and SHOP segment occupancies exceeding the industry average [7][8] - The skilled nursing occupancy remains well above the industry average, with a sequential increase in occupancy noted [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic pillars: ensuring quality care and positive health outcomes, committing to strong operating performance, and demonstrating prudent capital allocation [9] - The management expressed optimism about the growth prospects in the healthcare real estate sector, expecting robust performance over the next 3 to 5 years [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the demand for healthcare real estate remains strong, driven by an aging population, prompting an increase in guidance for same-store NOI growth [5][6] - The reimbursement environment for skilled nursing is improving, with expectations for continued positive rate growth [27] Other Important Information - The company plans to sell approximately $50 million of additional noncore properties for the remainder of the year, bringing total sales proceeds for 2024 to approximately $65 million [22][23] - The company received approximately $1.8 million in nonrecurring recoveries from former tenants, contributing slightly more than $0.01 per share increase to Q2 2024 earnings [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Trilogy's rate growth - Trilogy's business consists of 55% skilled nursing and 45% senior housing, with year-over-year rate growth of 6.5% to 7% for senior housing and 9.3% for private pay skilled nursing [26][27] Question: Delay in asset sales - The delay in asset sales is attributed to buyers being more cautious in their due diligence, influenced by lenders' expectations [29][30] Question: Margin expansion potential for integrated health campuses - The expectation is to surpass pre-COVID margins, with reimbursement improvements and higher occupancy levels contributing to this growth [34] Question: Update on potential buyout of Trilogy - The company has flexibility regarding the buyout of Trilogy, with options for cash or preferred stock, and aims to close the deal efficiently [42] Question: Dividend payout ratio expectations - The payout ratio is expected to improve, potentially falling below 100% for the year, driven by faster-than-anticipated occupancy increases [55][56]