IRT(IRT) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a core FFO per share of $0.27 for Q1 2025, flat compared to the prior year, reflecting the impact of portfolio optimization and deleveraging strategy completed last year [14] - Same store NOI grew by 2.7%, driven by a 2.3% increase in same store revenue and a 1.6% increase in operating expenses year-over-year [14][19] - The average occupancy increased by 100 basis points year-over-year, contributing to the same store NOI growth [6][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed value-add renovations on 275 units with a weighted average return on investment of 16.2% [6] - The company has 28 communities with over 4,600 units in the ongoing value-add program, expecting to complete between 505,000 units this year [6] - The company sold its final asset in Birmingham, Alabama for $111 million, completing its exit from that market [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2020, approximately 79,000 new apartment units were delivered across the company's submarkets, representing 6.1% of existing supply [10] - The company expects only 32,000 new deliveries in 2025 and 24,000 units in 2026, representing a 60% annual decrease in 2025 and an additional 24% decrease in 2026 [10] - The company forecasts positive net absorption of 8.5% in its submarkets for 2025, significantly higher than the national average of 1.5% [11][65] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a long-term investment strategy, capitalizing on strong population and employment growth in its communities [5][12] - The company aims to maintain pricing power and expects ongoing rental rate gains without sacrificing occupancy [12][19] - The acquisition pipeline remains strong, with ample liquidity to fund accretive investments [8][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged macroeconomic uncertainties but remains confident in supply and demand fundamentals driving operations [12][19] - The company expects to enter 2026 with solid earnings momentum and growth opportunities [20] - Management noted that demand for Class B communities has proven resilient, with stable occupancy rates and positive blended rent growth [11][52] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 6.3 times, with plans to achieve a mid-five ratio by year-end 2025 [17] - The company has nearly $750 million of liquidity available for investments [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk through the leasing spreads for the first quarter? - New leases were down 4.6%, while renewals were up 4.8%. The company did not experience the same level of decline in rental rates as some peers due to its Class B portfolio [23][24] Question: Have you seen any evidence of stress from tariffs or macro uncertainty? - The company has not felt significant effects from tariffs or deportations and has seen a decrease in bad debt by 50 basis points year-over-year [25][27] Question: Can you speak to trends in leasing traffic and conversion? - Demand is up 25% compared to the same time last year, with conversion rates remaining stable [31] Question: What are your expectations for new lease rates and renewals? - The company anticipates positive trends in blended rental rates, with improvements noted month-to-month [36][38] Question: How are you thinking about the revenue guidance for the full year? - The company expects continued strong demand and significant declines in new supply, maintaining its revenue guidance [19][65] Question: Can you discuss the impact of insurance renewals on expenses? - The company expects a net decrease in insurance premiums despite initially assuming a 10% increase [72][75] Question: Are there any other markets you expect to exit by year-end? - Currently, there are no expected changes to the company's market dispositions [81] Question: How do you expect the performance between Class A and Class B to trend? - Class B properties are showing better rental rate growth compared to Class A properties, which are facing more competition from new supply [88][89]