Camden(CPT)2025-05-02 15:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Camden Property Trust reported core funds from operations (FFO) for Q1 2025 of 1.72 per share, which was 0.03 per share from 6.78, primarily due to lower projected interest expenses [19] - The annualized net turnover rate for Q1 2025 was 31%, one of the lowest in the company's history, indicating strong resident retention [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same property revenue growth in the top five markets ranged from 1.3% to 4.5%, compared to an overall portfolio growth of 0.8% [10] - Effective new leases were down 3.1%, while renewals were up 3.3%, resulting in a blended rate of negative 0.1% for the quarter [10] - Camden's customer sentiment score reached 91.1, the highest since measurement began in 2014, reflecting strong resident satisfaction [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New supply in Camden's markets has peaked, with apartment absorption remaining strong; new starts are at a 13-year low, down 80% in Austin and 65-80% in several other markets [6] - The Sunbelt markets are 50% to 60% less expensive for residents compared to high-cost coastal markets, contributing to job and population growth [7] - Occupancy for Q1 averaged 95.4%, showing slight improvement from 95.3% in Q4 2024, with expectations for stability throughout the year [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Camden is focused on expanding its presence in high-demand markets like Nashville and Austin, with plans for acquisitions and developments in these areas [14][83] - The company aims to maintain a geographically diverse portfolio to weather economic uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of the Sunbelt region for growth [7] - Camden is actively marketing older, capital-intensive assets for sale while pursuing new acquisitions to enhance its portfolio [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the current economic uncertainty but expressed confidence in the company's strong position and operational performance [22] - The company is cautious about guidance changes due to market volatility but remains optimistic about future performance as supply-demand dynamics improve [30] - Management noted that while Nashville and Austin face challenges, they are expected to recover quickly once market conditions improve [31] Other Important Information - Camden completed two acquisitions totaling 184 million [14] - The company entered into a $600 million commercial paper program to supplement its existing line of credit, allowing for lower interest rates [16] - Camden's development pipeline is being rebuilt, with a focus on disciplined underwriting amid rising construction costs [88] Q&A Session Summary Question: Maintaining same store guidance amid macro uncertainty - Management indicated that the current uncertainty has influenced their cautious approach to guidance changes, but they feel confident about the business's performance [22] Question: Stabilization of deliveries in Sunbelt markets - Nashville and Austin are expected to remain challenged, but improvements are anticipated in the latter half of 2025 as supply decreases [29] Question: Impact of oil prices on Houston market - Management believes that lower oil prices will not significantly affect Houston's market due to the consolidation and efficiency of the energy sector [110] Question: Projections for A and B assets in Sunbelt markets - Class A urban assets are currently performing slightly better than Class B suburban assets, reflecting changing supply-demand dynamics [68] Question: Insights on bad debt levels - Bad debt improved to 60 basis points, nearing the normalized level of 50 basis points, with significant improvements in previously problematic markets [95]