Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR) FY Conference Transcript

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.