Service Properties Trust(SVC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, normalized FFO was $10.8 million or $0.07 per share, down from $0.13 per share in the prior year quarter [24] - Adjusted EBITDAre increased slightly year over year to $115.8 million [24] - Comparable hotel RevPAR grew by 2.6% year over year, with gross operating profit margin percentage declining by 330 basis points to 21.4% [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable hotel RevPAR growth was supported by occupancy and ADR gains, with a 10.6% increase in RevPAR for the select service portfolio, primarily driven by occupancy growth in Hyatt Place and Sonesta Select hotels [11][10] - Full service hotels reported a 1.9% increase in RevPAR, while extended stay portfolio RevPAR was essentially flat due to renovation impacts [10][11] - Adjusted hotel EBITDA for the hotel portfolio was $23 million, a decline of 20.5% year over year, primarily due to renovations and increased costs [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The lodging portfolio experienced a softening in RevPAR as the quarter progressed, influenced by reduced government and international travel [8] - Group revenue pace increased by 6.5% year over year, indicating a positive trend despite overall market challenges [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to sell 123 hotels in 2025 with estimated proceeds of $1.1 billion to strengthen the balance sheet and reinvest in growth opportunities [9][14] - A strategic shift towards increasing net lease exposure is anticipated, with a target to adjust the investment composition from 56% lodging assets to 54% net lease properties [16] - The company aims to optimize its portfolio through asset sales and reinvestment in high-potential hotels, while gradually expanding net lease acquisitions [12][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties but expressed confidence in the resilience of the net lease portfolio and the potential for long-term value creation through portfolio optimization initiatives [16] - The company expects challenges in the travel and lodging industries to impact key segments, but anticipates a seasonal benefit in Q2 [27] Other Important Information - The company is monitoring potential impacts from tariffs on capital improvement costs and supply chain uncertainties [29] - The net lease portfolio was nearly 98% leased with a weighted average lease term of eight years, providing steady cash flow [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the RevPAR trends in the quarter? - Management indicated that RevPAR started strong in January but showed deceleration by March, with preliminary April numbers indicating a 1% year-over-year decrease [32][33] Question: What is the impact of international and government business on demand? - Approximately 30% of the portfolio is in top markets affected by international travel, with a modest decrease in government business noted [34][35] Question: How confident is the company in completing hotel sales at the expected price? - Management expressed confidence due to a robust selection process and strong buyer interest, with transactions expected to occur in phases [36][38] Question: Will the company continue to have hotel exposure in the future? - Management confirmed that while there will be a shift towards net lease properties, the company will maintain hotel exposure to drive EBITDA [41][43] Question: What is the outlook for the Sonesta stake? - The company believes the value of its 34% stake in Sonesta will grow as Sonesta transitions to a franchise model, enhancing margins [50][51]