Highwoods Properties(HIW) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $18.3 million or $0.17 per share and FFO of $97.7 million or $0.89 per share for Q2 2025 [25][11] - The midpoint of the 2025 FFO outlook was raised by $0.02 to a range of $3.37 to $3.45 per share, reflecting a nearly 2% increase since the beginning of the year [12][28] - The debt to EBITDA ratio was 6.3 times at quarter end, with $106 million left to fund on the development pipeline and over $700 million of available liquidity [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved 920,000 square feet of second-generation leasing in Q2, including 370,000 square feet of new leasing [6][14] - The leased rate increased by 80 basis points to 88.9%, while occupancy remained flat at 85.6% [11][12] - The company has locked in over $12 million of annual NOI growth potential from its core four properties, with strong prospects for an additional $5 million to $6 million [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong demand in its key markets, particularly in Charlotte, Dallas, and Nashville, which are outperforming the national average [73][72] - Nashville reported the nation's third-highest positive net absorption, with nearly 1 million square feet leased in Q2, the highest since 2021 [20][21] - The Charlotte market is experiencing significant job growth, with a daily net migration count increasing from 117 to 157 [22][76] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to upgrade its portfolio by rotating out of slower growth properties into higher growth, more capital-efficient assets [5][6] - The development pipeline includes properties like Glenlake III and Granite Park VI, which have over $10 million of NOI growth potential [8][31] - The company is optimistic about the future, citing a strong balance sheet and the potential for capital deployment in new investments [13][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the leasing activity and the potential for occupancy to improve by late 2025 [7][12] - The company highlighted the positive impact of limited supply in the market, which is driving rent growth in high-quality locations [9][10] - Management noted that the current economic environment is favorable for office space demand, with a shift back to in-office work [16][18] Other Important Information - The company received $3 million from the Florida Department of Transportation for roadway improvements, which was included in the FFO outlook [25][26] - The company is actively underwriting potential new investments and has numerous assets in the market for sale [6][5] - The company is focused on maintaining a diverse debt structure to manage interest rate exposure effectively [59][60] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the guidance and the factors influencing it? - Management indicated that there were $0.03 of headwinds in the updated outlook due to higher G&A and pushed interest income into future years, offset by $0.05 of NOI upside [34][36] Question: What is the opportunity set for acquisitions in your markets? - Management noted that capital markets are opening up, with more high-quality assets coming to market and narrowing bid-ask spreads [39][40] Question: What are your expectations for concessions and tenant improvements? - Management stated that concessions have generally peaked, and market rents are increasing, which should positively impact net effective rents [44][46] Question: Will there be a spike in building improvements and leasing commissions? - Management expects elevated levels of tenant improvements and commissions to continue, likely higher than previous years [52][53] Question: What are the biggest swing factors in your guidance? - Management highlighted expense timing and potential lease renewals as key factors influencing guidance variability [55][56] Question: How competitive is the process for large RFPs? - Management noted that there is significant competition for headquarter space, with various industries showing interest, particularly in financial services [90][92]