Healthcare Realty Trust rporated(HR) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Normalized FFO was $0.41 per share, a $0.02 increase from the previous quarter [6] - FAD per share increased to $0.33, representing a 96% payout ratio, a significant improvement from the first quarter [36] - Same store occupancy was 90%, a 40 basis point sequential increase [6] - Same store NOI growth was 5.1%, a 280 basis point sequential increase, marking the highest growth in nine years [36] - Net debt to adjusted EBITDA sits at six times, expected to decrease to the mid-five times area by year end [24][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second highest new leasing quarter in the last three years, with year-to-date sales increasing to $211 million at a blended 6.2% cap rate [7] - Current occupancy in the stabilized portfolio is 95%, with NOI margins over 65% [17] - The lease-up portfolio, comprising approximately 13% of total assets, has a current occupancy of 70% and NOI margins of 55% [19] - The disposition portfolio, approximately 12% of total assets, has lagged in NOI growth by 700 basis points compared to the stabilized portfolio [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand for outpatient medical space remains strong, driven by tightening supply and the ongoing migration of services into lower-cost outpatient settings [30] - The signed not occupied pipeline (SNO) remains solid at nearly 610,000 square feet, representing almost 170 basis points of occupancy in the coming quarters [31] - The new lease pipeline is over 1,300,000 square feet and growing, with about 60% in the letter of intent or lease documentation phase [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic plan, Healthcare Realty 2.0, focuses on an operations-oriented culture prioritizing earnings growth and strong tenant relationships [12] - Key action items include improved corporate governance, significant organizational restructuring, portfolio optimization, reprioritizing capital allocation, and improving the balance sheet [12][22][24] - The company aims to invest approximately $300 million over the next three years into the lease-up portfolio to drive NOI growth [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a 92% to 93% occupancy rate, citing improved macro conditions and a revamped asset management platform [91][92] - The company anticipates further leasing momentum and NOI growth throughout the remainder of the year and into 2026 [34] - Management acknowledged the need for a dividend reduction of 23% to $0.24 per share to alleviate pressure from maturing bonds and to reinvest capital into the portfolio [25] Other Important Information - The company completed $211 million of asset sales through July, raising the full-year disposition outlook to $800 million to $1 billion [37] - The company has reduced the size of its board from 12 to 7 directors to bring fresh perspectives and support value creation initiatives [12] - The company has achieved initial goals of at least $10 million in run-rate G&A savings through headcount reduction and office expense savings [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the composition of the lease-up portfolio? - Management indicated that the lease-up portfolio consists of both multi-tenant and single-tenant properties, with a total upside potential of $50 million, which will be phased in over time [44][46] Question: What is the confidence level in achieving the targeted occupancy rates? - Management cited improved macro conditions and a revamped asset management platform as key factors contributing to confidence in achieving 92% to 93% occupancy [90][92] Question: How will the company fund the capital investments in the lease-up portfolio? - Management clarified that the $300 million required to achieve the $50 million NOI upside will primarily come from the dividend adjustment, with potential use of sale proceeds for earlier investments [48][50] Question: What are the dynamics behind the higher cap rates for the assets being sold? - Management explained that the disposition portfolio is characterized by lower occupancy and older vintage assets, contributing to the higher blended cap rate of 7% [78] Question: How does the company plan to drive incremental growth from the core portfolio? - Management emphasized the importance of maximizing lease economics, with escalators trending upwards and a focus on tenant retention to drive earnings growth [111][113]