Chatham Lodging Trust(CLDT) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q2 2025 hotel EBITDA of $30.9 million and adjusted EBITDA of $28.5 million, with adjusted FFO of $0.36 per share [24] - The GOP margin for the quarter was 46.3%, up 30 basis points from Q2 2024, attributed to strong expense control and moderating inflationary pressures [24] - Leverage was reduced to 3.5 times net debt to EBITDA as of June 30, enhancing financial flexibility [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core business segment, Business Traveler, showed healthy growth with the highest occupancies during the week, outperforming industry RevPAR growth for 14 consecutive quarters [9] - RevPAR growth at the four Silicon Valley hotels was up 3%, with hotel EBITDA increasing by 3% to nearly $5 million [17] - The six predominantly leisure hotels accounted for about 20% of EBITDA, with RevPAR surging 4% when excluding the Portsmouth Hilton Garden Inn under renovation [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Silicon Valley's recovery to pre-pandemic levels was noted, with occupancy reaching 80% across four hotels [9] - The Sunbelt markets performed well, particularly Charleston and Florida, which experienced RevPAR growth after previous declines [11] - The Austin market faced challenges with RevPAR down 6% year-to-date and 14% in the quarter due to convention center closures [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company completed the sale of five hotels for proceeds of $83 million, using the funds for development, acquisitions, and share repurchases [5] - A $25 million share buyback plan was approved, with approximately 20,000 shares repurchased at a weighted average price of $7.2 [5] - The company plans to launch an upsized syndication of its credit facility and term loan to enhance financial conditions and lower borrowing costs [6] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future performance, citing strong GDP growth rates and significant investments in technology and AI as positive indicators [14][15] - The company anticipates continued demand growth in Silicon Valley, supported by tech company investments and expansion [10] - Despite challenges in certain markets, management believes the overall industry is poised for better performance in the coming years [13] Other Important Information - The company spent approximately $9 million on CapEx in the quarter, adding eight rooms to the existing portfolio [22][23] - The company highlighted the importance of monitoring productivity closely, especially in labor and benefits, which are the largest expenses [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding asset recycling and the two additional hotels for sale - Management confirmed that one hotel is an older lower RevPAR asset, while the other is an opportunistic transaction to minimize capital requirements [28][29] Question: Timeline for development in Portland and acquisition opportunities - The development in Portland is expected to have a construction timeline of around 21 to 24 months, with a potential start within the next six months [30] - Management noted ongoing discussions in the acquisition market, with a wide bid-ask scenario but confidence that the gap will lessen over time [31]