Easterly Government Properties(DEA) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2025, net income per share was $0.03, and core FFO per share grew to $0.76, slightly above expectations [11] - Cash available for distribution was $29.3 million, reflecting steady operational performance [11] - Core FFO growth from 2024 to the midpoint of 2025 was reported at 3%, driven by acquisitions and strong renewal execution [7][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained high portfolio occupancy at 97% and a weighted average lease term of approximately 10 years, indicating strong tenancy durability [7] - Recent acquisition of York Space Systems headquarters in Colorado aligns with the goal of 15% government-adjacent exposure [8] - The development pipeline remains active, with major projects like the FDA Atlanta nearing completion, expected to enhance earnings [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on diversifying its portfolio with a goal of 70% federal exposure, 15% state and local, and 15% adjacent space [54] - The acquisition of properties like DC Plaza and DHS Burlington demonstrates the strategy to grow state and local exposure while maintaining high-credit government properties [54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company’s growth strategy is centered on three long-term priorities: growing core FFO by 2%-3% annually, increasing same-store performance, and executing value-creating development opportunities [5][10] - The strategy aims to balance growth and durability, ensuring consistent performance regardless of economic conditions [6] - The company is targeting a medium-term cash leverage goal of six times, down from historical levels of seven to eight times, to enhance investor comparability [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the federal government will not default on leases, despite ongoing budget negotiations and shutdowns [4] - The company remains optimistic about its ability to deliver consistent growth, supported by a robust acquisition pipeline and strong tenant relationships [10][11] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by the current cost of capital but emphasized the potential for mean reversion as the company continues to deliver on growth targets [25][60] Other Important Information - The company has made significant progress in reducing cash leverage, with expectations to improve further upon project completions [12][13] - The recent acquisition of York Space Systems was priced at $29 million with a cap rate in the low 11%, reflecting strong fundamentals in the Denver market [49] - The company is exploring modern lease structures with the GSA, indicating a shift towards more competitive leasing practices [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Flagstaff Courthouse completion - Management indicated that the completion date was pushed out due to ongoing design work involving multiple agencies, with a new achievable date set for 2026 [17] Question: Thoughts on capital allocation and funding sources - Management discussed the cost of equity and the potential for partnerships with sovereign wealth funds to optimize capital allocation [18][20] Question: Acquisition guidance for 2026 - Management clarified that the $50 million acquisition guidance for 2026 is a conservative target, reflecting confidence in the pipeline and growth potential [24][26] Question: Impact of dispositions on leverage targets - Management noted that dispositions may require favorable interest rates to effectively reduce leverage, while still pursuing acquisitions [27][29] Question: Effects of government shutdown on operations - Management acknowledged that shutdowns slow operations but do not threaten the value of the portfolio, emphasizing the government's commitment to meet obligations [30][31] Question: Strategy shift from higher leverage to lower leverage - Management explained that the focus is on achieving lower leverage with moderate growth to improve cost of capital, while still aiming for consistent growth [60][64] Question: 2026 guidance and expected growth - Management provided insights into the 2026 guidance, highlighting that growth will primarily come from the FDA Atlanta project and same-store growth, with no expected dispositions [71][73]