Michael Mueller's questions to SmartStop Self Storage REIT Inc (SMA) leadership • Q2 2025
Question
Michael Mueller from JPMorgan Chase & Co. asked if the new partnership with Orchard Securities indicated a long-term commitment to the managed REIT platform and inquired about the acquisition pipeline's focus on scaling in existing versus entering new markets.
Answer
CEO H. Michael Schwartz clarified that the managed REIT platform is a short- to mid-term strategy, not a long-term one, and the partner change was an opportunistic business decision. On acquisitions, he highlighted a focus on disciplined purchases of 'onesies and twosies' at mid-five cap rates. CFO James Barry added that the primary goal is to build scale and add to existing clusters, citing recent acquisitions in Houston and Alberta as prime examples.