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    AGREE REALTY (ADC)

    Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

    Reported on Apr 23, 2025
    Pre-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
    Post-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
    Price ChangeN/A
    • Strong Balance Sheet and Liquidity: ADC has demonstrated robust liquidity—with nearly $2 billion available and over $1.2 billion of hedged capital—enabling it to aggressively pursue its growth strategy and weather market volatility.
    • Robust and Growing Investment Pipeline: The company increased its full-year investment guidance range by approximately $200 million (from $1.1–$1.3 billion to $1.3–$1.5 billion), reflecting a significant uptick in acquisition activity and strong pipeline across its platforms.
    • Resilient, Quality Tenant Portfolio: ADC’s portfolio is composed predominantly of recession-resistant, essential retailers—exemplified by strong performance in grocery and other necessity segments—supported by high occupancy rates (around 99.2%), which underpins its stable cash flow and dividend coverage.
    • Treasury Stock Dilution Risk: The company’s reliance on forward equity has led to treasury method dilution of approximately $0.02 per AFFO share, which could constrain AFFO per share growth if the stock trades above assumed net prices.
    • Market Volatility and Cap Rate Uncertainty: Extreme volatility in the 10-year treasury yields creates uncertainty around cap rate movements and yield hurdles on acquisitions; this unpredictability could negatively impact asset valuations.
    • Potential for Increased Credit Losses: While Q1 credit losses were around 30 basis points, the guidance includes a fully loaded 50 basis points. An upward deviation due to adverse tenant-specific issues could materialize, deteriorating credit quality.
    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    AFFO Per Share ($USD)

    FY 2025

    $4.26 to $4.30

    $4.27 to $4.30

    raised

    Investment Volume ($USD)

    FY 2025

    $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion

    $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion

    raised

    Credit Loss Assumption (%)

    FY 2025

    50 basis points

    50 basis points

    no change

    Commercial Paper Program Borrowing Cost (%)

    FY 2025

    no prior guidance

    40+ basis points inside revolver cost

    no prior guidance

    General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses

    FY 2025

    G&A guided as a percentage of adjusted revenue, including both cash and noncash components. Noncash G&A growth driven by changes in stock vesting periods.

    Included in forecast

    no change

    Dispositions

    FY 2025

    Dispositions expected to focus on non-core assets or properties valued higher by others, but not a necessary source of capital due to $2 billion in liquidity at year-end.

    Minimal contribution expected

    no change

    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    Strong Balance Sheet and Liquidity

    Emphasized a robust liquidity position with over $2 billion in liquidity, a large forward equity of $920 million, upsized credit facilities, and the ability to maintain a “fortress balance sheet”.

    Continued focus with $1.9 billion in liquidity, over $1.2 billion of hedged capital, new initiatives such as a $625 million commercial paper program, and further reinforcement of the “fortress balance sheet” strategy.

    Consistent emphasis on financial stability. Although the liquidity numbers differ slightly, the overall narrative remains bullish with adjusted liquidity composition through hedging and new capital programs.

    Robust Investment Pipeline and Acquisition Opportunities

    Outlined a conservative guidance for 2025 at $1.1–$1.3 billion with significant 2024 acquisition activity (e.g., $951 million in transactions), and highlighted a well-established acquisition platform focused on quality assets.

    Raised guidance to $1.3–$1.5 billion, with active execution (e.g., $375 million in acquisitions across 69 properties) and a diversified approach across multiple asset types and platforms, signaling increased confidence.

    Enhanced pipeline and acquisition activity with a higher investment range and more aggressive execution, reflecting a positive shift in sentiment toward growth opportunities.

    Credit Loss Risk and Tenant Quality Concerns

    Provided guidance assuming 50 basis points of credit loss for 2025 versus an actual 35 basis points in 2024; highlighted monitoring of tenants such as Big Lots, Party City, and movie theaters to manage exposure.

    Reported 30 basis points of credit loss in Q1 2025, maintained the 50 bps forward guidance, and continued active monitoring (e.g., keeping one movie theater on the watch list, addressing Big Lots challenges).

    Steady risk management with minor improvements in credit loss performance and a consistent, cautious approach to tenant quality. The sentiment remains measured with proactive monitoring and risk mitigation.

    Market Volatility and Cap Rate Uncertainty

    Discussed the volatile 10-year Treasury yields (often fluctuating between 4.25% and 4.75%), noting that despite market fluctuations, seller pricing expectations and individual asset distress events require careful capital deployment.

    Reiterated the impact of treasury yield volatility (with swings of 10-15% and rates between 4.2% and 4.6%) but framed decisions around the “fear-greed spectrum,” emphasizing that such volatility does not materially affect cap rates thanks to hedging and a stable pipeline.

    Consistent recognition of market volatility with a shift toward an opportunistic tone. While the underlying uncertainty remains, the company emphasizes its ability to leverage its strong balance sheet and hedged positions to neutralize the impact on acquisition targets and pricing.

    Treasury Stock Dilution Risk

    Addressed the potential dilutive impact of outstanding forward equity, estimating an effect of roughly $0.01–$0.02 on full-year AFFO per share, with mitigation through balance sheet protection and hedging strategies.

    Continued discussion on dilution risk due to forward equity, noting an expected impact of about $0.02 on AFFO per share, with similar hedging measures in place to manage variability.

    Continued focus on managing dilution risk with consistent low-level impact on AFFO guidance. Though not a major concern, it remains a key component of the overall conservative financial strategy.

    Emerging Exposure to the Auto Parts Sector

    Introduced initial exposure through the acquisition of a portfolio (including a material exposure to NAPA Genuine) and highlighted strong positions with top tenants like O’Reilly and AutoZone, underpinning a favorable sector thesis.

    Emphasized accelerated growth in the auto parts space due to market forces such as tariffs that increase vehicle maintenance demand; further highlighted growth in tire and auto service segments with continued targeted investments.

    Increased emphasis and positive sentiment toward the sector with more aggressive positioning and clear market drivers, indicating a strategic focus that could have a large future impact.

    Challenges in Retail Expansion Amid Macroeconomic Headwinds

    Focused on liquidity constraints, elevated construction costs, labor shortages, immigration policy issues, and competition driven by sellers’ pricing expectations as challenges hindering retail expansion.

    Acknowledged macroeconomic volatility but shifted the focus to resilience, noting that despite headwinds, active retailer expansion continues and a strong balance sheet enables capitalizing on growth opportunities.

    Shift in sentiment from emphasizing constraints to highlighting resilience and opportunity. The narrative now reflects optimism in overcoming external challenges, supporting a bullish outlook for future retail expansion.

    1. AFFO Guidance
      Q: Investment raised, AFFO impact?
      A: Management raised investment guidance by $200 million and noted that treasury dilution of about $0.02 per share will slightly moderate AFFO growth, though the core earnings remain strong.

    2. Liquidity & Equity
      Q: How is equity issuance trending?
      A: Net equity issuance ended up neutral, supporting a robust liquidity foundation with nearly $2 billion in hedged capital.

    3. Cap Rate Trends
      Q: Are cap rates changing materially?
      A: Despite swings in treasury yields, effective hedging has kept cap rates stable, reflecting consistent investment criteria.

    4. Acquisition Pipeline
      Q: How strong are acquisition prospects?
      A: The acquisition pipeline remains robust, driven by longstanding retailer relationships and a steady flow of quality opportunities.

    5. Development Pipeline
      Q: What is development platform’s potential?
      A: Management is targeting a medium-term development pipeline of around $250 million per year, leveraging strong team execution.

    6. Tariff Impact
      Q: Do tariffs disrupt the strategy?
      A: Tariffs are viewed as having minimal impact on the strategy, with essential retailers positioned to weather any short-term pressure.

    7. Credit Loss Outlook
      Q: What’s the view on credit losses?
      A: Credit losses are evaluated on a location-by-location basis; Q1 saw 30 bps realized and overall guidance includes a cushion up to 50 bps.

    8. Tenant Exposure
      Q: Are any tenant exposures risky today?
      A: Aside from routine oversight of one movie theater, there are no significant tenant exposures creating concern for the portfolio.

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