G&
Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 delivered record revenue ($395.2M, +5.1% YoY) and record AFFO ($272.0M, +5.2% YoY), but GAAP diluted EPS of $0.60 missed Wall Street consensus ($0.74*) largely due to a higher non-cash credit loss provision tied to a more pessimistic macro outlook .
- Revenue came in essentially in-line ($395.2M vs $396.9M* consensus), while AFFO/share rose to $0.96 from $0.92 YoY, supported by recent acquisitions, lease escalators, and development funding .
- Full-year 2025 AFFO guidance was modestly updated to $1.109–$1.118B ($3.84–$3.87 per diluted share/OP units) vs prior $1.105–$1.121B ($3.83–$3.88); management cited the removal of a Pinnacle escalator assumption at the high end .
- Potential stock catalysts: Q2 dividend raised to $0.78 (from $0.76) post-quarter, ongoing Chicago development milestones (272/331 caissons installed; steel arriving July), and active deal pipeline/sale-leaseback dialogue amid macro volatility .
Note: Asterisked estimate figures are from S&P Global.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Record Q1 top-line and cash-flow metrics: revenue $395.2M (+5.1% YoY), AFFO $272.0M (+5.2% YoY), and Adjusted EBITDA $360.1M (+8% YoY), driven by acquisitions, escalators, and development activity .
- Strong balance sheet and leverage: management highlighted annualized net debt/EBITDA of ~4.7x and well-laddered maturities, positioning GLPI to be opportunistic and pre-fund growth .
- Clear development progress and tenant alignment: CEO emphasized Chicago is “well underway” with 272 of 331 caissons installed; GLPI is providing project expertise and funding support to tenants (e.g., Bally’s Chicago, Belle of Baton Rouge) .
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What Went Wrong
- EPS miss vs consensus: Diluted EPS $0.60 vs $0.74* consensus; CFO cited an ~$18M YoY increase in operating expenses primarily from higher non-cash credit loss provision on a more pessimistic economic forecast .
- High-end guidance trimmed: Full-year AFFO per share high-end lowered modestly as the Company assumes Pinnacle escalator will not be achieved; development funding timing also trimmed to ~$375M from ~$400M (timing-driven) .
- Execution timing risks: Chicago timing remains subject to construction and municipal approvals; management acknowledged residual uncertainty while reiterating project momentum and risk-capped funding structure .
Financial Results
Overall results and trajectory
Results vs. estimates
- Q1 2025 revenue was essentially in-line, while EPS missed. Q4 2024 revenue was slightly below; EPS beat. Asterisked consensus values from S&P Global.
Segment/lease-level revenue detail (Q1 2025 “Total income from real estate”)
KPIs and capital structure
Guidance Changes
Management clarified the high-end trim reflected the assumption that Pinnacle’s variable escalator will not be achieved; other guidance assumptions unchanged (e.g., forward settlement, funding plan) .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO (Peter Carlino): “It’s another good quarter for us... Chicago... is well underway... 272 of [331 caissons] are done... steel... expected to arrive sometime in July...” .
- CFO (Desiree Burke): “Total income from real estate exceeded [Q1’24] by over $19 million... increases in cash rent of over $26 million... escalators and percentage rent adjustments... added approximately $6.7 million... operating expenses increased by $18 million, mainly from a noncash... provision for credit losses...” .
- CIO (Matthew Demchyk): “Our leverage is very healthy at 4.7x annualized net debt to EBITDA... maturities well laddered... prefunding capital strategy designed to reduce risk...” .
Q&A Highlights
- Chicago execution/timing: Project is “coming out of the ground;” GLPI monitors intensively; deal structure has pay-along-the-way and capped exposure .
- Development funding cadence: 2025 guidance reduced to ~$375M (from ~$400M) on timing; still back-end loaded; only ~$12M funded in Q1 .
- Guidance guardrails: Low-end would imply no variable escalators (e.g., Boyd) plus higher variable-rate debt cost on ~$930M floating exposure .
- Pipeline and pricing: Counterparties more open amid macro; GLPI seeks to keep spread vs cost of capital; active in traditional sale-leasebacks and selective M&A .
- Regulatory/iGaming: Company cautious; favors models tethered to brick-and-mortar; monitoring SE U.S. expansion potential .
- PENN Council Bluffs: Up to $150M financing at 7.10% cap available at PENN’s discretion; structure could be rent or a prepayable 5-year term loan .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025: Revenue $395.2M vs $396.9M consensus (roughly in-line); EPS $0.60 vs $0.74 consensus (miss). Q4 2024: Revenue $389.6M vs $391.5M consensus (slight miss); EPS $0.79 vs $0.73 consensus (beat). Target price consensus ~$53.72* .
- Given the EPS miss, models may adjust for (1) non-cash credit loss provision sensitivity and (2) removal of Pinnacle escalator at the high end, while preserving growth from escalators, acquisitions, and development funding .
Asterisked values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Cash-flow engine intact: Record AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA underscore the durability of triple-net gaming rents plus escalators and recent asset additions .
- The EPS miss was largely non-cash: Higher credit loss provision (macro-driven) weighed on GAAP EPS but is added back in AFFO; AFFO/share rose to $0.96 .
- 2025 guidance effectively maintained: Range narrowed ($3.84–$3.87); high end trimmed due to Pinnacle escalator assumption; development funding shifted to ~$375M .
- Balance sheet readiness: ~4.7x leverage, extended revolver, and forward settlement planned (June) position GLPI to pursue accretive funding opportunities without stretching risk .
- Chicago progress is a watch item: Clear construction milestones and risk-managed funding structure; continued updates could influence sentiment .
- Dividend momentum: Q2 dividend raised to $0.78, signaling confidence in cash flows and capital allocation .
- Near-term trading setup: Expect focus on (i) Chicago execution cadence, (ii) escalator realization across master leases, and (iii) deal flow/returns as counterparties become “more attentive” in a volatile macro .
Sources
- Q1 2025 8-K/Press Release and Exhibits: Financials, guidance, portfolio and lease data, capitalization .
- Q1 2025 Press Release (GlobeNewswire) duplicative details (financials, portfolio, cap structure) .
- Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript: Prepared remarks and Q&A .
- Prior quarters for trend: Q4 2024 8-K (record Q4, 2025 initial guidance, capital updates) ; Q3 2024 8-K (Bally’s package, Chicago land, AFFO/growth context) .
- Post-quarter dividend increase: Q2 2025 dividend press release .
Estimates disclaimer: Asterisked consensus values are from S&P Global.