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GLADSTONE LAND Corp (LAND)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2025 GAAP EPS of $0.25 materially beat S&P Global consensus (-$0.16); total operating revenues of $16.8M were below consensus ($17.3M), while EBITDA outperformed ($15.4M vs $12.9M). The EPS beat was driven by gains on farm dispositions and a $2.4M lease termination fee, not core base rents. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
  • AFFO fell to $2.0M ($0.056/share) from $5.1M ($0.143/share) YoY as fixed base cash rents declined by $5.7M and vacancies/direct-operated/non‑accrual assets weighed on costs; participation rents were modest in Q1 with the majority expected in Q4 2025 .
  • Management tightened its lease-structure pivot: expected FY2025 fixed base rent decline widened from ~$13M (Q4 guide) to ~$17M, with 60–70% of recovery via participation rent now expected in Q4 2025 and the remainder in 2H 2026 .
  • Balance sheet remains liquid with access to >$180M, nearly all debt fixed; monthly dividend maintained at $0.0467 per share for Q2 2025 (annualized $0.5604) .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Significant monetization: Sold seven farms (8,189 acres) for $64.5M, realizing ~$15.7M net gain; drove GAAP net income increase YoY and supported liquidity .
  • Operating resilience in financing costs: ~100% fixed-rate debt, weighted average ~3.4% with minimal earnings sensitivity to higher interest rates; interest patronage of ~$1.7M reduced Farm Credit borrowing rates by ~101 bps .
  • Improving permanent crop price backdrop: “Almond prices have risen significantly year-over-year and pistachios remained stable but up slightly,” underpinning the participation rent strategy’s Q4 skew .

What Went Wrong

  • Core cash rents and AFFO pressure: Fixed base cash rents fell by $5.7M YoY; AFFO dropped to $2.0M ($0.056/share) from $5.1M ($0.143/share) YoY; five leases amended lowered NOI by ~$236k annually; vacancies/direct-operated/non‑accrual increased property taxes/legal costs .
  • Elevated portfolio friction: 10 properties (14 farms) either vacant, direct-operated, or on non-accrual; management is pursuing leases/sales but expects resolution by year-end, indicating continued near-term cash flow drag .
  • Revenue miss vs consensus: Total operating revenues were $16.8M, below S&P Global consensus of $17.3M, reflecting reduced fixed base rents and asset sales despite a $465k participation rent uplift and $2.4M termination fee . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Financial Results

Core Comparisons (oldest → newest)

MetricQ1 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Total operating revenues ($USD Thousands)20,252 21,096 16,804
Net income ($USD Thousands)13,567 539 15,108
Net income attributable to common ($USD Thousands)7,449 (5,463) 9,106
Diluted EPS ($USD)0.208 (0.151) 0.252
AFFO ($USD Thousands)5,130 3,362 2,035
AFFO per share ($USD)0.143 0.093 0.056
Cash flows from operations ($USD Thousands)3,420 11,582 4,467
Occupancy rate (%)98.9% 96.2% 95.9%

Revenue vs Estimates (S&P Global)

MetricEstimateActualBeat/Miss
GAAP EPS ($)-0.1630.25Bold beat*
Total operating revenues ($USD)17,297,00016,804,000Miss*
EBITDA ($USD)12,933,67015,411,000Bold beat*

Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Selected Items Driving Q1

ItemQ1 2025 AmountContext
Fixed base cash rent decrease$5.7M Lease restructurings and asset sales reduced fixed cash rents
Participation rent increase$465k Primarily wine grape sales
Lease termination fee$2.4M Received from outgoing tenant on three almond farms
Gains on dispositions$15.410M Net gains on property sales boosted GAAP results

KPIs

KPIQ1 2024Q1 2025Change
Farms owned (#)168 150 (18)
Acres owned111,836 103,001 (8,835)
Water assets (acre-feet)49,076 55,350 +6,274
Cash distributions declared per common share ($)0.140 0.140 Flat

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Fixed base cash rent declineFY 2025~$13M decline (shift to participation) ~$17M decline; ~$4–5M/quarter impact Lowered (more negative)
Participation rent recognition timingFY 2025–FY 2026Majority in 2H 2025; 75–85% by 2H 2025; remainder 2H 2026 60–70% in 2025 (Q4-weighted); remainder in 2026 2H Lowered near-term weighting
Monthly dividend ($/share)Q2 2025$0.0467 (Q4 notice for Q1) $0.0467 for Apr–Jun 2025 Maintained
Asset sales cadence2025Ongoing exploration No Q2 contracts yet; listed assets; opportunistic Maintained cautious stance

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q3 2024, Q4 2024)Current Period (Q1 2025)Trend
Shift to participation leasesQ3: 4 leases; Q4: 5 farms; rationale: lower permanent crop prices/inputs, back-half recognition 6 leases adjusted; NOI down ~$236k; majority of rent in Q4 2025 Increasing reliance
Permanent crop pricingDepressed; early stabilization; pistachio yields strong Almond prices rising; pistachios stable/up; monitoring tariffs Improving
Water assets/securityWater purchases; dual source focus 55,350 acre-feet; considering adding; wet year supports supply Stable/increasing
Interest rates/cost of capitalHeadwind to acquisitions; cautious stance ~100% fixed-rate debt; WAC ~3.41% for 3.4 yrs; remain cautious Persistent headwind
Vacant/direct-operated/non‑accrualQ3: 20 farms impacted 10 properties (14 farms) impacted; working to resolve by YE Improving vs Q3 but still elevated
DividendsHold flat pending 2025 harvest visibility Q2 dividend maintained; yield context shared Maintained
Asset salesQ3: blueberry sale agreements; Q4: 12 farm sales in 2024 Q1: seven-farm sale at gain; no Q2 contracts yet Continuing selectively
NAV publicationQ4: discontinued voluntary quarterly NAV No NAV updates in Q1Discontinued

Management Commentary

  • “Our earnings for 2025 will be more reliant upon participation rents than in years past, with the large majority expected to come in the fourth quarter.” — David Gladstone, CEO
  • “Adjusted FFO was approximately $2 million or $0.06 per share… fixed base cash rents decreased by about $5.7 million… offset by a $2.4 million termination fee and ~$465k participation rents.” — Lewis Parrish, CFO
  • “Including availability on our lines of credit and other undrawn notes, we currently have access to over $180 million of capital… about $40 million of cash on hand… over 99.9% of our borrowings are at fixed rates with a weighted average rate of 3.41%.” — Lewis Parrish, CFO
  • “We intend this to be a temporary change… revert these leases back to standard leases with fixed base rents as early as the 2026 crop year or sell some of these farms.” — David Gladstone, CEO

Q&A Highlights

  • Participation rent timing and magnitude: Management expects to recover ~$17M fixed rent decline via participation rents and/or insurance; ~60–70% recognized in 2025, remainder in 2H 2026 .
  • Termination fee specifics: $2.4M fee related to three almond farms; now vacant; exploring leasing/sale options .
  • Asset sale pipeline: Some farms listed; no Q2 contracts yet; opportunistic approach given market conditions .
  • Capital allocation: Despite share price levels, management prioritizes liquidity over buybacks given operating uncertainty; dividend remains a priority .
  • Preferred maturity: ~$60M Series D term preferred due Jan 2026; evaluating farm sales vs refinancing; perpetual 8% option exists but not preferred .
  • Vacancies cost profile: Two open-ground properties with low carry (primarily taxes); three almond farms at end-of-life; evaluating replanting or water-rights strategies .

Estimates Context

  • Q1 2025 vs S&P Global consensus: EPS $0.25 vs -$0.16 (bold beat); revenues $16.8M vs $17.3M (miss); EBITDA $15.4M vs $12.9M (bold beat). Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
  • Why the beat/miss: EPS/EBITDA beat reflect non-recurring gains on dispositions ($15.4M net) and a $2.4M termination fee that boosted “Other income, net,” while base rent reductions and asset sales pressured revenues; participation rents were modest in Q1 and are Q4‑weighted .
  • Implications: Street models likely need to lower interim 1H–3Q 2025 rent/AFFO run‑rates, raise Q4 participation income assumptions, and incorporate vacancy resolution cadence; dividend maintenance hinges on back‑half cash generation .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • 2025 earnings skew heavily to Q4 due to lease restructurings; near-term AFFO run-rate is subdued until participation rents materialize .
  • The GAAP EPS/EBITDA beat is not indicative of core rent health; it was driven by gains on asset sales and a termination fee; focus on AFFO and cash rent trajectory .
  • Permanent crop fundamentals (almonds/pistachios) are improving; if sustained, this supports participation rent outcomes and potential reversion to fixed base leases in 2026 .
  • Liquidity and fixed-rate debt profile provide downside protection in a high-rate environment; dividend held flat with reassessment post-harvest .
  • Watch catalysts: Q2/Q3 lease-up of vacant assets, any incremental asset sales, tariff impacts on nut exports, and water asset additions (particularly in California) .
  • Guidance tightened: fixed base rent decline widened to ~$17M for 2025; participation recovery shifted to 60–70% in 2025, remainder in 2026; adjust models accordingly .
  • Risk management: Crop insurance expected to cover downside on direct-operated/participation structures; however, timing mismatches may strain interim cash metrics .

Notes: Non‑GAAP definitions and reconciliations (FFO/CFFO/AFFO) are provided in company materials . Conference call logistics and additional company background are available in the filings .