SI
STAG Industrial, Inc. (STAG)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 delivered solid operational metrics: revenue of $205.6M and diluted EPS of $0.49; Core FFO/share was $0.61, up 3.4% YoY, with Cash NOI up 8.1% YoY .
- Results beat Wall Street consensus: revenue beat by ~$3.6M ($201.99M est) and EPS beat by ~$0.29 ($0.195 est). Strong leasing spreads and a sizable gain on sale were key drivers. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Leasing momentum was robust: 5.0M sq ft commenced with cash rent change of 27.3% and retention of 85.3%; 78.5% of expected 2025 leasing addressed at a 25.1% cash spread by April 28 .
- Balance sheet/capital markets supportive: Net Debt/Annualized Run-Rate Adjusted EBITDAre 5.2x and liquidity $493.1M; entered a $550M private notes agreement at 5.65% WA rate; Moody’s upgraded to Baa2 (stable) in May, strengthening debt access/costs .
- Management maintained FY25 guidance (same-store cash NOI growth, retention, spreads, occupancy, core FFO, acquisitions/dispositions) and kept credit-loss guidance at 75 bps amid tariff-related uncertainty. This consistency plus the rating upgrade are likely stock catalysts near-term .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Strong leasing and spreads: “We have already leased 78.5% of the operating portfolio square feet we currently expect to lease in 2025 and achieving cash leasing spreads of 25.1%” (CEO) ; Q1 commenced 5.0M sq ft with 27.3% cash rent change and 85.3% retention .
- Portfolio optimization: Sold one building (337k sq ft) for $67.0M at a 4.9% cash cap rate, realizing a net gain of $49.9M, and redeployed into higher-yield assets acquired at ~6.8–7.0% cap rates .
- Balance sheet strength and external validation: Net Debt/Annualized Run-Rate Adjusted EBITDAre 5.2x; subsequent $550M notes at 5.65% WA rate; Moody’s upgrade to Baa2 supports lower debt costs and broader investor base (CFO) .
What Went Wrong
- Macro/tariffs lengthening lease decisions: “With the threat and implementation of tariffs… tenants [prioritize] diversification of supply chains… [we’ve] witnessed some lengthening in lease gestation periods” (CEO) .
- Weaker pockets of demand: Management cited softness in Atlanta, San Diego and Indianapolis, and longer conversion times from tours to LOIs despite healthy demand .
- Credit-loss risk held steady: Maintaining 2025 credit-loss guidance of 75 bps given American Tire Distributors process; while current on rent, uncertainty persists and could create backfill needs market-by-market .
Financial Results
KPIs
Estimates vs Actuals
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Guidance Changes
Dividend and Capital Markets Updates
- Monthly dividend maintained at $0.124167 per share for Q2 2025 (April–June declarations) .
- Entered note purchase agreement for $550M senior unsecured notes at 5.65% WA rate; anticipated closing June 25, 2025 .
- Moody’s upgraded corporate credit rating to Baa2 (stable) on May 12, 2025 .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO on leasing and tariffs: “We have already leased 78.5%… achieving cash leasing spreads of 25.1%… With the threat and implementation of tariffs… [tenants’] key priority… diversification of their supply chains… We view this as a net positive to our portfolio” .
- CFO on guidance and capital markets: “We’re maintaining our 2025 credit loss guidance of 75 basis points and… maintaining all other guidance… We just raised north of $0.5 billion of long-term debt at 5.65%… retaining capital… and accretive recycling” .
- CEO on acquisitions/dispositions: “We sold 1 building… at a 4.9% cash cap rate… and redeployed… into assets… at stabilized cap rates close to 7%” .
- Development update: “Approximately 2.5 million square feet… 50% under construction (16% pre-leased)… remaining 50% delivered, currently 51% leased… new lease of 102k sq ft at Wellford, SC” .
Q&A Highlights
- Early renewals and demand: Tenants are renewing early and making decisions despite uncertainty; new leasing in Q2 off to a strong start (1.0M sq ft), with a 500k sq ft Savannah lease done with 0 downtime and ~25% cash spread .
- Market color: Strength in Midwest/Sunbelt; softness in Atlanta, San Diego, Indianapolis; tours slightly down but higher conversion probability .
- Transaction market: Some portfolios pulled due to volatility; STAG willing to “wait it out” and pounce when pricing dislocates .
- Concessions: Holding for best net effective rent; free rent may tick up; TI decisions market-specific and often enhancing building functionality .
- Credit: ATD current on rent; 75 bps credit-loss guidance includes ~25 bps for ATD; watch list dominated by low-margin, highly levered tenants .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025 beat: Revenue $205.6M vs $202.0M consensus; EPS $0.49 vs $0.195 consensus—driven by robust leasing spreads, retention, and $49.9M gain on sale . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Prior quarters also exceeded consensus revenue and EPS modestly, supporting estimate stability into FY25. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Implications: Street likely to lift FY25/26 revenue and FFO trajectories marginally, while maintaining conservative credit-loss assumptions and factoring tariff-related timing effects. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Operational momentum intact: Leasing spreads (27.3% cash; 42.1% SL) and high retention underpin same-store growth; ~79% of 2025 leasing addressed early .
- Evidence of accretive capital recycling: 4.9% cap sale proceeds redeployed into ~6.8–7.0% cap acquisitions, supporting NOI and AFFO growth .
- Balance sheet optionality rising: $550M notes at 5.65% WA and Moody’s Baa2 upgrade likely reduce cost of debt and broaden funding access .
- Guidance consistency is reassuring: FY25 ranges maintained despite macro noise; expect modest same-store growth with disciplined acquisitions back-half weighted .
- Watch tariff headlines, not fundamentals: Tariffs elongate leasing cycles, but supply-chain diversification is a tailwind for STAG’s footprint over time (CEO tone constructive) .
- Credit risk contained: ATD exposure ~1% ABR; current on rent; 75 bps credit-loss guidance maintained; backfill demand expected to be manageable if needed .
- Near-term trading: Rating upgrade, debt execution, and beats vs consensus are potential catalysts; monitor June notes closing and Q2 leasing update trajectory .
Notes:
- Sustainability report published April 24, 2025, aligning ESG with business goals; informational, not a driver of quarter metrics .
- Q2 dividend declarations maintained at $0.124167/month; stable payout policy .