UH
UNIVERSAL HEALTH REALTY INCOME TRUST (UHT)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 delivered modest growth with net income of $4.7 million and diluted EPS of $0.34, up from $3.6 million and $0.26 in Q4 2023, driven by higher income at various properties partially offset by higher interest expense .
- Funds From Operations (FFO) increased to $11.8 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, versus $11.4 million, or $0.82, in Q4 2023; adjusted net income rose by $0.06 per share year over year .
- Revenue components were stable sequentially with total Q4 revenue of $24.642 million versus $24.494 million in Q3 and $24.734 million in Q2; interest expense continued to be a headwind (Q4: $4.921 million) .
- Dividend was increased by $0.005 to $0.735 per share for Q4 (paid December 31, 2024), a supportive capital returns signal for yield-focused investors .
- Balance sheet flexibility improved via a larger revolving credit facility ($425 million capacity, extended to 2028) and a new $85 million interest rate swap at a 3.2725% fixed rate, mitigating rate exposure .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Property-level performance: “an increase of $1.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, resulting from an aggregate net increase in the income generated at various properties” supported YoY EPS growth .
- FFO improvement: Q4 FFO of $11.8 million ($0.85/share) rose from $11.4 million ($0.82/share) in Q4 2023 on higher adjusted net income and lower depreciation/amortization .
- Cost tailwinds at Chicago asset benefited full year: 2024 included a $610,000 property tax reduction and no demolition expenses (versus $1.1 million in 2023), lifting annual results .
What Went Wrong
- Higher interest expense: “a decrease of $337,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, resulting from an increase in interest expense” pressured Q4 earnings; full-year interest expense rose $1.9 million .
- Vacancy drag: The Trust “continues to market vacant properties located in Chicago, Illinois and Evansville, Indiana,” implying ongoing carrying costs until leased/sold .
- Leasing still ramping: Sierra Medical Plaza I remains 68% leased (with a master flex lease covering 34%), keeping some near-term lease-up risk and deferred income realization .
Financial Results
Reported vs Prior Periods (Quarterly)
Revenue Breakdown (Quarterly)
KPIs and Capital Updates
Reported vs Consensus (Q4 2024)
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No UHT earnings call transcript was available; the Trust furnished results via press release and 8‑K (Item 2.02) . Themes below reflect press releases across quarters.
Management Commentary
- “The increase in our adjusted net income of $836,000, or $0.06 per diluted share… consisted of… an aggregate net increase in the income generated at various properties, partially offset by… an increase in interest expense” .
- “Our FFO were $11.8 million, or $0.85 per diluted share… The increase… was due primarily to the above-mentioned increase in our adjusted net income… partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense” .
- “At December 31, 2024, we had $348.9 million of borrowings outstanding… and $76.1 million of available borrowing capacity… In October, 2024, we entered into an interest rate swap… $85 million with a fixed interest rate of 3.2725%… scheduled to mature on September 30, 2028” .
- “We continue to market the vacant properties located in Chicago, Illinois and Evansville, Indiana” .
Q&A Highlights
- No public UHT earnings call transcript was available; results were provided via press release and 8‑K (Item 2.02). No Q&A disclosures for Q4 2024 .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for Q4 2024 EPS and revenue were unavailable at time of analysis due to access limits; as such, we cannot quantify beats/misses versus Street expectations at this time. The Trust’s reported Q4 diluted EPS was $0.34 and revenue was $24.642 million .
- Given higher interest expense and steady property-level income growth, analysts may reassess interest cost assumptions and lease-up cadence, but specific revisions cannot be inferred without consensus data.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Earnings quality: YoY EPS and FFO/share improved on stronger property-level income despite rate-driven interest expense pressure; sequential revenue was broadly stable through 2H24 .
- Yield signal: The $0.735 Q4 dividend (raised by $0.005) underscores commitment to distributions, a supportive factor for income-focused holders .
- Balance sheet and hedging: Expanded revolver ($425m, extended to 2028) and a new $85m interest rate swap at 3.2725% fixed enhance liquidity and reduce rate volatility across the borrowing base .
- Ongoing headwinds: Elevated interest expense remains a core drag on net income; monitoring SOFR and refinancing trajectory is critical for 2025 FFO/EPS sensitivity .
- Operational catalysts: Lease-up at Sierra Medical Plaza I (currently 68% leased) and progress marketing vacant assets in Chicago/Evansville could add income and reduce carrying costs over time .
- Full-year momentum: 2024 adjusted net income increased by $3.6 million ($0.26/share), aided by property tax reductions and elimination of demolition expenses year over year, indicating improving operating leverage .
- Near-term watch items: Track quarterly leasing, bonus rent variability (e.g., McAllen Medical Center), and any shifts in tenant health system performance that may influence rent coverage and renewals .