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Brookdale Senior Living Inc (BKD) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong EBITDA Growth and ...

In This Article:

  • RevPAR Growth: Increased 6.1% for the full year 2024; fourth quarter growth was 5.5%.

  • Weighted Average Occupancy: Grew 140 basis points for the full year 2024; fourth quarter occupancy increased 100 basis points year-over-year.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: Grew over 15% for the full year 2024; fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was approximately $99 million.

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Improved nearly 40% for the full year 2024, turning positive in the second half of the year.

  • Resident Fee Revenue: Fourth quarter revenue grew 3.9% over the prior year quarter.

  • Same Community Operating Income: Increased 4.4% year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

  • Cash Operating Lease Payments: Fourth quarter payments were $56 million.

  • Total Liquidity: $389 million as of December 31, 2024.

  • Annualized Leverage: 10.4 times as of year-end 2024, normalizing to 9.9 times.

  • 2025 RevPAR Guidance: Expected growth of 4.75% to 5.75% over the prior year.

  • 2025 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: Expected to be in the range of $430 million to $445 million.

Release Date: February 19, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Brookdale Senior Living Inc (NYSE:BKD) recorded fourth quarter RevPAR at the top and adjusted EBITDA above previously provided guidance ranges.

  • Weighted average occupancy grew by 140 basis points, and RevPAR increased by 6.1% in 2024.

  • Adjusted EBITDA grew over 15%, and adjusted free cash flow improved nearly 40%, turning positive for the back half of 2024.

  • The company successfully addressed more than $1 billion of future maturities, eliminating all 2025 debt maturities.

  • Brookdale Health Plus program showed positive outcomes, with residents experiencing 80% fewer emergency room visits and 66% fewer hospitalizations.

Negative Points

  • Occupancy fell below expectations beginning in the second quarter of 2024, impacting annual financial results.

  • 2024 move-ins were below expectations due to a persistent disruption in lead flow from two large third-party paid referral partners.

  • Natural disaster expenses in the fourth quarter amounted to approximately $3.5 million, primarily related to hurricanes.

  • Fourth quarter adjusted free cash flow was approximately $12 million negative, primarily due to seasonal real estate tax payments.

  • The company anticipates continued high costs in food and utilities, despite some moderation.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you elaborate on the impact of the Ventas lease amendment on the 2025 revPAR guidance? A: Dawn Kussow, CFO, explained that the 4.75% to 5.75% revPAR guidance for 2025 includes the expected impact of the Ventas lease amendment. The guidance assumes move-ins and move-outs based on past performance and accounts for potential disruptions from the 55 communities involved in the lease amendment.