Business context and reporting period
HCP, Inc. (now identified in the request as Healthpeak Properties) filed this unaudited Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The healthcare-focused REIT invests in senior housing, life science, medical office, skilled nursing and hospital properties, and makes loans to healthcare providers. At quarter-end, its portfolio included interests in 670 facilities and approximately $2.0 billion of mezzanine and other secured loans.
Financial performance and position
- Revenue: Third-quarter revenue was $317.1 million, up 10.5% from $287.1 million a year earlier. Nine-month revenue was $914.1 million, up 6.9% from $854.7 million. Growth reflected higher rental revenue, loan interest income and the consolidation of certain Sunrise-operated properties.
- Profit and per-share results: Third-quarter net income attributable to common shares was $17.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, versus a $52.4 million loss, or $0.18 loss per share, in 2009. Nine-month common income was $171.3 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, versus $82.7 million, or $0.31, a year earlier. Results include a $71.7 million noncash impairment of an unconsolidated joint-venture investment in Q3 2010; 2009 included a $102.0 million Ventas litigation provision.
- FFO: Diluted FFO was $0.31 per share in Q3 versus $0.11; nine-month FFO was $1.39 versus $1.14. Company-defined diluted FFO before impairments, recoveries and litigation provision was $0.54 per share in Q3 versus $0.52, and $1.58 for nine months versus $1.60. These are non-GAAP measures, not substitutes for GAAP income or cash flow.
- Operating performance: Continuing-operations NOI, a company-defined non-GAAP measure, increased 6.5% to $218.9 million in Q3 and 4.4% to $650.3 million for nine months. Operating expenses rose 31% in Q3 and 9% year to date, partly because the company began consolidating operations at 27 Sunrise-leased properties.
- Cash flow and investment: Nine-month operating cash flow was $430.7 million, up from $389.7 million. Investing used $327.0 million, primarily for real estate, loan investments, leasing and capital improvements; financing used $163.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents were $52.6 million, down from $112.3 million at year-end 2009. Dividends paid exceeded operating cash flow by approximately $15 million when distributions to noncontrolling interests are included.
- Debt and liquidity: Reported debt was approximately $5.326 billion, excluding $94 million of resident life-care bonds and occupancy deposits. It included $318 million drawn on a $1.5 billion revolving facility, $3.325 billion of senior unsecured notes and $1.683 billion of mortgage and secured debt. Debt maturities included $689.9 million in 2011 and $1.225 billion in 2013. The revolver matures August 2011; the company reported compliance with its covenants. Management said operating cash flow and financing activities should meet needs for the next 12 months.
- Equity and dividends: Total equity was $6.254 billion at quarter-end. Common shares outstanding were 310.5 million; the declared quarterly common dividend was $0.465 per share, versus $0.46 in the comparable 2009 quarter.
Material changes versus the prior comparable period
- Q3 revenue growth was led by senior housing and life science; interest income also benefited from the HCR ManorCare first-mortgage participation acquired in 2009. Nine-month interest income increased $20.2 million to $108.0 million.
- Q3 2010 earnings included the $71.7 million HCP Ventures II impairment, related to deterioration in operating performance at properties leased to Horizon Bay. The 2009 comparison included the Ventas litigation charge; that judgment remained under appeal at September 30, 2010.
- The company raised $492 million net from a 2010 common-stock offering and used proceeds for debt repayment, acquisitions, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Common shares issued and outstanding increased from 293.5 million at year-end 2009 to 310.5 million.
- Rental revenue and operating expenses both reflect consolidation, beginning August 31, 2010, of four variable-interest-entity tenants covering 27 properties following the Sunrise settlement. This accounting presentation increased Q3 revenue and expense by $13.7 million each.
Outlook, commentary, risks and unusual items
- No specific earnings or FFO guidance was provided. Management stated that it believed operating cash flows and financing sources would cover liquidity needs over the next 12 months; distributions exceeded operating cash flow during the first nine months.
- On August 31, 2010, HCP agreed to pay Sunrise $50 million to end management contracts on 27 communities and settle litigation between the parties. Emeritus agreed to lease the properties under two 15-year triple-net master leases; the transition and final $10 million payment occurred November 1, after quarter-end.
- Ventas had obtained a roughly $102 million compensatory-damages judgment. HCP appealed; Ventas cross-appealed seeking additional damages and interest. A $103 million letter of credit related to this litigation was outstanding under the revolving facility.
- Credit concentration is material: HCR ManorCare loans had a $1.58 billion carrying value, about 13% of total assets, and generated 9% of nine-month revenue. Sunrise-operated facilities represented 14% of total assets and 11% of nine-month revenue. The filing also describes Sunrise’s financial distress.
- Other risks include tenant/operator financial weakness or bankruptcy, healthcare reimbursement and regulatory changes, access to capital, interest-rate movements, debt refinancing, property leasing and acquisition conditions. HCP reported sensitivity of approximately $12.6 million in annual net interest income for a 100-basis-point rate increase, assuming balances remained unchanged.
- Subsequent to quarter-end, HCP sold nine senior housing facilities for $27 million, recognizing an approximately $15 million gain, and received $46 million on early repayment of a hospital-secured loan, including an $11 million prepayment premium.
Important facts for investors to verify
- Review the HCP Ventures II valuation assumptions and the effect of the $71.7 million impairment, including Horizon Bay operating performance.
- Track the Ventas appeal, potential additional damages or interest, and associated letter-of-credit and liquidity requirements.
- Assess HCR ManorCare and Sunrise credit exposure, tenant concentration, and whether contractual payments and new operating arrangements remain sustainable.
- Evaluate the 2011 revolver maturity and near-term debt maturities, refinancing access, covenant headroom and the company’s reliance on equity or other capital raising.
- Compare dividends with recurring operating cash flow and distinguish GAAP earnings from FFO and adjusted FFO, which exclude significant items.