Universal Health Realty: Good Choice With A Growing Dividend (NYSE:UHT)

Common Well being Realty Earnings Belief (NYSE:UHT) is going through challenges because of the high-interest charge setting, its curiosity bills grew by greater than 65% in comparison with Q1 2022. Because of the at the moment projected rate of interest path of the Fed, this problem will stay the principle problem of the corporate in 2023 in my view. UHT’s portfolio is secure with virtually 80 high quality properties, and the development of Sierra Medical Plaza I has simply been considerably accomplished. The FFO is secure and the corporate continues to reward shareholders with a rising dividend.

UHT’s Property Portfolio: Navigating By way of Modifications

Within the first quarter of 2023, UHT held its strong floor amidst the dynamic actual property panorama. The belief, identified for its diversified portfolio of healthcare and human service-related services throughout 21 states, skilled pivotal modifications in its asset pool. The corporate has investments or commitments in seventy-six properties, an ideal indicator of its complete involvement within the sector. Amongst these modifications, one of many highlights was the persevering with development of the Sierra Medical Plaza I, a medical workplace constructing situated in Reno, Nevada. Developed in partnership with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Common Well being Companies, Inc. (UHS), the MOB stood as a formidable addition to the belief’s portfolio.

Whereas sustaining a diversified and sturdy portfolio, UHT skilled some monetary headwinds through the first quarter of 2023. Web earnings was reported at $4.5 million, down from $5.4 million throughout the identical interval in 2022 which is a 16.6% decline. The dip in web earnings, down by $946,000, or $0.07 per diluted share, was primarily attributed to a rise in curiosity bills attributable to rising borrowing charges and a bigger excellent borrowing stability. I anticipate this strain to stay for the remainder of 2023 because of the charge will increase in Q2 2023 and the brand new (a bit surprising) forecast of two different charge hikes within the second half of 2023. However, the discount of UHT’s web earnings was partially offset by a rise within the earnings generated from numerous properties and lowered constructing bills associated to a vacant facility in Chicago, Illinois. Regardless of these challenges, UHT’s funds from operations remained regular at $11.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share. Within the final 10 quarters, it has been ranging between $11.4 – $12.9 million so we will safely say that it’s a bit much less however fixed with the earlier years.

Strengthening the Portfolio

As well as, in Q1 2023 UHT was energetic in new constructions however no acquisitions. Sierra Medical Plaza I, situated on the campus of the Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Heart, was a big endeavor. The development began in January 2022 and was considerably accomplished by March 2023. The grasp flex lease settlement for this constructing, amounting to round 68% of the rentable sq. toes, commenced in March 2023. On the acquisition entrance, Q1 2023 was quiet with no new additions. Nonetheless, it is essential to say for buyers the acquisitions from the primary quarter of 2022, specifically the Beaumont Coronary heart and Vascular Heart and the medical workplace constructing at 140 Thomas Johnson Drive. These acquisitions, each that includes long-term triple-net leases, additional bolstered UHT’s portfolio.

Rewarding Shareholders

Regardless of the small headwinds confronted in Q1 2023, UHT continued its dedication to reward shareholders with dividends. The corporate has a formidable 19-year dividend-raising streak and because of the stability of the enterprise, I anticipate this dividend coverage to proceed sooner or later uninterruptedly. Furthermore, demonstrating confidence within the firm’s long-term technique and efficiency, UHT introduced that it’ll enhance the quarterly dividend by $0.005 and would pay a dividend of $0.72 per share on June 30, 2023, to shareholders. The corporate has been sustaining this $0.005 enhance for a while however previously years, they elevated the dividend by this determine in each second and fourth quarter. So if the This fall 2023 enhance occurs the whole yearly dividend enhance will probably be round 1.4% for 2023.

Truthful Valuation with an Enticing Yield

The corporate is buying and selling at truthful valuation for my part. The worth to ebook worth may appear excessive, as UHT is buying and selling round 3x its ebook worth, nevertheless, it’s among the many lowest figures previously 5 years and it has barely modified within the final 12 months. It has been ranging between 2.4x and three.4x. UHT additionally affords a pretty dividend yield of 6% and within the Well being Care REIT sector it’s a pretty enticing one but when we consider the soundness of its dividend, UHT’s dividend yield ranks among the many greatest ones within the Well being Care REIT sector in my view. As well as, the present 6% dividend yield is way increased than its 4-year common of simply round 4.5%. By way of FFO, it may appear a bit regarding. In Q1 2023 the FFO per share was $0.82 which is an 8.9% decline in comparison with Q1 2022. Furthermore, the FFO per share additionally declined from Q1 2021 ($0.92) to Q1 2022 ($0.90). Nonetheless, this was virtually solely attributable to rate of interest hikes. A discount of $1.5 million in web earnings took place as a consequence of heightened curiosity bills, predominantly attributed to an increase in UHT’s borrowing charge and escalated borrowings.

Dangers

The largest danger issue to UHT is additional rate of interest will increase. The administration has already seen large curiosity expense will increase in 2022 and in Q1 2023 and as I see this development will proceed. Inside a 12 months curiosity bills greater than doubled for the corporate. Within the short-term, it is going to lower UHT’s profitability and decrease its EPS figures. As well as, though UHT has successfully broadened its property portfolio over time, it maintains a big hyperlink with UHS, contributing to roughly 40% of UHT’s consolidated income.

Abstract

The primary quarter of 2023 was eventful for Common Well being. Whereas the quarter offered challenges within the type of elevated curiosity bills and lowered web earnings, UHT managed to navigate by way of the difficulties, showcasing its resilience and dedication to strategic development and shareholder worth. I anticipate that the elevated curiosity expense strain will stay within the subsequent 3-4 quarters however I’m assured that UHT’s administration is able to navigating by way of these challenges. Because of the present valuation, the corporate presents an ideal shopping for alternative for secure income-seeking REIT buyers.