KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE: UHT) has reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2024. Net income reached $5.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $3.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, during the same period last year.
The $1.8 million increase in net income is attributed to several factors. A reduction in expenses at a Chicago property contributed $1.5 million, including $862,000 from previous demolition costs and $563,000 from a property tax reduction. Additionally, income from various properties increased by $706,000. However, these gains were partially offset by a $404,000 increase in interest expenses due to higher borrowing rates and larger average borrowings.
Funds from operations (FFO), a key performance metric for real estate investment trusts, were $12.4 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, up from $10.6 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2023. This increase aligns with the rise in net income.
For the first six months of 2024, net income was $10.6 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, compared to $7.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, during the same period in 2023. The $2.6 million rise in net income was driven by higher income from various properties and reduced expenses at the Chicago property, offset by increased interest expenses.
FFO for the first half of 2024 reached $24.8 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, up from $22.0 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, in the first half of 2023.
Dividend and Capital Resources
The company declared a second-quarter dividend of $0.73 per share, totaling $10.1 million, which was paid on June 28, 2024.
As of June 30, 2024, Universal Health Realty had $342.9 million in borrowings under its $375 million revolving credit agreement, leaving $32.1 million in available borrowing capacity.
Property Developments
In March 2023, construction was completed on Sierra Medical Plaza I in Reno, Nevada. This 86,000-square-foot medical office building is on the campus of the Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center. The master lease covers 68% of the rentable space at an initial annual rent of $1.3 million. The project’s total cost is estimated at $35 million, with $30 million spent as of June 30, 2024.
The company also completed the demolition of a former specialty hospital in Chicago in 2023 and sold a vacant specialty facility in Corpus Christi, Texas. It continues to market vacant properties in Chicago and Evansville, Indiana.
Forward-Looking Statements
Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust, invests in healthcare-related facilities across 21 states. The company notes that its future results could be impacted by various factors, including staffing shortages, regulatory changes, and interest rate increases.
Overall, the company’s strategic investments and cost management have positioned it for continued growth in the evolving healthcare real estate market.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.