Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) (“Ventas” or the “Company”) announces that its third quarter 2009 normalized Funds From Operations (“FFO”) increased 7.4 percent to $103.4 million, from $96.2 million for the comparable 2008 period. Normalized FFO per diluted common share was $0.66 in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $0.68 in the comparable 2008 period. Ventas currently expects its 2009 normalized FFO per diluted share to range between $2.62 and $2.65, improving its previously announced 2009 guidance of between $2.55 and $2.62 per diluted share. Normalized FFO per diluted share in 2008 was $2.71.
The Company stated that for its 78 communities that were stabilized in the second and third quarters of 2009, average occupancy increased to 88.1 percent in the third quarter, versus 87.2 percent in the second quarter. NOI for these 78 communities was $33.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $33.7 million in the second quarter of 2009. The difference is attributable to 90 basis points of occupancy improvement but was offset by higher expenses in the third quarter of 2009.
“Ventas’s earnings and cash flow this quarter were excellent and benefited from our high-quality, diversified healthcare and seniors housing assets, which continue to perform very well,” Ventas Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Debra A. Cafaro said. “With low leverage and excess liquidity, we are perfectly positioned to invest when appropriate, and to deliver value to our constituents.”
For the full earnings release, click http://www.ventasreit.com/news/2009/pr20091029.pdf
Ventas 3rd Quarter 2009 Conference Call Transcript