MARKHAM, Ontario, Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sienna Senior Living Inc. (“Sienna” or the “Company“) (TSX:SIA) today announced its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023. The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A“) are available on the Company’s website at www.siennaliving.ca and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Sienna’s strong fourth quarter and annual results reflect the return to a stable operating environment, the Company’s successful cost management strategy, and sustained reductions in temporary agency staffing costs. Q4 2023 marks the fourth consecutive quarter of significant year over year same property net operating income (“NOI“) growth in the Company’s long-term care and retirement segments.
“Earlier in 2023, we outlined where we see significant growth potential in our business over the next several years and how we believe our current initiatives will contribute to a notable expansion of Sienna’s NOI,” said Nitin Jain, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Sienna’s consistently strong financial performance in 2023 indicates that we are on the right track.”
Operating Highlights
Same-property NOI increased by 16.5% to $37.7 million in Q4 2023, compared to Q4 2022, including
a 21.1% increase in the long-term care segment and
a 11.8% increase in the retirement segment.
Long-Term-Care (“LTC”) Occupancy – Average occupancy increased by 150 basis points (“bps“) year over year to 97.6% in Q4 2023:
return to stable operating environment supporting occupancy.
Retirement Same Property Occupancy – Average same property occupancy increased by 20 bps to 88.2% in Q4 2023 compared to Q4 2022:
intensified focus on homes with below average occupancy levels combined with the strong leasing across the remainder of the portfolio supporting occupancy.
Significant Reduction in Use of Staffing Agencies resulting in agency costs returning to pre-pandemic levels. Agency staffing costs, which are predominantly covered by flow-through funding from the government for resident care, declined by approximately $8.9 million year over year to $5.8 million in Q4 2023.
Growth and Expansion Highlights
Acquisition of Additional Ownership Interest in Nicola Lodge, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia – On September 14, 2023, Sienna entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 60% interest in Nicola Lodge, a 256-bed long-term care community managed and partially owned by the Company. A best-in-class complex care facility, Nicola Lodge was built in 2016 and offers long term care with specialized services for bariatric care, dementia and mental health care. The transaction is taking place in two stages, each comprising a 30% interest to be purchased for approximately $26.5 million, before closing costs, and representing an expected yield of approximately 6.75%, based on the 2024 NOI projections in relation to the purchase price.
On December 31, 2023, the Company completed the first stage of the acquisition, acquiring a 30% interest and increasing its total ownership interest in Nicola Lodge to 70%. The second closing is expected to occur between November 2024 and March 2026, depending on the Company’s determination of the optimal timing.
Expansion into Alberta – On November 1, 2023, Sienna entered into a management contract for a 70-suite retirement residence in a prime location in Calgary with Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc. This is the Company’s entry into the Alberta market and a reinforcement of its key relationship with a strategic partner.
Financial performance – Q4 2023
Total Adjusted Revenue increased by 13.3% in Q4 2023 to $218.9 million, compared to Q4 2022. In the Retirement segment, the increase is mainly driven by annual rental rate increases, occupancy increases and higher care and ancillary revenue. In the LTC segment, the increase is mainly driven by increased flow-through funding for direct care, annual inflationary funding increases and higher occupancy compared to Q4 2022, which allowed for full government funding.
Total NOI increased by 17.5% to $38.2 million, compared to Q4 2022, resulting from a $2.1 million increase in the Retirement segment, driven by same property NOI growth and the acquisition of a campus of care in Q1 2023. Total NOI increased by $3.6 million in the LTC segment, mainly due to annual inflationary funding increases and higher preferred accommodation revenues, offset by inflationary increase in expenses.
Same Property NOI increased by 16.5% to $37.7 million, compared to Q4 2022, including a 21.1% increase to $19.7 million in the LTC segment, and a 11.8% increase to $18.0 million in the Retirement segment.
OFFO per share increased by 24.7% in Q4 2023, or $0.060, to $0.303. The increase was primarily attributable to higher NOI.
AFFO per share increased by 2.5% in Q4 2023, or $0.006, to $0.243. The increase was primarily related to the increase in OFFO, offset by higher maintenance capital expenditures as a result of timing and a decrease in construction funding.
AFFO payout ratio was 96.3% for Q4 2023.
Financial performance – Year ended December 31, 2023
Total Adjusted Revenue increased by 10.8%, or $79.8 million, to $816.7 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. In the Retirement segment, the increase is mainly driven by rental rate increases and occupancy growth. In the LTC segment, the increase is mainly driven by increased flow-through funding for direct care, annual inflationary funding increases, higher preferred accommodation revenue and higher occupancy, which allowed for full government funding.
Total NOI increased by 13.0% to $151.3 million, compared to Q4 2022, resulting from a $9.3 million increase in the Retirement segment, driven by same-property NOI growth and the acquisition of a campus of care in Q1 2023. Total NOI increased by $8.0 million in the LTC segment, mainly due to annual inflationary funding increases, higher preferred accommodation revenue and higher occupancy which allowed for full government funding.
Same Property NOI increased by 10.6% to $147.0 million, compared to Q4 2022, including a 12.4% increase to $78.7 million in the LTC segment, and a 8.6% increase to $68.3 million in the Retirement segment.
OFFO per share increased by 16.6%, or $0.160, to $1.125, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher NOI, lower general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher interest expenses.
AFFO per share increased by 9.2%, or $0.087, to $1.030, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily related to the increase in OFFO, offset by higher maintenance capital expenditures, and a decrease in construction funding income.
AFFO payout ratio was 90.9%, an 840 bps improvement compared to 99.3% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Financial position
The Company maintained a strong financial position during Q4 2023:
Maintained high liquidity at $307 million as at December 31, 2023, compared to $287 million as at December 31, 2022;
Improved Debt Service Coverage Ratio to 1.9 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 1.8 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022; and
Extended Weighted Average Term to Maturity of its debt to 5.9 years as at December 31, 2023, from 4.5 years as at December 31, 2022.
Financial and Operating Results
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
$000s except occupancy, per share and ratio data
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Retirement – Average same property (1)
88.2
%
88.0