Ventas’s Outlook Revised by S&P Global Ratings to Stable

Rhea-AI Summary

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) has received a stable outlook from S&P Global Ratings after affirming its BBB+ credit rating. The revision acknowledges Ventas’s performance recovery in senior housing, predicting continued improvement in credit metrics. The company reported a same-store SHOP occupancy of 83%, a 420 basis point increase since early 2021. Ventas's balance sheet has been strengthened by fixed-rate debt and a robust liquidity position of $2.2 billion available. Positive demographic trends are expected to bolster future occupancy recovery.

Positive

• S&P Global Ratings revised Ventas's outlook to Stable from Negative.
• Affirmed credit rating of BBB+, indicating solid financial health.
• Same-store SHOP occupancy increased to 83%, up 420 basis points since early 2021.
• Strong liquidity with $2.2 billion available at the end of Q1.

Negative

• None.

S&P Affirms BBB+ Credit Rating and Highlights Improving Fundamentals Led by Strong SHOP Recovery

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) today announced that S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) has revised its rating outlook for Ventas to Stable from Negative and affirmed Ventas’s issuer credit rating of ‘BBB+’. In revising Ventas’s outlook, S&P is recognizing that Ventas’s operating performance is expected to continue to gain momentum as the Company captures the upside of the senior housing recovery, leading to advancement in Ventas’s credit metrics.

“We are pleased that S&P recognizes the decisive actions Ventas has taken to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure our continued financial strength,” said Robert F. Probst, Ventas Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Ventas continues to benefit from these actions as part of our strategy to position the portfolio to capture the exciting upside that we see ahead.”

S&P notes that Ventas’s same store SHOP occupancy ended the first quarter of 2022 at an average of 83%, an improvement of 420 basis points since the pandemic trough in early 2021. S&P cites healthy demographic trends and a favorable supply backdrop as giving confidence that Ventas’s occupancy will continue to recover.

As discussed in the Company’s results for the first quarter of 2022, Ventas’s primarily fixed rate debt and recently extended debt maturity schedule have strengthened the Company’s balance sheet. The Company’s liquidity remains robust, with $2.2 billion available at the close of the first quarter.

S&P's full report on Ventas is available at www.spglobal.com.

About Ventas

Ventas Inc., an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two large and dynamic industries – healthcare and real estate. Fueled by powerful demographic demand from growth in the aging population, Ventas owns a diversified portfolio of over 1,200 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ventas uses the power of its capital to unlock the value of senior living communities; life science, research & innovation properties; medical office & outpatient facilities, hospitals and other healthcare real estate. A globally-recognized real estate investment trust, Ventas follows a successful long-term strategy, proven over more than 20 years, built on diversification of property types, capital sources and industry leading partners, financial strength and flexibility, consistent and reliable growth and industry leading ESG achievements, managed by a collaborative and experienced team dedicated to its stakeholders.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated results from operations and developments and other matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our and our officers’ intent, belief or expectation as identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “project,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “target,” “forecast,” “plan,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “should” and other comparable and derivative terms or the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. You should not put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. You are urged to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning risks and uncertainties that may affect our business and future financial performance, including those made below and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as in the sections titled “Cautionary Statements — Summary Risk Factors,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Certain factors that could affect our future results and our ability to achieve our stated goals include, but are not limited to: (a) the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its extended consequences, including of the Delta, Omicron or any other variant, on our revenue, level of profitability, liquidity and overall risk exposure and the implementation and impact of regulations related to the CARES Act and other stimulus legislation and any future COVID-19 relief measures; (b) our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits and synergies from, and effectively integrate, our acquisitions and investments, including our acquisition of New Senior Investment Group Inc.; (c) our exposure and the exposure of our tenants, managers and borrowers to complex healthcare and other regulation and the challenges and expense associated with complying with such regulation; (d) the potential for significant general and commercial claims, legal actions, regulatory proceedings or enforcement actions that could subject us or our tenants, managers or borrowers to increased operating costs and uninsured liabilities; (e) the impact of market and general economic conditions, including economic and financial market events, inflation, changes in interest rates, supply chain pressures, events that affect consumer confidence, our occupancy rates and resident fee revenues, and the actual and perceived state of the real estate markets, labor markets and public capital markets; (f) our ability, and the ability of our tenants, managers and borrowers, to navigate the trends impacting our or their businesses and the industries in which we or they operate; (g) the risk of bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our tenants, managers, borrowers and other obligors and our ability to foreclose successfully on the collateral securing our loans and other investments in the event of a borrower default; (h) our ability to identify and consummate future investments in or dispositions of healthcare assets and effectively manage our portfolio opportunities and our investments in co-investment vehicles, joint ventures and minority interests; (i) risks related to development, redevelopment and construction projects; (j) our ability to attract and retain talented employees; (k) the limitations and significant requirements imposed upon our business as a result of our status as a REIT and the adverse consequences (including the possible loss of our status as a REIT) that would result if we are not able to comply; (l) the risk of changes in healthcare law or regulation or in tax laws, guidance and interpretations, particularly as applied to REITs, that could adversely affect us or our tenants, managers or borrowers; (m) increases in our borrowing costs as a result of becoming more leveraged or as a result of changes in interest rates and phasing out of LIBOR rates; (n) our reliance on third parties to operate a majority of our assets and our limited control and influence over such operations and results; (o) our dependency on a limited number of tenants and managers for a significant portion of our revenues and operating income; (p) the adequacy of insurance coverage provided by our policies and policies maintained by our tenants, managers or other counterparties; (q) the occurrence of cyber incidents that could disrupt our operations, result in the loss of confidential information or damage our business relationships and reputation; (r) the impact of merger, acquisition and investment activity in the healthcare industry or otherwise affecting our tenants, managers or borrowers; (s) disruptions to the management and operations of our business and the uncertainties caused by activist investors; and (t) the risk of catastrophic or extreme weather and other natural events and the physical effects of climate change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220518006068/en/

Ventas, Inc.

BJ Grant

(877) 4-VENTAS

Source: Ventas, Inc.

FAQ

What is the recent credit rating update for Ventas (VTR)?

S&P Global Ratings has revised the credit outlook for Ventas (VTR) to Stable from Negative and affirmed a BBB+ rating.

How has Ventas's occupancy changed according to the latest report?

Ventas reported a same-store SHOP occupancy rate of 83%, an increase of 420 basis points since early 2021.

What is Ventas's liquidity position as of the first quarter of 2022?

Ventas has a robust liquidity position with $2.2 billion available at the close of the first quarter of 2022.

What factors are driving Ventas's positive outlook?

The positive outlook is driven by improving performance in senior housing and strong demographic trends.

Where can I find S&P’s full report on Ventas?

S&P's full report on Ventas can be accessed at www.spglobal.com.