HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc (HASI) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Growth in Managed Assets and Investment Pipeline

HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc (HASI) reports a 14% increase in managed assets and a robust $5.5 billion investment pipeline, despite challenges from interest rate volatility.

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Nov 08, 2024
Summary
  • New Investments Year-to-Date: $1.7 billion as of the start of the fourth quarter.
  • Managed Assets Growth: 14% increase over the last 12 months, exceeding $13 billion.
  • Portfolio Yield: Increased to 8.1% year-to-date.
  • Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): 52¢ for the third quarter, $1.83 year-to-date, representing 8% growth over the first three quarters of 2023.
  • Transaction Closings Year-to-Date: $1.2 billion, with expectations to exceed $2 billion for the year.
  • Portfolio Growth: Managed assets at $13.1 billion, portfolio increased to $6.3 billion.
  • Return on Equity (ROE): 12.4% year-to-date.
  • Adjusted Net Investment Income (NII): $192 million year-to-date, up 20% from the previous year.
  • Recurring Capital Light Income: $19 million year-to-date, up 43%.
  • Upfront Capital Light Income: $65 million year-to-date, up 19%.
  • Liquidity: $1.3 billion as of September 30.
  • Debt to Equity Ratio: 1.8 times, within the target range of 1.5 to 2 times.
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Release Date: November 07, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc (HASI, Financial) closed $1.7 billion in new investments year-to-date, reflecting strong growth and an active start to the fourth quarter.
  • Managed assets have grown by 14% over the last 12 months, now exceeding $13 billion.
  • The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth of 8% over the first three quarters of 2023.
  • HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc (HASI) maintains a consistent and disciplined approach to interest rate risk management, ensuring attractive margins.
  • The company has a robust pipeline of over $5.5 billion, diversified across various markets, indicating strong future growth potential.

Negative Points

  • The company reported a GAAP loss of 17 cents per share for Q3, driven by mark-to-market impacts related to power contracts.
  • Higher interest rates have increased the company's cost of debt relative to 2023, although it has declined incrementally from earlier in 2024.
  • The renewable natural gas (RNG) market, while growing, is not yet comparable in size to wind and solar markets, potentially limiting diversification.
  • Gain on sale transactions can vary significantly from quarter to quarter, introducing some unpredictability in financial results.
  • The company's exposure to interest rate volatility remains a concern, despite hedging strategies in place to mitigate risks.

Q & A Highlights

Q: How significant is the R&G market in the FTN sector, and can it compensate for any declines in the solar and wind markets?
A: The R&G market is large and growing, with significant investments from major developers and private equity firms. While it may not match the size of wind and solar, it is becoming a meaningful part of our business due to its diversity and growth potential. (Jeff Lipson, CEO)

Q: Can you explain the impact of rising interest rates on your earnings and any potential cost savings from the new SunStrong partner?
A: We have hedges in place for our floating rate facilities, which are currently supporting earnings. The new partner in SunStrong will continue servicing the lease portfolio, with no immediate cost savings expected. (Marc Pangburn, CFO)

Q: How do you manage exposure to volatility in RIN credits within your R&G projects?
A: We mitigate RIN credit risk by being senior debt holders with good cash flow coverage, which provides a buffer against volatility. (Jeff Lipson, CEO)

Q: Can you provide more details on the KKR partnership and its impact on your financial statements?
A: The KKR partnership is progressing well, with additional investments made in the third and early fourth quarters. The $74 million figure in the press release represents KKR's portion of the co-investment vehicle. (Jeff Lipson, CEO)

Q: What is your confidence level in achieving $2 billion in originations for the year, given the current progress?
A: We have already reached $1.7 billion in originations as of today, with strong visibility on closing the remaining amount to meet our $2 billion target. (Jeff Lipson, CEO)

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.