Takeaway: USDA December cold-storage data supports our bearish view

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REITS DAILY BRIEF | 1.26.22 | (COLD) - Peak

Open REIT RTA Long Positions:

1.20.22 - Buy Signal AMH $39.99

Ticker: COLD

Subsector: Industrial / Logistics

Headline: Bearish USDA December cold-storage commodity data

  • The USDA released its cold-storage commodity data for the December-ending period, which shows that stock levels are down to ~92% of prior-year levels and remain in a downward trend. This is bearish for the ~30% of revenue Best Idea Short COLD derives from pallet throughput, both from a 4Q21 results perspective but also ahead of FY22 guidance.
  • We are hearing that COLD's interim management may be calling around the Street and jawboning numbers lower, which dovetails with our thesis from last year that FY22 estimates were too high and needed to be revised down. Currently consensus FY22 AFFO per FactSet sits at $1.20/share and has been ticking lower, versus our $1.14/share estimate. We think it's possible there may even be downside to our number. If you think about it, there is an increased probability that the range of growth rates on both SSRev and SSExp are set unusually wide given the operational uncertainty, with the low-ends biasing down the average. At the very least there should be near-term absolute and relative pressure on COLD as the Old Wall updates models ahead of 4Q21 results. 
  • COLD is stuck between a vice of (1) top-line revenue pressure from lower pallet throughput, and (2) wage and labor pressure from below which only gets "recaptured" on a lag via pricing passed on to customers. Labor is an issue across the logistics space, with Amazon and others announcing wage hikes to retain employees and, let's face it, COLD's warehouses do not offer the most attractive day-to-day working climate/environment. This just puts upward pressure on the "price" to induce workers to stay.
  • Lastly, there is little visibility into when the permanent management team will be in place which adds uncertainty to the situation and increases the incentive to set a low bar. 
  • COLD is our favorite short heading into 4Q21 earnings, which is scheduled for 2.24.22. We think the time to start thinking about getting long is post-FY22 guidance at the earliest, and there is no reason to throw yourself out in front of this oncoming train. 

Figure 1: Cold-Storage Commodity Levels Remain in Downward Trend

REITS DAILY BRIEF | 1.26.22 | (COLD) - Capture8

Source: usda.gov

Prior Notes:

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Please e-mail with any questions.

Rob Simone, CFA
Managing Director
Twitter: @HedgeyeREITs