American Assets Trust, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

American Assets Trust reported a net income of $10.5 million or $0.18 per diluted share for Q1 2022, a substantial increase from $1.3 million in Q1 2021. Funds From Operations (FFO) rose 50% year-over-year to $0.57 per diluted share. The company also increased its 2022 FFO guidance to $2.13 to $2.21 per diluted share. Notably, same-store cash Net Operating Income (NOI) increased 18.3% year-over-year. The company amended its credit facility, enhancing borrowing capacity to $400 million.

Positive

• Net income increased to $10.5 million compared to $1.3 million in Q1 2021.
• FFO per diluted share rose 50% year-over-year to $0.57.
• Same-store cash NOI increased 18.3% year-over-year.
• Increased 2022 FFO guidance to $2.13 to $2.21 per diluted share.
• Leased approximately 104,000 office square feet with a rental increase of 18%.

Negative

• Retail leasing saw an average cash-basis contractual rent decrease of 6%.

Net income available to common stockholders of $10.5 million for the first quarter, or $0.18 per diluted share.

Funds From Operations per diluted share increased 50% year-over-year for the first quarter to $0.57 per diluted share.

Increased 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.13 to $2.21 with a midpoint of $2.17.

SAN DIEGO, April 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Assets Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AAT) (the “company”) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

First Quarter Highlights

• Net income available to common stockholders of $10.5 million for the first quarter, or $0.18 per diluted share.
• Funds From Operations ("FFO") increased 50% year-over-year to $0.57 per diluted share for the first quarter.
• Same-store cash Net Operating Income ("NOI") increased 18.3% year-over-year for the first quarter.
• Increased 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.13 to $2.21 with a midpoint of $2.17, an approximately 2% increase over the initial 2022 guidance midpoint of $2.13.
• Leased approximately 104,000 comparable office square feet at an average straight-line basis and cash-basis contractual rent increase of 18% and 13%, respectively, during the first quarter.
• Leased approximately 78,000 comparable retail square feet at an average straight-line basis and cash-basis contractual rent increase of 14% and decrease of 6%, respectively, during the first quarter.

Amended and Restated Credit Facility

• In January 2022, the credit facility was amended and restated to, among other things, increase the borrowing capacity to $400 million, extend the maturity date for revolving line of credit and $100 million term loan to January 5, 2026 and January 5, 2027, respectively and transition from LIBOR to SOFR.

Acquisition Activity

• Acquired Bel-Spring 520 on March 8, 2022, consisting of approximately 93,000 square foot, multi-tenant office campus located less than five minutes away from downtown Bellevue, Washington for approximately $46 million.

Financial Results

Net income attributable to common stockholders was $10.5 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $1.3 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The year-over-year increase in net income attributable to common stockholders is primarily due to (i) a $2.4 million net increase in income at our Waikiki Beach Walk - Embassy Suites due to increased tourism into Hawaii, (ii) a $4.9 million net increase in retail revenue (including the retail portion of our mixed-use portfolio), due to tenants who changed to alternate rent or cash basis of revenue recognition (with some of these tenants later reverting back to contractual basic monthly rent), and (iii) a $4.3 million debt extinguishment charge related to the repayment of the company's Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series A on January 26, 2021, not incurred in 2022.

During the first quarter of 2022, the company generated FFO for common stock and common units of $43.8 million, or $0.57 per diluted share and unit, compared to $29.1 million, or $0.38 per diluted share and unit, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in FFO from the corresponding period in 2021 was primarily due to an increase in revenue at our Waikiki Beach Walk - Embassy Suites^TM, and an increase in revenue in our retail segment. Additionally, there was an increase in FFO from our recent acquisitions of Eastgate Office Park and Corporate Campus East III in July 2021 and September 2021, respectively, and Bel-Spring 520 in March 2022. Additionally, there was an increase in FFO related to the above described 2021 debt extinguishment charge.

FFO is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure which the company considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance. A reconciliation of FFO to net income is attached to this press release.

Leasing

The portfolio leased status as of the end of the indicated quarter was as follows:
                

	March 31, 2022		December 31, 2021		March 31, 2021
Total Portfolio
Office	91.5%		90.4%		91.4%
Retail	92.2%		92.6%		90.8%
Multifamily	94.8%		96.0%		91.9%
Mixed-Use:
Retail	94.3%		89.6%		88.2%
Hotel	72.8%		66.4%		47.5%
Same-Store Portfolio
Office (1)	95.6%		93.6%		93.7%
Retail	92.2%		92.6%		90.8%
Multifamily	94.8%		96.0%		91.9%
Mixed-Use:
Retail	94.3%		89.6%		88.2%
Hotel	72.8%		66.4%		47.5%

(1)

Same-store office leased percentages excludes (i) One Beach Street due to significant redevelopment activity; (ii) Eastgate Office Park which was acquired on July 7, 2021; (iii) Corporate Campus East III which was acquired on September 10, 2021; (iv) Bel-Spring 520 which was acquired on March 8, 2022 and (v) land held for development.

During the first quarter of 2022, the company signed 39 leases for approximately 257,700 square feet of office and retail space, as well as 295 multifamily apartment leases. Renewals accounted for 80% of the comparable office leases, 94% of the comparable retail leases, and 60% of the residential leases.

Office and Retail
On a comparable space basis (i.e. leases for which there was a former tenant) during the first quarter of 2022 and trailing four quarters ended March 31, 2022, our retail and office leasing spreads are shown below:

		Number of Leases Signed	Comparable Leased Sq. Ft.	Average Cash Basis % Change Over Prior Rent		Average Cash Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft.		Prior Average Cash Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft.		Straight-Line Basis % Change Over Prior Rent
Office	Q1 2022	10	104,000	12.5%		$77.58		$68.94		17.6%
	Last 4 Quarters	38	228,000	13.1%		$61.25		$54.16		19.1%
Retail	Q1 2022	16	78,000	(5.8)%		$35.05		$37.20		13.5%
	Last 4 Quarters	81	365,000	(10.8)%		$39.43		$44.20		(1.6)%

Multifamily
The average monthly base rent per leased unit for multifamily properties for the first quarter of 2022 was $2,217 compared to an average monthly base rent per leased unit of $2,174 for the first quarter of 2021, which is an increase of approximately 2%.

Same-Store Cash Net Operating Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, same-store cash NOI increased 18.3% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. The same-store cash NOI by segment was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended (1)
	March 31,
	2022			2021			Change
Cash Basis:
Office	$	29,488		$	26,291		12.2	%
Retail		16,694			16,290		2.5
Multifamily		8,021			7,107		12.9
Mixed-Use		4,602			1		460,100.0
Same-store Cash NOI	$	58,805		$	49,689		18.3	%

(1)

Same-store portfolio excludes (i) One Beach Street, due to significant redevelopment activity; (ii) Eastgate Office Park which was acquired on July 7, 2021; (iii) Corporate Campus East III which was acquired on September 10, 2021; (iv) Bel-Spring 520 which was acquired on March 8, 2022 and (v) land held for development.

Same-store cash NOI is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure which the company considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance. A reconciliation of same-store cash NOI to net income is attached to this press release.

Credit Facility

On January 5, 2022, our credit facility was amended and restated to, among other things, increase the revolving line of credit from $350 million to $400 million, extend the maturity date of the amended $400 million revolving line of credit to January 5, 2026 (with two, six-month extension options), and extend the maturity of the $100 million term loan ("2022 Term Loan A") included within the credit facility to January 5, 2027 (with no further extension options). On January 14, 2022, the company entered into interest rate swap agreements that are intended to fix the interest rate associated with the 2022 Term Loan A at approximately 2.70% through January 5, 2027, subject to adjustments based on our consolidated leverage ratio.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

At March 31, 2022, the company had gross real estate assets of $3.6 billion and liquidity of $473.6 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $73.6 million and $400.0 million of availability on its line of credit. At March 31, 2022, the company has only 1 out of 31 assets encumbered by a mortgage.

Dividends

The company declared dividends on its shares of common stock of $0.32 per share for the first quarter of 2022. The dividends were paid on March 24, 2022.

In addition, the company has declared a dividend on its common stock of $0.32 per share for the second quarter of 2022. The dividend will be paid in cash on June 23, 2022 to stockholders of record on June 9, 2022.

Guidance

The company increased its 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.13 to $2.21 per share, an increase of approximately 2% at midpoint from the initial 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance range of $2.09 to $2.17 per share.

The company's guidance excludes any impact from future acquisitions, dispositions, equity issuances or repurchases, debt financings or repayments. Management will discuss the company's guidance in more detail on tomorrow's earnings call. The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management's view of current and future market conditions, including certain assumptions with respect to leasing activity, rental rates, occupancy levels, interest rates, credit spreads and the amount and timing of acquisition and development activities. The company's actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Conference Call

The company will hold a conference call to discuss the results for the first quarter of 2022 on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”). To participate in the event by telephone, please dial 1-877-868-5513 and use the pass code 8999043. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 through Wednesday, May 4, 2022. To access the replay, dial 1-855-859-2056 and use the pass code 8999043. A live on-demand audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the company's website at www.americanassetstrust.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the company's website.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental financial information regarding the company's first quarter 2022 results may be found on the "Financial Reporting" tab of the “Investors” page of the company's website at www.americanassetstrust.com. This supplemental information provides additional detail on items such as property occupancy, financial performance by property and debt maturity schedules.

Financial Information
American Assets Trust, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

	March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets	(unaudited)
Real estate, at cost
Operating real estate	$	3,440,692			$	3,389,726
Construction in progress		159,066				139,098
Held for development		547				547
		3,600,305				3,529,371
Accumulated depreciation		(868,848	)			(847,390	)
Real estate, net		2,731,457				2,681,981
Cash and cash equivalents		73,573				139,524
Accounts receivable, net		7,876				7,445
Deferred rent receivables, net		85,551				82,724
Other assets, net		112,677				106,253
Total assets	$	3,011,134			$	3,017,927
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable, net	$	110,976			$	110,965
Unsecured notes payable, net		1,538,052				1,538,238
Unsecured line of credit, net		—				—
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		68,797				64,531
Security deposits payable		8,280				7,855
Other liabilities and deferred credits, net		79,142				86,215
Total liabilities		1,805,247				1,807,804
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 490,000,000 shares authorized, 60,522,043 and 60,525,580 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		605				605
Additional paid-in capital		1,454,746				1,453,272
Accumulated dividends in excess of net income		(226,474	)			(217,785	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		7,063				2,872
Total American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity		1,235,940				1,238,964
Noncontrolling interests		(30,053	)			(28,841	)
Total equity		1,205,887				1,210,123
Total liabilities and equity	$	3,011,134			$	3,017,927

American Assets Trust, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022				2021
Revenue:
Rental income	$	96,986			$	81,130
Other property income		4,484				2,856
Total revenue		101,470				83,986
Expenses:
Rental expenses		24,145				18,246
Real estate taxes		11,429				11,354
General and administrative		7,142				6,823
Depreciation and amortization		30,412				27,501
Total operating expenses		73,128				63,924
Operating income		28,342				20,062
Interest expense		(14,666	)			(14,005	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		—				(4,271	)
Other (expense) income, net		(162	)			(53	)
Net income		13,514				1,733
Net income attributable to restricted shares		(155	)			(137	)
Net income attributable to unitholders in the Operating Partnership		(2,836	)			(339	)
Net income attributable to American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders	$	10,523			$	1,257
Net income per share
Basic income attributable to common stockholders per share	$	0.18			$	0.02
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic		60,038,683				59,984,335
Diluted income attributable to common stockholders per share	$	0.18			$	0.02
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted		76,220,220				76,165,872
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.32			$	0.28

Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations
The company's FFO attributable to common stockholders and operating partnership unitholders and reconciliation to net income is as follows (in thousands except shares and per share data, unaudited):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2022
Funds From Operations (FFO)
Net income	$	13,514
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets		30,412
FFO, as defined by NAREIT	$	43,926
Less: Nonforfeitable dividends on restricted stock awards		(153	)
FFO attributable to common stock and units	$	43,773
FFO per diluted share/unit	$	0.57
Weighted average number of common shares and units, diluted		76,224,367

Reconciliation of Same-Store Cash NOI to Net Income
The company's reconciliation of Same-Store Cash NOI to Net Income is as follows (in thousands, unaudited):

	Three Months Ended (1)
	March 31,
	2022				2021
Same-store cash NOI		58,805			$	49,689
Non-same-store cash NOI		2,473				25
Tenant improvement reimbursements (2)		158				69
Cash NOI	$	61,436			$	49,783
Non-cash revenue and other operating expenses (3)		4,460				4,603
General and administrative		(7,142	)			(6,823	)
Depreciation and amortization		(30,412	)			(27,501	)
Interest expense		(14,666	)			(14,005	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		—				(4,271	)
Other (expense) income, net		(162	)			(53	)
Net income	$	13,514			$	1,733
Number of properties included in same-store analysis		27				25

(1)		Same-store portfolio excludes (i) One Beach Street, due to significant redevelopment activity; (ii) Eastgate Office Park which was acquired on July 7, 2021; (iii) Corporate Campus East III which was acquired on September 10, 2021; (iv) Bel-Spring 520 which was acquired on March 8, 2022 and (v) land held for development.
(2)		Tenant improvement reimbursements are excluded from same-store cash NOI to provide a more accurate measure of operating performance.
(3)		Represents adjustments related to the straight-line rent income recognized during the period offset by cash received during the period and the provision for bad debts recorded for deferred rent receivable balances; net change in lease receivables (solely with respect to Q2 2020 through Q4 2021), the amortization of above (below) market rents, the amortization of lease incentives paid to tenants, the amortization of other lease intangibles, and straight-line rent expense for our lease of the Annex at The Landmark at One Market.

Reported results are preliminary and not final until the filing of the company's Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, remain subject to adjustment.

Use of Non-GAAP Information
Funds from Operations
The company calculates FFO in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"). FFO represents net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable operating property, impairment losses, real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because it believes that FFO is beneficial to investors as a starting point in measuring the company's operational performance. Specifically, in excluding real estate related depreciation and amortization and gains and losses from property dispositions, which do not relate to or are not indicative of operating performance, FFO provides a performance measure that, when compared year-over-year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. The company also believes that, as a widely recognized measure of the performance of REITs, FFO will be used by investors as a basis to compare the company's operating performance with that of other REITs. However, because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and captures neither the changes in the value of the company's properties that result from use or market conditions nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of the company's properties, all of which have real economic effects and could materially impact the company's results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of the company's performance is limited. In addition, other equity REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition as the company does, and, accordingly, the company's FFO may not be comparable to such other REITs' FFO. Accordingly, FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income as a measure of the company's performance. FFO should not be used as a measure of the company's liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund the company's cash needs, including the company's ability to pay dividends or service indebtedness. FFO also should not be used as a supplement to or substitute for cash flow from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Net Operating Income
The company uses NOI internally to evaluate and compare the operating performance of the company's properties. The company believes cash NOI provides useful information to investors regarding the company's financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, and when compared across periods, can be used to determine trends in earnings of the company's properties as this measure is not affected by (1) the non-cash revenue and expense recognition items, (2) the cost of funds of the property owner, (3) the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets that are included in net income computed in accordance with GAAP or (4) general and administrative expenses and other gains and losses that are specific to the property owner. The company believes the exclusion of these items from net income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred in operating the company's properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. Cash NOI is a measure of the operating performance of the company's properties but does not measure the company's performance as a whole. Cash NOI is therefore not a substitute for net income as computed in accordance with GAAP.

Cash NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance. The company defines cash NOI as operating revenues (rental income, tenant reimbursements, lease termination fees, ground lease rental income and other property income) less property and related expenses (property expenses, ground lease expense, property marketing costs, real estate taxes and insurance), adjusted for non-cash revenue and operating expense items such as straight-line rent, net change in lease receivables (solely with respect to Q2 2020 through Q4 2021), amortization of lease intangibles, amortization of lease incentives and other adjustments. Cash NOI also excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, other nonproperty income and losses, acquisition-related expense, gains and losses from property dispositions, extraordinary items, tenant improvements, and leasing commissions. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating cash NOI, and accordingly, the company's cash NOI may not be comparable to the cash NOIs of other REITs.

About American Assets Trust, Inc.
American Assets Trust, Inc. is a full service, vertically integrated and self-administered real estate investment trust ("REIT"), headquartered in San Diego, California. The company has over 50 years of experience in acquiring, improving, developing and managing premier office, retail, and residential properties throughout the United States in some of the nation’s most dynamic, high-barrier-to-entry markets primarily in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Hawaii.  The company's office portfolio comprises approximately 4.0 million rentable square feet, and its retail portfolio comprises approximately 3.1 million rentable square feet. In addition, the company owns one mixed-use property (including approximately 94,000 rentable square feet of retail space and a 369-room all-suite hotel) and 2,112 multifamily units. In 2011, the company was formed to succeed to the real estate business of American Assets, Inc., a privately held corporation founded in 1967 and, as such, has significant experience, long-standing relationships and extensive knowledge of its core markets, submarkets and asset classes. For additional information, please visit www.americanassetstrust.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: the impact of epidemics, pandemics, or other outbreaks of illness, disease or virus (such as the outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants) and the actions taken by government authorities and others related thereto, including the ability of our company, our properties and our tenants to operate; adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets; our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness; defaults on, early terminations of or non-renewal of leases by tenants, including significant tenants; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; difficulties in completing dispositions; our failure to successfully operate acquired properties and operations; our inability to develop or redevelop our properties due to market conditions; fluctuations in interest rates and increased operating costs; risks related to joint venture arrangements; our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; on-going litigation; general economic conditions; financial market fluctuations; risks that affect the general retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use environment; the competitive environment in which we operate; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; conflicts of interests with our officers or directors; lack or insufficient amounts of insurance; environmental uncertainties and risks related to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; other factors affecting the real estate industry generally; limitations imposed on our business and our ability to satisfy complex rules in order for us to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and changes in governmental regulations or interpretations thereof, such as real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates and taxation of REITs. While forward-looking statements reflect the company's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause the company's future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, and other risks described in documents subsequently filed by the company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.

Source: American Assets Trust, Inc.

Investor and Media Contact:
American Assets Trust
Robert F. Barton
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
858-350-2607

FAQ

What are the Q1 2022 earnings results for AAT?

American Assets Trust reported a net income of $10.5 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for Q1 2022.

What is the updated FFO guidance for AAT in 2022?

The company increased its 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.13 to $2.21.

How much did same-store cash NOI increase for AAT in Q1 2022?

Same-store cash Net Operating Income (NOI) increased by 18.3% year-over-year.

What were the leasing performance metrics for AAT in Q1 2022?

AAT leased approximately 104,000 office square feet with an average rental increase of 18%.