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COPT Defense Increases Quarterly Dividend by 3.5%

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COPT Defense Properties (NYSE: CDP) raises its quarterly dividend by 3.5% to $0.295 per share for the first quarter of 2024, payable on April 17, 2024.
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Insights

The announcement of COPT Defense's dividend increase is a positive signal to shareholders, reflecting the company's financial health and management's confidence in its ability to generate sustainable earnings. A 3.5% increase in the dividend payout is a modest boost, but it is consistent with a strategy of providing steady shareholder returns. It's important to note that the dividend yield, which is the dividend per share divided by the price per share, will be a key figure for investors to monitor. If the stock price appreciates, the yield on the increased dividend may remain relatively stable, whereas a stock price decline could enhance the yield, making it more attractive to income-focused investors.

Furthermore, the dividend payout ratio, which is the portion of net income paid out as dividends, should be assessed to ensure that the company maintains a balance between rewarding shareholders and reinvesting in the business for growth. Given that this is a defense property company, investors might also consider how defense spending trends and government policies could impact future earnings and, consequently, the sustainability of dividends.

From a market perspective, the increase in COPT Defense's dividend could be interpreted as a positive market signal, potentially attracting dividend investors and possibly contributing to a more favorable perception of the stock. The defense real estate sector is typically seen as stable due to the long-term nature of government contracts, which can provide predictable cash flows. This dividend increase may suggest that COPT Defense is experiencing stable or growing demand for its properties.

Investors may also compare this dividend growth rate to the sector average to gauge COPT Defense's performance relative to its peers. A higher-than-average increase might indicate that the company is outperforming its competitors, whereas a lower increase could suggest the opposite. Additionally, the timing of the dividend in relation to economic cycles can be relevant; in a downturn, increased dividends can be particularly appealing to investors seeking safe havens.

An economist would consider the broader macroeconomic context in which COPT Defense is operating. The defense sector is often countercyclical, meaning it can perform well even when the broader economy faces challenges, as defense spending is typically driven by long-term strategic needs rather than economic cycles. An increase in dividends might also reflect expectations of stable or increased defense budgets.

However, it is also crucial to consider the impact of inflation on dividend payouts. With inflation, the real value of the dividends may be eroded and companies might need to increase dividends just to maintain their real value. The current inflation rate and monetary policy will thus be important factors affecting the attractiveness of dividend increases to investors who are concerned about the purchasing power of their income streams.

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- COPT Defense Properties (NYSE: CDP) (“COPT Defense” or the “Company”) announced today that its Board of Trustees declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.295 per common share for the first quarter ending March 31, 2024. This represents an increase of 3.5%, or $0.01 per share, over the most recent quarterly dividend of $0.285. The first quarter 2024 dividend represents an annualized amount of $1.18 per share and is payable on April 17, 2024, to shareholders of record on March 29, 2024.

About COPT Defense

COPT Defense, an S&P MidCap 400 Company, is a self-managed REIT focused on owning, operating and developing properties in locations proximate to, or sometimes containing, key U.S. Government (“USG”) defense installations and missions (referred to as its Defense/IT Portfolio). The Company’s tenants include the USG and their defense contractors, who are primarily engaged in priority national security activities, and who generally require mission-critical and high security property enhancements. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s Defense/IT Portfolio of 190 properties, including 24 owned through unconsolidated joint ventures, encompassed 21.7 million square feet and was 97.2% leased.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain “forward-looking” statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan” or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate. Although the Company believes that the expectations, estimates and projections reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time made, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Future events and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

The areas of risk that may affect these expectations, estimates and projections include, but are not limited to, those risks described in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Source: COPT Defense Properties

IR Contacts

Venkat Kommineni, CFA

443-285-5587

venkat.kommineni@copt.com



Michelle Layne

443-285-5452

michelle.layne@copt.com

Source: COPT Defense Properties

FAQ

What is the new quarterly dividend amount declared by COPT Defense Properties for the first quarter of 2024?

COPT Defense Properties declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.295 per common share for the first quarter ending March 31, 2024.

What is the percentage increase in the quarterly dividend for COPT Defense Properties compared to the previous quarter?

The quarterly dividend for COPT Defense Properties increased by 3.5% from $0.285 to $0.295 per share for the first quarter of 2024.

When will the first quarter 2024 dividend be payable to shareholders?

The first quarter 2024 dividend of COPT Defense Properties will be payable on April 17, 2024, to shareholders of record on March 29, 2024.

What is the annualized amount of the first quarter 2024 dividend per share?

The annualized amount of the first quarter 2024 dividend per share for COPT Defense Properties is $1.18.

COPT Defense Properties

NYSE:CDP

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