City Office REIT Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

City Office REIT reported Q3 2024 results with rental revenues of $42.4 million and a GAAP net loss of $4.5 million ($0.11 per share). Core FFO was $11.1 million ($0.27 per share), while AFFO reached $4.8 million ($0.12 per share). The company's portfolio occupancy stood at 83.4%, or 87.0% including signed leases not yet occupied. During Q3, they executed 141,000 square feet of new and renewal leases and completed a $50.0 million term loan repayment. Same Store Cash NOI increased 0.2% for Q3 2024 compared to the previous year. The company updated its 2024 guidance, raising expectations for year-end occupancy to 85.0-86.0% and projecting Core FFO of $1.15-$1.17 per share.

Positive

• Executed 601,000 square feet of new and renewal leases in first nine months of 2024
• Same Store Cash NOI increased 0.2% in Q3 2024 year-over-year
• Improved 2024 guidance for year-end occupancy to 85.0-86.0%
• Successfully renewed WeWork lease at Bloc 83 through December 2026

Negative

• GAAP net loss of $4.5 million ($0.11 per share) in Q3 2024
• Current portfolio occupancy at 83.4% shows significant vacancy
• Same Store Cash NOI decreased 0.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024
• Short weighted average debt maturity of 2.1 years with 5.2% interest rate

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 2024 results present a mixed picture for City Office REIT. Key metrics show: rental revenues of $42.4 million, a net loss of $4.5 million (-$0.11 per share) and Core FFO of $11.1 million ($0.27 per share). The occupancy rate of 83.4% (87.0% including signed leases) indicates some leasing momentum but remains below optimal levels.

The company's leasing performance shows signs of improvement with 141,000 square feet of new and renewal leases executed. New leases commanded higher rates at $33.91 per square foot compared to renewals at $32.87. The debt structure appears manageable with 82.3% fixed-rate debt and a 5.2% weighted average interest rate.

The updated guidance suggests modest improvement, with occupancy expected to reach 85.0-86.0% by year-end and Same Store Cash NOI projected between -0.5% and 0.5%.

Real Estate Market Analyst

The property renovation strategy appears well-timed given the challenging office market environment. The successful execution of 601,000 square feet of leases year-to-date demonstrates market demand for upgraded office spaces. The renewal costs at $3.64 per square foot versus new lease costs of $10.43 per square foot highlight the economic advantage of tenant retention.

The WeWork lease extension at Bloc 83 in Raleigh is particularly noteworthy, as it secures occupancy through 2026 despite broader market concerns about flexible workspace operators. The relatively short weighted average lease term of 4.5-5.0 years for new and renewal leases reflects ongoing market uncertainty but provides flexibility for future rate adjustments.

VANCOUVER, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- City Office REIT, Inc. (NYSE: CIO) (the "Company," "City Office," "we" or "our") today announced its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Rental and other revenues were $42.4 million.  GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $4.5 million, or ($0.11) per fully diluted share;
• Core FFO was approximately $11.1 million, or $0.27 per fully diluted share;
• AFFO was approximately $4.8 million, or $0.12 per fully diluted share;
• In-place occupancy was 83.4% as of quarter end, or 87.0% including signed leases not yet occupied;
• Executed approximately 141,000 square feet of new and renewal leases during the quarter;  
• Completed the loan repayment on maturity of the Company's $50.0 million term loan;
• Declared a third quarter dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock, paid on October 24, 2024; and
• Declared a third quarter dividend of $0.4140625 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, paid on October 24, 2024.

"We continue to experience a progression of office real estate fundamentals across our markets," commented James Farrar, the Company's Chief Executive Officer.  "During the first nine months of 2024, we executed 601,000 square feet of new and renewal leases.  As a result of the healthy leasing activity year to date, we increased our guidance expectations for year-end occupancy and same store cash NOI change."

"Our strategy of renovating and enhancing properties has aligned with leasing demand.  Over the next two quarters, we expect to complete renovations at four of our properties.  We believe these investments will drive future occupancy gains and build on the leasing momentum that we achieved in recent quarters."

A reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures, including FFO, Core FFO, AFFO, NOI, Same Store NOI, Same Store Cash NOI and their equivalent per share measures, to the most directly comparable financial measure under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") can be found at the end of this release.

Portfolio Operations

The Company reported that its total portfolio as of September 30, 2024 contained 5.6 million net rentable square feet and was 83.4% occupied, or 87.0% including signed leases not yet occupied.

Same Store Cash NOI increased 0.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in the prior year. Same Store Cash NOI decreased 0.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Leasing Activity

The Company's total leasing activity during the third quarter of 2024 was approximately 141,000 square feet, which included 78,000 square feet of new leasing and 63,000 square feet of renewals. Approximately 131,000 square feet of leases signed within the quarter are expected to take occupancy subsequent to quarter end.

New Leasing – New leases were signed with a weighted average lease term of 5.0 years at a weighted average effective annual rent of $33.91 per square foot and at a weighted average cost of $10.43 per square foot per year.

Renewal Leasing – Renewal leases were signed with a weighted average lease term of 4.5 years at a weighted average effective annual rent of $32.87 per square foot and at a weighted average cost of $3.64 per square foot per year. After quarter end, the Company completed a renewal for a 28,000 square foot space at Bloc 83 in Raleigh that was previously expected to be vacated by WeWork on November 1, 2024.  The lease extension with WeWork was completed to accommodate a prominent user that desired to continue their occupancy until December 31, 2026.

Capital Structure

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had total principal outstanding debt of approximately $651.0 million. Approximately 82.3% of the Company's debt was fixed rate or effectively fixed rate due to interest rate swaps. City Office's total principal outstanding debt had a weighted average maturity of approximately 2.1 years and a weighted average interest rate of 5.2%.

During the quarter, the Company's $50.0 million term loan matured and was repaid with proceeds from the Company's Unsecured Credit Facility.

Dividends

On September 13, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved and the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share of the Company's common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The dividend was paid on October 24, 2024 to common stockholders and unitholders of record as of October 10, 2024.

On September 13, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved and the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.4140625 per share of the Company's 6.625% Series A Preferred Stock for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The dividend was paid on October 24, 2024 to preferred stockholders of record as of October 10, 2024.

2024 Outlook 

Following City Office's performance for the third quarter of 2024, the Company is updating its outlook for full year 2024 guidance. The updates include the expected impact of healthy leasing activity year-to-date driving expected occupancy increases in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

The outlook includes the following assumptions:

Full Year 2024 Guidance	Previous						Updated
	Low			High			Low			High
Dispositions	$	21.0M		$	21.0M		$	21.0M		$	21.0M
Net Operating Income	$	101.5M		$	103.5M		$	101.5M		$	102.0M
General & Administrative Expenses	$	14.5M		$	15.5M		$	14.5M		$	15.5M
Interest Expense	$	34.5M		$	35.5M		$	34.0M		$	35.0M
2024 Core FFO per fully diluted share	$	1.14		$	1.18		$	1.15		$	1.17
Net Recurring Straight-Line Rent Adjustment	$	1.0M		$	2.0M		$	0.0M		$	1.0M
Same Store Cash NOI Change	(2.0 %)			0.0 %			(0.5 %)			0.5 %
December 31, 2024 Occupancy	83.5 %			85.5 %			85.0 %			86.0 %

Material Considerations:  

1. Dispositions reflects the disposition of the Cascade Station property in Portland that occurred earlier in 2024.
2. The General & Administrative Expenses guidance includes approximately $4.3 million for stock-based compensation. Our Core FFO definition excludes stock-based compensation. Excluding stock-based compensation, General & Administrative Expenses guidance for Full Year 2024 would have been $10.2 million – $11.2 million.
3. Annual weighted average fully diluted shares of common stock outstanding are assumed to be approximately 41.4 million.
4. 2024 guidance assumes no share issuances, no acquisitions and no share repurchase activity.

The Company's guidance is based on current plans and assumptions and subject to the risks and uncertainties more fully described in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. This outlook reflects management's view of current and future market conditions, including assumptions such as timing and magnitude of future acquisitions and dispositions, if any, rental rates, occupancy levels, leasing activity, our ability to renew expiring leases, uncollectible rents, operating and general administrative expenses, weighted average diluted shares outstanding and rising interest rates.  The Company reminds investors that the impacts of the work-from-home trend, inflation and general market conditions are uncertain and impossible to predict.  See "Forward-looking Statements" below.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

City Office's management will hold a conference call at 11:00 am Eastern Time on October 31, 2024.  

The webcast will be available under the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.cioreit.com.  The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-833-470-1428 for domestic callers and 1-404-975-4839 for international callers.  The passcode for the conference call is 102833.

A replay of the call will be available later in the day on October 31, 2024, continuing through January 29, 2025 and can be accessed by dialing 1-866-813-9403 for domestic callers and 1-929-458-6194 for international callers.  The passcode for the replay is 801819.  A replay will also be available for twelve months following the call at "Webcasts & Events" in the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website.

A supplemental financial information package to accompany the discussion of the results will be posted on www.cioreit.com under the "Investor Relations" section.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

Funds from Operations ("FFO") – The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") states FFO should represent net income or loss (computed in accordance with GAAP) plus real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and after adjustments of unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, gains or losses on the sale of property and impairments to real estate. 

The Company uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because the Company believes that FFO is beneficial to investors as a starting point in measuring the Company's operational performance.  We also believe 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.

Core Funds from Operations ("Core FFO") – We calculate Core FFO by using FFO as defined by NAREIT and adjusting for certain other non-core items.  We also exclude from our Core FFO calculation acquisition costs, loss on early extinguishment of debt, changes in the fair value of earn-outs, changes in fair value of contingent consideration and the amortization of stock based compensation.

We believe Core FFO provides a useful metric in comparing operations between reporting periods and in assessing the sustainability of our ongoing operating performance. Other equity REITs may calculate Core FFO differently or not at all, and, accordingly, the Company's Core FFO may not be comparable to such other REITs' Core FFO.

Adjusted Funds from Operations ("AFFO") – We compute AFFO by adding to Core FFO the non-cash amortization of deferred financing fees and non-real estate depreciation, and then subtracting cash paid for recurring tenant improvements, leasing commissions, and capital expenditures, and eliminating the net effect of straight-line rent / expense, deferred market rent and debt fair value amortization.  Recurring capital expenditures exclude development / redevelopment activities, capital expenditures planned at acquisition and costs to reposition a property.  We exclude certain first generation leasing costs, which are generally to fill vacant space in properties we acquire or were planned at acquisition.  We have further excluded all costs associated with tenant improvements, leasing commissions and capital expenditures which were funded by the entity contributing the properties at closing.

Along with FFO and Core FFO, we believe AFFO provides investors with appropriate supplemental information to evaluate the ongoing operations of the Company. Other equity REITs may calculate AFFO differently, and, accordingly, the Company's AFFO may not be comparable to such other REITs' AFFO.

Net Operating Income ("NOI") – We define NOI as rental and other revenues less property operating expenses. 

We consider NOI to be an appropriate supplemental performance measure to net income because we believe it provides information useful in understanding the core operations and operating performance of our portfolio.

Same Store Net Operating Income ("Same Store NOI") and Same Store Cash Net Operating Income ("Same Store Cash NOI") – Same Store NOI is calculated as the NOI attributable to the properties continuously owned and operated for the entirety of the reporting periods presented, and Same Store Cash NOI is calculated as Same Store NOI less non-recurring other income, termination fee income, straight-line rent / expense, deferred market rent and the non-controlling interest's share of cash NOI. The Company's definitions of Same Store NOI and Same Store Cash NOI exclude properties that were not stabilized during both of the applicable reporting periods. These exclusions may include, but are not limited to, acquisitions, dispositions and properties undergoing repositioning or significant renovations. 

We believe Same Store NOI and Same Store Cash NOI are important measures of comparison because each allows for comparison of operating results of stabilized properties owned and operated for the entirety of both applicable periods and therefore eliminates variations caused by acquisitions, dispositions or repositionings during such periods. Other REITs may calculate Same Store NOI and Same Store Cash NOI differently and our calculation should not be compared to that of other REITs.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained in this press release, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and as such are based upon the Company's current beliefs as to the outcome and timing of future events. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "approximately," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "budget," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "future," "hypothetical," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will"  or other similar words or expressions. There can be no assurance that actual results of forward-looking statements, including projected capital resources, projected profitability and portfolio performance, estimates or developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. Examples of forward-looking statements include those pertaining to expectations regarding our financial performance, including under metrics such as NOI and FFO, market rental rates, national or local economic growth, including the impact of inflation, estimated replacement costs of our properties, the Company's expectations regarding tenant occupancy, re-leasing periods, the Company's ability to renew expiring leases, tenant compliance with contractual lease obligations, projected capital improvements, expected sources of financing and ability to service existing financing, expectations as to the likelihood and timing of closing of acquisitions, dispositions, or other transactions, the expected operating performance of the Company's current properties, anticipated near-term acquisitions and descriptions relating to these expectations, including, without limitation, the anticipated net operating income yield and cap rates, lower than expected yields, increased interest rates, operating costs and costs of capital, and changes in local, regional, national and international economic conditions, including as a result of the systemic and structural changes in the demand for commercial office space. Forward-looking statements presented in this press release are based on management's beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on historical performance and management's current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to us and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to the factors, risks and uncertainties described above, changes in global, regional or local political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors described in our news releases and filings with the SEC, including but not limited to those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading "Risk Factors" and in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC, many of which are beyond our control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company does not guarantee that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements contained in this press release are free from errors. Unless otherwise stated, historical financial information and per share and other data are as of September 30, 2024 or relate to the quarter ended September 30, 2024. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

 

City Office REIT, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except par value and share data)
	September 30,  2024			December 31, 2023
Assets
Real estate properties
Land	$	193,524		$	193,524
Building and improvement	1,185,756			1,194,819
Tenant improvement	163,013			152,540
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	1,377			820
	1,543,670			1,541,703
Accumulated depreciation	(248,420)			(218,628)
	1,295,250			1,323,075
Cash and cash equivalents	25,911			30,082
Restricted cash	17,118			13,310
Rents receivable, net	52,908			53,454
Deferred leasing costs, net	23,997			21,046
Acquired lease intangible assets, net	36,520			42,434
Other assets	23,580			27,975
Total Assets	$	1,475,284		$	1,511,376
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities:
Debt	$	648,173		$	669,510
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	39,597			29,070
Deferred rent	7,091			7,672
Tenant rent deposits	7,319			7,198
Acquired lease intangible liabilities, net	6,629			7,736
Other liabilities	18,906			17,557
Total Liabilities	727,715			738,743
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity:
6.625% Series A Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 5,600,000 shares authorized,      4,480,000 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023	112,000			112,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 40,154,055 and 39,938,451      shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023	401			399
Additional paid-in capital	441,188			438,867
Retained earnings	196,466			221,213
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,997)			(248)
Total Stockholders' Equity	747,058			772,231
Non-controlling interests in properties	511			402
Total Equity	747,569			772,633
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,475,284		$	1,511,376

 

City Office REIT, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024					2023			2024			2023
Rental and other revenues	$			42,371		$	44,214		$	129,207		$	134,775
Operating expenses:
Property operating expenses	17,783					17,644			53,020			52,610
General and administrative	3,790					3,531			11,321			10,963
Depreciation and amortization	14,642					14,723			44,440			45,795
Total operating expenses	36,215					35,898			108,781			109,368
Operating income	6,156					8,316			20,426			25,407
Interest expense:
Contractual interest expense	(8,274)					(7,853)			(24,502)			(23,807)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt fair value	(369)					(333)			(1,030)			(979)
	(8,643)					(8,186)			(25,532)			(24,786)
Net loss on disposition of real estate property	-					-			(1,462)			(134)
Net (loss)/income	(2,487)					130			(6,568)			487
Less:
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in properties	(152)					(173)			(412)			(506)
Net loss attributable to the Company	(2,639)					(43)			(6,980)			(19)
Preferred stock distributions	(1,855)					(1,855)			(5,565)			(5,565)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$			(4,494)		$	(1,898)		$	(12,545)		$	(5,584)
Net loss per common share:
Basic	$			(0.11)		$	(0.05)		$	(0.31)		$	(0.14)
Diluted	$			(0.11)		$	(0.05)		$	(0.31)		$	(0.14)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	40,154					39,938			40,135			39,917
Diluted	40,154					39,938			40,135			39,917
Dividend distributions declared per common share	$			0.10		$	0.10		$	0.30		$	0.40

 

City Office REIT, Inc.
Reconciliation of Net Income to FFO, Core FFO and AFFO
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(4,494)
(+) Depreciation and amortization	14,642
	10,148
Non-controlling interests in properties:
(+) Share of net income	152
(-) Share of FFO	(313)
FFO attributable to common stockholders	$	9,987
(+) Stock based compensation	1,084
Core FFO attributable to common stockholders	$	11,071
(+) Net recurring straight-line rent/expense adjustment	219
(-) Net amortization of above and below market leases	(32)
(+) Net amortization of deferred financing costs and debt fair value	367
(-) Net recurring tenant improvements and incentives	(2,815)
(-) Net recurring leasing commissions	(1,421)
(-) Net recurring capital expenditures	(2,591)
AFFO attributable to common stockholders	$	4,798
FFO per common share	$	0.24
Core FFO per common share	$	0.27
AFFO per common share	$	0.12
Dividends distributions declared per common share	$	0.10
FFO Payout Ratio	41 %
Core FFO Payout Ratio	37 %
AFFO Payout Ratio	86 %
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	41,278

 

City Office REIT, Inc.
Reconciliation of Rental and Other Revenues to Same Store NOI and Same Store Cash NOI
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Rental and other revenues	$         42,371		$         44,214		$       129,207		$       134,775
Property operating expenses	17,783		17,644		53,020		52,610
Net operating income ("NOI")	$         24,588		$         26,570		$         76,187		$         82,165
Less: NOI of properties not included in same store	(1,408)		(2,245)		(4,182)		(6,526)
Same store NOI	$         23,180		$         24,325		$         72,005		$         75,639
Less:
Termination fee income	(32)		(23)		(989)		(76)
Straight-line rent/expense adjustment	537		(729)		668		(3,347)
Above and below market leases	(25)		19		(72)		60
NCI in properties – share in cash NOI	(411)		(398)		(1,209)		(1,214)
Same store cash NOI	$         23,249		$         23,194		$         70,403		$         71,062

 

City Office REIT, Inc.
Reconciliation of Net Income to Core FFO Guidance
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Full Year 2024 Outlook
		Low				High
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$		(16,800)		$	(17,300)
(+) Depreciation and amortization		59,000				60,500
(+) Net loss on disposition of real estate property		1,500				1,500
(-) Non-controlling interests in properties		(500)				(500)
FFO attributable to common stockholders		$	43,200			$	44,200
(+) Stock based compensation		4,300				4,300
Core FFO attributable to common stockholders		$		47,500		$	48,500
FFO per common share		$		1.04		$	1.07
Core FFO per common share		$		1.15		$	1.17
Weighted average shares of common stock		41,400				41,400

 

Contact
City Office REIT, Inc.
Anthony Maretic, CFO
+1-604-806-3366
investorrelations@cityofficereit.com 

 

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SOURCE City Office REIT, Inc.

FAQ

What was City Office REIT's (CIO) Core FFO per share in Q3 2024?

City Office REIT reported Core FFO of $0.27 per fully diluted share in Q3 2024.

What is City Office REIT's (CIO) updated occupancy guidance for year-end 2024?

City Office REIT updated its year-end 2024 occupancy guidance to 85.0-86.0%, an improvement from previous guidance.

How much leasing activity did City Office REIT (CIO) execute in Q3 2024?

City Office REIT executed approximately 141,000 square feet of new and renewal leases during Q3 2024, including 78,000 square feet of new leasing and 63,000 square feet of renewals.

What is City Office REIT's (CIO) updated Core FFO guidance for full year 2024?

City Office REIT updated its full year 2024 Core FFO guidance to $1.15-$1.17 per fully diluted share.