Easterly Government Properties Reports First Quarter 2024 Results
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE: DEA) reported net income of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, with Core FFO of $30.8 million. The company received an investment grade credit rating of BBB, extended a term loan, achieved a reduction in margin spreads, and secured a 20-year lease for a Federal courthouse in Flagstaff. The company also engaged in forward sales transactions and approved a cash dividend for shareholders.
Easterly Government Properties reported net income of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2024.
The company's Core FFO was $30.8 million, demonstrating strong financial performance.
Easterly received an investment grade issuer credit rating of BBB with a Stable Outlook.
The company extended the maturity date of a $100 million unsecured term loan to January 30, 2025, strengthening its financial position.
Easterly achieved a reduction in margin spreads under its senior unsecured credit agreement by obtaining a pre-determined sustainability metric.
The company was awarded a 20-year lease to develop a Federal courthouse in Flagstaff, Arizona, enhancing its portfolio.
Easterly engaged in forward sales transactions through its ATM Program, demonstrating proactive financial management.
The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the first quarter of 2024, benefiting shareholders.
The company's total indebtedness was approximately $1.4 billion as of March 31, 2024, which may pose a financial risk.
Easterly's Net Debt to total enterprise value was 51.6%, indicating a significant debt burden.
While the company extended its unsecured term loan, the level of debt and interest rates remain a concern for investors.
Easterly's weighted average maturity of debt was 4.3 years, which could lead to refinancing challenges in the future.
Despite achievements in leasing and development, the company's debt levels and capital structure require close monitoring.
Insights
The disclosure of net income and Core Funds From Operations (Core FFO) by Easterly Government Properties indicates a stable earnings report for the REIT sector. A net income of
Investors should note the investment grade issuer credit rating of BBB by Kroll Bond Rating Agency, as this reflects a lower risk of default and could potentially reduce borrowing costs, thereby enhancing shareholder value. The extension and reduction in margin spreads of the company's credit facilities indicate confidence from lenders and increased financial flexibility, which are positive signs for the company's creditworthiness and future capital expenditure capabilities.
The announcement of a 20-year non-cancelable lease for a LEED Silver, net zero Federal courthouse represents a progressive step in Easterly's portfolio and aligns with growing investor interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. LEED certification and a net zero status can lead to reduced operating costs, increased asset value and potential for premium rents. This move could therefore enhance the REIT's long-term sustainability profile and appeal to a growing demographic of ESG-focused investors.
However, investors should also consider the upfront costs associated with such developments and the potential impact on short-term cash flows. Additionally, the reporting of a 4% decrease in energy usage and 16 ENERGY STAR Certifications is a tangible demonstration of the company's commitment to ESG initiatives and could serve as a differentiator in a competitive REIT market.
The REIT’s focus on government-leased properties offers a distinctive value proposition due to the perceived stability and creditworthiness of government tenants. The weighted average remaining lease term of 10.3 years provides visibility into future revenues and reduces the risk of tenant turnover. The portfolio's weighted average age of 14.8 years suggests the properties may not require immediate, significant capital expenditure for maintenance, benefiting cash flow.
The acquisition activities, like the development of the Flagstaff Federal courthouse and the ICE - Dallas facility, signify a strategic expansion that can drive future income. However, the concentration in government-leased properties may expose the portfolio to sector-specific risks, such as changes in government spending or policy, which investors should monitor closely.
Highlights for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2024:
-
Net income of
, or$4.9 million per share on a fully diluted basis$0.05 -
Core FFO of
, or$30.8 million per share on a fully diluted basis$0.29 - Received an investment grade issuer credit rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC of BBB with Stable Outlook
-
Extended the maturity date of the Company's
unsecured term loan executed in 2016 to January 30, 2025$100 million - Achieved a reduction in the margin spreads under the Company's amended senior unsecured credit agreement as a result of obtaining a pre-determined sustainability metric
-
Announced the Company had been awarded a 20-year non-cancelable lease to develop a 50,777 rentable square foot Federal courthouse in
Flagstaff, Arizona (“JUD - Flagstaff”). This courthouse is intended to be a LEED Silver, net zero facility, the first of its kind for the Easterly portfolio -
Entered into forward sales transactions through the Company's
ATM Program launched in December 2019 (the “December 2019 ATM Program”) for the sale of 89,647 shares of the Company's common stock at a net weighted average initial forward sales price of$300.0 million per share. These shares were settled subsequent to quarter end.$13.39
“Our ability to deliver essential infrastructure to mission-critical
Portfolio Operations
As of March 31, 2024, the Company or its joint venture (the “JV") owned 90 operating properties in
Development Activity
On March 4, 2024, the Company announced it has been awarded a 20-year non-cancelable lease for a 50,777 rentable square foot Federal courthouse in
Balance Sheet and Capital Markets Activity
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had total indebtedness of approximately
On January 2, 2024, the margin spreads under the second amended senior unsecured credit agreement, which governs the Company's revolving credit facility, were reduced by one basis point as a result of achieving the Company's sustainability metric.
On January 23, 2024, the Company extended its
Dividend
On April 25, 2024, the Board of Directors of Easterly approved a cash dividend for the first quarter of 2024 in the amount of
Subsequent Events
On April 1, 2024, the Company used
On April 4, 2024, the Company acquired the land to develop a 50,777 square foot Federal courthouse in
On April 10, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 589,647 shares of the Company's common stock in settlement of previously entered into forward sales transactions through the December 2019 ATM Program, at a weighted average sales price of
On April 16, 2024, the Company announced the acquisition of a 135,200 square foot facility primarily leased to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (“OCIO”) and Office of Human Capital of the
On April 22, 2024, the Company announced the release of its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance report (the “ESG Report”), showcasing the Company’s progress in achieving its environmental and social-focused goals committed to in 2021. Easterly oversaw a
Guidance
This guidance is forward-looking and reflects management’s view of current and future market conditions. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from this guidance.
Outlook for the 12 Months Ending December 31, 2024
The Company is maintaining its guidance for full-year 2024 Core FFO per share on a fully diluted basis at a range of
|
|
Low |
|
|
High |
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Net income (loss) per share – fully diluted basis |
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
Plus: Company’s share of real estate depreciation and amortization |
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
0.91 |
FFO per share – fully diluted basis |
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
Plus: Company’s share of depreciation of non-real estate assets |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
Core FFO per share – fully diluted basis |
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
This guidance assumes (i) the closing of VA -
Non-GAAP Supplemental Financial Measures
This section contains definitions of certain non-GAAP financial measures and other terms that the Company uses in this press release and, where applicable, the reasons why management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors about the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and the other purposes for which management uses the measures. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the differences between each non-GAAP financial measure and the comparable GAAP financial measure are included in this press release following the consolidated financial statements. Additional detail can be found in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. We present certain financial information and metrics “at Easterly’s Share,” which is calculated on an entity-by-entity basis. “At Easterly’s Share” information, which we also refer to as being “at share,” “pro rata,” or “our share” is not, and is not intended to be, a presentation in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) is a non-GAAP financial measure that is not intended to represent cash flow for the period and is not indicative of cash flow provided by operating activities as determined under GAAP. CAD is calculated in accordance with the current Nareit definition as FFO minus normalized recurring real estate-related expenditures and other non-cash items, nonrecurring expenditures and the unconsolidated real estate venture’s allocated share of these adjustments. CAD is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure because the Company believes it provides useful information regarding the Company’s ability to fund its dividends. Because all companies do not calculate CAD the same way, the presentation of CAD may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Core Funds from Operations (Core FFO) adjusts FFO to present an alternative measure of the Company's operating performance, which, when applicable, excludes items which it believes are not representative of ongoing operating results, such as liability management related costs (including losses on extinguishment of debt and modification costs), catastrophic event charges, depreciation of non-real estate assets, and the unconsolidated real estate venture's allocated share of these adjustments. In future periods, the Company may also exclude other items from Core FFO that it believes may help investors compare its results. The Company believes Core FFO more accurately reflects the ongoing operational and financial performance of the Company's core business.
EBITDA is calculated as the sum of net income (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, (gain) loss on the sale of operating properties, impairment loss, and the unconsolidated real estate venture’s allocated share of these adjustments. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow for the period, is not presented as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of operating performance, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not indicative of operating income or cash provided by operating activities as determined under GAAP and may be presented on a pro forma basis. EBITDA is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure with respect to liquidity because the Company believes it provides useful information regarding the Company's ability to service or incur debt. Because all companies do not calculate EBITDA the same way, the presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Funds From Operations (FFO) is defined, in accordance with the Nareit FFO White Paper - 2018 Restatement, as net income (loss), calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity. FFO includes the Company’s share of FFO generated by unconsolidated affiliates. FFO is a widely recognized measure of REIT performance. Although FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure, the Company believes that information regarding FFO is helpful to shareholders and potential investors.
Net Debt and Adjusted Net Debt. Net Debt represents the Company's consolidated debt and its share of unconsolidated debt adjusted to exclude its share of unamortized premiums and discounts and deferred financing fees, less its share of cash and cash equivalents and property acquisition closing escrow, net of deposit. By excluding these items, the result provides an estimate of the contractual amount of borrowed capital to be repaid, net of cash available to repay it. The Company believes this calculation constitutes a beneficial supplemental non-GAAP financial disclosure to investors in understanding its financial condition. Adjusted Net Debt is Net Debt reduced by 1) for each project under construction or in design, the lesser of i) outstanding lump-sum reimbursement amounts and ii) the cost to date, 2)
Other Definitions
Fully diluted basis assumes the exchange of all outstanding common units representing limited partnership interests in the Company’s operating partnership, or common units, the full vesting of all shares of restricted stock, and the exchange of all earned and vested LTIP units in the Company’s operating partnership for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis, which is not the same as the meaning of “fully diluted” under GAAP.
Conference Call Information
The Company will host a webcast and conference call at 11:00 am Eastern time on April 30, 2024 to review the first quarter 2024 performance, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer session. A live webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. Shortly after the webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website for up to twelve months. Please note that the full text of the press release and supplemental information package are also available through the Company’s website at ir.easterlyreit.com.
About Easterly Government Properties, Inc.
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE: DEA) is based in
Forward Looking Statements
We make statements in this press release that are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which are usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar expressions and include our guidance with respect to Net income (loss) and Core FFO per share on a fully diluted basis. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement in this press release for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control including, without limitation: risks associated with our dependence on the
Balance Sheet (Unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts) |
||||||||
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Real estate properties, net |
|
$ |
2,337,307 |
|
|
$ |
2,319,143 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
43,545 |
|
|
|
9,381 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
12,557 |
|
|
|
12,558 |
|
Tenant accounts receivable |
|
|
73,092 |
|
|
|
66,274 |
|
Investment in unconsolidated real estate venture |
|
|
282,879 |
|
|
|
284,544 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
143,044 |
|
|
|
148,453 |
|
Interest rate swaps |
|
|
2,897 |
|
|
|
1,994 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
47,494 |
|
|
|
37,405 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,942,815 |
|
|
$ |
2,879,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Revolving credit facility |
|
|
144,500 |
|
|
|
79,000 |
|
Term loan facilities, net |
|
|
298,917 |
|
|
|
299,108 |
|
Notes payable, net |
|
|
696,655 |
|
|
|
696,532 |
|
Mortgage notes payable, net |
|
|
218,916 |
|
|
|
220,195 |
|
Intangible liabilities, net |
|
|
11,593 |
|
|
|
12,480 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
88,746 |
|
|
|
82,712 |
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
|
95,642 |
|
|
|
80,209 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
1,554,969 |
|
|
|
1,470,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock, par value |
|
|
1,024 |
|
|
|
1,010 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
1,801,304 |
|
|
|
1,783,338 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
116,927 |
|
|
|
112,301 |
|
Cumulative dividends |
|
|
(603,443 |
) |
|
|
(576,319 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
2,753 |
|
|
|
1,871 |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
|
|
1,318,565 |
|
|
|
1,322,201 |
|
Non-controlling interest in Operating Partnership |
|
|
69,281 |
|
|
|
87,315 |
|
Total equity |
|
|
1,387,846 |
|
|
|
1,409,516 |
|
Total liabilities and equity |
|
$ |
2,942,815 |
|
|
$ |
2,879,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Statement (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
|||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
March 31, 2023 |
|
|
||
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Rental income |
|
$ |
70,746 |
|
|
$ |
68,148 |
|
|
Tenant reimbursements |
|
|
1,017 |
|
|
|
2,075 |
|
|
Asset management income |
|
|
550 |
|
|
|
517 |
|
|
Other income |
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
480 |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
72,800 |
|
|
|
71,220 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property operating |
|
|
16,592 |
|
|
|
17,888 |
|
|
Real estate taxes |
|
|
8,229 |
|
|
|
7,468 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
23,800 |
|
|
|
23,081 |
|
|
Acquisition costs |
|
|
419 |
|
|
|
461 |
|
|
Corporate general and administrative |
|
|
6,455 |
|
|
|
7,295 |
|
|
Total expenses |
|
|
55,495 |
|
|
|
56,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Income from unconsolidated real estate venture |
|
|
1,415 |
|
|
|
1,402 |
|
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
(13,836 |
) |
|
|
(12,015 |
) |
|
Net income |
|
|
4,884 |
|
|
|
4,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Non-controlling interest in Operating Partnership |
|
|
(258 |
) |
|
|
(523 |
) |
|
Net income available to Easterly Government |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Properties, Inc. |
|
$ |
4,626 |
|
|
$ |
3,891 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income available to Easterly Government |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Properties, Inc. per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
|
101,993,143 |
|
|
|
91,099,357 |
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
102,235,012 |
|
|
|
91,329,140 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income, per share - fully diluted basis |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
fully diluted basis |
|
|
107,716,599 |
|
|
|
103,419,574 |
|
|
EBITDA (Unaudited, in thousands) |
|||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
March 31, 2023 |
|
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
4,884 |
|
|
$ |
4,414 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
23,800 |
|
|
|
23,081 |
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
13,836 |
|
|
|
12,015 |
|
|
Tax expense |
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
Unconsolidated real estate venture allocated share of above adjustments |
|
|
2,074 |
|
|
|
1,940 |
|
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
44,860 |
|
|
$ |
41,618 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FFO and CAD (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
March 31, 2023 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
4,884 |
|
|
$ |
4,414 |
|
Depreciation of real estate assets |
|
|
23,549 |
|
|
|
22,831 |
|
Unconsolidated real estate venture allocated share of above adjustments |
|
|
2,002 |
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
FFO |
|
$ |
30,435 |
|
|
$ |
29,120 |
|
Adjustments to FFO: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
Natural disaster event expense, net of recovery |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Depreciation of non-real estate assets |
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
250 |
|
Unconsolidated real estate venture allocated share of above adjustments |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Core FFO |
|
$ |
30,756 |
|
|
$ |
29,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
FFO, per share - fully diluted basis |
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
Core FFO, per share - fully diluted basis |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Core FFO |
|
$ |
30,756 |
|
|
$ |
29,500 |
|
Straight-line rent and other non-cash adjustments |
|
|
(856 |
) |
|
|
(463 |
) |
Amortization of above-/below-market leases |
|
|
(594 |
) |
|
|
(700 |
) |
Amortization of deferred revenue |
|
|
(1,604 |
) |
|
|
(1,484 |
) |
Non-cash interest expense |
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
Non-cash compensation |
|
|
1,229 |
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
Natural Disaster event expense, net of recovery |
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
) |
Principal amortization |
|
|
(1,117 |
) |
|
|
(1,058 |
) |
Maintenance capital expenditures |
|
|
(1,724 |
) |
|
|
(2,740 |
) |
Contractual tenant improvements |
|
|
(444 |
) |
|
|
(301 |
) |
Unconsolidated real estate venture allocated share of above adjustments |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(113 |
) |
Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) |
|
$ |
25,885 |
|
|
$ |
24,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - fully diluted basis |
|
|
107,716,599 |
|
|
|
103,419,574 |
|
Net Debt and Adjusted Net Debt (Unaudited, in thousands) |
|||
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
Total Debt(1) |
$ |
1,363,979 |
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
|
(44,312 |
) |
Net Debt |
$ |
1,319,667 |
|
Less: Adjustment for development projects(2) |
|
(81,494 |
) |
Adjusted Net Debt |
$ |
1,238,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 Excludes unamortized premiums / discounts and deferred financing fees. |
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2 See definition of Adjusted Net Debt on Page 5. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240430652128/en/
Easterly Government Properties, Inc.
Lindsay S. Winterhalter
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Operations
202-596-3947
ir@easterlyreit.com
Source: Easterly Government Properties, Inc.
FAQ
What was Easterly Government Properties' net income for the first quarter of 2024?
What is the Core FFO of Easterly Government Properties for the first quarter of 2024?
What credit rating did Easterly Government Properties receive?
What lease did Easterly secure in Flagstaff, Arizona?