Global Net Lease Reports First Quarter 2024 Results
Global Net Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GNL) reported its first quarter 2024 financial results, with revenue at $206.0 million, net loss at $34.7 million, and AFFO per diluted share increasing by 6% to $0.33. The company reaffirmed its 2024 guidance, focusing on enhancing shareholder value through efficient balance sheet execution and continued progress on disposition initiatives.
Core FFO increased by 17% to $56.6 million compared to the previous quarter.
Weighted average annual rent increase of 1.3% provides organic rental growth.
Reduced annualized interest expense by $3.5 million with a refinancing, resulting in a fixed interest rate of 5.74%.
Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $34.7 million, compared to $59.5 million in the previous quarter.
Portfolio occupancy experienced a short-term decline due to one tenant, representing 0.55% of total SLR, under contract to be sold.
Net loss per diluted common share was $(0.15) compared to $(0.26) in the previous quarter.
AFFO Per Share Increased
On Target to Reach High End of Disposition Guidance of
Company Reaffirms 2024 Guidance
NEW YORK, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Net Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GNL) (“GNL” or the “Company”), an internally managed real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring and managing a globally diversified portfolio of strategically located commercial real estate properties, announced today its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
First Quarter 2024 Highlights
- Revenue was
$206.0 million compared to$206.7 million in fourth quarter - Net loss attributable to common stockholders was
$34.7 million , compared to net loss of$59.5 million in fourth quarter 2023 - Core Funds from Operations (“Core FFO”) increased
17% to$56.6 million , from$48.3 million in fourth quarter 2023 - Adjusted Funds from Operations (“AFFO”) increased
5% to$75.0 million , from$71.7 million in fourth quarter 2023 - AFFO per diluted share grew
6% to$0.33 in first quarter 2024 from$0.31 in fourth quarter 20231 - Closed plus disposition pipeline totals
$554 million 2 with a cash cap rate of7.2% on occupied assets and a weighted average remaining lease term of 3.9 years - Only
2.9% of outstanding debt is scheduled to mature during the remainder of 2024; remaining balance to be addressed through dispositions or corporate credit facility - Improved percentage of debt that is fixed-rate to
84% , an increase from81% in the fourth quarter of 2023 - Subsequent to first quarter 2024, reduced annualized interest expense by
$3.5 million with the completion of an interest-only$237 million CMBS re-financing at a fixed interest rate of5.74% - Reduced tax expense to
$2.4 million from$5.5 million in the prior quarter, through a successful European tax restructure - 1.4 million square feet of leasing activity across the portfolio, resulting in over
$17 million of new straight-line rent - Renewal leasing spread of
6.1% across the entire portfolio with a weighted average lease term of 5.8 years; new leases completed in the quarter had a weighted average lease term of 10.2 years - Portfolio occupancy experienced a short-term decline caused by one tenant, which represented only
0.55% of total SLR and is under contract to be sold3 - Weighted average annual rent increase of
1.3% provides organic rental growth - Sector-leading
58% of annualized straight-line rent comes from investment-grade or implied investment-grade tenants4
"We are reaffirming our full-year 2024 guidance and are pleased with our performance in the first quarter that included
Full Year 2024 Guidance Update5
- GNL reaffirms its 2024 AFFO per share guidance range of
$1.30 t o$1.40 and a net debt to Adjusted EBITDA range of 7.4x to 7.8x.
Summary of Results
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Revenue from tenants | $ | 206,045 | $ | 206,726 | ||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (34,687 | ) | $ | (59,514 | ) | ||
| Net loss per diluted common share | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.26 | ) | ||
| NAREIT defined FFO attributable to common stockholders | $ | 55,773 | $ | 43,165 | ||||
| NAREIT defined FFO per diluted common share | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.19 | ||||
| Core FFO attributable to common stockholders | $ | 56,592 | $ | 48,331 | ||||
| Core FFO per diluted common share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.21 | ||||
| AFFO attributable to common stockholders | $ | 74,964 | $ | 71,656 | ||||
| AFFO per diluted common share | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.31 | ||||
Property Portfolio
As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s portfolio of 1,277 net lease properties is located in eleven countries and territories, and is comprised of 66.9 million rentable square feet. The Company operates in four reportable segments, consistent with its current management internal financial reporting purposes: (1) Industrial & Distribution, (2) Multi-Tenant Retail, (3) Single-Tenant Retail and (4) Office. The real estate portfolio metrics include:
93% leased with a remaining weighted-average lease term of 6.5 years678% of the portfolio contains contractual rent increases based on annualized straight-line rent58% of portfolio annualized straight-line rent derived from investment grade and implied investment grade rated tenants80% U.S. and Canada,20% Europe (based on annualized straight-line rent)32% Industrial & Distribution,28% Multi-Tenant Retail,21% Single-Tenant Retail and19% Office (based on an annualized straight-line rent)
Capital Structure and Liquidity Resources7
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had liquidity of
As of March 31, 2024, the percentage of debt that is fixed rate (including variable rate debt fixed with swaps) was
Footnotes/Definitions
1 While we consider AFFO a useful indicator of our performance, we do not consider AFFO as an alternative to net income (loss) or as a measure of liquidity. Furthermore, other REITs may define AFFO differently than we do. Projected AFFO per share data included in this release is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as indicative of future dividends or as a measure of future liquidity. AFFO for the fourth quarter also contains a number of adjustments for items that the Company believes were non-recurring, one-time items including adjustments for items that were settled in cash such as merger and proxy related expenses.
2 Closed plus disposition pipeline of
3 Portfolio occupancy experienced a short-term impact due to the vacancy of Klaussner, a furniture manufacturing tenant that originally occupied five properties at only
4 As used herein, “Investment Grade Rating” includes both actual investment grade ratings of the tenant or guarantor, if available, or implied investment grade. Implied Investment Grade may include actual ratings of tenant parent, guarantor parent (regardless of whether or not the parent has guaranteed the tenant’s obligation under the lease) or by using a proprietary Moody's analytical tool, which generates an implied rating by measuring a company's probability of default. The term "parent" for these purposes includes any entity, including any governmental entity, owning more than
5 We do not provide guidance on net income. We only provide guidance on AFFO per share and our Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio and do not provide reconciliations of this forward-looking non-GAAP guidance to net income per share or our debt to net income due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying certain items necessary to provide such reconciliations as a result of their unknown effect, timing and potential significance. Examples of such items include impairment of assets, gains and losses from sales of assets, and depreciation and amortization from new acquisitions and other non-recurring expenses.
6 Weighted-average remaining lease term in years is based on square feet as of March 31, 2024.
7 During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not sell any shares of Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock through its Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock "at-the-market" programs.
8 Comprised of the principal amount of GNL's outstanding debt totaling
9 The interest coverage ratio is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA for the applicable quarter by cash paid for interest (calculated based on the interest expense less non-cash portion of interest expense and amortization of mortgage (discount) premium, net). Management believes that Interest Coverage Ratio is a useful supplemental measure of our ability to service our debt obligations. Adjusted EBITDA and cash paid for interest are Non-GAAP metrics and are reconciled below.
Conference Call
GNL will host a webcast and conference call on May 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its financial and operating results.
To listen to the live call, please go to GNL’s “Investor Relations” section of the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary audio software.
Dial-in instructions for the conference call and the replay are outlined below.
Conference Call Details
Live Call
Dial-In (Toll Free): 1-877-407-0792
International Dial-In: 1-201-689-8263
Conference Replay*
For those who are not able to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on the GNL website at www.globalnetlease.com
Or dial in below:
Domestic Dial-In (Toll Free): 1-844-512-2921
International Dial-In: 1-412-317-6671
Conference Number: 13745186
*Available from 2:00 p.m. ET on May 8, 2024 through August 8, 2024.
Supplemental Schedules
The Company will furnish supplemental information packages with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to provide additional disclosure and financial information. Once posted, the supplemental package can be found under the “Presentations” tab in the Investor Relations section of GNL’s website at www.globalnetlease.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
About Global Net Lease, Inc.
Global Net Lease, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust listed on the NYSE, which focuses on acquiring and managing a global portfolio of income producing net lease assets across the United States, and Western and Northern Europe. Additional information about GNL can be found on its website at www.globalnetlease.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the outcome to be materially different. The words such as "may," "will," "seeks," "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "projects," “potential,” “predicts,” "plans," "intends," “would,” “could,” "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risks associated with realization of the anticipated benefits of the merger with The Necessity Retail REIT, Inc. and the internalization of the Company’s property management and advisory functions; that any potential future acquisition or disposition by the Company is subject to market conditions and capital availability and may not be identified or completed on favorable terms, or at all. Some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all risks and uncertainties, that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those presented in the Company’s forward-looking statements are set forth in the Risk Factors and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and all of its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as such risks, uncertainties and other important factors may be updated from time to time in the Company’s subsequent reports. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, unless required by law.
Contacts:
Investors and Media:
Email: investorrelations@globalnetlease.com
Phone: (332) 265-2020
Global Net Lease, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Real estate investments, at cost: | ||||||||
| Land | $ | 1,416,109 | $ | 1,430,607 | ||||
| Buildings, fixtures and improvements | 5,819,563 | 5,842,314 | ||||||
| Construction in progress | 1,887 | 23,242 | ||||||
| Acquired intangible lease assets | 1,248,937 | 1,359,981 | ||||||
| Total real estate investments, at cost | 8,486,496 | 8,656,144 | ||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | (1,068,106 | ) | (1,083,824 | ) | ||||
| Total real estate investments, net | 7,418,390 | 7,572,320 | ||||||
| Assets held for sale | 14,047 | 3,188 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 131,880 | 121,566 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 51,817 | 40,833 | ||||||
| Derivative assets, at fair value | 12,144 | 10,615 | ||||||
| Unbilled straight-line rent | 86,995 | 84,254 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 75,475 | 77,008 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 110,706 | 121,997 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 4,791 | 4,808 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 48,540 | 46,976 | ||||||
| Deferred financing costs, net | 14,011 | 15,412 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 7,968,796 | $ | 8,098,977 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable, net | $ | 2,481,263 | $ | 2,517,868 | ||||
| Revolving credit facility | 1,760,182 | 1,744,182 | ||||||
| Senior notes, net | 890,879 | 886,045 | ||||||
| Acquired intangible lease liabilities, net | 92,823 | 95,810 | ||||||
| Derivative liabilities, at fair value | 3,705 | 5,145 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 100,963 | 99,014 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability | 47,704 | 48,369 | ||||||
| Prepaid rent | 47,534 | 46,213 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 5,718 | 6,009 | ||||||
| Dividends payable | 11,357 | 11,173 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 5,442,128 | 5,459,828 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | — | — | ||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| 68 | 68 | |||||||
| 47 | 47 | |||||||
| 79 | 79 | |||||||
| 46 | 46 | |||||||
| Common stock | 3,639 | 3,639 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 4,351,577 | 4,350,112 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (11,844 | ) | (14,096 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,818,753 | ) | (1,702,143 | ) | ||||
| Total Stockholders' Equity | 2,524,859 | 2,637,752 | ||||||
| Non-controlling interest | 1,809 | 1,397 | ||||||
| Total Equity | 2,526,668 | 2,639,149 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 7,968,796 | $ | 8,098,977 | ||||
Global Net Lease, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Revenue from tenants | $ | 206,045 | $ | 206,726 | ||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||
| Property operating | 37,830 | 37,037 | ||||||
| Operating fees to related parties | — | (580 | ) | |||||
| Impairment charges | 4,327 | 2,978 | ||||||
| Merger, transaction and other costs | 761 | 4,349 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 16,177 | 16,867 | ||||||
| Equity-based compensation | 1,973 | 1,058 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 92,000 | 98,713 | ||||||
| Total expenses | 153,068 | 160,422 | ||||||
| Operating income before gain on dispositions of real estate investments | 52,977 | 46,304 | ||||||
| Gain (loss) on dispositions of real estate investments | 5,867 | (988 | ) | |||||
| Operating income | 58,844 | 45,316 | ||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (82,753 | ) | (83,575 | ) | ||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | (58 | ) | (817 | ) | ||||
| Gain (loss) on derivative instruments | 1,588 | (4,478 | ) | |||||
| Unrealized income on undesignated foreign currency advances and other hedge ineffectiveness | 1,032 | — | ||||||
| Other (expense) income | (16 | ) | 435 | |||||
| Total other expense, net | (80,207 | ) | (88,435 | ) | ||||
| Net loss before income taxes | (21,363 | ) | (43,119 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | (2,388 | ) | (5,459 | ) | ||||
| Net loss | (23,751 | ) | (48,578 | ) | ||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (10,936 | ) | (10,936 | ) | ||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (34,687 | ) | $ | (59,514 | ) | ||
| Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share: | ||||||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.26 | ) | ||
| Weighted average shares outstanding — Basic and Diluted | 230,320 | 230,320 | ||||||
Global Net Lease, Inc.
Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (23,751 | ) | $ | (48,578 | ) | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 92,000 | 98,713 | ||||||
| Interest expense | 82,753 | 83,575 | ||||||
| Income tax expense | 2,388 | 5,459 | ||||||
| Impairment charges | 4,327 | 2,978 | ||||||
| Equity-based compensation | 1,973 | 1,058 | ||||||
| Merger, transaction and other costs [1] | 761 | 4,349 | ||||||
| (Gain) loss on dispositions of real estate investments | (5,867 | ) | 988 | |||||
| (Gain) loss on derivative instruments | (1,588 | ) | 4,478 | |||||
| Unrealized income on undesignated foreign currency advances and other hedge ineffectiveness | (1,032 | ) | — | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 58 | 817 | ||||||
| Other expense (income) | 16 | (435 | ) | |||||
| Expenses attributable to European tax restructuring [2] | 469 | 2,169 | ||||||
| Transition costs related to the Merger and Internalization [3] | 2,826 | 2,484 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 155,333 | 158,055 | ||||||
| Net operating income (NOI) | ||||||||
| Operating fees to related parties | — | (580 | ) | |||||
| General and administrative | 16,177 | 16,867 | ||||||
| Expenses attributable to European tax restructuring [2] | (469 | ) | (2,169 | ) | ||||
| Transition costs related to the Merger and Internalization [3] | (2,826 | ) | (2,484 | ) | ||||
| NOI | 168,215 | 169,689 | ||||||
| Amortization related to above- and below- market lease intangibles and right-of-use assets, net | 2,225 | 1,907 | ||||||
| Straight-line rent | (4,562 | ) | (6,720 | ) | ||||
| Cash NOI | $ | 165,878 | $ | 164,876 | ||||
| Cash Paid for Interest: | ||||||||
| Interest Expense | $ | 82,753 | $ | 83,575 | ||||
| Non-cash portion of interest expense | (2,394 | ) | (2,408 | ) | ||||
| Amortization of discounts on mortgages and senior notes | (15,338 | ) | (15,078 | ) | ||||
| Total cash paid for interest | $ | 65,021 | $ | 66,089 | ||||
_____________
[1] For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, these costs primarily consist of advisory, legal and other professional costs that were directly related to the Merger and Internalization.
[2] Amounts relate to costs incurred related to the tax restructuring of our European entities. We do not consider these expenses to be part of our normal operating performance and have, accordingly, increased Adjusted EBITDA for these amounts.
[3] Amounts include costs related to (i) compensation incurred for our former Co-Chief Executive Officer who retired effective March 31, 2024; (ii) a transition service agreement with the former Advisor and; (iii) insurance premiums related to expiring directors and officers insurance of former RTL directors. We do not consider these expenses to be part of our normal operating performance and have, accordingly, increased Adjusted EBITDA for these amounts.
Global Net Lease, Inc.
Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net loss attributable to stockholders (in accordance with GAAP) | $ | (34,687 | ) | $ | (59,514 | ) | ||
| Impairment charges | 4,327 | 2,978 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 92,000 | 98,713 | ||||||
| (Gain) loss on dispositions of real estate investments | (5,867 | ) | 988 | |||||
| FFO (defined by NAREIT) | 55,773 | 43,165 | ||||||
| Merger, transaction and other costs [1] | 761 | 4,349 | ||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 58 | 817 | ||||||
| Core FFO attributable to common stockholders | 56,592 | 48,331 | ||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation | 1,973 | 1,058 | ||||||
| Non-cash portion of interest expense | 2,394 | 2,408 | ||||||
| Amortization related to above- and below-market lease intangibles and right-of-use assets, net | 2,225 | 1,907 | ||||||
| Straight-line rent | (4,562 | ) | (6,720 | ) | ||||
| Unrealized income on undesignated foreign currency advances and other hedge ineffectiveness | (1,032 | ) | — | |||||
| Eliminate unrealized (gains) losses on foreign currency transactions [2] | (1,259 | ) | 4,941 | |||||
| Amortization of discounts on mortgages and senior notes | 15,338 | 15,078 | ||||||
| Expenses attributable to European tax restructuring [3] | 469 | 2,169 | ||||||
| Transition costs related to the Merger and Internalization [4] | 2,826 | 2,484 | ||||||
| Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) attributable to common stockholders | $ | 74,964 | $ | 71,656 | ||||
__________
[1] For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, these costs primarily consist of advisory, legal and other professional costs that were directly related to the Merger and Internalization.
[2] For AFFO purposes, we add back unrealized (gain) loss. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the gain on derivative instruments was
[3] Amounts relate to costs incurred related to the tax restructuring of our European entities. We do not consider these expenses to be part of our normal operating performance and have, accordingly, increased AFFO for these amounts.
[4] Amounts include costs related to (i) compensation incurred for our former Co-Chief Executive Officer who retired effective March 31, 2024; (ii) a transition service agreement with the former Advisor and; (iii) insurance premiums related to expiring directors and officers insurance of former RTL directors. We do not consider these expenses to be part of our normal operating performance and have, accordingly, increased AFFO for these amounts.
The following table provides operating financial information for the Company’s four reportable segments:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Industrial & Distribution: | ||||||
| Revenue from tenants | $ | 61,994 | $ | 62,223 | ||
| Property operating expense | 4,679 | 5,407 | ||||
| Net Operating Income | $ | 57,315 | $ | 56,816 | ||
| Multi-Tenant Retail: | ||||||
| Revenue from tenants | $ | 66,803 | $ | 66,412 | ||
| Property operating expense | 22,906 | 22,494 | ||||
| Net Operating Income | $ | 43,897 | $ | 43,918 | ||
| Single-Tenant Retail: | ||||||
| Revenue from tenants | $ | 40,786 | $ | 40,140 | ||
| Property operating expense | 4,770 | 4,217 | ||||
| Net Operating Income | $ | 36,016 | $ | 35,923 | ||
| Office: | ||||||
| Revenue from tenants | $ | 36,462 | $ | 37,951 | ||
| Property operating expense | 5,475 | 4,919 | ||||
| Net Operating Income | $ | 30,987 | $ | 33,032 | ||
Caution on Use of Non-GAAP Measures
Funds from Operations (“FFO”), Core Funds from Operations (“Core FFO”), Adjusted Funds from Operations (“AFFO”), Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Net Operating Income (“NOI”) and Cash Net Operating Income (“Cash NOI”) should not be construed to be more relevant or accurate than the current GAAP methodology in calculating net income or in its applicability in evaluating our operating performance. The method utilized to evaluate the value and performance of real estate under GAAP should be construed as a more relevant measure of operational performance and considered more prominently than the non-GAAP measures.
Other REITs may not define FFO in accordance with the current National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) definition (as we do), or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do, or may calculate Core FFO or AFFO differently than we do. Consequently, our presentation of FFO, Core FFO and AFFO may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures presented by other REITs.
We consider FFO, Core FFO and AFFO useful indicators of our performance. Because FFO, Core FFO and AFFO calculations exclude such factors as depreciation and amortization of real estate assets and gain or loss from sales of operating real estate assets (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar conditions based on historical cost accounting and useful-life estimates), FFO, Core FFO and AFFO presentations facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between other REITs.
As a result, we believe that the use of FFO, Core FFO and AFFO, together with the required GAAP presentations, provide a more complete understanding of our operating performance including relative to our peers and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing, and investing activities. However, FFO, Core FFO and AFFO are not indicative of cash available to fund ongoing cash needs, including the ability to make cash distributions. Investors are cautioned that FFO, Core FFO and AFFO should only be used to assess the sustainability of our operating performance excluding these activities, as they exclude certain costs that have a negative effect on our operating performance during the periods in which these costs are incurred.
Funds from Operations, Core Funds from Operations and Adjusted Funds from Operations
Funds from Operations
Due to certain unique operating characteristics of real estate companies, as discussed below, NAREIT, an industry trade group, has promulgated a measure known as FFO, which we believe to be an appropriate supplemental measure to reflect the operating performance of a REIT. FFO is not equivalent to net income or loss as determined under GAAP.
We calculate FFO, a non-GAAP measure, consistent with the standards established over time by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, as restated in a White Paper approved by the Board of Governors of NAREIT effective in December 2018 (the "White Paper"). The White Paper defines FFO as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gain and loss from the sale of certain real estate assets, gain and loss 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. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to exclude the proportionate share of the non-controlling interest to arrive at FFO, Core FFO, AFFO and NOI attributable to stockholders, as applicable. Our FFO calculation complies with NAREIT's definition.
The historical accounting convention used for real estate assets requires straight-line depreciation of buildings and improvements, and straight-line amortization of intangibles, which implies that the value of a real estate asset diminishes predictably over time. We believe that, because real estate values historically rise and fall with market conditions, including inflation, interest rates, unemployment and consumer spending, presentations of operating results for a REIT using historical accounting for depreciation and certain other items may be less informative. Historical accounting for real estate involves the use of GAAP. Any other method of accounting for real estate such as the fair value method cannot be construed to be any more accurate or relevant than the comparable methodologies of real estate valuation found in GAAP. Nevertheless, we believe that the use of FFO, which excludes the impact of real estate related depreciation and amortization, among other things, provides a more complete understanding of our performance to investors and to management, and when compared year over year, reflects the impact on our operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, which may not be immediately apparent from net income.
Core Funds from Operations
In calculating Core FFO, we start with FFO, then we exclude certain non-core items such as merger, transaction and other costs, settlement costs related to our Blackwells/Related Parties litigation, as well as certain other costs that are considered to be non-core, such as debt extinguishment costs. The purchase of properties, and the corresponding expenses associated with that process, is a key operational feature of our core business plan to generate operational income and cash flows in order to make dividend payments to stockholders. In evaluating investments in real estate, we differentiate the costs to acquire the investment from the subsequent operations of the investment. We also add back non-cash write-offs of deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties incurred with the early extinguishment of debt which are included in net income but are considered financing cash flows when paid in the statement of cash flows. We consider these write-offs and prepayment penalties to be capital transactions and not indicative of operations. By excluding expensed acquisition, transaction and other costs as well as non-core costs, we believe Core FFO provides useful supplemental information that is comparable for each type of real estate investment and is consistent with management's analysis of the investing and operating performance of our properties.
Adjusted Funds from Operations
In calculating AFFO, we start with Core FFO, then we exclude certain income or expense items from AFFO that we consider more reflective of investing activities, other non-cash income and expense items and the income and expense effects of other activities or items, including items that were paid in cash that are not a fundamental attribute of our business plan or were one time or non-recurring items. These items include, for example, early extinguishment of debt and other items excluded in Core FFO as well as unrealized gain and loss, which may not ultimately be realized, such as gain or loss on derivative instruments, gain or loss on foreign currency transactions, and gain or loss on investments. In addition, by excluding non-cash income and expense items such as amortization of above-market and below-market leases intangibles, amortization of deferred financing costs, straight-line rent and equity-based compensation from AFFO, we believe we provide useful information regarding income and expense items which have a direct impact on our ongoing operating performance. We also exclude revenue attributable to the reimbursement by third parties of financing costs that we originally incurred because these revenues are not, in our view, related to operating performance. We also include the realized gain or loss on foreign currency exchange contracts for AFFO as such items are part of our ongoing operations and affect our current operating performance.
In calculating AFFO, we also exclude certain expenses which under GAAP are treated as operating expenses in determining operating net income. All paid and accrued acquisition, transaction and other costs (including prepayment penalties for debt extinguishments and merger related expenses) and certain other expenses, including expenses incurred for our 2023 proxy contest and related Blackwells/Related Parties litigation, expenses related to our European tax restructuring and transition costs related to the Merger and Internalization, negatively impact our operating performance during the period in which expenses are incurred or properties are acquired and will also have negative effects on returns to investors, but are not reflective of our on-going performance. Further, under GAAP, certain contemplated non-cash fair value and other non-cash adjustments are considered operating non-cash adjustments to net income. In addition, as discussed above, we view gain and loss from fair value adjustments as items which are unrealized and may not ultimately be realized and not reflective of ongoing operations and are therefore typically adjusted for when assessing operating performance. Excluding income and expense items detailed above from our calculation of AFFO provides information consistent with management's analysis of our operating performance. Additionally, fair value adjustments, which are based on the impact of current market fluctuations and underlying assessments of general market conditions, but can also result from operational factors such as rental and occupancy rates, may not be directly related or attributable to our current operating performance. By excluding such changes that may reflect anticipated and unrealized gain or loss, we believe AFFO provides useful supplemental information. By providing AFFO, we believe we are presenting useful information that can be used to, among other things, assess our performance without the impact of transactions or other items that are not related to our portfolio of properties. AFFO presented by us may not be comparable to AFFO reported by other REITs that define AFFO differently. Furthermore, we believe that in order to facilitate a clear understanding of our operating results, AFFO should be examined in conjunction with net income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP and presented in our consolidated financial statements. AFFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) as an indication of our performance or to cash flows as a measure of our liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, Net Operating Income and Cash Net Operating Income
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for acquisition, transaction and other costs, other non-cash items and including our pro-rata share from unconsolidated joint ventures, is an appropriate measure of our ability to incur and service debt. We also exclude revenue attributable to the reimbursement by third parties of financing costs that we originally incurred because these revenues are not, in our view, related to operating performance. All paid and accrued acquisition, transaction and other costs (including prepayment penalties for debt extinguishments) and certain other expenses, including general and administrative expenses incurred for the 2023 proxy contest and related Blackwells/Related Parties litigation, expenses related to our European tax restructuring and transition costs related to the Merger and Internalization, negatively impact our operating performance during the period in which expenses are incurred or properties are acquired and will also have negative effects on returns to investors, but are not reflective of on-going performance. Due to the increase in general and administrative expenses as a result of the 2023 proxy contest and related litigation as a portion of our total general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2023, we began including this adjustment to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA in order to better reflect our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of our liquidity or as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating activities. Other REITs may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently and our calculation should not be compared to that of other REITs.
NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, less discontinued operations, interest, other income and income from preferred equity investments and investment securities, plus corporate general and administrative expense, acquisition, transaction and other costs, depreciation and amortization, other non-cash expenses and interest expense. We use NOI internally as a performance measure and believe NOI provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level. Therefore, we believe NOI is a useful measure for evaluating the operating performance of our real estate assets and to make decisions about resource allocations. Further, we believe NOI is useful to investors as a performance measure because, when compared across periods, NOI reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs and acquisition activity on an unlevered basis, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. NOI excludes certain components from net income in order to provide results that are more closely related to a property's results of operations. For example, interest expense is not necessarily linked to the operating performance of a real estate asset and is often incurred at the corporate level as opposed to the property level. In addition, depreciation and amortization, because of historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, may distort operating performance at the property level. NOI presented by us may not be comparable to NOI reported by other REITs that define NOI differently. We believe that in order to facilitate a clear understanding of our operating results, NOI should be examined in conjunction with net income (loss) as presented in our consolidated financial statements. NOI should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) as an indication of our performance or to cash flows as a measure of our liquidity.
Cash NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure that is intended to reflect the performance of our properties. We define Cash NOI as net operating income (which is separately defined herein) excluding amortization of above/below market lease intangibles and straight-line rent adjustments that are included in GAAP lease revenues. We believe that Cash NOI is a helpful measure that both investors and management can use to evaluate the current financial performance of our properties and it allows for comparison of our operating performance between periods and to other REITs. Cash NOI should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indication of our financial performance, or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity or our ability to fund all needs. The method by which we calculate and present Cash NOI may not be directly comparable to the way other REITs calculate and present Cash NOI.
Cash Paid for Interest is calculated based on the interest expense less non-cash portion of interest expense and amortization of mortgage (discount) premium, net. Management believes that Cash Paid for Interest provides useful information to investors to assess our overall solvency and financial flexibility. Cash Paid for Interest should not be considered as an alternative to interest expense as determined in accordance with GAAP or any other GAAP financial measures and should only be considered together with and as a supplement to our financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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