Granite Announces First Quarter Results and the Closing of $193.6 Million of New Acquisitions
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust reported its Q1 2022 results, revealing a net operating income (NOI) of $91.2 million, up from $81.5 million in Q1 2021. The Trust's funds from operations (FFO) reached $69.4 million, translating to $1.05 per unit, compared to $57.1 million ($0.93 per unit) last year. Granite completed the acquisition of two income-producing properties and one under development in Indiana and Illinois, totaling 1.4 million square feet for approximately $193.6 million. The net income for the quarter surged to $497.7 million, buoyed by significant fair value gains on investment properties.
- NOI increased by $9.7 million from Q1 2021 to $91.2 million.
- FFO grew to $69.4 million ($1.05 per unit), up from $57.1 million ($0.93 per unit) year-over-year.
- Completed acquisition of high-quality properties in Indiana and Illinois for a total of approximately $193.6 million, enhancing portfolio value.
- Strengthening Canadian dollar negatively impacted FFO and AFFO by $0.02 per unit.
- Unrealized foreign exchange losses of $146.1 million offset fair value gains on properties.
FIRST QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights for the three month period ended
Financial:
-
Granite's net operating income ("NOI") was
in the first quarter of 2022 compared to$91.2 million in the prior year period, an increase of$81.5 million primarily as a result of net acquisition activity beginning in the first quarter of 2021;$9.7 million
-
Same property NOI - cash basis(4) increased by
4.6% for the three month period endedMarch 31, 2022 , excluding the impact of foreign exchange;
-
Funds from operations ("FFO")(1) was
($69.4 million per unit) in the first quarter of 2022 compared to$1.05 ($57.1 million per unit) in the first quarter of 2021. Included in FFO in the first quarter of 2021 were$0.93 of early redemption premiums related to the 2021 Debentures and$4.0 million of accelerated amortization of original financing costs related to the refinancing of Granite's credit facility. Excluding these refinancing costs, FFO per unit for the first quarter of 2021 would have been$0.5 million per unit. The strengthening Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar and Euro had a negative impact on FFO of$1.00 per unit in the first quarter of 2022 relative to 2021;$0.02
-
Adjusted funds from operations ("AFFO")(2) was
($65.9 million per unit) in the first quarter of 2022 compared to$1.00 ($54.7 million per unit) in the first quarter of 2021. Excluding the above-mentioned financing costs, AFFO per unit for the first quarter of 2021 would have been$0.89 per unit. The strengthening Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar and Euro had a negative impact on AFFO of$0.96 per unit in the first quarter of 2022 relative to 2021;$0.02
-
AFFO payout ratio(3) was
77% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to78% in the first quarter of 2021;
-
Granite recognized
in net fair value gains on investment properties in the first quarter of 2022 which were attributable to various factors including fair market rent increases as well as compression in discount and terminal capitalization rates for properties located in the GTA,$490.6 million the United States andEurope . The value of investment properties was partially offset by unrealized foreign exchange losses of resulting from the relative strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar and Euro as at$146.1 million March 31, 2022 ; and
-
Granite's net income attributable to stapled unitholders increased to
in the first quarter of 2022 from$497.7 million in the prior year period primarily due to a$230.1 million increase in net fair value gains on investment properties and a$281.1 million increase in net operating income as noted above, partially offset by a$9.7 million increase in deferred tax expense.$30.6 million
Investments:
During the first quarter of 2022, Granite closed the following acquisition previously referenced in its
-
On
February 3, 2022 , Granite acquired three modern distribution facilities inGermany , together comprising 0.8 million square feet, for ($140.0 million €96.6 million ). The properties are100% leased to high credit-quality global tenants for a weighted average remaining lease term of 7.3 years and were acquired at an in-going yield of3.6% .
In addition to the above, during the period between
-
On
April 14, 2022 , Granite acquired two newly constructed modern distribution facilities, comprising of approximately 1.4 million square feet inIndiana ,United States for ($179.1 million US ). The properties are$141.8 million 100% leased to two investment grade tenants with a weighted average lease term of 10 years and were acquired at an in-going yield of4.2% . One of the properties offers excess density which can support future expansion capabilities. Fronting on theI-70 , the facilities are well located within the submarket with connectivity to five major interstate highways and are 15 miles south of the FedEx World Hub.
-
On
May 5, 2022 , Granite acquired a property under development for ($14.5 million US ) comprising of a 0.2 million square foot built-to-suit modern distribution facility to be constructed on 13.6 acres in$11.3 million Bolingbrook, Illinois . Construction has commenced and the property is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023 at a total fixed cost, including land, of ($50.1 million US ). A globally-recognized furniture provider will tenant the building upon completion for an initial term of 12.3 years. The facility will have modern features including cross-dock configuration, 32’ clear heights, expandable parking and trailer stalls, upgraded dock equipment and sustainability features. The property is well located with visibility from the$39.0 million I-55 which offers connectivity betweenChicago and the southernUnited States . The property is expected to achieve a stabilized development yield of3.9% .
Operations:
-
On
February 18, 2022 , Granite completed the disposition an income producing property and a piece of land held for development located in Mirków,Poland for total proceeds of ($34.5 million €23.9 million ); and
-
During the quarter, Granite executed a 10.3 year lease with a leading North American glassware provider for its 0.6 million square foot, 36’ clear height, state-of-the-art distribution/e-commerce facility under development in
Fort Worth, Texas . The property is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2022.
Financing:
-
On
February 3, 2022 , Granite terminated of a total$350.0 million principal of the 2028 Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap, which exchanged Canadian dollar denominated principal and interest payments of Granite's$500.0 million 2.194% Series 6 senior unsecured debentures dueAugust 30, 2028 (the “2028 Debentures”), for US dollar denominated payments at a fixed interest rate of2.096% . Simultaneously, Granite entered into a new cross-currency interest rate swap maturing$350.0 million August 30, 2028 to exchange the Canadian dollar denominated principal and interest payments of the 2028 Debentures for Euro denominated payments at a fixed interest rate of0.536% . The restructuring of a portion of Granite’s hedge relating to the 2028 Debentures will result in annual interest expense savings of approximately or approximately$5.5 million on a per unit basis. Upon termination, Granite paid$0.08 3 to settle the mark-to-market liability relating to the$6.6 million principal portion of the 2028 Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap.$350.0 million
GRANITE’S FINANCIAL, OPERATING AND PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS
(in millions, except as noted)
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue(4) |
$ |
108.6 |
|
$ |
95.9 |
|
Net operating income ("NOI") |
$ |
91.2 |
|
$ |
81.5 |
|
Net income attributable to stapled unitholders |
$ |
497.7 |
|
$ |
230.1 |
|
Funds from operations ("FFO")(1) |
$ |
69.4 |
|
$ |
57.1 |
|
Adjusted funds from operations ("AFFO")(2) |
$ |
65.9 |
|
$ |
54.7 |
|
Diluted FFO per stapled unit(1) |
$ |
1.05 |
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
Diluted AFFO per stapled unit (2) |
$ |
1.00 |
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
Monthly distributions paid per stapled unit |
$ |
0.78 |
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
AFFO payout ratio(3) |
|
77 |
% |
|
78 |
% |
|
|
|
||||
As at |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
Fair value of investment properties(9) |
$ |
8,526.8 |
|
$ |
7,971.2 |
|
Assets held for sale(9) |
$ |
32.9 |
|
$ |
64.6 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
228.5 |
|
$ |
402.5 |
|
Total debt(5) |
$ |
2,340.4 |
|
$ |
2,414.0 |
|
Net leverage ratio(6) |
|
25 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
Number of income-producing properties(9) |
|
122 |
|
|
119 |
|
Gross leasable area (“GLA”), square feet(9) |
|
55.9 |
|
|
55.1 |
|
Occupancy, by GLA |
|
99.7 |
% |
|
99.7 |
% |
Magna as a percentage of annualized revenue(8) |
|
29 |
% |
|
29 |
% |
Magna as a percentage of GLA |
|
22 |
% |
|
22 |
% |
Weighted average lease term in years, by GLA |
|
5.7 |
|
|
5.8 |
|
Overall capitalization rate(7) |
|
4.3 |
% |
|
4.5 |
% |
A more detailed discussion of Granite’s combined financial results for the three month periods ended
CONFERENCE CALL
Granite will hold a conference call on
ANNUAL MEETING AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF UNITHOLDERS
Granite’s Annual Meeting and Special Meetings of Unitholders (the "Meetings") will take place on
OTHER INFORMATION
Additional property statistics as at
Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of logistics, warehouse and industrial properties in
For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact
NON-IFRS MEASURES, NON-IFRS RATIOS AND RECONCILIATIONS
Readers are cautioned that certain terms used in this press release such as FFO, AFFO, AFFO payout ratio, same property NOI - cash basis, total debt and net debt, net leverage ratio, available liquidity, and any related per unit amounts used by management to measure, compare and explain the operating results and financial performance of the Trust do not have standardized meanings prescribed under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and, therefore, should not be construed as alternatives to net income, cash provided by operating activities or any other measure calculated in accordance with IFRS. Additionally, because these terms do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded entities.
(1) FFO is a non-IFRS performance measure that is widely used by the real estate industry in evaluating the operating performance of real estate entities. Granite calculates FFO as net income attributable to stapled unitholders excluding fair value gains (losses) on investment properties and financial instruments, gains (losses) on sale of investment properties including the associated current income tax, deferred income taxes and certain other items, net of non-controlling interests in such items. The Trust’s determination of FFO follows the definition prescribed by the
(2) AFFO is a non-IFRS performance measure that is widely used by the real estate industry in evaluating the recurring economic earnings performance of real estate entities after considering certain costs associated with sustaining such earnings. Granite calculates AFFO as net income attributable to stapled unitholders including all adjustments used to calculate FFO and further adjusts for actual maintenance capital expenditures that are required to sustain Granite’s productive capacity, leasing costs such as leasing commissions and tenant allowances incurred and non-cash straight-line rent and tenant incentive amortization, net of non-controlling interests in such items. The Trust's determination of AFFO follows the definition prescribed by REALPAC’s Guidelines. Granite considers AFFO to be a meaningful supplemental measure that can be used to determine the Trust’s ability to service debt, fund expansion capital expenditures, fund property development and provide distributions to stapled unitholders after considering costs associated with sustaining operating earnings. AFFO is also reconciled to net income, which is the most directly comparable IFRS measure (see below). AFFO should not be construed as an alternative to net income or cash flow generated from operating activities determined in accordance with IFRS.
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|||||
(in millions, except per unit amounts) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net income attributable to stapled unitholders |
|
$ |
497.7 |
|
$ |
230.1 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
||||
Fair value gains on investment properties, net |
|
|
(490.6 |
) |
|
(209.5 |
) |
Fair value losses (gains) on financial instruments |
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
|
0.3 |
|
Loss on sale of investment properties |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
0.2 |
|
Deferred income tax expense |
|
|
66.5 |
|
|
35.9 |
|
Non-controlling interests relating to the above |
|
|
— |
|
|
0.1 |
|
FFO |
[A] |
$ |
69.4 |
|
$ |
57.1 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
||||
Maintenance or improvement capital expenditures incurred |
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
|
(0.5 |
) |
Leasing costs |
|
|
(2.0 |
) |
|
— |
|
Tenant allowances |
|
|
— |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Tenant allowance amortization |
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
1.3 |
|
Straight-line rent amortization |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
(3.1 |
) |
Non-controlling interests relating to the above |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
AFFO |
[B] |
$ |
65.9 |
|
$ |
54.7 |
|
Basic FFO per stapled unit |
[A]/[C] |
$ |
1.06 |
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
Diluted FFO per stapled unit |
[A]/[D] |
$ |
1.05 |
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
Basic and Diluted AFFO per stapled unit |
[B]/[C] and [B]/[D] |
$ |
1.00 |
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
Basic weighted average number of stapled units |
[C] |
|
65.7 |
|
|
61.7 |
|
Diluted weighted average number of stapled units |
[D] |
|
65.8 |
|
|
61.7 |
|
(3) AFFO payout ratio is calculated as monthly distributions, which exclude special distributions, declared to unitholders divided by AFFO in a period. AFFO payout ratio may exclude revenue or expenses incurred during a period that can be a source of variance between periods. The AFFO payout ratio is a non-IFRS ratio widely used by analysts and investors in evaluating the sustainability of the Trust’s monthly distributions to stapled unitholders.
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|||||
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
(in millions, except as noted) |
|
|
|
||||
Monthly distributions declared to unitholders |
[A] |
$ |
50.9 |
|
$ |
46.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
FFO |
|
|
69.4 |
|
|
57.1 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
||||
Early redemption premium related to 2021 Debentures |
|
|
— |
|
|
4.0 |
|
Accelerated amortization of credit facility deferred finance fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
0.5 |
|
FFO adjusted for the above |
[B] |
$ |
69.4 |
|
$ |
61.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
AFFO |
|
|
65.9 |
|
|
54.7 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
||||
Early redemption premium related to 2021 Debentures |
|
|
— |
|
|
4.0 |
|
Accelerated amortization of credit facility deferred finance fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
0.5 |
|
AFFO adjusted for the above |
[C] |
$ |
65.9 |
|
$ |
59.2 |
|
AFFO payout ratio |
[A]/[C] |
|
77 |
% |
|
78 |
% |
(4) Same property NOI — cash basis refers to the NOI — cash basis (NOI excluding lease termination and close-out fees, and the non-cash impact from straight-line rent and tenant incentive amortization) for those properties owned by Granite throughout the entire current and prior year periods under comparison. Same property NOI — cash basis excludes properties that were acquired, disposed of, classified as properties under or held for development or assets held for sale during the periods under comparison. Granite believes that same property NOI — cash basis is a useful measure in understanding period-over-period organic changes in NOI — cash basis from the same stock of properties owned.
|
Sq ft(1) |
Three Months Ended
|
|||||||||||
|
(in millions) |
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$
|
% change |
||
Revenue |
|
$ |
108.6 |
|
|
$ |
95.9 |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
Less: Property operating costs |
|
|
17.4 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
NOI |
|
$ |
91.2 |
|
|
$ |
81.5 |
|
|
9.7 |
|
11.9 |
% |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Straight-line rent amortization |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
(3.1 |
) |
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
Tenant incentive amortization |
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
|
NOI - cash basis |
55.9 |
$ |
90.8 |
|
|
$ |
79.8 |
|
|
11.0 |
|
13.8 |
% |
Less NOI - cash basis for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Acquisitions |
6.9 |
|
(10.2 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(10.2 |
) |
|
|
Dispositions and assets held for sale |
1.0 |
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
Same property NOI - cash basis |
48.2 |
$ |
79.6 |
|
|
$ |
78.1 |
|
|
1.5 |
|
1.9 |
% |
Constant currency same property NOI - cash basis(2) |
48.2 |
$ |
79.6 |
|
|
$ |
76.1 |
|
|
3.5 |
|
4.6 |
% |
-
The square footage relating to the NOI — cash basis represents GLA of 55.9 million square feet as at
March 31, 2022 . The square footage relating to the same property NOI — cash basis represents the aforementioned GLA excluding the impact from the acquisitions, dispositions, assets held for sale and developments during the relevant period. - Constant currency same property NOI - cash basis is calculated by converting the comparative same property NOI - cash basis at current foreign exchange rates.
(5) Total debt is calculated as the sum of all current and non-current debt, the net mark to market fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps and lease obligations as per the consolidated financial statements. Net debt subtracts cash and cash equivalents from total debt. Granite believes that it is useful to include the cross-currency interest rate swaps and lease obligations for the purposes of monitoring the Trust’s debt levels.
(6) The net leverage ratio is calculated as the net debt (a non-IFRS performance measure defined above) divided by the fair value of investment properties. The net leverage ratio is a non-IFRS ratio used in evaluating the Trust’s degree of financial leverage, borrowing capacity and the relative strength of its balance sheet.
As at |
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
Unsecured debt, net |
|
$ |
2,422.3 |
|
$ |
2,425.1 |
|
Cross currency interest rate swaps, net |
|
|
(126.1 |
) |
|
(44.1 |
) |
Lease obligations |
|
|
31.5 |
|
|
32.2 |
|
Secured debt |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
0.8 |
|
Total debt |
|
$ |
2,340.4 |
|
$ |
2,414.0 |
|
Less: cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
228.5 |
|
|
402.5 |
|
Net debt |
[A] |
$ |
2,111.9 |
|
$ |
2,011.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Investment properties |
[B] |
$ |
8,526.8 |
|
$ |
7,971.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net leverage ratio |
[A]/[B] |
|
25 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
(7) Overall capitalization rate is calculated as stabilized net operating income (property revenue less property expenses) divided by the fair value of the property.
(8) Annualized revenue for each period presented is calculated as the contractual base rent for the month subsequent to the quarterly reporting period multiplied by 12 months. Annualized revenue excludes revenue from properties classified as assets held for sale.
(9) Assets held for sale are excluded from investment properties and related property metrics. Accordingly, one such asset that was held for sale at
(10) Available liquidity is a non-IFRS performance measure defined as the sum of cash and cash equivalents and the unused portion of the credit facility. Granite believes that available liquidity is a useful measure to investors in determining the Trust’s resources available as at period-end to meet its ongoing obligations and future commitments.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information may include, among others, statements regarding Granite’s future plans, goals, strategies, intentions, beliefs, estimates, costs, objectives, capital structure, cost of capital, tenant base, tax consequences, economic performance or expectations, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “outlook”, “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “likely”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “seek” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of future events, performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or the times at or by which such future performance will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. There can also be no assurance that Granite’s expectations regarding various matters, including the following, will be realized in a timely manner, with the expected impact or at all: Granite’s ability to implement its ESG+R program and related targets and goals; the expansion and diversification of Granite’s real estate portfolio and the reduction in Granite’s exposure to Magna and the special purpose properties; Granite’s ability to accelerate growth and to grow its net asset value and FFO and AFFO per unit; Granite’s ability to find and integrate satisfactory acquisition, joint venture and development opportunities and to strategically deploy the proceeds from recently sold properties and financing initiatives; Granite’s sale from time to time of stapled units under its ATM Program; Granite’s intended use of the net proceeds of its equity and debenture offerings to fund potential acquisitions and for the other purposes described previously; the potential for expansion and rental growth at the properties in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220511006036/en/
Chief Financial Officer
(647) 925-7560.
Source:
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