W. P. Carey Inc. Announces Ratings Upgrade to BBB+ by Standard & Poor's

Rhea-AI Summary

On January 23, 2023, W. P. Carey (NYSE: WPC) announced that S&P Global Ratings upgraded its issuer credit rating from BBB to BBB+ with a stable outlook. The upgrade reflects the company's diversified portfolio and robust cash flow stability. S&P highlighted W. P. Carey's inflation-based rent escalators and its focus on property types likely to perform well in recessionary environments. This upgrade follows a similar action by Moody's and is expected to support the company’s capacity for external growth. As of September 30, 2022, W. P. Carey has an enterprise value of approximately $22 billion, managing over 1,400 properties.

Positive

• Upgrade of issuer credit rating from BBB to BBB+ by S&P Global Ratings.
• Stable outlook reflects strong cash flow stability and well-diversified portfolio.
• Recognition of competitive advantages like inflation-based rent escalators.

Negative

• None.

Issuer Credit Rating and Unsecured Notes Upgraded with Stable Outlook

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- W. P. Carey Inc. (W. P. Carey, NYSE: WPC), a leading net lease REIT, announced today that S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has upgraded the company's issuer credit rating and the issue-level rating on its unsecured notes from BBB with a positive outlook, to BBB+ with a stable outlook.

In support of its upgrade, S&P referenced numerous positive attributes of the company centered on its large well-diversified portfolio and leverage neutral approach to funding external growth, in particular highlighting the stability and quality of its cash flow streams. Furthermore, S&P identified several competitive advantages to peers, including W. P. Carey's inflation-based rent escalators and overweight to property types expected to outperform in a recessionary environment.

"We are pleased to learn that S&P has upgraded W. P. Carey to BBB+, reflecting the quality of our portfolio and sound approach to capital management, as well as highlighting our unique attributes within net lease," said Jason Fox, Chief Executive Officer of W. P. Carey. "This upgrade, which follows a similar action by Moody's, affirms our approach and further supports our ability to fund accretive external growth."

W. P. Carey Inc.

Celebrating its 50^th anniversary, W. P. Carey ranks among the largest net lease REITs with an enterprise value of approximately $22 billion and a well-diversified portfolio of high-quality, operationally critical commercial real estate, which includes 1,428 net lease properties covering approximately 175 million square feet and a portfolio of 84 self-storage operating properties, as of September 30, 2022. With offices in New York, London, Amsterdam and Dallas, the company remains focused on investing primarily in single-tenant, industrial, warehouse and retail properties located in the U.S. and Northern and Western Europe, under long-term net leases with built-in rent escalations.

www.wpcarey.com

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. Federal securities laws. The statements of Mr. Fox are examples of forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause W. P. Carey's actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially from those anticipated. Among those risks, trends and uncertainties are the general economic climate, including the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the supply of and demand for commercial properties; interest rate levels; and other risks associated with the acquisition and ownership of properties, including risks that the tenants will not pay rent, or that costs may be greater than anticipated. For further information on factors that could impact W. P. Carey, reference is made to its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Institutional Investors:
Peter Sands
1 (212) 492-1110
institutionalir@wpcarey.com

Individual Investors:
W. P. Carey Inc.
1 (212) 492-8920
ir@wpcarey.com

Press Contact:
Anna McGrath
1 (212) 492-1166
amcgrath@wpcarey.com

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE W. P. Carey Inc.

FAQ

What recent credit rating change occurred for WPC?

WPC's credit rating was upgraded from BBB to BBB+ by S&P Global Ratings on January 23, 2023.

What factors contributed to the credit rating upgrade of WPC?

The upgrade was due to WPC's diversified portfolio and strong cash flow stability.

What is the current market outlook for WPC after the rating upgrade?

The outlook remains stable following the rating upgrade by S&P.

How much is WPC's enterprise value as of September 30, 2022?

WPC's enterprise value is approximately $22 billion.

How many properties does WPC manage?

WPC manages over 1,400 net lease properties.