Whitestone REIT Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) announced its Q2 2023 operating and financial results. Key highlights include GAAP leasing spreads of 32.2% on new leases and 16.2% on renewal leases, revenue increase of 4.2%, and occupancy rising to 93.3%. Litigation expenses reduced FFO per share by $0.03. Full-year FFO guidance was revised to include litigation expense projections.

HOUSTON, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) (“Whitestone” or the “Company”) today announced its operating and financial results for the second quarter of 2023. Whitestone creates neighborhood center communities in its high-quality open-air shopping centers that it acquires, owns, manages, develops, and redevelops primarily in the largest, fastest-growing, high-household-income markets in the Sunbelt.

“We delivered a very strong quarter operationally, with GAAP leasing spreads of 32.2% on new leases and 16.2% on renewal leases, revenue increasing by 4.2% and occupancy rising to 93.3%.  This extends our track record to 5 consecutive quarters with over 17% increases in combined GAAP leases spreads.  Litigation expenses reduced FFO per share for the quarter by approximately $0.03.  Our revision to full year FFO guidance reflects litigation expense projections for the balance of the year.”

–    Dave Holeman, Chief Executive Officer

Second Quarter 2023 Operating and Financial Results
All per share amounts are on a diluted per common share and operating partnership (“OP”) unit basis unless stated otherwise.
Reconciliations of Net Income Attributable to Whitestone REIT to FFO, NOI and EBITDAre are included herein.

• Revenues of $36.5 million versus $35.0 million for the second quarter of 2022.
• Net Income attributable to common shareholders of $11.3 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, versus $4.3 million, or $0.09 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily the result of the gain on sale of properties and higher property net operating income, partially offset by higher litigation and interest expenses. 
• Funds from Operations (“FFO”) per diluted share of $0.21 versus $0.25 for the second quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily the result of higher litigation and interest expenses, offset partially by increased property net operating income.
• EBITDAre remained steady at $19.2 million for both quarters ending June 2023 and 2022.
• Same-Store Net Operating Income (“NOI”) grew 0.4% to $22.6 million versus 22.5 million for the second quarter of 2022. Whitestone is reiterating the 2.5% - 4.5% 2023 Same Store NOI growth guidance primarily because of visibility on leases already in place.
• Net Effective Annual Base Rental Revenue per leased square foot was up 4.9% to $22.78, compared to the prior year quarter.

Operating Results
For the three-month periods ending June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s operating highlights were as follows:

	Second Quarter 2023	Second Quarter 2022
Occupancy:
Wholly Owned Properties – All	93.3%	91.5%
>10,000 Sq Ft Occupancy	96.9%	95.5%
≤ 10,000 Sq Ft Occupancy	91.2%	89.2%
Same Store Property Net Operating Income Change	0.4%	8.0%
Rental Rate Growth - Total (GAAP Basis):	18.7%	17.4%
New Leases	32.2%	15.6%
Renewal Leases	16.2%	17.6%
Leasing Transactions:
Number of New Leases	27	34
New Leases - Lease Term Revenue (millions)	$12.0	$13.0
Number of Renewal Leases	58	56
Renewal Leases - Lease Term Revenue (millions)	$14.5	$16.1

Balance Sheet and Debt Metrics

• As of June 30, 2023, Whitestone had total debt of $650.5 million, along with capacity and availability of $98.5 million each under its $250 million revolving credit facility.
• As of June 30, 2023, the Company has undepreciated real estate assets of $1.2 billion.

Dividend

On May 16, 2023, the Company declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.12 per common share and OP unit for the third quarter of 2023, to be paid in three equal installments of $0.04 in July, August and September of 2023. 

2023 Full Year Guidance

The Company has updated its 2023 full-year guidance for net income attributable to Whitestone REIT and FFO per share to include the impact of the second quarter operating results and higher estimated litigation costs. The guidance update is as follows:

		2023 Revised Guidance		2023 Original Guidance
		(unaudited, amounts in thousands except per share and percentages)
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$21,500 - $23,600		$14,400 - $16,500
FFO (1)		$45,750 - $47,850		$48,300 - $50,400
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT per share		$0.43 - $0.47		$0.29 - $0.33
FFO per diluted share and OP Unit (1)		$0.90 - $0.94		$0.95 - $0.99
Key Drivers:
Same store net operating income growth (2)		2.5% - 4.5%		2.5% – 4.5%
Bad debt as a percentage of revenue		0.75% - 1.50%		0.75% – 1.50%
General and administrative expense		$20,200 - $20,700		$19,200 - $19,700
Deficit in earnings of real estate partnership		$ (1,400) - $ (1,600)		$0
Gain on sale of properties		$9,621		$0
Interest expense		$31,700 - $33,200		$31,700 - $33,200
Ending occupancy		93.5% - 94.5%		93.5% - 94.5%
Net Debt to EBITDAre Ratio (3)		7.7X - 7.3X		7.3X - 6.9X

(1)		For the reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure to the comparable GAAP financial measure, see the "FFO per diluted share and OP unit" reconciliation table.
(2)		Excludes straight-line rent, amortization of above/below market rates and lease termination fees for both periods.
(3)		Fourth quarter annualized EBITDAre.

Portfolio Statistics

As of June 30, 2023, Whitestone wholly owned 56 Community-Centered Properties™ with 5.0 million square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA"). Five of the 56 Community-Centered Properties™ are land parcels held for future development. The portfolio is comprised of 29 properties in Texas, 26 in Arizona and 1 in Illinois. Whitestone’s Community-Centered Properties™ are located in the MSA's of Austin (5), Chicago (1), Dallas-Fort Worth (9), Houston (12), Phoenix (26), and San Antonio (3). The Company’s properties in these markets are generally in high-traffic locations, surrounded by high-household-income communities. The Company also owns an 81.4% equity interest in eight properties containing 0.9 million square feet of GLA through its investment in Pillarstone OP.

At the end of the second quarter, the Company’s diversified tenant base was comprised of 1,466 tenants, with the largest tenant accounting for only 2.2% of annualized base rental revenues. Lease terms range from less than one year for smaller tenants to more than 15 years for larger tenants. Whitestone’s leases generally include minimum monthly lease payments and tenant reimbursements for payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance, and typically exclude restrictive lease clauses.

Conference Call Information

In conjunction with the issuance of its financial results, the Company invites you to listen to its earnings release conference call to be broadcast live on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 8:00 A.M Eastern Time / 7:00 A.M. Central Time. The call will be led by Dave Holeman, Chief Executive Officer. Conference call access information is as follows:

To listen to a webcast of the conference call, click on the Investor Relations tab of the Company’s website, www.whitestonereit.com, and then click on the webcast link. A replay of the call will be available on Whitestone’s website via the webcast link until the Company’s next earnings release. Additional information about Whitestone can be found on the Company’s website.

Dial-in number for domestic participants:	1-877-407-0784
Dial-in number for international participants:	1-201-689-8560

The conference call will be recorded, and a telephone replay will be available through Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Replay access information is as follows:

Replay number for domestic participants:	1-844-512-2921
Replay number for international participants:	1-412-317-6671
Passcode (for all participants):	13734725

Supplemental Financial Information

The second quarter earnings release and supplemental data package will be located in the “News and Events” and “Financial Reporting” tabs of the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.whitestonereit.com. The earnings release and supplemental data package will also be available by mail upon request. To receive a copy, please call Investor Relations at (713) 435-2219.

About Whitestone REIT

Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) is a community-centered real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns, operates, and develops open-air, retail centers located in some of the fastest growing markets in the country: Phoenix, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

Our centers are convenience focused: merchandised with a mix of service-oriented tenants providing food (restaurants and grocers), self-care (health and fitness), services (financial and logistics), education and entertainment to the surrounding communities. The Company believes its strong community connections and deep tenant relationships are key to the success of its current centers and its acquisition strategy. For additional information, please visit www.whitestonereit.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, and other matters. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are the intent, belief or current expectations of our management based on its knowledge and understanding of our business and industry. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” or the negative of such terms and variations of these words and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. 

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this Report include: the imposition of federal income taxes if we fail to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) in any taxable year or forego an opportunity to ensure REIT status; uncertainties related to the national economy, the real estate industry in general and in our specific markets; legislative or regulatory changes, including changes to laws governing REITs; adverse economic or real estate developments or conditions in Texas or Arizona, Houston and Phoenix in particular, including the potential impact of public health emergencies, such as COVID-19, on our tenants’ ability to pay their rent, which could result in bad debt allowances or straight-line rent reserve adjustments; increases in interest rates, including as a result of inflation operating costs or general and administrative expenses; our current geographic concentration in the Houston and Phoenix metropolitan area makes us susceptible to local economic downturns, natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, which may increase as a result of climate change, increasing focus by stakeholders on environmental, social, and governance matters, financial institution disruption; availability and terms of capital and financing, both to fund our operations and to refinance our indebtedness as it matures; decreases in rental rates or increases in vacancy rates; harm to our reputation, ability to do business and results of operations as a result of improper conduct by our employees, agents or business partners; litigation risks; lease-up risks, including leasing risks arising from exclusivity and consent provisions in leases with significant tenants; our inability to renew tenant leases or obtain new tenant leases upon the expiration of existing leases; our inability to generate sufficient cash flows due to market conditions, competition, uninsured losses, changes in tax or other applicable laws; geopolitical conflicts, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; the need to fund tenant improvements or other capital expenditures out of operating cash flow; the extent to which our estimates regarding Pillarstone REIT Operating Partnership LP's financial condition and results of operations differ from actual results; and the risk that we are unable to raise capital for working capital, acquisitions or other uses on attractive terms or at all and other factors detailed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains supplemental financial measures that are not calculated pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) including EBITDAre, FFO, NOI and net debt. Following are explanations and reconciliations of these metrics to their most comparable GAAP metric.

EBITDAre: The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines EBITDAre as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and impairment write-downs of depreciable property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in value of depreciable property in the affiliate, plus or minus losses and gains on the disposition of depreciable property, including losses/gains on change in control and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of the unconsolidated affiliates and consolidated affiliates with non-controlling interests. The Company calculates EBITDAre in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition. Management believes that EBITDAre represents a supplemental non-GAAP performance measure that provides investors with a relevant basis for comparing REITs. There can be no assurance the EBITDAre as presented by the Company is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. EBITDAre should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measurements under GAAP as indicators of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as measures of liquidity. EBITDAre does not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness.

FFO: Funds From Operations: The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines FFO as net income (loss) (calculated in accordance with GAAP), excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains or 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. We calculate FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition and also include adjustments for our unconsolidated real estate partnership.

Management uses FFO as a supplemental measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income (loss) alone as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Because real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes that the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting is insufficient by itself. In addition, securities analysts, investors and other interested parties use FFO as the primary metric for comparing the relative performance of equity REITs. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measurements under GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity. FFO does not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness. Although our calculation of FFO is consistent with that of NAREIT, there can be no assurance that FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs.

NOI: Net Operating Income: Management believes that NOI is a useful measure of our property operating performance. We define NOI as operating revenues (rental and other revenues) less property and related expenses (property operation and maintenance and real estate taxes). Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating NOI and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to other REITs. Because NOI excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, equity or deficit in earnings of real estate partnership, interest expense, interest, dividend and other investment income, provision for income taxes, gain on sale of property from discontinued operations, management fee (net of related expenses) and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets, and includes NOI of real estate partnership (pro rata) and net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year-over-year, reflects the revenues and expenses directly associated with owning and operating commercial real estate properties and the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. We use NOI to evaluate our operating performance since NOI allows us to evaluate the impact that factors such as occupancy levels, lease structure, lease rates and tenant base have on our results, margins and returns. In addition, management believes that NOI provides useful information to the investment community about our property and operating performance when compared to other REITs since NOI is generally recognized as a standard measure of property performance in the real estate industry. However, NOI should not be viewed as a measure of our overall financial performance since it does not reflect the level of capital expenditure and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, including general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, equity or deficit in earnings of real estate partnership, interest expense, interest, dividend and other investment income, provision for income taxes, gain on sale of property from discontinued operations, management fee (net of related expenses) and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets.

Same Store NOI: Management believes that Same Store NOI is a useful measure of the Company’s property operating performance because it includes only the properties that have been owned for the entire period being compared, and that it is frequently used by the investment community. Same Store NOI assists in eliminating differences in NOI due to the acquisition or disposition of properties during the period being presented, providing a more consistent measure of the Company’s performance. The Company defines Same Store NOI as operating revenues (rental and other revenues, excluding straight-line rent adjustments, amortization of above/below market rents, and lease termination fees) less property and related expenses (property operation and maintenance and real estate taxes), Non-Same Store NOI, and NOI of our investment in Pillarstone OP (pro rata). We define “Non-Same Stores” as properties that have been acquired since the beginning of the period being compared and properties that have been sold, but not classified as discontinued operations. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating Same Store NOI, and accordingly, the Company's Same Store NOI may not be comparable to that of other REITs.

Net debt: We present net debt, which we define as total debt net of insurance financing less cash plus our proportional share of net debt of real estate partnership, and net debt to pro forma EBITDAre, which we define as net debt divided by EBITDAre because we believe they are helpful as supplemental measures in assessing our ability to service our financing obligations and in evaluating balance sheet leverage against that of other REITs. However, net debt and net debt to pro forma EBITDAre should not be viewed as a stand-alone measure of our overall liquidity and leverage. In addition, our REITs may use different methodologies for calculating net debt and net debt to pro forma EBITDAre, and accordingly our net debt and net debt to pro forma EBITDAre may not be comparable to that of other REITs.

Investor and Media Relations:
David Mordy
Director, Investor Relations
Whitestone REIT
(713) 435-2219
ir@whitestonereit.com

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share data)
		June 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Real estate assets, at cost
Property		$	1,224,195			$	1,199,041
Accumulated depreciation			(218,007	)			(208,286	)
Total real estate assets			1,006,188				990,755
Investment in real estate partnership			33,574				34,826
Cash and cash equivalents			2,927				6,166
Restricted cash			122				189
Escrows and acquisition deposits			22,292				12,827
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (1)			27,027				25,570
Receivable due from related party			1,436				1,377
Unamortized lease commissions, legal fees and loan costs			12,854				12,697
Prepaid expenses and other assets(2)			11,945				7,838
Finance lease right-of-use assets			10,471				10,522
Total assets		$	1,128,836			$	1,102,767
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities:
Notes payable		$	650,024			$	625,427
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(3)			30,571				36,154
Payable due to related party			1,577				1,561
Tenants' security deposits			8,403				8,428
Dividends and distributions payable			6,020				6,008
Finance lease liabilities			729				735
Total liabilities			697,324				678,313
Commitments and contingencies:			—				—
Equity:
Preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022			—				—
Common shares, $0.001 par value per share; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 49,519,919 and 49,422,716 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively			50				49
Additional paid-in capital			626,022				624,785
Accumulated deficit			(209,087	)			(212,366	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			8,453				5,980
Total Whitestone REIT shareholders' equity			425,438				418,448
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary			6,074				6,006
Total equity			431,512				424,454
Total liabilities and equity		$	1,128,836			$	1,102,767

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)
		June 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
(1)Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
Tenant receivables		$	16,889			$	16,828
Accrued rents and other recoveries			22,741				22,103
Allowance for doubtful accounts			(13,729	)			(13,822	)
Other receivables			1,126				461
Total accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		$	27,027			$	25,570
(2) Operating lease right of use assets (net)		$	93			$	124
(3) Operating lease liabilities		$	98			$	129

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Revenues
Rental(1)		$	36,241			$	34,663			$	71,738			$	68,471
Management, transaction, and other fees			219				334				573				649
Total revenues			36,460				34,997				72,311				69,120
Operating expenses
Depreciation and amortization			8,360				7,862				16,206				15,772
Operating and maintenance			6,899				6,211				12,985				11,936
Real estate taxes			4,767				4,987				9,475				9,354
General and administrative			5,175				5,182				10,259				8,231
Total operating expenses			25,201				24,242				48,925				45,293
Other expenses (income)
Interest expense			8,260				6,234				16,163				12,295
Gain on sale of properties			(9,621	)			—				(9,621	)			—
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net			14				(10	)			20				5
Interest, dividend and other investment income			(18	)			(16	)			(38	)			(30	)
Total other expenses (income)			(1,365	)			6,208				6,524				12,270
Income before equity investment in real estate partnership and income tax			12,624				4,547				16,862				11,557
Equity (deficit) in earnings of real estate partnership			(1,034	)			(41	)			(1,252	)			239
Provision for income tax			(125	)			(100	)			(244	)			(201	)
Net Income			11,465				4,406				15,366				11,595
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			159				68				213				179
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$	11,306			$	4,338			$	15,153			$	11,416

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Net income attributable to common shareholders, excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares		$	0.23			$	0.09			$	0.31			$	0.23
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net income attributable to common shareholders, excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares		$	0.22			$	0.09			$	0.30			$	0.23
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic			49,426				49,147				49,425				49,147
Diluted			50,259				50,047				50,262				50,177
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income		$	11,465			$	4,406			$	15,366			$	11,595
Other comprehensive income
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedging activities			7,095				2,675				2,508				8,661
Comprehensive income			18,560				7,081				17,874				20,256
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			159				68				213				179
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			99				41				35				133
Comprehensive income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$	18,302			$	6,972			$	17,626			$	19,944

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
(1)Rental
Rental revenues		$	26,519			$	24,935			$	52,259			$	49,779
Recoveries			9,955				9,603				20,036				18,940
Bad debt			(233	)			125				(557	)			(248	)
Total rental		$	36,241			$	34,663			$	71,738			$	68,471

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	15,366			$	11,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			16,206				15,772
Amortization of deferred loan costs			550				548
Gain on sale of properties			(9,621	)			—
Loss on disposal of assets			20				5
Bad debt			557				247
Share-based compensation			1,480				(630	)
(Equity) deficit in earnings of real estate partnership			1,252				(239	)
Amortization of right-of-use assets - finance leases			51				—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Escrows and acquisition deposits			3,982				651
Accrued rents and accounts receivable			(2,014	)			(997	)
Receivable due from related party			(59	)			(373	)
Unamortized lease commissions, legal fees and loan costs			(1,894	)			(1,402	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			1,430				708
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(5,586	)			(8,254	)
Payable due to related party			16				438
Tenants' security deposits			(25	)			244
Net cash provided by operating activities			21,711				18,313
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of real estate			(25,455	)			—
Additions to real estate			(8,771	)			(7,196	)
Proceeds from sales of properties			13,447				—
Reverse 1031 exchange			(13,447	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities			(34,226	)			(7,196	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions paid to common shareholders			(11,826	)			(11,148	)
Distributions paid to OP unit holders			(166	)			(175	)
Net proceeds from (payments of) credit facility			48,000				(5,000	)
Repayments of notes payable			(26,504	)			(1,782	)
Repurchase of common shares			(289	)			(278	)
Payment of finance lease liability			(6	)			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			9,209				(18,383	)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(3,306	)			(7,266	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			6,355				15,914
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period (1)		$	3,049			$	8,648

(1)		For a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, see supplemental disclosures below.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Supplemental Disclosures (in thousands)
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest		$	15,219			$	11,790
Cash paid for taxes		$	435			$	366
Non cash investing and financing activities:
Disposal of fully depreciated real estate		$	864			$	25
Financed insurance premiums		$	3,002			$	1,846
Value of shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan		$	36			$	32
Value of common shares exchanged for OP units		$	11			$	8
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge		$	2,508			$	8,661

		June 30,
		2023				2022
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,927			$	8,464
Restricted cash			122				184
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	3,049			$	8,648

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (in thousands, except per share and per unit data)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
FFO (NAREIT)
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$	11,306			$	4,338			$	15,153			$	11,416
Adjustments to reconcile to FFO:(1)
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets			8,318				7,820				16,123				15,688
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets of real estate partnership (pro rata) (2)			403				412				806				806
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net			14				(10	)			20				5
Gain on sale of properties			(9,621	)			—				(9,621	)			—
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			159				68				213				179
FFO (NAREIT)		$	10,579			$	12,628			$	22,694			$	28,094
FFO PER SHARE AND OP UNIT CALCULATION
Numerator:
FFO		$	10,579			$	12,628			$	22,694			$	28,094
Denominator:
Weighted average number of total common shares - basic			49,426				49,147				49,425				49,147
Weighted average number of total noncontrolling OP units - basic			694				770				694				770
Weighted average number of total common shares and noncontrolling OP units - basic			50,120				49,917				50,119				49,917
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested restricted shares			833				900				837				1,030
Weighted average number of total common shares and noncontrolling OP units - diluted			50,953				50,817				50,956				50,947
FFO per common share and OP unit - basic		$	0.21			$	0.25			$	0.45			$	0.56
FFO per common share and OP unit - diluted		$	0.21			$	0.25			$	0.45			$	0.55

(1)		Includes pro-rata share attributable to real estate partnership.
(2)		We rely on reporting provided to us by our third party partners for financial information regarding the Company's investment in Pillarstone OP. Because Pillarstone OP financial statements as of June 30, 2023 have not been made available to us, we have estimated depreciation and amortization of real estate assets based on the information available to us at the time of this Report.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (continued) (in thousands)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$	11,306			$	4,338			$	15,153			$	11,416
General and administrative expenses			5,175				5,182				10,259				8,231
Depreciation and amortization			8,360				7,862				16,206				15,772
(Equity) deficit in earnings of real estate partnership (1)			1,034				41				1,252				(239	)
Interest expense			8,260				6,234				16,163				12,295
Interest, dividend and other investment income			(18	)			(16	)			(38	)			(30	)
Provision for income taxes			125				100				244				201
Gain on sale of properties			(9,621	)			—				(9,621	)			—
Management fee, net of related expenses			—				29				16				81
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net			14				(10	)			20				5
NOI of real estate partnership (pro rata)(1)			668				709				1,216				1,706
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			159				68				213				179
NOI		$	25,462			$	24,537			$	51,083			$	49,617
Non-Same Store NOI (2)			(901	)			(694	)			(1,694	)			(1,507	)
NOI of real estate partnership (pro rata)			(668	)			(709	)			(1,216	)			(1,706	)
NOI less Non-Same Store NOI and NOI of real estate partnership (pro rata)			23,893				23,134				48,173				46,404
Same Store straight-line rent adjustments			(995	)			(370	)			(1,433	)			(684	)
Same Store amortization of above/below market rents			(211	)			(236	)			(429	)			(453	)
Same Store lease termination fees			(87	)			(13	)			(301	)			(22	)
Same Store NOI(3)		$	22,600			$	22,515			$	46,010			$	45,245

(1)		We rely on reporting provided to us by our third party partners for financial information regarding the Company's investment in Pillarstone OP. Because Pillarstone OP financial statements as of June 30, 2023 have not been made available to us, we have estimated (equity) deficit in earnings and pro rata share of NOI of real estate partnership based on the information available to us at the time of this Report.
(2)		We define “Non-Same Store” as properties that have been acquired since the beginning of the period being compared and properties that have been sold, but not classified as discontinued operations.For purposes of comparing the three months ended June 30, 2023 to the three months ended June 30, 2022, Non-Same Store includes properties owned before April 1, 2022 and not sold before June 30, 2023, but not included in discontinued operations. For purposes of comparing the six months ended June 30, 2023 to the six months ended June 30, 2022, Non-Same Store includes properties owned before January 1, 2022 and not sold before June 30, 2023, but not included in discontinued operations.
(3)		We define “Same Store” as properties that have been owned during the entire period being compared. For purposes of comparing the three months ended June 30, 2023 to the three months ended June 30, 2022, Same Store includes properties owned before April 1, 2022 and not sold before June 30, 2023. For purposes of comparing the six months ended June 30, 2023 to the six months ended June 30, 2022, Same Store includes properties owned before January 1, 2022 and not sold before June 30, 2023. Straight line rent adjustments, above/below market rents, and lease termination fees are excluded.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (continued) (in thousands)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAX, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION FOR REAL ESTATE (EBITDAre)
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$	11,306			$	4,338			$	15,153			$	11,416
Depreciation and amortization			8,360				7,862				16,206				15,772
Interest expense			8,260				6,234				16,163				12,295
Provision for income taxes			125				100				244				201
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			159				68				213				179
(Equity) deficit in earnings of real estate partnership (1)			1,034				41				1,252				(239	)
EBITDAre adjustments for real estate partnership (1)			(435	)			564				(54	)			1,431
Gain on sale of properties			(9,621	)			—				(9,621	)			—
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net			14				(10	)			20				5
EBITDAre		$	19,202			$	19,197			$	39,576			$	41,060

(1)		We rely on reporting provided to us by our third party partners for financial information regarding the Company's investment in Pillarstone OP. Because Pillarstone OP financial statements as of June 30, 2023 have not been made available to us, we have estimated (equity) deficit in earnings and EBITDAre adjustments for real estate partnership based on the information available to us at the time of this Report.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES Original and Revised Full Year Guidance for 2023 (in thousands, except per share and per unit data)
		Projected Range Full Year 2023 (Revised)								Projected Range Full Year 2023 (Original)
		Low				High				Low				High
FFO per diluted share and OP unit
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT		$	21,500			$	23,600			$	14,400			$	16,500
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets			32,199				32,199				32,228				32,228
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets of real estate partnership (pro rata)			1,672				1,672				1,672				1,672
Gain on sale of properties			(9,621	)			(9,621	)			—				—
FFO		$	45,750			$	47,850			$	48,300			$	50,400
Dilutive shares			50,327				50,327				50,327				50,327
OP Units			738				738				738				738
Dilutive share and OP Units			51,065				51,065				51,065				51,065
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT per diluted share		$	0.43			$	0.47			$	0.29			$	0.33
FFO per diluted share and OP Unit		$	0.90			$	0.94			$	0.95			$	0.99

FAQ

What are the key highlights of Whitestone REIT's Q2 2023 results?

The key highlights include GAAP leasing spreads of 32.2% on new leases and 16.2% on renewal leases, revenue increase of 4.2%, and occupancy rising to 93.3%.

How did litigation expenses impact Whitestone REIT's FFO per share?

Litigation expenses reduced FFO per share for the quarter by approximately $0.03.

What is Whitestone REIT's revised full-year FFO guidance for 2023?

The revised guidance for net income attributable to Whitestone REIT is $21,500 - $23,600 and FFO per share is $0.43 - $0.47.

What is Whitestone REIT's total debt as of June 30, 2023?

Whitestone had total debt of $650.5 million as of June 30, 2023.

What is Whitestone REIT's occupancy rate for properties?

The occupancy rate for wholly owned properties is 93.3% and for properties with over 10,000 sq ft is 96.9%.

What is Whitestone REIT's Same Store NOI growth guidance for 2023?

Whitestone is reiterating the 2.5% - 4.5% Same Store NOI growth guidance for 2023.

What is Whitestone REIT's net debt to EBITDAre ratio?

The net debt to EBITDAre ratio is projected to be 7.7X - 7.3X for the fourth quarter of 2023.

How many properties does Whitestone REIT own?

Whitestone wholly owns 56 Community-Centered Properties™ with 5.0 million square feet of gross leasable area.

What is the tenant base of Whitestone REIT?

Whitestone has a diversified tenant base of 1,466 tenants, with the largest tenant accounting for only 2.2% of annualized base rental revenues.

When is Whitestone REIT's earnings release conference call?

The earnings release conference call will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 8:00 A.M Eastern Time / 7:00 A.M. Central Time.