VEREIT® Announces First Quarter 2021 Operating Results

PHOENIX, May 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VEREIT, Inc. (NYSE:VER) ("VEREIT" or the "Company") announced today its operating results for the three months ending March 31, 2021.

 First Quarter 2021 Financial and Operating Highlights

• Net income of $120.7 million and net income per diluted share of $0.50
• Achieved $0.80 AFFO per diluted share
• Rent collection of 99%
• Compared to last quarter, Total debt - as reported decreased from $5.9 billion to $5.6 billion; Adjusted Principal Outstanding decreased from $6.1 billion to $5.8 billion; Net Debt decreased from $5.6 billion to $5.5 billion; and Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA decreased from 5.64x to 5.45x
• Redeemed $100.0 million of the Company's 6.7% Series F preferred stock which leaves approximately $373.0 million outstanding
• S&P Global Ratings upgraded the Company's corporate rating from 'BBB-' to 'BBB' with the Rating Outlook remaining at 'Stable,' Moody's upgraded the Company's rating from 'Baa3' to 'Baa2' with the Rating Outlook remaining at 'Stable' and Fitch Ratings affirmed the Company's rating of 'BBB' with the Rating Outlook remaining at 'Stable'
• Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company signed a definitive merger agreement with Realty Income Corporation. Upon closing, the contemplated merger would create a combined company with an enterprise value of approximately $50 billion. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of both VEREIT's and Realty Income's shareholders.

Year-To-Date Transaction Highlights as of April 30, 2021

• Acquisitions totaled $168.1 million with over $300.0 million under contract or letter of intent
• Office dispositions totaled $235.5 million reducing office exposure to 14.9%
• Strategic dispositions totaled $48.3 million

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Total Revenues

Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 decreased $8.4 million to $290.8 million as compared to total revenues of $299.2 million for the same quarter in 2020.

Net Income and Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted Share

Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 increased $33.8 million to a net income of $120.7 million as compared to net income of $86.9 million for the same quarter in 2020, and net income per diluted share increased $0.16 to a net income per diluted share of $0.50 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as compared to net income per diluted share of $0.34 for the same quarter in 2020.

Normalized EBITDA

Normalized EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 decreased $6.0 million to $251.2 million as compared to Normalized EBITDA of $257.2 million for the same quarter in 2020.

Funds From Operations Attributable to Common Stockholders and Limited Partners ("FFO") and FFO per Diluted Share

FFO for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 decreased $2.8 million to $179.0 million, as compared to $181.8 million for the same quarter in 2020, and FFO per diluted share decreased $0.06 to $0.78 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as compared to FFO per diluted share of $0.84 for the same quarter in 2020.

Adjusted FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders and Limited Partners ("AFFO") and AFFO per Diluted Share

AFFO for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 increased $2.0 million to $183.0 million, as compared to $181.0 million for the same quarter in 2020, and AFFO per diluted share decreased $0.04 to $0.80 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as compared to $0.84 for the same quarter in 2020.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of the end of the first quarter, the Company had corporate liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion, comprised of $318.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.5 billion of availability under its credit facility. In addition, secured debt was reduced by $292.8 million.

Capital Market Activity

The Company redeemed $100.0 million of VEREIT's 6.7% Series F preferred stock on January 15, 2021, which was previously announced on December 16, 2020. This leaves approximately $373.0 million outstanding.

Consolidated Financial Statistics

Financial Statistics as of the quarter ended March 31, 2021 are as follows:  Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA of 5.45x, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 3.8x, Unencumbered Asset Ratio of 86.0%, Net Debt to Gross Real Estate Investments of 37.8%, and Weighted Average Debt Term of 6.0 years.

Common Stock Dividend Information

On May 04, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.462 per share for the second quarter of 2021. The dividend will be paid on July 15, 2021 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2021.

Real Estate Portfolio

As of March 31, 2021, the Company's portfolio consisted of 3,855 properties with total portfolio occupancy of 98.0%, investment grade tenancy of 37.8% and a weighted-average remaining lease term of 8.4 years.

Real Estate Leasing Activity

During the first quarter, the Company entered into 61 new and renewal leases on approximately 1.4 million square feet, or 1.5% of the portfolio.  Leasing activity included 0.3 million square feet of early renewals.

Acquisitions

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company invested in 54 properties for $138.4 million at an average cash cap rate of 7.1%.

Office Dispositions

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company disposed of 10 office properties for an aggregate sales price of $235.5 million.  Of this amount, $225.6 million was used in the total weighted average cash cap rate calculation of 6.2%.  The gain on first quarter office dispositions was $56.8 million.

Strategic Dispositions

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company disposed of 20 properties for an aggregate sales price of $35.7 million.  Of this amount, $27.0 million was used in the total weighted average cash cap rate calculation of 5.0%.  The gain on first quarter strategic dispositions was $19.4 million.

COVID-19 Company Update

As of April 22, 2021, VEREIT had received rent of approximately 99% for the first quarter of 2021, which is based on the terms of lease agreements in effect at January 1, 2021 and excludes tenants being accounted for on a cash basis.  The property type breakdown for rent collection is as follows:

As of April 22, 2021, we collected $9.8 million of deferred rent, representing approximately 100% of amounts due through March 31, 2021, or 54% of total executed deferrals.  Further rent collection details can be found in our investor presentation made available today.

2021 Guidance Update

In light of the Company's proposed merger with Realty Income announced on April 29, 2021, the Company will no longer provide guidance nor is it affirming past guidance.

Subsequent Events

Acquisitions

From April 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021, the Company acquired 19 properties for $29.7 million, bringing acquisitions year-to-date through April 30, 2021, to $168.1 million, with over $300.0 million under contract or letter of intent.

Office Dispositions

There were no office dispositions subsequent to the quarter end.

Strategic Dispositions

From April 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021, the Company disposed of nine properties for an aggregate sales price of $12.6 million, bringing strategic dispositions year-to-date through April 30, 2021, to approximately $48.3 million.

Audio Webcast and Call Details

In light of the Company's proposed merger with Realty Income, the Company will no longer host its previously planned earnings call.

About the Company

VEREIT is a full-service real estate operating company which owns and manages one of the largest portfolios of single-tenant commercial properties in the U.S.  The Company has total real estate investments of $14.5 billion including approximately 3,900 properties and 88.7 million square feet. VEREIT's business model provides equity capital to creditworthy corporations in return for long-term leases on their properties. VEREIT is a publicly traded Maryland corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange. VEREIT uses, and intends to continue to use, its Investor Relations website, which can be found at www.VEREIT.com, as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.  Additional information about VEREIT can be found through social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the Data 

Prior period shares and per share amounts have been updated to reflect the reverse stock split, which took effect on December 17, 2020.

Rent collection percentages disclosed are based on contractual rent and recoveries paid by tenants to cover estimated tax, insurance and common area maintenance expenses, including the Company's pro rata share of such amounts related to properties owned by unconsolidated joint ventures.  Percentages are based on the terms of the lease agreements in effect at January 1, 2021 and exclude rent due and cash received for leases being accounted for on a cash basis as of January 1, 2021. This change better reflects normalized collections and has a very modest impact of approximately 1.0%. Percentages also exclude any tenants in bankruptcy prior to the pandemic.

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company updated its definition of Normalized EBITDA to include the impact of straight-line rent, in order to be consistent with peer companies.  The Company recast the data presented for prior periods, including ratios impacted by the change. 

Descriptions of FFO and AFFO, EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA, Principal Outstanding and Adjusted Principal Outstanding, Net Debt, Interest Expense, Excluding Non-Cash Amortization, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA Annualized Ratio, Net Debt Leverage Ratio, and Unencumbered Asset Ratio are provided below. Refer to the subsequent tables for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and the calculations of these financial ratios.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate ("EBITDAre") and Normalized EBITDA

Due to certain unique operating characteristics of real estate companies, as discussed below, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. ("Nareit"), an industry trade group, has promulgated a supplemental performance measure known as Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate. Nareit defines EBITDAre as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, impairment write-downs on real estate, gains or losses from disposition of property and our pro rata share of EBITDAre adjustments related to unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. We calculated EBITDAre in accordance with Nareit's definition described above.

In addition to EBITDAre, we use Normalized EBITDA as a non-GAAP supplemental performance measure to evaluate the operating performance of the Company. Normalized EBITDA, as defined by the Company, represents EBITDAre, modified to exclude non-routine items such as acquisition-related expenses, litigation and non-routine costs, net and gains or losses on sale of investment securities or mortgage notes receivable. We also exclude certain non-cash items such as impairments of goodwill, intangible and right of use assets, gains or losses on derivatives, gains or losses on the extinguishment or forgiveness of debt and amortization of intangibles, above-market lease assets and below-market lease liabilities. Management believes that excluding these costs from EBITDAre provides investors with supplemental performance information that is consistent with the performance models and analysis used by management, and provides investors a view of the performance of our portfolio over time. Therefore, EBITDAre and Normalized EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as computed in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses Normalized EBITDA as one measure of its operating performance when formulating corporate goals and evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's strategies. EBITDAre and Normalized EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is the sum of (i) Interest Expense, excluding non-cash amortization, (ii) secured debt principal amortization on Adjusted Principal Outstanding and (iii) dividends attributable to preferred shares divided by Normalized EBITDA. Management believes that Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is a useful supplemental measure of our ability to satisfy fixed financing obligations.

Funds from Operations ("FFO") and Adjusted Funds from Operations ("AFFO")

Due to certain unique operating characteristics of real estate companies, as discussed below, Nareit has promulgated a supplemental performance measure known as FFO, which we believe to be an appropriate supplemental performance measure to reflect the operating performance of a REIT. FFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss as determined under U.S. GAAP.

Nareit defines FFO as net income or loss computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP adjusted for gains or losses from disposition of property, depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, impairment write-downs on real estate, and our pro rata share of FFO adjustments related to unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. We calculate FFO in accordance with Nareit's definition described above.

In addition to FFO, we use AFFO as a non-GAAP supplemental financial performance measure to evaluate the operating performance of the Company. AFFO, as defined by the Company, excludes from FFO non-routine items such as acquisition-related expenses, litigation and non-routine costs, net and gains or losses on sale of investment securities or mortgage notes receivable. We also exclude certain non-cash items such as impairments of goodwill, intangible and right of use assets, straight-line rent, net direct financing lease adjustments, gains or losses on derivatives, gains or losses on the extinguishment or forgiveness of debt, equity-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts on debt and investments, above-market lease assets and below-market lease liabilities. Management believes that excluding these items from FFO provides investors with supplemental performance information that is consistent with the performance models and analysis used by management, and provides investors a view of the performance of our portfolio over time. AFFO allows for a comparison of the performance of our operations with other publicly-traded REITs, as AFFO, or an equivalent measure, is routinely reported by publicly-traded REITs, and we believe often used by analysts and investors for comparison purposes.

For all of these reasons, we believe FFO and AFFO, in addition to net income (loss), as defined by U.S. GAAP, are helpful supplemental performance measures and useful in understanding the various ways in which our management evaluates the performance of the Company over time. However, not all REITs calculate FFO and AFFO the same way, so comparisons with other REITs may not be meaningful. FFO and AFFO should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) and are not intended to be used as a liquidity measure indicative of cash flow available to fund our cash needs. Neither the SEC, Nareit, nor any other regulatory body has evaluated the acceptability of the exclusions used to adjust FFO in order to calculate AFFO and its use as a non-GAAP financial performance measure.

Gross Real Estate Investments

Gross Real Estate Investments represent total gross real estate and related assets of Operating Properties, equity investments in the Cole REITs, investment in direct financing leases, investment securities backed by real estate and mortgage notes receivable, and the Company's pro rata share of such amounts related to properties owned by Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, net of gross intangible lease liabilities. We believe that the presentation of Gross Real Estate Investments, which shows our total investments in real estate and related assets, in connection with Net Debt, provides useful information to investors to assess our overall financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage. Gross Real Estate Investments should not be considered as an alternative to the Company's real estate investments balance as determined in accordance with GAAP or any other GAAP financial measures and should only be considered together with, and as a supplement to, the Company's financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Interest Expense, Excluding Non-Cash Amortization

Interest Expense, excluding non-cash amortization is a non-GAAP measure that represents interest expense incurred on the outstanding principal balance of our debt and the Company's pro rata share of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures' outstanding principal balance.  This measure excludes the amortization of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts, which is included in interest expense in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of Interest Expense, excluding non-cash amortization, which shows the interest expense on our contractual debt obligations, provides useful information to investors to assess our overall solvency and financial flexibility. Interest Expense, excluding non-cash amortization should not be considered as an alternative to the Company's 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 the Company's financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Net Debt Leverage Ratio

Net Debt Leverage Ratio equals Net Debt divided by Gross Real Estate Investments. We believe that the presentation of Net Debt Leverage Ratio provides useful information to investors because our management reviews Net Debt Leverage Ratio as part of its management of our overall liquidity, financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage.

Net Debt, Principal Outstanding and Adjusted Principal Outstanding 

Principal Outstanding is a non-GAAP measure that represents the Company's outstanding principal debt balance, excluding certain GAAP adjustments, such as premiums and discounts, financing and issuance costs, and related accumulated amortization. Adjusted Principal Outstanding includes the Company's pro rata share of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures' outstanding principal debt balance. We believe that the presentation of Principal Outstanding and Adjusted Principal Outstanding, which show our contractual debt obligations, provides useful information to investors to assess our overall financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage. Principal Outstanding and Adjusted Principal Outstanding should not be considered as alternatives to the Company's consolidated debt balance as determined in accordance with GAAP or any other GAAP financial measures and should only be considered together with, and as a supplement to, the Company's financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Net Debt is a non-GAAP measure used to show the Company's Adjusted Principal Outstanding, less all cash and cash equivalents and the Company's pro rata share of the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures' cash and cash equivalents. We believe that the presentation of Net Debt provides useful information to investors because our management reviews Net Debt as part of its management of our overall liquidity, financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage.

Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA Annualized Ratio

Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA Annualized ("Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA") equals Net Debt divided by the respective quarter Normalized EBITDA multiplied by four. We believe that the presentation of Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA Annualized provides useful information to investors because our management reviews Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA Annualized as part of its management of our overall liquidity, financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage.

Unencumbered Asset Ratio

Unencumbered Asset Ratio equals unencumbered Gross Real Estate Investments divided by Gross Real Estate Investments. Management believes that Unencumbered Asset Ratio is a useful supplemental measure of our overall liquidity and leverage.

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures 

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures include the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures formed to acquire and own real estate properties and exclude other investments in unconsolidated entities.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth herein contains "forward-looking statements" which reflect the Company's expectations and projections regarding future events and plans, the Company's future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and business, including leasing and occupancy, acquisitions, dispositions, rent receipts, rent relief requests, rent relief granted, the payment of future dividends, the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Company's business, and the pending merger (the "Merger") with Realty Income Corporation. Generally, the words "anticipates," "assumes," "believes," "continues," "could," "estimates," "expects," "goals," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "seeks," "should," "targets," "will," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available and involve a number of known and unknown assumptions and risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual events and plans or could cause the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Further, information regarding historical rent collections should not serve as an indication of future rent collections.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the Company's ability to consummate the proposed Merger and the timing of the closing of the proposed Merger; the potential impact of the announcement of the proposed transactions or consummation of the proposed transactions on business relationships, including with tenants, clients, employees, customers and competitors; potential litigation associated with the Merger; costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the proposed transactions; risks as a result of the restrictions imposed by operating covenants contained in the Merger Agreement restricting the Company generally from issuing equity, incurring or pre-paying debt and limitations on the use of its revolving credit facility; the duration and extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our business and the businesses of our tenants (including their ability to timely make rental payments) and the economy generally; federal, state or local legislation or regulation that could impact the timely payment of rent by tenants in light of COVID-19; the Company's ability to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space as leases expire on favorable terms or at all; risks associated with tenant, geographic and industry concentrations with respect to the Company's properties; risks accompanying the management of its industrial and office partnerships; the impact of impairment charges in respect of certain of the Company's properties; unexpected costs or liabilities that may arise from potential dispositions, including related to limited partnership, tenant-in-common and Delaware statutory trust real estate programs and the Company's management with respect to such programs; competition in the acquisition and disposition of properties and in the leasing of its properties including that the Company may be unable to acquire, dispose of, or lease properties on advantageous terms or at all; risks associated with bankruptcies or insolvencies of tenants, from tenant defaults generally or from the unpredictability of the business plans and financial condition of the Company's tenants, which are heightened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with the Company's substantial indebtedness, including that such indebtedness may affect the Company's ability to pay dividends and that the terms and restrictions within the agreements governing the Company's indebtedness may restrict its borrowing and operating flexibility; the ability to retain or hire key personnel; and the continuation or deterioration of current market conditions. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE VEREIT, Inc.