• American Assets Trust, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 26 Jul 2022 15:15:05   America/Chicago

    Net income available to common stockholders of $10.6 million and $21.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, or $0.18 and $0.35 per diluted share, respectively.

    Funds From Operations per diluted share increased 14% and 30% year-over-year for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, or $0.58 and $1.16 per diluted share, respectively.

    Increased 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.21 to $2.27 with a midpoint of $2.24.

    SAN DIEGO, July 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Assets Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AAT) (the “company”) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

    Second Quarter Highlights

    • Net income available to common stockholders of $10.6 million and $21.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, or $0.18 and $0.35 per diluted share, respectively.
    • Funds From Operations ("FFO") increased 14% and 30% year-over year to $0.58 and $1.16 per diluted share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021.
    • Same-store cash Net Operating Income ("NOI") increased 3.6% and 10.4% year-over-year for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2021.
    • Increased 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.21 to $2.27 with a midpoint of $2.24, an approximately 3% increase over the prior 2022 guidance midpoint of $2.17.
    • Leased approximately 128,000 comparable office square feet at an average straight-line basis and cash-basis contractual rent increase of 21% and 21%, respectively, during the three months ended June 30, 2022.
    • Leased approximately 67,000 comparable retail square feet at an average straight-line basis and cash-basis contractual rent increase of 20% and 6%, respectively, during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

    Financial Results

    Net income attributable to common stockholders was $10.6 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $8.9 million, or $0.15 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net income attributed to common stockholders was $21.1 million, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share compared to $10.2 million, or 0.17 per basic and diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The year-over-year increase in net income attributable to common stockholders is primarily due to (i) a $4.1 million net increase in income at our Waikiki Beach Walk - Embassy Suites due to increased tourism into Hawaii, (ii) a $4.3 million debt extinguishment charge related to the repayment of the company's Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series A on January 26, 2021, not incurred in 2022 and (iii) a $2.4 million net increase in retail revenue, due to COVID-related lease modifications that changed some tenants to alternate rent or cash basis of revenue recognition (with some of these tenants later reverting back to contractual basic monthly rent).

    During the second quarter of 2022, the company generated FFO for common stock and common units of $44.5 million, or $0.58 per diluted share and unit, compared to $39.0 million, or $0.51 per diluted share and unit, for the second quarter of 2021. The increase in FFO from the corresponding period in 2021 was primarily due to an increase in revenue at our Waikiki Beach Walk - Embassy SuitesTM, an increase in revenue in our retail segment and an increase in revenue and average monthly base rent for our multifamily segment. Additionally, there was an increase in FFO in 2022 from (i) our recent acquisitions of Eastgate Office Park and Corporate Campus East III in July 2021 and September 2021, respectively, and Bel-Spring 520 in March 2022 and (ii) related to the above described 2021 debt extinguishment charge.

    FFO is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure which the company considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance. A reconciliation of FFO to net income is attached to this press release.

    Leasing

    The portfolio leased status as of the end of the indicated quarter was as follows:

     June 30, 2022March 31, 2022June 30, 2021
    Total Portfolio   
    Office91.0%91.5%90.3%
    Retail92.5%92.2%91.1%
    Multifamily92.0%94.8%87.8%
    Mixed-Use:   
    Retail94.9%94.3%89.2%
    Hotel75.8%72.8%57.4%
        
    Same-Store Portfolio  
    Office (1)95.8%95.6%92.6%
    Retail92.5%92.2%91.1%
    Multifamily92.0%94.8%87.8%
    Mixed-Use:   
    Retail94.9%94.3%89.2%
    Hotel75.8%72.8%57.4%
    (1) Same-store office leased percentages excludes (i) One Beach Street due to significant redevelopment activity; (ii) Eastgate Office Park which was acquired on July 7, 2021; (iii) Corporate Campus East III which was acquired on September 10, 2021; (iv) Bel-Spring 520 which was acquired on March 8, 2022 and (v) land held for development.

    During the second quarter of 2022, the company signed 36 leases for approximately 225,900 square feet of office and retail space, as well as 451 multifamily apartment leases. Renewals accounted for 73% of the comparable office leases, 88% of the comparable retail leases, and 60% of the residential leases.

    Office and Retail
    On a comparable space basis (i.e. leases for which there was a former tenant) during the second quarter of 2022 and trailing four quarters ended June 30, 2022, our retail and office leasing spreads are shown below:

      Number of Leases SignedComparable Leased Sq. Ft.Average Cash Basis % Change Over Prior Rent Average Cash Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft.Prior Average Cash Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft.Straight-Line Basis % Change Over Prior Rent
    Office
    		Q2 202211128,00021.1%$60.65$50.0720.7%
    Last 4 Quarters36309,00016.6%$63.16$54.1420.3%
            
    Retail
    		Q2 20221667,0005.7%$29.01$27.4320.2%
    Last 4 Quarters71322,000(2.7)%$34.54$35.4911.0%

    Multifamily
    The average monthly base rent per leased unit for our multifamily properties for the second quarter of 2022 was $2,297 compared to an average monthly base rent per leased unit of $2,187 for the second quarter of 2021, which is an increase of approximately 5%.

    Same-Store Cash Net Operating Income

    For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, same-store cash NOI increased 3.6% and 10.4%, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. The same-store cash NOI by segment was as follows (in thousands):

     Three Months Ended (1)    Six Months Ended (1)   
     June 30,    June 30,   
     2022
    		 2021
    		 Change 2022
    		  2021
    		 Change
    Cash Basis:              
    Office$30,155  $30,088  0.2 % $59,643  $56,377  5.8 %
    Retail 16,827   17,142  (1.8)   33,521   33,431  0.3  
    Multifamily 7,975   6,651  19.9    15,996   13,759  16.3  
    Mixed-Use 5,600   4,546  23.2    10,202   4,547  —  
    Same-store Cash NOI$60,557  $58,427  3.6 % $119,362  $108,114  10.4 %


    (1)Same-store portfolio excludes (i) One Beach Street, due to significant redevelopment activity; (ii) Eastgate Office Park which was acquired on July 7, 2021; (iii) Corporate Campus East III which was acquired on September 10, 2021; (iv) Bel-Spring 520 which was acquired on March 8, 2022 and (v) land held for development.
      

    Same-store cash NOI is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure which the company considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance. A reconciliation of same-store cash NOI to net income is attached to this press release.

    Balance Sheet and Liquidity

    At June 30, 2022, the company had gross real estate assets of $3.6 billion and liquidity of $460.8 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $60.8 million and $400.0 million of availability on its line of credit. At June 30, 2022, the company has only 1 out of 31 assets encumbered by a mortgage.

    Dividends

    The company declared dividends on its shares of common stock of $0.32 per share for the second quarter of 2022. The dividends were paid on June 23, 2022.

    In addition, the company has declared a dividend on its common stock of $0.32 per share for the third quarter of 2022. The dividend will be paid in cash on September 22, 2022 to stockholders of record on September 8, 2022.

    Guidance
    The company increased its 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.21 to $2.27 per share, an increase of approximately 3% at midpoint from the prior 2022 FFO per diluted share guidance range of $2.13 to
    $2.21 per share.

    The company's guidance excludes any impact from future acquisitions, dispositions, equity issuances or repurchases, debt financings or repayments. Management will discuss the company's guidance in more detail on tomorrow's earnings call. The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management's view of current and future market conditions, including certain assumptions with respect to leasing activity, rental rates, occupancy levels, interest rates, credit spreads and the amount and timing of acquisition and development activities. The company's actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

    Conference Call

    The company will hold a conference call to discuss the results for the second quarter of 2022 on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”). To participate in the event by telephone, please dial 1-866-374-5140 and use the pass code 15612462#. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 through Wednesday, August 3, 2022. To access the replay, dial 1-866-374-5140 and use the pass code 15612462#. A live on-demand audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the company's website at www.americanassetstrust.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the company's website.

    Supplemental Information

    Supplemental financial information regarding the company's second quarter 2022 results may be found on the "Financial Reporting" tab of the “Investors” page of the company's website at www.americanassetstrust.com. This supplemental information provides additional detail on items such as property occupancy, financial performance by property and debt maturity schedules.

    Financial Information
    American Assets Trust, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In Thousands, Except Share Data)

     June 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
    Assets(unaudited)  
    Real estate, at cost       
    Operating real estate$3,454,499  $3,389,726 
    Construction in progress 176,582   139,098 
    Held for development 547   547 
      3,631,628   3,529,371 
    Accumulated depreciation (894,202)  (847,390)
    Real estate, net 2,737,426   2,681,981 
    Cash and cash equivalents 60,750   139,524 
    Accounts receivable, net 7,218   7,445 
    Deferred rent receivables, net 87,579   82,724 
    Other assets, net 114,217   106,253 
    Total assets$3,007,190  $3,017,927 
    Liabilities and equity       
    Liabilities:       
    Secured notes payable, net$110,986  $110,965 
    Unsecured notes payable, net 1,538,519   1,538,238 
    Unsecured line of credit, net —   — 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses 66,334   64,531 
    Security deposits payable 8,519   7,855 
    Other liabilities and deferred credits, net 82,864   86,215 
    Total liabilities 1,807,222   1,807,804 
    Commitments and contingencies       
    Equity:       
    American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity       
    Common stock, $0.01 par value, 490,000,000 shares authorized, 60,528,115 and 60,525,580 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively 605   605 
    Additional paid-in capital 1,456,747   1,453,272 
    Accumulated dividends in excess of net income (235,107)  (217,785)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 9,457   2,872 
    Total American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity 1,231,702   1,238,964 
    Noncontrolling interests (31,734)  (28,841)
    Total equity 1,199,968   1,210,123 
    Total liabilities and equity$3,007,190  $3,017,927 


    American Assets Trust, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Data)

     Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
      2022  2021  2022  2021
    Revenue:       
    Rental income$99,016  $87,639  $196,002  $168,769 
    Other property income 5,139   4,170   9,623   7,026 
    Total revenue 104,155   91,809   205,625   175,795 
    Expenses:       
    Rental expenses 25,853   20,204   49,998   38,450 
    Real estate taxes 11,287   10,612   22,716   21,966 
    General and administrative 7,612   6,924   14,754   13,747 
    Depreciation and amortization 31,087   27,646   61,499   55,147 
    Total operating expenses 75,839   65,386   148,967   129,310 
    Operating income 28,316   26,423   56,658   46,485 
    Interest expense (14,547)  (14,862)  (29,213)  (28,867)
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt —   —   —   (4,271)
    Other (expense) income, net (181)  (74)  (343)  (127)
    Net income 13,588   11,487   27,102   13,220 
    Net income attributable to restricted shares (154)  (135)  (309)  (272)
    Net income attributable to unitholders in the Operating Partnership (2,852)  (2,411)  (5,688)  (2,750)
    Net income attributable to American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders$10,582  $8,941  $21,105  $10,198 
            
    Net income per share       
    Basic income attributable to common stockholders per share$0.18  $0.15  $0.35  $0.17 
    Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic 60,040,243   59,985,787   60,039,467   59,985,065 
            
    Diluted income attributable to common stockholders per share$0.18  $0.15  $0.35  $0.17 
    Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted 76,221,780   76,167,324   76,221,004   76,166,602 
            
    Dividends declared per common share$0.32  $0.28  $0.64  $0.56 


    Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations
    The company's FFO attributable to common stockholders and operating partnership unitholders and reconciliation to net income is as follows (in thousands except shares and per share data, unaudited):

     Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
     June 30, 2022 June 30, 2022
    Funds From Operations (FFO)     
    Net income$13,588  $27,102 
    Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets 31,087   61,499 
    FFO, as defined by NAREIT$44,675  $88,601 
    Less: Nonforfeitable dividends on restricted stock awards (153)  (306)
    FFO attributable to common stock and units$44,522  $88,295 
    FFO per diluted share/unit$0.58  $1.16 
    Weighted average number of common shares and units, diluted 76,222,271   76,221,747 


    Reconciliation of Same-Store Cash NOI to Net Income
    The company's reconciliation of Same-Store Cash NOI to Net Income is as follows (in thousands, unaudited):

     Three Months Ended (1) Six Months Ended (1)
     June 30, June 30,
     2022 2021 2022 2021
    Same-store cash NOI 60,557  $58,427  $119,362  $108,114 
    Non-same-store cash NOI 2,951   82   5,424   107 
    Tenant improvement reimbursements (2) 2,612   220   2,770   291 
    Cash NOI$66,120  $58,729  $127,556  $108,512 
    Non-cash revenue and other operating expenses (3) 895   2,264   5,355   6,867 
    General and administrative (7,612)  (6,924)  (14,754)  (13,747)
    Depreciation and amortization (31,087)  (27,646)  (61,499)  (55,147)
    Interest expense (14,547)  (14,862)  (29,213)  (28,867)
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt —   —   —   (4,271)
    Other (expense) income, net (181)  (74)  (343)  (127)
    Net income$13,588  $11,487  $27,102  $13,220 
            
    Number of properties included in same-store analysis 27   26   27   26 


    (1)Same-store portfolio excludes (i) One Beach Street, due to significant redevelopment activity; (ii) Eastgate Office Park which was acquired on July 7, 2021; (iii) Corporate Campus East III which was acquired on September 10, 2021; (iv) Bel-Spring 520 which was acquired on March 8, 2022 and (v) land held for development.
    (2)Tenant improvement reimbursements are excluded from same-store cash NOI to provide a more accurate measure of operating performance.
    (3)Represents adjustments related to the straight-line rent income recognized during the period offset by cash received during the period and the provision for bad debts recorded for deferred rent receivable balances; net change in lease receivables (solely with respect to Q2 2020 through Q4 2021), the amortization of above (below) market rents, the amortization of lease incentives paid to tenants, the amortization of other lease intangibles, and straight-line rent expense for our lease of the Annex at The Landmark at One Market.
      

    Reported results are preliminary and not final until the filing of the company's Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, remain subject to adjustment.

    Use of Non-GAAP Information
    Funds from Operations
    The company calculates FFO in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"). FFO represents net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable operating property, impairment losses, real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

    FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because it believes that FFO is beneficial to investors as a starting point in measuring the company's operational performance. Specifically, in excluding real estate related depreciation and amortization and gains and losses from property dispositions, which do not relate to or are not indicative of operating performance, FFO provides a performance measure that, when compared year-over-year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. The company also believes that, as a widely recognized measure of the performance of REITs, FFO will be used by investors as a basis to compare the company's operating performance with that of other REITs. However, because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and captures neither the changes in the value of the company's properties that result from use or market conditions nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of the company's properties, all of which have real economic effects and could materially impact the company's results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of the company's performance is limited. In addition, other equity REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition as the company does, and, accordingly, the company's FFO may not be comparable to such other REITs' FFO. Accordingly, FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income as a measure of the company's performance. FFO should not be used as a measure of the company's liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund the company's cash needs, including the company's ability to pay dividends or service indebtedness. FFO also should not be used as a supplement to or substitute for cash flow from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP.

    Cash Net Operating Income
    The company uses NOI internally to evaluate and compare the operating performance of the company's properties. The company believes cash NOI provides useful information to investors regarding the company's financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, and when compared across periods, can be used to determine trends in earnings of the company's properties as this measure is not affected by (1) the non-cash revenue and expense recognition items, (2) the cost of funds of the property owner, (3) the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets that are included in net income computed in accordance with GAAP or (4) general and administrative expenses and other gains and losses that are specific to the property owner. The company believes the exclusion of these items from net income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred in operating the company's properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. Cash NOI is a measure of the operating performance of the company's properties but does not measure the company's performance as a whole. Cash NOI is therefore not a substitute for net income as computed in accordance with GAAP.

    Cash NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance. The company defines cash NOI as operating revenues (rental income, tenant reimbursements, lease termination fees, ground lease rental income and other property income) less property and related expenses (property expenses, ground lease expense, property marketing costs, real estate taxes and insurance), adjusted for non-cash revenue and operating expense items such as straight-line rent, net change in lease receivables (solely with respect to Q2 2020 through Q4 2021), amortization of lease intangibles, amortization of lease incentives and other adjustments. Cash NOI also excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, other nonproperty income and losses, acquisition-related expense, gains and losses from property dispositions, extraordinary items, tenant improvements, and leasing commissions. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating cash NOI, and accordingly, the company's cash NOI may not be comparable to the cash NOIs of other REITs.

    About American Assets Trust, Inc.
    American Assets Trust, Inc. is a full service, vertically integrated and self-administered real estate investment trust ("REIT"), headquartered in San Diego, California. The company has over 50 years of experience in acquiring, improving, developing and managing premier office, retail, and residential properties throughout the United States in some of the nation’s most dynamic, high-barrier-to-entry markets primarily in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Hawaii.  The company's office portfolio comprises approximately 4.0 million rentable square feet, and its retail portfolio comprises approximately 3.1 million rentable square feet. In addition, the company owns one mixed-use property (including approximately 94,000 rentable square feet of retail space and a 369-room all-suite hotel) and 2,112 multifamily units. In 2011, the company was formed to succeed to the real estate business of American Assets, Inc., a privately held corporation founded in 1967 and, as such, has significant experience, long-standing relationships and extensive knowledge of its core markets, submarkets and asset classes. For additional information, please visit www.americanassetstrust.com.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: the impact of epidemics, pandemics, or other outbreaks of illness, disease or virus (such as the outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants) and the actions taken by government authorities and others related thereto, including the ability of our company, our properties and our tenants to operate; adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets; our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness; defaults on, early terminations of or non-renewal of leases by tenants, including significant tenants; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; difficulties in completing dispositions; our failure to successfully operate acquired properties and operations; our inability to develop or redevelop our properties due to market conditions; fluctuations in interest rates and increased operating costs; risks related to joint venture arrangements; our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; on-going litigation; general economic conditions; financial market fluctuations; risks that affect the general retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use environment; the competitive environment in which we operate; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; conflicts of interests with our officers or directors; lack or insufficient amounts of insurance; environmental uncertainties and risks related to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; other factors affecting the real estate industry generally; limitations imposed on our business and our ability to satisfy complex rules in order for us to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and changes in governmental regulations or interpretations thereof, such as real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates and taxation of REITs. While forward-looking statements reflect the company's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause the company's future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, and other risks described in documents subsequently filed by the company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.

    Source: American Assets Trust, Inc.

    Investor and Media Contact:
    American Assets Trust
    Robert F. Barton
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    858-350-2607


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