FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
51% Cash Rental Rate Increase on Leases Signed To-Date Commencing in 2024; Includes 300,000 Square-Foot Southern California Renewal
Cash Same Store NOI Growth of 7.6% in the Third Quarter
33% Cash Rental Rate Increase on Leases Signed To-Date Commencing in 2025
Started a 542,000 Square-Foot Development in Nashville, Estimated Investment of $54 Million
Acquired Fully Leased Four-Building Portfolio in Houston for $29 Million
Sold Ten Buildings for $101 Million in the Third Quarter and Fourth Quarter To-Date
2024 NAREIT FFO Guidance Increased $0.02 at the Midpoint to $2.61 to $2.65 Per Share/Unit
CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), a leading fully integrated owner, operator and developer of logistics real estate, today announced results for the third quarter of 2024. First Industrial's diluted net income available to common stockholders per share (EPS) was $0.75 in the third quarter, compared to $0.57 a year ago and third quarter funds from operations (FFO) was $0.68 per share/unit on a diluted basis, compared to $0.62 per share/unit a year ago. Third quarter 2024 FFO per share/unit and EPS includes a $0.01 reduction related to the net impact of the write-off of a deferred rent receivable and the accelerated recognition of a tenant improvement reimbursement all related to a tenant that is ceasing operations in Central Pennsylvania.
"The First Industrial team delivered another great quarter with solid operating metrics along with some important leases and capital deployment actions," said Peter E. Baccile, president and chief executive officer of First Industrial. "By capturing embedded rental rate growth and contractual escalations along with our continuing development leasing, we are positioned to deliver strong future FFO growth."
Portfolio Performance
In service occupancy was 95.0% at the end of the third quarter of 2024, compared to 95.3% at the end of the second quarter of 2024, and 95.4% at the end of the third quarter of 2023. There are approximately 200 basis points of occupancy opportunity, as of September 30, 2024, from the future lease-up of developments placed in service in the second half of 2023 and year to date 2024.
The Company renewed the last of the three large Southern California 2024 expirations at its 300,000 square-foot building in the Inland Empire West.
The Company has achieved a cash rental rate increase of approximately 51% on leases signed to-date commencing in 2024 reflecting 97% of 2024 expirations by square footage.
The Company has achieved a cash rental rate increase of approximately 33% on leases signed to-date commencing in 2025 reflecting 37% of 2025 expirations by square footage.
Cash basis same store net operating income before termination fees ("SS NOI") increased 7.6% for the third quarter reflecting increases in rental rates on new and renewal leasing and contractual rent escalations, partially offset by higher free rent and lower average occupancy. Third quarter 2024 SS NOI excludes $4.5 million of income related to the accelerated recognition of a tenant improvement reimbursement associated with a tenant in Central Pennsylvania.
Development Leasing Highlights
During the third quarter, the Company:
Leased 100% of the 461,000 square-foot First Pioneer Logistics Center in the Inland Empire; commenced in the third quarter.
Leased 61,000 square feet of its 200,000 square-foot First 76 Logistics Center in Denver; commenced in the third quarter; project is 50% leased.
Investment and Disposition Highlights
During the third quarter, the Company:
Commenced development of First Rockdale VII in Nashville - 542,000 square feet, $54 million estimated investment.
Acquired a four-building fully leased portfolio in Houston - 211,000 square feet, total of $29 million.
Sold a seven-building portfolio in New Jersey - 445,000 square feet, total of $82 million.
In the fourth quarter to-date, the Company:
Sold three buildings in Central Pennsylvania - 163,000 square feet, total of $19 million.
Outlook for 2024
"With a strong operating performance in the quarter, including the successful renewal of our last remaining large 2024 expiration in Southern California, we are raising our FFO per share guidance by two cents at the midpoint," said Mr. Baccile. "We are positioned to drive incremental FFO and cash flow growth from our portfolio and development lease-up heading into 2025."
Low End of
High End of
Guidance for 2024
Guidance for 2024
(Per share/unit)
(Per share/unit)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
$ 2.09
$ 2.13
Add: Depreciation and Other Amortization of Real Estate (Including Joint Venture)
1.29
1.29
Less: Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Allocable Income Tax Provision (Including
Joint Venture) and Net of Joint Venture Noncontrolling Interest, Through October 16, 2024
(0.77)
(0.77)
NAREIT Funds From Operations
$ 2.61
$ 2.65
The following assumptions were used for guidance:
In service occupancy at year-end fourth quarter of 95.0% to 97.0%. This implies a full year quarter-end average in service occupancy of 95.2% to 95.7%, a decrease of 80 basis points at the midpoint. The guidance reflects adjustments to lease-up timing assumptions for developments placed in service and not fully leased.
Fourth quarter SS NOI growth on a cash basis before termination fees of 8.0% to 10.0%. This implies a quarterly average SS NOI growth for the full year 2024 of 7.75% to 8.25%, an increase of 25 basis points at the midpoint. SS NOI for the full year excludes $4.5 million and $2.9 million of income related to the accelerated recognition of tenant improvement reimbursements in 3Q24 and 1Q23, respectively.
Includes the incremental costs expected in 2024 related to the Company's completed and under construction developments as of September 30, 2024. In total, the Company expects to capitalize $0.06 per share of interest in 2024.
General and administrative expense ("G&A") of $39.5 million to $40.5 million.
Guidance does not include the impact of any future investments, property sales, debt repurchases prior to maturity, debt issuances, or equity issuances post the date of this press release.
Conference Call
First Industrial will host its quarterly conference call on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CDT (11:00 a.m. EDT). The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 870-4263, passcode "First Industrial". The conference call will also be webcast live on the Investors page of the Company's website at www.firstindustrial.com. The replay will also be available on the website.
The Company's third quarter 2024 supplemental information can be viewed at www.firstindustrial.com under the "Investors" tab.
FFO Definition
In accordance with the NAREIT definition of FFO, First Industrial calculates FFO to be equal to net income available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s common stockholders and participating securities, plus depreciation and other amortization of real estate, plus impairment of real estate, minus gain or plus loss on sale of real estate, net of any income tax provision or benefit associated with the sale of real estate. First Industrial also excludes the same adjustments from its share of net income from an unconsolidated joint venture.
About First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FR) is a leading U.S.-only owner, operator, developer and acquirer of logistics properties. Through our fully integrated operating and investing platform, we provide high quality facilities and industry-leading customer service to multinational corporations and regional firms that are essential for their supply chains. Our portfolio and new investments are concentrated in 15 target MSAs with an emphasis on supply-constrained, coastally oriented markets. In total, we own and have under development approximately 69.0 million square feet of industrial space as of September 30, 2024. For more information, please visit us at www.firstindustrial.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and the presentation to which it refers may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, and are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "seek," "target," "potential," "focus," "may," "will," "should" or similar words. Although we believe the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results will not materially differ. Factors that could have a materially adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to: changes in national, international, regional and local economic conditions generally and real estate markets specifically; changes in legislation/regulation (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts) and actions of regulatory authorities; our ability to qualify and maintain our status as a real estate investment trust; the availability and attractiveness of financing (including both public and private capital) and changes in interest rates; the availability and attractiveness of terms of additional debt repurchases; our ability to retain our credit agency ratings; our ability to comply with applicable financial covenants; our competitive environment; changes in supply, demand and valuation of industrial properties and land in our current and potential market areas; our ability to identify, acquire, develop and/or manage properties on favorable terms; our ability to dispose of properties on favorable terms; our ability to manage the integration of properties we acquire; potential liability relating to environmental matters; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by our tenants; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; higher-than-expected real estate construction costs and delays in development or lease-up schedules; the uncertainty and economic impact of pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies or fear of such events; risks associated with security breaches through cyberattacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology networks and related systems; potential natural disasters and other potentially catastrophic events such as acts of war and/or terrorism; technological developments, particularly those affecting supply chains and logistics; litigation, including costs associated with prosecuting or defending claims and any adverse outcomes; risks associated with our investments in joint ventures, including our lack of sole decision-making authority; and other risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in our other Exchange Act reports and in our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our outlook only and speak only as of the date of this press release or the dates indicated in the statements. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements. For further information on these and other factors that could impact us and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to our filings with the SEC.
A schedule of selected financial information is attached.
FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
Selected Financial Data
(Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share/Unit data)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Statements of Operations and Other Data:
Total Revenues
$ 167,645
$ 155,105
$ 494,053
$ 456,751
Property Expenses
(44,884)
(42,559)
(134,949)
(124,498)
General and Administrative
(9,230)
(8,456)
(30,632)
(27,330)
Joint Venture Development Services Expense
(208)
(559)
(1,005)
(2,690)
Depreciation of Corporate FF&E
(183)
(206)
(555)
(665)
Depreciation and Other Amortization of Real Estate
(43,332)
(40,940)
(127,827)
(120,843)
Total Expenses
(97,837)
(92,720)
(294,968)
(276,026)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate
56,814
34,368
93,801
47,421
Interest Expense
(20,836)
(19,906)
(62,859)
(53,923)
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
(911)
(905)
(2,735)
(2,714)
Income from Operations Before Equity in Income of
Joint Venture and Income Tax Provision
$ 104,875
$ 75,942
