Rexford Industrial Realty Inc (REXR) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Leasing Spreads ...

GuruFocus.com
07 Feb
  • Core FFO Growth: 7% growth in core FFO per share for the full year 2024.
  • Same-Property Cash NOI Growth: 7% growth for the full year 2024.
  • Leasing Activity: 1 million square feet leased in Q4 2024 with net effective leasing spreads of 55% and cash leasing spreads of 41%.
  • Same-Property Average Occupancy: Declined by 120 basis points sequentially.
  • Acquisitions: $1.5 billion completed in 2024, projected to generate a 5.6% unlevered stabilized yield.
  • Repositioning and Redevelopment Projects: 825,000 square feet stabilized in 2024 with a 7.5% unlevered stabilized yield.
  • Incremental NOI from Repositioning and Redevelopment: Projected $75 million from projects under construction or in lease-up.
  • Net Debt-to-EBITDA: 4.6 times at quarter end.
  • Liquidity: $1.4 billion total liquidity, including nearly full availability on a $1 billion revolver.
  • 2025 Core FFO Guidance: $2.37 to $2.41 per share.
  • 2025 Capital Allocation: $275 million allocated for repositioning and redevelopment.
  • Share Repurchase Program: $300 million authorized by the Board.
  • Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with REXR.

Release Date: February 06, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Rexford Industrial Realty Inc (NYSE:REXR) delivered solid fourth-quarter results, executing 1 million square feet of leasing with net effective leasing spreads of 55% and cash leasing spreads of 41%.
  • The company achieved a 7.5% unlevered stabilized yield on total investment for 10 repositioning and redevelopment projects completed in 2024.
  • Rexford Industrial Realty Inc (NYSE:REXR) maintained a low leverage profile with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 4.6 times and strong liquidity totaling $1.4 billion.
  • The company has a $300 million share repurchase program authorized, expanding opportunities for capital allocation.
  • Rexford Industrial Realty Inc (NYSE:REXR) projects a 40% increase in total incremental NOI, equal to $280 million, driven by embedded rent steps and repositioning projects.

Negative Points

  • Market conditions have led to a decline in same-property average occupancies by 120 basis points sequentially.
  • Rexford Industrial Realty Inc (NYSE:REXR) observed a decline in market rents for quality products, with a 1.5% sequential and 8% year-over-year decrease.
  • The company is experiencing longer projected downtime between tenant move-outs and new rent commencements, impacting occupancy rates.
  • Rexford Industrial Realty Inc (NYSE:REXR) has no acquisitions under contract or accepted offer, indicating a cautious approach to new investments.
  • The company faces challenges from elevated downtime, increased concessions, and higher bad debt, impacting same-property net effective NOI growth.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain the decline in leasing volumes from 3.2 million square feet in Q1 to 1 million in Q4, and what are your expectations for 2025? A: The 1 million square feet of leasing in Q4 was expected due to minimal lease expirations and a slower demand environment. However, in January, we saw an increase in market activity, executing 1 million square feet of leasing year-to-date, including lease-ups of repositioning projects. We are focused on converting this activity into executed leases. - Laura Clark, COO

Q: Can you discuss the components of cash same-store NOI growth, including rent spreads, rent bumps, and bad debt? A: The major drivers include 270 basis points from cash releasing spreads at about 20% for the year, and 320 basis points from rent steps. These are offset by 130 basis points of concessions, 100 basis points of occupancy decline, and 80 basis points from higher bad debt. - Michael Fitzmaurice, CFO

Q: What are your thoughts on market rent growth, given the recent decline in rents for comparable portfolios? A: It's challenging to predict a bottom for market rents due to various demand and supply drivers. However, our small to medium-sized tenant base shows more resilience compared to larger box tenants. Our portfolio's market rents are down about 8% year-over-year, compared to a 25% decline for larger box tenants. - Michael Frankel, Co-CEO

Q: How do you view lease expirations in 2025, and are there any significant move-outs expected? A: We anticipate a 100 basis point decline in average portfolio occupancy for 2025, mainly due to longer projected downtime between tenant move-outs and new rent commencements. About 70% of this decline is impacted by four tenants, with two spaces vacated in Q4 and two expected in 2025. - Laura Clark, COO

Q: Can you clarify why GAAP same-store NOI growth is expected to be lower than cash same-store guidance? A: The difference is due to straight-line rent as we burn off below-market leases, which are generally in the back half of their terms. This creates a drag on GAAP same-store NOI growth. - Unidentified Company Representative

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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