RioCan Reports First Quarter Results - Strong Leasing Results Driven by Accelerated Demand for High-Quality RioCan Space

In This Article:

  • More than 1,330,000 square feet of leases completed, including 482,000 square feet of new leases

  • Strong demand drove blended leasing spread to 14%, including new leasing spread of 20%

  • Strategic leasing and development continued to enhance portfolio quality and net asset value (NAV) with resilient tenants, including new leases that upgraded two assets to grocery-anchored centres

TORONTO, May 07, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust ("RioCan" or the "Trust") (TSX: REI.UN) announced today its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

"We continue to demonstrate the quality and resilience of RioCan's exceptional portfolio with strong leasing demand whenever units become available at our centres. Our ideal locations, superior demographics, and resilient tenant mix continue to attract and retain essential retailers," said Jonathan Gitlin, President and CEO of RioCan. "Our strategic leasing activity continues to enhance the strength of our portfolio and surface significant net asset value through an upgraded tenant base, improved income quality and higher average rents. The ongoing short supply and strong demand for quality retail space positions RioCan well for strong leasing results going forward."

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions, except where otherwise noted, and per unit values)

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

FFO 1

 

$

136.0

 

 

$

131.3

FFO per unit - diluted 1

 

$

0.45

 

 

$

0.44

Net income

 

$

128.6

 

 

$

118.0

Weighted average Units outstanding - diluted (in thousands)

 

 

300,469

 

 

 

300,547

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at

 

March 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net book value per unit

 

$

24.89

 

 

$

24.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • FFO per unit was $0.45, an increase of $0.01 per unit or 2.3% over the same period last year. FFO growth was driven by strong leasing performance, growth in residential NOI1, benefits of development deliveries and higher residential inventory gains. These items were partially offset by the short-term impact on in-place occupancy of tenant vacancies, many of which have been re-leased at higher rents, lower NOI from prior periods' sale of commercial properties and higher interest expense.

  • Net income of $128.6 million was $10.6 million higher than the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to the reasons described above, and a $3.3 million fair value gain on investment properties compared to a $17.4 million fair value loss in 2023 partially offset by a prior year tax recovery benefit that did not recur.

  • Our FFO Payout Ratio1 of 60.7%, Liquidity1 of $1.5 billion, Unencumbered Assets1 of $8.1 billion, floating rate debt at 8.6%1 of total debt and staggered debt maturities, all contribute to our financial flexibility and balance sheet strength.