BTB Highlights Revenue Growth and Strong Portfolio Performance in its Q3 2024 Financial Results

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MONTRÉAL , Nov. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - BTB Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: BTB.UN) ("BTB", the "REIT" or the "Trust") announced today its financial results for the third quarter of 2024 ended September 30, 2024 (the "Third Quarter").

Third Quarterly Report 2024 - Balancing Growth and Responsibility (CNW Group/BTB Real Estate Investment Trust)
Third Quarterly Report 2024 - Balancing Growth and Responsibility (CNW Group/BTB Real Estate Investment Trust)

"This quarter was marked by a good performance of our properties, except for one industrial asset where the tenant declared bankruptcy, resulting in a drop in our occupancy rate to 92.3%" said Michel Léonard, President and CEO of BTB. "For the cumulative nine-month period, rental income and net operating income from the same portfolio increased by 1.5% and 4.8%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. These results reflect the organic growth of our portfolio and our sound property management. Our FFO adjusted and AFFO adjusted also increased compared to the previous quarter, reflecting the good performance of our assets. Our debt ratios remained relatively stable, with a total debt ratio of 58.3% and a mortgage debt ratio of 52.5%. In fact, strategically, we are spreading out our mortgage refinancing maturities to try to balance the fluctuations in interest rates on mortgages concluded in recent months, and, with the latest announcements from the Central Bank of Canada, the outlook appears to bode well for future mortgage financing. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we fully redeemed the Series G debenture that matured on October 31, 2024, using BTB's available funds, which were generated primarily through mortgage financings. As of today, only the Series H debenture remains outstanding, which will mature on October 31, 2025. This strategy demonstrates our proactive and prudent approach to debt management in the current environment. We remain committed to our strategic priorities, including targeted dispositions and acquisitions, prudent capital management and ongoing property improvements. We are confident that our disciplined approach will continue to deliver strong results and drive long-term value creation for all our stakeholders."

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ITEMS AS AT SEPTEMBER 30th, 2024

  • Total number of properties: 75

  • Total leasable area: 6.1 million square feet

  • Total value of assets: $1.2 billion

  • Market capitalization: $317 million (unit trading price of $3.61 as at September 30, 2024)

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Periods ended September 30

Quarter

Cumulative (9 months)


2024

2023

2024

2023

Occupancy – committed (%)

92.3 %

93.7 %

-

-

Signed new leases (in sq.ft.)

18,713

25,476

116,855

217,900

Renewed leases at term (in sq.ft.)

47,109

52,178

297,345

258,131

Renewal rate (%)

58.4 %

52.2 %

75.3 %

58.1 %

Other ([1])

45,870

-

45,870

-

Renewed leases prior to the end of the term (in sq.ft.)

207,803

8,070

269,711

68,830

Increase in average lease renewal rate

2.4 %

11.9 %

4.6 %

7.1 %

  • During the quarter, the Trust completed a total of 254,912 square feet of lease renewals and 18,713 square feet of new leases. The occupancy rate decreased to 92.3%, representing a 230 basis points decrease compared to the prior quarter and a 140 basis points decrease compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in occupancy is primarily due to the bankruptcy of Nuera Air. The Trust has already retained the services of a national commercial brokerage firm specialized in the industrial segment to lease the property. Mitigating this decrease is the addition of 45,870 square feet to the Trusts' total leasable area recorded this quarter, as a result of the construction of an expansion to a necessity-based retail property located in Lévis, Québec, which is leased on a long-term basis to Winners/Home Sense. The increase in the average rent renewal rate for the current quarter and current cumulative nine-month period was respectively 2.4% and 4.6%.