Extra Space Storage Inc. Reports 2021 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE: EXR) (the "Company"), a leading owner and operator of self-storage facilities in the United States and a member of the S&P 500, announced operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021.

Highlights for the three months ended December 31, 2021:

• Achieved net income attributable to common stockholders of $2.00 per diluted share, representing a 68.1% increase compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Achieved funds from operations attributable to common stockholders and unit holders ("FFO") of $1.91 per diluted share. FFO, excluding adjustments due to acceleration of compensation expense due to a retired executive, and non-cash interest ("Core FFO"), was $1.91 per diluted share, representing a 29.1% increase compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Increased same-store revenue by 18.3% and same-store net operating income ("NOI") by 24.2% compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Reported same-store occupancy of 95.3% as of December 31, 2021, compared to 94.9% as of December 31, 2020.
• Acquired 37 operating stores and one store at completion of construction (a "Certificate of Occupancy store" or "C of O store") for a total cost of approximately $699.4 million.
• In conjunction with joint venture partners, acquired 28 operating stores for a total cost of approximately $455.5 million, of which the Company invested $146.2 million.
• Sold 17 stores for a total sales price of $210.6 million, resulting in a gain on real estate transactions of $76.9 million. The Company retained management of 12 of the stores.
• Originated $187.4 million in mortgage and mezzanine bridge loans, and sold $56.6 million in mortgage bridge loans.
• Issued 0.9 million common operating partnership units at a value of $188.3 million and 3.5 million preferred operating partnership units at a value of $88.1 million ($25.00 per share par value) in conjunction with acquisitions.
• Added 69 stores (gross) to the Company's third-party management platform. As of December 31, 2021, the Company managed 828 stores for third parties and 287 stores in joint ventures, for a total of 1,115 managed stores.
• Paid a quarterly dividend of $1.25 per share.

Highlights for the year ended December 31, 2021

• Achieved net income attributable to common stockholders of $6.19 per diluted share, representing a 66.8% increase compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Achieved FFO of $6.91 per diluted share. Core FFO was $6.91 per diluted share, representing a 30.9% increase compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Increased same-store revenue by 13.8% and same-store NOI by 19.7% compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Acquired 63 operating stores and seven C of O stores for a total cost of approximately $1.1 billion.
• In conjunction with joint venture partners, acquired 49 operating stores for a total cost of approximately $757.7 million, of which the Company invested $191.4 million.
• Sold 17 stores for a total sales price of $210.6 million, resulting in a gain on real estate transactions of $76.9 million, and sold an additional 16 wholly-owned stores into a new joint venture for a total sales price of $168.9 million resulting in a gain on real estate transactions of $64.5 million. The Company retained a 55% interest in the joint venture.
• Originated $333.0 million in mortgage and mezzanine bridge loans, and sold $177.4 million in mortgage bridge loans.
• Sold 1.6 million shares of common stock through an overnight offering and an additional 0.6 million shares of common stock using the Company's "at the market" ("ATM") program resulting in total net proceeds of approximately $273.7 million.
• Issued 0.9 million common operating partnership units at a value of $188.3 million and 3.5 million preferred operating partnership units at a value of $88.1 million ($25.00 per share par value) in conjunction with acquisitions.
• Added 265 stores (gross) to the Company's third-party management platform.

Joe Margolis, CEO of Extra Space Storage Inc., commented: "We had exceptional performance with all-time high occupancy and strong pricing power, resulting in same-store NOI of 24.2% in the fourth quarter and 19.7% for the year.  External growth further contributed to our Core FFO growth, which was 29.1% for the fourth quarter and 30.9% for the year.  We expect solid storage fundamentals again in 2022, with anticipated same-store revenue growth of 11.5% and Core FFO growth of 13.2% at the mid-points, despite very challenging 2021 comparables. We will continue to innovate and grow Extra Space accretively across all strategies."

FFO Per Share:

The following table (unaudited) outlines the Company's FFO and Core FFO  for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.  The table also provides a reconciliation to GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per diluted share for each period presented (amounts shown in thousands, except share and per share data):

Operating Results and Same-Store Performance:

The following table (unaudited) outlines the Company's same-store performance for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (amounts shown in thousands, except store count data)¹:

Same-store revenues for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 increased compared to the same periods in 2020 due to higher average occupancy, higher average rates to new and existing customers and higher late fees partially offset by higher discounts. 

Same-store expenses increased for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 due to increases in credit card processing fees, payroll, property taxes and insurance, partially offset by lower marketing expense.  

Same-store expenses were lower for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 due to decreases in payroll and marketing expense, partially offset by increases in credit card processing fees, repairs and maintenance expense, property taxes and insurance expense.

Details related to the same-store performance of stores by metropolitan statistical area ("MSA") for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 are provided in the supplemental financial information published on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://ir.extraspace.com/.

Investment and Property Management Activity:

The following table (unaudited) outlines the Company's acquisitions and developments that are closed, completed or under agreement (dollars in thousands):

The projected developments and acquisitions under agreement described above are subject to customary closing conditions and no assurance can be provided that these developments and acquisitions will be completed on the terms described, or at all.

Bridge Loans:

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company originated $187.4 million in bridge loans, and the Company has an additional $227.5 million closed or under agreement to close in 2022.  The Company sold $56.6 million in loans during the three months ended December 31, 2021.  Subsequent to year end, the Company sold a $103.0 million note to a junior mezzanine lender, which exercised its right to buy the Company's position for the full principal balance plus interest due and costs incurred. Additional details related to the Company's loan activity and balances held are included in the supplemental financial information published on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://ir.extraspace.com/.

Dispositions:

The Company sold 17 properties in two transactions, totaling $210.6 million.  The Company retained third-party management of 12 of the stores. The dispositions resulted in a gain on real estate transactions of $76.9 million.

Property Management:

As of December 31, 2021, the Company managed 828 stores for third-party owners and 287 stores owned in joint ventures, for a total of 1,115 stores under management.  The Company is the largest self-storage management company in the United States.

Balance Sheet:

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 0.9 million common operating partnership units at a value of $188.3 million and 3.5 million preferred operating partnership units at a value of $88.1 million ($25.00 per share par value). During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not issue any shares on its ATM program, and it currently has $800.0 million available for issuance.

Subsequent to the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 0.2 million shares of common stock in a private placement at a sales price of $219.34 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $41.0 million, in conjunction with the acquisition of two stores.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company's percentage of fixed-rate debt to total debt was 75.3%. The weighted average interest rates of the Company's fixed and variable-rate debt were 3.1% and 1.3%, respectively. The combined weighted average interest rate was 2.6% with a weighted average maturity of approximately 5.5 years.

Dividends:

On December 31, 2021, the Company paid a fourth quarter common stock dividend of $1.25 per share to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2021. 

Outlook:

The following table outlines the Company's FFO estimates and annual assumptions for the year ending December 31, 2022¹:

Supplemental Financial Information:

Supplemental unaudited financial information regarding the Company's performance can be found on the Company's website at www.extraspace.com. Under the "Company Info" navigation menu on the home page, click on "Investor Relations," then under the "Financials & Stock Information" navigation menu click on "Quarterly Earnings." This supplemental information provides additional detail on items that include store occupancy and financial performance by portfolio and market, debt maturity schedules and performance of lease-up assets.

Conference Call:

The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 24, 2022, to discuss its financial results. To participate in the conference call, please dial 855-791-2026 or 631-485-4899 for international participants; audience passcode: 1815029. The conference call will also be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available for 30 days on the Company's website in the Investor Relations section. 

A replay of the call will also be available by telephone from 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on February 24, 2022, until 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on March 3, 2022. The replay dial-in numbers are 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 for international callers; passcode: 1815029.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information set forth in this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning the benefits of store acquisitions, developments, favorable market conditions, our outlook and estimates for the year and other statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, the competitive landscape, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions and developments and other information that is not historical information. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "estimates," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates," or "intends," or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. We may also make additional forward-looking statements from time to time. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, by us or on our behalf, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in or contemplated by this release. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of the risks referenced in the "Risk Factors" section included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Such factors include, but are not limited to:

• adverse changes in general economic conditions, the real estate industry and the markets in which we operate;
• failure to close pending acquisitions and developments on expected terms, or at all;
• the effect of competition from new and existing stores or other storage alternatives, which could cause rents and occupancy rates to decline;
• potential liability for uninsured losses and environmental contamination;
• the impact of the regulatory environment as well as national, state and local laws and regulations, including, without limitation, those governing real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), tenant reinsurance and other aspects of our business, which could adversely affect our results;
• disruptions in credit and financial markets and resulting difficulties in raising capital or obtaining credit at reasonable rates or at all, which could impede our ability to grow;
• impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic or the future outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases, including reduced demand for self-storage space and ancillary products and services such as tenant reinsurance, and potential decreases in occupancy and rental rates and staffing levels, which could adversely affect our results;
• increases in interest rates;
• reductions in asset valuations and related impairment charges;
• our lack of sole decision-making authority with respect to our joint venture investments;
• the effect of recent or future changes to U.S. tax laws;
• the failure to maintain our REIT status for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
• economic uncertainty due to the impact of natural disasters, war or terrorism, which could adversely affect our business plan.

All forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. All forward-looking statements apply only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Definition of FFO:

FFO provides relevant and meaningful information about the Company's operating performance that is necessary, along with net income and cash flows, for an understanding of the Company's operating results. The Company believes FFO is a meaningful disclosure as a supplement to net income. Net income assumes that the values of real estate assets diminish predictably over time as reflected through depreciation and amortization expenses. The values of real estate assets fluctuate due to market conditions and the Company believes FFO more accurately reflects the value of the Company's real estate assets. FFO is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. ("NAREIT") as net income computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), excluding gains or losses on sales of operating stores and impairment write downs of depreciable real estate assets, plus depreciation and amortization related to real estate and after adjustments to record unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures on the same basis. The Company believes that to further understand the Company's performance, FFO should be considered along with the reported net income and cash flows in accordance with GAAP, as presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements. FFO should not be considered a replacement of net income computed in accordance with GAAP.

For informational purposes, the Company also presents Core FFO.  Core FFO excludes revenues and expenses not core to our operations and non-cash interest.  Although the Company's calculation of Core FFO differs from NAREIT's definition of FFO and may not be comparable to that of other REITs and real estate companies, the Company believes it provides a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance. The Company believes that by excluding revenues and expenses not core to our operations and non-cash interest charges, stockholders and potential investors are presented with an indicator of our operating performance that more closely achieves the objectives of the real estate industry in presenting FFO. Core FFO by the Company should not be considered a replacement of the NAREIT definition of FFO. The computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs or real estate companies that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indication of the Company's performance, as an alternative to net cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an indicator of the Company's ability to make cash distributions.

Definition of Same-Store:

The Company's same-store pool for the periods presented consists of 842 stores that are wholly-owned and operated and that were stabilized by the first day of the earliest calendar year presented.  The Company considers a store to be stabilized once it has been open for three years or has sustained average square foot occupancy of 80.0% or more for one calendar year. The Company believes that by providing same-store results from a stabilized pool of stores, with accompanying operating metrics including, but not limited to occupancy, rental revenue (growth), operating expenses (growth), net operating income (growth), etc., stockholders and potential investors are able to evaluate operating performance without the effects of non-stabilized occupancy levels, rent levels, expense levels, acquisitions or completed developments.  Same-store results should not be used as a basis for future same-store performance or for the performance of the Company's stores as a whole.

About Extra Space Storage Inc.:

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned and/or operated 2,096 self-storage stores in 41 states and Washington, D.C. The Company's stores comprise approximately 1.5 million units and approximately 160.9 million square feet of rentable space. The Company offers customers a wide selection of conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage stores in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States.

SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc.