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Minto Apartment REIT Reports 2024 Third Quarter Financial Results and Announces Distribution Increase

In This Article:

— Strong revenue and cash flow per unit growth; Distributions increased 3.0% —

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust (the "REIT") (TSX: MI.UN) today announced its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2024 ("Q3 2024" and "YTD 2024", respectively). The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for Q3 2024 and YTD 2024 are available on the REIT's website at www.mintoapartmentreit.com and at www.sedarplus.ca.1

Minto Apartment REIT logo (CNW Group/Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust)
Minto Apartment REIT logo (CNW Group/Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust)

"Our high-quality, well-located portfolio continued to underpin strong operational performance in the third quarter. Average monthly rent increased 5.9% year-over-year for the Same Property Portfolio, average occupancy increased and NOI margins expanded to record levels," said Jonathan Li, President and Chief Executive Officer of the REIT. "We also had growth in Normalized FFO and AFFO per unit of 8.3% and 9.6%, respectively, due in part to accretive capital allocation strategies that resulted in a 10.8% reduction in interest costs compared to Q3 last year. Our efforts to further strengthen our financial flexibility are ongoing. We will upward finance a total of four properties in Ottawa and Toronto, generating aggregate net proceeds of approximately $91 million, which will be used to pay down the revolving credit facility upon completion of each transaction."

"Today's announcement of a 3.0% increase in the monthly distribution underscores our positive outlook for the year ahead. The REIT has now increased distributions in six consecutive years, having done so in every year following its inception in 2018."

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1  This news release contains certain non-IFRS and other financial measures. Refer to "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures" in this news release for a complete list of these measures and their meaning.

Q3 2024 Highlights

  • Same Property Portfolio ("SPP") revenue was $39.8 million, an increase of 6.1% compared to the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 ("Q3 2023") driven primarily by a 6.9% increase in unfurnished suite revenue, partially offset by lower commercial revenue due to the temporary Minto Yorkville retail vacancy;

  • Total Portfolio revenue of $39.8 million was flat year over year as the sale of properties in Ottawa and Edmonton offset the increased SPP revenue;

  • SPP average monthly rent was $1,969, an increase of 5.9% compared to Q3 2023;

  • Average occupancy of unfurnished suites increased to 97.1%, compared to 96.9% in Q3 2023;

  • SPP operating expenses increased 2.1% compared to Q3 2023 while Total Portfolio operating expenses decreased by 4.0% over the same period driven by property sales;

  • The REIT executed 449 new leases, achieving an average rental rate that was 10.8% higher than the expiring rents. The gain-to-lease potential on sitting rents remains attractive at 14.8% as at September 30, 2024;

  • SPP annualized turnover was 26%, slightly lower than Q3 2023;

  • SPP Net Operating Income ("NOI") increased 8.2% compared to Q3 2023 and SPP NOI margin was a record 66.2%, an increase of 130 bps from Q3 2023;

  • Normalized Funds from Operations ("Normalized FFO") were $0.2588 per unit, an increase of 8.3% from $0.2390 per unit in Q3 2023;

  • Normalized Adjusted Funds from Operations ("Normalized AFFO") were $0.2345 per unit, an increase of 9.6% compared to $0.2139 per unit in Q3 2023;

  • Normalized AFFO payout ratio was 53.8%, a reduction of 350 bps compared to Q3 2023;

  • Interest costs declined by 10.8% compared to Q3 2023, reflecting reduced average variable-rate debt exposure and mortgages associated with sold properties;

  • Net loss and comprehensive loss was $41.9 million, compared to net income and comprehensive income of $27.8 million in Q3 2023;

  • Debt-to-adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA") ratio decreased to 10.79x from 11.79x at year-end 2023, and Debt-to-Gross Book Value ratio decreased by 80 bps to 42.0%;

  • On September 23, 2024, the REIT published its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") Report, which highlighted the REIT's continued progress in addressing issues that are important to its investors, employees and communities; and

  • On September 25, 2024, the Toronto Stock Exchange accepted the REIT's notice to initiate a Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB"). The NCIB is active until September 26, 2025 and enables the REIT to acquire up to 3,283,584 Units, representing 5% of its issued and outstanding units. The REIT's previous NCIB expired on September 19, 2024. The REIT did not purchase and cancel any Units during the quarter.