SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust Releases First Quarter Results for 2026
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2026--
We are pleased to report a solid start to 2026. Retail demand remains strong resulting in exceptional retention of maturing tenancies which has led to lease extensions with a compelling average rent growth of 11.5% (excluding Anchors). Our focus on value-oriented retail, alongside the ongoing enhancement of tenant quality is further strengthening the positioning of our centres in each market we operate; including increased consumer traffic; enhancing the long-term value of our portfolio. On the development front, a program of new retail development is gaining momentum at SmartCentres. We are excited to bring, in the near future, new SmartCentres to
2026 First Quarter Highlights
Retail Operations
-
In-place and committed occupancy rate of 97.6% as of
March 31, 2026 or 98.0% as of today. -
Strong tenant base and customer traffic continued to drive Same Properties NOI(1) growth for the three months ended
March 31, 2026 , which increased by 1.4% (3.4% excluding Anchors) compared to the same period in 2025. This represents 3.0% growth over the trailing 12 months (4.8% excluding Anchors), reflecting leasing and renewal activity across the retail portfolio and improved occupancy in self-storage, partially offset by tenant turnover and higher expected credit loss (“ECL”) provisions this quarter. - Extended approximately 80% of leases maturing in 2026, with strong rent growth of 11.5% (excluding Anchors) and 5.8% (including Anchors).
- Leasing momentum remained resilient, with approximately 56,000 square feet of vacant space leased during the quarter. In addition, growing demand for new retail space continues, with approximately 52,000 square feet executed during the quarter.
Development
-
Construction of the 200,000 square foot retail building pre-leased to Canadian Tire on
Laird Drive inToronto continues on schedule, with possession expected in Q3 2026. -
Acquired an 18.8-acre land parcel in
Kingston, Ontario , for approximately$7.1 million , as part of the retail development growth program. -
Construction of self-storage facilities is progressing well at
Montreal (Notre Dame St. W) and Laval E,Quebec , and atBurnaby andVictoria, British Columbia . TheMontreal and Laval E facilities are expected to open in Q2 2026. Both projects inBritish Columbia are expected to open in 2027. The Trust is also in the process of obtaining municipal approval for four additional sites acrossOntario ,British Columbia andAlberta . - Construction of the ArtWalk condo Tower A in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre continues to advance as planned, with approximately 93% of the 340 units pre-sold. The underground parking structure is completed, and the formwork reached the second floor of Tower A during the quarter.
Financial
-
Net operating income for the three months ended
March 31, 2026 was$137.7 million , representing an increase of$0.9 million , or 0.7%, as compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to higher base rent driven by lease-up and renewal activities across the retail portfolio, partially offset by an increase in ECL provision. -
FFO per Unit(1) and FFO with adjustments per Unit(1) for the three months ended
March 31, 2026 , were$0.54 and$0.52 , respectively, compared to$0.56 and$0.54 for the same period in 2025. The decreases were primarily attributable to higher interest and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher NOI. -
Net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended
March 31, 2026 increased by$139.5 million as compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to a$50.3 million fair value gain on investment properties, representing a$130.4 million increase from the prior year period, reflecting improved valuation parameters and leasing activity, as well as a$10.5 million improvement in the fair value loss on financial instruments to$4.0 million in the current period, primarily due to mark-to-market adjustments on interest rate swaps.
Subsequent Event
-
On
April 1, 2026 , the Trust entered into agreements with Penguin, effectiveJanuary 1, 2026 , establishing a simplified framework, continued leadership of its Executive Chairman and CEO throughDecember 31, 2030 and allowing management to focus on execution of the Trust’s long-term growth strategy. The new and renegotiated agreements materially reduce related-party complexity and cash flow variability by settling all legacy earn-out arrangements, terminating all mezzanine loans, simplifying and consolidating certain fees paid to Penguin, and renew the non-competition arrangements. The previously outstanding voting top-up right also expired as ofDecember 31, 2025 and will not be reinstated. The framework provides improved cash flow visibility, enhanced governance oversight, and clearer alignment between management, the Trust, and its unitholders. -
On
April 10, 2026 , the Trust settled$42.4 million of TRS debt and the corresponding TRS receivable. On a pro forma basis, giving effect to the TRS settlement, the Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA(1) ratio remains at 9.7x, unchanged from the previous quarter.
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(1) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
Selected Operational, Development and Financial Information
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(in thousands of dollars, except per Unit and other non-financial data) |
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As at |
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Portfolio Information (Number of properties) |
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Retail properties |
155 |
155 |
155 |
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Office properties |
4 |
4 |
4 |
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Self-storage properties |
14 |
14 |
11 |
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Residential properties |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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Industrial properties |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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Properties under development |
23 |
21 |
22 |
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Total number of properties with an ownership interest |
200 |
198 |
196 |
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Leasing and Operational Information(1) |
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Gross leasable retail, office and industrial area (in thousands of sq. ft.) |
35,543 |
35,585 |
35,425 |
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In-place and committed occupancy rate |
97.6 % |
98.6 % |
98.4 % |
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Average lease term to maturity (in years) |
4.3 |
4.3 |
4.3 |
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In-place net retail rental rate excluding Anchors (per occupied sq. ft.) |
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Financial Information |
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Investment properties(2) |
10,964,730 |
10,852,939 |
10,617,787 |
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Total unencumbered assets(3) |
10,175,221 |
10,030,521 |
9,592,521 |
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NAV per Unit - diluted(3) |
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Debt to Aggregate Assets(3)(4)(5) |
44.4 % |
44.4 % |
44.1 % |
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Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA(3)(4)(5) |
9.8X |
9.7X |
9.6X |
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Weighted average interest rate(3)(4) |
4.01 % |
4.00 % |
3.93 % |
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Weighted average term of debt (in years) |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.3 |
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Interest coverage ratio(3)(4) |
2.6X |
2.6X |
2.5X |
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Three Months Ended |
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2026 |
2025 |
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Financial Information |
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Rentals from investment properties and other(2) |
|
231,835 |
229,338 |
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Net income and comprehensive income(2) |
|
129,897 |
(9,581) |
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FFO(3)(4)(6) |
|
98,595 |
101,919 |
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AFFO(3)(4)(6) |
|
95,503 |
98,426 |
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Cash flows provided by operating activities(2) |
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76,445 |
81,737 |
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Net rental income and other(2) |
|
137,687 |
136,786 |
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NOI(3)(4) |
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144,823 |
143,524 |
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Change in SPNOI(3)(4) |
|
1.4 % |
4.1 % |
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Change in SPNOI excluding Anchors(3)(4) |
|
3.4 % |
6.7 % |
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Weighted average number of units outstanding – diluted(7) |
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182,366,409 |
181,412,769 |
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Net income and comprehensive income per Unit(2) |
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FFO per Unit(3)(4)(6) |
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FFO with adjustments per Unit(3)(4) |
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AFFO per Unit(3)(4)(6) |
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AFFO with adjustments per Unit(3)(4) |
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Payout Ratio to AFFO(3)(4)(6) |
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86.4 % |
83.8 % |
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Payout Ratio to AFFO with adjustments(3)(4) |
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90.6 % |
88.1 % |
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Payout Ratio to cash flows provided by operating activities |
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107.9 % |
100.9 % |
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(1) |
Excluding residential and self-storage areas. |
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(2) |
Represents a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) measure. |
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(3) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
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(4) |
Includes the Trust’s proportionate share of equity accounted investments. |
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(5) |
As at |
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(6) |
The calculation of the Trust’s FFO and AFFO and related payout ratios, including comparative amounts, are financial metrics that were determined based on the REALPAC White Paper on FFO and AFFO issued in |
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(7) |
The diluted weighted average units outstanding includes the vested portion of the deferred units issued pursuant to the DUP, and vested EIP units granted pursuant to the EIP. |
Development and Intensification Summary
The following table provides additional details on the Trust’s eight development initiatives that are currently under construction or where initial siteworks have begun (in order of estimated initial occupancy/closing date):
|
Projects under construction (Location/Project Name) |
Type |
Trust’s share |
Actual / estimated initial occupancy / closing date |
% of capital spend |
GFA(1) (sq. ft.) |
No. of residential units |
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Mixed-use Developments |
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Vaughan NW (Phase I & II) |
Townhomes |
50% |
Q1 2024 |
68% |
366,000 |
174 |
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Self-storage |
50% |
Q2 2026 |
78% |
184,000 |
— |
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Self-storage |
50% |
Q2 2026 |
61% |
176,000 |
— |
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Self-storage |
50% |
Q2 2027 |
31% |
137,000 |
— |
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Self-storage |
50% |
Q3 2027 |
36% |
164,000 |
— |
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Vaughan / ArtWalk |
Condo |
50% |
Q4 2027 |
41% |
300,000 |
340 |
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Ottawa SW |
|
50% |
Q2 2028 |
30% |
361,000 |
425 |
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Total Mixed-use Developments |
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1,688,000 |
939 |
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Retail |
50% |
Q3 2026 |
72% |
225,000 |
— |
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(1) |
GFA represents Gross Floor Area. |
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures
The following tables reconcile the non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures for the three months ended
|
(in thousands of dollars) |
Three Months Ended |
Three Months Ended |
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GAAP Basis |
Proportionate Share Reconciliation |
Total Proportionate Share(1) |
GAAP Basis |
Proportionate Share Reconciliation |
Total Proportionate Share(1) |
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Net operating income |
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Rentals from investment properties and other |
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Property operating costs and other |
(93,680) |
(6,610) |
(100,290) |
(91,089) |
(6,246) |
(97,335) |
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Residential sales revenue and other(2) |
421 |
7 |
428 |
2,014 |
9 |
2,023 |
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Residential cost of sales and other |
(468) |
(1) |
(469) |
(1,463) |
(2) |
(1,465) |
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NOI |
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(1) |
This column contains non-GAAP measures because it includes figures that are recorded in equity accounted investments. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
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(2) |
Includes additional partnership profit and other revenues. |
Same Properties NOI
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|
Three Months Ended |
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(in thousands of dollars) |
2026 |
2025 |
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NOI |
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NOI from equity accounted investments(1) |
7,136 |
6,738 |
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Total portfolio NOI before adjustments(1) |
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Adjustments: |
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Lease termination |
(576) |
(327) |
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Net profit (loss) on residential closings |
41 |
(558) |
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Other adjustments(2) |
2,347 |
1,908 |
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Total portfolio NOI after adjustments(1) |
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NOI sourced from acquisitions, dispositions, Earnouts and developments |
(1,742) |
(1,688) |
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Same Properties NOI(1) |
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(1) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
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(2) |
Includes items such as adjustments relating to royalties, straight-line rent and amortization of tenant incentives. |
Reconciliation of FFO
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|
Three Months Ended |
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(in thousands of dollars) |
2026 |
2025 |
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Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) |
|
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Add (Deduct): |
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Fair value adjustment on investment properties and financial instruments(1) |
(46,293) |
94,659 |
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Gain on derivative – TRS |
4,524 |
4,323 |
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Gain on sale of investment properties |
(6) |
(7) |
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Amortization of intangible assets and tenant improvement allowance |
2,398 |
2,490 |
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Distributions on Units classified as liabilities and vested deferred units and EIP units |
5,472 |
5,071 |
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Salaries and related costs attributed to leasing activities(2) |
2,363 |
2,383 |
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Adjustments relating to equity accounted investments(3) |
240 |
2,581 |
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FFO(4) |
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Add (Deduct) non-recurring adjustments: |
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Gain on derivative – TRS |
(4,524) |
(4,323) |
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FFO sourced from condo and townhome closings |
41 |
(551) |
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Transactional FFO – sale of land(4) |
14 |
42 |
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FFO with adjustments(4) |
|
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(1) |
Includes fair value adjustments on investment properties and financial instruments. Fair value adjustment on investment properties is described in “Investment Properties” in the Trust’s MD&A. Fair value adjustment on financial instruments comprises the following financial instruments: units classified as liabilities, DUP, EIP, TRS, and interest rate swap agreements. The significant assumptions made in determining the fair value are more thoroughly described in the Trust’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended |
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(2) |
Salaries and related costs attributed to leasing activities of |
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(3) |
Includes tenant improvement amortization, indirect interest with respect to the development portion, fair value adjustment on investment properties, loss (gain) on sale of investment properties, and adjustment for supplemental costs. |
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(4) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For definitions and basis of presentation of the Trust’s non-GAAP measures, refer to “Presentation of Certain Terms Including Non-GAAP Measures” and “Non-GAAP Measures” in the MD&A. |
Reconciliation of AFFO
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|||
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(in thousands of dollars) |
2026 |
2025 |
||
|
FFO(1) |
|
|
||
|
Add (Deduct): |
|
|
||
|
Straight-line rents |
(244) |
(431) |
||
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Adjusted salaries and related costs attributed to leasing |
(2,363) |
(2,383) |
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Capital expenditures, leasing commissions, and tenant improvements |
(485) |
(679) |
||
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AFFO(1) |
|
|
||
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Add (Deduct) non-recurring adjustments: |
|
|
||
|
Gain on derivative – TRS |
(4,524) |
(4,323) |
||
|
FFO sourced from condo and townhome closings |
41 |
(551) |
||
|
Transactional FFO – sale of land(1) |
14 |
42 |
||
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AFFO with adjustments(1) |
|
|
||
|
(1) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
Adjusted EBITDA
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income and comprehensive income to Adjusted EBITDA:
|
|
Rolling 12 Months Ended |
|||
|
(in thousands of dollars) |
|
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|
Net income and comprehensive income |
|
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||
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Add (Deduct) the following items: |
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Net interest expense |
200,062 |
194,196 |
||
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Amortization of equipment, intangible assets and tenant improvements |
12,359 |
12,367 |
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Fair value adjustments on investment properties and financial instruments |
(98,568) |
39,993 |
||
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Adjustment for supplemental costs |
2,413 |
4,107 |
||
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Gain on sale of investment properties |
(1,094) |
(25) |
||
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Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
|
|
||
|
(1) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
Net Asset Value
|
(in thousands of dollars, except per Unit information) |
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Total equity |
|
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||
|
LP Units classified as liabilities |
208,184 |
201,229 |
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NAV(1) |
|
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Units outstanding - diluted(2) |
182,520,891 |
182,242,010 |
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NAV per Unit - diluted(1) |
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|
(1) |
Represents a non-GAAP measure. The Trust’s method of calculating non-GAAP measures may differ from other reporting issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable. For additional information, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” in this Press Release. |
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(2) |
Total diluted Units outstanding include Trust Units and LP Units, including Units classified as liabilities, vested portion of the deferred units issued pursuant to the deferred unit plan and vested EIPs granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan. |
Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call on
Interested parties are invited to access the call by dialing 1-855-353-9183 and then keying in the participant access code 72512#.
A recording of this call will be made available
About SmartCentres
SmartCentres is one of Canada’s largest fully integrated REITs, with a best-in-class and growing mixed-use portfolio featuring 200 strategically located properties in communities across the country. SmartCentres has approximately
Non-GAAP Measures
The non-GAAP measures used in this Press Release, including but not limited to, AFFO, AFFO with adjustments, AFFO per Unit, AFFO with adjustments per Unit, Payout Ratio to AFFO, Payout Ratio to AFFO with adjustments, Unencumbered Assets, NOI, Debt to Aggregate Assets, Interest Coverage Ratio, Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, Unsecured/Secured Debt Ratio, FFO, FFO with adjustments, FFO per Unit, FFO with adjustments per Unit, Net Asset Value (“NAV”), Same Properties NOI, Same Properties NOI excluding Anchors, Debt to Gross Book Value, Weighted Average Interest Rate, Transactional FFO, and Total Proportionate Share, do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Additional information regarding these non-GAAP measures is available in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Trust for the three months ended
Full reports of the financial results of the Trust for the three months ended
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this Press Release are "forward-looking statements" that reflect management's expectations regarding the Trust's future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. More specifically, certain statements including, but not limited to, statements related to SmartCentres’ expectations relating to cash collections, SmartCentres’ expected or planned development plans and joint venture projects, including the described type, scope, costs and other financial metrics and the expected timing of construction and condo closings and statements that contain words such as "could", "should", "can", "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "will", "may" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are presented for the purpose of assisting the Trust's Unitholders and financial analysts in understanding the Trust's operating environment and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.
However, such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including risks associated with potential acquisitions not being completed or not being completed on the contemplated terms, public health crises, real property ownership and development, debt and equity financing for development, interest and financing costs, construction and development risks, and the ability to obtain commercial and municipal consents for development. These risks and others are more fully discussed under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” and elsewhere in SmartCentres’ most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as well as under the heading “Risk Factors” in SmartCentres’ most recent annual information form. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are based on what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, SmartCentres cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These forward-looking statements are made as at the date of this Press Release and SmartCentres assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances unless otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to: a stable retail environment; a continuing trend toward land use intensification, including residential development in urban markets and continued growth along transportation nodes; access to equity and debt capital markets to fund, at acceptable costs, future capital requirements and to enable our refinancing of debts as they mature; that requisite consents for development will be obtained in the ordinary course, construction and permitting costs consistent with the past year and recent inflation trends.
For information, visit www.smartcentres.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260506758739/en/
Executive Chairman and CEO
(905) 326-6400 ext. 7674
mgoldhar@smartcentres.com
Chief Financial Officer
(905) 326-6400 ext. 7571
pslan@smartcentres.com
Source: