Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results

SAN FRANCISCO, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), the leading owner and manager of corporate and Internet gateway datacenter facilities, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2010.  

Recent Highlights:

• Increased the quarterly dividend 10.4% to $0.53 per share, up 37% for the full year 2010 over full year 2009;
• Reported FFO of $0.76 per diluted share and unit for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, up 7.0% from the second quarter of 2009;
• Reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 of $19.9 million and net income available to common stockholders of $9.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share;
• Acquired the Rockwood Capital/365 Main five-property portfolio totaling approximately 919,000 square feet for approximately $725.0 million on July 13, 2010;
• Signed a build-to-suit lease agreement with Terremark and acquired the shell building  totaling approximately 56,000 square feet for a purchase price of approximately $6.4 million;
• Acquired two redevelopment properties in Silicon Valley totaling 122,300 square feet that can support the combined development of approximately 73,500 square feet of raised floor datacenter space for a combined purchase price of approximately $24.1 million;
• Completed a common stock offering of 6.9 million shares for net proceeds totaling approximately $377.1 million;
• Completed a private placement of $375.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.500% Notes due 2015 yielding 4.568% per annum, which closed on July 8, 2010;
• Exchanged approximately $37.2 million of its 4.125% exchangeable senior debentures due 2026 (the 2026 Debentures) for a combination of cash and shares of its common stock;
• Issued approximately 221,000 shares during the three months ended June 30, 2010 under the Company's At The Market equity distribution program for net proceeds totaling $12.7 million at an average price of $58.38 per share;
• Amended the Revolving Credit Facility and unsecured note facility to include eligible unencumbered international assets in borrowing base;
• Announced the redemption of its 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock for $103.5 million plus accrued and unpaid dividends;
• Signed leases totaling approximately 295,000 square feet during the second quarter of 2010 at an average annual GAAP rental rate of approximately $101 per square foot, including non-technical space;
• Commenced leases totaling approximately 164,000 square feet during the second quarter of 2010 at an average annual GAAP rental rate of approximately $71 per square foot, including non-technical space; and
• Revised 2010 FFO guidance and assumptions that include adjustments for transaction and finance charges.

Funds from operations ("FFO") on a diluted basis was $80.6 million in the second quarter of 2010, or $0.76 per diluted share and unit, down  6.2% from $0.81 per diluted share and unit in the previous quarter, and up 7.0% from $0.71 per diluted share and unit in the second quarter of 2009.  

"FFO of $0.76 per diluted share and unit for the second quarter 2010 was negatively impacted by $0.02 per share for charges related to the exchange of the 2026 Debentures and transaction expenses related to our acquisition activities and by $0.01 per share from the issuance of 6.9 million shares of common equity in June in advance of the closing of the Rockwood Capital/365 Main Portfolio acquisition in July.  This compares to FFO of $0.81 per diluted share and unit for the first quarter 2010, which was positively impacted by $0.02 related to non-core revenue streams," said A. William Stein, Chief Finance Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty Trust.  "Excluding the negative and positive impact from these items in both quarters, adjusted FFO generated from ongoing operations would have been unchanged quarter over quarter."  

FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used by the real estate industry to measure the operating performance of real estate companies.  FFO should not be considered as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of financial performance.  A reconciliation of U.S. GAAP net income available to common stockholders to FFO and a definition of FFO are included as an attachment to this press release.

Net income for the second quarter of 2010 was $19.9 million, down 22.3% from $25.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 and down 6.1% from $21.2 million in the second quarter of 2009.  Net income available to common stockholders in the second quarter was $9.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $14.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010, and $10.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2009.

The Company reported total operating revenues of $197.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, up 3.0% from $191.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 and up 27.4% from $155.0 million in the second quarter of 2009.  

"The Company's overall performance during the first half of 2010 demonstrated our ability to source, finance and execute on a variety of complex transactions including the acquisition and funding of two large datacenter portfolios totaling $1.1 billion," commented Michael F. Foust, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty Trust.  "At the same time, we delivered approximately 207,000 square feet of new datacenter space, signed leases totaling over 535,000 square feet, acquired over 122,000 square feet of redevelopment inventory in Silicon Valley, further improved our balance sheet and funding capabilities, and expanded our build-to-suit business.  These remarkable accomplishments are a direct result of the collaborative efforts of our experienced team of real estate investment, development, finance and datacenter professionals."

Acquisitions and Leasing Activity

In June 2010, the Company entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement for the Rockwood Capital/365 Main Portfolio, which closed on July 13, 2010.  The five-property portfolio is located in California, Arizona and Virginia, and comprises approximately 919,000 square feet.  The purchase price was approximately $725 million and includes additional new datacenter development potential of approximately 250,000 square feet at the Arizona property and approximately $13 million of uninstalled datacenter infrastructure improvements.

Also in June 2010, the Company signed a 15-year lease agreement with an affiliate of Terremark Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: TMRK) for a new build-to-suit facility in Amsterdam, The Netherlands to be developed by Digital Realty Trust.  The Company also acquired the 56,000 square foot shell building (subject to a long term ground lease which the Company prepaid) where the new facility will be housed.  The purchase price was approximately $6.4 million.

In May 2010, the Company acquired two redevelopment properties in Santa Clara, California in separate transactions.  Both properties are strategically located proximate to several of the Company's existing facilities in Santa Clara. The first property, a 40,000 square foot shell building located at 1725 Comstock Street, was subsequently 100% leased to an Internet enterprise customer.  The purchase price was approximately $14.1 million.  The second property consists of two shell buildings totaling approximately 82,000 square feet located at 3105 & 3115 Alfred Street.  Approximately 25,000 square feet of the 82,000 total square feet was subsequently leased to an IT services provider and the remainder of the space is being redeveloped as Turn-Key Datacenter® space.  The purchase price was approximately $10.0 million.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company signed leases totaling approximately 295,000 square feet of space. This includes approximately 121,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter® space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $175.00 per square foot, over 145,000 square feet of Powered Base Building® space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $54.00 per square foot, and approximately 29,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $23.00 per square foot.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company commenced leases totaling approximately 165,000 square feet of space. This includes approximately 66,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter® space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $139.00 per square foot, approximately 25,000 square feet of Powered Base Building® space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $34.00 per square foot, and approximately 74,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $24.00 per square foot.

As of July 23, 2010, the Company's portfolio comprises 92 properties, excluding one property held in an unconsolidated joint venture, consisting of 129 buildings totaling approximately 16.1 million rentable square feet, including 1.9 million square feet of space held for redevelopment.  The portfolio is strategically located in 27 key technology markets throughout North America and Europe.

Balance Sheet Update

Total assets grew to approximately $4.5 billion at June 30, 2010, up from approximately $3.7 billion at December 31, 2009.  Total debt at June 30, 2010 was approximately $2.1 billion, up from approximately $1.8 billion at December 31, 2009.  Stockholders' equity was approximately $2.0 billion at June 30, 2010, up from approximately $1.6 billion at December 31, 2009.

On June 9, 2010, the Company closed a public offering of 6.9 million shares of its common stock at a price of $57.00 per share, for net proceeds of approximately $377.1 million.  The offering included 900,000 shares issued upon exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option which was exercised in full.

On June 30, 2010, the Company priced a private placement of $375.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.500% Notes due 2015, yielding 4.568% per annum.  The transaction closed on July 8, 2010 and generated net proceeds of approximately $371.6 million.

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, under its At The Market equity distribution program, the Company generated net proceeds of approximately $12.7 million from the issuance of approximately 221,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $58.38 per share.  

The Company has used the proceeds from these capital markets activities to fund a portion of the Rockwood Capital/365 Main Portfolio acquisition, and intends to use the remaining proceeds to acquire additional properties, to fund development and redevelopment opportunities and for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase, redemption or retirement of outstanding debt or preferred securities.  

In June 2010, the Company completed an amendment to its Revolving Credit Facility and its unsecured note facility to include eligible unencumbered international assets in the borrowing base in support of its outstanding debt.  International assets would include properties located in the following countries:  Canada, England, Ireland, Wales, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Singapore and Australia.  Under the new amendment, international assets may comprise up to 25% of the borrowing base, with assets located in Spain and Singapore limited to up to 10% of the borrowing base.  At June 30, 2010 Digital Realty Trust's borrowing base pro forma for the Rockwood Capital/365 Main Portfolio acquisition totaled approximately $3.0 billion of unencumbered assets.

During the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company exchanged approximately $37.2 million of the 2026 Debentures for a combination of cash and shares of its common stock.  The remaining $135.3 million face amount of the 2026 Debentures remains outstanding under the original terms.

On July 22, 2010, the Company announced it will redeem on August 24, 2010 (the Redemption Date) 4,140,000 shares of the Company's 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the Series A Preferred Stock), which constitutes all of the outstanding shares, or $103.5 million, of Series A Preferred Stock, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares up to but not including the Redemption Date, without interest.

"Our capital markets strategy is intended to fund the growth of the Company while minimizing our cost of capital and improving our overall credit metrics in support of our investment grade rating," added Mr. Stein. "As a result of our recent acquisition and capital markets activities and with a better view towards our full year 2010 results, we are revising certain 2010 FFO guidance and assumptions."

2010 Revised Guidance Assumptions

FFO per diluted share and unit for the year ending December 31, 2010 is projected to be between $3.24 and $3.32.   This guidance represents expected FFO growth of 10.6% to 13.3% over the 2009 FFO of $2.93 per diluted share and unit.  After adjusting for certain items that do not represent core revenue and expense streams, FFO per diluted share and unit for the year ending December 31, 2010 is projected to be between $3.35 and $3.40, which represents expected FFO growth of 14.3% to 16.0% over the 2009 FFO of $2.93 per diluted share and unit. A reconciliation of the range of 2010 projected net income to projected FFO as reported and adjusted for certain items that do not represent core expense streams is as follows:

The 2010 guidance provided by Digital Realty Trust in this press release is based on the following assumptions as of July 23, 2010:

• Acquisitions of additional income producing properties for the remainder of the year totaling $50 million at average cap rate of 9%;
• Commencement of leases which will contribute $75 million to $85 million of GAAP rental revenue on an annualized basis;
• POD Architecture Services® revenue recognized between $5 million to $6 million;
• Development and redevelopment capital expenditures of $440 million to $475 million;
• Portfolio level capital expenditures of $50 million;
• Total G&A of $48 million;
• Total transaction expenses of $8 million to $9 million; and
• Financing charges of $6.5 million to $8 million related to the exchange of 2026 Debentures into cash or common stock and the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Investor Conference Call Details

Digital Realty Trust will host a conference call on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT to discuss its second quarter 2010 financial results and operating performance.  The conference call will feature Chief Executive Officer, Michael Foust and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer, A. William Stein.  To participate in the live call, investors are invited to dial +1 (877) 512-9172 (for domestic callers) or +1 (706) 679-7933 (for international callers) and quote the conference ID #82869680 at least five minutes prior to start time.  A live webcast of the call will be available via the Investors section of Digital Realty Trust's website at www.digitalrealtytrust.com.  Please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download and install any necessary audio software.  If you are unable to listen to the live conference call, a telephone and webcast replay will be available after the call until 11:59 pm PT on Friday, August 6, 2010.  The telephone replay can be accessed two hours after the call's completion by dialing +1 (800) 642-1687 (for domestic callers) or +1 (706) 645-9291 (for international callers) and using the conference ID #82869680.  A replay of the webcast will be available approximately 24 hours after the live call has concluded and will be archived on Digital Realty Trust's website.

About Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust owns, acquires, redevelops, develops and manages technology-related real estate. The Company is focused on providing Turn-Key Datacenter® and Powered Base Building® datacenter solutions for domestic and international tenants across a variety of industry verticals ranging from information technology and internet enterprises, to manufacturing and financial services. Digital Realty Trust's 92 properties, excluding one property held as an investment in an unconsolidated joint venture, contain applications and operations critical to the day-to-day operations of technology industry tenants and corporate enterprise datacenter tenants. Comprising approximately 16.1 million square feet as of July 23, 2010, including 1.9 million square feet of space held for redevelopment, Digital Realty Trust's portfolio is located in 27 markets throughout Europe and North America. Digital Realty Trust calculates occupancy and leased square footage for some of its properties based on factors in addition to contractually leased square feet, including available power, required support space and common area. For additional information, please visit Digital Realty Trust's website at http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Such forward-looking statements include statements related to the Company's 2010 guidance and its underlying assumptions, as well as statements related to the Company's 2010 annual dividend, the signing and commencement of leases and the development of additional datacenter space, including the build-to-suit lease with Terremark.  These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following:  the impact of the recent deterioration in global economic, credit and market conditions;  current local economic conditions in our geographic markets; decreases in information technology spending, including as a result of economic slowdowns or recession; adverse economic or real estate developments in our industry or the industry sectors that we sell to (including risks relating to decreasing real estate valuations and impairment charges); our dependence upon significant tenants; bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants; our failure to obtain necessary debt and equity financing; increased interest rates and operating costs; our failure to repay debt when due or our breach of covenants or other terms contained in our loan facilities and agreements; financial market fluctuations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; our inability to manage our growth effectively; difficulty acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions; our failure to successfully operate acquired or redeveloped properties; risks related to joint venture investments, including as a result of our lack of control of such investments; delays or unexpected costs in development or redevelopment of properties; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; increased competition or available supply of datacenter space; our inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and space held for redevelopment; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; our inability to acquire off-market properties; our inability to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to reporting companies; our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; possible adverse changes to tax laws; restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities; environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters; changes in foreign laws and regulations, including those related to taxation and real estate ownership and operation; and changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.  The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Turn-Key Datacenter and Powered Base Building are registered trademarks of Digital Realty Trust.

Note Regarding Funds From Operations

Digital Realty Trust calculates Funds from Operations, or FFO, in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT.  FFO represents net income (loss) available to common stockholders and unitholders (computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.  Management uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because, in excluding real estate related depreciation and amortization and gains and losses from property dispositions, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs.  Digital Realty Trust also believes that, as a widely recognized measure of the performance of REITs, FFO will be used by investors as a basis to compare our operating performance with that of other REITs.  However, because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and captures neither the changes in the value of our properties that result from use or market conditions, nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which have real economic effect and could materially impact our financial condition and results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of our performance is limited.  Other REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition and, accordingly, our FFO may not be comparable to such other REITs' FFO.  Accordingly, FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income as a measure of our performance.

SOURCE Digital Realty Trust, Inc.