Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2007 Results

Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:42pm EST
 
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Strong performance yields 26% year-over-year growth in FFO per share

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    Highlights:
    -- Reported net income for the year of $40.6 million and net income
       available to common stockholders of $21.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted
       share.
    -- Reported FFO of $2.05 per diluted share for the year and $0.53 per
       diluted share for the fourth quarter, exceeding the high end of Company
       FFO guidance by $0.01.
    -- Acquired thirteen properties totaling $363.0 million during the year
       including closing costs for European assets. Subsequent to year end,
       acquired one property totaling $20.2 million.
    -- Commenced leases on approximately 761,000 square feet during the year
       at an average annualized GAAP rent of $53.00 per square foot and
       150,000 square feet during the fourth quarter at an average annualized
       GAAP rent of $48.00 per square foot.
    -- Signed leases on approximately 998,000 square feet during the year at
       an average annualized GAAP rent of $76.00 per square foot and
       429,000 square feet in the fourth quarter at an average annualized GAAP
       rent of $85.00 per square foot, of which approximately 403,000 square
       feet is scheduled to commence throughout 2008 at an average annualized
       GAAP rent of $85.00 per square foot.
    -- Increased quarterly common stock dividend by 8.3% to $0.31 per share in
       December.
    -- Completed a follow-on public offering in October 2007 of over
       4.0 million primary shares of common stock, generating net proceeds of
       approximately $150.4 million.
    -- Subsequent to year end, completed a public offering of 13.8 million
       shares of Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, generating
       approximately $333.6 million in net proceeds.


    Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), a leading owner and manager of
corporate and Internet gateway datacenter facilities, today announced
financial results for its full year and fourth quarter ended December 31,
2007.  The Company reported operating revenue of $395.2 million for the year
and $105.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.  For the year, net income
was $40.6 million and net income available to common stockholders was
$21.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, which includes an $18.0 million
gain on sale of two assets during the first quarter of 2007.  This compares to
net income for 2006 of $31.4 million and net income available to common
stockholders of $17.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, which includes an
$18.0 million gain on sale of an asset in the third quarter of 2006. For the
fourth quarter of 2007, net income was $5.6 million and net income available
to common stockholders was $0.3 million, or $0.00 per diluted share.  This
compares to net income in the third quarter of 2007 of $5.1 million and net
loss available to common stockholders of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per diluted
share, and net income in the fourth quarter of 2006 of $6.4 million and net
income available to common stockholders of $3.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted
share.
    Funds from operations ("FFO") was $145.5 million for the year, or $2.05 on
a diluted per share and unit basis, up 25.8% from $1.63 per diluted share and
unit for the full year 2006.  FFO was $38.9 million in the fourth quarter, or
$0.53 on a diluted per share and unit basis, up 3.9% from $0.51 per diluted
share and unit in the previous quarter; and up 10.4% from $0.48 per diluted
share and unit in the fourth quarter of 2006.  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 from 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.
    "Digital Realty Trust delivered another strong performance in 2007.  We
continued to expand our redevelopment program, providing high quality
datacenter space to select U.S. and European markets where demand continues to
outpace supply," commented Michael F. Foust, Chief Executive Officer of
Digital Realty Trust.  "During the year we signed new leases totaling over
854,000 square feet for Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) and Powered Base Building(TM)
space, of which nearly 357,000 square feet was signed during the fourth
quarter.  We also expanded our European footprint during the year to over
1 million square feet, which now represents approximately 10% of our total
portfolio.  Combined with our strategic capital raising activities during the
year, we are well-positioned to execute on our disciplined growth strategy
into 2008."
    Acquisition and Leasing Activity
    During the fourth quarter of 2007 the Company acquired three properties
totaling $83.5 million, including closing costs.  On December 10, 2007, the
Company acquired Cressex 1, located in suburban London, England.  The property
totals approximately 51,000 square feet of redevelopment space, of which the
Company plans to convert approximately 36,000 square feet into 21,000 square
feet of Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) space and 15,000 square feet into supporting
office/business continuity space.  Construction is scheduled to commence in
the first quarter of 2008 with completion expected by September 2008.  On
December 12, 2007, the Company acquired Naritaweg 52, located in Amsterdam,
Netherlands.  The property totals 63,000 square feet and was purpose built as
a datacenter facility in 2001.  The building is 100% leased through September
2011 to a leading international information technology services company and
consists of nearly 33,000 square feet of raised floor technical space and over
30,000 square feet of office and other space.  On December 21, 2007 the
Company acquired Units 1, 2 and 3 of the Foxboro Business Park, a
three-building complex located in suburban London, England. Unit 1 totals over
20,000 square feet and is 100% leased to a leading international geophysical
company as its corporate datacenter facility.  Unit 2 is a 31,000 square foot
warehouse that is 100% leased to a global manufacturer and marketer of home
appliances.  Unit 3 totals over 96,000 square feet of vacant space, of which
the Company plans to convert approximately 58,000 square feet into Turn-Key
Datacenter(TM) space.
    Subsequent to year end, on February 14, 2008, the Company acquired
365 South Randolphville Road, a 270,000 square foot redevelopment project
located in Piscataway, New Jersey, adjacent to the Company's 3 Corporate Place
development.  The newly acquired property  is capable of supporting up to
150,000 square feet of technical datacenter space.  The Company plans to make
base building improvements and upgrade power to the building with initial
plans to build-out two Turn-Key Datacenters(TM), totaling approximately
20,000 square feet of raised floor.
    As of February 26, 2008, the Company's portfolio comprised 71 properties,
excluding one property held in a consolidated joint venture, consisting of
94 buildings totaling approximately 12.6 million rentable square feet,
including 2.0 million square feet of space held for redevelopment.  The
portfolio is strategically located in 26 key technology markets throughout
North America and Europe.
    For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company commenced leases
totaling approximately 761,000 square feet. This includes nearly 134,000
square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP
rental rate of $143.60 per square foot, over 550,000 square feet of Powered
Base Building(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of
$36.00 per square foot, and approximately 77,000 square feet of non-technical
space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $19.90 per square foot.
    For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company commenced leases
totaling approximately 150,000 square feet of space. This includes nearly
16,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) space leased at an average
annual GAAP rental rate of $126.70 per square foot, over 109,000 square feet
of Powered Base Building(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental
rate of $42.90 per square foot, and nearly 25,000 square feet of non-technical
space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $22.30 per square foot.
    For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company signed leases totaling
approximately 998,000 square feet. This includes over 435,000 square feet of
Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of
$130.00 per square foot, nearly 419,000 square feet of Powered Base
Building(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of
$38.00 per square foot, and approximately 144,000 square feet of non-technical
space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $21.50 per square foot.
    For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company signed leases
totaling over 429,000 square feet of space. This includes over 245,000 square
feet of Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental
rate of $125.00 per square foot, nearly 112,000 square feet of Powered Base
Building(TM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $40.65 per
square foot, and over 72,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an
average annual GAAP rental rate of $20.90 per square foot.
    Balance Sheet Update
    Total assets grew to approximately $2.8 billion at December 31, 2007, from
$2.2 billion at December 31, 2006.  Total debt at December 31, 2007 was
approximately $1.4 billion compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2006.
Stockholders' equity was approximately $1.0 billion, up from $709.8 million at
December 31, 2006, primarily due to two follow-on public offerings, which
generated $319.5 million in net proceeds that were used to reduce borrowings
under the Company's revolving credit facility.
    On October 22, 2007 the Company completed a follow-on public offering of
4,025,000 primary shares of common stock generating net proceeds of
approximately $150.4 million.  The Company utilized the net proceeds from the
offering to temporarily repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility,
to fund acquisitions, development and redevelopment activities, and for
general corporate purposes.
    Subsequent to year end, on February 6, 2008 the Company completed a public
offering of 13,800,000 shares of Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock, including the over-allotment option that was exercised, which generated
approximately $333.6 million in net proceeds.  The Company utilized the net
proceeds from the offering to temporarily repay borrowings under its revolving
credit facility, to fund acquisitions, development and redevelopment
activities, and for general corporate purposes.  The Series D Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock will pay dividends quarterly at a rate of 5.500%
per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference. The Series D Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock will be convertible, at the holder's option, at an
initial conversion rate of 0.5955 common shares per $25.00 liquidation
preference (or an initial conversion price of $41.98 per common share),
subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. The initial
conversion price represents a 17.5% conversion premium over the closing sale
price of the Company's common shares on January 31, 2008 on the New York Stock
Exchange, which was $35.73 per share.
    "Our strong performance in 2007 was facilitated by our ability to
successfully access debt and equity markets in an environment where raising
capital for real estate companies was severely constrained.  Since the
beginning of 2007, we have raised over $1.0 billion from our increased
revolving credit facility, mortgage financings and refinancings, as well as
equity offerings at very favorable terms," said A. William Stein, Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty Trust.  "We
expect that our focus on a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility will
be a significant competitive advantage for Digital Realty Trust in 2008 and
beyond."
    The Company is not changing its 2008 guidance at this time.
    Investor Conference Call Details
    Digital Realty Trust will host a conference call to discuss its 2007 full
year and fourth quarter results tomorrow, Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at
1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.  To participate in the live call, investors are
invited to dial 800-218-0204 (for domestic callers) or 303-262-2130 (for
international callers) at least five minutes prior to start time.  A live
webcast of the call will be available via the Investor Relations 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 12:00
pm PT on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 until 11:59 pm PT on Wednesday, March 5,
2008.  The telephone replay can be accessed by dialing 1-800-405-2236 (for
domestic callers) or 303-590-3000 (for international callers) and using
reservation code 11106102#.  A replay of the webcast will also be archived on
Digital Realty Trust's website.
    About Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
    Digital Realty Trust, Inc. owns, acquires, redevelops, develops and
manages technology-related real estate. The Company is focused on providing
Turn-Key Datacenter(TM) and Powered Base Building(TM) 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 71 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 datacentre tenants.
Comprising approximately 12.6 million rentable square feet as of
February 26, 2008, including 2.0 million square feet of space held for
redevelopment, Digital Realty Trust's portfolio is located in 26 markets
throughout North America and Europe. For additional information, please visit
Digital Realty Trust's website at 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 expected future financial and other results, financial flexibility,
the commencement of leases, and its position to execute its growth strategy
into 2008.  These risks and uncertainties include adverse economic or real
estate developments in the Company's markets or the technology industry;
general economic conditions; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants;
increased interest rates and operating costs; inability to manage domestic and
international growth effectively; failure to obtain necessary outside
financing; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; difficulties in
identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions at acceptable
return levels; failure to successfully operate acquired properties and
operations, failure of acquired properties to perform as expected; failure to
successfully redevelop properties acquired for such purposes; increased
construction costs or construction delays; failure to lease redeveloped space;
failure to maintain the Company's status as a REIT; environmental
uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters; financial market
fluctuations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; risks of operating
in foreign markets; 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
United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and subsequent
quarterly reports on form 10-Q.  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.


                          Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
                    Consolidated Statements of Operations
                      (in thousands, except share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                              Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                           December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
                               2007         2006         2007         2006
    Operating Revenues:

      Rental                  $85,074      $68,327     $319,603     $221,371
      Tenant reimbursements    20,589       13,521       75,003       50,340
      Other                       240          197          641          365

        Total operating
         revenues             105,903       82,045      395,247      272,076

    Operating Expenses:

      Rental property
       operating and
       maintenance             33,101       19,764      108,744       59,255
      Property taxes            4,440        6,512       27,181       26,890
      Insurance                 1,326          826        5,527        3,682
      Depreciation and
       amortization            37,818       27,291      134,394       86,129
      General and
       administrative           8,159        6,535       31,600       20,441
      Other                       101          173          912        1,111

        Total operating
         expenses              84,945       61,101      308,358      197,508

        Operating income       20,958       20,944       86,889       74,568

    Other Income (Expenses):
      Equity in earnings of
       (loss from) unconsolidated
       joint venture              (75)         177          449          177
      Interest and other income   621          416        2,287        1,270
      Interest expense        (15,863)     (14,102)     (64,404)     (49,595)
      Loss from early
       extinguishment of debt       -           (5)           -         (527)

      Income from continuing
        operations before
        minority interests      5,641        7,430       25,221       25,893
      Minority interests in
       continuing operations of
       operating partnership      (28)      (1,205)        (809)      (5,113)
        Income from continuing
         operations             5,613        6,225       24,412       20,780

      Income from discontinued
       operations before
       gain on sale of assets
       and minority interests       -          176        1,395          314
       Gain on sale of assets       -           80       18,049       18,096
      Minority interests
       attributable to
       discontinued operations      -          (58)      (3,264)      (7,798)
      Income from discontinued
       operations (1)               -          198       16,180       10,612

        Net income              5,613        6,423       40,592       31,392

        Preferred stock
         dividends             (5,359)      (3,445)     (19,330)     (13,780)

        Net income available
         to common stockholders  $254       $2,978      $21,262      $17,612


      Net income per share
       available to common
       stockholders:
        Basic                   $0.00        $0.06        $0.35        $0.49
        Diluted                 $0.00        $0.06        $0.34        $0.47

      Weighted average
       shares outstanding:
        Basic              64,098,942   47,332,515   60,527,625   36,134,983
        Diluted            66,288,996   48,940,617   62,579,408   37,442,192

    (1) During 2007 and 2006, we sold 7979 East Tufts Avenue (July 2006), 100
        Technology Center Drive (March 2007) and 4055 Valley View Lane (March
        2007).  We have presented all activity for these properties in Income
        (loss) from discontinued operations for all periods presented above.
        This will cause individual line items above to differ from previously
        published information but does not effect net income available to
        common stockholders.



                              Digital Realty Trust
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (in thousands)

                                           December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006
    ASSETS                                     (unaudited)

    Investments in real estate
      Properties:
        Land                                     $316,196           $228,728
        Acquired ground leases                      2,790              3,028
        Buildings and improvements              1,968,850          1,415,236
        Tenant improvements                       193,436            172,334
      Investments in properties                 2,481,272          1,819,326
      Accumulated depreciation and
       amortization                              (188,099)          (112,479)
      Net investments in properties             2,293,173          1,706,847
      Investment in unconsolidated joint
       venture                                      8,521             29,955
    Net investments in real estate              2,301,694          1,736,802
    Cash and cash equivalents                      31,352             22,261
    Accounts and other receivables, net            43,440             31,293
    Deferred rent                                  64,639             40,225
    Acquired above market leases, net              38,762             47,292
    Acquired in place lease value and deferred
     leasing costs, net                           253,642            248,751
    Deferred financing costs, net                  17,610             17,500
    Restricted cash                                41,302             28,144
    Other assets                                   17,023             13,951

    Total Assets                               $2,809,464         $2,186,219

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Revolving credit facility                    $299,731           $145,452
    Mortgage loans                                895,507            804,686
    Exchangeable senior debentures                172,500            172,500
    Accounts payable and other accrued
     liabilities                                  176,143             88,698
    Accrued dividends and distributions            22,345             19,386
    Acquired below market leases, net              93,572             87,487
    Security deposits and prepaid rents            27,839             19,822

    Total Liabilities                           1,687,637          1,338,031

    Minority interests in consolidated
     joint venture                                  4,928                  -
    Minority interests in operating partnership    72,983            138,416

    Stockholders' Equity                        1,043,916            709,772

    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $2,809,464         $2,186,219



                          Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Net Income Available to Common Stockholders to Funds
                            From Operations (FFO)
           (in thousands, except share and per share and unit data)
                                 (unaudited)

                              Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                           December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
                               2007         2006         2007         2006
    Net income available to
     common stockholders        $254       $2,978      $21,262      $17,612
    Adjustments:
      Minority interests in
       operating partnership
       including discontinued
       operations                 28        1,263        4,073       12,911
      Real estate related
       depreciation and
       amortization (1)       37,673       28,056      134,240       90,932
      Real estate related
       depreciation and
       amortization related
       to investment in
       unconsolidated joint
       venture                   919          796        3,934          796
      Gain on sale of assets       -          (80)     (18,049)     (18,096)
    FFO                      $38,874      $33,013     $145,460     $104,155

    Basic FFO per share and
     unit                      $0.55        $0.49        $2.12        $1.66
    Diluted FFO per share
     and unit                  $0.53        $0.48        $2.05        $1.63

    Total common stock and
     units outstanding
      Basic               71,120,114   67,605,128   68,754,024   62,562,820
      Diluted             73,310,168   69,213,230   70,805,807   63,870,028

    (1) Real estate
        depreciation and
        amortization was
        computed as follows:
         Depreciation and
          amortization per
          income statement    37,818       27,291      134,394       86,129
         Depreciation and
          amortization of
          discontinued
          operations               -          883          379        5,314
         Non real estate
          depreciation          (145)        (118)        (533)        (511)
                             $37,673      $28,056     $134,240      $90,932



    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 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.
     A. William Stein                    Pamela Matthews
     Chief Financial Officer and         Investor/Analyst Information
      Chief Investment Officer           Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
     Digital Realty Trust, Inc.          +1 (415) 738-6500
     +1 (415) 738-6500

SOURCE  Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

A. William Stein, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer, or
Investor-Analyst Information, Pamela Matthews, both of Digital Realty Trust,
Inc., +1-415-738-6500

 

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