EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2009. Press Release dated February 26, 2009.

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Additional Information:

 

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   

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC. REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2008 RESULTS

Strong performance yields 28% year-over-year growth in FFO per diluted share and unit

Highlights:

 

   

Reported FFO of $2.62 per diluted share and unit for the year ended December 31, 2008, up 27.8% from the year ended December 31, 2007;

 

   

Reported FFO of $0.76 per diluted share and unit for the fourth quarter, up 10.1% from the third quarter of 2008 and up 43.4% from the fourth quarter of 2007;

 

   

Reported net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $67.7 million and net income available to common stockholders of $29.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share;

 

   

Acquired remaining 50% interest in joint venture that owned 1500 Space Park and 1201 Comstock Street in Santa Clara, California for $20.6 million and one property in Manassas, Virginia for $10.6 million during the fourth quarter;

 

   

Completed five property acquisitions totaling $101.2 million in 2008;

 

   

Commenced leases on approximately 1.1 million square feet during 2008 at an average annualized GAAP rent of approximately $99 per square foot, including non technical space;

 

   

Signed leases on approximately 1.1 million square feet in 2008 at an average annualized GAAP rent of approximately $99 per square foot, including non technical space;

 

   

Increased quarterly common stock dividend by 6.5% to $0.33 per share in November;

 

   

Received funds from a second draw on the Prudential Shelf Facility of $33.0 million at an interest-only rate of 9.32% per annum and a five-year maturity; and

 

   

Subsequent to year end, completed a follow on common stock offering of 2.5 million shares, generating approximately $83.3 million in net proceeds and completed a third draw on the Prudential Shelf Facility of $25.0 million with an interest-only rate of 9.68% per annum and a seven-year maturity.

560 MISSION STREET, SUITE 2900

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

415-738-6500

 

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San Francisco, Calif. (February 26, 2009) – Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), the leading owner and manager of corporate and Internet gateway datacenter facilities, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008. The Company reported operating revenues of $147.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, up 3.6% from $142.0 million in the third quarter of 2008 and operating revenue of $527.4 million for the year, up 33.5% from $395.2 million in 2007.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $24.5 million, up 34.6% from $18.2 million in the third quarter and up 337.5% from $5.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2007. Net income available to common stockholders in the fourth quarter was $14.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, up from $8.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008, and up from $0.3 million, or $0.00 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, net income was $67.7 million, up 66.7% over 2007 net income of $40.6 million. Net income available to common shareholders for the year was $29.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, up from $21.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share in 2007.

“Digital Realty Trust delivered an exceptionally strong performance in 2008. With our talented professional team, we were able to effectively execute our business plan, capturing a significant amount of the strong demand in our markets by consistently delivering Turn-Key DatacenterSM , Powered Based BuildingSM and build to suit datacenter products to our diverse base of multinational enterprise and other customers,” commented Michael F. Foust, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty Trust. “Our disciplined approach to sourcing and deploying capital to grow our business while maintaining a strong balance sheet and a comfortable liquidity position has reinforced our position as the leading global datacenter solution provider.”

Funds from operations (“FFO”) on a diluted basis was $68.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, or $0.76 on a diluted per share and unit basis, up 10.1% from $0.69 per diluted share and unit in the previous quarter; and up 43.4% from $0.53 per diluted share and unit in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, FFO was $230.3 million, or $2.62 on a per diluted share and unit basis, up 27.8% from $2.05 per diluted share and unit in 2007.

“The FFO of $0.76 per diluted share and unit for the fourth quarter of 2008 includes approximately $0.07 of additional FFO from certain significant items, primarily related to a lease termination fee and property tax adjustments that do not represent ongoing revenue streams. Similarly, third quarter 2008 FFO of $0.69 per

 

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diluted share and unit included approximately $0.06 per share of additional FFO from such items. When adjusted for these items in both quarters, fourth quarter FFO increased 9.5% over the third quarter and 30.2% over the reported fourth quarter 2007 FFO,” added A. William Stein, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty Trust. “After adjusting for such items for the full year 2008, FFO was $2.48 per diluted share and unit, a 21.0% increase over reported 2007 FFO of $2.05 per diluted share and unit.

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.

Acquisitions and Leasing Activity

On December 10, 2008, the Company acquired the remaining 50% interest in a joint venture that owns 1500 Space Park Drive and 1201 Comstock Street for approximately $20.6 million. The two properties are 100% leased and are located in Santa Clara, California.

On November 20, 2008, the Company acquired 7505 Mason King Court, a 110,000 square foot property located in Manassas, Virginia for approximately $10.6 million. Upon the close of the acquisition, a lease was signed with a leading IT enterprise company for 100% of the building, which commenced in January 2009. Including these properties, the company completed five property acquisitions totaling $101.2 million in 2008.

As previously announced, for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company commenced leases totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet, which represents a 50% increase over leases commenced for the year ended December 31, 2007. This includes nearly 696,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $142.00 per square foot, over 269,000 square feet of Powered Base Building SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $42.00 per square foot, and approximately 180,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $22.00 per square foot.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, the Company commenced leases totaling approximately 320,000 square feet of space. This includes nearly 164,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $154.00 per square foot, approximately 119,000 square feet of Powered Base Building SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $49.00 per square foot, and approximately 38,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $15.00 per square foot.

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company signed leases representing over $1.0 billion in contract value, a 50% increase over the contract value of leases the Company signed in 2007. The $1.0 billion in leases signed in 2008 includes one agreement to execute a lease in 2007 totaling approximately $118.0 million, for which significant contingencies were satisfied in 2008 and the lease was signed in 2009. Leases signed in 2008 totaled over 1.1 million square feet. This includes approximately 594,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $153.00 per square foot, over 299,000 square feet of Powered Base Building SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $56.00 per square foot, and approximately 242,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $18.00 per square foot.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, the Company signed leases totaling approximately 276,000 square feet of space. This includes approximately 120,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $180.00 per square foot, approximately 8,000 square feet of Powered Base Building SM space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $54.00 per square foot, and approximately 149,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $17.00 per square foot.

As of February 26, 2009, the Company’s portfolio comprises 75 properties, excluding one property held in an unconsolidated joint venture, consisting of 98 buildings totaling approximately 13.0 million rentable square feet, including 1.6 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 $3.3 billion at December 31, 2008, from $2.8 billion at December 31, 2007. Total debt at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $1.4 billion. Stockholders’ equity was approximately $1.5 billion, up from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily due to the public offering of Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock in the first quarter of 2008 and the public offering of Common Stock in the third quarter of 2008.

 

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On November 5, 2008, the Company received funds from a second draw of $33.0 million from its uncommitted, unsecured private shelf facility with Prudential Financial. The loan has an interest-only rate of 9.32% and a five-year maturity.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on January 6, 2009, the Company received funds from a third draw on the Prudential Shelf Facility of $25.0 million with an interest-only rate of 9.68% per annum and a seven-year maturity. The Company intends to use the proceeds to acquire properties, to fund development and redevelopment activities and for general corporate purposes.

On February 13, 2009, the Company completed a public offering of 2.5 million shares of Common Stock, which generated approximately $83.3 million in net proceeds. The Company utilized the net proceeds from the offering to temporarily repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund development and redevelopment activities, and for general corporate purposes.

“Currently, we have approximately $623 million of immediate liquidity through short-term investments and funds that can be drawn on our revolving credit facility,” added Mr. Stein. “This provides us with sufficient liquidity to meet our currently anticipated capital requirements which are budgeted through 2009 and debt maturities through 2010.”

The Company is not changing its 2009 guidance at this time.

Investor Conference Call Details

Digital Realty Trust will hold a conference call today, Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2008 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 (800) 240-2430 (for domestic callers) or (303) 262-2053 (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 Thursday, February 26, 2009 until 11:59 pm PT on Thursday, March 5, 2009. The telephone replay can be accessed by dialing (800) 405-2236 (for domestic callers) or (303) 590-3000 (for international callers) and using reservation code 11125411#. A replay of the webcast will also be archived on Digital Realty Trust’s website.

 

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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 DatacenterSM and Powered Base BuildingSM 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 75 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 13.0 million rentable square feet as of February 26, 2009, including 1.6 million square feet of space held for redevelopment, Digital Realty Trust’s portfolio is located in 27 markets throughout North America and Europe. 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 expected future financial and other results. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of the current deterioration in global economic and market conditions; adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets or the industry sectors that we sell to; decreases in information technology spending; our dependence upon significant tenants; bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants; downturn of local economic conditions in our geographic markets; our inability to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to public companies or to manage our growth effectively; difficulty acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants; increased interest rates and operating costs; our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities; risks related to joint venture investments; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and space held for redevelopment; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; increased competition or available supply of data center space; our failure to successfully operate acquired properties; our inability to acquire off-market properties; delays or unexpected costs in development or redevelopment of properties; our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; possible adverse changes to tax laws; environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters; financial market fluctuations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; 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 United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 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.

 

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Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007     December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  

Operating Revenues:

        

Rental

   $ 111,398     $ 85,074     $ 404,559     $ 319,603  

Tenant reimbursements

     30,136       20,589       107,503       75,003  

Other

     5,572       240       15,383       641  
                                

Total operating revenues

     147,106       105,903       527,445       395,247  
                                

Operating Expenses:

        

Rental property operating and maintenance

     43,761       33,101       151,505       108,744  

Property taxes

     5,767       4,440       31,102       27,181  

Insurance

     1,333       1,326       4,988       5,527  

Depreciation and amortization

     47,053       37,818       172,280       134,394  

General and administrative

     8,573       8,159       38,589       31,600  

Other

     157       101       1,637       912  
                                

Total operating expenses

     106,644       84,945       400,101       308,358  
                                

Operating income

     40,462       20,958       127,344       86,889  

Other Income (Expenses):

        

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture

     1,860       (75 )     2,369       449  

Interest and other income

     591       621       2,106       2,287  

Interest expense

     (17,083 )     (15,863 )     (61,090 )     (64,404 )

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

     —         —         (182 )     —    
                                

Income from continuing operations before minority interests

     25,830       5,641       70,547       25,221  

Minority interests in consolidated joint ventures

     (89 )     —         (335 )     —    

Minority interests in continuing operations of operating partnership

     (1,203 )     (28 )     (2,551 )     (809 )
                                

Income from continuing operations

     24,538       5,613       67,661       24,412  

Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale of assets and minority interests

     —         —         —         1,395  

Gain on sale of assets

     —         —         —         18,049  

Minority interests attributable to discontinued operations

     —         —         —         (3,264 )
                                

Income from discontinued operations (1)

     —         —         —         16,180  

Net income

     24,538       5,613       67,661       40,592  

Preferred stock dividends

     (10,102 )     (5,359 )     (38,564 )     (19,330 )
                                

Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 14,436     $ 254     $ 29,097     $ 21,262  
                                

Net income per share available to common stockholders:

        

Basic

   $ 0.20     $ —       $ 0.42     $ 0.35  

Diluted

   $ 0.20     $ —       $ 0.41     $ 0.34  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     73,011,453       64,098,942       68,829,267       60,527,625  

Diluted

     73,205,628       66,282,524       70,435,760       62,572,937  

 

(1) During 2007, we sold 100 Technology Center Drive (March 2007) and 4055 Valley View Lane (March 2007) We have presented all activity for these properties in Income 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.

 

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Digital Realty Trust

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Investments in real estate

    

Properties:

    

Land

   $ 316,318     $ 316,196  

Acquired ground leases

     2,733       2,790  

Buildings and improvements

     2,465,984       1,968,850  

Tenant improvements

     255,818       193,436  
                

Investments in properties

     3,040,853       2,481,272  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (302,836 )     (188,099 )
                

Net investments in properties

     2,738,017       2,293,173  

Investment in unconsolidated joint venture

     8,481       8,521  
                

Net investments in real estate

     2,746,498       2,301,694  

Cash and cash equivalents

     73,334       31,352  

Accounts and other receivables, net

     39,108       43,440  

Deferred rent

     99,957       64,639  

Acquired above market leases, net

     31,352       38,762  

Acquired in place lease value and deferred leasing costs, net

     222,389       253,642  

Deferred financing costs, net

     16,621       17,610  

Restricted cash

     45,470       41,302  

Other assets

     4,940       17,023  
                

Total Assets

   $ 3,279,669     $ 2,809,464  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Revolving credit facility

   $ 138,579     $ 299,731  

Unsecured senior notes

     58,000       —    

Mortgage loans

     1,026,594       895,507  

Exchangeable senior debentures

     172,500       172,500  

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

     171,176       176,143  

Accrued dividends and distributions

     26,092       22,345  

Acquired below market leases, net

     76,660       93,572  

Security deposits and prepaid rents

     46,967       27,839  
                

Total Liabilities

     1,716,568       1,687,637  
                

Minority interests in consolidated joint ventures

     4,358       4,928  

Minority interests in operating partnership

     65,916       72,983  

Stockholders’ Equity

     1,492,827       1,043,916  
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 3,279,669     $ 2,809,464  
                

 

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Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income Available to Common Stockholders to Funds From Operations (FFO)

(in thousands, except per share and unit data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2008
    September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
    December 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 14,436     $ 8,083     $ 254     $ 29,097     $ 21,262  

Adjustments:

          

Minority interests in operating partnership including discontinued operations

     1,203       688       28       2,551       4,073  

Real estate related depreciation and amortization (1)

     46,857       46,331       37,673       171,559       134,240  

Real estate related depreciation and amortization related to investment in unconsolidated joint venture

     (286 )     859       919       2,339       3,934  

Gain on sale of assets

     —         —         —         —         (18,049 )
                                        

FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders (2)

   $ 62,210     $ 55,961     $ 38,874     $ 205,546     $ 145,460  
                                        

Basic FFO per share and unit

   $ 0.79     $ 0.73     $ 0.55     $ 2.73     $ 2.12  

Diluted FFO per share and unit (2)

   $ 0.76     $ 0.69     $ 0.53     $ 2.62     $ 2.05  

Weighted average common stock and units outstanding

          

Basic

     79,096       76,953       71,120       75,160       68,754  

Diluted (2)

     91,123       91,209       73,304       87,811       70,799  

(1)    Real estate depreciation and amortization was computed as follows:

      

     

Depreciation and amortization per income statement

     47,053       46,520       37,818       172,280       134,394  

Depreciation and amortization of discontinued operations

     —         —         —         —         379  

Non real estate depreciation

     (196 )     (189 )     (145 )     (721 )     (533 )
                                        
   $ 46,857     $ 46,331     $ 37,673     $ 171,559     $ 134,240  
                                        

 

(2) At December 31, 2008, we had 7,000,000 series C convertible preferred shares and 13,800,000 series D convertible preferred shares outstanding that were convertible into 3,614,800 common shares and 8,217,900 common shares, respectively. See below for calculations of diluted FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders and weighted average common stock and units outstanding.

 

     Three Months Ended    Year Ended
     December 31,
2008
   September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
   December 31,
2008
   December 31,
2007

FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders

   $ 62,210    $ 55,961    $ 38,874    $ 205,546    $ 145,460

Add: Series C convertible preferred dividends

     1,914      1,914      —        7,656      —  

Add: Series D convertible preferred dividends

     4,744      4,744      —        17,130      —  
                                  

FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders — diluted

   $ 68,868    $ 62,619    $ 38,874    $ 230,332    $ 145,460
                                  

Weighted average common stock and units outstanding

     79,096      76,953      71,120      75,160      68,754

Add: Effect of dilutive securities (excluding series C and D convertible preferred stock)

     194      2,423      2,184      1,606      2,045

Add: Effect of dilutive series C convertible preferred stock

     3,615      3,615      —        3,615      —  

Add: Effect of dilutive series D convertible preferred stock

     8,218      8,218      —        7,430      —  
                                  

Weighted average common stock and units outstanding — diluted

     91,123      91,209      73,304      87,811      70,799
                                  

 

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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.

 

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