TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (“RioCan" or the "Trust”) (TSX: REI.UN) announced today its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.

• High demand locations generate new leasing spreads of 36.7% for 2024; blended leasing spreads of 18.7%
• Record-breaking committed occupancy at 98.0%; retail committed occupancy at high water mark of 98.7%
• 98% completion of the 372 expected Fourth Quarter condominium and townhouse interim closings to date
• Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA improved to 8.98x from 9.28x at the end of the prior year

"RioCan had another exceptional year, continuing its trend of achieving its operational and financial objectives, reaching record occupancy and leasing spreads”, said Jonathan Gitlin, President and CEO of RioCan. "RioCan is well positioned to capitalize on the favourable retail real estate fundamentals in the under supplied Canadian market. Our recent Unit buybacks and the Board of Trustees’ decision to increase our distribution for the fourth consecutive year demonstrate confidence in our core business and our team’s ability to maximize asset value while strategically managing capital."

• Full year FFO Adjusted per unit was $1.81, an increase of $0.04 per unit or 2.3% compared to the prior year. This growth resulted from strong operating performance and completed developments, partially offset by reduced NOI related to the sale of lower growth commercial properties. Higher residential inventory gains and increases in interest income were offset by higher interest expense.
• Net income per unit for the year of $1.58, was $1.45 per unit higher than the prior year. In addition to the FFO items described above, net income included a $29.4 million reduction in the fair value of investment properties, compared to a fair value loss of $450.4 million in the prior year, contributing $1.40 per unit to the year-over-year increase.
• Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA¹ improved to 8.98x, FFO Payout Ratio¹ was 61.9% and Liquidity¹ was $1.7 billion.

Distribution increase and Outlook

• RioCan's Board of Trustees approved a 4.3% increase to the monthly distribution to Unitholders from $0.0925 to $0.0965 per unit commencing with the February 2025 distribution, payable on March 7, 2025 to Unitholders of record as at February 28, 2025. This brings RioCan's annualized distribution to $1.16 per unit marking its fourth consecutive annual distribution increase.
• Based on our FFO guidance for 2025, we expect to maintain a payout ratio within our long-term target range of 55%-65%:

Selected Financial and Operational Highlights (i)

• Leasing Spreads: In 2024, RioCan achieved a record blended leasing spread of 18.7% with a new leasing spread of 36.7% and a renewal leasing spread of 13.1%. Leasing momentum grew steadily throughout the year, culminating in a strong Fourth Quarter performance and four consecutive quarters of double-digit leasing spreads.
• Occupancy: Strong demand for space in RioCan's premium portfolio drove committed occupancy and retail committed occupancy to record highs of 98.0% and 98.7%.
• Leasing Progress: 4.8 million square feet were leased in 2024, including 1.5 million square feet of new leases. Our ongoing initiatives to continuously improve tenant quality and the productivity of our shopping centres, included the following:
  • seven new grocery leases, three of which transformed retail assets into highly valued grocery-anchored centres;
  • a 135,000 square foot lease with Canadian Tire in the GTA; and
  • 40,000 square feet leased to Royal Bank of Canada including office space and a store front unit formally occupied by a fashion tenant at Yonge Eglinton Centre.

An additional land lease for a 158,000 square foot Costco was finalized at RioCan Centre Burloak, replacing less resilient fashion-focused tenants with a strong, serviced-base anchor.

• Same Property NOI: Commercial Same Property NOI excluding provision¹ improved in the fourth quarter to 3.5% as the benefits of backfills at higher rents and leasing began to contribute. We expect this positive trend to continue in 2025. For 2024, the increase of 2.2% over the prior year was below our long-term target of 3.0% mainly due to 261,000 square feet of vacancies earlier in the year.
• RioCan Living - Residential Rental: Residential rental operations generated $29.2 million of NOI, an increase of $7.7 million or 36.1% over last year. Residential Same Property NOI¹ grew by 5.1% over the prior year. The 13 operating buildings have a fair value of $0.9 billion. Upon completion of construction at FourFifty The Well^TM in the second quarter of 2024, capitalization of related costs ceased, leading to a short-term negative FFO impact of $2.1 million in 2024. We expect a positive contribution in 2025 as the NOI from the property ramps up.
• RioCan Living - Residential Inventory: On a proportionate share basis, approximately $73.3 million of sales revenue and $12.0 million of residential inventory gains were generated on the interim closing of 356 units in the Fourth Quarter. As a condition of interim occupancy, purchasers must show proof of sufficient funds to close the transaction once the buildings are registered. As of February 18, 2025, 98% of the 372 expected Fourth Quarter condominium and townhouse interim occupancies were completed.
• Approximately $534 million of sales revenue is expected from the remaining units in the five active condominium construction projects. Approximately $427 million of this expected revenue, or 85% of units, has been pre-sold. These pre-sales are expected to close between 2025 and 2026 and are pursuant to legally binding contracts. They were primarily executed at prices below current market values, with an average deposit of 20%, motivating buyers to complete their purchases.
• During 2024, the Trust sold 25.0% of its interest in the 11YV project through two transactions, reducing its interest in the project to 12.5% and generating gains of $23.9 million. These transactions accelerated $180 million of the approximate $800 million of total condominium and townhouse sales revenue expected at the beginning of 2024, mitigating our exposure to condominiums and preserving capital as purchasers assume the costs-to-complete and debt obligations.
• Restructuring: As part of its ongoing responsible cost management and resource optimization, RioCan reduced its workforce by 9.5% resulting in a $7.9 million charge in 2024 or $0.03 FFO per unit. This charge is excluded from FFO Adjusted per unit. We anticipate annualized cash savings of approximately $8 million, with a net G&A impact of approximately $4 million.
• Development Completions: For the full year, $225.8 million or 180,000 square feet of properties under development were transferred to income producing properties. In Q2 2024, the Wellington Market opened, significantly increasing foot traffic at The Well^TM.
• Capital Recycling: As of February 18, 2025, closed, firm and conditional dispositions totalled $189.3 million. Closed dispositions in 2024 totaled $132.7 million, including the sale of Strada, a co-owned residential property in downtown Toronto. Other closed dispositions in 2024 included an enclosed centre, a cinema-anchored property and several lower-growth assets as we continue to recycle capital into more accretive uses.
• Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB): Subsequent to year end, the Trust acquired and cancelled 3.2 million Units at a weighted average price of $18.51 per unit for a cost of $60.0 million. Proceeds from the sale of two low growth assets were or will be used to fund the purchases: RioCan Centre Vaughan, which closed in Q4 2024 and North Edmonton Cineplex Centre which is firm and scheduled to close in Q1 2025. These purchases were made pursuant to the automatic securities purchase plan adopted in connection with the Trust's 2024/2025 NCIB. The Trust believes that the market price of its units does not fully reflect the underlying value and future prospects of its business, making purchasing its own units an attractive investment opportunity.
• Investing: RioCan issued $190.2 million of new loans under its real estate lending program in 2024 earning an average interest rate of 11.0%. Additionally, $42.4 million of existing loans were repaid. Subsequent to year end, RioCan completed $51.2 million of previously announced acquisitions of residential rental assets located in Calgary and, in a non-cash deal, acquired its partner's 75% interest in the condominium lands at RioCan Leaside Centre in Toronto.
• Balance Sheet and Liquidity: As of December 31, 2024, the Trust's Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 8.98x from 9.28x at the end of 2023, in line with its target range of 8.0x - 9.0x. The Trust has $1.7 billion of Liquidity to meet its financial obligations including a fully undrawn $1.25 billion revolving operating line of credit.
• Financing: The Trust successfully completed its 2024 financing plan, meeting its financial obligations while improving its debt metrics and financial flexibility. As of December 31, 2024, the weighted average term to maturity of its debt portfolio was extended to 3.72 years from 2.97 years, and the Ratio of Unsecured Debt to Total Contractual Debt¹ increased to 55.7% from 54.3%, both compared to the end of 2023 and on a proportionate share basis.
• During the Fourth Quarter, the Trust issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured debentures in two series at an all-in weighted average interest rate of 4.60% per annum with a weighted average term to maturity of 5.8 years. The net proceeds were used to redeem, at par, the $300.0 million Series AI senior unsecured debentures that carried a coupon of 6.488%, and repay the $252.0 million drawn balance on the revolving operating line of credit. The Trust also extended the maturity date of the $200.0 million non-revolving unsecured credit facility to January 31, 2030 at a hedged annual all-in fixed interest rate of 4.47%.
• Subsequent to year end, the Trust issued $550.0 million of senior unsecured debentures in two series: $250.0 million floating rate Series AN senior unsecured debentures which were swapped to fixed rates, and $300.0 million fixed rate Series AO senior unsecured debentures. The all-in weighted average interest rate for the $550.0 million of debentures was 4.05% per annum inclusive of the interest rate swap, with a weighted average term to maturity of 4.8 years. The net proceeds were used to redeem the $500.0 million Series AB senior unsecured debentures upon maturity. Additionally, the Trust repaid $131.5 million of maturing mortgages. These financing activities improved the Ratio of Unsecured Debt to Total Contractual Debt to 57.0% and increased the Unencumbered Assets pool by $286.2 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

Interested parties are invited to participate in a conference call with management on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). Participants will be required to identify themselves and the organization on whose behalf they are participating.

To access the conference call, click on the following link to register at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call: Pre-registration link. Participants who pre-register at any time prior to the call will receive an email with dial-in credentials including a login passcode and PIN to gain immediate access to the live call. Those that are unable to pre-register may dial-in for operator assistance by calling 1-833-950-0062 and entering the access code: 155981.

For those unable to participate in the live mode, a replay will be available at 1-866-813-9403 with access code: 526178.

To access the simultaneous webcast, visit RioCan’s website at Events and Presentations and click on the link for the webcast.

About RioCan

RioCan is one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts. RioCan owns, manages and develops retail-focused, mixed-use properties located in prime, high-density transit-oriented areas where Canadians want to shop, live and work. As at December 31, 2024, our portfolio is comprised of 178 properties with an aggregate net leasable area of approximately 32 million square feet (at RioCan's interest). To learn more about us, please visit www.riocan.com.

Basis of Presentation and Non-GAAP Measures

All figures included in this News Release are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. RioCan’s annual audited consolidated financial statements ("2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements") are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Financial information included within this News Release does not contain all disclosures required by IFRS, and accordingly should be read in conjunction with the Trust's 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, which are available on RioCan's website at www.riocan.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

Consistent with RioCan’s management framework, management uses certain financial measures to assess RioCan’s financial performance, which are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) under IFRS. Funds From Operations (“FFO”), FFO Adjusted, FFO per unit, FFO Adjusted per unit, Net Operating Income ("NOI"), Same Property NOI, Commercial Same Property NOI ("Commercial SPNOI"), Commercial Same Property NOI excluding provision, Residential Same Property NOI ("Residential SPNOI"), Development Spending, Ratio of Unsecured Debt to Total Contractual Debt, Liquidity, Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, RioCan's Proportionate Share, Unencumbered Assets as well as other measures that may be discussed elsewhere in this News Release, do not have a standardized definition prescribed by IFRS and are, therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other reporting issuers. RioCan supplements its IFRS measures with these Non-GAAP measures to aid in assessing the Trust’s underlying performance and reports these additional measures so that investors may do the same. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as alternatives to net income or comparable metrics determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of RioCan’s performance, liquidity, cash flow, and profitability. For full definitions of these measures, please refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures” section in RioCan’s MD&A for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.

The reconciliations for non-GAAP measures included in this News Release are outlined as follows:

RioCan's Proportionate Share

The following table reconciles the consolidated balance sheets from IFRS to RioCan's proportionate share basis as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

The following tables reconcile the consolidated statements of income (loss) from IFRS to RioCan's proportionate share basis for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

NOI and Same Property NOI

The following table reconciles operating income to NOI and Same Property NOI to NOI for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Commercial Same Property NOI excluding provision

FFO

The following table reconciles net income (loss) attributable to Unitholders to FFO for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Development Spending

Total Development Spending for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:

Total Contractual Debt

The following table reconciles total debt to Total Contractual Debt as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Unsecured and Secured Debt

The following table reconciles Total Unsecured and Secured Debt to Total Contractual Debt as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Liquidity

As at December 31, 2024, RioCan had approximately $1.7 billion of Liquidity as summarized in the following table:

Adjusted EBITDA

The following table reconciles consolidated net income attributable to Unitholders to Adjusted EBITDA:

Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio

Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows:

Unencumbered Assets

The tables below summarize RioCan's Unencumbered Assets as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Forward-Looking Information

This News Release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. This information reflects RioCan’s objectives, our strategies to achieve those objectives, as well as statements with respect to management’s beliefs, estimates and intentions concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook”, “objective”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “should”, “plan”, “continue”, or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. All forward-looking information in this News Release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future events or performance and, by its nature, is based on RioCan’s current estimates and assumptions, which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section in RioCan's MD&A for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 and in our most recent Annual Information Form, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the forward-looking information contained in this News Release. Although the forward-looking information contained in this News Release is based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with this forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are made as of the date hereof, and should not be relied upon as representing RioCan’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this News Release. Management undertakes no obligation, except as required by applicable law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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