H&R REIT Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2022 Results

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - H&R Real Estate Investment Trust ("H&R" or "the REIT") (TSX: HR.UN) is pleased to announce its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Same-Property net operating income (cash basis)(1) growth of 10.9% and 14.9%, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the respective periods in 2021;
  
  
• Net operating income per the REIT's Financial Statements decreased by 12.8% and 19.1%, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the respective periods in 2021 primarily due to the spin-off of Primaris REIT completed on December 31, 2021 and property dispositions during the two-year period ended December 31, 2022;
  
  
• $463.2 million in property dispositions at the REIT's proportionate share(1), including 100 Wynford Drive in Toronto, ON ("100 Wynford");
  
  
• 22.9 million units of the REIT ("Units") were repurchased in 2022 for a total cost of $297.1 million, at a weighted average price of $12.99 per Unit, representing an approximate 40.4% discount to Net Asset Value ("NAV") per Unit(3);
  
  
• $21.80 NAV per Unit(3) at December 31, 2022, an increase of $4.10 per Unit from December 31, 2021; primarily due to net fair value adjustments, the stronger U.S. dollar and the repurchase of Units;
  
  
• $20.64 unitholders' equity per Unit at December 31, 2022, an increase of $4.09 per Unit from December 31, 2021;
  
  
• 44.0% debt to total assets at the REIT's proportionate share(2)(3), an improvement compared to 46.6% at December 31, 2021;
  
  
• 34.4% debt to total assets as per the REIT's Financial Statements(2), an improvement compared to 37.1% at December 31, 2021;
  
  
• $4.9 billion of unencumbered properties; and
  
  
• In excess of $1.0 billion in liquidity comprised of $76.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $930.4 million available to be drawn under the REIT's credit facilities.

"2022 was a very important year for H&R REIT. Despite the volatility in the public markets, our teams achieved many substantial milestones aligned with our simplification strategy through capital recycling, unit buy backs, a distribution increase and a renewed focus on our investor communication program," said Tom Hofstedter, CEO. "Through these actions, we have enhanced our geographical exposure, asset mix, tenant diversification and enhanced our balance sheet with reduced leverage, driving strong operating and financial results, while also strengthening relationships with the investment community."

Philippe Lapointe, President added "We are very proud of what we accomplished in 2022, and we thank our loyal and hard-working employees for their tireless commitment and dedication throughout this considerable period of change at H&R. The past year has once again demonstrated to us just how critical our team members are to the success of our company and we are excited about what's to come in 2023."

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Primaris Spin-Off

H&R's 2022 financial results were significantly impacted due to the 27 properties transferred by H&R to Primaris REIT on December 31, 2021 (the "Primaris Spin-Off"). The impact of the Primaris Spin-Off on certain of H&R's financial results is shown in the table below:

SIGNIFICANT 2022 ACTIVITY

Transformational Strategic Repositioning Plan:

On October 27, 2021, H&R announced its Transformational Strategic Repositioning Plan to create a simplified, growth-oriented business focused on residential and industrial properties in order to surface significant value for unitholders. H&R's target is to be a leading owner, operator and developer of residential and industrial properties, creating value through redevelopment and greenfield development in prime locations within Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and high growth U.S. sunbelt and gateway cities.

H&R has executed on and completed a number of significant transactions and initiatives in furtherance of its strategic repositioning plan:

October 2021: $1.67 billion in strategic transactions completed with the sale of the Bow in Calgary, AB and Bell Office Campus in Mississauga, ON which significantly reduced Calgary office exposure, enhanced tenant diversification and created the liquidity and strengthened balance sheet to enable the Primaris Spin-Off.

December 2021: $2.4 billion tax-free spin-off of the REIT's Primaris properties on December 31, 2021, including all of H&R's enclosed malls into a new, completely independent, stand-alone, publicly traded REIT, known as Primaris REIT.

May 2022: Enhanced senior leadership team with appointment of Philippe Lapointe as President of H&R.

August 2022: Strategic sales of office and retail properties valued at $167.8 million, including 100 Wynford.

December 2022: Reduced leverage to 44.0% debt to total assets at the REIT's proportionate share(2)(3), an improvement compared to 46.6% at December 31, 2021.

Total 2022 non-core property sales at the REIT's proportionate share totalled $463.2 million, including 100 Wynford.

The REIT has entered into an agreement to sell 160 Elgin Street ("160 Elgin"), an office property in Ottawa, ON, for $277.0 million. The selling price is in line with 160 Elgin's value recorded at December 31, 2022. 160 Elgin was classified as held for sale at December 31, 2022. Closing is expected to occur in April 2023.

The following tables provide a breakdown of certain income statement items between operating segments. For further commentary on these tables, please see the REIT's management's discussion and analysis for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 available at www.hr–reit.com.

2022 Net Operating Income

For 2023, we are expecting Same-Property net operating income (cash basis) growth between 2% and 5%. 2023 net operating income will be largely dependent on dispositions during the year.

Fair Value Adjustment on Real Estate Assets and December 31, 2022 Capitalization Rates

Transaction Highlights

Acquisitions

In October 2022, H&R acquired a 50% ownership interest in 7-21, 23-31 Prince Andrew Place, a multi-tenanted industrial property in Toronto, ON, totalling 36,999 square feet for $10.5 million at H&R's ownership interest. This site is adjacent to H&R's 50% ownership interest in 1,4,8 Prince Andrew Place and was acquired to provide H&R and its partners with redevelopment intensification opportunities in the future given the close proximity to two future transit lines (the Eglinton LRT and the Ontario Line).

In December 2022, H&R acquired a 92,818 square foot office property in Dallas, TX for U.S. $49.0 million. This property was strategically acquired due to it being partially occupied by Lantower Residential, H&R's residential division, and it is adjacent to a 3.3 acre land parcel already owned by H&R which is being held for future residential development. The property was acquired through a Section 1031 property exchange under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the majority of the Section 1031 proceeds that were used to fund this acquisition came from the sale of Alamo Heights in San Antonio, TX, which was sold at a 3.6% capitalization rate.

Major Leasing Transactions and Updates in Q4 2022:

H&R has leased approximately 76.7% of the office space at River Landing Commercial in Miami, FL. The two major tenants are: (i) the Office of the State Attorney, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Miami-Dade County, whose lease commenced in October 2022 occupying 49,379 square feet; and (ii) Public Health Trust of Miami-Dade County, who will occupy a total of 63,007 square feet, of which 43,351 square feet is expected to be occupied in Q1 2023 and the remaining 19,656 square is expected to be occupied later this year.

H&R leased 2121 Cornwall Road in Oakville, ON, a vacant industrial property totalling 157,083 square feet, at H&R's ownership interest, for a 10-year term commencing September 1, 2022 at current market rents with annual contractual rental escalations.

H&R completed a 5-year lease renewal at 2300 Rue Senkus in Montreal, QC, an industrial property totalling 371,000 square feet, at H&R's ownership interest. The original lease was set to expire in December 2022 and rent will increase by 125% commencing in January 2023 with annual contractual rent escalations.

H&R completed a 10-year lease renewal at 170 Butts Street in South Hill, VA, an industrial property totalling 412,585 square feet, at H&R's ownership interest. The original lease was set to expire in April 2023 and rent will increase by 10% commencing in May 2023 with annual contractual rental escalations.

Development Update

Canadian Properties under Development

In September 2022, two Canadian properties under development in the REIT's industrial business park in Caledon, ON were substantially completed and transferred to investment properties. 34 Speirs Giffen Avenue, totalling 105,014 square feet, has been leased to Lindstrom Fastener (Canada) Ltd. for a term of 10 years which commenced in January 2023. 140 Speirs Giffen Avenue, totalling 77,754 square feet, has been leased to Coast Holding Limited Partnership for a term of 10 years which commenced in December 2022. This now completes the first phase of H&R's Caledon industrial park.

The REIT currently has two industrial properties under development located at 1965 Meadowvale Boulevard and 1925 Meadowvale Boulevard in Mississauga, ON, totalling 336,800 square feet, which are expected to be completed in 2023. The total development budget to complete these two properties is approximately $52.6 million. In October 2022, H&R entered into a binding agreement with Armour Transport Inc. to fully lease 1965 Meadowvale Boulevard, totalling 187,290 square feet, for a term of 10 years at current market rents with annual contractual rental escalations.

In Q4 2022, H&R reached a settlement agreement with the City of Toronto for 53 & 55 Yonge Street in Toronto, ON for a 66-storey mixed use tower, including 511 residential units. Subsequently, the settlement agreement was endorsed by City Council on December 14, 2022. The application is scheduled for a 5-day hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal ("OLT") commencing on February 27, 2023. H&R expects to have rezoning finalized in Q3 2023 following the completion of the OLT hearing.

U.S. Properties under Development

The REIT commenced construction on two U.S. residential development properties in 2022. The total development budget to complete these two properties is approximately U.S. $167.8 million. The REIT expects its construction costs for these two properties under development to be approximately U.S. $118.6 million in 2023 and U.S. $49.2 million in 2024.

H&R has a 31.2% non-managing ownership interest in Shoreline in Long Beach, CA. In June 2022, the project reached substantial completion and was transferred from properties under development to investment properties within equity accounted investments. As at December 31, 2022, occupancy was 82.2% and committed occupancy was 84.8%.

H&R has a 31.7% non-managing ownership interest in The Grand at Bayfront in Hercules, CA. In June 2022, the project reached substantial completion and was transferred from properties under development to investment properties within equity accounted investments. As at December 31, 2022, occupancy was 60.8% and committed occupancy was 62.1%.

Normal Course Issuer Bid

H&R today announced receipt of final acceptance from the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") of H&R's notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid ("NCIB"). Under the NCIB, H&R will have the ability to purchase for cancellation up to a maximum of 26,028,249 units of H&R ("Units") on the open market, representing 10% of the public float as of January 31, 2023. As at January 31, 2023, H&R had 265,884,526 outstanding Units.

The NCIB will commence on February 16, 2023 and remain in effect until the earlier of February 15, 2024 and the date on which H&R has purchased the maximum number of Units permitted under the NCIB. Purchases of Units under the NCIB will be made in accordance with TSX rules and policies through the facilities of the TSX, and through alternative trading systems. The Units so purchased will be cancelled. The price paid for any repurchased Units will be the market price of such Units at the time of acquisition. The average daily trading volume of the Units over the prior six months (adjusted to account for Units purchased by H&R over such period) was 544,315 and accordingly daily purchases will be limited to 136,078 Units other than block purchase exemptions.

H&R believes that its outstanding Units represent an attractive investment, and the ongoing purchase of its outstanding Units may benefit all persons who continue to hold Units by increasing their equity interest in H&R.

H&R may establish an automatic purchase plan under which its broker may purchase Units according to a prearranged set of criteria. The plan would enable the purchase of Units at any time, including when H&R would not ordinarily be active in the market because of internal trading blackout periods, insider trading rules or otherwise. The plan will terminate on the earliest of: the date on which the purchase limits specified in the plan have been attained, the date on which the NCIB terminates or the date on which the plan is terminated by a party in accordance with its terms. To H&R's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, none of the trustees, officers or other insiders of H&R or any associate of any such persons, or any associate or affiliate of H&R currently intends to sell Units to H&R during the course of the issuer bid.

Under its previous normal course issuer bid approved by the TSX on December 13, 2021 and amended on April 19, 2022 to increase the number of Units that could by repurchased for cancellation to 28,269,228 Units, H&R completed the purchase for cancellation through the facilities of the TSX of 22,873,800 Units at a weighted average price of $12.99 per Unit. H&R's previous normal course issuer bid expired on December 15, 2022.

MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED

H&R today declared distributions for the months of February and March scheduled as follows:

2022 TAXATION CONSEQUENCES FOR TAXABLE CANADIAN UNITHOLDERS

H&R's cash distributions amounted to $0.59 per Unit during 2022 (including a $0.05 per Unit special cash distribution to unitholders of record on December 30, 2022). The REIT also made a special distribution to unitholders of record on December 30, 2022 of $0.35 per Unit payable in additional Units, which were immediately consolidated such that there was no change in the number of outstanding Units. The cash portion of the special distribution was intended to provide liquidity to unitholders to cover all or part of an income tax obligation that may arise from the additional taxable income being distributed via the special distribution. The amount of the special distribution payable in Units ($0.35 per Unit) will increase the adjusted cost basis of unitholders' consolidated Units.

ESG REPORTING

H&R also previously announced the launch of its Green Financing Framework, which has been designed to support the REIT's sustainability strategy as the REIT continues to expand its building portfolio in an environmentally and socially responsible way. A copy of the Green Financing Framework can be found on its website at https://www.hr-reit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/HR-REIT-Green-Financing-Framework.pdf.

During 2022, H&R also implemented a human rights policy which can be found on H&R's website at https://www.hr-reit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Human-Rights-Policy.pdf and filed its 2021 Sustainability Report which can be found on H&R's website at https://www.hr-reit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HR-REIT-2021-Sustainability-Report.pdf.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Management will host a conference call to discuss the financial results of the REIT on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 9.30 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants can join the call by dialing 1–888–396–8049 or 1–416–764–8646. For those unable to participate in the conference call at the scheduled time, a replay will be available approximately one hour following completion of the call. To access the archived conference call by telephone, dial 1–416–764–8692 or 1–877–674–7070 and enter the passcode 280030 followed by the "#" key. The telephone replay will be available until Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at midnight.

A live audio webcast will be available through https://www.hr-reit.com/investor-relations/#investor-events. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. The webcast will be archived on H&R's website following the call date.

The investor presentation is available on H&R's website at https://www.hr-reit.com/investor-relations/#investor-presentation.

About H&R REIT

H&R REIT is one of Canada's largest real estate investment trusts with total assets of approximately $11.4 billion as at December 31, 2022. H&R REIT has ownership interests in a North American portfolio comprised of high-quality residential, industrial, office and retail properties comprising over 28.7 million square feet.

Forward-Looking Disclaimer

Certain information in this news release contains forward–looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (also known as forward–looking statements) including, among others, statements made or implied under the heading "Significant 2022 Activity" relating to H&R's objectives, beliefs, plans, estimates, targets, projections and intentions and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts, including with respect to H&R's future plans and targets, the REIT's ability to create a simplified, growth-oriented company and surface significant value for Unitholders, H&R's strategy to grow its exposure to residential assets in U.S. sunbelt and gateway cities, leasing of the REIT's investment properties, including expected lease commencement dates and square footage to be occupied, H&R's expectations with respect to the activities of its development properties, including the building of new properties, the use of such properties, the timing of construction and completion, expected construction plans and costs, anticipated square footage, expected approvals and the timing thereof, capitalization rates and cash flow models used to estimate fair values, expectations regarding future operating fundamentals, future growth in Same-Property net operating income (cash basis), H&R's intention to repurchase Units in the open market, H&R's beliefs regarding the benefits of persons who hold Units, management's expectations regarding future distributions by the REIT, and management's expectation to be able to meet all of the REIT's ongoing obligations. Forward–looking statements generally can be identified by words such as "outlook", "objective", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plans", "project", "budget" or "continue" or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward–looking statements reflect H&R's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.

Forward–looking statements are provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on H&R's estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risks and uncertainties discussed in H&R's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of H&R to differ materially from the forward–looking statements contained in this news release. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward–looking statements include assumptions relating to the general economy, including the effects of increased inflation; debt markets continue to provide access to capital at a reasonable cost, notwithstanding rising interest rates; and assumptions concerning currency exchange and interest rates including, for the purposes of expected Same-Property net operating income (cash basis) growth, that there won't be any change in the currency exchange rate. Additional risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to: real property ownership; the current economic environment; credit risk and tenant concentration; lease rollover risk; interest rate and other debt–related risk; development risks; residential rental risk; capital expenditures risk; currency risk; liquidity risk; risks associated with disease outbreaks; cyber security risk; financing credit risk; ESG and climate change risk; co–ownership interest in properties; general uninsured losses; joint arrangement and investment risks; dependence on key personnel and succession planning; potential acquisition, investment and disposition opportunities and joint venture arrangements; potential undisclosed liabilities associated with acquisitions; competition for real property investments; Unit price risk; potential conflicts of interest; availability of cash for distributions; credit ratings; ability to access capital markets; dilution; unitholder liability; redemption right risk; risks relating to debentures; tax risk; additional tax risks applicable to unitholders; investment eligibility; and statutory remedies. H&R cautions that these lists of factors, risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Although the forward–looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what H&R believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward–looking statements.

Readers are also urged to examine H&R's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time as they may contain discussions on risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results and performance of H&R to differ materially from the forward–looking statements contained in this news release. All forward–looking statements contained in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward–looking statements are made as of February 13, 2023 and the REIT, except as required by applicable Canadian law, assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances.

Non–GAAP Measures

The audited consolidated financial statements of the REIT and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "REIT's Financial Statements") were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). However, H&R's management uses a number of measures, including NAV per Unit, FFO, AFFO, payout ratio as a % of FFO, payout ratio as a % of AFFO and debt to total assets at the REIT's proportionate share, Same–Property net operating income (cash basis) and the REIT's proportionate share, which do not have meanings recognized or standardized under IFRS or Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). These non–GAAP measures and non–GAAP ratios should not be construed as alternatives to financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Further, H&R's method of calculating these supplemental non–GAAP measures and ratios may differ from the methods of other real estate investment trusts or other issuers, and accordingly may not be comparable. H&R uses these measures to better assess H&R's underlying performance and provides these additional measures so that investors may do the same.

For information on the most directly comparable GAAP measures, composition of the measures, a description of how the REIT uses these measures and an explanation of how these measures provide useful information to investors, refer to the "Non–GAAP Measures" section of the REIT's management's discussion and analysis as at and for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022, available at www.hr–reit.com and on the REIT's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, which is incorporated by reference into this news release.

Financial Position

The following table reconciles the REIT's Statement of Financial Position from the REIT's Financial Statements to the REIT's proportionate share:

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table reconciles the REIT's Results of Operations from the REIT's Financial Statements to the REIT's proportionate share:

The following table reconciles the REIT's Results of Operations from the REIT's Financial Statements to the REIT's proportionate share:

Same-Property net operating income (cash basis)

The following table reconciles net operating income per the REIT's Financial Statements to Same-Property net operating income (cash basis):

NAV per Unit

The following table reconciles Unitholders' equity per Unit to NAV per Unit(2):

Funds from Operations and Adjusted Funds from Operations

The following table reconciles net income per the REIT's Financial Statements to FFO and AFFO:

Additional information regarding H&R is available at www.hr-reit.com and on www.sedar.com

SOURCE H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

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