2023 ANNUAL LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
Table of | |
Contents | |
Company Overview | . 1 |
Introduction | . 2 |
2023 Highlights | 3 |
High-Quality Investment Platform | . 4 |
2023 Development Progress | . 5 |
Strong Leasing Performance | . 6 |
Attractive Leasing Outcomes | . 7 |
Advancing Corporate Responsibility Efforts | .8 |
Four Pillars of Corporate Responsibility | . 9 |
Balance Sheet Strategy | 10 |
Capital Markets Activity | . 11 |
Financials | . 11 |
Summary | 12 |
Corporate Information | 13 |
Phoenix Market | LXP 2023 |
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO | |
Company Overview
LXP Industrial Trust (NYSE: LXP) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an active acquirer, operator and developer of premium warehouse/distribution real estate in target U.S. logistics markets in the Sunbelt and lower Midwest with high-growth potential. Through its multi-channel investment strategy, LXP has the flexibility to pursue a variety of income and growth opportunities focused on the industrial sector.
Cincinnati Market
HIGHLIGHTS1
30 Years
Publicly-Traded
$5.1B
Gross Assets
54.6M
SF2
100%
Leased2
77%
Top 25 Markets3
32%
Green Building Certified4
- As of 12/31/2023. 2. For stabilized portfolio.
- Based on CoStar.com inventory data for top industrial markets. 4. For consolidated and stabilized industrial portfolio.
LXP 2023 1
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
Dear Fellow Shareholders
Reflecting over the past 30 years, LXP Industrial Trust ("LXP") looked quite different than the company it is today. Over this time, the company grew in size, refined and improved its strategy with changing markets and navigated the ups and downs that accompany investing in real estate. Growth requires embracing change and we are proud of the company we have built since listing on the NYSE over 30 years ago. LXP's transformation has resulted in a high-quality portfolio of primarily single-tenant, warehouse and distribution assets in key logistics markets with contractual rent growth, a promising development platform, strong mark-to-market
leasing outcomes and opportunities, a best-in-class ESG+R program and excellent corporate governance.
LXP rang the bell at the NYSE in late 2023 to commemorate our 30-year anniversary as a publicly-traded company. Our Board of Trustees, leadership team and both new and long-standing employees joined us in our celebration. This event provided us the opportunity to pause and appreciate how far LXP has come. It was also a good reminder that we have more to do and that we welcome the change that is essential for our continued growth.
"As we have acted on opportunities and navigated market challenges, we've not only grown as a company, but also as a cohesive team working together to exe- cute. Our 2023 performance further reflects the"considerable progress we have made and strengthens the platform we have created.
WILL EGLIN
Chairman, President and CEO
LXP 2023 2
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
2023 Highlights
LXP delivered strong operating results in 2023 through notable achievements in leasing, development, asset sales and leverage reduction. Leasing volume was robust, underscored by significant rental increases and a 100% leased stabilized industrial portfolio at year-end. In our development program, we completed the base building construction of seven new facilities, further expanding our footprint in our target markets. Our office disposition plan is now nearly complete after disposing of the majority of our remaining office assets during the year. Through our prudent execution over the course of the year, we took advantage of refinancing opportunities that will effectively extend our debt maturities to 2027 and we reduced leverage to 6.0x net debt to Adjusted EBITDA.
While industrial real estate market fundamentals remain solid, the leasing market for new construction continued to be challenged in 2023 with the supply in big box product giving prospective tenants more options and the ability to defer space use decisions. That said, market dynamics, such as lower new spec construction starts and expected rate cuts, offer the backdrop for a more favorable leasing
and valuation environment in the near to medium-term. We believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on these market tailwinds as we look to lease our remaining development portfolio and expand our build-to-suit pipeline.
Our corporate responsibility efforts continued to be a focus in 2023 and resulted in a variety of positive achievements and recognition. In addition, we published our 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report and partnered with certain non-profit organizations to make a greater impact in our local New York, Texas and Florida commu- nities. With further enhancements made during the year to our ESG+R program, we increased our GRESB® Real Estate Benchmark score and maintained our Public Disclosure score of "A", with the highest score in our peer group. Finally, in our commitment to consistent Board refreshment protocols, we appointed Jamie Handwerker as our new Lead Independent Trustee in May and rotated our Board committee leadership roles later in the year.
We're pleased with our 2023 accomplishments and are excited to share them with you in greater detail.
"Since I joined LXP's Board in 2017, I've had the opportunity to work with some great individuals whose level of talent is top-notch. My 40 years of experience in sell- side research, investing and shareholder engagement complement other trustees' skills, including real estate, communications, compli- ance, ESG, cyber security and logistics. I couldn't be more excited about my new role as Lead Independent Trustee. I'm humbled by this appointment and look forward to providing"leadership guidance on the Board and to management.
JAMIE HANDWERKER
LXP's Lead Independent Trustee
Greenville-Spartanburg Market
LXP 2023 3
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
High-Quality Investment Platform
In 2023, we continued to concentrate our investment efforts on building out our development platform in our target markets. We made significant progress during the year, investing $122 million dollars, completing 4.2 million square feet of new construction and leasing 1.9 million square feet of available spec space. Since our development program began, we've leased and placed into service nearly five million square feet of development projects, of which 1.8 million square feet was placed in service in 2023. We continue to see activity at our remaining development projects and are hopeful that the bulk of the remaining 3.7 million square feet can be leased in 2024.
We expect build-to-suit opportunities to be a focus for us in 2024 given the decline in new spec construction starts and the attractive yields build-to-suit projects offer without the leasing risk associated with spec development. With a long and successful track record in the build-to-suit space and strong merchant builder relationships, we believe LXP is well-positioned to capitalize on new investment prospects that will further enhance shareholder returns.
"Our development business has become a much larger part of our multi-channel investment strat- egy, providing us the opportunity to add high- quality industrial assets to our portfolio at superior pricing compared to the purchase market. As we explore new avenues of growth"opportunities in 2024, we are encouraged by the market dynamics taking place in the build-to-suit area.
INDUSTRIAL PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS1 | |||
112 | 54.3M | 6.0 Years | 49% |
Properties | SF | Weighted-Average | Investment Grade |
Lease Term2 | Tenancy3 | ||
9.5 Years | 33.0' | 2.6% | 4.1% |
Average Portfolio | Average Clear | ||
Age4 | Height5 | Average Annual | Quarterly Same-Store |
Rental Escalation6 | 7 | ||
NOI Growth |
- As of 12/31/2023. 2. Weighting based on ABR. 3. Percent of ABR. Credit ratings are based upon either tenant, guarantor or parent/ultimate parent. 4. Weighting based on square footage, excluding land parcels. 5. Based on internal and external sources.
- Average annual rental escalation based on next rent step percentage. Excludes escalating leases in last year after last escalation. 7. Excludes properties acquired, developed and sold during the applicable periods.
LXP 2023 4
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
2023 Development Progress1
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS2
Phoenix
• Previously leased ~392K SF facility was placed in service
• ~488K SF facility leased (placed in service in 1Q 2024)
PHOENIX
Indianapolis
- ~1.1M SF facility base building construction completed
COLU | Columbus |
INDIANAPOLIS | • ~1.1M SF facility leased |
and placed in service | |
Greenville Spartanburg | GREENVILLE |
• ~1.1M SF facility base building | SPARTANBURG |
construction completed |
- ~305K SF facility leased and
placed in service
CENTRAL
FLORIDA
8.5M SF
new construction completed
4.8M SF
leased/placed in service3
3.3%
average annual escalations
6.6%
weighted average estimated cash stabilized yield4
523 Acres
of development land available
100 Acres
of Phoenix land leased to data center user
3.7M SF
available for lease
Central Florida
- ~1.1M SF facility base building construction completed
-
~271K SF (two facilities) base building construction completed
• ~58K SF leased and placed in service
1. As of 12/31/2023. | n 2023 Development Activity | n Other Target Markets in Sunbelt and Midwest |
43% | Available |
for Lease |
Leased/Placed | |
57% | in Service |
- Beginning in 2019 through 2/14/2024. 3. A property placed in service indicates tenant has taken occupancy and revenue recognition has begun.
- As of 12/31/2023. For properties placed into service. Excluding developer fees or partner promotes, if any.
LXP 2023 5
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
Strong Leasing Performance
We maintained strong momentum throughout the year, leasing 6.8 million square feet at attractive Base and Cash Base rental increases of approximately 52% and 37%, respectively, excluding fixed-rate renewals. Lease escalators continue to trend upward, with the average escalator on leases signed in 2023 at 3.7%, excluding fixed-rate renewals. Also, during the year, we addressed our existing vacancy, bringing our stabilized industrial portfolio to 100% leased, and grew same-store NOI by 4.1%.
Over half of our 2024 lease expirations were addressed in 2023. We are in negotiations for the majority of the remaining 2024 expirations, and anticipate good results, with the renewals expected to produce cash rental increases of 20 to 30% based on current market conditions. Our estimates of current market rents indi-
cate that leases expiring through 2029 are 23% below market, providing us the Cincinnati Market potential to meaningfully increase rents at lease expiration.
2023/2024 Rental Growth | Lease Rollover Schedule Through 20291,2 | ||||||||||
50% | $40,000 | 14.0% | 13.5% | ||||||||
42% | $35,000 | 12.4% | |||||||||
40% | |||||||||||
thousands | $30,000 | ||||||||||
30% | 30% | $25,000 | |||||||||
20-30% | |||||||||||
$20,000 | 6.9% | 6.8% | |||||||||
$ in | |||||||||||
20% | $15,000 | 4.4% | |||||||||
10% | $10,000 | ||||||||||
$5,000 | |||||||||||
0 | 2023 | 2024 | Remaining | 0 | |||||||
2024 | 2025 | 2026 2027 2028 2029 | |||||||||
Expirations4 | Expirations5,6 | 2024 Expirations7 | |||||||||
23% Below Current Market Rents | |||||||||||
Actual | Projected |
Lease Escalations2,8
4.0% 1.9%
Annual Escalations
Other Escalations
Flat Rent
94.1%
2.6% | 3.7% |
Average Annual | Average Annual Escalator |
Escalations | for Leases Signed 20239 |
- As of 12/31/2023. 2. Percent of ABR. 3. Based on independent third-party broker data and current renewal discussions for leases expiring through 2029. 4. Cash rental growth actuals for leases that expired in 2023. Inclusive of leases signed beginning in 1Q 2022.
- Cash rental growth actuals for leases that expired in 2024. Inclusive of leases signed beginning in 1Q 2023. 6. Exclusive of three fixed rate rent renewals, which bring the figure to 20.1%. 7. Projected cash rental growth ranges for remaining expiring leases in 2024. Based on current negotiations and third party broker estimates. This does not include rent escalations over the duration of the leases. There is no guarantee these outcomes will be achieved. 8. Average Annual Rent Escalation based on next rent step percentages. Excludes escalating leases in last year after last escalation. 9. Excludes fixed renewals.
LXP 2023 6
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
Attractive Leasing Outcomes1
LXP's considerable mark-to-market leasing outcomes | management team. Our ability to continue to deliver strong |
reflect the quality of our portfolio and highlight the value | leasing outcomes will further contribute to increased reve- |
of our investment strategy and the strength of our asset | nue and an enhanced internal growth profile. |
"We couldn't be more pleased with the strong leasing outcomes we continue to produce in our industrial portfolio. This speaks to the
MARKET
ATLANTA
DALLAS
asset class we're in, as well
Square
Footage
Rental
Increases
Lease Term
Starting
Rent
Annual
Escalation
Property
Attributes
1. As of 12/31/2023.
370,000
~79% - Base Rent
~62% - Cash Base Rent
5-Year Term
$6.70 PSF
4.0%
- Built in 2016 to modern specs
- Excellent access to I-85
- Located in Airport/North Clayton submarket of Atlanta, one of the largest and most sought after submarkets in the country
676,000
~88% - Base Rent
~65% - Cash Base Rent
7-Year Term
$5.20 PSF
4.0%
- Built in 2008 with modern improvements made in 2018
- Excellent access to I-75
- Located in the South Clayton/ Henry County submarket of Atlanta and one of the most sought after distribution submarkets in the country
501,000
~58% - Base Rent
~32% - Cash Base Rent
10-Year Term
$6.20 PSF
4.0%
- Built in 2019 to modern specs
- Excellent access to I-35W and TX Highway 114
- Located in the NE Tarrant/ Alliance submarket, one of the primary industrial submarkets in Dallas-Ft. Worth
as the quality and location of LXP's assets. While the leasing market has cooled somewhat, our below market rents and increasing annual escalators"point to continued growth as we look ahead.
JAMES DUDLEY
Executive Vice President,
Director of Asset Management
LXP 2023 7
2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders
AT A GLANCE | INTRODUCTION | 2023 HIGHLIGHTS | INVESTMENT PLATFORM | OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | ESG+R | CAPITAL STRATEGY | FINANCIALS | CORPORATE INFO |
Advancing Corporate Responsibility Efforts
We have successfully built the foundation of our Environmental, Social, Governance and Resilience (ESG+R) program, and in 2023 we focused on finding new and improved approaches to further enhance our program. Our goal is to continue making a difference as it relates to our business and stakeholders, the environment and our local communities. Notable activities in 2023 included conducting a Greenhouse Gas inventory of our Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, partnering with certain non-profit organizations, hosting multiple employee trainings and events, completing our first solar project, increasing our green building certified square footage and executing more leases with green language. As a result of our efforts,
we continued our progress toward achieving our corpo-LEED BD+C Phoenix Market rate responsibility initiatives and goals.
2023 ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS1 | |||||
Published 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report aligned with estab- | Named a 2023 Green Lease Leader with gold recognition by the | ||||
lished reporting frameworks, including GRI, TCFD, SASB and the UN | |||||
ENVIRONMENTAL | IMT and U.S. Department of Energy's Better Building Alliance | ||||
Sustainable Development Goals (make linkable to 2022 CR Report) | |||||
Increased GRESB Real Estate Benchmark score and received highest | Awarded as a member of ENERGY STAR Certification Nation | ||||
SOCIAL | Public Disclosure score within peer group | ||||
Achieved over five million square feet of green building certifications | Conducted a tenant feedback survey through Kingsley Associates, | ||||
achieving a satisfaction score in excess of the KA average | |||||
GOVERNANCE | |||||
Executed over seven million square feet of green leases2 | Selected as a "Best Company to Work For" in New York | ||||
Completed first solar project | Achieved inclusion into the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality | ||||
RESILIENCE | Index | ||||
1. As of 12/31/2023. 2. Includes consolidated and non-consolidated properties. | LXP 2023 8 | ||||
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Disclaimer
LXP Industrial Trust published this content on 05 April 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 08 April 2024 21:36:54 UTC.