Noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity and partners’ capital are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of American Assets Trust, Inc. and those of American Assets Trust, L.P. The partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that are not owned by American Assets Trust, Inc. are accounted for as partners’ capital in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements and as noncontrolling interests in American Assets Trust, Inc.’s financial statements. To help investors understand the significant differences between American Assets Trust, Inc. and the Operating Partnership, this report presents the following separate sections for each of American Assets Trust, Inc. and the Operating Partnership:
•consolidated financial statements;
•the following notes to the consolidated financial statements:
•Liquidity and Capital Resources in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This report also includes separate Item 4. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibit 31 and 32 certifications for each of American Assets Trust, Inc. and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of American Assets Trust, Inc. have made the requisite certifications and American Assets Trust, Inc. and the Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. §1350.
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 490,000,000 shares authorized, 60,901,583 and 60,895,786 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
609
609
Additional paid-in capital
1,474,554
1,469,206
Accumulated dividends in excess of net income
(293,037)
(280,239)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
4,475
8,282
Total American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders’ equity
1,186,601
1,197,858
Noncontrolling interests
(48,640)
(44,183)
Total equity
1,137,961
1,153,675
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,396,318
$
2,984,681
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business and Organization
American Assets Trust, Inc. (which may be referred to in these financial statements as the “company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a Maryland corporation formed on July 16, 2010 that did not have any operating activity until the consummation of our initial public offering on January 19, 2011. The company is the sole general partner of American Assets Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership formed on July 16, 2010 (the “Operating Partnership”). The company’s operations are carried on through our Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries, including our taxable real estate investment trust ("REIT") subsidiary ("TRS"). Since the formation of our Operating Partnership, the company has controlled our Operating Partnership as its general partner and has consolidated its assets, liabilities and results of operations.
We are a full service, vertically integrated, and self-administered REIT with approximately 230 employees providing substantial in-house expertise in asset management, property management, property development, leasing, tenant improvement construction, acquisitions, repositioning, redevelopment and financing.
As of September 30, 2024, we owned or had a controlling interest in 31 office, retail, multifamily and mixed-use operating properties, the operations of which we consolidate. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, we owned land at three of our properties that we classify as held for development and/or construction in progress. A summary of the properties owned by us is as follows:
Office
La Jolla Commons
One Beach Street
Corporate Campus East III
Torrey Reserve Campus
First & Main
Bel-Spring 520
Torrey Point
Lloyd Portfolio
Solana Crossing
City Center Bellevue
The Landmark at One Market
Eastgate Office Park
Retail
Carmel Country Plaza
Gateway Marketplace
Alamo Quarry Market
Carmel Mountain Plaza
Del Monte Center
Hassalo on Eighth - Retail
South Bay Marketplace
Geary Marketplace
Lomas Santa Fe Plaza
The Shops at Kalakaua
Solana Beach Towne Centre
Waikele Center
Multifamily
Loma Palisades
Hassalo on Eighth - Residential
Imperial Beach Gardens
Mariner's Point
Santa Fe Park RV Resort
Pacific Ridge Apartments
Mixed-Use
Waikiki Beach Walk Retail and Embassy Suites™ Hotel
Held for Development and/or Construction in Progress
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company, our Operating Partnership and our subsidiaries. The equity interests of other investors in our Operating Partnership are reflected as noncontrolling interests.
The company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), which requires the performance of a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Under this guidance, an entity would be required to consolidate a VIE if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. American Assets Trust, Inc. has concluded that the Operating Partnership is a VIE, and because American Assets Trust, Inc. has both the power and the rights to control the Operating Partnership, American Assets Trust, Inc. is the primary beneficiary and is required to continue to consolidate the Operating Partnership. Substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the company are related to the Operating Partnership VIE.
All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the company and the Operating Partnership have been prepared in accordance with the rules applicable to Form 10-Q and include all information and footnotes required for interim financial statement presentation, but do not include all disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise noted) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes therein included in the company's and Operating Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses. These estimates are prepared using our best judgment, after considering past, current and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Any reference to the number of properties, number of units, square footage, employee numbers or percentages of beneficial ownership of our shares are unaudited and outside the scope of our independent registered public accounting firm’s review of our financial statements in accordance with the standards of the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Supplemental Disclosures
The following table provides supplemental disclosures related to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Supplemental cash flow information
Total interest costs incurred
$
56,681
$
54,167
Interest capitalized
$
5,908
$
5,745
Interest expense, net
$
50,773
$
48,422
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
54,047
$
51,976
Cash paid for income taxes
$
1,035
$
1,122
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities for construction in progress
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Significant Accounting Policies
We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no changes to our significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Segment Information
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our chief operating decision maker reviews information for operational decision-making purposes. We operate in four business segments: the acquisition, redevelopment, ownership and management of office real estate, retail real estate, multifamily real estate and mixed-use real estate. The products for our office segment primarily include rental of office space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental. The products for our retail segment primarily include rental of retail space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental. The products for our multifamily segment include rental of apartments and other tenant services. The products of our mixed-use segment include rental of retail space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental and operation of a 369-room all-suite hotel.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Our leases with tenants are classified as operating leases. Substantially all such leases contain fixed rent escalations which occur at specified times during the term of the lease. Base rents are recognized on a straight-line basis from when the tenant controls the space through the term of the related lease, net of valuation adjustments, based on management's assessment of credit, collection and other business risks.
We make estimates of the collectability of our current accounts receivable and straight-line rents receivable which require significant judgment by management. The collectability of receivables is affected by numerous different factors including current economic conditions, the impact of tenant bankruptcies, the status of collectability of current cash rents receivable, tenants' recent and historical financial and operating results, changes in our tenants' credit ratings, communications between our operating personnel and tenants, the extent of security deposits and letters of credit held with respect to tenants, and the ability of tenants to perform under the terms of their lease agreement. The provision for doubtful accounts at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was approximately $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The pronouncementrequires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within the segment measure of profit or loss. The pronouncement will be applied retrospectively and is effective for annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024. We are currently evaluating the impact this pronouncement will have on our disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This pronouncement requires enhanced income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. This pronouncement is effective for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact this pronouncement will have on our disclosures.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
NOTE 2. ACQUIRED IN-PLACE LEASES AND ABOVE/BELOW MARKET LEASES
The following summarizes our acquired lease intangibles and leasing costs, which are included in other assets and other liabilities and deferred credits, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
In-place leases
$
50,077
$
51,575
Accumulated amortization
(34,943)
(32,977)
Above market leases
432
1,724
Accumulated amortization
(394)
(1,658)
Acquired lease intangible assets, net
$
15,172
$
18,664
Below market leases
$
48,732
$
50,624
Accumulated accretion
(34,302)
(34,087)
Acquired lease intangible liabilities, net
$
14,430
$
16,537
NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
A fair value measurement is based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value is as follows:
1.Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
2.Level 2 Inputs—observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
3.Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of fair value, using Level 1 inputs, because of the short-term nature of these instruments. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
We measure the fair value of our deferred compensation liability, which is included in other liabilities and deferred credits on the consolidated balance sheet, on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs. We measure the fair value of this liability based on prices provided by independent market participants that are based on observable inputs using market-based valuation techniques.
The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements are based on the estimated amounts we would receive or pay to terminate the contract at the reporting date and are determined using interest rate pricing models and interest rate related observable inputs. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and will be subsequently reclassified into earnings during the period in which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.
We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own non-performance risk and the respective counterparty’s non-performance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of non-performance risk, we considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of September 30, 2024 we have assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative position and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of our derivative. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
A summary of our financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy is as follows (in thousands):
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Deferred compensation liability
$
—
$
2,847
$
—
$
2,847
$
—
$
2,627
$
—
$
2,627
Interest rate swap asset
$
—
$
4,773
$
—
$
4,773
$
—
$
7,963
$
—
$
7,963
The fair value of our secured notes payable and unsecured senior guaranteed notes are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. Discounted cash flow analysis using observable market interest rates (Level 2) is generally used to estimate the fair value of our secured notes payable, using rates ranging from 5.2% to 5.6%.
Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of financial instruments. The estimates of fair value presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized upon disposition of the financial instruments. The carrying values of our term loans set forth below are deemed to be at fair value since the outstanding debt is directly tied to the monthly Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). A summary of the carrying amount and fair value of our secured financial instruments, all of which are based on Level 2 inputs, is as follows (in thousands):
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Secured notes payable, net
$
74,736
$
75,405
$
74,669
$
74,804
Unsecured term loans, net
$
324,362
$
325,000
$
323,491
$
325,000
Unsecured senior guaranteed notes, net
$
699,073
$
680,206
$
798,772
$
770,998
Senior notes, net
$
1,011,408
$
969,628
$
492,694
$
405,860
NOTE 4. DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, we primarily use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the terms of our outstanding interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Swap Counterparty
Notional Amount
Effective Date
Maturity Date
Fair Value
Bank of America, N.A.
$
50,000
1/14/2022
1/5/2027
$
2,168
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
$
50,000
1/14/2022
1/5/2027
$
2,171
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
$
150,000
1/5/2023
1/5/2025
$
373
Mizuho Capital Markets LLC
$
75,000
1/5/2023
1/5/2025
$
61
Prior to the issuance of the 6.150% Senior Notes, the Operating Partnership entered into a treasury lock contract on September 9, 2024 for $150 million and September 10, 2024 for an additional $150 million, which were both settled on September 10, 2024 at a combined loss of approximately $1.3 million. As a result of the loss on these treasury lock contracts and the debt discount, the effective rate on our 6.150% Senior Notes is 6.209% per annum. The treasury lock contracts have been deemed to be highly effective cash flow hedges and have been designated as accounting hedges. Any gains or losses incurred upon the settlement of these treasury lock contracts are included in accumulated other comprehensive income and are amortized to interest expense over the life of the 6.150% Senior Notes.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be subsequently reclassified into earnings during the period in which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings for as long as hedged cash flows remain probable. During the next twelve months, we estimate the cash flow hedges in place will reduce interest expense by approximately $0.9 million.
The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and counterparty credit risk and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves, and implied volatilities. The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.
NOTE 5. OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Leasing commissions, net of accumulated amortization of $51,815 and $47,978, respectively
$
36,581
$
36,721
Interest rate swap asset
4,773
7,963
Acquired above market leases, net
38
66
Acquired in-place leases, net
15,134
18,598
Lease incentives, net of accumulated amortization of $1,144 and $1,205, respectively
2,057
1,232
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,004 and $1,813, respectively
1,647
1,809
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,782 and $1,296, respectively
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
NOTE 6. OTHER LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED CREDITS
Other liabilities and deferred credits consist of the following (in thousands):
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Acquired below market leases, net
$
14,430
$
16,537
Prepaid rent and deferred revenue
17,994
17,261
Deferred compensation
2,847
2,627
Deferred tax liability
784
784
Straight-line rent liability
8,183
10,666
Lease liability
21,313
23,254
Other liabilities
49
58
Total other liabilities and deferred credits, net
$
65,600
$
71,187
Straight-line rent liability relates to leases which have rental payments that decrease over time or one-time upfront payments for which the rental revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis.
NOTE 7. DEBT
Debt of American Assets Trust, Inc.
American Assets Trust, Inc. does not hold any indebtedness. All debt is held directly or indirectly by the Operating Partnership; however, American Assets Trust, Inc. has guaranteed the Operating Partnership's obligations under the (i) senior notes, (ii) senior guaranteed notes, (iii) third amended and restated credit facility, and (iv) amended and restated term
loan agreement, each discussed below.
Debt of American Assets Trust, L.P.
Secured notes payable
The following table is a summary of our total secured notes payable outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
Principal Balance as of
Stated Interest Rate
Stated Maturity Date
Description of Debt
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
as of September 30, 2024
City Center Bellevue (1)
$
75,000
$
75,000
5.08
%
October 1, 2027
75,000
75,000
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $610 and $542, respectively
(264)
(331)
Total Secured Notes Payable Outstanding
$
74,736
$
74,669
(1)Interest only.
The Operating Partnership has provided a carve-out guarantee on the mortgage at City Center Bellevue. Certain loans require the Operating Partnership to comply with various financial covenants. As of September 30, 2024, the Operating Partnership was in compliance with these financial covenants.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Unsecured notes payable
The following table is a summary of the Operating Partnership's total unsecured notes payable outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
Description of Debt
Principal Balance as of
Stated Interest Rate
Stated Maturity Date
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
as of September 30, 2024
Term Loan A
$
100,000
$
100,000
Variable
(1)
January 5, 2027
Term Loan B
150,000
150,000
Variable
(3)
January 5, 2025
(2)
Term Loan C
75,000
75,000
Variable
(3)
January 5, 2025
(2)
Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series F (4)
—
100,000
3.78
%
(4)
July 19, 2024
Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series B
100,000
100,000
4.45
%
February 2, 2025
Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series C
100,000
100,000
4.50
%
April 1, 2025
Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series D
250,000
250,000
4.29
%
(5)
March 1, 2027
Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series E
100,000
100,000
4.24
%
(6)
May 23, 2029
Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series G
150,000
150,000
3.91
%
(7)
July 30, 2030
3.375% Senior Notes
500,000
500,000
3.38
%
February 1, 2031
6.150% Senior Notes
525,000
—
6.15
%
(8)
October 1, 2034
2,050,000
1,625,000
Debt discount and issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $8,981 and $7,259, respectively
(15,157)
(10,042)
Total Unsecured Notes Payable
$
2,034,843
$
1,614,958
(1)The Operating Partnership entered into two interest rate swap agreements that are intended to fix the interest rate associated with Term Loan A at approximately 2.7% through its maturity date, subject to adjustments based on our consolidated leverage ratio.
(2)On January 5, 2023, we extended Term Loan B and Term Loan C to a maturity date of January 5, 2025 with one, twelve-month extension option and increased the fully drawn borrowings thereunder to $150 million and $75 million, respectively.
(3)The Operating Partnership entered into interest rate swap agreements that are intended to fix the effective interest rate associated with Term Loan B and Term Loan C, subject to adjustments based on our consolidated leverage ratio, at, 5.47% from January 5, 2023 to January 4, 2024 and at 5.57% from January 5, 2024 to January 4, 2025.
(4)The Operating Partnership entered into a treasury lock contract on May 31, 2017, which was settled on June 23, 2017 at a loss of approximately $0.5 million. The treasury lock contract was deemed to be a highly effective cash flow hedge, accordingly, the effective interest rate is approximately 3.85% per annum. On July 18, 2024, we borrowed $100 million on our Revolver Loan (as defined below) to repay the entirety of our Series F Notes upon their maturity on July 19, 2024.
(5)The Operating Partnership entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts on March 29, 2016 and April 7, 2016, which were settled on January 18, 2017 at a gain of approximately $10.4 million. The forward-starting interest swap rate contracts were deemed to be highly effective cash flow hedges, accordingly, the effective interest rate is approximately 3.87% per annum.
(6)The Operating Partnership entered into a treasury lock contract on April 25, 2017, which was settled on May 11, 2017 at a gain of approximately $0.7 million. The treasury lock contract was deemed to be a highly effective cash flow hedge, accordingly, the effective interest rate is approximately 4.18% per annum.
(7)The Operating Partnership entered into a treasury lock contract on June 20, 2019, which was settled on July 17, 2019 at a gain of approximately $0.5 million. The treasury lock contract was deemed to be a highly effective cash flow hedge, accordingly, the effective interest rate is approximately 3.88% per annum.
(8)The Operating Partnership entered into a treasury lock contract on September 9, 2024 for $150 million and September 10, 2024 for an additional $150 million, which were both settled on September 10, 2024 at a combined loss of approximately $1.3 million. The treasury lock contract was deemed to be a highly effective cash flow hedge, accordingly, the effective interest rate is approximately 6.209% per annum.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Senior Notes
On January 26, 2021, the Operating Partnership issued $500 million of senior unsecured notes (the “3.375% Senior Notes”) that mature February 1, 2031 and bear interest at 3.375% per annum. The 3.375% Senior Notes were priced at 98.935% of the principal amount with a yield to maturity of 3.502%. The net proceeds of the 3.375% Senior Notes, after the issuance discount, underwriting fees, and other costs were approximately $489.7 million, which were primarily used to (i) prepay our $150 million Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series A, with a make-whole payment (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement for the Series A Notes) thereon of approximately $3.9 million, on January 26, 2021, (ii) repay our $100 million then outstanding balance under our then-existing revolver loan on January 26, 2021, (iii) fund the development of the La Jolla Commons III office building and (iv) for general corporate purposes.
On September 17, 2024, the Operating Partnership issued $525 million of senior unsecured notes (the “6.150% Senior Notes”) that mature October 1, 2034, and bear interest at 6.150% per annum. The 6.150% Senior Notes were priced at 99.671% of the principal amount with a yield to maturity of 6.194%. The net proceeds of the 6.150% Senior Notes, after the issuance discount, underwriting fees, and other costs, were approximately $518.2 million, and were initially used to repay the $100 million then outstanding balance under our Revolver Loan on September 19, 2024. We expect the remaining net proceeds to be primarily used for repayment of our Series B Notes and Series C Notes (as defined below), in each case at or prior to maturity, and for working capital and for general corporate purposes.
Prior to the issuance of the 6.150% Senior Notes, the Operating Partnership entered into a treasury lock contract on September 9, 2024 for $150 million and September 10, 2024 for an additional $150 million, which were both settled on September 10, 2024 at a combined loss of approximately $1.3 million. As a result of the loss on these treasury lock contracts and the debt discount, the effective rate on our 6.150% Senior Notes is 6.209% per annum. The treasury lock contracts have been deemed to be highly effective cash flow hedges and have been designated as accounting hedges. Any gains or losses incurred upon the settlement of these treasury lock contracts are included in accumulated other comprehensive income and are amortized to interest expense over the life of the 6.150% Senior Notes.
The 3.375% Senior Notes and the 6.150% Senior Notes include a number of customary financial covenants, including:
•A maximum aggregate debt ratio of 60%,
•A minimum debt service ratio of 1.5x,
•A maximum secured debt ratio of 40%,
•A minimum maintenance of total unencumbered assets of 150%.
As of September 30, 2024, the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all then in-place 3.375% Senior Notes and 6.15% Senior Notes covenants.
Senior Guaranteed Notes
On October 31, 2014, the Operating Partnership entered into a note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with a group of institutional purchasers that provided for the private placement of an aggregate of $350 million of senior guaranteed notes, of which (i) $150 million are designated as 4.04% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series A, due October 31, 2021 (the “Series A Notes”), (ii) $100 million are designated as 4.45% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series B, due February 2, 2025 (the “Series B Notes”) and (iii) $100 million are designated as 4.50% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series C, due April 1, 2025 (the “Series C Notes”). The Series A Notes were issued on October 31, 2014, the Series B Notes were issued on February 2, 2015 and the Series C Notes were issued on April 2, 2015. The Series A Notes, the Series B Notes and the Series C Notes will pay interest quarterly on the last day of January, April, July and October until their respective maturities. On January 26, 2021, we repaid the entirety of the $150.0 million Series A Notes with a make-whole payment (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) of approximately $3.9 million.
On March 1, 2017, the Operating Partnership entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for the private placement of $250 million of 4.29% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series D, due March 1, 2027 (the “Series D Notes”). The Series D Notes were issued on March 1, 2017 and pay interest quarterly on the last day of January, April, July and October until their respective maturities.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
On May 23, 2017, the Operating Partnership entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for the private placement of $100 million of 4.24% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series E, due May 23, 2029 (the “Series E Notes”). The Series E Notes were issued on May 23, 2017 and pay interest semi-annually on the 23rd of May and November until their respective maturities.
On July 19, 2017, the Operating Partnership entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for the private placement of $100 million of 3.78% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series F, due July 19, 2024 (the “Series F Notes”). The Series F Notes were issued on July 19, 2017 and pay interest semi-annually on the 31st of January and July until their respective maturities. On July 18, 2024, we borrowed $100 million on our Revolver Loan (as defined below) to repay the entirety of our Series F Notes upon their maturity on July 19, 2024.
On July 30, 2019, the Operating Partnership entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for the private placement of $150 million of 3.91% Senior Guaranteed Notes, Series G, due July 30, 2030 (the “Series G Notes” and collectively with the Series A Notes, Series B Notes, Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes, and Series G Notes are referred to herein as, the “Notes".) The Series G Notes were issued on July 30, 2019 and pay interest semi-annually on the 30th of July and January until their maturity.
The Operating Partnership may prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of any series of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid plus a make-whole amount.
The Note Purchase Agreements contain a number of customary financial covenants, including, without limitation, tangible net worth thresholds, secured and unsecured leverage ratios and fixed charge coverage ratios. Subject to the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes, upon certain events of default, including, but not limited to, (i) a default in the payment of any principal, Make-Whole Amount or interest under the Notes, and (ii) a default in the payment of certain other indebtedness by us or our subsidiaries, the principal, accrued and unpaid interest, and the make-whole amount on the outstanding Notes will become due and payable at the option of the purchasers.
The Operating Partnership's obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Operating Partnership and certain of the Operating Partnership's subsidiaries.
Certain loans require the Operating Partnership to comply with various financial covenants, including the maintenance of minimum debt coverage ratios. As of September 30, 2024, the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all loan covenants.
Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility
On January 5, 2022, the Operating Partnership entered into the third amended and restated credit facility (the “Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility”) , which amended and restated our then-existing credit facility. The Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility provides for aggregate, unsecured borrowings of up to $500 million, consisting of a revolving line of credit of $400 million (the “Revolver Loan”) and a term loan of $100 million (“Term Loan A”). The Revolver Loan initially matures on January 5, 2026, subject to two, six-month extension options. Term Loan A matures on January 5, 2027, with no further extension options. As of September 30, 2024, the entirety of the principal amount of Term Loan A was outstanding, there were no amounts outstanding under the Revolver Loan, and the Operating Partnership had incurred approximately $0.81 million of net debt issuance costs which are recorded in other assets, net on the consolidated balance sheet. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the weighted average interest rate on the Revolver Loan was 6.52%. On July 18, 2024, we borrowed $100 million on our Revolver Loan to repay the entirety of our Series F Notes upon their maturity on July 19, 2024. With the proceeds of our 6.15% Senior Notes, we repaid in full the $100 million outstanding balance on our Revolver Loan on September 19, 2024.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Borrowings under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at floating rates equal to, at the Operating Partnership’s option, either (1) the applicable SOFR, plus the applicable SOFR Adjustment and a spread which ranges from (a) 1.05% to 1.50% (with respect to the Revolver Loan) and (b) 1.20% to 1.70% (with respect to Term Loan A), in each case based on our consolidated leverage ratio, or (2) a base rate equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 50 bps, (c) the Term SOFR Screen Rate with a term of one month plus 100 bps and (d) 1.00%, plus a spread which ranges from (i) 0.10% to 0.50% (with respect to the Revolver Loan) and (ii) 0.20% to 0.70% (with respect to Term Loan A), in each case based on our consolidated leverage ratio. On January 14, 2022, the Operating Partnership entered into an interest rate swap agreement intended to fix the interest rate associated with the Term Loan A at approximately 2.70% through January 5, 2027, subject to adjustments based on our consolidated leverage ratio.
The Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility includes a number of customary financial covenants, including:
•A maximum leverage ratio (defined as total indebtedness net of certain cash and cash equivalents to total asset value) of 60%,
•A maximum secured leverage ratio (defined as total secured debt to secured total asset value) of 40%,
•A minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (defined as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to consolidated fixed charges) of 1.50x,
•A minimum unsecured interest coverage ratio of 1.75x,
•A maximum unsecured leverage ratio of 60%, and
•Recourse indebtedness at any time cannot exceed 15% of total asset value.
The Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility also provides that our annual distributions may not exceed the greater of (1) 95% of our funds from operations (“FFO”) or (2) the amount required for us to (a) qualify and maintain our REIT status and (b) avoid the payment of federal or state income or excise tax. If certain events of default exist or would result from a distribution, we may be precluded from making distributions other than those necessary to qualify and maintain our status as a REIT.
As of September 30, 2024, the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all then in-place Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility covenants.
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement
On January 5, 2023, we entered into the amended and restated term loan agreement (the “Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement”), which amended and restated our then-existing term loan agreement. The Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement provides to the Operating Partnership a term loan of $150 million (“Term Loan B”) and a term loan of $75 million (“Term Loan C”), each maturing on January 5, 2025, with one, twelve-month extension option, subject to certain conditions. As of September 30, 2024, the entirety of the principal amounts of Term Loan B and Term Loan C were outstanding.
Borrowings under the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement bear interest at floating rates equal to, at the Operating Partnership’s option, either (1) the applicable SOFR, plus a SOFR adjustment and a spread (based on the Operating Partnership’s consolidated leverage ratio and applicable year of Term Loan B and Term Loan C) ranging from 1.20% to 1.90%, or (2) a base rate equal to the highest of (a) 0%, (b) the prime rate, (c) the federal funds rate plus 50 bps and (d) the one-month SOFR, plus a SOFR adjustment and 100 bps, plus, in each case, a spread (based on the Operating Partnership’s consolidated leverage ratio and applicable year of Term Loan B and Term Loan C) ranging from 0.20% to 0.90%. Additionally, the Operating Partnership may elect for borrowings to bear interest based on a ratings-based pricing grid based on the Operating Partnership’s then-applicable investment grade debt ratings under the terms set forth in the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement. Prior to entering into the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, the Operating Partnership entered into interest rate swap agreements that are intended to fix the interest rate associated with Term Loan B and Term Loan C at approximately (1) 5.47% for the first year of Term Loan B and Term Loan C and (2) 5.57% for the second year of Term Loan B and Term Loan C, subject to adjustments based on the company’s consolidated leverage ratio.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
The Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement contains a number of customary financial covenants, including, without limitation, tangible net worth thresholds, secured and unsecured leverage ratios and fixed charge coverage ratios. Subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, upon certain events of default, including, but not limited to, (i) a default in the payment of any principal or interest under Term Loan B or Term Loan C, and (ii) a default in the payment of certain other indebtedness of the Operating Partnership, the company or their subsidiaries, the principal and accrued and unpaid interest and prepayment penalties on the outstanding Term Loan B or Term Loan C will become due and payable at the option of the lenders.
NOTE 8. PARTNERS' CAPITAL OF AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, L.P.
Noncontrolling interests in our Operating Partnership are interests in the Operating Partnership that are not owned by us. Noncontrolling interests consisted of 16,181,537 common units (the “noncontrolling common units”), and represented approximately 21.2% of the ownership interests in our Operating Partnership at September 30, 2024. Common units and shares of our common stock have essentially the same economic characteristics in that common units and shares of our common stock share equally in the total net income or loss distributions of our Operating Partnership. Investors who own common units have the right to cause our Operating Partnership to redeem any or all of their common units for cash equal to the then-current market value of one share of our common stock, or, at our election, shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, no common units were converted into shares of our common stock.
Earnings Per Unit of the Operating Partnership
Basic earnings per unit (“EPU”) of the Operating Partnership is computed by dividing income applicable to unitholders by the weighted average Operating Partnership units outstanding, as adjusted for the effect of participating securities. Operating Partnership units granted in equity-based payment transactions that have non-forfeitable dividend equivalent rights are considered participating securities prior to vesting. The impact of unvested Operating Partnership unit awards on EPU has been calculated using the two-class method whereby earnings are allocated to the unvested Operating Partnership unit awards based on distributions and the unvested Operating Partnership units’ participation rights in undistributed earnings.
The calculation of diluted EPU for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 does not include the weighted average of 581,314 and 573,949 unvested outstanding Operating Partnership units, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 does not include the weighted average of 583,247 and 573,070 unvested outstanding Operating Partnership units, respectively, as these equity securities are either considered contingently issuable or the effect of including these equity securities was anti-dilutive to income from continuing operations and net income attributable to the unitholders.
NOTE 9. EQUITY OF AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC.
Stockholders' Equity
On December 3, 2021, we entered into an at-the-market ("ATM") equity program with five sales agents in which we may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250 million. The sales of shares of our common stock made through the ATM equity program, as amended, are made in "at-the-market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, no shares of common stock were sold through the ATM equity program.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the ATM equity program to fund our development or redevelopment activities, repay amounts outstanding from time to time under our revolving line of credit or other debt financing obligations, fund potential acquisition opportunities and/or for general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2024, we had the capacity to issue up to $250 million in shares of our common stock under our current ATM equity program. Actual future sales will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, the trading price of our common stock and our capital needs. As of September 30, 2024, we have no obligation to sell the remaining shares available for sale under the ATM equity program.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Dividends
The following table lists the dividends declared and paid on our shares of common stock and noncontrolling common units during the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
Period
Amount per Share/Unit
Period Covered
Dividend Paid Date
First Quarter 2024
$
0.335
January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024
March 21, 2024
Second Quarter 2024
$
0.335
April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024
June 20, 2024
Third Quarter 2024
$
0.335
July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024
September 19, 2024
Taxability of Dividends
Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders and holders of common units, may differ from income reported for financial reporting purposes due to the differences for federal income tax purposes in the treatment of revenue recognition and compensation expense and in the basis of depreciable assets and estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation.
Stock-Based Compensation
We follow the FASB guidance related to stock-based compensation which establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans, including all arrangements by which employees receive shares of stock or other equity instruments of the employer. The guidance also defines a fair value-based method of accounting for an employee stock award or similar equity instrument.
The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
Units
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2024
585,865
$
17.95
Granted
9,180
21.79
Vested
(10,348)
19.33
Forfeited
(3,383)
16.80
Nonvested at September 30, 2024
581,314
$
17.65
We recognize noncash compensation expense ratably over the vesting period, and accordingly, we recognized $2.0 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $5.3 million and $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Unrecognized compensation expense was $4.7 million at September 30, 2024.
Earnings Per Share
We have calculated earnings per share (“EPS”) under the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation methodology whereby EPS for each class of common stock and participating security is calculated according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The weighted average unvested shares outstanding, which are considered participating securities, were 581,314 and 573,949 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 583,247 and 573,070 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Therefore, we have allocated our earnings for basic and diluted EPS between common shares and unvested shares as these unvested shares have nonforfeitable dividend equivalent rights.
Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing the net income applicable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common and dilutive instruments outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, diluted shares exclude incentive restricted stock as these awards are considered contingently issuable. Additionally, the unvested restricted stock awards subject to time vesting are anti-dilutive for all periods presented, and accordingly, have been excluded from the weighted average common shares used to compute diluted EPS.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
The computation of basic and diluted EPS is presented below (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
NUMERATOR
Net income
$
21,318
$
15,135
$
61,235
$
51,198
Less: Net income attributable to restricted shares
(194)
(189)
(585)
(568)
Less: Income from operations attributable to unitholders in the Operating Partnership
(4,467)
(3,168)
(12,829)
(10,733)
Net income attributable to common stockholders—basic
$
16,657
$
11,778
$
47,821
$
39,897
Income from operations attributable to American Assets Trust, Inc. common stockholders—basic
$
16,657
$
11,778
$
47,821
$
39,897
Plus: Income from operations attributable to unitholders in the Operating Partnership
4,467
3,168
12,829
10,733
Net income attributable to common stockholders—diluted
$
21,124
$
14,946
$
60,650
$
50,630
DENOMINATOR
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
60,320,269
60,150,681
60,314,377
60,147,189
Effect of dilutive securities—conversion of Operating Partnership units
16,181,537
16,181,537
16,181,537
16,181,537
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted
76,501,806
76,332,218
76,495,914
76,328,726
Earnings per common share, basic
$
0.28
$
0.20
$
0.79
$
0.66
Earnings per common share, diluted
$
0.28
$
0.20
$
0.79
$
0.66
NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES
We elected to be taxed as a REIT and operate in a manner that allows us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes commencing with our initial taxable year. As a REIT, we are generally not subject to corporate level income tax on the earnings distributed currently to our stockholders that we derive from our REIT qualifying activities. Taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through our TRS is subject to federal and state income taxes.
We lease our hotel property to a wholly owned TRS that is subject to federal and state income taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between GAAP carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Additionally, we classify certain state taxes as income taxes for financial reporting purposes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes.
A deferred tax asset is included in our consolidated balance sheets of $0.8 million and $0.9 million, and a deferred tax liability is included in our consolidated balance sheets of $0.8 million and $0.8 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, in relation to real estate asset basis differences of property subject to state taxes based on income and certain prepaid expenses of our TRS.
Income tax expense is recorded in other income, net on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
NOTE 11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal
We are sometimes involved in various disputes, lawsuits, warranty claims, environmental considerations, and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters.
We are currently a party to various legal proceedings. We accrue a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and a reasonable estimate of the loss is a range, we accrue the best estimate within the range; however, if no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount within the range is accrued. Legal fees related to litigation are expensed as incurred. We do not believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or overall trends in results of operations; however, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. Also, under our leases, tenants are typically obligated to indemnify us from and against all liabilities, costs and expenses imposed upon or asserted against us as owner of the properties due to certain matters relating to the operation of the properties by the tenant.
Commitments
See Footnote 12 for description of our leases, as a lessee.
We have management agreements with Outrigger Hotels & Resorts or an affiliate thereof (“Outrigger”) pursuant to which Outrigger manages each of the retail and hotel portions of the Waikiki Beach Walk property. Under the management agreement with Outrigger relating to the retail portion of Waikiki Beach Walk (the “retail management agreement”), we pay Outrigger a monthly management fee of 3.0% of net revenues from the retail portion of Waikiki Beach Walk. Pursuant to the terms of the retail management agreement, if the agreement is terminated in certain instances, including our election not to repair damage or destruction at the property, a condemnation or our failure to make required working capital infusions, we would be obligated to pay Outrigger a termination fee equal to the sum of the management fees paid for the two months immediately preceding the termination date. The retail management agreement may not be terminated by us or by Outrigger without cause. Under our management agreement with Outrigger relating to the hotel portion of Waikiki Beach Walk (the “hotel management agreement”), we pay Outrigger a monthly management fee of 6.0% of the hotel's gross operating profit, as well as 3.0% of the hotel's gross revenues; provided that the aggregate management fee payable to Outrigger for any year shall not exceed 3.5% of the hotel's gross revenues for such fiscal year. The hotel management agreement may not be terminated by us or by Outrigger without cause. Additionally, we have a management agreement with Outrigger pursuant to which Outrigger manages our Waikele Center and Shops at Kalakaua. In connection with such management agreement, we pay Outrigger a fixed management fee of $12,000 per month in the aggregate plus additional amounts for any lease renewal services provided by Outrigger at our request. This management agreement can be terminated by us at any time and for any reason on 30 days' notice without any cancellation or termination fees.
A wholly owned subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, WBW Hotel Lessee LLC, entered into a franchise license agreement with Embassy Suites Franchise LLC, the franchisor of the brand “Embassy Suites™,” to obtain the non-exclusive right to operate the hotel under the Embassy SuitesTM brand for 20 years. The franchise license agreement provides that WBW Hotel Lessee LLC must comply with certain management, operational, record keeping, accounting, reporting and marketing standards and procedures. In connection with this agreement, we are also subject to the terms of a product improvement plan pursuant to which we expect to undertake certain actions to ensure that our hotel's infrastructure is maintained in compliance with the franchisor's brand standards. In addition, we must pay to Embassy Suites Franchise LLC a monthly franchise royalty fee equal to 5.0% of the hotel's gross room revenue, as well as a monthly program fee equal to 4.0% of the hotel's gross room revenue. If the franchise license is terminated due to our failure to make required improvements or to otherwise comply with its terms, we may be liable to the franchisor for a termination payment, which could be as high as $8.1 million based on operating performance through September 30, 2024.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Our Del Monte Center property has ongoing environmental remediation related to ground water contamination. The environmental issue existed at purchase and remains in remediation. The final stages of the remediation will include routine, long term ground monitoring by the appropriate regulatory agency over the next several years. The work performed is financed through an escrow account funded by the seller upon purchase of Del Monte Center. We believe the funds in the escrow account are sufficient for the remaining work to be performed. However, if further work is required that costs more than the remaining escrow funds, we may be required to pay such overage, although we may have a contractual claim for such costs against the prior owner or our environmental remediation consultant.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Our properties are located in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Hawaii. The ability of the tenants to honor the terms of their respective leases is dependent upon the economic, regulatory, social, and health factors affecting the markets in which the tenants operate. Fifteen of our consolidated properties are located in Southern California, which exposes us to greater economic risks than if we owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. Tenants in the office industry accounted for 47.6% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. This makes us susceptible to demand for office rental space and subject to the risks associated with an investment in real estate with a concentration of tenants in the office industry. Furthermore, tenants in the retail industry accounted for 23.3% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. This makes us susceptible to demand for retail rental space and subject to the risks associated with an investment in real estate with a concentration of tenants in the retail industry. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, no tenant accounted for more than 10% of our total rental revenue.
NOTE 12. LEASES
Lessor Operating Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Our lease agreements are generally for real estate, and the determination of whether such agreements contain leases generally does not require significant estimates or judgments. We lease real estate under operating leases.
Our leases with office, retail, mixed-use and residential tenants are classified as operating leases. Leases at our office and retail properties and the retail portion of our mixed-use property generally range from three years to ten years (certain leases with anchor tenants may be longer), and in addition to minimum rents, usually provide for cost recoveries for the tenant’s share of certain operating costs. Our leases may also include variable lease payments in the form of percentage rents based on the tenant’s level of sales achieved in excess of a breakpoint threshold. Leases on apartments generally range from seven months to fifteen months, with a majority having 12-month lease terms. Rooms at the hotel portion of our mixed-use property are rented on a nightly basis.
Leases at our office and retail properties and the retail portion of our mixed-use property may contain lease extension options, at our lessee's discretion. The extension options are generally for 3 to 10 years and contain primarily rent at fixed rates or the prevailing market rent. The extension options are generally exercisable 6 to 12 months prior to the expiration of the lease and require the lessee to not be in default of the lease terms.
We attempt to maximize the amount we expect to derive from the underlying real estate property following the end of a lease, to the extent it is not extended. We maintain a proactive leasing and capital improvement program that, combined with the quality and locations of our properties, has made our properties attractive to tenants. However, the residual value of a real estate property is still subject to various market-specific, asset-specific, and tenant-specific risks and characteristics.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
As of September 30, 2024, minimum future rentals from noncancelable operating leases, before any reserve for uncollectible amounts and assuming no early lease terminations, at our office and retail properties and the retail portion of our mixed-use property are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
2024 (three months ending December 31, 2024)
$
57,370
2025
252,268
2026
240,732
2027
212,770
2028
165,991
Thereafter
283,059
Total
$
1,212,190
The above future minimum rentals exclude residential leases, which typically range from seven months to fifteen months, and exclude the hotel, as rooms are rented on a nightly basis.
Lessee Operating Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Our lease agreements are generally for real estate, and the determination of whether such agreements contain leases generally does not require significant estimates or judgments. We lease real estate under operating leases.
At The Landmark at One Market, we lease, as lessee, a building adjacent to The Landmark at One Market under an operating lease effective through June 30, 2026, which we have the option to extend until 2031 (the "Annex Lease"). The lease payments under the extension option provided for under the Annex Lease will be equal to the fair rental value at the time the extension option is exercised. The extension option is included in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability as we are reasonably certain of exercising the extension option.
Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement in determining the present value of lease payments.
As of September 30, 2024, current annual payments under the operating leases are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
Lease costs under the operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating lease cost
$
970
$
932
$
2,756
$
2,786
Sublease income
(880)
(978)
(2,558)
(2,648)
Total lease cost (income)
$
90
$
(46)
$
198
$
138
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)
6.8
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases
3.19
%
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to our operating leases are as follow (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Operating cash flow information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
$
2,559
$
2,484
Subleases
At The Landmark at One Market, we (as sublandlord) sublease the Annex Lease building under operating leases effective through December 31, 2029. The subleases contain extension options, subject to our ability to extend the Annex Lease, that can extend the subleases through December 31, 2039 at the fair rental value at the time the extension option is exercised.
NOTE 13. COMPONENTS OF RENTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE
The principal components of rental income are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Lease rental income
Office
$
48,310
$
50,212
$
147,282
$
149,807
Retail
25,856
24,766
76,288
74,151
Multifamily
15,225
14,106
45,810
42,769
Mixed-use
3,219
2,955
9,320
8,929
Percentage rent
845
905
2,186
2,065
Hotel revenue
11,446
11,893
32,818
32,402
Other
648
657
1,960
1,982
Total rental income
$
105,549
$
105,494
$
315,664
$
312,105
Lease rental income includes $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $3.0 million and $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to recognize lease rental income on a straight-line basis. In addition, net amortization of above and below market leases included in lease rental income was $0.6 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $2.1 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
The principal components of rental expenses are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Rental operating
$
14,355
$
13,428
$
41,522
$
38,779
Hotel operating
7,799
7,675
22,553
21,935
Repairs and maintenance
5,974
5,652
16,805
16,298
Marketing
504
491
2,144
1,568
Rent
925
885
2,619
2,651
Hawaii excise tax
1,164
1,147
3,239
3,134
Management fees
640
634
1,825
1,763
Total rental expenses
$
31,361
$
29,912
$
90,707
$
86,128
NOTE 14. OTHER INCOME, NET
The principal components of other income, net, are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Interest and investment income
$
1,972
$
614
$
3,551
$
1,507
Income tax expense
(235)
(293)
(696)
(750)
Other non-operating income
2
—
10,002
6,515
Total other income, net
$
1,739
$
321
$
12,857
$
7,272
NOTE 15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the third quarter of 2020, we entered into a lease with American Assets, Inc. ("AAI"), an entity owned and controlled by Ernest Rady, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, for office space at Torrey Point to replace a previously existing lease with AAI at Torrey Reserve Campus. Rents commenced on March 1, 2021 for an initial lease term of ten years at an average annual rental rate of $0.2 million. Rental revenue recognized on the AAI lease of $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, is included in rental income on the statements of comprehensive income.
On occasion, the company utilizes aircraft services provided by AAI Aviation, Inc. ("AAIA"), an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Rady. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we incurred approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million of expenses, respectively, related to aircraft services of AAIA or reimbursement to Mr. Rady (or his trust) for use of the aircraft owned by AAIA. These expenses are recorded as general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income or capitalized as debt financing costs, if applicable, in accordance with accounting principals.
The Waikiki Beach Walk entities have a 47.7% investment in WBW CHP LLC, an entity that was formed to, among other things, construct a chilled water plant to provide air conditioning to the property and other adjacent facilities. The operating expenses of WBW CHP LLC are recovered through reimbursements from its members, and reimbursements to WBW CHP LLC of $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are included in rental expenses on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)
September 30, 2024
(Unaudited)
NOTE 16. SEGMENT REPORTING
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our management reviews information for operational decision-making purposes. We operate in four business segments: the acquisition, redevelopment, ownership and management of office real estate, retail real estate, multifamily real estate and mixed-use real estate. The products for our office segment primarily include rental of office space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental. The products for our retail segment primarily include rental of retail space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental. The products for our multifamily segment include rental of apartments and other tenant services. The products of our mixed-use segment include rental of retail space and other tenant services, including tenant reimbursements, parking and storage space rental and operation of a 369-room all-suite hotel.
We evaluate the performance of our segments based on segment profit, which is defined as property revenue less property expenses. We do not use asset information as a measure to assess performance and make decisions to allocate resources. Therefore, depreciation and amortization expense is not allocated among segments. General and administrative expenses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense and other income and expense are not included in segment profit as our internal reporting addresses these items on a corporate level.
Segment profit is not a measure of operating income or cash flows from operating activities as measured by GAAP, and it is not indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Not all companies calculate segment profit in the same manner. We consider segment profit to be an appropriate supplemental measure to net income because it assists both investors and management in understanding the core operations of our properties.
The following table represents operating activity within our reportable segments (in thousands):
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
We make statements in this report that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our statements regarding anticipated growth in our funds from operations and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.
Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
•adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets;
•defaults on, early terminations of or non-renewal of leases by tenants, including significant tenants;
•decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates;
•our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;
•fluctuations in interest rates and increased operating costs;
•our failure to obtain necessary outside financing;
•our inability to develop or redevelop our properties due to market conditions;
•Investment returns from our developed properties may be less than anticipated;
•general economic conditions;
•financial market fluctuations;
•risks that affect the general office, retail, multifamily and mixed-use environment;
•the competitive environment in which we operate;
•system failures or security incidents through cyberattacks;
•the impact of epidemics, pandemics, or other outbreaks of illness, disease or virus (such as the outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants) and the actions taken by government authorities and others related thereto, including the ability of our company, our properties and our tenants to operate;
•difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions;
•our failure to successfully operate acquired properties and operations;
•risks related to joint venture arrangements;
•potential litigation;
•difficulties in completing dispositions;
•conflicts of interests with our officers or directors;
•lack or insufficient amounts of insurance;
•environmental uncertainties and risks related to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters;
•other factors affecting the real estate industry generally;
•limitations imposed on our business and our ability to satisfy complex rules in order for American Assets Trust, Inc. to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
•changes in governmental regulations or interpretations thereof, such as real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates and taxation of REITs.
While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, or new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” contained herein and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
References to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with our consolidated subsidiaries, including American Assets Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership, of which we are the sole general partner and which we refer to in this report as our Operating Partnership.
We are a full service, vertically integrated and self-administered REIT that owns, operates, acquires and develops high quality retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use properties in attractive, high-barrier-to-entry markets in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Hawaii. As of September 30, 2024, our portfolio was comprised of twelve retail shopping centers; twelve office properties; a mixed-use property consisting of a 369-room all-suite hotel and a retail shopping center; and six multifamily properties. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, we owned land at three of our properties that we classified as held for development and/or construction in progress. Our core markets include San Diego, California; the San Francisco Bay Area, California; Bellevue, Washington; Portland, Oregon and Oahu, Hawaii. We are a Maryland corporation formed on July 16, 2010 to acquire the entities owning various controlling and noncontrolling interests in real estate assets owned and/or managed by Ernest S. Rady or his affiliates, including the Ernest Rady Trust U/D/T March 13, 1983, or the Rady Trust, and did not have any operating activity until the consummation of our initial public offering on January 19, 2011. Our Company, as the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership, has control of our Operating Partnership and owned 78.8% of our Operating Partnership as of September 30, 2024. Accordingly, we consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of our Operating Partnership.
Critical Accounting Policies
We identified certain critical accounting policies that affect certain of our more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparing our consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We have not made any material changes to these policies during the periods covered by this report, other than those described in Footnote 1.
Same-store
We have provided certain information on a total portfolio, same-store and redevelopment same-store basis. Information provided on a same-store basis includes the results of properties that we owned and operated for the entirety of both periods being compared except for properties for which significant redevelopment or expansion occurred during either of the periods being compared, properties under development, properties classified as held for development and properties classified as discontinued operations. Information provided on a redevelopment same-store basis includes the results of properties undergoing significant redevelopment for the entirety or portion of both periods being compared. Same-store and redevelopment same-store are considered by management to be important measures because they assist in eliminating disparities due to the development, acquisition or disposition of properties during the particular period presented, and thus provide a more consistent performance measure for the comparison of the company's stabilized and redevelopment properties, as applicable. Additionally, redevelopment same-store is considered by management to be an important measure because it assists in evaluating the timing of the start and stabilization of our redevelopment opportunities and the impact that these redevelopments have in enhancing our operating performance.
While there is judgment surrounding changes in designations, we typically reclassify significant development, redevelopment or expansion properties into same-store properties once they are stabilized. Properties are deemed stabilized typically at the earlier of (i) reaching 90% occupancy or (ii) four quarters following a property's inclusion in operating real estate. We typically remove properties from same-store properties when the development, redevelopment or expansion has or is expected to have a significant impact on the property's annualized base rent, occupancy and operating income within the calendar year. Our evaluation of significant impact related to development, redevelopment or expansion activity is based on quantitative and qualitative measures including, but not limited to, the following: the total budgeted cost of planned construction activity compared to the property’s annualized base rent, occupancy and property operating income within the calendar year; percentage of development, redevelopment or expansion square footage to total property square footage; and the ability to maintain historic occupancy and rental rates. In consideration of these measures, we generally remove properties from same-store properties when we see a decline in a property's annualized base rent, occupancy and operating income within the
calendar year as a direct result of ongoing redevelopment, development or expansion activity. Acquired properties are classified into same-store properties once we have owned such properties for the entirety of comparable period(s) and the properties are not under significant development or expansion.
Below is a summary of our same-store and redevelopment same-store composition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Bel-Spring 520 is classified as a same-store property when compared to the designation for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, because the property was acquired on March 8, 2022. The 710 building within the Lloyd Portfolio is classified as same-store property when compared to the designation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, because the property has been in operation for a full year since it was placed in service in November of 2022. One Beach Street continues to be identified as a same-store redevelopment property due to significant redevelopment activity. Additionally, this property was placed into operations on August 1, 2024, approximately one year after completing renovations.
Retail same-store net operating income increased approximately 2.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Office same-store net operating income increased 8.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Same-Store
30
30
30
29
Non-Same-Store
1
1
1
2
Total Properties
31
31
31
31
Redevelopment Same-Store
31
31
31
30
Total Development Properties
3
3
3
3
Outlook
We seek growth in earnings, funds from operations and cash flows primarily through a combination of the following: growth in our same-store portfolio, growth in our portfolio from property development and redevelopments and expansion of our portfolio through property acquisitions. Our properties are located in some of the nation's most dynamic, high-barrier-to-entry markets primarily in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii, which allow us to take advantage of redevelopment opportunities that enhance our operating performance through renovation, expansion, reconfiguration and/or retenanting. We evaluate our properties on an ongoing basis to identify these types of opportunities.
We intend to opportunistically pursue projects in our development pipeline, including future phases of La Jolla Commons, Lloyd Portfolio and development of multifamily units at Lomas Santa Fe Plaza, as well as other redevelopments at Waikele Center and One Beach Street. The commencement of these developments is based on, among other things, market conditions and our evaluation of whether such opportunities would generate appropriate risk-adjusted financial returns. Our redevelopment and development opportunities are subject to various factors, including market conditions and may not ultimately come to fruition.
We continue to review acquisition opportunities in our primary markets that would complement our portfolio and provide long-term growth opportunities. Some of our acquisitions do not initially contribute significantly to earnings growth; however, we believe they provide long-term re-leasing growth, redevelopment opportunities and other strategic opportunities. Any growth from acquisitions is contingent upon our ability to find properties that meet our qualitative standards at prices that meet our financial hurdles. Changes in interest rates may affect our success in achieving earnings growth through acquisitions by affecting both the price that must be paid to acquire a property, as well as our ability to economically finance a property acquisition. Generally, our acquisitions are initially financed by available cash, mortgage loans and/or borrowings under our revolving line of credit, which may be repaid later with funds raised through the issuance of new equity or new long-term debt.
Our same-store growth is primarily driven by increases in rental rates on new leases and lease renewals and changes in portfolio occupancy. Over the long-term, we believe that the infill nature and strong demographics of our properties provide us with a strategic advantage, allowing us to maintain relatively high occupancy and increase rental rates. Furthermore, we believe the locations of our properties and diversified portfolio will mitigate some of the potentially negative impact of the current economic environment. However, in 2020 through 2022, due to COVID-19, we saw a meaningful negative impact on certain of our tenants' operations and ability to pay rent, primarily in the retail sector. Any reduction in our tenants' abilities to pay base rent, percentage rent or other charges will adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we signed 14 office leases for a total of 105,746 square feet of office space including 57,935 square feet of comparable renewal office space leases (leases for which there was a prior tenant), at an average rental rate increase on a cash basis and increase on a GAAP basis of 7.8% and 16.4%, respectively. New office leases for comparable spaces were signed for 16,671 square feet at an average rental rate increase on a cash and GAAP basis of 18.3% and 15.7%, respectively. Renewals for comparable office spaces were signed for 41,264 square feet at an average rental rate increase on a cash basis and GAAP basis of 3.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Tenant improvements and incentives were $62.04 per square foot of office space for comparable new leases for the three months ended September 30, 2024, mainly due to new tenants at Torrey Reserve Campus and City Center Bellevue.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we signed 23 retail leases for a total of 133,499 square feet of retail space including 125,308 square feet of comparable renewal retail space leases (leases for which there was a prior tenant), at an average rental rate increase on a cash and GAAP basis of 4.4% and 18.7%, respectively. New retail leases for comparable spaces were signed for 505 square feet at an average rental rate decrease on a cash basis of 1.0% and increase on a GAAP basis of 5%. Renewals for comparable retail spaces were signed for 124,803 square feet at an average rental rate increase on a cash and GAAP basis of 4.5% and 18.8%, respectively. There were no tenant improvements or incentives on retail space for comparable new leases during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
The rental increases associated with comparable spaces generally include all leases signed in arms-length transactions reflecting market leverage between landlords and tenants during the period. The comparison between average rent for expiring leases and new leases is determined by including minimum rent paid on the expiring lease and minimum rent to be paid on the new lease. In some instances, management exercises judgment as to how to most effectively reflect the comparability of spaces reported in this calculation. The change in rental income on comparable space leases is impacted by numerous factors including current market rates, location, individual tenant creditworthiness, use of space, market conditions when the expiring lease was signed, capital investment made in the space and the specific lease structure. Tenant improvements and incentives include the total dollars committed for the improvement of a space as it relates to a specific lease, but may also include base-building costs (i.e. expansion, escalators or new entrances) which are required to make the space leasable. Incentives include amounts paid to tenants as an inducement to sign a lease that do not represent building improvements.
The leases signed in 2024 generally become effective over the following year, though some may not become effective until 2025 and beyond. Further, there is risk that some new tenants will not ultimately take possession of their space and that tenants for both new and renewal leases may not pay all of their contractual rent due to operating, financing or other matters.
Capitalized Costs
Certain external and internal costs directly related to the development and redevelopment of real estate, including pre-construction costs, real estate taxes, insurance, interest, construction costs and salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved, are capitalized. We capitalize costs under development until construction is substantially complete and the property is held available for occupancy. The determination of when a development project is substantially complete and when capitalization must cease involves a degree of judgment. We consider a construction project as substantially complete and held available for occupancy upon the completion of landlord-owned tenant improvements or when the lessee takes possession of the unimproved space for construction of its own improvements, but not later than one year from cessation of major construction activity. We cease capitalization on the portion substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with any remaining portion under construction.
We capitalized external and internal costs related to both development and redevelopment activities combined of $4.6 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $12.9 million and $19.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We capitalized external and internal costs related to other property improvements combined of $15.0 million and $15.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $39.1 million and $40.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively
Interest costs on developments and major redevelopments are capitalized as part of developments and redevelopments not yet placed in service. Capitalization of interest commences when development activities and expenditures begin and end upon completion, which is when the asset is ready for its intended use as noted above. We make judgments as to the time period over which to capitalize such costs and these assumptions have a direct impact on net income because capitalized costs are not subtracted in calculating net income. If the time period for capitalizing interest is extended, however, more interest is capitalized, thereby decreasing interest expense and increasing net income during that period. We capitalized interest costs related to development activities of $1.7 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $5.9 million and $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Results of Operations
For our discussion of results of operations, we have provided information on a total portfolio and same-store basis.
Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2024 to the three months ended September 30, 2023
The following summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, our operating portfolio was comprised of 31 retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use properties with an aggregate of approximately 7.2 million rentable square feet of retail and office space, including the retail portion of our mixed-use property, 2,110 residential units (including 120 RV spaces) and a 369-room hotel. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, we owned land at three of our properties that we classified as held for development and/or construction in progress.
The following table sets forth selected data from our unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
Revenues
Rental income
$
105,549
$
105,494
$
55
—
%
Other property income
17,261
5,704
11,557
203
Total property revenues
122,810
111,198
11,612
10
Expenses
Rental expenses
31,361
29,912
1,449
5
Real estate taxes
11,044
11,399
(355)
(3)
Total property expenses
42,405
41,311
1,094
3
Total property income
80,405
69,887
10,518
15
General and administrative
(9,068)
(8,880)
(188)
2
Depreciation and amortization
(33,529)
(29,868)
(3,661)
12
Interest expense, net
(18,229)
(16,325)
(1,904)
12
Other income, net
1,739
321
1,418
442
Net income
21,318
15,135
6,183
41
Net income attributable to restricted shares
(194)
(189)
(5)
3
Net income attributable to unitholders in the Operating Partnership
(4,467)
(3,168)
(1,299)
41
Net income attributable to American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders
$
16,657
$
11,778
$
4,879
41
%
Revenue
Total property revenues. Total property revenue consists of rental revenue and other property income. Total property revenue increased $11.6 million to $122.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $111.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The percentage leased was as follows for each segment as of September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Percentage Leased(1)
September 30,
2024
2023
Office
87.0
%
86.8
%
Retail
94.5
%
94.4
%
Multifamily
90.3
%
89.5
%
Mixed-Use (2)
96.3
%
95.1
%
(1)The percentage leased for our retail and office segments and the retail portion of the mixed-use segment includes square footage under leases, including leases which may not have commenced as of September 30, 2024 or 2023, as applicable. Percentage leased for our multifamily properties includes total units rented and occupied as of September 30, 2024 or 2023, as applicable.
(2)Includes the retail portion of the mixed-use property only.
The increase in total property revenue was attributable primarily to the factors discussed below.
Rental revenues. Rental revenue includes minimum base rent, cost reimbursements, percentage rents and other rents. Rental revenue stayed flat at $105.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. Rental revenue by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio(1)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
48,642
$
50,542
$
(1,900)
(4)
$
48,642
$
50,542
$
(1,900)
(4)
Retail
26,810
25,748
1,062
4
26,810
25,748
1,062
4
Multifamily
15,289
14,179
1,110
8
15,289
14,179
1,110
8
Mixed-Use
14,808
15,025
(217)
(1)
14,808
15,025
(217)
(1)
$
105,549
$
105,494
$
55
—
%
$
105,549
$
105,494
$
55
—
%
(1)For this table and tables following, the same-store portfolio excludes One Beach Street due to significant redevelopment and land held for development.
Total office rental revenue decreased $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease of $1.2 million in rental revenue driven by lower occupancy and annualized base rents at Lloyd Portfolio, lower occupancy at Torrey Reserve Campus, and a decrease of $0.8 million in cost recoveries due to changes in tenant base years, a decrease in recoverable property expenses, and prior year tax refunds received that were passed back to tenants.
Total retail rental revenue increased $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to new tenant leases and scheduled rent increases at Solana Beach Towne Center, Carmel Country Plaza and Del Monte Center. Additionally, there was an increase of $0.4 million in cost recoveries.
Multifamily revenue increased $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an overall increase in average monthly base rent and an increase in occupancy. Average monthly base rent and occupancy was $2,733 and 90.1%, respectively for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2,572 and 88.5%, respectively for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total mixed-use rental revenue decreased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in average occupancy of 83.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 89.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in rental revenue at the retail portion of our mixed-use property, primarily due to new tenant leases commencing at higher base rents.
Other property income. Other property income increased $11.6 million, or 203% to $17.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Other property income by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
12,416
$
1,406
$
11,010
783
$
12,403
$
1,400
$
11,003
786
Retail
885
395
490
124
885
395
490
124
Multifamily
1,041
973
68
7
1,041
973
68
7
Mixed-Use
2,919
2,930
(11)
—
2,919
2,930
(11)
—
$
17,261
$
5,704
$
11,557
203
%
$
17,248
$
5,698
$
11,550
203
%
Office other property income increased by $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a lease termination fee received at Torrey Reserve Campus.
Retail other property income increased by $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to lease termination fees received at Alamo Quarry Market.
Multifamily other property income increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in utilities meter income.
Total Property Expenses. Total property expenses consist of rental expenses and real estate taxes. Total property expenses increased $1.1 million, or 3%, to $42.4 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $41.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Rental Expenses. Rental expenses increased $1.4 million, or 5%, to $31.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $29.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Rental expense by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
11,014
$
10,081
$
933
9
$
10,542
$
9,809
$
733
7
Retail
4,275
4,196
79
2
4,275
4,196
79
2
Multifamily
5,634
5,435
199
4
5,634
5,435
199
4
Mixed-Use
10,438
10,200
238
2
10,438
10,200
238
2
$
31,361
$
29,912
$
1,449
5
%
$
30,889
$
29,640
$
1,249
4
%
Office rental expense increased $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in utilities expense, insurance expense and repairs and maintenance expense.
Retail rental expense increased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in facilities services and marketing expense.
Multifamily rental expense increased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in insurance expense, utilities expense and facilities services.
Mixed-use rental expense increased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in repairs and maintenance expense and employee related costs at the retail portion of our mixed-use property and an increase in room-related expenses at the hotel portion of our mixed-use property.
Real Estate Taxes. Real estate taxes decreased $0.4 million, or 3%, to $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $11.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Real estate tax expense by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
4,500
$
5,280
$
(780)
(15)
$
4,363
$
5,209
$
(846)
(16)
Retail
3,613
3,308
305
9
3,613
3,308
305
9
Multifamily
1,889
1,827
62
3
1,889
1,827
62
3
Mixed-Use
1,042
984
58
6
1,042
984
58
6
$
11,044
$
11,399
$
(355)
(3)
%
$
10,907
$
11,328
$
(421)
(4)
%
Office real estate taxes decreased $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to real estate tax refunds received at La Jolla Commons.
Retail real estate taxes increased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in property tax assessment at Alamo Quarry Market and tax refunds received at Del Monte Center during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Multifamily real estate taxes increased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in property tax assessments at Pacific Ridge Apartments.
Mixed-use real estate taxes increased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in property tax assessment.
Property operating income increased $10.5 million, or 15%, to $80.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $69.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Property operating income by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
45,544
$
36,587
$
8,957
24
$
46,140
$
36,924
$
9,216
25
Retail
19,807
18,639
1,168
6
19,807
18,639
1,168
6
Multifamily
8,807
7,890
917
12
8,807
7,890
917
12
Mixed-Use
6,247
6,771
(524)
(8)
6,247
6,771
(524)
(8)
$
80,405
$
69,887
$
10,518
15
%
$
81,001
$
70,224
$
10,777
15
%
Total office property operating income increased $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a $11.0 million in lease termination fee received at Torrey Reserve Campus and lower real estate taxes due to tax refunds received at La Jolla Commons. These increases were offset by a decrease of $1.2 million in rental revenue driven primarily by lower occupancy and annualized base rents at Lloyd Portfolio, lower occupancy at Torrey Reserve Campus, a decrease in cost recoveries, and an increase in rental expenses related to utilities expenses, insurance expense and repairs and maintenance expense.
Total retail property operating income increased $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to higher rental revenue at Solana Beach Towne Center, Carmel Country Plaza and Del Monte Center due to new tenant leases, scheduled rent increases and an increase in cost recoveries. These increases were offset by higher real estate tax expense and rental expenses attributable to facilities services and marketing expense.
Total multifamily property operating income increased $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an overall increase in average monthly base rent and an increase in occupancy. Average monthly base rent and occupancy was $2,733 and 90.1%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2,572 and 88.5%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total mixed-use property operating income decreased $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in occupancy of 83.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 89.3%. There was also an increase in rental expenses and real estate taxes due to an increase in property tax assessment.
Other
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million, or 2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to higher employee-related costs, including, without limitation, with respect to base pay for certain salaried and hourly workers and benefits, offset by lower legal expenses and stock-based compensation expense, attributable to a decrease in the number of restricted stock awards granted as part of our 2023 grant.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $3.7 million, or 12%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This was due to the acceleration of assets related to a tenant vacating their space early at Torrey Reserve Campus. Additionally, the increase was also due to new building improvement assets with One Beach Street placed into operations as of August 1, 2024 and new tenant improvement and leasing commission assets placed into service.
Interest Expense, net. Interest expense increased $1.9 million, or 12%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the closing of our 6.150% Senior Notes on September 17, 2024 and the $100 million draw on our Revolver Loan on July 18, 2024 which was subsequently repaid on September 19, 2024. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in interest expense related to the maturity and repayment of our Series F Notes on July 19, 2024.
Other Income, net. Other income, net increased $1.4 million, or 442%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to interest and investment income attributed to higher yield on our average cash balance during the period.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
The following summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to our consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
The following table sets forth selected data from our unaudited consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
Revenues
Rental income
$
315,664
$
312,105
$
3,559
1
%
Other property income
28,731
16,568
12,163
73
Total property revenues
344,395
328,673
15,722
5
Expenses
Rental expenses
90,707
86,128
4,579
5
Real estate taxes
33,133
34,117
(984)
(3)
Total property expenses
123,840
120,245
3,595
3
Total property income
220,555
208,428
12,127
6
General and administrative
(26,647)
(26,488)
(159)
1
Depreciation and amortization
(94,757)
(89,592)
(5,165)
6
Interest expense, net
(50,773)
(48,422)
(2,351)
5
Other income, net
12,857
7,272
5,585
77
Net income
61,235
51,198
10,037
20
Net income attributable to restricted shares
(585)
(568)
(17)
3
Net income attributable to unitholders in the Operating Partnership
(12,829)
(10,733)
(2,096)
20
Net income attributable to American Assets Trust, Inc. stockholders
$
47,821
$
39,897
$
7,924
20
%
Revenue
Total property revenues. Total property revenue consists of rental revenue and other property income. Total property revenue increased $15.7 million, or 5%, to $344.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $328.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The percentage leased was as follows for each segment as of September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Percentage Leased(1)
September 30,
2024
2023
Office
87.0
%
86.8
%
Retail
94.5
%
94.4
%
Multifamily
90.3
%
89.5
%
Mixed-Use (2)
96.3
%
95.1
%
(1)The percentage leased for our retail and office segments and the retail portion of the mixed-use segment includes square footage under leases, including leases which may not have commenced as of September 30, 2024 or 2023, as applicable. Percentage leased for our multifamily properties includes total units rented and occupied as of September 30, 2024 or 2023, as applicable.
(2)Includes the retail portion of the mixed-use property only.
The increase in total property revenue was attributable primarily to the factors discussed below.
Rental revenues. Rental revenue includes minimum base rent, cost reimbursements, percentage rents and other rents. Rental revenue increased $3.6 million, or 1%, to $315.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $312.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Rental revenue by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio(1)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
148,283
$
150,832
$
(2,549)
(2)
$
148,283
$
150,832
$
(2,549)
(2)
Retail
78,786
76,498
2,288
3
78,786
76,498
2,288
3
Multifamily
46,056
43,008
3,048
7
46,056
43,008
3,048
7
Mixed-Use
42,539
41,767
772
2
42,539
41,767
772
2
$
315,664
$
312,105
$
3,559
1
%
$
315,664
$
312,105
$
3,559
1
%
(1)For this table and tables following, the same-store portfolio excludes One Beach Street due to significant redevelopment and land held for development.
Total office rental revenue decreased $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease of $1.6 million in cost recoveries due to changes in tenant base years, a decrease in recoverable property expenses, prior year tax refunds received that were passed back to tenants, and a decrease of $0.9 million in rental revenue driven primarily by lower occupancy and annualized base rents at Lloyd Portfolio.
Retail rental revenue increased $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to new tenant leases signed, scheduled rent increases and tenants previously on alternate rent reverting back to basic monthly rent. These increases are primarily related to Carmel Mountain Plaza, Solana Beach Towne Center, Alamo Quarry Market and Del Monte Center. Additionally, there was an increase in cost recoveries of $0.9 million.
Multifamily revenue increased $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an overall increase in average monthly base rent and an increase in occupancy. Average monthly base rent and occupancy was $2,714 and 91.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2,557 and 89.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Mixed-use rental revenue increased $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in average occupancy to 86.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 85.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. There was also an increase in rental revenue at the retail portion of our mixed-use property, primarily due to new tenant leases commencing at higher base rents.
Other property income. Other property income increased $12.2 million, or 73%, to $28.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $16.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Other property income by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
15,767
$
4,305
$
11,462
266
$
15,741
$
4,292
$
11,449
267
Retail
1,410
1,173
237
20
1,410
1,173
237
20
Multifamily
2,964
2,900
64
2
2,964
2,900
64
2
Mixed-Use
8,590
8,190
400
5
8,590
8,190
400
5
$
28,731
$
16,568
$
12,163
73
%
$
28,705
$
16,555
$
12,150
73
%
Office other property income increased $11.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a $11.0 million lease termination fee and $0.5 million lease settlement fee received at Torrey Reserve Campus.
Retail other property income increased $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to lease termination fees received at Alamo Quarry Market and Solana Beach
Towne Center in 2024, offset by the lease termination fees received at Carmel Mountain Plaza and Southbay Market Place in 2023.
Total multifamily other property income increased $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in utilities meter income.
Total mixed-use other property income increased $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to increased tourism and hotel occupancy which led to an increase in other room rental income at the hotel portion of our mixed-use property and increase in parking income at the retail portion of our mixed-use property.
Property Expenses
Total Property Expenses. Total property expenses consist of rental expenses and real estate taxes. Total property expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 3%, to $123.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $120.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase in total property expenses was attributable primarily to the factors discussed below.
Rental Expenses. Rental expenses increased $4.6 million, or 5%, to $90.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $86.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Rental expense by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
31,273
$
29,485
$
1,788
6
$
30,196
$
28,787
$
1,409
5
Retail
13,470
12,426
1,044
8
13,470
12,426
1,044
8
Multifamily
15,925
15,180
745
5
15,925
15,180
745
5
Mixed-Use
30,039
29,037
1,002
3
30,039
29,037
1,002
3
$
90,707
$
86,128
$
4,579
5
%
$
89,630
$
85,430
$
4,200
5
%
Office rental expenses increased $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in repairs and maintenance services, utilities expenses, facilities services and insurance expense.
Retail rental expenses increased $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to $0.5 million written off in the three months ended March 31, 2024 for non-recurring costs incurred in prior periods relating to construction in progress for then-prospective construction at Waikele Center. Additionally, there was an increase in utilities expense, insurance expense and facilities services.
Multifamily rental expenses increased $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in facilities services, insurance expense and an increase in property-level personnel compensation expenses.
Total mixed-use rental expenses increased $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase of $0.7 million in hotel room related expenses, employee costs and excise tax expenses at the hotel portion of our mixed-use property. There was also an increase in rental expenses of $0.3 million at the retail portion of our mixed-use property related to excise tax and employee costs.
Real Estate Taxes. Real estate tax expense decreased $1.0 million, or (3)% to $33.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $34.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Real estate tax expense by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
14,178
$
15,590
$
(1,412)
(9)
$
13,941
$
15,442
$
(1,501)
(10)
Retail
10,539
10,337
202
2
10,539
10,337
202
2
Multifamily
5,404
5,399
5
—
5,404
5,399
5
—
Mixed-Use
3,012
2,791
221
8
3,012
2,791
221
8
$
33,133
$
34,117
$
(984)
(3)
%
$
32,896
$
33,969
$
(1,073)
(3)
%
Office real estate taxes decreased $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to real estate tax refunds received at La Jolla Commons and First & Main, offset by higher tax consultant fees related to these refunds.
Retail real estate taxes increased $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to real estate tax refunds received at Carmel Mountain Plaza and Alamo Quarry Market during 2023.
Mixed-use real estate taxes increased $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in property tax assessment.
Property Operating Income
Property operating income increased $12.1 million, or 6%, to $220.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $208.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Property operating income by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Total Portfolio
Same-Store Portfolio
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
%
2024
2023
2024
2023
Office
$
118,599
$
110,062
$
8,537
8
$
119,887
$
110,895
$
8,992
8
Retail
56,187
54,908
1,279
2
56,187
54,908
1,279
2
Multifamily
27,691
25,329
2,362
9
27,691
25,329
2,362
9
Mixed-Use
18,078
18,129
(51)
—
18,078
18,129
(51)
—
$
220,555
$
208,428
$
12,127
6
%
$
221,843
$
209,261
$
12,582
6
%
Total office property operating income increased $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a $11.0 million lease termination fee received at Torrey Reserve Campus and lower real estate taxes due to tax refunds received at La Jolla Commons and First & Main. These increases were offset by a decrease in rental revenue driven by lower occupancy and annualized base rents at Lloyd Portfolio, a decrease in cost recoveries, and an increase in rental expenses related to utilities expenses, insurance expense and repairs and maintenance expense.
Total retail property operating income increased $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to new tenant leases signed, scheduled rent increases and tenants previously on alternate rent reverting back to basic monthly rent and an increase in cost recoveries. These increases were partially offset by higher facilities services and insurance expense, and $0.5 million written off in the three months ended March 31, 2024 for non-recurring costs incurred in prior periods relating to construction in progress for then-prospective construction at Waikele Center.
Total multifamily property operating income increased $2.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an overall increase in average monthly base rent and an increase in occupancy to $2,714 and 91.1%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2,557 and 89.7%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was partially offset by higher insurance expenses, facilities services and personnel compensation expenses.
Total mixed-use property operating income decreased $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in real estate taxes and higher rental expenses related to room expenses, personnel costs, facilities expenses and excise tax expenses. This was partially offset by an increase in revenue at the Waikiki Beach Walk hotel portion of our mixed use property, as average occupancy increased to 86.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 85.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
Other
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million, or 1%, to $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $26.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This was primarily due to higher employee-related costs, including, without limitation, with respect to base pay for certain salaried and hourly workers and benefits, offset by lower legal fees and stock-based compensation expense, attributable to a decrease in the number of restricted stock awards granted as part of our 2023 grant.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.2 million, or 6%, to $94.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $89.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This was due to the acceleration of assets related to a tenant vacating their space early at Torrey Reserve Campus. Additionally, the increase was also due to new building improvement assets with One Beach Street placed into operations as of August 1, 2024 and new tenant improvement and leasing commission assets placed into service.
Interest Expense, net. Interest expense increased $2.4 million, or 5%, to $50.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $48.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the closing of our 6.150% Senior Notes on September 17, 2024, the $100 million draw on our Revolver Loan on July 18, 2024, which was subsequently repaid on September 19, 2024, and higher interest on our $225 million Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in interest expense related to the maturity and repayment of our Series F Notes on July 19, 2024.
Other Income, net. Other income, net increased $5.6 million, or 77%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the net settlement payment of approximately $10.0 million received during the three months ended March 31, 2024 relating to building specifications for one of the existing buildings at our office project in University Town Center (San Diego), compared to the net settlement payment of approximately $6.3 million received on January 3, 2023 related to certain building systems at our Hassalo on Eighth property and an increase in interest and investment income attributed to higher yield on our average cash balance during the period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources of American Assets Trust, Inc.
In this “Liquidity and Capital Resources of American Assets Trust, Inc.” section, the term the “company” refers only to American Assets Trust, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis, and excludes the Operating Partnership and all other subsidiaries.
The company’s business is operated primarily through the Operating Partnership, of which the company is the parent company and sole general partner, and which it consolidates for financial reporting purposes. Because the company operates on a consolidated basis with the Operating Partnership, the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources of American Assets Trust, L.P.” should be read in conjunction with this section to understand the liquidity and capital resources of the company on a consolidated basis and how the company is operated as a whole.
The company issues public equity from time to time, but does not otherwise generate any capital itself or conduct any business itself, other than incurring certain expenses in operating as a public company which are fully reimbursed by the Operating Partnership. The company itself does not have any indebtedness, and its only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. Therefore, the consolidated assets and liabilities and the consolidated revenues and expenses of the company and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements. However, all debt is held directly or indirectly by the Operating Partnership. The company’s principal funding requirement is the payment of dividends on its common stock. The company’s principal source of funding for its dividend payments is distributions it receives from the Operating Partnership.
As of September 30, 2024, the company owned an approximate 78.8% partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining approximately 21.2% are owned by non-affiliated investors and certain of the company's directors and executive officers. As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, American Assets Trust, Inc. has the full, exclusive and complete authority and control over the Operating Partnership’s day-to-day management and business, can cause it to enter into certain major transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions and refinancings, and can cause changes in its line of business,
capital structure and distribution policies. The company causes the Operating Partnership to distribute such portion of its available cash as the company may in its discretion determine, in the manner provided in the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement.
The liquidity of the company is dependent on the Operating Partnership’s ability to make sufficient distributions to the company. The primary cash requirement of the company is its payment of dividends to its stockholders. The company also guarantees some of the Operating Partnership’s debt, as discussed further in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. If the Operating Partnership fails to fulfill certain of its debt requirements, which trigger the company’s guarantee obligations, then the company will be required to fulfill its cash payment commitments under such guarantees. However, the company’s only significant asset is its investment in the Operating Partnership.
We believe the Operating Partnership’s sources of working capital, specifically its cash flow from operations, and borrowings available under its unsecured line of credit, are adequate for it to make its distribution payments to the company and, in turn, for the company to make its dividend payments to its stockholders. As of September 30, 2024, the company has determined that it has adequate working capital to meet its dividend funding obligations for the next 12 months. However, we cannot assure you that the Operating Partnership’s sources of capital will continue to be available at all or in amounts sufficient to meet its needs, including its ability to make distribution payments to the company. The unavailability of capital could adversely affect the Operating Partnership’s ability to pay its distributions to the company, which would in turn, adversely affect the company’s ability to pay cash dividends to its stockholders.
Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds to pay for future dividends expected to be paid to the company’s stockholders, operating expenses and other expenditures directly associated with our properties, interest expense and scheduled principal payments on outstanding indebtedness, general and administrative expenses, funding construction projects, capital expenditures, tenant improvements and leasing commissions.
The company may from time to time seek to repurchase or redeem the Operating Partnership’s outstanding debt, the company’s shares of common stock or other securities in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or redemptions, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
For the company to maintain its qualification as a REIT, it must pay dividends to its stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. While historically the company has satisfied this distribution requirement by making cash distributions to American Assets Trust, Inc.'s stockholders or American Assets Trust, L.P.'s unitholders, it may choose to satisfy this requirement by making distributions of cash or other property, including, in limited circumstances, the company’s own stock. As a result of this distribution requirement, the Operating Partnership cannot rely on retained earnings to fund its ongoing operations to the same extent that other companies whose parent companies are not REITs can. The company may need to continue to raise capital in the equity markets to fund the operating partnership’s working capital needs, acquisitions and developments. Although there is no intent at this time, if market conditions deteriorate, the company may also delay the timing of future development and redevelopment projects as well as limit future acquisitions, reduce the Operating Partnership’s operating expenditures, or re-evaluate its dividend policy.
The company is a well-known seasoned issuer. As circumstances warrant, the company may issue equity from time to time on an opportunistic basis, dependent upon market conditions and available pricing. When the company receives proceeds from preferred or common equity issuances, it is required by the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement to contribute the proceeds from its equity issuances to the Operating Partnership in exchange for partnership units of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership may use the proceeds to repay debt, to develop new or existing properties, to acquire properties or for general corporate purposes.
In December 2023, the company, together with the Operating Partnership, filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the SEC, which became effective upon filing and which replaced the prior Form S-3ASR that was filed with the SEC in January 2021. The universal shelf registration statement may permit the company from time to time to offer and sell equity securities of the company. However, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to complete any such offerings of securities. Factors influencing the availability of additional financing include investor perception of our prospects and the general condition of the financial markets, among others.
On December 3, 2021, we entered into a new ATM equity program with five sales agents under which we may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250.0 million. The sale of shares of our common stock made through the ATM equity program are made in "at-the-market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
We intend to use the net proceeds to fund development or redevelopment activities, repay amounts outstanding from time to time under our amended and restated credit facility or other debt financing obligations, fund potential acquisition opportunities and/or for general corporate purposes. Actual future sales will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, the trading price of the company's common stock and the company's capital needs. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, no shares of common stock were sold through the ATM equity program. We have no obligation to sell the remaining shares available for sale under the ATM equity program.
Liquidity and Capital Resources of American Assets Trust, L.P.
In this “Liquidity and Capital Resources of American Assets Trust, L.P.” section, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the Operating Partnership together with its consolidated subsidiaries, or the Operating Partnership and American Assets Trust, Inc. together with their consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires. American Assets Trust, Inc. is our sole general partner and consolidates our results of operations for financial reporting purposes. Because we operate on a consolidated basis with American Assets Trust, Inc., the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources of American Assets Trust, Inc.” should be read in conjunction with this section to understand our liquidity and capital resources on a consolidated basis.
Due to the nature of our business, we typically generate significant amounts of cash from operations. The cash generated from operations is used for the payment of operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service and dividends to American Assets Trust, Inc.'s stockholders and our unitholders. As a REIT, American Assets Trust, Inc. must generally make annual distributions to its stockholders of at least 90% of its net taxable income. As of September 30, 2024, we held $533.0 million in cash and cash equivalents.
Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of operating expenses and other expenditures associated with our properties, regular debt service requirements, dividend payments to American Assets Trust, Inc.'s stockholders required to maintain its REIT status, distributions to our unitholders, capital expenditures and, potentially, acquisitions. We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements through net cash provided by operations, reserves established from existing cash and, if necessary, borrowings available under our credit facility.
Our long-term liquidity needs consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for the repayment of debt at maturity, property acquisitions, tenant improvements and capital improvements. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements to pay scheduled debt maturities and to fund property acquisitions and capital improvements with net cash from operations, long-term secured and unsecured indebtedness and, if necessary, the issuance of equity and debt securities. We also may fund property acquisitions and capital improvements using our amended and restated credit facility pending permanent financing. We believe that we have access to multiple sources of capital to fund our long-term liquidity requirements, including the incurrence of additional debt and the issuance of additional equity. However, we cannot be assured that this will be the case. Our ability to incur additional debt will be dependent on a number of factors, including our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets and borrowing restrictions that may be imposed by lenders. Our ability to access the equity capital markets will be dependent on a number of factors as well, including general market conditions for REITs and market perceptions about our company.
Our overall capital requirements for the remainder of 2024 and for the nine months ending September 30, 2025 will depend upon acquisition opportunities and the level of improvements and redevelopments on existing properties. Our capital investments will be funded on a short-term basis with, among other sources of capital, cash on hand, cash flow from operations and/or our revolving line of credit. On a long-term basis, our capital investments may be funded with additional long-term debt, including, without limitation, mortgage debt and unsecured notes. Our ability to incur additional debt will be dependent on a number of factors, including, without limitation, our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets and borrowing restrictions that may be imposed by lenders. Our capital investments may also be funded by issuing additional equity including, without limitation, shares issued by American Assets Trust, Inc. under its ATM equity program or through an underwritten public offering. Although there is no intent at this time, if market conditions deteriorate or fail to improve, we may also delay the timing of future development and redevelopment projects as well as limit future acquisitions, reduce our operating expenditures, or re-evaluate our dividend policy.
In December 2023, the Operating Partnership, together with American Assets Trust, Inc., filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the SEC, which became effective upon filing and which replaced the prior Form S-3ASR that was filed with the SEC in January 2021. The universal shelf registration statement may permit the company from time to time to offer and sell equity securities of the company. However, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to complete any such offerings of securities. Factors influencing the availability of additional financing include investor perception of our prospects and the general condition of the financial markets, among others.
We currently do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Cash Flows
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 to the nine months ended September 30, 2023
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $533.0 million and $90.0 million at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $16.6 million to $166.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $149.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in cash from operations was primarily due to the net settlement received relating to the building specifications for one of the existing buildings at our office project in University Town Center (San Diego), increase in lease termination fees, rental revenue and changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $13.5 million to $56.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $70.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in cash used was primarily due to the decrease in capital expenditures at La Jolla Commons III and One Beach Street as these projects have completed construction.
Net cash provided in financing activities increased $379.7 million to $340.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to cash used in financing activities of $39.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in cash provided in financing activities was primarily due to the proceeds received from the issuance of the 6.15% Senior Notes, partially offset by the repayment of the then-outstanding $100 million on our Revolver Loan. The $100 million draw on our Revolver Loan was used to repay the entirety of our Series F Notes upon maturity on July 19, 2024.
Net Operating Income
Net Operating Income, or NOI, is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance. We define NOI as operating revenues (rental income, tenant reimbursements, lease termination fees, ground lease rental income and other property income) less property and related expenses (property expenses, ground lease expense, property marketing costs, real estate taxes and insurance). NOI excludes general and administrative expenses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, acquisition-related expense, other non-property income and losses, gains and losses from property dispositions, extraordinary items, tenant improvements, and leasing commissions. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating NOI, and accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to the NOIs of other REITs.
NOI is used by investors and our management to evaluate and compare the performance of our properties and to determine trends in earnings and to compute the fair value of our properties as it is not affected by (1) the cost of funds of the property owner, (2) the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets that are included in net income computed in accordance with GAAP or (3) general and administrative expenses and other gains and losses that are specific to the property owner. The cost of funds is eliminated from net income because it is specific to the particular financing capabilities and constraints of the owner. The cost of funds is also eliminated because it is dependent on historical interest rates and other costs of capital as well as past decisions made by us regarding the appropriate mix of capital, which may have changed or may change in the future. Depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets are eliminated because they may not accurately represent the actual change in value in our retail, office, multifamily or mixed-use properties that result from use of the properties or changes in market conditions. While certain aspects of real property do decline in value over time in a manner that is intended to be captured by depreciation and amortization, the value of the properties as a whole have historically increased or decreased as a result of changes in overall economic conditions instead of from actual use of the property or the passage of time. Gains and losses from the sale of real property vary from property to property and are affected by market conditions at the time of sale, which will usually change from period to period. These gains and losses can create distortions when comparing one period to another or when comparing our operating results to the operating results of other real estate companies that have not made similarly timed purchases or sales. We believe that eliminating these costs from net income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred in operating our properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs.
However, the usefulness of NOI is limited because it excludes general and administrative costs, interest expense, interest income and other expense, depreciation and amortization expense and gains or losses from the sale of properties, and other gains and losses as stipulated by GAAP, the level of capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which are significant economic costs. NOI may fail to capture significant trends in these components of net income, which further limits its usefulness.
NOI is a measure of the operating performance of our properties but does not measure our performance as a whole. NOI is therefore not a substitute for net income as computed in accordance with GAAP. This measure should be analyzed in conjunction with net income computed in accordance with GAAP and discussions elsewhere in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the components of net income that are eliminated in the calculation of NOI. Other companies may use different methods for calculating NOI or similarly entitled measures and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies that do not define the measure exactly as we do.
The following is a reconciliation of our NOI to net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 computed in accordance with GAAP (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net operating income
$
80,405
$
69,887
$
220,555
$
208,428
General and administrative
(9,068)
(8,880)
(26,647)
(26,488)
Depreciation and amortization
(33,529)
(29,868)
(94,757)
(89,592)
Interest expense, net
(18,229)
(16,325)
(50,773)
(48,422)
Other income, net
1,739
321
12,857
7,272
Net income
$
21,318
$
15,135
$
61,235
$
51,198
Funds from Operations
We calculate funds from operations (“FFO”), in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). FFO represents net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable operating property, impairment losses, real-estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because it believes that FFO is beneficial to investors as a starting point in measuring our operational performance. Specifically, in excluding real-estate related depreciation and amortization and gains and losses from property dispositions, which do not relate to or are not indicative of operating performance, FFO provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. We also believe 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 effects and could materially impact our results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of our performance is limited. In addition, other equity REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition as we do, 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. FFO should not be used as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to pay dividends or service indebtedness. FFO also should not be used as a supplement to or substitute for cash flow from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 to FFO, the nearest GAAP equivalent (in thousands, except per share and share data):
Less: Nonforfeitable dividends on incentive restricted stock awards
(192)
(576)
FFO attributable to common stock and units
$
54,655
$
155,416
FFO per diluted share/unit
$
0.71
$
2.03
Weighted average number of common shares and units, diluted (1)
76,505,676
76,499,208
(1)The weighted average common shares used to compute FFO per diluted share include unvested restricted stock awards that are subject to time vesting, which were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS, as the vesting of the restricted stock awards is dilutive in the computation of FFO per diluted share but is anti-dilutive for the computation of diluted EPS for the period. Diluted shares exclude incentive restricted stock as these awards are considered contingently issuable.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our future income, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. We manage our market risk by attempting to match anticipated inflow of cash from our operating, investing and financing activities with anticipated outflow of cash to fund debt payments, dividends to our stockholders and Operating Partnership unitholders, investments, capital expenditures and other cash requirements.
Interest Rate Risk
Outstanding Debt
The following discusses the effect of hypothetical changes in market rates of interest on the fair value of our total outstanding debt. Interest rate risk amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on our debt. Discounted cash flow analysis is generally used to estimate the fair value of our mortgages payable. Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of financial instruments. This analysis does not purport to take into account all of the factors that may affect our debt, such as the effect that a changing interest rate environment could have on the overall level of economic activity or the action that our management might take to reduce our exposure to the change. This analysis assumes no change in our financial structure.
Fixed Interest Rate Debt
Our outstanding notes payable obligations (maturing at various times through October 2034) have fixed interest rates which limit the risk of fluctuating interest rates. However, interest rate fluctuations may affect the fair value of our fixed rate debt instruments. At September 30, 2024, we had $1.8 billion of fixed rate debt outstanding with an estimated fair value of $1.7 billion. If interest rates at September 30, 2024 had been 1.0% higher, the fair value of those debt instruments on that date would have decreased by approximately $68.6 million. If interest rates at September 30, 2024 had been 1.0% lower, the fair value of those debt instruments on that date would have increased by approximately $93.4 million. The carrying values of our revolving line of credit and term loans are deemed to be at fair value since the outstanding debt is directly tied to monthly SOFR contracts. Additionally, we consider $325.0 million related to Term Loan A, Term Loan B and Term Loan C outstanding as of September 30, 2024 to be fixed rate debt as the rate is effectively fixed by interest rate swap agreements.
Variable Interest Rate Debt
At September 30, 2024, we had $325.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding, all of which is subject to interest rate swaps as described above. We have historically entered into forward starting interest rate swaps in order to economically hedge against the risk of rising interest rates that would affect our interest expense related to our future anticipated debt issuances as part of its overall borrowing program. See the discussion under Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for certain quantitative details related to the interest rate swaps and for a discussion on how we value derivative financial instruments. Based upon this amount of variable rate debt and the specific terms, if market interest rates increased or decreased by 1.0%, our annual interest expense would not change and have no corresponding change in our net income and cash flows for the year, since this variable rate debt is effectively fixed by interest rate swap agreements.
Controls and Procedures (American Assets Trust, Inc.)
American Assets Trust, Inc. maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in American Assets Trust, Inc.'s reports under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including American Assets Trust, Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
American Assets Trust, Inc. has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including American Assets Trust, Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, regarding the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, as of September 30, 2024, that American Assets Trust, Inc.'s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by it in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act (1) is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) is accumulated and communicated to its management, including American Assets Trust, Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
No changes to American Assets Trust, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting were identified in connection with the evaluation referenced above that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, American Assets Trust, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting.
Controls and Procedures (American Assets Trust, L.P.)
The Operating Partnership maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Operating Partnership's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
The Operating Partnership has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, regarding the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, as of September 30, 2024, that the Operating Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by it in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act (1) is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
No changes to the Operating Partnership's internal control over financial reporting were identified in connection with the evaluation referenced above that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not currently a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to any legal proceedings that we believe to be material or which, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation if determined adversely to us. We may be subject to on-going litigation, relating to our portfolio and the properties
comprising our portfolio, and we expect to otherwise be party from time to time to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On August 29, 2024, Adam Wyll, our President and Chief Operating Officer, adopted a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) (the “Wyll 10b5-1 Plan”). The Wyll 10b5-1 Plan provides for the sale of a number of shares of common stock that Mr. Wyll currently owns equal to 54% of the gross shares from certain performance-based restricted stock units (the “Wyll PRSUs”) granted under our Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan that are scheduled to vest in December 2024. The sale of shares pursuant to the Wyll 10b5-1 Plan is intended to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting of the Wyll PRSUs. Since the applicable tax withholding obligations upon vesting of the Wyll PRSUs will vary based on certain performance-based measurements and the market price of our common stock at the time of vesting, the number of shares to be sold pursuant to the Wyll 10b5-1 Plan is indeterminable. Shares may be sold under the Wyll 10b5-1 Plan from December 1, 2024 until December 31, 2024.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no other officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.”
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
(1) Previously filed by American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P. as Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17, 2024.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto authorized.
