Release Details

Digital realty reports fourth quarter 2019 results

February 13, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), a leading global provider of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, announced today financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019.  All per-share results are presented on a fully-diluted share and unit basis.

Highlights

  • Reported net income available to common stockholders of $1.50 per share in 4Q19, compared to $0.15 in 4Q18
  • Reported FFO per share of $1.62 in 4Q19, compared to $1.54 in 4Q18
  • Reported core FFO per share of $1.62 in 4Q19, compared to $1.68 in 4Q18
  • Signed total bookings during 4Q19 expected to generate $69 million of annualized GAAP rental revenue, including a $7 million contribution from interconnection

Financial Results

Digital Realty reported revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 of $787 million, a 2% decrease from the previous quarter and a 1% increase from the same quarter last year.

The company delivered fourth quarter of 2019 net income of $349 million, and net income available to common stockholders of $316 million, or $1.50 per share, compared to $0.24 per share in the previous quarter and $0.15 per share in the same quarter last year.

Digital Realty generated fourth quarter of 2019 adjusted EBITDA of $462 million, a 2% decrease from the previous quarter and a 1% decrease from the same quarter last year (reflecting the January 1, 2019 adoption of FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 842, Leases).

The company reported fourth quarter of 2019 funds from operations of $354 million, or $1.62 per share, compared to $1.59 per share in the previous quarter and $1.54 per share in the same quarter last year.

Excluding certain items that do not represent core expenses or revenue streams, Digital Realty delivered fourth quarter of 2019 core FFO per share of $1.62, a 3% decrease from $1.67 per share in the previous quarter, and a 4% decrease from $1.68 per share in the same quarter last year.

Leasing Activity

"In the fourth quarter, we signed total bookings expected to generate $69 million of annualized GAAP rental revenue, including a $7 million contribution from interconnection," said Chief Executive Officer A. William Stein.  "We made significant progress towards a number of key strategic priorities.  We continued to enhance our customer offerings with the launch of PlatformDIGITALTM, a first-of-its-kind global data center platform, and we continued to extend our global footprint with an agreement to combine with Interxion.  We also executed on our private capital initiative with the closing of our joint venture with Mapletree, and we further strengthened the balance sheet with the issuance of low-cost debt and preferred equity capital.  Looking ahead to 2020 and beyond, we are confident that Digital Realty's global, full-product platform will continue to deliver sustainable growth for all stakeholders."

The weighted-average lag between leases signed during the fourth quarter of 2019 and the contractual commencement date was four months.

In addition to new leases signed, Digital Realty also signed renewal leases representing $117 million of annualized GAAP rental revenue during the quarter.  Rental rates on renewal leases signed during the fourth quarter of 2019 rolled down 0.6% on a cash basis and up 4.2% on a GAAP basis.

New leases signed during the fourth quarter of 2019 are summarized by region and product type as follows:


 

 

Annualized GAAP 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Rent 


 

 

 

GAAP Base Rent 


 

 

 

 

GAAP Base Rent 

The Americas 


 

(in thousands) 


 

Square Feet 


 

per Square Foot 


 

Megawatts 


 

per Kilowatt 

Turn-Key Flex


 

$34,353


 

 

282,393


 

 

$122


 

 

28.6


 

 

 

$100


 

Powered Base Building


 

582


 

 

27,460


 

 

21


 

 


 

 

 


 

Colocation


 

5,957


 

 

20,768


 

 

287


 

 

2.0


 

 

 

251


 

Non-Technical


 

455


 

 

14,694


 

 

31


 

 


 

 

 


 

Total 


 

$41,347 


 

 

345,315 


 

 

$120 


 

 

30.6 


 

 

 

$110 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe (1) 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turn-Key Flex


 

$4,607


 

 

19,687


 

 

$234


 

 

2.2


 

 

 

$174


 

Colocation


 

2,020


 

 

5,021


 

 

402


 

 

0.6


 

 

 

303


 

Non-Technical


 

61


 

 

1,846


 

 

33


 

 


 

 

 


 

  Total 


 

$6,688 


 

 

26,554 


 

 

$252 


 

 

2.8 


 

 

 

$200 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific (1) 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turn-Key Flex


 

$13,679


 

 

91,326


 

 

$150


 

 

7.9


 

 

 

$145


 

Colocation


 

32


 

 

92


 

 

347


 

 


 

 

 

266


 

Non-Technical


 

466


 

 

8,930


 

 

52


 

 


 

 

 


 

  Total 


 

$14,177 


 

 

100,348 


 

 

$141 


 

 

7.9 


 

 

 

$145 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interconnection 


 

$6,942 


 

 

N/A 


 

N/A 


 

N/A 


 

 

N/A 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Total 


 

$69,154 


 

 

472,217 


 

 

$132 


 

 

41.2 


 

 

 

$123 


 

 

Note:  Totals may not foot due to rounding differences.


 

 

(1)

Based on quarterly average exchange rates during the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Investment Activity 
In November, Digital Realty closed on a joint venture with Mapletree Investments and Mapletree Industrial Trust on three existing Turn-Key Flex® data centers located in Ashburn, Virginia.  The transaction valued the three fully stabilized hyper-scale facilities at approximately $1.0 billion.  The three facilities are fully leased and are expected to generate 2020 cash net operating income of approximately $61 million, representing a 6.0% cap rate.  Digital Realty is retaining a 20% ownership interest in the joint venture, and Mapletree has closed on the acquisition of the remaining 80% stake for approximately $811 million.  Digital Realty will continue to operate and manage these facilities, and the joint venture transaction will be completely seamless from a customer perspective.

Subsequent to quarter-end, Digital Realty closed on the sale of a portfolio of 10 Powered Base Building® properties to Mapletree Investments and Mapletree Industrial Trust for approximately $557 million, subject to customary closing costs and transaction fees.  These 10 properties are fully leased and are expected to generate 2020 cash net operating income of approximately $37 million, representing a 6.6% cap rate.  Digital Realty will provide transitional property management services for the Powered Base Building® portfolio for one year from the closing date at a customary market rate.

Balance Sheet

Digital Realty had approximately $10.1 billion of total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2019, comprised of $10.0 billion of unsecured debt and approximately $0.1 billion of secured debt.  At the end of the fourth quarter of 2019, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA was 5.7x, debt-plus-preferred-to-total enterprise value was 30.8% and fixed charge coverage was 4.1x.  Pro forma for settlement of the $1.1 billion forward equity offering and the $557 million of proceeds from the Mapletree portfolio sale, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA was 5.0x and fixed charge coverage was 4.6x.

In early October, Digital Realty closed an offering of 13,800,000 shares of 5.20% Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (including 1,800,000 shares from the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option in full) at a price of $25.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of approximately $345 million.  Likewise in early October, Digital Realty closed a €500 million (approximately $550 million) Euro-denominated offering of 8.5-year senior unsecured notes due 2028 at 1.125%.

Subsequent to quarter-end, Digital Realty closed an offering of €1.7 billion of Euro-denominated notes with a weighted-average maturity of approximately seven years and a weighted-average coupon of approximately 1.0%.  The company intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from these notes for refinancing the outstanding debt of InterXion Holding N.V. or its subsidiaries and the payment of certain transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with its combination with InterXion.  If the InterXion combination is not consummated on or prior to January 27, 2021, Digital Realty will be required to redeem €1.4 billion of the notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but not including, the redemption date.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including FFO, core FFO, and Adjusted EBITDA.  A reconciliation from U.S. GAAP net income available to common stockholders to FFO, a reconciliation from FFO to core FFO, and definitions of FFO, and core FFO are included as an attachment to this document.  A reconciliation from U.S. GAAP net income available to common stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA, a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and definitions of net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA, debt-plus-preferred-to-total enterprise value, cash NOI, and fixed charge coverage ratio are included as an attachment to this document.

Investor Conference Call

Prior to Digital Realty's investor conference call at 5:30 p.m. EST / 2:30 p.m. PST on February 13, 2020, a presentation will be posted to the Investors section of the company's website at https://investor.digitalrealty.com.  The presentation is designed to accompany the discussion of the company's fourth quarter 2019 financial results and operating performance.  The conference call will feature Chief Executive Officer A. William Stein and Senior Vice President of Finance, Matt Mercier.

To participate in the live call, investors are invited to dial (888) 317-6003 (for domestic callers) or (412) 317-6061 (for international callers) and reference the conference ID# 8863535 at least five minutes prior to start time.  A live webcast of the call will be available via the Investors section of Digital Realty's website at https://investor.digitalrealty.com.

Telephone and webcast replays will be available after the call until March 13, 2020.  The telephone replay can be accessed by dialing (877) 344-7529 (for domestic callers) or (412) 317-0088 (for international callers) and providing the conference ID# 10138356.  The webcast replay can be accessed on Digital Realty's website.

About Digital Realty

Digital Realty supports the data center, colocation and interconnection strategies of customers across the Americas, EMEA and APAC, ranging from cloud and information technology services, communications and social networking to financial services, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and consumer products.  To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Contact Information

Andrew P. Power
Chief Financial Officer
Digital Realty
(415) 738-6500

John J. Stewart
Investor Relations
Digital Realty
(415) 738-6500


 

Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Operations


 

Unaudited and in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data


 

 

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 


 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 

Rental revenues

$549,733


 

$564,975


 

$565,925


 

$585,425


 

$555,816


 

 

$2,266,058


 

$2,162,370


 

Tenant reimbursements - Utilities

107,518


 

114,719


 

106,409


 

102,569


 

102,641


 

 

431,215


 

407,123


 

Tenant reimbursements - Other

59,641


 

57,466


 

62,820


 

55,868


 

53,090


 

 

235,795


 

217,514


 

Interconnection & other

65,576


 

65,312


 

64,232


 

68,168


 

63,803


 

 

263,288


 

249,706


 

Fee income

4,814


 

3,994


 

925


 

1,921


 

2,896


 

 

11,654


 

7,841


 

Other

181


 


 

486


 

564


 

21


 

 

1,231


 

1,924


 

Total Operating Revenues 

$787,463 


 

$806,466 


 

$800,797 


 

$814,515 


 

$778,267 


 

 

$3,209,241 


 

$3,046,478 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utilities

$125,127


 

$132,565


 

$123,398


 

$124,334


 

$122,108


 

 

$505,424


 

$477,047


 

Rental property operating

129,034


 

126,866


 

128,634


 

130,620


 

133,024


 

 

515,154


 

480,018


 

Property taxes

42,541


 

38,255


 

41,482


 

37,315


 

32,098


 

 

159,593


 

129,516


 

Insurance

3,055


 

3,103


 

3,441


 

2,991


 

2,412


 

 

12,590


 

11,402


 

Depreciation & amortization

275,008


 

286,718


 

290,562


 

311,486


 

299,362


 

 

1,163,774


 

1,186,896


 

General & administration

53,540


 

49,862


 

52,318


 

51,976


 

38,801


 

 

207,696


 

160,364


 

Severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses

1,130


 

123


 

665


 

1,483


 

602


 

 

3,401


 

3,303


 

Transaction and integration expenses

17,106


 

4,115


 

4,210


 

2,494


 

25,917


 

 

27,925


 

45,327


 

Impairment of investments in real estate


 


 


 

5,351


 


 

 

5,351


 


 

Other expenses

1,989


 

92


 

7,115


 

4,922


 

1,096


 

 

14,118


 

2,818


 

Total Operating Expenses 

$648,530 


 

$641,699 


 

$651,825 


 

$672,972 


 

$655,420 


 

 

$2,615,026 


 

$2,496,691 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income 

$138,933 


 

$164,767 


 

$148,972 


 

$141,543 


 

$122,847 


 

 

$594,215 


 

$549,787 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures

$11,157


 

($19,269)


 

$6,962


 

$9,217


 

$9,245


 

 

$8,067


 

$32,979


 

Gain on sale / deconsolidation

267,651


 


 


 

67,497


 

7


 

 

335,148


 

80,049


 

Interest and other income

10,734


 

16,842


 

16,980


 

21,444


 

1,106


 

 

66,000


 

3,481


 

Interest (expense)

(80,880)


 

(84,574)


 

(86,051)


 

(101,552)


 

(84,883)


 

 

(353,057)


 

(321,529)


 

Tax benefit (expense)

1,731


 

(4,826)


 

(4,634)


 

(4,266)


 

5,843


 

 

(11,995)


 

(2,084)


 

Loss from early extinguishment of debt


 

(5,366)


 

(20,905)


 

(12,886)


 

(1,568)


 

 

(39,157)


 

(1,568)


 

Net Income 

$349,326 


 

$67,574 


 

$61,324 


 

$120,997 


 

$52,597 


 

 

$599,221 

$341,115 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

(13,042)


 

(1,077)


 

(1,156)


 

(4,185)


 

(1,038)


 

 

(19,460)


 

(9,869)


 

Net Income Attributable to Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 

$336,284 


 

$66,497 


 

$60,168 


 

$116,812 


 

$51,559 


 

 

$579,761 


 

$331,246 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends, including undeclared dividends

(20,707)


 

(16,670)


 

(16,670)


 

(20,943)


 

(20,329)


 

 

(74,990)


 

(81,316)


 

Issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred stock


 


 

(11,760)


 


 


 

 

(11,760)


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders 

$315,577 


 

$49,827 


 

$31,738 


 

$95,869 


 

$31,230 


 

 

$493,011 


 

$249,930 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic

208,776,355


 

208,421,470


 

208,284,407


 

207,809,383


 

206,345,138


 

 

208,325,823


 

206,035,408


 

Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted

210,286,278


 

209,801,771


 

209,435,572


 

208,526,249


 

207,113,100


 

 

209,481,231


 

206,673,471


 

Weighted-average fully diluted shares and units

218,901,078


 

218,755,597


 

218,497,318


 

217,756,161


 

215,417,085


 

 

218,440,163


 

214,950,934


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share - basic

$1.51


 

$0.24


 

$0.15


 

$0.46


 

$0.15


 

 

$2.37


 

$1.21


 

Net income per share - diluted

$1.50


 

$0.24


 

$0.15


 

$0.46


 

$0.15


 

 

$2.35


 

$1.21


 

 

Funds From Operations and Core Funds From Operations


 

Unaudited and in Thousands, Except Per Share Data


 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations (FFO) 

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders 

$315,577 


 

$49,827 


 

$31,738 


 

$95,869 


 

$31,230 


 

 

$493,011 


 

$249,930 


 

Adjustments:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests in operating partnership

13,100


 

2,300


 

1,400


 

4,300


 

1,300


 

 

21,100


 

10,180


 

Real estate related depreciation & amortization (1)

271,371


 

283,090


 

286,915


 

307,864


 

295,724


 

 

1,149,240


 

1,173,917


 

Unconsolidated JV real estate related depreciation & amortization

21,631


 

13,612


 

13,623


 

3,851


 

3,615


 

 

52,716


 

14,587


 

(Gain) on real estate transactions

(267,651)


 


 


 


 

(7)


 

 

(267,651)


 

(80,049)


 

Impairment of investments in real estate


 


 


 

5,351


 


 

 

5,351


 


 

Funds From Operations 

$354,028 


 

$348,829 


 

$333,676 


 

$417,235 


 

$331,862 


 

 

$1,453,767 


 

$1,368,565 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds From Operations - diluted 

$354,028 


 

$348,829 


 

$333,676 


 

$417,235 


 

$331,862 


 

 

$1,453,767 


 

$1,368,565 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares and units outstanding - basic

217,391


 

217,375


 

217,346


 

217,039


 

214,649


 

 

217,285


 

214,313


 

Weighted-average shares and units outstanding - diluted (2)

218,901


 

218,756


 

218,497


 

217,756


 

215,417


 

 

218,440


 

214,951


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds From Operations per share - basic 

$1.63 


 

$1.60 


 

$1.54 


 

$1.92 


 

$1.55 


 

 

$6.69 


 

$6.39 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds From Operations per share - diluted (2) 

$1.62 


 

$1.59 


 

$1.53 


 

$1.92 

$1.54 


 

 

$6.66 


 

$6.37 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 

Reconciliation of FFO to Core FFO 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds From Operations - diluted 

$354,028 


 

$348,829 


 

$333,676 


 

$417,235 


 

$331,862 


 

 

$1,453,767 


 

$1,368,565 


 

Adjustments:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Termination fees and other non-core revenues (3)

(5,634)


 

(16,792)


 

(16,826)


 

(14,445)


 

(21)


 

 

(53,697)


 

(5,060)


 

Transaction and integration expenses

17,106


 

4,115


 

4,210


 

2,494


 

25,917


 

 

27,925


 

45,327


 

Loss from early extinguishment of debt


 

5,366


 

20,905


 

12,886


 

1,568


 

 

39,157


 

1,568


 

Issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred stock


 


 

11,760


 


 


 

 

11,760


 


 

Severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses (4)

1,130


 

123


 

665


 

1,483


 

602


 

 

3,401


 

3,303


 

(Gain) / Loss on FX revaluation

(10,422)


 

23,136


 

(4,251)


 

9,604


 


 

 

18,067


 


 

(Gain) on contribution to unconsolidated joint venture, net of related tax


 


 


 

(58,497)


 


 

 

(58,497)


 


 

Other non-core expense adjustments

(1,511)


 

92


 

7,115


 

4,922


 

1,471


 

 

10,618


 

4,323


 

Core Funds From Operations - diluted 

$354,697 


 

$364,869 


 

$357,254 


 

$375,682 


 

$361,399 


 

 

$1,452,501 


 

$1,418,026 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares and units outstanding - diluted (2)

218,901


 

218,756


 

218,497


 

217,756


 

215,417


 

 

218,440


 

214,951


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Funds From Operations per share - diluted (2) 

$1.62 


 

$1.67 


 

$1.64 


 

$1.73 


 

$1.68 


 

 

$6.65 


 

$6.60 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Real Estate Related Depreciation & Amortization:

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 


 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation & amortization per income statement

$275,008


 

$286,718


 

$290,562


 

$311,486


 

$299,362


 

 

$1,163,774


 

$1,186,896


 

Non-real estate depreciation

(3,637)


 

(3,628)


 

(3,647)


 

(3,622)


 

(3,638)


 

 

(14,534)


 

(12,979)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Related Depreciation & Amortization 

$271,371 


 

$283,090 


 

$286,915 


 

$307,864 


 

$295,724 


 

 

$1,149,240 


 

$1,173,917 


 

 

 

(2)

For all periods presented, we have excluded the effect of dilutive series C, series G, series H, series I, series J, series K, and series L preferred stock, as applicable, that may be converted into common stock upon the occurrence of specified change in control transactions as described in the articles supplementary governing the series C, series G, series H, series I, series J, series K, and series L preferred stock, as applicable, which we consider highly improbable.  See above for calculations of diluted FFO and the share count detail section of the reconciliation of core FFO to AFFO for calculations of weighted average common stock and units outstanding. 

(3)

Includes lease termination fees and certain other adjustments that are not core to our business. 

(4)

Relates to severance and other charges related to the departure of company executives and integration-related severance. 

 


 

Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO)

Unaudited and in Thousands, Except Per Share Data


 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 

Reconciliation of Core FFO to AFFO 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders 

$354,697 


 

$364,869 


 

$357,254 


 

$375,682 


 

$361,399 


 

 

$1,452,501 


 

$1,418,026 


 

Adjustments:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-real estate depreciation

3,637


 

3,628


 

3,647


 

3,622


 

3,638


 

 

14,534


 

12,979


 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

3,064


 

2,900


 

2,905


 

4,493


 

3,128


 

 

13,362


 

12,207


 

Amortization of debt discount/premium

612


 

466


 

515


 

760


 

971


 

 

2,353


 

3,630


 

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense

8,937


 

8,906


 

9,468


 

7,592


 

5,609


 

 

34,903


 

25,349


 

Straight-line rental revenue

(13,994)


 

(12,764)


 

(13,033)


 

(15,979)


 

(11,157)


 

 

(55,770)


 

(40,422)


 

Straight-line rental expense

(342)


 

(209)


 

318


 

1,235


 

2,052


 

 

1,002


 

9,750


 

Above- and below-market rent amortization

4,109


 

2,824


 

3,954


 

6,210


 

6,521


 

 

17,097


 

26,533


 

Deferred tax expense

(998)


 

(1,418)


 

(979)


 

(15,397)


 

(8,835)


 

 

(18,792)


 

(11,970)


 

Leasing compensation & internal leasing commissions (1)

3,646


 

3,254


 

4,025


 

3,581


 

(5,160)


 

 

14,506


 

(21,007)


 

Recurring capital expenditures (2)

(54,731)


 

(48,408)


 

(39,515)


 

(38,059)


 

(47,951)


 

 

(180,713)


 

(132,226)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFO available to common stockholders and unitholders (3) 

$308,637 


 

$324,048 


 

$328,559 


 

$333,740 


 

$310,215 


 

 

$1,294,983 


 

$1,302,849 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares and units outstanding - basic

217,391


 

217,375


 

217,346


 

217,039


 

214,649


 

 

217,285


 

214,313


 

Weighted-average shares and units outstanding - diluted (4)

218,901


 

218,756


 

218,497


 

217,756


 

215,417


 

 

218,440


 

214,951


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFO per share - diluted (4) 

$1.41 


 

$1.48 


 

$1.50 


 

$1.53 


 

$1.44 


 

 

$5.93 


 

$6.06 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share and common unit

$1.08


 

$1.08


 

$1.08


 

$1.08


 

$1.01


 

 

$4.32


 

$4.04


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted AFFO Payout Ratio 

76.6 

% 

72.9 

% 

71.8 

% 

70.5 

% 

70.1 

% 


 

72.9 

% 

66.7 

% 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 

Share Count Detail 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Common Stock and Units Outstanding 

217,391 


 

217,375 


 

217,346 


 

217,039 


 

214,649 


 

 

217,285 


 

214,313 


 

Add: Effect of dilutive securities

1,510


 

1,381


 

1,151


 

717


 

768


 

 

1,155


 

638


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Avg. Common Stock and Units Outstanding - diluted 

218,901 


 

218,756 


 

218,497 


 

217,756 


 

215,417 


 

 

218,440 


 

214,951 


 

 

 

(1)

The company adopted ASC 842 in the first quarter of 2019.


 

 

(2)

Recurring capital expenditures represent non-incremental building improvements required to maintain current revenues, including second-generation tenant improvements and external leasing commissions.  Recurring capital expenditures do not include acquisition costs contemplated when underwriting the purchase of a building, costs which are incurred to bring a building up to Digital Realty's operating standards, or internal leasing commissions.


 

 

(3)

For a definition and discussion of AFFO, see the definitions section.  For a reconciliation of net income available to common stockholders to FFO and core FFO, see above. 


 

 

(4)

For all periods presented, we have excluded the effect of dilutive series C, series G, series H, series I, series J, series K, and series L preferred stock, as applicable, that may be converted into common stock upon the occurrence of specified change in control transactions as described in the articles supplementary governing the series C, series G, series H, series I, series J, series K, and series L preferred stock, as applicable, which we consider highly improbable. See above for calculations of diluted FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders and for calculations of weighted average common stock and units outstanding.

 


 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Unaudited and in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data


 

 

30-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 

Assets 


 

 

 

 

 

Investments in real estate:


 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

$16,886,592


 

$16,407,080


 

$17,324,416


 

$16,988,322


 

$17,055,017


 

Construction in progress

1,732,555


 

1,647,130


 

1,685,056


 

1,584,327


 

1,621,927


 

Land held for future development

147,597


 

150,265


 

152,368


 

163,081


 

162,941


 

Investments in real estate 

$18,766,744 


 

$18,204,475 


 

$19,161,840 


 

$18,735,730 


 

$18,839,885 


 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

(4,536,169)


 

(4,298,629)


 

(4,312,357)


 

(4,124,002)


 

(3,935,267)


 

Net Investments in Properties 

$14,230,575 


 

$13,905,846 


 

$14,849,483 


 

$14,611,728 


 

$14,904,618 


 

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures

1,287,109


 

1,035,861


 

979,350


 

930,326


 

175,108


 

Net Investments in Real Estate 

$15,517,684 


 

$14,941,707 


 

$15,828,833 


 

$15,542,054 


 

$15,079,726 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$89,817


 

$7,190


 

$33,536


 

$123,879


 

$126,700


 

Accounts and other receivables (1)

305,501


 

304,712


 

320,938


 

328,009


 

299,621


 

Deferred rent

478,744


 

471,516


 

491,486


 

479,640


 

463,248


 

Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and other real estate intangibles, net

2,195,324


 

2,245,017


 

2,499,564


 

2,580,624


 

3,144,395


 

Acquired above-market leases, net

74,815


 

84,315


 

94,474


 

106,044


 

119,759


 

Goodwill

3,363,070


 

3,338,168


 

3,353,538


 

3,358,463


 

4,348,007


 

Assets associated with real estate held for sale

229,934


 

967,527


 


 


 


 

Operating lease right-of-use assets (2)

628,681


 

634,085


 

648,952


 

660,586


 


 

Other assets

184,561


 

178,528


 

158,770


 

162,768


 

185,239


 

Total Assets 

$23,068,131 


 

$23,172,765 


 

$23,430,091 


 

$23,342,067 


 

$23,766,695 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity 


 

 

 

 

 

Global unsecured revolving credit facilities

$234,105


 

$1,833,512


 

$1,417,675


 

$842,975


 

$1,647,735


 

Unsecured term loans

810,219


 

796,232


 

807,922


 

807,726


 

1,178,904


 

Unsecured senior notes, net of discount

8,973,190


 

8,189,138


 

8,511,656


 

8,523,462


 

7,589,126


 

Secured debt, net of premiums

104,934


 

105,153


 

105,325


 

105,493


 

685,714


 

Operating lease liabilities (2)

693,539


 

699,381


 

714,256


 

725,470


 


 

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

1,007,761


 

938,740


 

984,812


 

922,571


 

1,164,509


 

Accrued dividends and distributions

234,620


 


 


 


 

217,241


 

Acquired below-market leases

148,774


 

153,422


 

183,832


 

192,667


 

200,113


 

Security deposits and prepaid rent

208,724


 

203,708


 

213,549


 

221,526


 

209,311


 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

2,700


 

23,534


 


 


 


 

Total Liabilities 

$12,418,566 


 

$12,942,820 


 

$12,939,027 


 

$12,341,890 


 

$12,892,653 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable non-controlling interests - operating partnership

41,465


 

19,090


 

17,344


 

17,678


 

15,832


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity 


 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock:  $0.01 par value per share, 110,000,000 shares authorized:


 

 

 

 

 

Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (3)

$219,250


 

$219,250


 

$219,250


 

$219,250


 

$219,250


 

Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (4)

241,468


 

241,468


 

241,468


 

241,468


 

241,468


 

Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (5)


 


 


 

353,290


 

353,290


 

Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (6)

242,012


 

242,012


 

242,012


 

242,012


 

242,012


 

Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (7)

193,540


 

193,540


 

193,540


 

193,540


 

193,540


 

Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (8)

203,264


 

203,264


 

203,264


 

203,423


 


 

Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (9)

334,886


 


 


 


 


 

Common Stock: $0.01 par value per share, 315,000,000 shares authorized (10)

2,073


 

2,069


 

2,067


 

2,066


 

2,051


 

Additional paid-in capital

11,577,320


 

11,540,980


 

11,511,519


 

11,492,766


 

11,355,751


 

Dividends in excess of earnings

(3,046,579)


 

(3,136,668)


 

(2,961,307)


 

(2,767,708)


 

(2,633,071)


 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net

(87,922)


 

(68,625)


 

(89,588)


 

(91,699)


 

(115,647)


 

Total Stockholders' Equity 

$9,879,312 


 

$9,437,290 


 

$9,562,225 


 

$10,088,408 


 

$9,858,644 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling Interests 


 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest in operating partnership

$708,163


 

$732,314


 

$756,050


 

$772,931


 

$906,510


 

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures

20,625


 

41,251


 

155,445


 

121,160


 

93,056


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Noncontrolling Interests 

$728,788 


 

$773,565 


 

$911,495 


 

$894,091 


 

$999,566 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Equity 

$10,608,100 


 

$10,210,855 


 

$10,473,720 


 

$10,982,499 


 

$10,858,210 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity 

$23,068,131 


 

$23,172,765 


 

$23,430,091 


 

$23,342,067 


 

$23,766,695 


 

 

 

(1)

Net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,753 and $11,554, as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(2)

Adoption of the new lease accounting standard required that we adjust the consolidated balance sheet to include the recognition of additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases.  See our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2019 for additional information.


 

 

(3)

Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, 6.625%, $201,250 and $201,250 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 8,050,000 and 8,050,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(4)

Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 5.875%, $250,000 and $250,000 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 10,000,000 and 10,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(5)

Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 7.375%, $0 and $365,000 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 0 and 14,600,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.  Redeemed on April 1, 2019.


 

 

(6)

Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 6.350%, $250,000 and $250,000 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 10,000,000 and 10,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(7)

Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 5.250%, $200,000 and $200,000 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 8,000,000 and 8,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(8)

Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 5.850%, $210,000 and $0 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 8,400,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(9)

Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 5.200%, $345,000 and $0 liquidation preference, respectively ($25.00 per share), 13,800,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


 

 

(10)

Common Stock: 208,900,758 and 206,425,656 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 


 

Reconciliation of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, 

Depreciation & Amortization and Financial Ratios Unaudited and in Thousands


 

Reconciliation of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
Depreciation & Amortization (EBITDA) (1) 

Three Months Ended 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

30-Jun-19 

31-Mar-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders 

$315,577 

$49,827 


 

$31,738 


 

$95,869 


 

$31,230 

Interest

80,880


 

84,574


 

86,051


 

101,552


 

84,883


 

Loss from early extinguishment of debt


 

5,366


 

20,905


 

12,886


 

1,568


 

Tax (benefit) expense

(1,731)


 

4,826


 

4,634


 

4,266


 

(5,843)


 

Depreciation & amortization

275,008


 

286,718


 

290,562


 

311,486


 

299,362


 

EBITDA 

$669,734 


 

$431,311 


 

$433,890 


 

$526,059 


 

$411,200 


 

Unconsolidated JV real estate related depreciation & amortization

21,631


 

13,612


 

13,623


 

3,851


 

3,615


 

Severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses

1,130


 

123


 

665


 

1,483


 

602


 

Transaction and integration expenses

17,106


 

4,115


 

4,210


 

2,494


 

25,917


 

(Gain) on sale / deconsolidation

(267,651)


 


 


 

(67,497)


 

(7)


 

Impairment of investments in real estate


 


 


 

5,351


 


 

Other non-core adjustments, net

(13,886)


 

6,436


 

(13,476)


 

(13,806)


 

1,471


 

Non-controlling interests

13,042


 

1,077


 

1,156


 

4,185


 

1,038


 

Preferred stock dividends, including undeclared dividends

20,707


 

16,670


 

16,670


 

20,943


 

20,329


 

Issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred stock


 


 

11,760


 


 


 

Adjusted EBITDA 

$461,813 


 

$473,344 


 

$468,498 


 

$483,063 


 

$464,165 


 

(1)

For definitions and discussion of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, see the definitions section. 

Definitions 

Funds From Operations (FFO) :

We calculate funds from operations, or FFO, in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or Nareit, in the Nareit Funds From Operations White Paper - 2018 Restatement.  FFO represents net income (loss) (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from real estate transactions, impairment of investment in real estate, real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), unconsolidated JV real estate related depreciation & amortization, non-controlling interests in operating partnership and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.  Management uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because, in excluding real estate related depreciation and amortization and gains and losses from property dispositions and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, it 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 data centers that result from use or market conditions, nor the level of capital expenditures and capitalized leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our data centers, all of which have real economic effect and could materially impact our financial condition and results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of our performance is limited.  Other REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition and, accordingly, our FFO may not be comparable to other REITs' FFO. FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance.

 

Core Funds from Operations (Core FFO) :

We present core funds from operations, or core FFO, as a supplemental operating measure because, in excluding certain items that do not reflect core revenue or expense streams, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, captures trends in our core business operating performance. We calculate core FFO by adding to or subtracting from FFO (i) termination fees and other non-core revenues, (ii) transaction and integration expenses, (iii) loss from early extinguishment of debt, (iv) issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred stock, (v) severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses, (vi) gain/loss on FX revaluation, (vii) gain on contribution to unconsolidated joint venture, net of related tax, and (viii) other non-core expense adjustments. Because certain of these adjustments have a real economic impact on our financial condition and results from operations, the utility of core FFO as a measure of our performance is limited. Other REITs may calculate core FFO differently than we do and accordingly, our core FFO may not be comparable to other REITs' core FFO. Core FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance.

Adjusted Funds from Operations (AFFO) :

We present adjusted funds from operations, or AFFO, as a supplemental operating measure because, when compared year over year, it assesses our ability to fund dividend and distribution requirements from our operating activities. We also believe that, as a widely recognized measure of the operations of REITs, AFFO will be used by investors as a basis to assess our ability to fund dividend payments in comparison to other REITs, including on a per share and unit basis. We calculate AFFO by adding to or subtracting from core FFO (i) non-real estate depreciation, (ii) amortization of deferred financing costs, (iii) amortization of debt discount/premium, (iv) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (v) straight-line rental revenue, (vi) straight-line rental expense, (vii) above- and below-market rent amortization, (viii) deferred tax expense, (ix) leasing compensation and internal lease commissions, and (x) recurring capital expenditures. Other REITs may calculate AFFO differently than we do and accordingly, our AFFO may not be comparable to other REITs' AFFO. AFFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA :

We believe that earnings before interest, loss from early extinguishment of debt, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below), are useful supplemental performance measures because they allow investors to view our performance without the impact of non-cash depreciation and amortization or the cost of debt and, with respect to Adjusted EBITDA, severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses, transaction and integration expenses, (gain) loss on real estate transactions, equity in earnings adjustment for non-core items, other non-core adjustments, net, noncontrolling interests, preferred stock dividends, including undeclared dividends, and issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred stock. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA excluding unconsolidated joint venture real estate related depreciation & amortization, severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses, transaction and integration expenses, gain on sale / deconsolidation, impairment of investments in real estate, other non-core adjustments, net, non-controlling interests, preferred stock dividends, including undeclared dividends, and issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred stock. In addition, we believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are calculated before recurring cash charges including interest expense and income taxes, exclude capitalized costs, such as leasing commissions, and are not adjusted for capital expenditures or other recurring cash requirements of our business, their utility as a measure of our performance is limited.  Other REITs may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do and accordingly, our EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other REITs' EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.  Accordingly, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should be considered only as supplements to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our financial performance.

Net Operating Income (NOI) and Cash NOI :

Net operating income, or NOI, represents rental revenue, tenant reimbursement revenue and interconnection revenue less utilities expense, rental property operating expenses, property taxes and insurance expenses (as reflected in the statement of operations). NOI is commonly used by stockholders, company management and industry analysts as a measurement of operating performance of the company's rental portfolio. Cash NOI is NOI less straight-line rents and above- and below-market rent amortization. Cash NOI is commonly used by stockholders, company management and industry analysts as a measure of property operating performance on a cash basis. However, because NOI and cash NOI exclude depreciation and amortization and capture neither the changes in the value of our data centers that result from use or market conditions, nor the level of capital expenditures and capitalized leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our data centers, all of which have real economic effect and could materially impact our results from operations, the utility of NOI and cash NOI as measures of our performance is limited. Other REITs may calculate NOI and cash NOI differently than we do and, accordingly, our NOI and cash NOI may not be comparable to other REITs' NOI and cash NOI. NOI and cash NOI should be considered only as supplements to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as measures of our performance.

Additional Definitions 

Net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio is calculated using total debt at balance sheet carrying value, plus capital lease obligations, plus our share of JV debt, less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents divided by the product of Adjusted EBITDA (inclusive of our share of JV EBITDA) multiplied by four.

Debt-plus-preferred-to-total enterprise value is mortgage debt and other loans plus preferred stock divided by mortgage debt and other loans plus the liquidation value of preferred stock and the market value of outstanding Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock and Digital Realty Trust, L.P. units, assuming the redemption of Digital Realty Trust, L.P. units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock.

Fixed charge coverage ratio is Adjusted EBITDA divided by the sum of GAAP interest expense, capitalized interest, scheduled debt principal payments and preferred dividends. For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, GAAP interest expense was $81 million, capitalized interest was $10 million and scheduled debt principal payments and preferred dividends was $21 million.


 

Three Months Ended 


 

Twelve Months Ended 

Reconciliation of Net Operating Income (NOI) (in thousands) 

31-Dec-19 

30-Sep-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-18 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income 

$138,933 


 

$164,767 


 

$122,847 


 

 

$594,215 


 

$549,787 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fee income

(4,814)


 

(3,994)


 

(2,896)


 

 

(11,654)


 

(7,841)


 

Other income

(181)


 


 

(21)


 

 

(1,231)


 

(1,924)


 

Depreciation and amortization

275,008


 

286,718


 

299,362


 

 

1,163,774


 

1,186,896


 

General and administrative

53,540


 

49,862


 

38,801


 

 

207,696


 

160,364


 

Severance, equity acceleration, and legal expenses

1,130


 

123


 

602


 

 

3,401


 

3,303


 

Transaction expenses

17,106


 

4,115


 

25,917


 

 

27,925


 

45,327


 

Impairment in investments in real estate


 


 


 

 

5,351


 


 

Other expenses

1,989


 

92


 

1,096


 

 

14,118


 

2,818


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Operating Income 

$482,711 


 

$501,683 


 

$485,708 


 

 

$2,003,595 


 

$1,938,730 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Net Operating Income (Cash NOI) 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Operating Income 

$482,711 


 

$501,683 


 

$485,708 


 

 

$2,003,595 


 

$1,938,730 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Straight-line rental revenue

(8,495)


 

(12,764)


 

(11,157)


 

 

(50,273)


 

(40,422)


 

Straight-line rental expense

(306)


 

(193)


 

2,108


 

 

1,075


 

9,878


 

Above- and below-market rent amortization

4,109


 

2,824


 

6,521


 

 

17,097


 

26,533


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Net Operating Income 

$478,019 


 

$491,550 


 

$483,180 


 

 

$1,971,494 


 

$1,934,719 


 

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expected physical settlement of the forward sale agreements and use of proceeds from any such settlement, our expected investment and expansion activity, our joint ventures, the expected benefits and timing of PlatformDIGITALTM, the Mapletree transactions, the InterXion combination, our capital markets activity and the use of proceeds from any such activity, supply and demand for data center and colocation space, our acquisition and disposition activity, pricing and net effective leasing economics, market dynamics and data center fundamentals, our strategic priorities, rent from leases that have been signed but have not yet commenced and other contracted rent to be received in future periods, rental rates on future leases, lag between signing and commencement, cap rates and yields, investment activity, the company's FFO, core FFO and net income, and underlying assumptions, information related to trends, our strategy and plans, leasing expectations, weighted average lease terms, the exercise of lease extensions, lease expirations, debt maturities, annualized rent at expiration of leases, the effect new leases and increases in rental rates will have on our rental revenue, our credit ratings, construction and development activity and plans, projected construction costs, estimated yields on investment, expected occupancy, expected square footage and IT load capacity upon completion of development projects, 2020 backlog NOI, NAV components, and other forward-looking financial data.  Such statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions made based on information currently available to management.  Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance and may be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected.  Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

  • reduced demand for data centers or decreases in information technology spending;
  • the competitive environment in which we operate;
  • decreased rental rates, increased operating costs or increased vacancy rates;
  • increased competition or available supply of data center space;
  • the suitability of our data centers and data center infrastructure, delays or disruptions in connectivity or availability of power, or failures or breaches of our physical and information security infrastructure or services;
  • our dependence upon significant customers, bankruptcy or insolvency of a major customer or a significant number of smaller customers, or defaults on or non-renewal of leases by customers;
  • breaches of our obligations or restrictions under our contracts with our customers;
  • our inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and development space, and delays or unexpected costs in development of properties;
  • the impact of current global and local economic, credit and market conditions;
  • our inability to retain data center space that we lease or sublease from third parties;
  • difficulty managing an international business and acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions and unfamiliar metropolitan areas;
  • our inability to achieve expected revenue synergies or cost savings as a result of our combination with InterXion;
  • each of our and InterXion's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreement, the timing of the closing of those transactions and unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities that may arise from the transactions, whether or not consummated;
  • our failure to realize the intended benefits from, or disruptions to our plans and operations or unknown or contingent liabilities related to, our recent acquisitions;
  • our failure to successfully integrate and operate acquired or developed properties or businesses;
  • difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions;
  • risks related to joint venture investments, including as a result of our lack of control of such investments;
  • risks associated with using debt to fund our business activities, including re-financing and interest rate risks, our failure to repay debt when due, adverse changes in our credit ratings or our breach of covenants or other terms contained in our loan facilities and agreements;
  • our failure to obtain necessary debt and equity financing, and our dependence on external sources of capital;
  • financial market fluctuations and changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
  • adverse economic or real estate developments in our industry or the industry sectors that we sell to, including risks relating to decreasing real estate valuations and impairment charges and goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges;
  • our inability to manage our growth effectively;
  • losses in excess of our insurance coverage;
  • environmental liabilities and risks related to natural disasters;
  • our inability to comply with rules and regulations applicable to our company;
  • Digital Realty Trust, Inc.'s failure to maintain its status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;
  • Digital Realty Trust, L.P.'s failure to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes;
  • restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities; and
  • changes in local, state, federal and international laws and regulations, including related to taxation, real estate and zoning laws, and increases in real property tax rates;
  • our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract and retain customers; and
  • the impact of any financial, accounting, legal or regulatory issues or litigation that may affect us.

The risks included here are not exhaustive, and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance.  We discussed a number of additional material risks in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Those risks continue to be relevant to our performance and financial condition.  Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment.  New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Digital Realty, Digital Realty Trust, the Digital Realty logo, Turn-Key Flex and Powered Base Building are registered trademarks and service marks of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

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SOURCE Digital Realty