Release Details

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2009 Results

April 30, 2009

Strong performance yields 23% year-over-year growth in FFO per diluted share and unit

Highlights:

- Reported FFO of $0.70 per diluted share and unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, up 22.8% from the first quarter of 2008;

- Reported net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 of $21.2 million and net income available to common stockholders of $10.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted share;

- Sourced approximately $432 million of additional capital year-to-date, including upsizing the revolving credit facility, and completing the senior exchangeable debenture offering and the follow-on common stock offering;

- Enhanced liquidity position, resulting in $770 million of immediate liquidity through short term investments and funds that can be drawn on the revolving credit facility;

- Commenced leases on approximately 450,000 square feet during the first quarter at an average annualized GAAP rent of approximately $82 per square foot, including non technical space; and

- Signed leases on approximately 85,000 square feet during the first quarter at an average annualized GAAP rent of approximately $122 per square foot, including non technical space.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), the leading owner and manager of corporate and Internet gateway datacenter facilities, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2009. The Company reported total operating revenues of $149.1 million in the first quarter of 2009, up 1.4% from $147.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and up 30.2% from $114.5 million in the first quarter of 2008.

Funds from operations ("FFO") on a diluted basis was $64.5 million in the first quarter of 2009, or $0.70 on a diluted per share and unit basis, down 6.7% from $0.75 per diluted share and unit in the previous quarter, and up 22.8% from $0.57 per diluted share and unit in the first quarter of 2008.

"The FFO of $0.75 per diluted share and unit for the fourth quarter of 2008 included approximately $0.07 of additional FFO from certain significant items, primarily related to a lease termination fee and property tax adjustments, that did not represent ongoing revenue streams. When adjusted for these items, first quarter FFO increased 2.9% over the fourth quarter of 2008," said A. William Stein, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty Trust.

Net income for the first quarter was $21.2 million, down 15.5% from $25.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and up 96.3% from $10.8 million in the first quarter of 2008. Net income available to common stockholders in the first quarter was $10.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, down from $13.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2008, and up from $2.3 million, or $0.03 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2008.

"Our strong financial results for the quarter, despite the challenging economic conditions, reflect the continued demand for high quality technical space for corporate IT applications and our team's ability to capture a significant amount of that demand by consistently delivering Turn-Key Datacenter(SM), Powered Base Building(SM) and build to suit datacenter products to our customers," commented Michael F. Foust, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty Trust. "When combined with our successful capital raising activities this year, we are well positioned to meet our goals for 2009 and continue to grow our business into 2010."

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments that may be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement), which was required to be applied retrospectively. Accordingly, net income for all historical periods since the issuance of the 4.125% Senior Exchangeable Debentures in August 2006 has been retrospectively adjusted. For example, the quarters ended March 31 and December 31, 2008 have been adjusted to include $0.5 million and $0.6 million of additional interest expense, net of capitalized interest and allocation to noncontrolling interests, respectively. These adjustments resulted in a decrease in FFO on a diluted share and unit basis by $0.01 for the quarters ended March 31 and December 31, 2008.

FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used by the real estate industry to measure the operating performance of real estate companies. FFO should not be considered as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of financial performance. A reconciliation of U.S. GAAP net income available to common stockholders to FFO and a definition of FFO are included as an attachment to this press release.

Acquisitions and Leasing Activity

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company commenced leases totaling approximately 450,000 square feet of space. This includes approximately 134,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter(SM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $179.00 per square foot, approximately 173,000 square feet of Powered Base Building(SM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $62.00 per square foot, and approximately 143,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $15.00 per square foot.

 

The Company signed leases during the first quarter of 2009 totaling approximately 85,000 square feet of space. This includes approximately 57,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter(SM) space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $172.00 per square foot and approximately 28,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $19.00 per square foot.

As of April 30, 2009, the Company's portfolio comprises 75 properties, excluding one property held in an unconsolidated joint venture, consisting of 99 buildings totaling approximately 13.0 million rentable square feet, including 1.2 million square feet of space held for redevelopment. The portfolio is strategically located in 27 key technology markets throughout North America and Europe.

Balance Sheet Update

Total assets grew to approximately $3.4 billion at March 31, 2009, from $3.3 billion at December 31, 2008. Total debt at March 31, 2009 and at December 31, 2008 was approximately $1.4 billion. Stockholders' equity was approximately $1.5 billion at March 31, 2009, up from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2008.

On April 28, an additional $45.0 million commitment was obtained for the revolving credit facility, increasing total commitments from $675.0 million to $720.0 million. Concurrently, the sub-facility for multicurrency advances increased from $462.5 million to $485.0 million.

On April 20, the Company issued $266.4 million of its 5.50% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2029, resulting in $258.6 million in net proceeds that will be used to temporarily repay borrowings under the revolving credit facility, to fund development and redevelopment activities, and for general corporate purposes.

On February 13, 2009, the Company completed a public offering of 2.5 million shares of common stock, which generated approximately $83.5 million in net proceeds. The Company utilized the net proceeds from the offering to temporarily repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund development and redevelopment activities, and for general corporate purposes.

On January 6, 2009, the Company received funds from a third draw on the Prudential Shelf Facility of $25.0 million with an interest-only rate of 9.68% per annum and a seven-year maturity. The Company utilized the proceeds to temporarily repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund development and redevelopment activities and for general corporate purposes.

Also on January 6, practical completion of construction was achieved on a datacenter facility located on London's perimeter. During the quarter, the Company drew down an additional pounds Sterling 13.7 million and put in place an interest rate swap. The permanent pounds Sterling 42.8 million loan is a five-year interest-only financing with an all-in swapped fixed rate of 4.18% and no amortization.

In addition, on March 9, 2009, the Company repaid the outstanding principal balance of $96.3 million on the mortgage loan with respect to 350 East Cermak Road, along with accrued interest and other fees. The repayment was financed with borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility.

"Currently, we have approximately $770 million of immediate liquidity through short-term investments and funds that can be drawn on our revolving credit facility," added Mr. Stein. "This provides us with sufficient liquidity to meet our currently anticipated capital requirements budgeted through 2009 and debt maturities for the next three years without raising additional capital. Although we are not changing 2009 guidance at this time, we are increasing the range for our redevelopment capital expenditures for the year by $50 million to $325 million to $375 million, which will support our growth in 2010."

Investor Conference Call Details

Digital Realty Trust will host a conference call on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT to discuss its first quarter 2009 financial results and operating performance. The conference call will feature Chief Executive Officer, Michael Foust and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer, A. William Stein. To participate in the live call, investors are invited to dial 800-218-0530 (for domestic callers) or 303-262-2004 (for international callers) at least five minutes prior to start time. A live webcast of the call will be available via the Investor Relations section of Digital Realty Trust's website at www.digitalrealtytrust.com. Please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen to the live conference call, a telephone and webcast replay will be available after 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, April 30, 2009 until 11:59 pm PT on Thursday, May 7, 2009. The telephone replay can be accessed by dialing 800-405-2236 (for domestic callers) or 303-590-3000 (for international callers) and using reservation code 11125411#. A replay of the webcast will also be archived on Digital Realty Trust's website.

About Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. owns, acquires, redevelops, develops and manages technology-related real estate. The Company is focused on providing Turn-Key Datacenter(SM) and Powered Base Building(SM) datacenter solutions for domestic and international tenants across a variety of industry verticals ranging from information technology and Internet enterprises, to manufacturing and financial services. Digital Realty Trust's 75 properties, excluding one property held as an investment in an unconsolidated joint venture, contain applications and operations critical to the day-to-day operations of technology industry tenants and corporate enterprise datacenter tenants. Comprising approximately 13.0 million rentable square feet as of April 30, 2009, including 1.2 million square feet of space held for redevelopment, Digital Realty Trust's portfolio is located in 27 markets throughout North America and Europe. For additional information, please visit Digital Realty Trust's website at http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements 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 related to the Company's expected future financial and other results. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of the current deterioration in global economic and market conditions; adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets or the industry sectors that we sell to; decreases in information technology spending; our dependence upon significant tenants; bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants; downturn of local economic conditions in our geographic markets; our inability to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to public companies or to manage our growth effectively; difficulty acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants; increased interest rates and operating costs; our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities; risks related to joint venture investments; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and space held for redevelopment; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; increased competition or available supply of data center space; our failure to successfully operate acquired properties; our inability to acquire off-market properties; delays or unexpected costs in development or redevelopment of properties; our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; possible adverse changes to tax laws; environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters; financial market fluctuations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in foreign laws and regulations, including those related to taxation and real estate ownership and operation; and changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    A. William Stein                 Pamela Matthews
    Chief Financial Officer and      Investor/Analyst Information
    Chief Investment Officer         Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
    Digital Realty Trust, Inc.       +1 (415) 738-6532
    +1 (415) 738-6520
                 Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
         Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
            (in thousands, except share data)
                       (unaudited)

                                  Three Months Ended
                         ----------------------------------
                         March 31, 2009      March 31, 2008
                         ----------------------------------
    Operating Revenues:                        (adjusted)

      Rental                   $118,089         $92,746
      Tenant reimbursements      31,027          21,787
      Other                          18              14
                         ----------------------------------
        Total operating
         revenues               149,134         114,547
                         ----------------------------------
    Operating Expenses:

      Rental property
       operating and
       maintenance               42,573          31,681
      Property taxes              9,211           8,124
      Insurance                   1,456           1,205
      Depreciation and
       amortization              46,304          39,153
      General and
       administrative            10,102           8,783
      Other                         285             307
                         ----------------------------------
        Total operating
         expenses               109,931          89,253
                         ----------------------------------
        Operating income         39,203          25,294

    Other Income (Expenses):
      Equity in earnings of
       unconsolidated
       joint venture              1,116             158
      Interest and
       other income                 243             655
      Interest expense          (18,937)        (15,202)
      Income tax expense           (436)            (89)
                         ----------------------------------
    Net Income                   21,189          10,816

      Net income attributable
       to noncontrolling
       interests                   (793)           (239)
                         ----------------------------------

    Net Income Attributable
     to Digital Realty
     Trust, Inc.                 20,396          10,577

      Preferred stock
       dividends                (10,101)         (8,258)
                         ----------------------------------
    Net Income Available
     to Common
     Stockholders               $10,295          $2,319
                         ==================================


      Net income per share
       available to common
       stockholders:
        Basic                     $0.14           $0.04
        Diluted                   $0.14           $0.03

      Weighted average
       shares outstanding:
        Basic                74,703,755      65,431,586
        Diluted              74,895,168      67,142,783



                        Digital Realty Trust
                    Consolidated Balance Sheets
                          (in thousands)

                             March 31, 2009   December 31, 2008
                             --------------   -----------------
    ASSETS                    (unaudited)         (adjusted)

    Investments in real
     estate
      Properties:
        Land                    $314,077           $316,318
        Acquired ground leases     2,669              2,733
        Buildings and
         improvements          2,577,169          2,467,830
        Tenant
         improvements            252,549            255,818
                          --------------  -----------------
      Investments in
       properties              3,146,464          3,042,699
      Accumulated depreciation
       and amortization         (337,663)          (302,960)
                          --------------  -----------------
      Net investments in
       properties              2,808,801          2,739,739
      Investment in
       unconsolidated
       joint venture               8,597              8,481
                          --------------  -----------------
    Net investments
     in real estate            2,817,398          2,748,220
    Cash and cash equivalents     78,936             73,334
    Accounts and other
     receivables, net             37,923             39,108
    Deferred rent                110,913             99,957
    Acquired above market
     leases, net                  29,638             31,352
    Acquired in place lease
     value and deferred leasing
     costs, net                  219,228            222,389
    Deferred financing
     costs, net                   14,787             16,275
    Restricted cash               31,234             45,470
    Other assets                  11,555              4,940
                          --------------  -----------------

    Total Assets              $3,351,612         $3,281,045
                          --------------  -----------------

    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    Revolving credit facility   $254,021           $138,579
    Unsecured senior notes        83,000             58,000
    Mortgage loans               939,807          1,026,594
    Exchangeable senior
     debentures                  162,860            161,901
    Accounts payable and other
     accrued liabilities         139,606            171,176
    Accrued dividends and
     distributions                     -             26,092
    Acquired below market
     leases, net                  72,075             76,660
    Security deposits and
     prepaid rents                54,168             46,967
                           --------------  -----------------
    Total Liabilities          1,705,537          1,705,969
                           --------------  -----------------
    Noncontrolling interest
     in operating
     partnership                 152,029            152,159

    Equity:
      Stockholders' equity     1,475,119          1,416,574
      Noncontrolling
       interests                  18,927              6,343
                           --------------  -----------------
    Total Equity               1,494,046          1,422,917
                           --------------  -----------------
    Total Liabilities and
     Equity                   $3,351,612         $3,281,045
                          --------------  -----------------



                          Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
      Reconciliation of Net Income Available to Common Stockholders to Funds
                          From Operations (FFO) (1)
                 (in thousands, except per share and unit data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                               Three Months Ended
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        March 31,  December 31,  March 31,
                                           2009       2008         2008
                                        ----------------------------------
                                                    (adjusted)  (adjusted)

    Net income available to common
     stockholders                          $10,295   $13,793     $2,319
    Adjustments:
      Noncontrolling interests                 793     1,238        239
      Real estate related
       depreciation and amortization (2)    46,087    46,890     38,994
      Real estate related depreciation
       and amortization related to
       investment in unconsolidated
       joint venture                           646      (286)       894
                                        ----------------------------------

    FFO available to common
     stockholders and unitholders (3)      $57,821   $61,635    $42,446
                                        ==================================

    Basic FFO per share and unit             $0.72     $0.78      $0.59
    Diluted FFO per share and unit (3)       $0.70     $0.75      $0.57

    Weighted average common stock and
     units outstanding
      Basic                                 80,550    79,096     72,175
      Diluted (3)                           92,571    91,123     82,524



    (1)  Financial information for prior periods has been adjusted for the
    retroactive application of the following new accounting guidance adopted
    by the Company effective January 1, 2009: FASB Staff Position APB 14-1
    "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May be Settled Upon
    Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)"; Statement of Financial
    Accounting Standard No. 160 "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated
    Financial Statements - An Amendment of ARB No. 51".



    (2) Real estate depreciation and amortization was computed as follows:

    Depreciation and amortization per
     income statement                       46,304      47,086      39,153
    Non real estate depreciation              (217)       (196)       (159)
                                        ----------------------------------
                                           $46,087     $46,890     $38,994
                                        ==================================



    (3) At March 31, 2009, we had 6,999,955 series C convertible preferred
    shares and 13,795,500 series D convertible preferred shares outstanding
    that were convertible into 3,614,777 common shares and 8,215,221 common
    shares, respectively.  See below for calculations of diluted FFO available
    to common stockholders and unitholders and weighted average common stock
    and units outstanding.
                                             Three Months Ended
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      March 31,  December 31,   March 31,
                                        2009        2008          2008
    FFO available to common
     stockholders and unitholders     $57,821     $61,635       $42,446

    Add:  Series C convertible
     preferred dividends                1,914       1,914         1,914
    Add:  Series D convertible
     preferred dividends                4,742       4,744         2,899
                                      ----------------------------------

    FFO available to common
     stockholders and unitholders
     -- diluted                       $64,477     $68,293       $47,259
                                      ==================================

    Weighted average common
     stock and units outstanding       80,550      79,096        72,175
    Add: Effect of dilutive
     securities (excluding
     series C and D convertible
     preferred stock)                     191         194         1,712
    Add: Effect of dilutive
     series C convertible
     preferred stock                    3,615       3,615         3,615
    Add: Effect of dilutive
     series D convertible
     preferred stock                    8,215       8,218         5,022
                                      ----------------------------------
    Weighted average common
     stock and units
     outstanding -- diluted            92,571      91,123        82,524
                                      ----------------------------------



Note Regarding Funds From Operations

Digital Realty Trust calculates Funds from Operations, or FFO, in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT. FFO represents net income (loss) available to common stockholders and unitholders (computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) 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, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. Digital Realty Trust also believes 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 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 such other REITs' FFO. Accordingly, FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income as a measure of our performance.

SOURCE Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Contact: A. William Stein, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer, +1-415-738-6520, or Pamela Matthews, Investor/Analyst Information, +1-415-738-6532, both of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.