BTB Announces Resilient Q2 Operational Results with Growth in the Rental Renewal Spread, Reaching 4.8%

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 4, 2025 /CNW/ – BTB Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:BTB) (“BTB“, the “REIT” or the “Trust“) announced today its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 ended June 30, 2025 (the “Second Quarter“).

“BTB’s performance in the second quarter of 2025 highlights our leasing efforts, improved cash flow, and strengthened financial metrics. The quality of our assets underpins our steady progress” says Michel Léonard, President and CEO of BTB. “Our rental revenue totaled $30.5M for the quarter, a decrease of $1.7M or 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to two non-cash straight-line rent adjustments totaling $1.8M. Cash net operating income (Cash NOI)¹ continues to show growth, totaling $19.5M for the quarter, an increase of 0.5% compared to the same quarter last year. For the six-month period, the Cash NOI¹ reached $39.7M, an increase of $1.7M or 4.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Our AFFO adjusted¹ was 9.5¢ per unit, up slightly from 9.4¢ a year ago, and 19.8¢ per unit for the six-month period, representing an increase of 1.5¢ from the comparable period in 2024. Leasing momentum continues as we completed 122,815 square feet of lease renewals and secured 49,809 square feet of new leases during the quarter. The occupancy rate at the end of the quarter stood at 91.2%, still reflecting the impact of the announced industrial tenant bankruptcy in 2024. When factoring in the post-quarter sale of our property located at 1170 Lebourgneuf Blvd. in Quebec City, occupancy improved to 92.0%, representing an increase of 80 basis points. The increase in the average rent renewal rate was 4.7% this quarter and 4.8% over the first six-month period of the year, mainly supported by the necessity-based retail and suburban office segments, which accounted for 58% and 38% of lease renewals respectively. We continue to show positive momentum.”

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ITEMS AS AT JUNE 30, 2025

• Total number of properties: 74
• Total leasable area: 6.1 million square feet 
• Total asset value: $1.3 billion 
• Market capitalization: $321 million (unit trading price of $3.64 as at June 30, 2025)

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• BTB completed lease renewals totaling 122,815 square feet and new leases totaling 49,809 square feet. The increase in the average rent renewal rate for the current quarter was 4.7%. For the six-month period, the increase in the average rent renewal rate was 4.8%. The occupancy rate stood at 91.2%, a 130 basis points decrease compared to the prior quarter and a 340 basis points decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease in the occupancy rate is primarily due to the bankruptcy of a previously reported tenant. Taking into account the post-quarter sale of the office property located at 1170 Lebourgneuf Blvd., in Quebec City, the occupancy rate of the portfolio would be 92.0%, or an increase of 80 basis points.

FINANCIAL RESULTS HIGHLIGHTS

• Rental revenue: Stood at $30.5 million for the quarter, which represents a decrease of $1.7 million or 5.3% compared to the same quarter of 2024. The decrease is driven by non-cash straight-line lease adjustments totalling $1.8 million namely : (1) following the purchase by a group of investors of Lion Electric, the trust negotiated a lease amendment for a term of two (2) years, causing a non-cash straight-line lease adjustment of the property of $1.6 million and, (2) the Trust recorded the early departure of an industrial tenant, Big Rig Trailers, in Edmonton causing a non cash straight-line lease adjustment of the property of $0.2 million, which property was rapidly entirely re-leased to XCMG Canada Ltd, with a long-term lease. For the six-month period, rental revenue totalled $64.9 million, representing an increase of $0.1 million or 0.1% compared to the same period in 2024. Excluding the above mentioned two non-cash straight-line lease adjustments, rental revenue for the quarter would have totalled $32.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.3% and for the six-month period, it would have totalled $66.7 million, representing an increase of $1.9 million or 2.9%.
• Net operating income (NOI): Totalled $17.1 million for the quarter, which represents a decrease of 9.2% compared to the same quarter of 2024. For the six-month period, the NOI totalled $37.0 million which represents a decrease of 0.7% compared to the same period in 2024. Both decreases are caused by the above-mentioned non-cash straight-line lease adjustments.
• Cash net operating income (Cash NOI) ⁽¹⁾: Totalled $19.5 million for the quarter, which represents an increase of $0.1 million or 0.5% compared to the same quarter of 2024. For the six-month period, the Cash NOI totalled $39.7 million, which represents an increase of $1.7 million or 4.4% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase is driven by (1) a partial lease cancellation payment of $1.0 million received from a tenant leasing space in the suburban office segment, which space has already been re-leased by the Trust; (2) operating improvements, higher rent renewal rates, and increases in rental spreads for in-place leases representing an increase of $0.3 million; and (3) the previously announced lease with Winners/HomeSense which began to produce income as of February 25, 2025 ($0.4 million).
• Net income and comprehensive income: Totalled $6.2 million for the quarter, which represents a decrease of 14.8% or $1.1 million. For the six-month period, net income and comprehensive income totalled $13.8 million, representing a decrease of 4.3% or $0.6 million.
• Cash Same-Property NOI ⁽¹⁾: For the quarter, the cash same-property NOI decreased by 1.5% compared to the same period in 2024. For the six-month period, the cash same-property NOI increased by 3.0%.
• FFO adjusted per unit ⁽¹⁾: Was 8.3¢ per unit for the quarter compared to 10.4¢ per unit for the same period in 2024, representing a decrease of 2.1¢ per unit. For the six-month period, the FFO adjusted was 19.4¢ per unit compared to 20.6¢ per unit for the same period in 2024, representing a decrease of 1.2¢ per unit. The decrease is driven by the previously outlined 2 non-cash straight-line lease adjustments of $1.8 million.
• AFFO adjusted per unit ⁽¹⁾: Was 9.5¢ per unit for the quarter compared to 9.4¢ per unit for the same period in 2024, representing an increase of 0.1¢ per unit or 1.1%. For the six-month period, the AFFO adjusted per unit was 19.8¢ per unit compared to 18.3¢ per unit for the same period in 2024, representing an increase of 1.5¢ per unit or 8.2%. The six-month period increase is explained by (1) the previously outlined $1.7 million increase in Cash NOI, (2) a $0.2 million decrease in administrative expenses and, (3) stability in the net financial expenses before non-monetary items.
• AFFO adjusted payout ratio ⁽¹⁾: Was 79.2% for the current quarter compared to 80.2% for the same period in 2024. For the six-month period, the AFFO adjusted payout ratio was 75.8% compared to 82.0% for the same period in 2024, a decrease of 6.2%.
• Dispositions: On June 16, 2025, the Trust disposed of a small industrial property located at 3911 Millar Avenue, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for total proceeds of $6.1 million, excluding transaction costs and adjustments. Subsequent to the quarter, more specifically on July 11, 2025, the Trust disposed of an office property located at 1170 Lebourgneuf Blvd., in Quebec City, for total proceeds of $10.5 million, excluding transaction costs and adjustments. In order to conclude the transaction, the Trust granted to the purchaser a balance of sale of $1.0 million, maturing on March 24, 2027, at an interest rate of 5%.

BALANCE SHEET AND LIQUIDITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Debt metrics: BTB ended the quarter with a total debt ratio ⁽¹⁾ of 57.1%, recording a decrease of 80 basis points compared to December 31, 2024. The Trust ended the quarter with a mortgage debt ratio ⁽²⁾ of 51.7%, a decrease of 110 basis points compared to December 31, 2024.
• Liquidity position: The Trust held $5.7 million of cash at the end of the quarter and $28.5 million is available under its credit facilities ⁽³⁾.