RICHMOND, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) (the “Company” or “Apple Hospitality”) today announced results of operations for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Selected Statistical and Financial Data As of and For the Three Months and Year Ended December 31 (Unaudited) (in thousands, except statistical and per share amounts)(1) |
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Three Months Ended |
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Year Ended |
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December 31, |
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December 31, |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% Change |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% Change |
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Net income |
$20,765 |
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$2,312 |
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798.1% |
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$177,489 |
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$144,805 |
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22.6% |
Net income per share |
$0.09 |
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$0.01 |
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800.0% |
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$0.77 |
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$0.63 |
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22.2% |
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Operating income |
$38,910 |
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$17,488 |
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122.5% |
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$247,481 |
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$206,478 |
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19.9% |
Operating margin % |
12.5% |
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5.8% |
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670 bps |
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18.4% |
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16.7% |
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170 bps |
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Adjusted EBITDAre |
$90,536 |
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$89,714 |
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0.9% |
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$436,895 |
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$413,115 |
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5.8% |
Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA |
$103,667 |
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$105,639 |
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(1.9%) |
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$500,079 |
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$477,876 |
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4.6% |
Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA Margin % |
32.9% |
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34.5% |
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(160 bps) |
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36.4% |
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37.3% |
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(90 bps) |
Modified funds from operations (MFFO) |
$72,387 |
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$74,534 |
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(2.9%) |
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$366,884 |
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$351,424 |
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4.4% |
MFFO per share |
$0.31 |
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$0.33 |
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(6.1%) |
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$1.60 |
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$1.53 |
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4.6% |
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Average Daily Rate (ADR) (Actual) |
$149.88 |
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$147.30 |
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1.8% |
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$155.76 |
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$149.36 |
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4.3% |
Occupancy (Actual) |
69.6% |
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69.7% |
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(0.1%) |
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74.2% |
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72.6% |
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2.2% |
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) (Actual) |
$104.27 |
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$102.71 |
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1.5% |
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$115.60 |
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$108.45 |
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6.6% |
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Comparable Hotels ADR |
$150.72 |
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$146.99 |
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2.5% |
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$156.55 |
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$149.62 |
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4.6% |
Comparable Hotels Occupancy |
69.7% |
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69.8% |
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(0.1%) |
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74.2% |
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72.6% |
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2.2% |
Comparable Hotels RevPAR |
$105.01 |
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$102.56 |
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2.4% |
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$116.23 |
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$108.67 |
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7.0% |
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Distributions paid |
$55,164 |
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$52,675 |
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4.7% |
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$238,283 |
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$139,467 |
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70.9% |
Distributions paid per share |
$0.24 |
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$0.23 |
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4.3% |
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$1.04 |
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$0.61 |
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70.5% |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$10,287 |
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Total debt outstanding |
$1,378,002 |
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Total debt outstanding, net of cash and cash equivalents |
$1,367,715 |
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Total debt outstanding, net of cash and cash equivalents, to total capitalization (2) |
25.4% |
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____________________ | ||
(1) |
Explanations of and reconciliations to net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) of non-GAAP financial measures, Adjusted EBITDAre, Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA and MFFO, are included below. |
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(2) |
Total debt outstanding, net of cash and cash equivalents («net total debt outstanding»), divided by net total debt outstanding plus equity market capitalization based on the Company’s closing share price of $16.61 on December 31, 2023. |
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Comparable Hotels is defined as the 223 hotels owned and held for use by the Company as of December 31, 2023, and excludes one non-hotel property leased to third parties. For hotels acquired during the periods noted, the Company has included, as applicable, results of those hotels for periods prior to the Company’s ownership, and for dispositions and assets held for sale, results have been excluded for the Company’s period of ownership. Results for periods prior to the Company’s ownership have not been included in the Company’s actual Consolidated Financial Statements and are included only for comparison purposes. Results included for periods prior to the Company’s ownership are based on information from the prior owner of each hotel and have not been audited or adjusted. |
Justin Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Hospitality, commented, “With continued strength in leisure demand and steady improvements in business travel, we are pleased to report Comparable Hotels RevPAR growth of more than 2% for the fourth quarter 2023 and 7% for the full year 2023, as compared to the same periods of 2022. Comparable Hotels RevPAR was up approximately 8% relative to both the fourth quarter and full year 2019, with Comparable Hotels Occupancy still below pre-pandemic levels. Our revenue and asset management teams continue to leverage our scale ownership of rooms-focused hotels and the access to performance data that our platform provides to maximize profitability across our hotels, driving strong margins despite continued inflationary and wage pressures. As we look ahead, the fundamentals of our business remain favorable, with continued strength in both business and leisure demand bolstered by limited near-term supply growth.»
Mr. Knight continued, “During the fourth quarter, we acquired five high-quality hotels located in dynamic and growing markets that complement our existing portfolio and reflect our proven investment strategy. Our effective capital raise in the quarter enabled us to complete these transactions while maintaining the strength and flexibility of our balance sheet, positioning us for continued external growth as strategic opportunities arise. We currently have two hotels under contract for purchase and continue to underwrite numerous potential opportunities that will further enhance our unique and scalable platform and maximize long-term value for our shareholders. Our accomplishments in 2023 and our outperformance since the onset of the pandemic are a testament to the merits of our strategy of owning a high-quality, diversified portfolio of rooms-focused hotels with broad consumer appeal while maintaining financial flexibility with low leverage and speak to the strength of the brands and management companies we work with. I am confident we are well positioned to continue to outperform in the year ahead.»
Hotel Portfolio Overview
As of December 31, 2023, Apple Hospitality owned 225 hotels, including two properties classified as held for sale, with an aggregate of 29,900 guest rooms located in 88 markets throughout 38 states.
Highlights
- Strong operating performance: Comparable Hotels RevPAR was $105 for the fourth quarter 2023 and $116 for the full year 2023, increases of 2% and 7%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2022. Comparable Hotels ADR was $151 for the fourth quarter 2023 and $157 for the full year 2023, increases of 3% and 5%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2022. Comparable Hotels Occupancy was 70% for the fourth quarter 2023, essentially flat to fourth quarter 2022, and 74% for the full year 2023, an increase of 2% as compared to 2022. Comparable Hotels Occupancy and RevPAR exceeded industry averages as reported by STR for the fourth quarter 2023. Comparable Hotels Occupancy, ADR and RevPAR exceeded industry averages as reported by STR for the full year 2023. Based on preliminary results for the Company’s portfolio for the month of January 2024, Comparable Hotels Occupancy was approximately 64%, an increase compared to January 2023, with growth in Comparable Hotels ADR as compared to January 2023.
- Strong bottom-line performance: The Company achieved Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA of approximately $104 million for the fourth quarter 2023 and $500 million for the full year 2023, down 2% and up 5%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2022. The Company achieved Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA Margin of approximately 32.9% for the fourth quarter 2023 and 36.4% for the full year 2023, down 160 bps and 90 bps, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2022.
- Transactional activity: During the year, the Company acquired six hotels and a free-standing parking garage for a combined total purchase price of approximately $289.8 million. The Company currently has two additional hotels under contract for purchase for an anticipated combined total purchase price of approximately $177.5 million. In February 2024, the Company sold two hotels for a combined gross sales price of approximately $33.5 million.
- Capital markets: During the fourth quarter 2023, the Company sold approximately 12.8 million shares under its at-the-market offering program (the “ATM Program”) at a weighted-average market sales price of approximately $17.05 per common share and received net proceeds of approximately $216 million.
- Balance sheet: The Company has maintained the strength and flexibility of its balance sheet. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s total debt to total capitalization, net of cash and cash equivalents, was approximately 25%.
- Monthly distributions: During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid distributions totaling $0.24 per common share. Based on the Company’s common stock closing price of $15.91 on February 20, 2024, the current annualized monthly cash distribution of $0.96 per common share represents an annual yield of approximately 6.0%.
- Corporate Responsibility Report: In December 2023, the Company published its annual Corporate Responsibility Report which details the Company’s performance and initiatives in this area and features its commitment to environmental sustainability, governance and resiliency, corporate employees, hotel associates and guests, communities and other stakeholders. The Company’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report and related materials can be found on the Corporate Responsibility section of the Company’s website.
The Company is providing monthly performance detail for its Comparable Hotels with comparisons to the respective periods of 2022. The following table highlights the Company’s Comparable Hotels monthly performance during the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 (in thousands, except statistical data):
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% Change |
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October |
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November |
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December |
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October |
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November |
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December |
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October |
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November |
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December |
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2023 |
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2023 |
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2023 |
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Q4 2023 |
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2022 |
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2022 |
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2022 |
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Q4 2022 |
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2022 |
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2022 |
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2022 |
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Q4 2022 |
ADR (Comparable Hotels) |
$163.43 |
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$148.15 |
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$137.58 |
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$150.72 |
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$157.24 |
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$144.96 |
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$136.13 |
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$146.99 |
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3.9% |
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2.2% |
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1.1% |
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2.5% |
Occupancy (Comparable Hotels) |
77.3% |
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70.3% |
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61.5% |
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69.7% |
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78.2% |
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70.0% |
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61.2% |
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69.8% |
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(1.2%) |
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0.4% |
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0.5% |
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(0.1%) |
RevPAR (Comparable Hotels) |
$126.30 |
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$104.16 |
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$84.55 |
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$105.01 |
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$122.90 |
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$101.47 |
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$83.27 |
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$102.56 |
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2.8% |
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2.7% |
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1.5% |
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2.4% |
Operating income (Loss) (Actual) |
$30,204 |
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$11,972 |
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$(3,266) |
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$38,910 |
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$29,858 |
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$12,355 |
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$(24,725) |
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$17,488 |
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1.2% |
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(3.1%) |
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86.8% |
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122.5% |
Adjusted Hotel EBITDA (Actual) (1) |
$49,280 |
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$30,470 |
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$21,988 |
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$101,738 |
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$48,695 |
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$31,213 |
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$22,054 |
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$101,962 |
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1.2% |
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(2.4%) |
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(0.3%) |
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(0.2%) |
Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel |
$50,688 |
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$30,835 |
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$22,144 |
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$103,667 |
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$50,821 |
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$32,370 |
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$22,448 |
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$105,639 |
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(0.3%) |
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(4.7%) |
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(1.4%) |
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(1.9%) |
____________________ | ||
(1) |
See explanation and reconciliation of Adjusted Hotel EBITDA to net income included below. |
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(2) |
See explanation and reconciliation of Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA to Adjusted Hotel EBITDA included below. |
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Comparable Hotels is defined as the 223 hotels owned and held for use by the Company as of December 31, 2023, and excludes one non-hotel property leased to third parties. For hotels acquired during the periods noted, the Company has included, as applicable, results of those hotels for periods prior to the Company’s ownership, and for dispositions and assets held for sale, results have been excluded for the Company’s period of ownership. Results for periods prior to the Company’s ownership have not been included in the Company’s actual Consolidated Financial Statements and are included only for comparison purposes. Results included for periods prior to the Company’s ownership are based on information from the prior owner of each hotel and have not been audited or adjusted. |
Portfolio Activity
Acquisitions
As previously announced, during 2023, the Company acquired six hotels and a free-standing parking garage for a combined total purchase price of approximately $289.8 million. The acquisitions include the following:
- In June 2023, the Company acquired the 154-room Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle for a total purchase price of approximately $31.0 million, or $201,000 per key.
- In October 2023, the Company acquired the 175-room Courtyard by Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown for a total purchase price of approximately $48.1 million, or $275,000 per key.
- In October 2023, the Company acquired the 159-room Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Downtown for a total purchase price of approximately $34.3 million, or $215,000 per key.
- In October 2023, the Company acquired a 346-space parking garage for approximately $9.1 million, which serves the two Salt Lake City hotels as well as the surrounding area.
- In October 2023, the Company acquired the 146-room Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle South/Renton for a total purchase price of approximately $55.5 million, or $380,000 per key.
- In November 2023, the Company acquired the 192-room Embassy Suites by Hilton South Jordan Salt Lake City for a total purchase price of approximately $36.8 million, or $191,000 per key.
- In December 2023, the Company acquired the 299-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott Las Vegas Convention Center for a total purchase price of approximately $75.0 million, or $251,000 per key.
Contracts for Potential Acquisitions
As previously announced, the Company currently has two additional hotels under contract for purchase for a combined total anticipated purchase price of approximately $177.5 million. The hotels currently under contract for purchase include:
- An Embassy Suites by Hilton currently under development in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, for an anticipated total purchase price of approximately $79.3 million with an expected 262 rooms, which the Company anticipates acquiring in mid-2024 following completion of construction.
- A Motto by Hilton to be developed in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, for an anticipated total purchase price of approximately $98.2 million with an expected 260 rooms, which the Company anticipates acquiring in late 2025 following completion of construction.
There are many conditions to closing on each of these hotels that have not yet been satisfied, and there can be no assurance that closings on these hotels will occur under the outstanding purchase contracts.
Dispositions
In February 2024, the Company sold the 122-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Bentonville/Rogers and the 126-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Bentonville-Rogers in one transaction, for a combined gross sales price of approximately $33.5 million. The Company anticipates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these two hotels will be used to complete a 1031 Exchange with future acquisitions, which will result in the deferral of taxable gains of approximately $15 million.
Capital Improvements
Apple Hospitality consistently reinvests in its hotels to maintain and enhance each property’s relevance and competitive position within its respective market. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company invested approximately $77 million in capital expenditures. The Company anticipates investing approximately $75 million to $85 million in capital improvements during 2024, which includes comprehensive renovation projects for approximately 20 hotels.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Summary
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $1.4 billion of total outstanding debt with a current combined weighted-average interest rate of approximately 4.3%, cash on hand of approximately $10 million and availability under its revolving credit facility of approximately $650 million. Excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments, the Company’s total outstanding debt as of December 31, 2023, was comprised of approximately $283 million in property-level debt secured by 15 hotels and approximately $1.1 billion outstanding under its unsecured credit facilities. The number of unencumbered hotels in the Company’s portfolio as of December 31, 2023, was 210. The Company’s total debt to total capitalization, net of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2023, was approximately 25%, which provides Apple Hospitality with financial flexibility to fund capital requirements and pursue opportunities in the marketplace. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s weighted-average debt maturities were 3.7 years.
Capital Markets
Share Repurchase Program
The Company has in place a Share Repurchase Program that provides for share repurchases in open market transactions. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company purchased, under its Share Repurchase Program, approximately 0.5 million of its common shares at a weighted-average market purchase price of approximately $14.34 per common share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $7 million. Shares were repurchased in open market transactions under the Share Repurchase Program, including pursuant to written trading plans intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $335 million remaining under its Share Repurchase Program for the repurchase of shares.
ATM Program
During the fourth quarter 2023, the Company sold approximately 12.8 million shares under its ATM Program at a weighted-average market sales price of approximately $17.05 per common share and received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $218.6 million and proceeds net of offering costs of approximately $216.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $5.3 million remaining under its ATM Program for the issuance of shares. The Company used the proceeds from the sales of these shares to pay down borrowings on its revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including hotel acquisitions, providing additional capacity for strategic growth while maintaining the Company’s strong balance sheet.
Shareholder Distributions
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid distributions totaling $0.24 per common share. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid distributions of $1.04 per common share for a total of approximately $238.3 million. On January 16, 2024, the Company paid a regular monthly cash distribution of $0.08 per common share and a special cash distribution of $0.05 per common share, for a combined distribution of $0.13 per common share, to shareholders of record as of December 29, 2023.
Based on the Company’s common stock closing price of $15.91 on February 20, 2024, the current annualized regular monthly cash distribution of $0.96 per common share represents an annual yield of approximately 6.0%. While the Company currently expects monthly distributions to continue, each distribution is subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s Board of Directors, in consultation with management, will continue to monitor the Company’s distribution rate and timing relative to the performance of its hotels, capital improvement needs, varying economic cycles, acquisitions, dispositions, other cash requirements and the Company’s REIT status for federal income tax purposes, and may make adjustments as it deems appropriate.
2024 Outlook
The Company is providing its operational and financial outlook for 2024. This outlook, which is based on management’s current view of both operating and economic fundamentals of the Company’s existing portfolio of hotels, does not take into account any unanticipated developments in its business or changes in its operating environment, nor does it take into account any unannounced hotel acquisitions or dispositions. Comparable Hotels RevPAR Change guidance, which is the change in Comparable Hotels RevPAR in 2024 compared to 2023, and Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA Margin % guidance include properties acquired and announced for acquisition by year-end 2024 as if the hotels were owned as of January 1, 2023, exclude dispositions and assets held for sale since January 1, 2023, and exclude one non-hotel property leased to third parties. Results for periods prior to the Company’s ownership are not included in the Company’s actual Consolidated Financial Statements, are based on information from the prior owner of each hotel, and have not been audited or adjusted. For the full year 2024, the Company anticipates its 2024 results will be in the following range:
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2024 Guidance(1) |
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Low-End |
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High-End |
Net income |
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$191 Million |
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$217 Million |
Comparable Hotels RevPAR Change |
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2.0% |
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4.0% |
Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA Margin % |
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34.6% |
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35.6% |
Adjusted EBITDAre |
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$452 Million |
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$474 Million |
Capital expenditures |
|
$75 Million |
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$85 Million |
____________________ | ||
(1) |
Explanations of and reconciliations to net income guidance of Adjusted EBITDAre and Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA guidance are included below. |
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Earnings Conference Call
The Company will host a quarterly conference call for investors and interested parties at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 23, 2024. The conference call will be accessible by telephone and the internet. To access the call, participants from within the U.S. should dial 877-407-9039, and participants from outside the U.S. should dial 201-689-8470. Participants may also access the call via live webcast by visiting the Investor Information section of the Company’s website at ir.applehospitalityreit.com. A replay of the call will be available from approximately 2 p.m. Eastern Time on February 23, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 8, 2024. To access the replay, the domestic dial-in number is 844-512-2921, the international dial-in number is 412-317-6671, and the passcode is 13743323. The archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for a limited time.
About Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that owns one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. Apple Hospitality’s portfolio consists of 223 hotels with more than 29,600 guest rooms located in 87 markets throughout 37 states as well as one property leased to third parties. Concentrated with industry-leading brands, the Company’s hotel portfolio consists of 100 Marriott-branded hotels, 118 Hilton-branded hotels and five Hyatt-branded hotels. For more information, please visit www.applehospitalityreit.com.
Apple Hospitality REIT Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company considers the following non-GAAP financial measures useful to investors as key supplemental measures of its operating performance: Funds from Operations (“FFO”); Modified FFO (“MFFO”); Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”); Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate (“EBITDAre”); Adjusted EBITDAre; Adjusted Hotel EBITDA; Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA; and Same Store Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered along with, but not as alternatives to, net income (loss), cash flow from operations or any other operating GAAP measure. FFO, MFFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted Hotel EBITDA, Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA and Same Store Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA are not necessarily indicative of funds available to fund the Company’s cash needs, including its ability to make cash distributions. Although FFO, MFFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted Hotel EBITDA, Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA and Same Store Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA, as calculated by the Company, may not be comparable to FFO, MFFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted Hotel EBITDA, Comparable Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA and Same Store Hotels Adjusted Hotel EBITDA, as reported by other companies that do not define such terms exactly as the Company defines such terms, the Company believes these supplemental measures are useful to investors when comparing the Company’s results between periods and with other REITs.
Contacts
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
Kelly Clarke, Vice President, Investor Relations
804-727-6321
[email protected]