HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES, INC. (HIW) FY 2023 MD&A

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information in this Annual Report may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under this section and under the heading “Item 1. Business.” You can identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue” or other similar words. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that our plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including the following:

•the financial condition of our customers could deteriorate;

•our assumptions regarding potential losses related to customer financial difficulties could prove incorrect;

•counterparties under our debt instruments, particularly our revolving credit facility, may attempt to avoid their obligations thereunder, which, if successful, would reduce our available liquidity;

•we may not be able to lease or re-lease second generation space, defined as previously occupied space that becomes available for lease, quickly or on as favorable terms as old leases;

•we may not be able to lease newly constructed buildings as quickly or on as favorable terms as originally anticipated;

•we may not be able to complete development, acquisition, reinvestment, disposition or joint venture projects as quickly or on as favorable terms as anticipated;

•development activity in our existing markets could result in an excessive supply relative to customer demand;

•our markets may suffer declines in economic and/or office employment growth;

•unanticipated increases in interest rates could increase our debt service costs;

•unanticipated increases in operating expenses could negatively impact our operating results;

•natural disasters and climate change could have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating results;

•we may not be able to meet our liquidity requirements or obtain capital on favorable terms to fund our working capital needs and growth initiatives or repay or refinance outstanding debt upon maturity; and

•the Company could lose key executive officers.

This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is not intended to be exhaustive. You should also review the other cautionary statements we make in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” set forth in this Annual Report. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Executive Summary

We are in the work-placemaking business. We believe that by creating environments and experiences where the best and brightest can achieve together what they cannot apart, we can deliver greater value to our customers, their teammates and, in turn, our stakeholders. Our simple strategy is to own and operate high-quality workplaces in the BBDs within our footprint, maintain a strong balance sheet to be opportunistic throughout economic cycles, employ a talented and dedicated team and

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communicate transparently with all stakeholders. We focus on owning and managing buildings in the most dynamic and vibrant BBDs. BBDs are highly-energized and amenitized workplace locations that enhance our customers’ ability to attract and retain talent. They are both urban and suburban. Providing the most talent-supportive workplace options in these environments is core to our work-placemaking strategy.

Our investment strategy is to generate attractive and sustainable returns over the long term for our stockholders by developing, acquiring and owning a portfolio of high-quality, differentiated office buildings in the BBDs of our core markets. A core component of this strategy is to continuously strengthen the financial and operational performance, resiliency and long-term growth prospects of our existing in-service portfolio and recycle those properties that no longer meet our criteria.

Revenues

Our operating results depend heavily on successfully leasing and operating the office space in our portfolio. Economic growth and office employment levels in our core markets are important factors, among others, in predicting our future operating results.

The key components affecting our rental and other revenues are average occupancy, rental rates, cost recovery income, new developments placed in service, acquisitions and dispositions. Average occupancy generally increases during times of improving economic growth, as our ability to lease space outpaces vacancies that occur upon the expirations of existing leases. Average occupancy generally declines during times of slower or negative economic growth, when new vacancies tend to outpace our ability to lease space. Asset acquisitions, dispositions and new developments placed in service directly impact our rental revenues and could impact our average occupancy, depending upon the occupancy rate of the properties that are acquired, sold or placed in service. A further indicator of the predictability of future revenues is the expected lease expirations of our portfolio. As a result, in addition to seeking to increase our average occupancy by leasing current vacant space, we also concentrate our leasing efforts on renewing existing leases prior to expiration. For more information regarding our lease expirations, see “Item 2. Properties - Lease Expirations.” See also “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Operations. The continued social acceptance, desirability and perceived economic benefits of work-from-home arrangements could materially and negatively impact the future demand for office space over the long-term.”

Occupancy in our office portfolio decreased from 91.0% as of December 31, 2022 to 88.8% (88.9% including our share of unconsolidated joint venture properties) as of December 31, 2023. We expect average occupancy in our office portfolio to range from 87.0% to 89.0% for 2024.

Whether or not our rental revenue tracks average occupancy proportionally depends upon whether GAAP rents under signed new and renewal leases are higher or lower than the GAAP rents under expiring leases. Annualized rental revenues from second generation leases expiring during any particular year are typically less than 15% of our total annual rental revenues. The following table sets forth information regarding second generation office leases signed during the fourth quarter of 2023 (we define second generation office leases as leases with new customers and renewals of existing customers in office space that has been previously occupied under our ownership and leases with respect to vacant space in acquired buildings):

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(1)    Weighted average per rentable square foot on an annual basis over the lease term.

Annual combined GAAP rents for new and renewal leases signed in the fourth quarter were $32.13 per rentable square foot, 7.4% higher compared to previous leases in the same office spaces.

We strive to maintain a diverse, stable and creditworthy customer base. We have an internal guideline whereby customers that account for more than 3% of our revenues are periodically reviewed with the Company's Board of Directors. As of

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December 31, 2023, only Bank of America (4.0%) and Asurion (3.5%) accounted for more than 3% of our annualized GAAP revenues. See “Item 2. Properties - Customers.”

Expenses

Our expenses primarily consist of rental property expenses, depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses and interest expense. From time to time, expenses also include impairments of real estate assets. Rental property expenses are expenses associated with our ownership and operation of rental properties and include expenses that vary somewhat proportionately to occupancy and usage levels, such as janitorial services and utilities, and expenses that do not vary based on occupancy, such as property taxes and insurance. Depreciation and amortization is a non-cash expense associated with the ownership of real property and generally remains relatively consistent each year, unless we buy, place in service or sell assets, since our properties and related building and tenant improvement assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over fixed lives. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of management and employee salaries and benefits, corporate overhead and short and long-term incentive compensation.

Net Operating Income

Whether or not we record increasing net operating income (“NOI”) in our same property portfolio typically depends upon our ability to garner higher rental revenues, whether from higher average occupancy, higher GAAP rents per rentable square foot or higher cost recovery income, that exceed any corresponding growth in operating expenses. Same property NOI was $6.5 million, or 1.2%, lower in 2023 as compared to 2022 due to an increase of $12.7 million in same property expenses offset by an increase of $6.2 million in same property revenues. We expect same property NOI to be lower in 2024 as compared to 2023 as an anticipated increase in same property expenses and lower anticipated average occupancy are expected to more than offset higher anticipated same property revenues. We expect same property rental property and other expenses to be higher due to anticipated increases to contract services, property taxes and property insurance.

In addition to the effect of same property NOI, whether or not NOI increases typically depends upon whether the NOI from our acquired properties and development properties placed in service exceeds the lost NOI from property dispositions. NOI was $3.9 million, or 0.7%, lower in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to lower same property NOI, lost NOI from property dispositions and the deconsolidation of our Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC joint venture (“Markel”), partially offset by the acquisition of SIX50 at Legacy Union and development properties placed in service. We expect NOI to be lower in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to lost NOI from property dispositions and an anticipated decrease in same property NOI, partially offset by development properties placed in service.

Cash Flows

In calculating net cash related to operating activities, depreciation and amortization, which are non-cash expenses, are added back to net income. We have historically generated a positive amount of cash from operating activities. From period to period, cash flow from operations depends primarily upon changes in our net income, as discussed more fully below under “Results of Operations,” changes in receivables and payables and net additions or decreases in our overall portfolio.

Net cash related to investing activities generally relates to capitalized costs incurred for leasing and major building improvements and our acquisition, development, disposition and joint venture activity. During periods of significant net acquisition and/or development activity, our cash used in such investing activities will generally exceed cash provided by investing activities, which typically consists of cash received upon the sale of properties and distributions from our joint ventures.

Net cash related to financing activities generally relates to distributions, incurrence and repayment of debt, and issuances, repurchases or redemptions of Common Stock, Common Units and Preferred Stock. We use a significant amount of our cash to fund distributions. Whether or not we have increases in the outstanding balances of debt during a period depends generally upon the net effect of our acquisition, disposition, development and joint venture activity. We generally use our revolving credit facility for daily working capital purposes, which means that during any given period, in order to minimize interest expense, we may record significant repayments and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

For a discussion regarding dividends and distributions, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Dividends and Distributions.”

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We continue to maintain a conservative and flexible balance sheet and believe we have ample liquidity to fund our operations and growth prospects. As of January 26, 2024, we had approximately $15 million of existing cash and $36.0 million drawn on our $750 million revolving credit facility, which was modified in January 2024 and is now scheduled to mature in January 2028 (but which can be extended for two additional six-month periods at our option). As of December 31, 2023, our leverage ratio, as measured by the ratio of our mortgages and notes payable and outstanding preferred stock to the undepreciated book value of our assets, was 41.9% and there were 107.9 million diluted shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Rental and other revenues are our principal source of funds to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. Other sources of funds for short-term liquidity needs include available working capital and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our short-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of operating expenses, interest and principal amortization on our debt, distributions and capital expenditures, including building improvement costs, tenant improvement costs and lease commissions. Building improvements are capital costs to maintain or enhance existing buildings not typically related to a specific customer. Tenant improvements are the costs required to customize space for the specific needs of customers. We anticipate that our available cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities and planned financing activities, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility, will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. We use our revolving credit facility for working capital purposes and for the short-term funding of our development and acquisition activity and, in certain instances, the repayment of other debt. Continued ability to borrow under the revolving credit facility allows us to quickly capitalize on strategic opportunities at short-term interest rates.

We generally believe existing cash and rental and other revenues will continue to be sufficient to fund short-term liquidity needs such as funding operating and general and administrative expenses, paying interest expense, maintaining our existing quarterly dividend and funding existing portfolio capital expenditures, including building improvement costs, tenant improvement costs and lease commissions.

Our long-term liquidity uses generally consist of the retirement or refinancing of debt upon maturity, funding of building improvements, new building developments (including our proportionate share of joint venture developments) and land infrastructure projects and funding acquisitions of buildings and development land. Additionally, we may, from time to time, retire outstanding equity and/or debt securities through redemptions, open market repurchases, privately negotiated acquisitions or otherwise.

We expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs through a combination of:

•cash flows from operating activities;

•issuance of debt securities by the Operating Partnership;

•issuance of secured debt;

•bank term loans;

•borrowings under our revolving credit facility;

•issuance of equity securities by the Company or the Operating Partnership; and

•the disposition of non-core assets.

We have no debt scheduled to mature prior to 2026. We generally believe we will be able to satisfy future obligations with existing cash, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, new bank term loans, issuance of other unsecured debt, mortgage debt and/or proceeds from the sale of additional non-core assets.

Investment Activity

As noted above, a key tenet of our strategic plan is to continuously upgrade the quality of our office portfolio through acquisitions, dispositions and development. We generally seek to acquire and develop office buildings that improve the average quality of our overall portfolio and deliver consistent and sustainable value for our stockholders over the long-term. Whether or not an asset acquisition or new development results in higher per share net income or funds from operations (“FFO”) in any given period depends upon a number of factors, including whether the NOI for any such period exceeds the actual cost of capital used to finance the acquisition or development. Additionally, given the length of construction cycles, development

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projects are not placed in service until several years after commencement in some cases. Sales of non-core assets could result in lower per share net income or FFO in any given period in the event the return on the resulting use of proceeds does not exceed the capitalization rate on the sold properties.

Results of Operations

Deconsolidation of Markel

Markel is a joint venture in which we own a 50.0% interest that was consolidated as of December 31, 2022 because we controlled the major operating and financial policies of the entity. Effective January 1, 2023, the agreement governing the joint venture was modified to require the consent of both partners for major operating and financial policies of the entity. As a result, Markel was deconsolidated effective January 1, 2023, and this joint venture is now accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Comparison of 2023 to 2022

Rental and Other Revenues

Rental and other revenues were $5.1 million, or 0.6%, higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to the acquisition of SIX50 at Legacy Union, higher same property revenues and development properties placed in service, which increased rental and other revenues by $8.7 million, $6.2 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Same property rental and other revenues were higher primarily due to higher average GAAP rents per rentable square foot and higher cost recovery and parking income, partially offset by a decrease in average occupancy. These increases were partially offset by lost revenue from property dispositions and the deconsolidation of our Markel joint venture, which decreased rental and other revenues by $7.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively. We expect rental and other revenues to be lower in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to lower anticipated average occupancy and lost revenue from property dispositions, partially offset by development properties placed in service.

Operating Expenses

Rental property and other expenses were $9.0 million, or 3.5%, higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to higher same property operating expenses, the acquisition of SIX50 at Legacy Union, carry costs for acquired land parcels and development properties placed in service, which increased operating expenses by $12.7 million, $1.9 million, $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Same property operating expenses were higher primarily due to higher contract services, utilities, property insurance, property taxes and repairs and maintenance. These increases were partially offset by decreases in operating expenses from property dispositions and the deconsolidation of our Markel joint venture, which decreased operating expenses by $2.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively. We expect rental property and other expenses to be higher in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to higher same property operating expenses and development properties placed in service, partially offset by lower operating expenses from property dispositions.

Depreciation and amortization was $11.8 million, or 4.1%, higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to higher same property depreciation and amortization, the acquisition of SIX50 at Legacy Union and development properties placed in service, partially offset by property dispositions and the deconsolidation of our Markel joint venture. We expect depreciation and amortization to be higher in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to higher same property lease related depreciation and amortization and development properties placed in service, partially offset by property dispositions.

We recorded impairment charges of $36.5 million in 2022 to lower the carrying amount of EQT Plaza and a land parcel to their estimated fair value less cost to sell. EQT Plaza is a 616,000 square foot office building located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s CBD. EQT Corporation’s lease of 317,000 square feet at EQT Plaza is scheduled to expire in September 2024. There are no assurances that EQT Corporation will renew all or any of its space upon expiration of its current lease. We recorded no such impairment in 2023.

General and administrative expenses were $0.6 million, or 1.4%, higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to predevelopment cost write-offs and gains on deferred compensation plan investments (which is fully offset by a corresponding increase in other income), partially offset by lower incentive compensation and office rent. We expect general and administrative expenses to be lower in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to lower predevelopment cost write-offs, partially offset by higher salaries.

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Interest Expense

Interest expense was $31.3 million, or 29.7%, higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to higher average interest rates and higher average debt balances, partially offset by higher capitalized interest. We expect interest expense to be higher in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to higher average interest rates, higher average debt balances and lower capitalized interest.

Other Income

Other income was $2.9 million higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to dividend income from short-term preferred equity contributed to the McKinney and Olive joint venture, interest income on the loan provided to the 2827 Peachtree joint venture and gains on deferred compensation plan investments (which is fully offset by a corresponding increase in general and administrative expenses), partially offset by debt extinguishment costs.

Gains on Disposition of Property

Gains on disposition of property were $15.8 million lower in 2023 as compared to 2022.

Gain on Deconsolidation of Affiliate

We recognized a gain on deconsolidation of $11.8 million in 2023 related to adjusting our retained interest in Markel to fair value.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates was $0.4 million lower in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to expenses on Granite Park Six, which was completed in the third quarter of 2023 but is not yet stabilized. This decrease was partially offset by the deconsolidation of our Markel joint venture and the acquisition of McKinney and Olive.

Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted

Diluted earnings per common share was $0.10 lower in 2023 as compared to 2022 due to a decrease in net income for the reasons discussed above.

Comparison of 2022 to 2021

For a comparison of 2022 to 2021, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations” in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Statements of Cash Flows

We report and analyze our cash flows based on operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s cash flows (in thousands):

Comparison of 2023 to 2022

The change in net cash provided by operating activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to higher interest expense, property dispositions and changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by net cash from the operations of properties acquired and development properties placed in service. We expect net cash related to operating activities to be lower in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to higher interest expense and property dispositions, partially offset by net cash from development properties placed in service.

The change in net cash used in investing activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to lower investments in acquired real estate, joint ventures, tenant and building improvements, development in process and the redemption of our short-term preferred equity investment in the McKinney and Olive joint venture, partially offset by lower net proceeds from disposition activity. We expect uses of cash for investing activities in 2024 to be primarily driven by whether or not we acquire and commence development of additional office buildings in the BBDs of our markets. We expect these uses of cash for investing activities will be partially offset by proceeds from property dispositions in 2024.

The change in net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to higher net debt borrowings in 2022 to fund our investment activity. Assuming the net effect of our acquisition, disposition and development activity in 2024 results in an increase to our assets, we would expect outstanding debt and/or Common Stock balances to increase.

Comparison of 2022 to 2021

For a comparison of 2022 to 2021, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Capitalization

The following table sets forth the Company’s capitalization (in thousands, except per share amounts):

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As of December 31, 2023, our mortgages and notes payable and outstanding preferred stock represented 56.7% of our total capitalization and 41.9% of the undepreciated book value of our assets. See also “Executive Summary - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Our mortgages and notes payable as of December 31, 2023 consisted of $720.8 million of secured indebtedness with a weighted average interest rate of 4.42% and $2,510.2 million of unsecured indebtedness with a weighted average interest rate of 4.57%. The secured indebtedness was collateralized by real estate assets with an undepreciated book value of $1,237.6 million. As of December 31, 2023, $370.0 million of our debt does not bear interest at fixed rates or is not protected by interest rate hedge contracts.

Investment Activity

- Acquisitions

In the normal course of business, we regularly evaluate potential acquisitions. As a result, from time to time, we may have one or more potential acquisitions under consideration that are in varying stages of evaluation, negotiation or due diligence, including potential acquisitions that are subject to non-binding letters of intent or enforceable contracts. Consummation of any transaction is subject to a number of contingencies, including the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. No assurances can be provided that we will acquire any properties in the future. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Investment Activity – Recent and future acquisitions and development properties may fail to perform in accordance with our expectations and may require renovation and development costs exceeding our estimates.”

During the second quarter of 2023, we acquired land in Raleigh for a purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs, of $2.7 million.

During 2021, we acquired development land in Nashville for a purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs, of $16.0 million, which was fully paid in or prior to the second quarter of 2023.

- Dispositions

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we sold a building and land in Nashville and Tampa for an aggregate sales price of $52.5 million and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $28.4 million.

During the second quarter of 2023, we sold three buildings in Tampa and Raleigh for an aggregate sales price of $51.3 million and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $19.4 million.

- Seller Financed Transaction

During 2023, we sold a land parcel in Tampa for an aggregate sales price of $21.0 million. In connection with this disposition, we received cash of $2.0 million and provided $19.0 million of non-recourse seller financing in the form of a two-year, interest-only first mortgage that bears interest at SOFR plus 100 basis points. We have deemed repayment of the mortgage to be not probable primarily because the seller financing represents a significant portion of the aggregate sales price and, since the seller financing is non-recourse, our only remedy in the event of a default would be to foreclose on the asset. As a result, the disposition does not meet the contract criteria to be recognized as a sale. Until such time as the contract criteria are met, we will continue to account for the land parcel as land held for development on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the mortgage associated with the seller financing will not be recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cash received at closing is recorded as a nonrefundable deposit in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023.

- Joint Venture Investments

During 2022, we expanded our Dallas market presence by acquiring McKinney & Olive, a 542,000 square foot trophy mixed-use asset in Uptown Dallas, through the formation of a joint venture with Granite Properties in which we own a 50.0% interest. At closing, a portion of the purchase price paid by the joint venture was funded with $80.0 million of short-term preferred equity contributed by us and $86.4 million of common equity contributed by each of Granite and us. During the second quarter of 2023, we and Granite each contributed an additional $40.0 million of common equity to the joint venture. Such proceeds were then used by the joint venture to redeem our $80.0 million short-term preferred equity investment in full. Prior to the redemption, we received monthly distributions on the preferred equity at a rate of SOFR plus 350 basis points. This

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reconsideration event did not change our initial conclusion that the McKinney & Olive joint venture is a variable interest entity of which we are not the primary beneficiary. As such, the entity remains unconsolidated.

We own an 80.0% interest in the Midtown West joint venture, which is consolidated. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Midtown West joint venture obtained a $45.0 million, five-year secured mortgage loan from a third party lender, with an effective fixed rate of 7.29%. This loan is scheduled to mature in November 2028. The joint venture incurred $0.8 million of debt issuance costs, which will be amortized over the term of the loan. The proceeds were used to repay the balance of a $46.3 million interest-only secured construction loan that we provided the joint venture at closing. This reconsideration event did not change our initial conclusion that the Midtown West joint venture is a variable interest entity of which we are the primary beneficiary. As such, the entity remains consolidated and all intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated.

- In-Process Development

For a table summarizing our in-process office development activity, see “Item 2. Properties - In-Process Development.”

Financing Activity

During the first quarter of 2023, we entered into separate equity distribution agreements with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., BTIG, LLC, Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Regions Securities LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC and Truist Securities, Inc. Under the terms of the equity distribution agreements, the Company may offer and sell up to $300.0 million in aggregate gross sales price of shares of Common Stock from time to time through such firms, acting as agents of the Company or as principals. Sales of the shares, if any, may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of such firms (which may include block trades). During 2023, there were no shares of common stock issued under these agreements.

Our $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility was modified in January 2024 and is now scheduled to mature in January 2028 (but can be extended for two additional six-month periods at our option assuming no defaults have occurred). The interest rate on our newly modified revolving credit facility remains SOFR plus a related spread adjustment of 10 basis points and a borrowing spread of 85 basis points, based on current credit ratings, and the annual facility fee remains 20 basis points. The interest rate and facility fee are based on the higher of the publicly announced ratings from Moody’s Investors Service or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. Subject to written consent of the lenders, we may elect to amend the newly modified revolving credit facility no later than May 15, 2024 to provide that the interest rate may be adjusted upward or downward by up to 2.5 basis points subject to satisfaction of certain to-be-determined sustainability goals with respect to the ongoing reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The financial and other covenants under our newly modified facility are substantially similar to our previous credit facility. We expect to incur $7.9 million of debt issuance costs, which will be amortized along with certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs over the remaining term of our new revolving credit facility. We expect to record $0.2 million of loss on debt extinguishment. There was $20.0 million and $36.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023 and January 26, 2024, respectively. As of both December 31, 2023 and January 26, 2024, we had $0.9 million of outstanding letters of credit, which reduces the availability on our revolving credit facility. As a result, the unused capacity of our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023 and January 26, 2024 was $729.1 million and $713.1 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Operating Partnership issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.65% notes due February 2034, less original issuance discount of $4.6 million. These notes were priced to yield 7.836%. Previously during the fourth quarter of 2023, we obtained an aggregate of $200.0 million notional amount of forward-starting swaps that effectively locked the underlying 10-year treasury rate at 4.498%. Upon the subsequent issuance of the notes, we terminated the forward-starting swaps and paid cash upon settlement. The unrealized loss of $0.5 million will be classified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the debt. Underwriting fees and other expenses totaled $3.2 million and will be amortized over the term of the notes. The net amortization of these items effectively fixes the interest rate at 7.981%. The net proceeds from the issuance were used: (1) to prepay, without penalty, a $200.0 million unsecured bank term loan that was scheduled to mature in October 2024 and which bore interest at SOFR plus a related spread adjustment of 10 basis points and a borrowing spread of 95 basis points; (2) to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility; and (3) for general corporate purposes. We recorded $0.6 million of loss on debt extinguishment related to the term loan prepayment.

During the first quarter of 2023, we obtained a $200.0 million, five-year secured mortgage loan from a third party lender, with an effective fixed interest rate of 5.69%. This loan is scheduled to mature in April 2028. We incurred $1.3 million of debt issuance costs, which will be amortized over the term of the loan.

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We regularly evaluate the financial condition of the financial institutions that participate in our credit facilities and as counterparties under any interest rate swap agreements using publicly available information. Based on this review, we currently expect these financial institutions to perform their obligations under our existing facilities and any swap agreements.

For information regarding our interest hedging activities and other market risks associated with our debt financing activities, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Covenant Compliance

We are currently in compliance with financial covenants and other requirements with respect to our consolidated debt. Although we expect to remain in compliance with these covenants and ratios for at least the next year, depending upon our future operating performance, property and financing transactions and general economic conditions, we cannot provide any assurances that we will continue to be in compliance.

Our revolving credit facility and bank term loans require us to comply with customary operating covenants and various financial requirements. Upon an event of default on our revolving credit facility, the lenders having at least 51.0% of the total commitments under our revolving credit facility can accelerate all borrowings then outstanding, and we could be prohibited from borrowing any further amounts under our revolving credit facility, which would adversely affect our ability to fund our operations. In addition, certain of our unsecured debt agreements contain cross-default provisions giving the unsecured lenders the right to declare a default if we are in default under more than $35.0 million with respect to other loans in some circumstances.

As of December 31, 2023, the Operating Partnership had the following unsecured notes outstanding ($ in thousands):

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(1)The effective rate included in the table above excludes the amortized impact of unrealized losses or gains associated with the termination of related forward-starting swaps, if any, and underwriting fees and other expenses.

The indenture that governs these outstanding notes requires us to comply with customary operating covenants and various financial ratios. The trustee or the holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of any series of notes can accelerate the principal amount of such series upon written notice of a default that remains uncured after 60 days.

We may not be able to repay, refinance or extend any or all of our debt at maturity or upon any acceleration. If any refinancing is done at higher interest rates, the increased interest expense could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to pay distributions. Any such refinancing could also impose tighter financial ratios and other covenants that restrict our ability to take actions that could otherwise be in our best interest, such as funding new development activity, making opportunistic acquisitions, repurchasing our securities or paying distributions.

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Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth a summary regarding our known material contractual obligations on a cash basis, including required interest payments for those items that are interest bearing, as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

__________

(1)Excludes amortization of premiums, discounts, debt issuance costs and/or purchase accounting adjustments.

(2)Consists primarily of commitments under signed leases and contracts for operating properties (excluding tenant-funded tenant improvements), contracts for development/redevelopment projects and unfunded joint venture equity contributions agreed to at formation. Tenant improvements that can be used at the option of the customer at any time during the remaining lease term have been reflected in 2024. The timing of these lease and contractual commitments may fluctuate.

(3)Includes estimated draws on loan commitments to our joint ventures related to our unconsolidated development activity.

The interest payments due on mortgages and notes payable are based on the stated rates for the fixed rate debt and on the rates in effect as of December 31, 2023 for the variable rate debt. The weighted average interest rate on our fixed and variable rate debt was 4.31% and 6.34%, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. For additional information about our operating and finance lease obligations, mortgages and notes payable and purchase obligations, see Notes 2, 6 and 7, respectively, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends and Distributions

To maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must pay dividends to stockholders that are at least 90.0% of its annual REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. The partnership agreement requires the Operating Partnership to distribute at least enough cash for the Company to be able to pay such dividends. The Company’s REIT taxable income, as determined by the federal tax laws, does not equal its net income under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In addition, although capital gains are not required to be distributed to maintain REIT status, capital gains, if any, are subject to federal and state income tax unless such gains are distributed to stockholders. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities – Cash distributions reduce the amount of cash that would otherwise be available for other business purposes, including funding debt maturities, reducing debt or future growth initiatives.”

The amount of future distributions that will be made is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The following factors will affect such cash flows and, accordingly, influence the decisions of the Company’s Board of Directors regarding dividends and distributions:

•projections with respect to future REIT taxable income expected to be generated by the Company;

•debt service requirements after taking into account debt covenants and the repayment and restructuring of certain indebtedness and the availability of alternative sources of debt and equity capital and their impact on our ability to refinance existing debt and grow our business;

•scheduled increases in base rents of existing leases;

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•changes in rents attributable to the renewal of existing leases or replacement leases;

•changes in occupancy rates at existing properties and execution of leases for newly acquired or developed properties;

•changes in operating expenses;

•anticipated leasing capital expenditures attributable to the renewal of existing leases or new leases;

•anticipated building improvements; and

•expected cash flows from financing and investing activities, including from the sales of assets generating taxable gains to the extent such assets are not sold in a tax-deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code or another tax-free or tax-deferred transaction.

The Company declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.50 per share of Common Stock in each quarter of 2023.

On January 31, 2024, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per share of Common Stock, which is payable on March 12, 2024 to stockholders of record as of February 20, 2024.

Current and Future Cash Needs

We anticipate that our available cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operating activities and other available financing sources, including the issuance of debt securities by the Operating Partnership, the issuance of secured debt, bank term loans, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, the issuance of equity securities by the Company or the Operating Partnership and the disposition of non-core assets, will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. We generally believe existing cash and rental and other revenues will continue to be sufficient to fund operating and general and administrative expenses, interest expense, our existing quarterly dividend and existing portfolio capital expenditures, including building improvement costs, tenant improvement costs and lease commissions.

We had $25.1 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023. The unused capacity of our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023 and January 26, 2024, respectively, was $729.1 million and $713.1 million.

We have a currently effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC pursuant to which, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings on an as-needed basis, the Company may sell an indefinite amount of common stock, preferred stock and depositary shares and the Operating Partnership may sell an indefinite amount of debt securities, subject to our ability to effect offerings on satisfactory terms based on prevailing market conditions.

The Company from time to time enters into equity distribution agreements with a variety of firms pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of common stock from time to time through such firms, acting as agents of the Company or as principals. Sales of the shares, if any, may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of such firms (which may include block trades).

During 2024, we expect to sell up to $200 million of properties no longer considered to be core assets due to location, age, quality and/or overall strategic fit. We can make no assurance, however, that we will sell any additional non-core assets or, if we do, what the timing or terms of any such sale will be.

See also “Executive Summary - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

The policies used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. However, certain of our significant accounting policies contain an increased level of assumptions used or

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estimates made in determining their impact in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Management has reviewed and determined the appropriateness of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

We consider our critical accounting estimates to be those used in the determination of the reported amounts and disclosure related to the following:

•Acquisition of real estate assets and liabilities;

•Impairments of real estate assets; and

•Credit losses on lease related receivables.

Acquisition of Real Estate Assets and Liabilities

Primarily all of our acquisitions of real estate assets and liabilities are accounted for as asset acquisitions. As such, the purchase prices of acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities are recorded and allocated at fair value on a relative basis. The recorded allocations are based on estimated cash flow projections of the properties acquired which incorporates discount, capitalization and interest rates as well as available comparable market information. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding our specific procedures for purchase price allocation.

We use considerable judgement in our estimates of cash flow projections, discount, capitalization and interest rates, fair market lease rates, carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods and costs to execute similar leases. While our methodology for purchase price allocation did not change during the year ended December 31, 2023, the real estate market is fluid and our assumptions are based on information currently available in the market at the time of acquisition. Significant increases or decreases in these key estimates, particularly with regards to cash flow projections and discount and capitalization rates, would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement of the real estate assets being acquired.

Impairments of Real Estate Assets

We record impairments of our real estate assets classified as held for use when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the sum of its undiscounted future operating and residual cash flows at the difference between estimated fair value of the asset and the carrying amount. We record impairments of our real estate assets classified as held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value using the estimated or contracted sales price less costs to sell. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding our specific procedures with respect to impairments of our real estate assets classified as held for use and held for sale.

Any real estate assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis as a result of our impairment analysis are valued using unobservable local and national industry market data such as comparable sales, appraisals, brokers’ opinions of value and/or terms of definitive sales contracts. Additionally, the analysis includes considerable judgement in our estimates of hold periods, projected cash flows and discount and capitalization rates. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs, particularly with regards to cash flow projections and discount and capitalization rates, would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement of the real estate assets being assessed.

Credit Losses on Lease Related Receivables

Credit losses on lease related receivables, which include accounts receivable and accrued straight-line rents receivable, are recorded as a reduction to rental and other revenues when the amount recorded is determined, in management’s judgement, to not be probable of collection. Management’s evaluation of collectability requires the exercise of considerable judgement in assessing the current credit quality of our customers using payment history and other available information about the financial condition of the customers. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we have not experienced significant credit losses based on management’s evaluation of collectability of our lease receivables. If management’s assumptions regarding the collectability of lease related receivables prove incorrect, we could experience credit losses in excess of what was recognized in rental and other revenues.

Non-GAAP Information

The Company believes that FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share are beneficial to management and investors and are important indicators of the performance of any equity REIT. Because

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these FFO calculations exclude such factors as depreciation, amortization and impairments of real estate assets and gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets, which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar conditions based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, they facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between other REITs. Management believes that historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes the use of FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share, together with the required GAAP presentations, provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s performance relative to its competitors and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing and investing activities.

FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share are non-GAAP financial measures and therefore do not represent net income or net income per share as defined by GAAP. Net income and net income per share as defined by GAAP are the most relevant measures in determining the Company’s operating performance because these FFO measures include adjustments that investors may deem subjective, such as adding back expenses such as depreciation, amortization and impairments. Furthermore, FFO available for common stockholders per share does not depict the amount that accrues directly to the stockholders’ benefit. Accordingly, FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share should never be considered as alternatives to net income, net income available for common stockholders, or net income available for common stockholders per share as indicators of the Company’s operating performance.

The Company’s presentation of FFO is consistent with FFO as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which is calculated as follows:

•Net income/(loss) computed in accordance with GAAP;

•Less net income, or plus net loss, attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates;

•Plus depreciation and amortization of depreciable operating properties;

•Less gains, or plus losses, from sales of depreciable operating properties, plus impairments on depreciable operating properties and excluding items that are classified as extraordinary items under GAAP;

•Plus or minus our share of adjustments, including depreciation and amortization of depreciable operating properties, for unconsolidated joint venture investments (to reflect funds from operations on the same basis); and

•Plus or minus adjustments for depreciation and amortization and gains/(losses) on sales of depreciable operating properties, plus impairments on depreciable operating properties, and noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates related to discontinued operations.

In calculating FFO, the Company includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, which the Company believes is consistent with standard industry practice for REITs that operate through an UPREIT structure. The Company believes that it is important to present FFO on an as-converted basis since all of the Common Units not owned by the Company are redeemable on a one-for-one basis for shares of its Common Stock.

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The following table sets forth the Company’s FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

__________

(1)Includes assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive Common Stock equivalents.

In addition, the Company believes NOI and same property NOI are useful supplemental measures of the Company’s property operating performance because such metrics provide a performance measure of the revenues and expenses directly involved in owning real estate assets and a perspective not immediately apparent from net income or FFO. The Company defines NOI as rental and other revenues less rental property and other expenses. The Company defines cash NOI as NOI less lease termination fees, straight-line rent, amortization of lease incentives and amortization of acquired above and below market leases. Other REITs may use different methodologies to calculate NOI, same property NOI and cash NOI.

As of December 31, 2023, our same property portfolio consisted of 154 in-service properties encompassing 26.6 million rentable square feet that were wholly owned during the entirety of the periods presented (from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023). As of December 31, 2022, our same property portfolio consisted of 148 in-service properties encompassing 24.4 million rentable square feet that were wholly owned during the entirety of the periods presented (from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022). The change in our same property portfolio was due to the addition of seven properties encompassing 1.6 million rentable square feet, offset by the removal of four properties encompassing 0.4 million rentable square feet that were sold during 2023.

Rental and other revenues related to properties not in our same property portfolio were $28.4 million and $29.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Rental property and other expenses related to properties not in our same property portfolio were $8.6 million and $12.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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The following table sets forth the Company’s NOI, same property NOI and same property cash NOI (in thousands):

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