Rooted in a Rich History
JBG SMITH Properties, a leading owner and developer of high-quality, mixed-use properties in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, has established itself as a formidable force in the real estate industry. With a focus on cultivating vibrant, amenity-rich, and walkable neighborhoods, the company has been at the forefront of the region's urban revitalization efforts.
JBG SMITH's origins can be traced back to the merger of Vornado Realty Trust's Washington, D.C. segment and The JBG Companies in 2017, a transformative event that laid the foundation for the company's current success. The Separation and Combination, collectively known as the Formation Transaction, allowed JBG SMITH to emerge as a distinct entity, poised to capitalize on the growing opportunities in the DC metro area.
The JBG Companies, founded in 1960, played a crucial role in shaping the company's legacy. Over several decades, it grew to become one of the most prominent real estate firms in the Washington, D.C. region, renowned for its expertise in development, investment, and property management. The spin-off of Vornado Realty Trust's Washington, D.C. segment in 2017 brought a significant portfolio of high-quality real estate assets to the newly formed JBG SMITH.
During its early years, JBG SMITH faced the challenge of integrating the Vornado and JBG platforms, which involved combining different corporate cultures, systems, and processes while maintaining focus on core business operations. The company successfully navigated these complexities, emerging stronger and more focused on its core markets in the Washington, D.C. area.
In addition to its development and investment activities, JBG SMITH has diversified its revenue streams by maintaining a strong third-party asset management and real estate services business. This division provides fee-based services to the legacy funds formerly organized by The JBG Companies and other third parties, further enhancing the company's market position and expertise.
Strategically Positioned in National Landing
Approximately 75% of JBG SMITH's holdings are located in the National Landing submarket of Northern Virginia, a strategic location anchored by several key demand drivers. These include Amazon's new headquarters, Virginia Tech's under-construction $1 billion Innovation Campus, the submarket's proximity to the Pentagon, and the company's own retail and digital placemaking initiatives, as well as ongoing public infrastructure improvements.
Diversified Asset Portfolio
As of September 30, 2024, JBG SMITH's Operating Portfolio consisted of 41 operating assets, including 16 multifamily assets totaling 6,780 units (6,780 units at the company's share), 23 commercial assets totaling 7.2 million square feet (6.9 million square feet at the company's share), and two wholly owned land assets for which it is the ground lessor. Additionally, the company has one under-construction multifamily asset with 775 units (775 units at the company's share) and 18 assets in the development pipeline totaling 11.4 million square feet (9.3 million square feet at the company's share) of estimated potential development density.
Financials
In the third quarter of 2024, JBG SMITH reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $27 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $58 million, or $0.58 per diluted common share, in the same period of 2023. The company's third-party real estate services revenue, including reimbursements, decreased by 28.7% to $17.1 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $23.9 million in the same period of 2023.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, JBG SMITH reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $83.6 million, or $0.95 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $47.4 million, or $0.45 per diluted common share, in the same period of 2023. The company's third-party real estate services revenue, including reimbursements, decreased by 24.8% to $52.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $69.6 million in the same period of 2023.
For the most recent fiscal year (2023), JBG SMITH reported revenue of $604.20 million, a net loss of $79.98 million, operating cash flow of $183.37 million, and free cash flow of -$150.37 million. In the most recent quarter (Q3 2024), the company reported revenue of $136.03 million, a net loss of $26.98 million, operating cash flow of $26.38 million, and free cash flow of -$32.24 million. The year-over-year revenue growth for Q3 2024 was -10.2%, primarily due to a $9.8 million decrease in revenue from commercial assets, partially offset by a $2.2 million increase in revenue from multifamily assets and a $0.7 million increase in other revenue. The decrease in commercial revenue was attributed to lower occupancy across the portfolio and properties taken out of service.
Operational Highlights
JBG SMITH's in-service operating multifamily portfolio leased and occupied percentages at the company's share were 97.0% and 95.7% as of September 30, 2024, compared to 96.9% and 94.3% as of June 30, 2024, and 96.9% and 95.6% as of September 30, 2023. The company's operating commercial portfolio leased and occupied percentages at the company's share were 80.7% and 79.1% as of September 30, 2024, compared to 82.3% and 80.6% as of June 30, 2024, and 85.6% and 84.4% as of September 30, 2023.
During the third quarter of 2024, JBG SMITH leased 150,000 square feet at the company's share, at an initial rent of $47.12 per square foot and a GAAP-basis weighted average rent per square foot of $47.50. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company leased 496,000 square feet at the company's share, at an initial rent of $46.53 per square foot and a GAAP-basis weighted average rent per square foot of $46.95.
In the multifamily segment, effective rents increased 4.5% for new leases and 6.1% upon renewal during the third quarter of 2024. The company's recently delivered multifamily assets, The Grace and Reva, began leasing in January 2024 and were 64.7% and 56.8% leased as of September 30, 2024, respectively.
Commitment to Placemaking and Sustainable Development
JBG SMITH's dedication to placemaking is exemplified by its comprehensive plan to reposition its holdings in the National Landing submarket. This includes the delivery of new multifamily and office developments, locally sourced amenity retail, and thoughtful improvements to the streetscape, sidewalks, parks, and other outdoor gathering spaces. The company's digital infrastructure investments are also advancing its efforts to make National Landing one of the first 5G-operable submarkets in the nation.
Navigating Market Challenges
While the office market continues to experience headwinds, with companies challenging their space needs, JBG SMITH has seen some favorable trends in leasing activity and employees returning to the office. The company anticipates approximately 475,000 square feet (approximately $21.5 million of annualized rent) will be vacated in National Landing, with two-thirds occurring in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the remainder in the first half of 2025. JBG SMITH's efforts to re-lease certain spaces will be targeted toward buildings with long-term viability where it can concentrate occupancy, while it intends to take some of its other buildings out of service.
Disciplined Capital Allocation
A fundamental component of JBG SMITH's strategy is active capital allocation, which involves evaluating development, acquisition, disposition, share repurchases, and other investment decisions based on their potential impact on long-term net asset value (NAV) per share. The company intends to continue to opportunistically sell or recapitalize assets, as well as land sites where a ground lease or joint venture execution may represent the most attractive path to maximizing value.
Liquidity
On October 24, 2024, JBG SMITH's Board of Trustees declared a quarterly dividend of $0.175 per common share, payable on November 22, 2024 to shareholders of record as of November 7, 2024. This dividend is consistent with the company's commitment to providing consistent returns to its shareholders.
As of September 30, 2024, JBG SMITH reported a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, cash and cash equivalents of $137.00 million, and $644.30 million available under its $750.00 million revolving credit facility. The company's current ratio and quick ratio both stood at 2.29, indicating a strong liquidity position.
Risks and Challenges
While JBG SMITH has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, the company faces various risks and challenges, including market competition, regulatory changes, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial real estate. The company's ability to effectively navigate these obstacles will be crucial to its continued success.
Segment Performance
JBG SMITH operates through three main reportable segments: multifamily, commercial, and third-party asset management and real estate services.
The multifamily segment, consisting of 16 multifamily assets totaling 6,780 units at the company's share, showed strong performance in the third quarter of 2024. The in-service multifamily portfolio was 95.7% occupied, up 140 basis points from the prior quarter.
The commercial segment, comprising 23 commercial assets totaling 7.2 million square feet (6.9 million square feet at JBG SMITH's share), faced some challenges. As of September 30, 2024, the occupancy of the operating commercial portfolio was 79.1%, down 150 basis points from the prior quarter. The company plans to take some of its older, underperforming office buildings out of service and redevelop or reposition them for other uses.
The third-party asset management and real estate services segment experienced a decline in revenue. Third-party real estate services revenue, including reimbursements, was $17.1 million and $52.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, down 28.7% and 24.8% year-over-year. The decreases were primarily due to lower development fees, reimbursement revenue, and property management fees.
Conclusion
JBG SMITH Properties has firmly established itself as a leading real estate player in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, leveraging its strategic position in the National Landing submarket and its commitment to placemaking and sustainable development. With a diversified asset portfolio, strong financial performance, and disciplined capital allocation, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the region's growth opportunities and deliver long-term value to its shareholders. Despite facing challenges in the commercial segment and experiencing a decline in third-party services revenue, JBG SMITH's multifamily portfolio continues to show resilience and growth. The company's focus on strategic repositioning and development in the National Landing submarket, coupled with its strong liquidity position, provides a solid foundation for navigating market uncertainties and pursuing growth opportunities in the coming years.