CubeSmart’s Q1 2025 Earnings Reflect Resilience Amid Rising Costs
19min read CubeSmart (NYSE: CUBE) reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings on May 1, 2025, highlighting mixed performance across key metrics as the self-storage REIT navigates rising expenses and a cautious market environment. While the company maintained its dividend and expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, declining net income and margin pressures underscore the challenges of operating in a high-rate environment.
Financial Highlights: Stability Amid Declines
CubeSmart’s diluted EPS fell to $0.39 in Q1 2025, down from $0.42 in the prior-year period, driven by a $3.2 million increase in interest expenses to $26.1 million. Net income dropped 5.6% to $89.2 million, as higher debt balances and a rising weighted average interest rate (to 3.19% from 3.03%) squeezed margins.
However, Funds from Operations (FFO), as adjusted, remained stable at $0.64 per diluted share, unchanged from Q1 2024. Total FFO rose slightly to $148.1 million, reflecting disciplined expense management and the benefits of recent acquisitions.
Operational Challenges: Same-Store NOI Declines, Occupancy Softness
The core portfolio faced headwinds, with same-store NOI declining 0.8% year-over-year, due to a 0.4% revenue dip and a 0.6% rise in operating expenses. Same-store occupancy averaged 89.5% during the quarter, ending at 89.7%, down from 90.3% in Q1 2024. Management attributed this to “macroeconomic pressures” but noted “improving demand trends.”
The same-store portfolio consists of 606 properties (43.8 million rentable square feet), representing 95.5% of total property NOI, underscoring the importance of stabilizing performance in this segment.
Growth Initiatives: Acquisitions and Third-Party Management
CubeSmart’s expansion strategies offered bright spots:
- HVP IV Portfolio Acquisition: The company acquired an 80% stake in a 28-store portfolio for $452.8 million, expanding its presence in key markets like Florida, Texas, and Arizona. The acquisition adds scale and geographic diversity.
- Third-Party Management Growth: CubeSmart added 33 stores in Q1, bringing its managed portfolio to 869 stores (56.4 million rentable square feet). This fee-based business model reduces capital intensity while boosting revenue streams.
Development projects also advanced, with two New York joint ventures under construction, totaling $36.9 million in anticipated investment.
Debt and Liquidity: Balancing Growth with Leverage
Total debt increased to $3.20 billion (up from $2.99 billion in Q1 2024), reflecting the HVP IV acquisition and ongoing capital investments. The company’s weighted average interest rate rose to 3.19%, amplifying interest costs. Management emphasized maintaining liquidity, with $10.8 million in cash and access to revolving credit facilities.
2025 Outlook: Caution and Confidence
CubeSmart reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance:
- Diluted EPS: $1.41–$1.49 (unchanged from previous guidance).
- FFO: $2.51–$2.59 per diluted share.
- Same-Store Metrics:
- Revenue growth: -2.00% to 0.00%.
- Expense growth: 3.25%–4.50% (narrowed from prior estimates).
- NOI decline: -4.00% to -1.75%.
The dividend remains steady at $0.52 per share, paid on April 15, 2025.
Key Risks and Considerations
- Interest Rate Exposure: Higher debt levels and rising rates could further pressure margins unless occupancy and pricing improve.
- Same-Store NOI Volatility: Sustained declines in NOI could test investor confidence, particularly if demand remains sluggish.
- Competitor Dynamics: Public Storage (PSA) and Extra Space Storage (EXR) continue to dominate the self-storage sector, with CubeSmart needing to differentiate through scale and geographic focus.
Conclusion: A Hold with Strategic Potential
CubeSmart’s Q1 results reflect a REIT navigating challenging macroeconomic conditions with a mix of resilience and vulnerability. While declining same-store NOI and rising interest costs pose risks, strategic acquisitions, third-party management growth, and a maintained dividend suggest a path to stability.
Investors should monitor CubeSmart’s ability to:
1. Stem NOI declines through pricing power or cost controls.
2. Manage leverage without sacrificing growth opportunities.
3. Leverage third-party management to diversify revenue streams.
With shares trading at a 16.8x P/FFO multiple (vs. 17.5x for PSA), CubeSmart offers value but requires patience. For now, a hold rating seems prudent, with upside potential if occupancy improves or interest rates stabilize.
In a sector where self-storage demand remains resilient but costs are rising, CubeSmart’s story hinges on execution. The company’s Q1 results suggest it’s treading water—neither sinking nor soaring—making it a holding for cautious, long-term investors.
