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CubeSmart’s Q1 2025 Earnings Reflect Resilience Amid Rising Costs

Marcus LeeSaturday, May 3, 2025 6:09 am ET
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.

Ask Aime: "CubeSmart's Q1 2025 earnings reveal mixed performance; diluted EPS falls, net income drops, while dividend and acquisitions provide stability."

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.

Ask Aime: What's behind CubeSmart's earnings drop?"

SPY Trend

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.

CUBE EBITDA

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.

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conquistudor
05/03
Third-party management growth is CUBESmart's secret weapon—fee-based revenue without heavy capital lifting.
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portrayaloflife
05/03
Debt levels up, interest rates up, but $CUBE managing liquidity well. Watching how they balance growth with leverage.
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ZhangtheGreat
05/03
@portrayaloflife True, $CUBE managing liquidity tight.
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UpbeatBase7935
05/03
I'm holding $CUBE long-term, betting on recovery once rates stabilize and occupancy improves. Patience is key.
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OutsidePerspective27
05/03
$CUBE needs better pricing power or they're toast.
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michael_curdt
05/03
REITs like CUBESmart face a tough road ahead with rising rates, but acquisitions can help scale out of trouble.
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Tiger_bomb_241
05/03
CUBESmart's dividend is a lifeline, but they gotta fix that NOI situation before it sinks them.
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Living_Ad_4992
05/03
@Tiger_bomb_241 CUBESmart's dividend is a lifeline, but they gotta fix that NOI situation before it sinks them. True, but they're expanding through acquisitions, which could help.
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notme1234510
05/03
@Tiger_bomb_241 Dividend's cool, but NOI's a drag.
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Throwaway420_69____
05/03
Same-store NOI dip is a red flag, but adding HVP IV Portfolio could shift the game for $CUBE. 🤔
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Elibroftw
05/03
CUBESmart's Q1 is like a flatlining EKG—same-store NOI down, expenses up, but they're still alive thanks to acquisitions. It's the "tread water" edition. Maybe next quarter, they'll finally catch a wave. Or maybe they'll just keep paddling. Either way, it's a "hold" for now.
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jtg2s
05/03
@Elibroftw What do you think about their acquisition strategy?
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Certain-Dragonfly-22
05/03
CUBESmart's Q1 results are like a seesaw—mixed signals, but they're trying to stay afloat with strategic moves.
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Zestyclose_Gap_100
05/03
Same-store NOI dip worries me, but HVP move smart.
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uncensored_84
05/03
CUBESmart's dividend steady, gotta respect that commitment.
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bmrhampton
05/03
Self-storage demand is resilient, but CUBESmart's execution is crucial. Not a buy yet, but watching closely.
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MustiXV
05/03
CUBESmart's dividend steady, but if EPS and net income stay weak, might need to rethink hold strategy.
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Biracial-Merch
05/03
@MustiXV How long you planning to hold CUBE? If EPS stays weak, might shift to other REITs.
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dgbrtdck
05/03
@MustiXV I'm still holding CUBE, but my portfolio's diversified. Dividend's steady, so I'm not worried.
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Former_Bat_7350
05/03
Damn!!I successfully capitalized on the CUBE stock's bearish movement with Premium tools, generating $133!
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