National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE: NSA) reported Q1 EPS of $0.06, $0.09 worse than the analyst estimate of $0.15. Revenue for the quarter came in at $104.22 million versus the consensus estimate of $101.65 million.

First Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Reported net income of $15.8 million for the first quarter of 2020, an increase of 21.8% compared to the first quarter of 2019. Reported diluted earnings per share of $0.06 for the first quarter of 2020, primarily relating to the HLBV method for allocating net income among the various classes of equity.
• Reported core funds from operations ("Core FFO") of $37.1 million, or $0.40 per share for the first quarter of 2020, an increase of 8.1% per share compared to the first quarter of 2019.
• Achieved same store net operating income ("NOI") growth of 3.5% for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, driven by a 3.0% increase in same store total revenues partially offset by a 2.1% increase in same store property operating expenses.
• Acquired 36 wholly-owned self storage properties for $222.8 million and two joint venture properties totaling $12.1 million during the first quarter of 2020. Capital sources for the acquisition activity included the issuance of approximately $7.2 million of OP equity and $4.5 million of common equity raised under the Company’s at the market, or ATM, program at a combined weighted average price of $32.79 per share/unit, as well as borrowings under the Company’s revolving line of credit.
• Closed on the previously announced merger and internalization of the management platform of the Company’s largest PRO, SecurCare, on March 31, 2020.

Highlights Subsequent to Quarter-End

• Effective April 1, 2020, Dave Cramer, previously president and chief executive officer of SecurCare, was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NSA.
• On April 28, 2020, Kroll Bond Rating Agency affirmed the investment grade issuer rating of BBB for NSA's operating partnership.
• The Company currently has $129.7 million available for issuance under its ATM program and approximately $300 million of unused capacity on its revolving line of credit.

Tamara Fischer, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased with our first quarter results, and the completion of the internalization of SecurCare as originally scheduled despite the unprecedented economic environment. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has focused our efforts on the health and safety of our employees and customers. While social distancing guidelines have resulted in reduced move-in and move-out activity across our portfolio, our offices remain open for customer service through our no-contact leasing procedures. Our business overall remains stable, and we are working with our customers who are suffering economic hardship to help them through this time, resulting in cash collections of approximately 98% of normal levels in April. The downside protection built into our unique PRO structure and our conservative balance sheet leave us well positioned to weather these turbulent economic times with strong cash flow as well as excellent availability on our line of credit, with less than $40 million of debt maturing from now through 2022."

NSA’s Executive Chairman Arlen Nordhagen noted, “I’ve lived through three previous recessions in the self storage business, and our properties have weathered those storms very well. Overall, the self storage sector has historically proven to be very resilient and less affected than many other real estate sectors during economic downturns, and we think this will be no exception. The benefits of our PRO structure and our limited exposure to the largest metropolitan cities should serve us particularly well through the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the speed and magnitude of the economic stress affecting our customers and communities is unlike anything we have ever seen, and the current environment has required an unprecedented change in consumer behavior. Throughout this turbulent time, we remain committed to our core values of integrity, accountability, compassion and humility as we do our very best for NSA’s customers, employees and investors.”

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