SAUL CENTERS, INC. (BFS) FY 2024 MD&A

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations begins with the Company’s primary business strategy to give the reader an overview of the goals of the Company’s business. This is followed by a discussion of the critical accounting policies that the Company believes are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in the Company’s reported financial results. The next section discusses the Company’s results of operations for the past two years. Beginning on page 43, the Company provides an analysis of its liquidity and capital resources, including discussions of its cash flows, debt arrangements, sources of capital and financial commitments. On page 48, the Company discusses funds from operations, or FFO, which is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT used by the REIT industry.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related footnotes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make statements in this section that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. For a complete discussion of forward-looking statements, see the section in this report entitled "Forward-Looking Statements." Certain risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the following discussion. For a discussion of such risk factors, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors."

Overview

The Company’s primary strategy is to continue to focus on diversification of its assets through development of transit-oriented, residential mixed-use projects and expansion of and additions to its grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The Company’s operating strategy also includes improvement of the operating performance of its assets, internal growth of its Shopping Centers through the additions of pad sites, and supplementing its development pipeline with selective redevelopment and renovations of its core Shopping Centers. Including Twinbrook Quarter and Hampden House, the Company has a pipeline of entitled sites in its portfolio, some of which are currently Shopping Centers, for development of up to an additional 3,200 apartment units and 870,000 square feet of retail and office space. All such sites are located proximate to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority red line Metro stations in Montgomery County, Maryland.

The Company intends to selectively add free-standing pad site buildings within its Shopping Center portfolio and replace underperforming tenants with tenants that generate strong traffic, including anchor stores such as grocery stores. The Company has two executed leases and four leases are under negotiation for a total of six more pad sites.

In recent years, there has been a limited amount of quality properties for sale. Management believes it will continue to be challenging to identify acquisition opportunities for investment in existing and new shopping center and mixed-use properties into the near future. It is management’s view that several of the sub-markets in which the Company operates have, or are expected to have in the future, attractive supply/demand characteristics. The Company will continue to evaluate acquisition, development and redevelopment as integral parts of its overall business plan.

Actions taken by the Federal government will likely continue to impact the office, retail and residential real estate markets over the coming years. Because the majority of the Company’s property operating income is produced by our Shopping Centers, we continually monitor the implications of government policy changes, as well as shifts in consumer demand between on-line and in-store shopping, on future shopping center construction and retailer store expansion and closure plans. Based on our observations, we continue to adapt our marketing and merchandising strategies in ways to maximize our future performance.  The Company's commercial leasing percentage, on a same property basis, which excludes the impact of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods, increased to 95.2% at December 31, 2024, from 94.1% at December 31, 2023.

The Company maintains a ratio of total debt to total asset value of under 50%, which allows the Company to obtain additional secured borrowings if necessary. As of December 31, 2024, including $100.0 million of hedged variable-rate debt, total fixed-rate debt with staggered maturities from 2026 to 2041 represented approximately 88.0% of the Company’s notes payable, thus minimizing refinancing risk. The Company’s unhedged variable-rate debt consists of $187.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has availability of approximately $134.5 million under its Credit Facility.

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Although it is management’s present intention to concentrate future acquisition and development activities on transit-oriented, residential mixed-use properties and grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company may, in the future, also acquire other types of real estate in other areas of the country as opportunities present themselves. The Company plans to continue to diversify in terms of property types, locations, size and market, and it does not set any limit on the amount or percentage of assets that may be invested in any one property or any one geographic area.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reporting of financial position and results of operations. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report. The Company has identified the following policies that, due to estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, involve a relatively high degree of judgment and complexity.

Real Estate Investments

Real estate investment properties are stated at historic cost less depreciation. Although the Company intends to own its real estate investment properties over a long term, from time to time it will evaluate its market position, market conditions, and other factors and may elect to sell properties that do not conform to the Company’s investment profile. Management believes that the Company’s real estate assets have generally appreciated in value since their acquisition or development and, accordingly, the aggregate current value exceeds their aggregate net book value and also exceeds the value of the Company’s liabilities as reported in the financial statements. Because the financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, they do not report the current value of the Company’s real estate investment properties.

If there is an event or change in circumstance that indicates a potential impairment in the value of a real estate investment property, the Company prepares an analysis to determine whether the carrying amount of the real estate investment property exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company considers both quantitative and qualitative factors when identifying impairment indicators including recurring operating losses, significant decreases in occupancy, and significant adverse changes in market conditions, legal factors and business climate. If impairment indicators are present, the Company compares the projected cash flows of the property over its remaining useful life, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying amount of that property. The Company assesses its undiscounted projected cash flows based upon estimated capitalization rates, historic operating results and market conditions that may affect the property. If the carrying amount is greater than the undiscounted projected cash flows, the Company would recognize an impairment loss equivalent to an amount required to adjust the carrying amount to its then estimated fair value. The fair value of any property is sensitive to the actual results of any of the aforementioned estimated factors, either individually or taken as a whole. Should the actual results differ from management’s projections, the valuation could be negatively or positively affected.

Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income, and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are primarily comprised of rental and reimbursement billings due from tenants, and straight-line rent receivables representing the cumulative amount of adjustments necessary to present rental income on a straight-line basis. Individual leases are assessed for collectability and, upon the determination that the collection of rents is not probable, accrued rent and accounts receivable are charged off, and the charge off is reflected as an adjustment to rental revenue. Revenue from leases where collection is not probable is recorded on a cash basis until collectability is determined to be probable. We also assess whether operating lease receivables, at the portfolio level, are appropriately valued based upon an analysis of balances outstanding, effects of tenant bankruptcies, historical levels of bad debt and current economic trends. Evaluating and estimating uncollectable lease payments and related receivables requires a significant amount of judgment by management and is based on the best information available to management at the time of evaluation. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Legal Contingencies

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, which are generally covered by insurance. While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes the final outcome of current matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or the results of operations. Upon determination that a loss is probable to occur, the estimated amount of the loss is recorded in the financial statements. Both the amount of the loss and the point at which its occurrence is considered probable can be difficult to determine.

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Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of the components of revenue and expense for the entire Company. This section generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on February 29, 2024.

Revenue

Total revenue increased 4.5% in 2024 compared to 2023 as described below.

Base rent: Base rent includes $(7.8) million and $(0.6) million for 2024 and 2023, respectively, to recognize base rent on a straight-line basis. In addition, base rent includes $0.8 million and $1.3 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively, to recognize income from the amortization of in-place leases acquired in connection with purchased real estate investment properties. The $8.3 million increase in base rent in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily attributable to (a) higher commercial base rent of $6.4 million and (b) higher residential rent of $1.9 million.

Expense recoveries: The $3.7 million increase in expense recoveries in 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily attributable to an increase in recoverable property operating expenses.

Credit (losses) recoveries on operating lease receivables, net: Credit (losses) recoveries on operating lease receivables, net was a loss of $0.9 million during 2024. The loss is primarily due to higher reserve on lease receivables in 2024.

Other Revenue: The $0.5 million decrease in other revenue was primarily due to lower parking revenue of $0.3 million.

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Expenses

Total expenses increased 7.0% in 2024 compared to 2023 as described below.

Property operating expenses: Property operating expenses increased $4.2 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to (a) increased repairs and maintenance expense across the portfolio of $3.3 million, of which $1.4 million was related to snow removal costs, (b) higher property employee compensation and benefits of $0.4 million and (c) increased utilities expense across the portfolio of $0.3 million.

Real estate taxes: Real estate taxes increased $0.7 million in 2024 compared to 2023, which was due to higher tax assessments across the portfolio.

Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs: Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs increased $4.5 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to (a) $7.9 million of higher interest incurred as a result of higher average outstanding debt partially offset by (b) $0.3 million of lower interest incurred as a result of lower average interest rates and (c) higher capitalized interest of $3.3 million related to Twinbrook Quarter Phase I and Hampden House.

Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs: Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs increased $2.1 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to Twinbrook Quarter Phase I assets being placed in service during 2024.

General and administrative: General and administrative costs increased $1.6 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to (a) higher development start-up costs relating to Twinbrook Quarter Phase 1 of $0.8 million, (b) higher consulting fees of $0.4 million and (c) higher director fees of $0.4 million.

Same property revenue and same property operating income

Same property revenue and same property operating income are non-GAAP financial measures of performance and improve the comparability of these measures by excluding the results of properties which were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.

We define same property revenue as total revenue less straight-line base rent and above/below market lease amortization of leases acquired in connection with purchased real estate investment properties minus the revenue of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods, and we define same property operating income as net income plus (a) interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs, (b) depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs, (c) general and administrative expenses, (d) change in fair value of derivatives, and (e) loss on the early extinguishment of debt minus (f) gains on sale of property, (g) straight-line base rent and above/below market lease amortization of leases acquired in connection with purchased real estate investment properties and (h) the operating income of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods.

Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating same property revenue and same property operating income. Accordingly, our same property revenue and same property operating income may not be comparable to those of other REITs.

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Same property revenue and same property operating income are used by management to evaluate and compare the operating performance of our properties, and to determine trends in earnings, because these measures are not affected by the cost of our funding, the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses from the acquisition and sale of operating real estate assets, general and administrative expenses or other gains and losses that relate to ownership of our properties. We believe the exclusion of these items from revenue and operating income is useful because the resulting measures capture the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred by operating our properties.

Same property revenue and same property operating income are measures of the operating performance of our properties but do not measure our performance as a whole. Such measures are therefore not substitutes for total revenue, net income or operating income as computed in accordance with GAAP.

The tables below provide reconciliations of property revenue and property operating income under GAAP to same property revenue and same property operating income for the indicated periods. One property, Twinbrook Quarter Phase I, was excluded from same property results.

Same property revenue

The $10.0 million increase in same property revenue in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to (a) higher commercial base rent of $5.5 million, (b) higher property operating expense recoveries of $3.7 million and (c) higher residential base rent of $1.3 million partially offset by (d) higher credit losses on operating receivables of $0.3 million.

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Mixed-Use same property revenue is composed of the following:

Same property operating income

During 2024, Shopping Center same property operating income increased 3.3% and Mixed-Use same property operating income increased 3.3%. Shopping Center same property operating income increased primarily due to higher base rent of $4.5 million. Mixed-Use same property operating income increased primarily due to (a) higher residential base rent of $1.3 million and (b) higher commercial base rent of $1.0 million partially offset by (c) lower parking income, net of expenses, of $0.5 million.

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Mixed-Use same property operating income is composed of the following:

Impact of Inflation

The impact of rising operating expenses due to inflation on the operating performance of the Company’s portfolio is partially mitigated by terms in substantially all of the Company’s retail and office leases, which contain provisions designed to increase revenues to offset the adverse impact of inflation on the Company’s results of operations. These provisions include upward periodic adjustments in base rent due from tenants, usually based on a stipulated increase, and, to a lesser extent, on the change in the consumer price index, commonly referred to as the CPI.

In addition, many of the Company’s properties are leased to retail and office tenants under long-term leases, which provide for reimbursement of operating expenses by tenants. These leases tend to reduce the Company’s exposure to rising property expenses due to inflation. Inflation and increased costs may have an adverse impact on the Company’s retail and office tenants if increases in their operating expenses exceed increases in their revenue. In a highly inflationary environment, we may not be able to raise apartment rental rates at or above the rate of inflation, which could reduce our profit margins.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $10.3 million and $8.4 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The changes in cash and cash equivalents during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were attributable to operating, investing and financing activities, as described below.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities represents cash received primarily from rental revenue, plus other revenue, less property operating expenses, leasing costs, normal recurring general and administrative expenses and interest payments on outstanding debt.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities includes property acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, tenant improvements and other property capital expenditures. The $14.9 million decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to (a) decreased development expenditures of $25.8 million partially offset by (b) increased additions to real estate investments throughout the portfolio of $11.0 million.

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Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities represents (a) cash received from loan proceeds and issuance of common stock, preferred stock and limited partnership units minus (b) cash used to repay and curtail loans, redeem preferred stock and pay dividends and distributions to holders of common stock, preferred stock and limited partnership units. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of financing activity.

Liquidity Requirements

Short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of normal recurring operating expenses and capital expenditures, debt service requirements (including debt service relating to additional and replacement debt), distributions to common and preferred stockholders, distributions to unit holders, and amounts required for expansion and renovation of the Current Portfolio Properties and selective acquisition and development of additional properties. In order to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, the Company must distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its “real estate investment trust taxable income,” as defined in the Code. The Company expects to meet these short-term liquidity requirements (other than amounts required for additional property acquisitions and developments) through cash provided from operations, available cash and its existing line of credit.

The Company is developing Twinbrook Quarter Phase I (“Phase I”) located in Rockville, Maryland. The residential portion of Phase I was delivered on October 1, 2024 and includes 452 apartment units. The remaining portions of Phase I include an 80,000 square foot Wegmans supermarket, approximately 25,000 square feet of small shop space, and a 230,000 square foot office building. The office tower portion of Phase I is not being constructed at this time. In connection with the development of the residential and retail portions of Phase I, we also invested in infrastructure and other items that will support both Phase I and other portions of the development of Twinbrook Quarter. Excluding imputed capitalized interest, the total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $331.5 million, of which $271.4 million is related to the development of the residential and retail portions of Phase I and $60.1 million is related to infrastructure and other items. Of the expected $331.5 million total cost, $318.0 million has been invested to date. A portion of the cost of the project is being financed by a $145.0 million construction-to-permanent loan. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company commenced drawing on the loan and, as of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance of the loan was $127.3 million, net of unamortized deferred debt costs. Construction of the residential building is complete and The Milton at Twinbrook Quarter opened and residential tenants began moving in on October 1, 2024. As of February 24, 2025, 202 residential units have been leased and occupied. Of the approximately 105,000 square feet of ground floor retail, the base building is complete and 96,600 square feet (92.0%) has been leased. The leased retail space, including Wegmans, is expected to open at various times over 2025 and 2026 as tenants complete their buildouts. The development potential of all phases of the entire 18.4 acre Twinbrook Quarter site totals 1,865 residential units, 473,000 square feet of retail space, and 431,000 square feet of office space.

The Company is developing Hampden House, a project located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland that will include up to 366 apartment units and 10,100 square feet of retail space. Excluding imputed capitalized interest, the total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $246.4 million, of which $200.5 million has been invested to date. A portion of the cost of the project is being financed by a $133.0 million construction-to-permanent loan. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company commenced drawing on the loan and, as of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance of the loan was $71.4 million, net of unamortized deferred debt costs. Exterior façade installation is nearing completion. Interior construction and installation of unit finishes continues. Delivery and opening is expected in late 2025.

Long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of obligations under our long-term debt and dividends paid to our preferred shareholders. The Company anticipates that long-term liquidity requirements will also include amounts required for property acquisitions and developments.

The Company may also redevelop certain of the Current Portfolio Properties and may develop additional freestanding outparcels or expansions within certain of the Shopping Centers. Acquisition and development of properties are undertaken only after careful analysis and review, and management’s determination that such properties are expected to provide long-term earnings and cash flow growth. During the coming year, developments, expansions or acquisitions (if any) are expected to be funded with available cash, bank borrowings from the Company’s credit line, construction and permanent financing, proceeds from the operation of the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan or other external debt or equity capital resources available to the Company. Any future borrowings may be at the Saul Centers, Operating Partnership or Subsidiary Partnership level, and securities offerings may include (subject to certain limitations) the issuance of additional limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership which can be converted into shares of Saul Centers common stock. The availability and terms of any such financing will depend upon market and other conditions.

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Contractual Payment Obligations

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had unfunded contractual payment obligations totaling approximately $333.4 million, excluding operating obligations, due within the next 12 months. The table below shows the total contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2024.

(1)Includes $187.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. See Note 5 to the Consolidate Financial Statements.

(2)See Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Corporate Headquarters Lease amounts represent an allocation to the Company based upon employees’ time dedicated to the Company’s business as specified in the Shared Services Agreement. Future amounts are subject to change as the number of employees employed by each of the parties to the lease fluctuates.

Dividend Reinvestments

In December 1995, the Company established a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) to allow its common stockholders and holders of limited partnership interests an opportunity to buy additional shares of common stock by reinvesting all or a portion of their dividends or distributions. The Plan provides for investing in newly issued shares of common stock at a 3% discount from market price without payment of any brokerage commissions, service charges or other expenses. All expenses of the Plan are paid by the Company. The Company issued 57,689 and 53,716 shares under the Plan at a weighted average discounted price of $37.50 and $36.46 per share during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company issued 431,495 and 44,500 limited partnership units under the Plan at a weighted average price of $38.20 and $33.83 per unit during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company also credited 7,539 and 7,643 shares to directors pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends specified by the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan at a weighted average discounted price of $37.50 and $36.50 per share, during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Capital Strategy and Financing Activity

As a general policy, the Company intends to maintain a ratio of its total debt to total estimated asset value of 50% or less and to actively manage the Company’s leverage and debt expense on an ongoing basis in order to maintain prudent coverage of fixed charges. Asset value is the aggregate fair market value of the Current Portfolio Properties and any subsequently acquired properties as reasonably determined by management by reference to the properties’ aggregate cash flow. Given the Company’s current debt level, it is management’s belief that the ratio of the Company’s debt to total estimated asset value was below 50% as of December 31, 2024.

The organizational documents of the Company do not limit the absolute amount or percentage of indebtedness that it may incur. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, reevaluate the Company’s debt capitalization policy in light of current economic conditions, relative costs of capital, market values of the Company property portfolio, opportunities for acquisition, development or expansion, and such other factors as the Board of Directors then deems relevant. The Board of Directors may modify the Company’s debt capitalization policy based on such a reevaluation without shareholder approval and may increase or decrease the Company’s debt to total asset ratio above or below 50% or may waive the policy for certain periods of time.

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On May 28, 2024, the Company closed on a 13.4-year, non-recourse, $100.0 million mortgage secured by Avenel Business Park, Leesburg Pike Plaza and White Oak Shopping Center. The loan matures in 2037, bears interest at a fixed-rate of 6.38%, requires monthly principal and interest payments of $686,300 based on a 23.4-year amortization schedule and requires a final principal payment of $61.5 million at maturity. Proceeds were used to repay the remaining balance of approximately $51.2 million on the existing mortgages secured by the properties and reduce the outstanding balance of the Company’s Credit Facility. The loan is cross-collateralized and coterminous with the mortgage secured by Beacon Center and Seven Corners Center.

On September 24, 2024, the Company closed on a 15-year, $70.0 million mortgage secured by Thruway Shopping Center. The loan matures in 2039, bears interest at a fixed-rate of 6.41%, requires monthly principal and interest payments of $468,700 based on a 25-year amortization schedule and requires a final principal payment of $41.7 million at maturity. Proceeds were used to reduce the outstanding balance of the Company’s Credit Facility.

On December 18, 2024, the Company closed on a 15-year, non-recourse, $50.0 million mortgage secured by Ashburn Village Shopping Center. The loan matures in 2040, bears interest at a fixed-rate of 5.47%, requires monthly principal and interest payments of $306,100 based on a 25-year amortization schedule and requires a final principal payment of $28.4 million at maturity. Proceeds were used to repay the remaining balance of approximately $20.5 million on the existing mortgage and reduce the outstanding balance of the Company’s Credit Facility.

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The Company's 2023 financing activity is described within Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following is a summary of notes payable as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

*    Totals computed using weighted averages.

**    The interest rate incurred on our variable rate debt changes monthly and is based on the 1-month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate plus a 0.10% SOFR credit spread plus the applicable margin on the Credit Facility, which was 1.40% as of December 31, 2024.

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Funds From Operations

In 2024, the Company reported Funds From Operations (“FFO”)1 available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests of $106.8 million, a 0.5% increased from 2023 FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests of $106.3 million. FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests increased primarily due to (a) higher commercial base rent of $6.4 million and (b) higher residential rent of $1.3 million partially offset by (c) the initial operations of Twinbrook Quarter Phase I, which adversely impacted FFO by $5.0 million (d) higher general and administrative costs of $1.2 million and (e) higher credit losses on operating lease receivables of $0.8 million. The following table presents a reconciliation from net income to FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests for the periods indicated:

(1)The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”) developed FFO as a relative non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT in order to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined under GAAP. FFO is defined by Nareit as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and excluding impairment charges on depreciable real estate assets and gains or losses from property dispositions. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, which is disclosed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the applicable periods. There are no material legal or functional restrictions on the use of FFO. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Management considers FFO a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it primarily excludes the assumption that the value of the real estate assets diminishes predictably over time (i.e. depreciation), which is contrary to what we believe occurs with our assets, and because industry analysts have accepted it as a performance measure. FFO may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other REITs.

(2)Beginning March 5, 2021, fully diluted shares and units includes 1,416,071 limited partnership units held in escrow related to the contribution of Twinbrook Quarter by 1592 Rockville Pike. Half of the units held in escrow were released on October 18, 2021. The remaining units held in escrow were released on October 18, 2023.

Acquisitions and Redevelopments

Management anticipates that during the coming year, the Company may redevelop certain of the Current Portfolio Properties and may develop additional freestanding outparcels or expansions within certain of the Shopping Centers. Acquisition and development of properties are undertaken only after careful analysis and review, and management’s determination that such properties are expected to provide long-term earnings and cash flow growth. During the coming year, any developments, expansions or acquisitions are expected to be funded with bank borrowings from the Company’s credit line, construction financing, proceeds from the operation of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan or other external capital resources available to the Company.

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The Company has been selectively involved in acquisition, development, redevelopment and renovation activities. It continues to evaluate the acquisition of land parcels for retail and mixed-use development and acquisitions of operating properties for opportunities to enhance operating income and cash flow growth. The Company also continues to analyze redevelopment, renovation and expansion opportunities within the portfolio.

Restricted Stock Compensation

On May 17, 2024, following shareholder approval, the Company established the Saul Centers, Inc. 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), under which various equity incentives may be granted. On May 17, 2024, the Company granted 117,000 restricted shares to officers, divided equally between time-vested and performance-based awards. On May 20, 2024, the Company granted 18,000 restricted shares to non-employee directors, which will vest on an annual basis over three years.

The Company uses the fair value method to value and account for restricted stock grants. The fair value of restricted stock granted is determined at the time of the grant using a discounted cash flow analysis, and the following assumptions: (1) Expected Dividend Yield determined by management after considering the Company’s current and historic dividend yield, the Company’s yield in relation to other retail REITs and the Company’s market yield at the grant date; (2) the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant; (3) estimated forfeitures; and (4) a present value discount rate equal to the Expected Dividend Yield.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, restricted stock compensation expense totaled $0.5 million, which was included in general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2024, the estimated future expense related to unvested restricted stock grants was approximately $3.2 million.

For accounting purposes, performance-based awards are not treated as granted until the Board establishes the target for those awards. As of December 31, 2024, (a) no expense has been recognized and (b) no estimate of future expense has been made for the 35,100 performance-based restricted shares awarded to officers where the accounting grant date has not occurred. If those awards had been granted for accounting purposes as of December 31, 2024, the additional estimated future expense would have been approximately $1.3 million, calculated using the fair value method and based on the closing share price of $38.80 on December 31, 2024, the final trading day of 2024.

Portfolio Leasing Status

The following table sets forth average annualized base rent per square foot and average annualized effective rent per square foot for the Company's commercial properties (all properties except for the apartments within The Waycroft, Clarendon Center, Park Van Ness and The Milton at Twinbrook Quarter properties). For purposes of this table, annualized effective rent is annualized base rent minus amortized tenant improvements and amortized leasing commissions.

The following chart sets forth certain information regarding commercial leases at our properties for the periods indicated. This section generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed on February 29, 2024.

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The overall commercial portfolio leasing percentage, on a comparative same property basis, increased to 95.2% at December 31, 2024 from 94.1% at December 31, 2023. Included in the 95.2% of space leased as of December 31, 2024, is approximately 170,422 square feet of space, representing 1.9% of total commercial square footage, that has not been occupied by the tenant. Collectively, these leases are expected to produce approximately $4.4 million of additional annualized base rent, an average of $25.63 per square foot, upon tenant occupancy and following any contractual rent concessions.

The Mixed-Use commercial leasing percentage is composed of commercial leases at office mixed-use properties and residential mixed-use properties. The Mixed-Use portfolio includes 68,895 square feet of leasable retail space and 1,067,990 square feet of leasable office space. On a comparative same property basis, the leasing percentage at office mixed-use properties increased to 86.9% at December 31, 2024 from 85.3% at December 31, 2023 and the retail leasing percentage at residential mixed-use properties was unchanged at 97.0% at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The following table shows selected data for leases executed in the indicated periods, excluding first generation and/or development leases. The information is based on executed leases without adjustment for the timing of occupancy, tenant defaults, or landlord concessions. The base rent for an expiring lease is the annualized contractual base rent, on a cash basis, as of the expiration date of the lease. The base rent for a new or renewed lease is the annualized contractual base rent, on a cash basis, as of the expected rent commencement date. Because tenants that execute leases may not ultimately take possession of their space or pay all of their contractual rent, the changes presented in the table provide information only about trends in market rental rates. The actual changes in rental income received by the Company may be different.

Additional information about commercial leasing activity during the three months ended December 31, 2024, is set forth below. The below information includes leases for space which had not been previously leased during the period of the Company's ownership, either as a result of acquisition or development.

As of December 31, 2024, 930,297 square feet of Commercial space was subject to leases scheduled to expire in 2025. Below is information about existing and estimated market base rents per square foot for that space.

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On a same property basis, excluding The Milton at Twinbrook Quarter, the Residential portfolio was 98.3% leased at December 31, 2024, compared to 98.0% at December 31, 2023.