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Cousins Properties Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • FFO per share rose to $2.84: Full-year 2025 FFO was $478.4 million, or $2.84 per share, up from $2.69 in 2024. Fourth quarter FFO was $0.71 per share against $0.69 a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth quarter net loss reported: Net loss available to common stockholders was $3.5 million, or $0.02 per share, in the fourth quarter, against net income of $13.6 million, or $0.09 per share, a year earlier. Source
  • Late-stage pipeline reached 1.1 million sq ft: Management said the late-stage leasing pipeline is about 1.1 million square feet, following 700,000 square feet of fourth quarter leases. Source
  • Net debt at 5.30 times EBITDAre: Net debt to annualized EBITDAre was 5.30 times, against 5.38 in the third quarter. Net debt was 44.6% of total market capitalization at year end. Source
  • 2026 maturities total $465.2 million: Debt maturing in 2026 totals $465.2 million, and 2027 maturities total $866.3 million. Source
  • Guidance excludes speculative deals: Management said the initial 2026 guidance excludes speculative property acquisitions and development starts. Source

“Improving office fundamentals are providing strong tailwinds for Cousins.”

Colin Connolly, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income per share SourceFull year 2026$0.23 to $0.33New
FFO per share SourceFull year 2026$2.87 to $2.97New
Non-core asset sales SourceFull year 2026approximately $200 millionNew
Debt refinancings Source2026 maturities$250.0 million term loan (August 17, 2026); Colorado Tower mortgage (September 1, 2026); 201 North Tryon mortgage (October 1, 2026)New
Weighted average shares SourceFull year 2026169.1 millionNew
Depreciation and amortization of real estate SourceFull year 2026445,645 (thousands), $2.64 per shareNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Initial 2026 earnings guidance issued, covering net income and FFO per share, with an assumed funding and refinancing plan. Source
  • New: Acquisition of a Charlotte office property closed after year end, on February 2, 2026. Source
  • New: Agreements entered in the fourth quarter to sell an operating property in Tampa and a land parcel in Charlotte. Source

Full-year results and drivers

  • FFO per share rose to $2.84: Full-year 2025 FFO was $478.4 million, or $2.84 per share, up from $2.69 in 2024. Fourth quarter FFO was $0.71 per share against $0.69 a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth quarter net loss reported: Net loss available to common stockholders was $3.5 million, or $0.02 per share, in the fourth quarter, against net income of $13.6 million, or $0.09 per share, a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year net income per share $0.24: Full-year 2025 net income available to common stockholders was $40.5 million, or $0.24 per share, down from $46.0 million, or $0.30 per share, in 2024. Source
  • Non-same property income drove NOI growth: Non-same property NOI reached $113.2 million for 2025, up from $23.1 million. Same property NOI was $560.1 million, up 2.36%. Source
  • Impairment charges recorded in fourth quarter: A $13.3 million operating property impairment and a $1.0 million land impairment were recorded in the fourth quarter. The land impairment relates to 303 Tremont. Source

Same property and office leasing

  • Same property cash NOI up 0.03%: Same property NOI on a cash basis rose 0.03% in the fourth quarter and 0.87% for 2025. Same property NOI before the cash-basis adjustment rose 0.42% in the quarter. Source
  • Fourth quarter leasing mostly new space: Fourth quarter office leasing was 700,000 square feet, of which 493,000 square feet was new and expansion space, representing 70% of activity. Source
  • Office leased rate edged higher: Total office end-of-period leased rose to 90.7% from 90.0% in the third quarter. Weighted average occupancy was 88.3% in both quarters. Source
  • Cash rent change excluding Northpark: Second generation cash rent rose 0.23% in the fourth quarter. Excluding 172,000 square feet of Northpark leases, it rose 10.44%. Source

“Over the last six quarters, we have purchased $1.4 billion of lifestyle office properties, all of which have upgraded the quality of our Sun Belt trophy portfolio and have been immediately accretive to earnings.”

Colin Connolly, President and Chief Executive Officer

Market and property performance

  • Austin and Atlanta lead NOI mix: Fourth quarter portfolio NOI was 36.1% Austin and 31.3% Atlanta, followed by Charlotte at 9.2%, Tampa at 7.8% and Phoenix at 7.5%. Source
  • 201 North Tryon occupancy fell: 201 North Tryon weighted average occupancy fell to 53.1% from 66.2%. Its end-of-period leased rate was 52.6% in both quarters. Source
  • Northpark leased rate rose: Northpark end-of-period leased rose to 82.2% from 70.8% in the fourth quarter, while weighted average occupancy was roughly flat at 69.1%. Source

Costs, fees and interest

  • Same property expenses up 3.77%: Same property rental operating expenses rose 3.77% in the fourth quarter and 2.40% for 2025, against revenue growth of 1.54% and 2.37%. Source
  • Other income included SVB claim sale: Fee and other income reached $18.5 million for 2025, up from $12.5 million. The first quarter included a $4.6 million gain from selling an SVB bankruptcy claim. Source
  • Interest expense rose year over year: Interest expense was $42.5 million in the fourth quarter, against $33.1 million a year earlier, and $159.2 million for 2025. Source
  • General and administrative costs slightly higher: General and administrative expenses were $38.6 million for 2025, against $36.6 million in 2024. Source

“Our 2026 earnings guidance reflects this strong performance.”

Colin Connolly, President and Chief Executive Officer

Leasing demand and tenant base

  • Late-stage pipeline reached 1.1 million sq ft: Management said the late-stage leasing pipeline is about 1.1 million square feet, following 700,000 square feet of fourth quarter leases. Source
  • Full-year leasing of 2.1 million sq ft: Full-year office leasing was 2,125,000 square feet, of which 1,175,000 square feet was new and expansion space, representing 55% of activity. Source
  • Amazon largest tenant at 8.9%: Amazon occupies 1,461,805 square feet across five properties, 8.9% of the company share of annualized rent. The top 20 tenants total 38.6%. Source
  • Ovintiv premises mostly subleased: Ovintiv entered an early termination agreement in the third quarter of 2025. About 88% of its premises is subleased, and the subtenants become direct tenants on expiration. Source
  • 2026 expirations at 5.7% of space: Leases expiring in 2026 cover 1,049,119 square feet, 5.7% of leased space and 4.8% of annual contractual rent, at $45.94 per square foot. Source

Debt, leverage and liquidity

  • Net debt at 5.30 times EBITDAre: Net debt to annualized EBITDAre was 5.30 times, against 5.38 in the third quarter. Net debt was 44.6% of total market capitalization at year end. Source
  • Total debt $3.52 billion, 14% floating: Total debt principal was $3.52 billion at a weighted average rate of 4.98% and 3.9 years maturity. Floating rate debt was 14% of the total. Source
  • 2026 maturities total $465.2 million: Debt maturing in 2026 totals $465.2 million, and 2027 maturities total $866.3 million. Source
  • Credit facility has $884.0 million available: $116.0 million was drawn on the credit facility at year end, with $884.0 million more available to borrow. Source

Dividends and cash flow

  • Quarterly dividend held at $0.32: The common dividend stayed at $0.32 per share in each 2025 quarter, $1.28 for the year. The FFO payout ratio was 44.9%. Source
  • Full-year FAD $276.8 million: Funds available for distribution were $276.8 million for 2025, or $1.64 per share, against $1.69 in 2024. The FAD payout ratio was 77.7%. Source
  • Second generation capex $139.4 million: Second generation capital expenditures were $139.4 million in 2025, including $101.7 million of leasing-related costs and $37.7 million of building improvements. Source

Investment activity and development

  • The Link added Dallas office: The Link, a 292,000 square foot lifestyle office property in Dallas, was acquired in the third quarter of 2025 for $218.0 million. Source
  • Acquisitions table totals $1.84 billion: The completed operating property acquisition table, covering 2020 to 2025, lists 3.7 million square feet for $1.84 billion. Source
  • Neuhoff office still leasing up: Neuhoff office and retail was 53% leased and apartments 89% leased. Estimated stabilization is third quarter 2026 for office and retail. Source

2026 guidance and funding

  • Guidance excludes speculative deals: Management said the initial 2026 guidance excludes speculative property acquisitions and development starts. Source
  • Funding plan could shift to capital markets: Management said the planned non-core sales may be partly or fully replaced with future debt offerings or settlement of forward-issued common shares. Source
  • Guidance rests on current plans: Management said the guidance reflects its current plans and assumptions and is subject to risks described in SEC filings. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 February 2026

  • Harborview and Tremont closings: Harborview is expected to close in the first half of 2026, and Tremont in the second half of 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO per share Source$2.84 (2025); $0.71 (fourth quarter 2025)
FFO Source$478.4 million (2025)
Same property NOI change (cash basis) Source0.03% (fourth quarter 2025); 0.87% (2025)
Same property occupancy Source90.1% end of period leased; 87.4% weighted average (fourth quarter 2025)
Office percent leased Source90.7% (period end, fourth quarter 2025)
Cash-basis second generation net rent change Source0.23% (fourth quarter 2025); 3.53% (2025)
Acquisitions Source$1.84 billion of completed operating property acquisitions (2020 to 2025 table)
Net debt to annualized EBITDAre Source5.30 times (fourth quarter 2025)

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Mortgage loans maturing in late 2026 are assumed refinanced in guidance, which depends on access to financing. Source
  • Demand: Ovintiv agreed to an early termination in the third quarter of 2025, with its premises mostly subleased. Source
  • Demand: The top 20 office tenants account for a large share of annualized rent, with a weighted remaining lease term of 7.1 years. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.