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SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 11 raised, 2 lowered, 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Same-store NOI rose 4.9%: Same-store revenue rose 2.0% and same-store property operating expenses fell 3.8%, lifting same-store NOI 4.9% against the same quarter of 2025. Source
  • FFO as adjusted per share rose: FFO, as adjusted, totaled about $30.3 million for the quarter, up about $2.9 million from the same quarter of 2025. Source
  • Canada grew faster in constant currency: Constant-currency same-store NOI for the Canadian pool rose 5.1%, against 4.9% as translated. Management cited a currency headwind on the translated figures. Source
  • Operating expenses fell 3.8%: Same-store property operating expenses fell about $0.7 million. Total property operating expenses were $21.6 million, against $23.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating margin up 190 basis points: Management said the 2.0% revenue gain and 3.8% expense reduction lifted operating margin by 190 basis points, the third straight quarter of margin improvement. Source
  • CAD 200 million notes issued at 4.32%: Series C senior unsecured notes due February 18, 2031 were issued by SmartStop OP, L.P., bearing interest of about 4.32%, rated BBB by two agencies. Source
  • Canada joint venture expands platform: The Canadian fund investment is expected to make SmartStop Canada's third-largest operator, adding new markets in Halifax and Quebec City. Source
  • Asset sales to recycle capital: Dispositions target wholly-owned properties in non-core markets where SmartStop holds one or a few stores. Management intends to reinvest proceeds in core markets with denser clusters. Source

“SmartStop delivered another strong quarter, with sector-leading same-store NOI growth of 4.9% and FFO as adjusted per share growth of over 9%, even with a currency headwind,”

H. Michael Schwartz, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SmartStop

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Same-store NOI growth, as translated in U.S. dollars SourceFull year 20262.00% to 2.50%Raised from 1.15% to 2.15% (as of September 29, 2026)
Same-store revenue growth, as translated in U.S. dollars SourceFull year 20261.25% to 1.75%Raised from 0.75% to 1.75% (as of September 29, 2026)
Same-store operating expense growth, as translated in U.S. dollars SourceFull year 2026-0.25% to 0.25%Lowered from 0.00% to 1.00% (as of September 29, 2026)
Same-store NOI growth, constant currency SourceFull year 20261.95% to 2.45%Raised from 1.15% to 2.15% (as of September 29, 2026)
Same-store revenue growth, constant currency SourceFull year 20261.20% to 1.70%
Total same-store net operating income, dollars SourceFull year 2026$147,340 to $148,070 (in thousands)Raised from $145,470 to $146,746 (in thousands, as of August 5, 2026)
FFO, as adjusted, per share and OP unit, diluted SourceFull year 2026$2.01 to $2.05Raised from $1.99 to $2.05 (as of September 29, 2026)
Net income per share, diluted, GAAP SourceFull year 2026$0.67 to $0.71Raised from $0.61 to $0.65 (as of August 5, 2026)
Weighted average share count, FFO, as adjusted SourceFull year 202659,425,000Raised from 59,400,000 (as of September 29, 2026)
Non same-store net operating income SourceFull year 2026$20,100 to $20,500 (in thousands)
Tenant Protection Program net margin SourceFull year 2026$9,700 to $9,850 (in thousands)
Managed REIT adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$13,900 to $14,200 (in thousands)Raised from $13,600 to $14,100 (in thousands, as of September 29, 2026)
Third-party management adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$1,700 to $1,900 (in thousands)Lowered from $1,850 to $2,350 (in thousands, as of September 29, 2026)
General and administrative expenses SourceFull year 2026$33,900 to $34,300 (in thousands)Raised from $33,100 to $34,100 (in thousands, as of September 29, 2026)
Interest expense SourceFull year 2026$54,300 to $54,900 (in thousands)
Investment income, net SourceFull year 2026$10,150 to $10,450 (in thousands)
Acquisitions, loans, bridge loans and preferred investments SourceFull year 2026$200,000 to $220,000 (in thousands)Raised from $190,000 to $210,000 (in thousands, as of September 29, 2026)
Solar spend SourceFull year 2026$3,050 to $3,150 (in thousands)Raised from $2,250 to $2,750 (in thousands, as of September 29, 2026)
Development spend SourceFull year 2026$9,250 to $9,750 (in thousands)
Redevelopment and expansion spend SourceFull year 2026$13,500 to $14,500 (in thousands)
Strategic Storage Canada joint venture investment SourceExpected close in fourth quarter 2026approximately $74.3 million CAD (approximately $52.3 million USD)New
Additional commitments to Strategic Storage Canada SourceThree years following closingup to $228.0 million CAD (approximately $160.5 million USD)New
Strategic asset management program, property sales SourceBeginning early 2027$75 million to $125 millionNew
Forward sale of common shares under at-the-market program SourceSettlement in fourth quarter 2026approximately 2.4 million shares; gross proceeds of up to approximately $78.1 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year same-store NOI guidance raised for the fourth time this year, per management. Source
  • New: Agreed investment in Strategic Storage Canada, a Canadian joint venture fund, with SmartStop expected to hold a 50% general partner interest. Source
  • New: Initiated a strategic asset management program for opportunistic sales of selected properties in non-core markets. Source
  • Ended: SSGT III advisory agreement terminated immediately before the SST VI-SSGT III merger closed; no further fees are payable under it. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Same-store NOI rose 4.9%: Same-store revenue rose 2.0% and same-store property operating expenses fell 3.8%, lifting same-store NOI 4.9% against the same quarter of 2025. Source
  • FFO as adjusted per share rose: FFO, as adjusted, totaled about $30.3 million for the quarter, up about $2.9 million from the same quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net income rose to $9.0 million: Net income attributable to common stockholders was about $9.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. Total self storage-related revenues were about $68.2 million. Source
  • Nine-month FFO per share up $0.18: For the nine months, FFO, as adjusted, was about $88.4 million, and total self storage-related revenues were about $198.8 million, up about $14.2 million. Source

Canada and non same-store pool

  • Canada grew faster in constant currency: Constant-currency same-store NOI for the Canadian pool rose 5.1%, against 4.9% as translated. Management cited a currency headwind on the translated figures. Source
  • Non same-store NOI rose on 25 properties: The 25 non same-store facilities produced NOI of $5.5 million for the quarter, compared with $4.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Canadian dollar averaged lower: The average CAD/USD rate was 0.71x in the quarter against 0.73x a year earlier, which accounts for the gap between translated and constant-currency Canadian results. Source

“We entered the fourth quarter with momentum and remain focused on compounding long-term value per share for our shareholders.”

H. Michael Schwartz, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SmartStop

Products, customers and platform

  • Rent per occupied foot rose: Management attributed the same-store revenue gain mainly to this rent increase, partly offset by occupancy about 0.4% lower. Source
  • Tenant protection revenue at same-stores: Tenant Protection Program revenue was about $2.3 million at same-store facilities and about $0.4 million at non same-store facilities, against $2.2 million and $0.3 million a year earlier. Source
  • Third-party platform grew to 230 stores: At quarter end SmartStop managed about 230 stores and 17.0 million net rentable square feet on its third-party platform, against 220 stores and 15.7 million square feet at June 30, 2026. Source

Costs and margins

  • Operating expenses fell 3.8%: Same-store property operating expenses fell about $0.7 million. Total property operating expenses were $21.6 million, against $23.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating margin up 190 basis points: Management said the 2.0% revenue gain and 3.8% expense reduction lifted operating margin by 190 basis points, the third straight quarter of margin improvement. Source
  • G&A declined year over year: General and administrative expense was $9.7 million for the quarter, against $10.4 million in the same quarter of 2025. Source

Occupancy and lease-up

  • Same-store occupancy slipped: Same-store average physical occupancy was 92.2% for the quarter, down about 0.4% from the same quarter of 2025. Source
  • Canada joint venture pool in lease-up: The 14 properties the Canadian fund is expected to hold are in early lease-up, with physical occupancy near half. Source
  • Non same-store occupancy 87.9%: Non same-store facilities averaged 87.9% physical occupancy, and the total pool averaged 91.6%, both against prior-year comparisons in the same table. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Debt rose on new Canadian notes: Debt, net was $1,137.8 million at September 30, 2026, up from $1,098.2 million at December 31, 2025. Cash and cash equivalents were $31.0 million. Source
  • CAD 200 million notes issued at 4.32%: Series C senior unsecured notes due February 18, 2031 were issued by SmartStop OP, L.P., bearing interest of about 4.32%, rated BBB by two agencies. Source
  • Monthly distributions at $1.60 annualized: The board approved monthly distributions for September, October and November 2026 equal to an annualized $1.60 per share on common stock. Source
  • Equity forward sales in the quarter: Shares sold on a forward basis under the at-the-market program at an initial average price of $32.01; management expects to settle them in the fourth quarter. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Canada joint venture expands platform: The Canadian fund investment is expected to make SmartStop Canada's third-largest operator, adding new markets in Halifax and Quebec City. Source
  • Asset sales to recycle capital: Dispositions target wholly-owned properties in non-core markets where SmartStop holds one or a few stores. Management intends to reinvest proceeds in core markets with denser clusters. Source
  • Two acquisitions under contract: Two stabilized properties in Las Vegas and Asheville, with about 1,600 units, are under contract and expected to close in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Bridge and preferred investments closed: Two preferred investments with AXCS Capital and one bridge loan closed in the quarter, at a weighted average yield of about 17.6% before AXCS management fees and promoted interest. Source
  • Canadian delayed draw facility in October: The facility funds two Ontario self storage projects at a fixed 8.5% rate and matures October 9, 2029; $0.8 million Canadian was advanced on October 9. Source
  • Managed REIT merger effective November 1: SST VI acquired SSGT III on November 1, 2026. The Managed REITs had about $1.0 billion of assets under management at quarter end. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Canada joint venture closing: Management anticipates completing the Strategic Storage Canada transaction in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the closing conditions described. Source
  • Two acquisitions expected to close: The Las Vegas and Asheville acquisitions are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Forward shares to settle in fourth quarter: Management anticipates settling the forward share sales in the fourth quarter of 2026, in line with the timing of the Canadian investment activity. Source
  • Monthly distribution dates: Monthly distributions for September, October and November 2026 are paid or will be paid on or about the dates listed. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO, as adjusted, per share and OP unit, diluted (quarter) Source$0.51
Same-store NOI growth (quarter) Source4.9%
Same-store average physical occupancy (quarter) Source92.2%
Same-store annualized rent per occupied square foot (quarter) Source$20.99, up 2.6%
Acquisitions, purchase price, 2026 year to date Source$30,359 thousand

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The Canadian fund investment requires approval under the Canadian Competition Act and other closing conditions, so completion is not assured. Source
  • Financial: If the fund's pending property sale is not completed within 30 days after closing, SmartStop must contribute working capital without further approval, counting against the additional commitment. Source
  • Financial: SmartStop expects to guarantee certain fund lenders' obligations, in proportion to its common ownership interest in the fund. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release anticipated the SST VI-SSGT III merger closing in the fourth quarter; the current release states it became effective November 1, 2026.
  • Not stated: The prior release described a $2.0 million payment to be made in units of SSGT III operating partnership; the current release states it was paid in units.

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.