Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core FFO per diluted share for Q1 2025 was $0.36, down from $0.39 in Q1 2024, primarily due to increased net interest expense and lower rental income from property sales and lease expirations [24] - AFFO generated during Q1 2025 was approximately $23.5 million, consistent with previous quarters, while CapEx returned to normalized levels [24] - The company has no final debt maturities until 2028 and approximately $500 million available under its revolving line of credit [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed approximately 363,000 square feet of total leasing in Q1 2025, with about half related to new tenant leases [5][14] - Lease economics showed a 10-19% roll-up in rents on both cash and accrual bases, with average rental rates near $47 per square foot compared to $38 per square foot in 2023 [16] - The leasing pipeline remains strong with approximately 750,000 square feet executed or in a legal stage, and outstanding proposals at 3 million square feet [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The occupier market recovery is ongoing, with national employers increasing in-office mandates, although macroeconomic uncertainty has caused a slight slowdown in national gross leasing volume [6][7] - Sublease availability remains around 5%, with only 10,000 square feet expiring in 2025 [16] - The company noted that Atlanta was the most active segment, accounting for a third of the overall leasing volume in Q1 2025 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has decided to suspend its dividend to fund long-term growth and retain earnings for capital expenditures related to leasing [11] - Management aims to focus on leasing momentum and increasing rental rates, which are expected to lead to FFO and cash flow growth [26] - The company is cautious about leveraging additional debt, prioritizing retained earnings for internal growth and maintaining a strong balance sheet [11][46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about leasing prospects, with a strong pipeline and record levels of tour activity [20] - The company anticipates achieving its year-end lease percentage guidance of 89% to 90% [20] - Management is focused on maintaining liquidity and improving the balance sheet while navigating economic uncertainties [46] Other Important Information - The company completed its last refinancing activity in Q1 2025, including paying off a $250 million term loan and extending a $600 million line of credit [6] - The company has a backlog of $67 million in annualized revenue from leases yet to commence or in their free rent period [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on leasing pipeline and guidance maintenance - Management noted a strong leasing pipeline of approximately $750,000, with good momentum in April, but remains cautious due to macro uncertainties [30][32] Question: Historical gap between lease percentage and economic lease percentage - Management indicated that the suspension of the dividend would provide additional cash flow for internal growth, with a focus on leasing momentum [35][36] Question: Insights on the dividend suspension and its implications - Management explained that the decision to suspend the dividend was influenced by the need to fund leasing momentum and maintain a strong balance sheet, with retained earnings earmarked for leasing and capital expenditures [40][44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core FFO per diluted share for Q1 2025 was $0.36, down from $0.39 in Q1 2024, primarily due to increased net interest expense and lower rental income from property sales and lease expirations [24][25] - AFFO generated during Q1 2025 was approximately $23.5 million, consistent with previous quarters, while CapEx returned to normalized levels [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed approximately 363,000 square feet of total leasing in Q1 2025, with about half related to new tenant leases [6][16] - Leasing capital spend was $6.69 per square foot, slightly elevated due to law firm deals, resulting in average rental rates near $47 per square foot compared to $38 per square foot in 2023 [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The occupier market recovery is ongoing, with national employers increasing in-office mandates, leading to a demand for more space [8] - Despite a slowdown in national gross leasing volume due to macroeconomic uncertainty, net absorption improved by 60% compared to Q1 2024 [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has decided to suspend its dividend to fund long-term growth and retain earnings for capital expenditures and leasing commissions [12][13] - Piedmont aims to leverage its modernized properties and is experiencing record levels of tenant interest, with a strong leasing pipeline of approximately 750,000 square feet executed or in legal stages [11][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about leasing prospects, with a strong pipeline and proposals exceeding 3 million square feet [21][33] - The company anticipates achieving its 2025 leasing goals, with potential upward revisions in guidance depending on market conditions [31][32] Other Important Information - The company completed refinancing activities, including paying off a $250 million term loan and extending a $600 million line of credit, with no final debt maturities until 2028 [8][25] - The company is focused on internal growth and maintaining a strong balance sheet, with a commitment to remain investment grade [46][47] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about leasing pipeline and guidance - Management confirmed a strong leasing pipeline of approximately $750,000 square feet, with good momentum and potential for upward revisions in guidance depending on market conditions [30][31] Question: Clarification on the historical spread between lease percentage and economic lease percentage - Management indicated that the suspension of the dividend would provide additional cash flow for internal growth, with a focus on leasing momentum and potential for excess retained earnings to pay down debt in the future [36][37] Question: Discussion on the dividend suspension and its implications - Management explained that the decision to suspend the dividend was influenced by the need to fund leasing momentum and maintain a strong balance sheet, with a focus on internal growth rather than relying on external financing [40][44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core FFO per diluted share for Q1 2025 was $0.36, down from $0.39 in Q1 2024, primarily due to increased net interest expense and lower rental income from property sales and lease expirations [23][24] - AFFO generated during Q1 2025 was approximately $23.5 million, consistent with previous quarters, while CapEx returned to normalized levels [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed approximately 363,000 square feet of total leasing in Q1 2025, with about half related to new tenant leases [6][16] - Lease economics showed a 10.19% increase in rents on both cash and accrual bases for the quarter [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The occupier market recovery is ongoing, with national employers increasing in-office mandates, leading to a demand for more space [8] - National gross leasing volume slowed moderately in Q1 2025 after reaching post-pandemic highs in late 2024, with net absorption turning negative due to federal lease terminations [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has decided to suspend its dividend to fund long-term growth and retain earnings for capital expenditures related to tenant improvements and leasing commissions [12][13] - The focus remains on leasing and managing high-quality work environments, with a strong emphasis on capital deployment for leasing momentum [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding leasing prospects, with a strong pipeline of approximately 750,000 square feet executed or in legal stages [21] - The company anticipates achieving its year-end lease percentage guidance of 89% to 90% if the economic environment remains stable [22] Other Important Information - The company completed its refinancing activities, including paying off a $250 million term loan and extending a $600 million line of credit [8] - The backlog of annualized revenue from leases yet to commence increased from $46 million to $67 million [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about leasing pipeline and guidance maintenance - Management noted a strong leasing pipeline of approximately $750,000 square feet, with $275,000 executed in April, but maintained guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties [29][30] Question: Clarification on the historical spread between lease percentage and economic lease percentage - Management indicated that the suspension of the dividend would provide additional cash flow for internal growth, with a focus on leasing momentum [35][36] Question: Discussion on the dividend suspension and its implications - Management explained that the decision was influenced by the need to fund leasing momentum and maintain investment-grade credit ratings, with retained earnings earmarked for leasing capital [39][40][46]