COPT DEFENSE PROPERTIES
For the period ended Sep 30, 2025. Filed Nov 4, 2025.
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Sep 30, 2025 · Filed Nov 4, 2025
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
- Organization
COPT Defense Properties (“COPT Defense”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is a fully-integrated and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on owning, operating and developing properties in locations proximate to, or sometimes containing, key U.S. Government (“USG”) defense installations and missions (which we refer to herein as our Defense/IT Portfolio). Our tenants include the USG and their defense contractors, who are primarily engaged in priority national security activities, and who generally require mission-critical and high security property enhancements. As of September 30, 2025, our Defense/IT Portfolio included:
198 operating properties totaling 22.6 million square feet comprised of 16.7 million square feet in 167 office properties and 5.9 million square feet in 31 single-tenant data center shells. We owned 24 of these data center shells totaling 4.3 million square feet through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures;
five properties under development (three office properties andtwo data center shells) that will total approximately 812,000 square feet upon completion; and
approximately 1,000 acres of land controlled that we believe could be developed into approximately 10.7 million square feet.
We also ownedsix other operating properties totaling 2.0 million square feet and approximately 50 acres of other developable land in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region as of September 30, 2025.
We conduct almost all of our operations and own almost all of our assets through our operating partnership, COPT Defense Properties, L.P. (“CDPLP”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”), of which COPT Defense is the sole general partner. CDPLP owns real estate directly and through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”). In addition to owning real estate, CDPLP also owns subsidiaries that provide real estate services such as property management, development and construction services primarily for our properties but also for third parties, most of which are tenants. Some of these services are performed by a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”).
Equity interests in CDPLP are in the form of common and preferred units. As of September 30, 2025, COPT Defense owned 97.3% of the outstanding CDPLP common units (“common units”) and there wereno preferred units outstanding. Common units not owned by COPT Defense carry certain redemption rights. The number of common units owned by COPT Defense is equivalent to the number of outstanding common shares of beneficial interest (“common shares”) of COPT Defense, and the entitlement of common units to quarterly distributions and payments in liquidation is substantially the same as that of COPT Defense common shareholders.
COPT Defense’s common shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “CDP”.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPT Defense, the Operating Partnership, their subsidiaries and other entities in which COPT Defense has a majority voting interest and control. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. We eliminate all intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.
We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity and can exert significant influence over but cannot control the entity’s operations. We discontinue equity method accounting if our investment in an entity (and net advances) is reduced to zero unless we have guaranteed obligations of the entity or are otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the entity.
When we own an equity investment in an entity and cannot exert significant influence over its operations, we measure the investment at fair value, with changes recognized through net income. For an investment without a readily determinable fair value, we measure the investment at cost, less any impairments, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.
These interim financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 included in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly state our financial position and results of operations. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accounting policies described in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reclassifications
We reclassified certain amounts from prior periods to conform to the current period presentation of our consolidated financial statements with no effect on previously reported net income or equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2025, we adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) aimed at reducing complexity and diversity in practice in determining whether a profits interest award is accounted for as a share-based payment. Our adoption of this guidance did not change the accounting for any of our share-based compensation award types, and therefore did not affect our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to improve income tax disclosures. This guidance requires enhanced annual disclosures primarily related to existing rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosure requirements and is effective for us for our 2025 annual reporting. We expect to apply this guidance prospectively and do not expect it to materially affect our future related disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued guidance requiring disaggregated disclosure of specified information about certain expense categories included in expense line items on the consolidated statements of operations in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance is effective for us for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We expect to apply this guidance prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date. We are currently assessing the application of this guidance on our future consolidated financial statements.
In July 2025, the FASB issued guidance providing a practical expedient for use in estimating expected credit losses on non-lease revenue related accounts receivable and contract assets. The practical expedient permits an entity to assume that current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the asset. The guidance is effective for us for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025. Early adoption is permitted and the guidance will be applied prospectively. We are currently assessing the application of this guidance on our future consolidated financial statements.
- Fair Value Measurements
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The fair values of our interest rate derivatives, as disclosed in Note 9, are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate market data and implied volatilities in such interest rates. While we determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our interest rate derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default. However, as of September 30, 2025, we assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivatives and determined that these adjustments were not significant. As a result, we determined that our interest rate derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets (excluding investing receivables) and accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. The fair values of our investing receivables, as disclosed in Note 7, were based on the discounted estimated future cash flows of the loans (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy); the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated cash payments include scheduled principal and interest payments. For our disclosure of debt fair values in Note 8, we estimated the fair value of our unsecured senior notes based on quoted market rates for our senior notes (categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy) and estimated the fair value of our other debt based on the discounted estimated future cash payments to be made on such debt (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy); the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans, or groups of loans, with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated future payments include scheduled principal and interest payments. Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.
The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2025 and the hierarchy level of inputs used in measuring their respective fair values under applicable accounting standards (in thousands):
| Description | Quoted Prices inActive Markets forIdentical Assets (Level 1) | Significant OtherObservable Inputs (Level 2) | SignificantUnobservable Inputs(Level 3) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets (1) | ||||
| Interest rate derivatives | $— | $280 | $— | $280 |
(1)Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheet.
- Properties, Net
Operating properties, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
| September 30,2025 | December 31,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Land | $495,523 | $495,707 |
| Buildings and improvements | 4,521,621 | 4,395,063 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (1,644,472) | (1,537,293) |
| Operating properties, net | $3,372,672 | $3,353,477 |
- Leases
Lessor Arrangements
We lease real estate properties, comprised primarily of office properties and data center shells, to third parties. These leases encompass all, or a portion, of properties, with various expiration dates. Our lease revenue is comprised of: fixed-lease revenue, including contractual rent billings under leases recognized on a straight-line basis over lease terms and amortization of lease incentives and above- and below-market lease intangibles; and variable-lease revenue, including tenant expense recoveries, lease termination revenue and other revenue from tenants that is not fixed under leases. The table below sets forth our composition of lease revenue recognized between fixed- and variable-lease revenue (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lease revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 |
| Fixed | $135,957 | $129,357 | $403,982 | $382,918 |
| Variable | 42,315 | 41,192 | 125,196 | 118,683 |
| $178,272 | $170,549 | $529,178 | $501,601 | |
Lessee Arrangements
As of September 30, 2025, our balance sheet included $54.3 million in right-of-use assets associated primarily with land leased from third parties underlying certain properties that we are operating with various expiration dates. Our property right-of-use assets and property lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Leases | Balance Sheet Location | September 30,2025 | December 31,2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right-of-use assets | |||
| Operating leases - Property | Property - operating lease right-of-use assets | $51,838 | $55,760 |
| Finance leases - Property | Prepaid expenses and other assets, net | 2,435 | 2,491 |
| Total right-of-use assets | $54,273 | $58,251 | |
| Lease liabilities | |||
| Operating leases - Property | Property - operating lease liabilities | $46,203 | $49,240 |
| Finance leases - Property | Other liabilities | 370 | 391 |
| Total lease liabilities | $46,573 | $49,631 | |
As of September 30, 2025, our operating leases had a weighted average remaining lease term of 40 years and a weighted average discount rate of 7.4%, while our finance leases had a weighted average remaining lease term ofseven years and a weighted average discount rate of 9.1%. The table below presents our total property lease cost (in thousands):
| Statement of Operations Location · For the Three Months Ended September 30, · For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lease cost · 2025 · 2024 · 2025 · 2024 | |||||
| Operating lease cost | |||||
| Property leases - fixed | Property operating expenses | $2,276 | $1,929 | $6,813 | $5,687 |
| Property leases - variable | Property operating expenses | 27 | 42 | 81 | 219 |
| Finance lease cost | |||||
| Amortization of property right-of-use assets | Property operating expenses | 19 | 19 | 56 | 56 |
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense | 8 | 9 | 26 | 28 |
| $2,330 | $1,999 | $6,976 | $5,990 | ||
The table below presents the effect of property lease payments on our consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental cash flow information | 2025 | 2024 |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||
| Operating cash flows for operating leases | $5,928 | $5,232 |
| Operating cash flows for finance leases | $26 | $28 |
| Financing cash flows for finance leases | $21 | $18 |
Payments on property leases were due as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ending December 31, | Operating Leases | Finance Leases |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (1) | $2,011 | $15 |
| 2026 | 8,217 | 65 |
| 2027 | 8,418 | 67 |
| 2028 | 2,838 | 69 |
| 2029 | 2,094 | 71 |
| Thereafter | 153,999 | 226 |
| Total lease payments | 177,577 | 513 |
| Less: Amount representing interest | (131,374) | (143) |
| Lease liability | $46,203 | $370 |
(1)Represents the three months ending December 31, 2025.
- Real Estate Joint Ventures
Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures
The table below sets forth information pertaining to our investments in consolidated real estate joint ventures, which are each variable interest entities (dollars in thousands):
| Nominal Ownership % · September 30, 2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Formed · TotalAssets · Encumbered Assets · Total Liabilities · Mortgage Debt | |||||||
| Entity | Location | ||||||
| LW Redstone Company, LLC (1) | 3/23/2010 | 85% | Huntsville, AL | $763,461 | $35,224 | $82,178 | $21,950 |
| Stevens Investors, LLC | 8/11/2015 | 95% | Washington, DC | 139,649 | — | 3,171 | — |
| M Square Associates, LLC | 6/26/2007 | 50% | College Park, MD | 99,839 | 54,735 | 48,715 | 46,506 |
| $1,002,949 | $89,959 | $134,064 | $68,456 | ||||
(1)We fund all capital requirements. Our partner receives distributions of $1.2 million of annual operating cash flows and we receive the remainder.
Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures
The table below sets forth information pertaining to our investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures accounted for using the equity method of accounting (dollars in thousands):
| Date Formed · Nominal Ownership % · Number of Properties · Carrying Value of Investment (1) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entity · September 30,2025 · December 31,2024 | |||||
| Redshift JV LLC | 1/10/2023 | 10% | 3 | $20,804 | $20,921 |
| BREIT COPT DC JV LLC | 6/20/2019 | 10% | 9 | 8,830 | 9,584 |
| Quark JV LLC | 12/14/2022 | 10% | 2 | 6,667 | 6,706 |
| B RE COPT DC JV III LLC | 6/2/2021 | 10% | 2 | (493) | 2,149 |
| B RE COPT DC JV II LLC (2) | 10/30/2020 | 10% | 8 | (22,057) | (3,409) |
| 24 | $13,751 | $35,951 | |||
(1)Included $36.3 million and $39.4 million reported in “investment in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures” and $22.6 million and $3.4 million for investments with deficit balances reported in “other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Investments with deficit balances are attributable to JV distributions of nonrecourse debt refinancing proceeds in excess of our equity in B RE COPT DC JV III LLC and B RE COPT DC JV II LLC; we are obligated to fund our share of future cash flow requirements of these joint ventures.
(2)Our investment in B RE COPT DC JV II LLC was lower than our share of the joint venture’s equity by $6.5 million as of September 30, 2025 and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2024 due to a difference between our cost basis and our share of the joint venture’s underlying equity in its net assets. We recognize adjustments to our share of the joint venture’s earnings and losses resulting from this basis difference in the underlying assets of the joint venture.
- Investing Receivables
Investing receivables consisted of the following (in thousands):
| September 30,2025 | December 31,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Notes receivable from the City of Huntsville | $73,774 | $69,241 |
| Other investing loans receivable | 10,202 | 3,231 |
| Amortized cost basis | 83,976 | 72,472 |
| Allowance for credit losses | (4,204) | (2,792) |
| Investing receivables, net | $79,772 | $69,680 |
The balances above include accrued interest receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, of $4.5 million as of September 30, 2025 and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2024.
Our notes receivable from the City of Huntsville funded infrastructure costs in connection with our LW Redstone Company, LLC joint venture (see Note 6) and carry an interest rate of 9.95%. Our other investing loans receivable as of September 30, 2025 carry effective interest rates ranging from 12.0% to 14.0% and mature by early 2026.
The fair value of these receivables was approximately $84 million as of September 30, 2025 and $72 million as of December 31, 2024.
- Debt, Net
Our debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
| Carrying Value (1) as of · September 30, 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30,2025 · December 31,2024 | ||||
| Stated Interest Rates · Scheduled Maturity | ||||
| Mortgage and Other Secured Debt | ||||
| Fixed-rate mortgage debt | $36,336 | $37,130 | 3.82% | June 2026 |
| Variable-rate secured debt | 32,120 | 32,471 | SOFR + 0.10%+ 1.45% to 1.55% (2) | 2026 (3) |
| Total mortgage and other secured debt | 68,456 | 69,601 | ||
| Revolving Credit Facility (4) | 124,000 | 75,000 | SOFR + 0.10% + 0.725% to 1.400% (5) | October 2026 (4) |
| Term Loan Facility (6) | 124,891 | 124,633 | SOFR + 0.10% + 0.850% to 1.700% (7) | January 2026 (6) |
| Unsecured Senior Notes | ||||
| 2.25%, $400,000 aggregate principal | 399,532 | 398,699 | 2.25% (8) | March 2026 |
| 5.25%, $345,000 aggregate principal (9) | 338,990 | 337,588 | 5.25% (10) | September 2028 |
| 2.00%, $400,000 aggregate principal | 398,334 | 397,961 | 2.00% (11) | January 2029 |
| 2.75%, $600,000 aggregate principal | 593,186 | 592,330 | 2.75% (12) | April 2031 |
| 2.90%, $400,000 aggregate principal | 396,020 | 395,692 | 2.90% (13) | December 2033 |
| Unsecured note payable | 109 | 251 | 0% (14) | May 2026 |
| Total debt, net | $2,443,518 | $2,391,755 | ||
(1)The carrying values of our debt other than the Revolving Credit Facility reflect net deferred financing costs of $3.0 million as of September 30, 2025 and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2024.
(2)Including the effect of an interest rate swap that hedges the risk of interest rate changes, the weighted average interest rate on our variable-rate secured debt as of September 30, 2025 was 5.14%; excluding the effect of this swap, the weighted average interest rate on this debt as of September 30, 2025 was 5.95%.
(3)Most of this debt may be extended by a 12-month period at our option, provided that there is no default on the debt and we pay an extension fee of 0.10% of the debt balance.
(4)The facility matures in October 2026, with the ability for us to extend such maturity bytwo six-month periods at our option, provided that there is no default under the facility and we pay an extension fee of 0.0625% of the total availability under the facility for each extension period. Refer to subsequent events disclosure pertaining to this facility in Note 18.
(5)The weighted average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 5.37% as of September 30, 2025, excluding the effect of interest rate swaps that hedge the risk of interest rate changes (see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements).
(6)This facility matures in January 2026, with the ability for us to extend such maturity bytwo 12-month periods at our option, provided that there is no default under the facility and we pay an extension fee of 0.125% of the outstanding loan balance for each extension period. Refer to subsequent events disclosure pertaining to this facility in Note 18.
(7)The interest rate on this loan was 5.68% as of September 30, 2025, excluding the effect of interest rate swaps that hedge the risk of interest rate changes (see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements).
(8)The carrying value of these notes reflects unamortized discounts and commissions totaling $382,000 as of September 30, 2025 and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2024. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of such costs, was 2.48%.
(9)These notes have an exchange settlement feature under which the notes may, under certain circumstances, be exchangeable at the option of the holders. Upon exchange, the principal amount of notes is payable in cash, with the remainder of the exchange obligation, if any, as determined based on the exchange price per common share at the time of settlement, payable in cash, common shares or a combination thereof at our election. As of September 30, 2025, the exchange rate of the notes equaled 33.4962 of our common shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an exchange price of approximately $29.85 per common share).
(10)The carrying value of these notes reflects unamortized commissions totaling $5.3 million as of September 30, 2025 and $6.6 million as of December 31, 2024. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of such costs, was 5.83%.
(11)The carrying value of these notes reflects unamortized discounts and commissions totaling $1.2 million as of September 30, 2025 and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of such costs, was 2.09%.
(12)The carrying value of these notes reflects unamortized discounts and commissions totaling $5.9 million as of September 30, 2025 and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2024. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of such costs, was 2.94%.
(13)The carrying value of these notes reflects unamortized discounts and commissions totaling $3.3 million as of September 30, 2025 and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of such costs, was 3.01%.
(14)This note carries an interest rate that, upon assumption, was below market rates and it therefore was recorded at its fair value based on applicable effective interest rates. The carrying value of this note reflects an unamortized discount totaling $2,000 as of September 30, 2025 and $10,000 as of December 31, 2024.
All debt is owed by the Operating Partnership. While COPT Defense is not directly obligated by any debt, it has guaranteed CDPLP’s Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan Facility and Unsecured Senior Notes. All of our mortgage and other secured debt as of September 30, 2025 was for consolidated real estate joint ventures (see Note 6).
The table below sets forth interest expense recognized on the 5.25% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2028 (the “5.25% Notes”) (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Interest expense at stated interest rate | $4,529 | $4,528 | $13,585 | $13,584 |
| Interest expense associated with amortization of debt discount and issuance costs | 416 | 393 | 1,231 | 1,162 |
| Total | $4,945 | $4,921 | $14,816 | $14,746 |
Certain of our debt instruments require that we comply with a number of restrictive financial covenants. As of September 30, 2025, we were compliant with these financial covenants.
Our debt matures on the following schedule (in thousands):
| Year Ending December 31, · September 30, 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (1) | $466 | |
| 2026 | 717,175 | |
| 2027 | — | |
| 2028 | 345,000 | |
| 2029 | 400,000 | |
| Thereafter | 1,000,000 | |
| Total | $2,462,641 | (2) |
(1)Represents the three months ending December 31, 2025.
(2)Represents scheduled principal amortization and maturities only and therefore excludes net discounts and deferred financing costs of $19.1 million.
We capitalized interest costs of $1.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2025, $712,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2024, $3.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
The following table sets forth information pertaining to the fair value of our debt (in thousands):
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | |
| Fixed-rate debt | ||||
| Unsecured Senior Notes | $2,126,062 | $2,025,731 | $2,122,270 | $1,946,905 |
| Other fixed-rate debt | 36,445 | 35,723 | 37,381 | 35,841 |
| Variable-rate debt | 281,011 | 281,561 | 232,104 | 232,768 |
| $2,443,518 | $2,343,015 | $2,391,755 | $2,215,514 | |
- Interest Rate Derivatives
The following table sets forth the key terms and fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives (dollars in thousands):
| Fair Value at | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notional Amount · Fixed Rate · Floating Rate Index · Effective Date · Expiration Date · September 30,2025 · December 31,2024 | |||||||||
| $150,000 | 3.742% | One-Month SOFR | 2/1/2023 | 2/2/2026 | $80 | $550 | |||
| $50,000 | 3.747% | One-Month SOFR | 2/1/2023 | 2/2/2026 | 26 | 181 | |||
| $10,220 | (1) | 1.678% | SOFR + 0.10% | 8/1/2019 | 8/1/2026 | 174 | 387 | ||
| $22,100 | 0.573% | SOFR + 0.10% | 4/1/2020 | 3/26/2025 | — | 197 | |||
| $280 | $1,315 | ||||||||
(1)The notional amount of this instrument is scheduled to amortize to $10.0 million.
Each of these swaps was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk.
The table below sets forth the fair value of our interest rate derivatives as well as their classification on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
| Fair Value at | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Derivatives | Balance Sheet Location | September 30,2025 | December 31,2024 |
| Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges | Prepaid expenses and other assets, net | $280 | $1,315 |
The table below presents the effect of our interest rate derivatives on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):
| Amount of (Loss) IncomeRecognized in AOCI on Derivatives · Amount of Income Reclassified from AOCI into Interest Expense on Statement of Operations | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derivatives in Hedging Relationships | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Interest rate derivatives | $67 | $(2,582) | $261 | $1,309 | $368 | $1,170 | $1,296 | $3,522 |
Based on the fair value of our derivatives as of September 30, 2025, we estimate that approximately $280,000 of gains will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) as a decrease to interest expense over the next 12 months.
We have agreements with each of our interest rate derivative counterparties that contain provisions under which, if we default or are capable of being declared in default on defined levels of our indebtedness, we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. Failure to comply with the loan covenant provisions could result in our being declared in default on any derivative instrument obligations covered by the agreements. As of September 30, 2025, we were not in default with any of these provisions. As of September 30, 2025, we did not have any derivatives in liability positions.
- Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Redeemable noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheets included the ownership interest of our partner in LW Redstone Company, LLC due to the partner’s rights to require us to acquire their interest. The table below sets forth the activity for redeemable noncontrolling interest (in thousands):
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Beginning balance | $23,974 | $23,580 |
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest | (2,269) | (1,446) |
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 2,269 | 1,446 |
| Adjustments for changes in fair value of interest | 243 | (1,144) |
| Ending balance | $24,217 | $22,436 |
We determine the fair value of the interest based on unobservable inputs after considering the assumptions that market participants would make in pricing the interest. We apply a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows allocable to our partner from the properties underlying the respective joint venture. Estimated cash flows used in such analyses are based on our plans for the properties and our views of market and economic conditions, and consider items such as current and future rental rates, occupancy projections and estimated operating and development expenditures.
- Equity
As of September 30, 2025, we had remaining capacity under our at-the-market stock offering program equal to an aggregate gross sales price of $300 million in common shares.
We declared dividends per common share of $0.305 in the three months ended September 30, 2025, $0.295 in the three months ended September 30, 2024, $0.915 in the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and $0.885 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, certain CDPLP limited partners converted 33,881 common units in CDPLP for an equal number of common shares.
See Note 15 for disclosure of common share activity pertaining to our share-based compensation plans.
- Information by Business Segment
We have the following reportable segments: Defense/IT Portfolio; and Other. We also report on Defense/IT Portfolio sub-segments, which include the following: Fort George G. Meade and the Baltimore/Washington Corridor (“Fort Meade/BW Corridor”); Redstone Arsenal (in Huntsville, Alabama); Northern Virginia Defense/IT Locations (“NoVA Defense/IT”); Lackland Air Force Base (in San Antonio, Texas); locations serving the U.S. Navy (“Navy Support”), which included properties proximate to the Washington Navy Yard, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia; and data center shells (properties leased to tenants to be operated as data centers in which the tenants fund the costs for the power, fiber connectivity and data center infrastructure). In the first quarter of 2025, we retrospectively reclassifiedtwo properties to our Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segment from our Other segment.
We measure the performance of our segments through the measure we define as net operating income from real estate operations (“NOI from real estate operations”), which includes real estate revenues and other segment items, which is comprised of: property operating expenses; and the net of revenues and property operating expenses of real estate operations owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures (“UJV” or “UJVs”) that is allocable to our ownership interest (“UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense”). Property operating expenses represent costs associated with operating our properties, including property taxes, ground rents, utilities, property management, insurance, repairs and exterior and interior maintenance, as well as associated labor and indirect costs.
Our chief operating decision maker uses budget to actual comparisons of operating expense information on a consolidated basis and for our Same Property pool (defined as our properties stably owned and 100% operational throughout both the current and prior year) to manage expenses associated with operating our properties.
Amounts reported for segment assets represent long-lived assets associated with consolidated operating properties (including the carrying value of properties, right-of-use assets, net of related lease liabilities, intangible assets, deferred leasing costs, deferred rents receivable and lease incentives) and the carrying value of investments in UJVs owning operating properties, net of deficit investment balances reported in “other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets (which were included in our data center shells sub-segment and totaled $13.8 million and $36.4 million as of September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively).
Amounts reported as additions to long-lived assets represent additions to existing consolidated operating properties, excluding transfers from non-operating properties, which we report separately.
The table below reports segment financial information for our reportable segments (in thousands):
| Defense/IT Portfolio | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Meade/BW Corridor | Redstone Arsenal | NoVA Defense/IT | Lackland Air Force Base | Navy Support | Data Center Shells | Total Defense/IT Portfolio | Other | Total | |
| Revenues from real estate operations | $81,756 | $19,477 | $22,343 | $18,555 | $8,727 | $10,715 | $161,573 | $18,737 | $180,310 |
| Other segment items: | |||||||||
| Property operating expenses | (28,477) | (7,250) | (8,891) | (10,245) | (4,016) | (1,701) | (60,580) | (9,776) | (70,356) |
| UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 1,864 | 1,864 | — | 1,864 |
| Total other segment items | (28,477) | (7,250) | (8,891) | (10,245) | (4,016) | 163 | (58,716) | (9,776) | (68,492) |
| NOI from real estate operations | 53,279 | 12,227 | 13,452 | 8,310 | 4,711 | 10,878 | 102,857 | 8,961 | 111,818 |
| Additions to long-lived assets | $12,812 | $2,209 | $7,061 | $7 | $5,962 | $— | $28,051 | $2,866 | $30,917 |
| Transfers from non-operating properties | $19,751 | $4,806 | $26 | $— | $— | $1,215 | $25,798 | $142 | $25,940 |
| Revenues from real estate operations | $80,757 | $18,332 | $22,083 | $16,879 | $8,068 | $9,029 | $155,148 | $17,415 | $172,563 |
| Other segment items: | |||||||||
| Property operating expenses | (28,342) | (6,463) | (9,252) | (9,160) | (4,084) | (1,554) | (58,855) | (10,026) | (68,881) |
| UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 1,844 | 1,844 | — | 1,844 |
| Total other segment items | (28,342) | (6,463) | (9,252) | (9,160) | (4,084) | 290 | (57,011) | (10,026) | (67,037) |
| NOI from real estate operations | $52,415 | $11,869 | $12,831 | $7,719 | $3,984 | $9,319 | $98,137 | $7,389 | $105,526 |
| Additions to long-lived assets | $14,101 | $1,521 | $5,357 | $17,034 | $3,520 | $— | $41,533 | $4,040 | $45,573 |
| Transfers from non-operating properties | $418 | $25,846 | $16 | $— | $66 | $406 | $26,752 | $141 | $26,893 |
| Revenues from real estate operations | $247,701 | $54,876 | $67,523 | $52,440 | $24,945 | $32,224 | $479,709 | $55,655 | $535,364 |
| Other segment items: | |||||||||
| Property operating expenses | (87,304) | (19,704) | (27,838) | (28,485) | (12,038) | (5,337) | (180,706) | (28,605) | (209,311) |
| UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 5,623 | 5,623 | — | 5,623 |
| Total other segment items | (87,304) | (19,704) | (27,838) | (28,485) | (12,038) | 286 | (175,083) | (28,605) | (203,688) |
| NOI from real estate operations | $160,397 | $35,172 | $39,685 | $23,955 | $12,907 | $32,510 | $304,626 | $27,050 | $331,676 |
| Additions to long-lived assets | $30,876 | $12,395 | $12,880 | $224 | $12,374 | $— | $68,749 | $8,228 | $76,977 |
| Transfers from non-operating properties | $34,984 | $23,428 | $42 | $— | $2 | $10,481 | $68,937 | $5,141 | $74,078 |
| Segment assets at September 30, 2025 | $1,460,768 | $618,618 | $491,051 | $193,734 | $167,810 | $473,277 | $3,405,258 | $315,621 | $3,720,879 |
| Revenues from real estate operations | $238,012 | $52,157 | $64,110 | $49,737 | $24,534 | $27,086 | $455,636 | $50,675 | $506,311 |
| Other segment items: | |||||||||
| Property operating expenses | (81,718) | (17,976) | (27,444) | (26,645) | (11,343) | (4,588) | (169,714) | (29,323) | (199,037) |
| UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 5,319 | 5,319 | — | 5,319 |
| Total other segment items | (81,718) | (17,976) | (27,444) | (26,645) | (11,343) | 731 | (164,395) | (29,323) | (193,718) |
| NOI from real estate operations | $156,294 | $34,181 | $36,666 | $23,092 | $13,191 | $27,817 | $291,241 | $21,352 | $312,593 |
| Additions to long-lived assets | $48,370 | $2,545 | $19,762 | $17,034 | $6,049 | $— | $93,760 | $14,287 | $108,047 |
| Transfers from non-operating properties | $2,658 | $60,119 | $1,011 | $9 | $106 | $3,891 | $67,794 | $1,884 | $69,678 |
| Segment assets at September 30, 2024 | $1,450,602 | $602,573 | $492,912 | $200,968 | $161,007 | $427,972 | $3,336,034 | $311,421 | $3,647,455 |
The following table reconciles our segment revenues to total revenues as reported on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Segment revenues from real estate operations | $180,310 | $172,563 | $535,364 | $506,311 |
| Construction contract and other service revenues | 8,485 | 16,662 | 31,202 | 63,523 |
| Total revenues | $188,795 | $189,225 | $566,566 | $569,834 |
The following table reconciles UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense to equity in income of unconsolidated entities as reported on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense | $1,864 | $1,844 | $5,623 | $5,319 |
| Less: Income from UJV allocable to COPT Defense attributable to depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense and loss on early extinguishment of debt | (1,786) | (1,759) | (4,819) | (5,139) |
| Add: Equity in loss of unconsolidated non-real estate entities | 1,737 | — | 1,737 | — |
| Equity in income of unconsolidated entities | $1,815 | $85 | $2,541 | $180 |
As previously discussed, we provide real estate services such as property management, development and construction services primarily for our properties but also for third parties. The primary manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our service activities is through a measure we define as net operating income from service operations (“NOI from service operations”), which is based on the net of revenues and expenses from these activities. Construction contract and other service revenues and expenses consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by the customer along with a management fee. The operating margins from these activities are small relative to the revenue. We believe NOI from service operations is a useful measure in assessing both our level of activity and our profitability in conducting such operations. The table below sets forth the computation of our NOI from service operations (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Construction contract and other service revenues | $8,485 | $16,662 | $31,202 | $63,523 |
| Construction contract and other service expenses | (7,952) | (16,127) | (29,530) | (61,746) |
| NOI from service operations | $533 | $535 | $1,672 | $1,777 |
The following table reconciles our NOI from real estate operations for reportable segments and NOI from service operations to net income as reported on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| NOI from real estate operations | $111,818 | $105,526 | $331,676 | $312,593 |
| NOI from service operations | 533 | 535 | 1,672 | 1,777 |
| Depreciation and other amortization associated with real estate operations | (40,631) | (38,307) | (119,563) | (114,819) |
| General, administrative, leasing and other expenses | (12,030) | (11,416) | (36,097) | (35,195) |
| Interest expense | (20,894) | (20,376) | (62,336) | (61,760) |
| Interest and other income, net | 2,591 | 3,324 | 5,382 | 10,330 |
| Gain on sales of real estate | 3,018 | — | 3,318 | — |
| Equity in income of unconsolidated entities | 1,815 | 85 | 2,541 | 180 |
| UJV NOI allocable to COPT Defense included in equity in income of unconsolidated entities | (1,864) | (1,844) | (5,623) | (5,319) |
| Income tax expense | (612) | (130) | (832) | (312) |
| Net income | $43,744 | $37,397 | $120,138 | $107,475 |
The following table reconciles our segment assets to our consolidated total assets (in thousands):
| September 30,2025 | September 30,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Segment assets | $3,720,879 | $3,647,455 |
| Operating properties lease liabilities included in segment assets | 46,573 | 34,012 |
| Investment in UJV deficit balance included in segment assets | 22,550 | 3,370 |
| Non-operating property assets | 353,184 | 314,729 |
| Other assets | 208,246 | 234,736 |
| Total consolidated assets | 4,351,432 | 4,234,302 |
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used to prepare our consolidated financial statements. In the segment reporting presented above, we did not allocate interest expense, depreciation and amortization, gain on sales of real estate and equity in income of unconsolidated entities not included in NOI to our real estate segments since they are not included in the measure of segment profit reviewed by management. We also did not allocate general, administrative, leasing and other expenses, interest and other income, net, income taxes and noncontrolling interests because these items represent general corporate or non-operating property items not attributable to segments.
- Construction Contract and Other Service Revenues
We disaggregate in the table below our construction contract and other service revenues by compensation arrangement as we believe it best depicts the nature, timing and uncertainty of our revenue (in thousands):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Construction contract revenue | ||||
| Firm fixed price | $3,525 | $8,158 | $15,338 | $29,343 |
| Guaranteed maximum price | 3,310 | 6,318 | 10,764 | 28,410 |
| Cost-plus fee | 1,323 | 1,868 | 4,230 | 4,574 |
| Other | 327 | 318 | 870 | 1,196 |
| $8,485 | $16,662 | $31,202 | $63,523 | |
We recognized an insignificant amount of revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods.
Accounts receivable related to our construction contract services is included in accounts receivable, net on our consolidated balance sheets. The beginning and ending balances of accounts receivable related to our construction contracts were as follows (in thousands):
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Beginning balance | $8,828 | $10,500 |
| Ending balance | $2,308 | $3,836 |
Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other assets, net on our consolidated balance sheets. The beginning and ending balances of our contract assets were as follows (in thousands):
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Beginning balance | $17,050 | $15,086 |
| Ending balance | $14,795 | $22,540 |
Contract liabilities are included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in contract liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Beginning balance | $2,016 | $4,176 |
| Ending balance | $2,210 | $2,536 |
| Portion of beginning balance recognized in revenue during: | ||
| Three months ended September 30, | $16 | $87 |
| Nine months ended September 30, | $201 | $2,198 |
Revenue allocated to the remaining performance obligations under existing contracts as of September 30, 2025 that will be recognized as revenue in future periods was $30.7 million, of which we expect to recognize approximately $26 million in thethree months ending December 31, 2025 and the remainder in 2026.
We haveno deferred incremental costs incurred to obtain or fulfill our construction contracts or other service revenues as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Credit loss expense or recoveries on construction contracts receivable and unbilled construction revenue were insignificant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.
- Credit Losses on Financial Assets and Other Instruments
The table below sets forth the activity for our allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
| Investing Receivables | Tenant Notes Receivable (1) | Other Assets (2) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | $2,792 | $615 | $75 | $3,482 |
| Net credit loss expense (recoveries) (3) | 1,412 | (67) | 33 | 1,378 |
| September 30, 2025 | $4,204 | $548 | $108 | $4,860 |
| December 31, 2023 | $2,377 | $666 | $153 | $3,196 |
| Net credit loss expense (recoveries) (3) | 490 | 57 | (51) | 496 |
| September 30, 2024 | $2,867 | $723 | $102 | $3,692 |
(1)Included in the line entitled “accounts receivable, net” on our consolidated balance sheets.
(2)The balance as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 included $13,000 and $60,000, respectively, in the line entitled “accounts receivable, net” and $95,000 and $15,000, respectively, in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets.
(3)Included in the line entitled “interest and other income, net” on our consolidated statements of operations.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of our investing receivables, tenant notes receivable and sales-type lease receivables by credit risk classification, by origination year as of September 30, 2025 (in thousands):
| Origination Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 and Earlier | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total | |
| Investing receivables | |||||||
| Credit risk classification | |||||||
| Investment grade | $60,295 | $11,696 | $— | $1,783 | $— | $— | $73,774 |
| Non-investment grade | — | — | 1,356 | — | — | 8,846 | 10,202 |
| Total | $60,295 | $11,696 | $1,356 | $1,783 | $— | $8,846 | $83,976 |
| Tenant notes receivable | |||||||
| Credit risk classification | |||||||
| Investment grade | $456 | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $456 |
| Non-investment grade | 1,197 | — | — | — | 358 | 23 | 1,578 |
| Total | $1,653 | $— | $— | $— | $358 | $23 | $2,034 |
| Sales-type lease receivables | |||||||
| Credit risk classification | |||||||
| Investment grade | $3,999 | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $3,999 |
Our investment grade credit risk classification represents entities with investment grade credit ratings from ratings agencies (such as S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Inc.), meaning that they are considered to have at least an adequate capacity to meet their financial commitments, with credit risk ranging from minimal to moderate. Our non-investment grade credit risk classification represents entities with either no credit agency credit ratings or ratings deemed to be sub-investment grade; we believe that there is significantly more credit risk associated with this classification. The credit risk classifications of our investing receivables and tenant notes receivable were last updated in September 2025.
An insignificant portion of the investing and tenant notes receivables set forth above were past due, which we define as being delinquent by more than three months from the due date, as of September 30, 2025.
We did not have any tenant notes receivable on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. We did not recognize any interest income on tenant notes receivable on nonaccrual status during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.
- Share-Based Compensation
Restricted Shares
The following table summarizes restricted shares activity under our share-based compensation plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2025:
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Unvested as of December 31, 2024 | 353,014 | $25.65 |
| Granted | 250,434 | $27.16 |
| Forfeited | (23,481) | $26.55 |
| Vested | (138,547) | $25.48 |
| Unvested as of September 30, 2025 | 441,420 | $26.51 |
Restricted shares granted to employees generally vest based on increments and over periods of time set forth under the terms of the respective awards provided that the employee remains employed by us. Restricted shares granted to non-employee Trustees vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the Trustee remains in the position.
The aggregate intrinsic value of restricted shares that vested was $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Profit Interest Units in CDPLP (“PIUs”)
We grantedtwo forms of PIUs: time-based PIUs (“TB-PIUs”); and performance-based PIUs (“PB-PIUs”). TB-PIUs are subject to forfeiture restrictions until the end of the requisite service period, at which time the TB-PIUs automatically convert into vested PIUs. PB-PIUs are subject to a market condition in that the number of earned awards are determined at the end of the performance period (as described further below) and then settled in vested PIUs. Vested PIUs automatically convert into common units in CDPLP if, or when, a book-up event (as defined under federal income tax regulations) has occurred and carry substantially the same rights to distributions as common units.
TB-PIUs
The following table summarizes TB-PIUs activity under our share-based compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2025:
| Number of TB-PIUs | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Unvested as of December 31, 2024 | 223,939 | $25.14 |
| Granted | 123,250 | $27.11 |
| Vested | (106,592) | $25.32 |
| Unvested as of September 30, 2025 | 240,597 | $26.07 |
TB-PIUs granted to senior management team members vest based on increments and over periods of time set forth under the terms of the respective awards provided that the employee remains employed by us. TB-PIUs granted to non-employee Trustees vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the Trustee remains in the position. Prior to vesting, TB-PIUs carry substantially the same rights to distributions as common units but carry no redemption rights.
The aggregate intrinsic value of TB-PIUs that vested was $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Performance-Based Awards
On January 1, 2025, we granted certain senior management team members performance-based equity, in the form of either PB-PIUs or performance share units (“PSUs”) as based on the election of the grant recipients. The grant recipients elected to receive, in aggregate,246,230 PB-PIUs (equal to 200% of the target award) and 20,296 PSUs (equal to 200% of the target award). These grants have athree-year performance period concluding on the earlier of December 31, 2027 or the date of: (1) termination by us without cause, death or disability of the employee or constructive discharge of the employee (collectively, “qualified termination”); or (2) a sale event.
The number of earned awards following the end of the performance period will be determined based on the percentile rank of COPT Defense’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) relative to a peer group of companies, as set forth in the following schedule:
| Percentile Rank | Earned Award Payout % |
|---|---|
| 75th or greater | 200% of target award |
| 50th (target) | 100% of target award |
| 25th | 50% of target award |
| Below 25th | 0% of target award |
If the percentile rank exceeds the 25th percentile and is betweentwo of the percentile ranks set forth in the table above, then the percentage of the earned awards will be interpolated between the ranges set forth in the table above to reflect any performance between the listed percentiles. If COPT Defense’s TSR is negative when its TSR’s percentile rank exceeds the 50th percentile, then the earned award payout percentage used to arrive at the earned awards would be reduced by 25 percentage points, but in no event to a payout percentage of less than 100% of the target award; however, the resulting reduction in earned awards would subsequently be deemed earned awards if COPT Defense’s TSR becomes positive on any date in the calendar year following the end of the performance period. In addition, regardless of COPT Defense’s TSR relative to the peer group, no less than 100% of the target award will be earned if COPT Defense’s TSR is at least 10% and no less than 50% of the target award will be earned if COPT Defense’s TSR is at least 6%, with linear interpolation if COPT Defense’s TSR is between 6% and 10%.
During the performance period, PB-PIUs carry rights to distributions equal to 10% of the distribution rights of common units but carry no redemption rights.
Following the end of the performance period, we will settle the awards as follows:
for PB-PIUs, issuing vested PIUs equal to: the number of earned awards; and the excess, if any, of (1) the aggregate distributions that would have been paid with respect to vested PIUs issued in settlement of the earned awards through the date of settlement had such vested PIUs been issued on the grant date over (2) the aggregate distributions made on the PB-PIUs through the date of settlement, divided by the price of our common shares over a defined period of time; and
for PSUs, issuing fully-vested COPT Defense shares equal to: the number of earned awards; and the aggregate dividends that would have been paid with respect to the common shares issued in settlement of the earned awards through the date of settlement had such shares been issued on the grant date, divided by the price of our common shares over a defined period of time.
If a performance period ends due to a sale event or qualified termination, the number of earned awards is prorated based on the portion of thethree-year performance period that has elapsed. If employment is terminated by the employee or by us for cause, all unvested performance-based awards are forfeited.
These performance-based grants had an aggregate grant date fair value of $5.3 million ($43.33 per target-level award) in the form of PB-PIUs and $444,000 ($43.75 per target-level award) in the form of PSUs, which are being recognized over the performance period. The grant date fair value was computed using a Monte Carlo model that included the following assumptions: baseline common share value of $30.95; expected volatility for common shares of 28.3%; and a risk-free interest rate of 4.5%.
Based on COPT Defense’s TSR relative to its peer group of companies, for the 2022 PB-PIUs issued to executives that vested on December 31, 2024, we issued 212,831 vested PIUs in settlement of the PB-PIUs on February 1, 2025.
Deferred Share Awards
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a non-employee Trustee was granted 3,922 deferred share awards with an aggregate grant date fair value of $108,000 ($27.47 per share). Deferred share awards vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the Trustee remains in the position. We settle deferred share awards by issuing an equivalent number of common shares upon vesting of the awards or a later date elected by the Trustee (generally upon cessation of being a Trustee). During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we issued 32,669 common shares in settlement of vested deferred share awards with a weighted average grant date fair value of $26.19 per award and an aggregate intrinsic value on the settlement date of $897,000.
- Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)
We present both basic and diluted EPS. We compute basic EPS by dividing net income available to common shareholders allocable to unrestricted common shares by the weighted average number of unrestricted common shares outstanding during the period after allocating undistributed earnings between common shareholders and participating securities under the two-class method. Our participating securities include restricted shares and PIUs and deferred share awards not previously settled by common share issuances. Our computation of diluted EPS is similar except that:
the denominator is increased to include: (1) the weighted average number of potential additional common shares that would have been outstanding if securities that are convertible into common shares were converted; and (2) the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and share-based compensation awards using the if-converted or treasury stock methods; and
the numerator is adjusted to add back any changes in income that would result from the assumed conversion into common shares that we add to the denominator.
We compute diluted EPS using the treasury stock method for unvested restricted shares, TB-PIUs and deferred share awards and the if-converted method for exchangeable debt (including our 5.25% Notes), common units, redeemable noncontrolling interest, PB-PIUs, PSUs and vested PIUs and deferred share awards not previously settled by common share issuances.
Summaries of the numerator and denominator for purposes of basic and diluted EPS calculations are set forth below (in thousands, except per share data):
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Numerator | ||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $41,727 | $36,085 | $114,814 | $103,808 |
| Income attributable to share-based compensation awards for basic EPS | (161) | (127) | (484) | (385) |
| Numerator for basic EPS on net income attributable to common shareholders | 41,566 | 35,958 | 114,330 | 103,423 |
| Adjustment to income attributable to share-based compensation awards for diluted EPS | 28 | 23 | 144 | 66 |
| Numerator for diluted EPS on net income attributable to common shareholders | $41,594 | $35,981 | $114,474 | $103,489 |
| Denominator (all weighted averages) | ||||
| Denominator for basic EPS (common shares) | 112,485 | 112,314 | 112,442 | 112,279 |
| Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards | 702 | 696 | 749 | 566 |
| Denominator for diluted EPS (common shares) | 113,187 | 113,010 | 113,191 | 112,845 |
| Basic EPS attributable to common shareholders | $0.37 | $0.32 | $1.02 | $0.92 |
| Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders | $0.37 | $0.32 | $1.01 | $0.92 |
Our diluted EPS computations do not include the effects of the following securities since the conversions of such securities would increase diluted EPS for the respective periods (in thousands):
| Weighted Average Shares Excluded from Denominator | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Conversion of common units | 2,182 | 1,696 | 2,136 | 1,675 |
| Conversion of redeemable noncontrolling interest | 804 | 747 | 834 | 873 |
The following securities were also excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because their effect was antidilutive:
weighted average restricted shares and deferred share awards of 502,000 and 436,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and 429,000 and 433,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively;
weighted average TB-PIUs of 241,000 and 229,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and 235,000 and 221,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively;
weighted average PB-PIUs of 718,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 740,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024; and
weighted average vested PIUs of 223,000 and 212,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.
Our 5.25% Notes issued in 2023 have an exchange settlement feature under which the principal amount of notes exchanged is payable in cash, with the remainder of the exchange obligation, if any, determined based on the exchange price per common share at the time of settlement, payable in cash, common shares or a combination thereof at our election. These notes did not affect our diluted EPS reported above since the weighted average closing price of our common shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was less than the exchange price applicable to those periods.
- Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation and Claims
In the normal course of business, we are subject to legal actions and other claims. We record losses for specific legal proceedings and claims when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As of September 30, 2025, management believes that it is reasonably possible that we could recognize a loss of up to $5.2 million for certain municipal tax claims; while we do not believe this loss would materially affect our financial position or liquidity, it could be material to our results of operations. Management believes that it is also reasonably possible that we could incur losses pursuant to other claims but do not believe such losses would materially affect our financial position, liquidity or results of operations. Our assessment of the potential outcomes of these matters involves significant judgment and is subject to change based on future developments.
Environmental
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental regulations related to our property ownership and operations. We have performed environmental assessments of our properties, the results of which have not revealed any environmental liability that we believe would have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, operations or liquidity.
In connection with a lease and subsequent sale in prior periods ofthree properties in Dayton, New Jersey, we agreed to provide certain environmental indemnifications limited to $19 million in the aggregate. We have insurance coverage in place to mitigate most of any potential future losses that may result from these indemnification agreements.
Tax Incremental Financing Obligation
Anne Arundel County, Maryland issued tax incremental financing bonds to third-party investors in order to finance public improvements needed in connection with our project known as the National Business Park. These bonds had a remaining principal balance of approximately $23 million as of September 30, 2025. The real estate taxes on increases in assessed values post-bond issuance of properties in development districts encompassing the National Business Park are transferred to a special fund pledged to the repayment of the bonds. While we are obligated to fund, through a special tax, any future shortfalls between debt service of the bonds and real estate taxes available to repay the bonds, as of September 30, 2025, we do not expect any such future fundings will be required.
- Subsequent Events
On October 2, 2025, CDPLP issued $400.0 million of 4.50% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “4.50% Notes”) at an initial offering price of 99.46% of their face value. The proceeds from this issuance, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, but before other offering expenses, were $395.5 million. The notes mature on October 15, 2030. We may redeem the notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) the aggregate principal amount of the notes being redeemed or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to its present value, on a semi-annual basis at an adjusted treasury rate plus a spread of 15 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. However, if this redemption occurs on or after September 15, 2030, the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the applicable redemption date. These notes are unconditionally guaranteed by COPT Defense.
On October 6, 2025, we entered into an amendment to the existing credit agreement underlying our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility. The resulting amended credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) includes the following provisions:
for the Revolving Credit Facility:
an aggregate commitment by the lenders of $800.0 million (increased from $600.0 million);
an interest rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.725% to 1.400%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to CDPLP by S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (collectively, the “Ratings Agencies”) or otherwise specified under the Amended Credit Agreement, with no SOFR transition charge;
a quarterly fee based on the lenders’ commitment under the facility multiplied by a per annum rate of 0.125% to 0.300%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to CDPLP by the Ratings Agencies or otherwise specified under the Amended Credit Agreement; and
an extension of the maturity date from October 26, 2026 to October 5, 2029, with the ability for us to extend such maturity bytwo six-month periods at our option, provided that there is no default under the Amended Credit Agreement and we pay an extension fee of 0.0625% of the total availability under the facility for each extension period; and
for the Term Loan Facility:
an interest rate based on SOFR plus 0.850% to 1.700%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to CDPLP by the Ratings Agencies or otherwise specified under the Amended Credit Agreement, with no SOFR transition charge; and
maintained the facility’s maturity date of January 30, 2026, with the ability for us to extend such maturity bytwo 12-month periods at our option, provided that there is no default under the Amended Credit Agreement and we pay an extension fee of 0.125% of the outstanding term loans under the agreement for each extension period.
On October 16, 2025, we entered into a credit agreement for a secured revolving line of credit that we expect to use to fund property development activities (the “Revolving Development Facility”). The agreement provides for an initial aggregate commitment by the lender of $200.0 million, with a right for us to request an increase during the term to a maximum of $250.0 million, subject to lender approval. The facility matures on October 16, 2029, with the ability to extend such maturity by a 12-month period at our option, provided that there is no default under the facility and we pay an extension fee of 0.250% of the total amount available under the facility. The interest rate on the facility is based on SOFR plus 1.250% to 1.900%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to CDPLP by the Ratings Agencies or otherwise specified under the agreement. The facility also carries a quarterly fee that is based on the lenders’ commitment multiplied by a per annum rate of 0.125% to 0.300%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to CDPLP by the Ratings Agencies or otherwise specified under the agreement.
On October 30, 2025, we acquired 15050 Conference Center Drive, a 142,000 square foot property in Chantilly, Virginia (included in the NoVA Defense/IT sub-segment of our Defense/IT Portfolio reportable segment) that was 100% leased, for a gross purchase price of approximately $40 million.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.