# Global Self Storage, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2020

- Company: [Global Self Storage, Inc.](/companies/self.md) (CIK 1031235)
- Form: 10-Q
- Filed: 2020-05-15
- Accepted by EDGAR: May 15, 2020, 16:01 ET
- Period: 2020-03-31
- Accession: 0001564590-20-025805
- Inline XBRL: yes
- Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031235/000156459020025805/self-10q_20200331.htm
- All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031235/000156459020025805/

## Figures reported in this filing

Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2020-03-31.

| Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept |
| --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| Revenue | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | $2.2m | us-gaap:Revenues |
| Operating income | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | $115.7k | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss |
| Interest expense | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | $305.8k | us-gaap:InterestExpense |
| Net income | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | −$356.4k | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Diluted EPS | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | −$0.04 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted |
| Basic EPS | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | −$0.04 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Diluted shares (weighted) | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | 9,262,811 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding |
| Operating cash flow | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | $625.4k | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Dividends paid | 3 months, 2020-01-01 to 2020-03-31 | $605.5k | us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends |
| Cash and equivalents | at 2020-03-31 | $3.1m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |
| Total assets | at 2020-03-31 | $66.8m | us-gaap:Assets |
| Total liabilities | at 2020-03-31 | $25.7m | us-gaap:Liabilities |
| Shareholders' equity | at 2020-03-31 | $41.1m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity |

## Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 63,610 characters.

### CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited “Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” appearing elsewhere in this report. We make statements in this section that may be forward looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. For a complete discussion of forward looking statements, see the section in this report entitled “Statement on Forward Looking Information.” References to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our company” refer to Global Self Storage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, including, as the context requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic and on March 13, 2020 the United States declared a national emergency with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis Overview,” “Same-Store Self Storage Operations” and “Combined Same-Store and Non Same-Store Self Storage Operations” sections below for a discussion of the impact on our business, including operational changes we have implemented. The current operating environment is changing rapidly. Our future response and the resulting impact on our business is difficult to predict. The extent of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business going forward, including our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, is dependent on multiple factors, many of which are unknown. We will continue to monitor the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and will adjust our operations as necessary. For additional details, see Item 1A. Risk Factors.

### CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report describe the significant accounting policies essential to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Preparation of our financial statements requires estimates, judgments, and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments, and assumptions that we have used are appropriate and correct based on information available at the time they were made. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions can affect our reported assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the period presented. If there are material differences between these estimates, judgments, and assumptions and actual facts, our financial statements may be affected.

In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not require our judgment in its application. There are areas in which our judgment in selecting among available alternatives would not produce a materially different result, but there are some areas in which our judgment in selecting among available alternatives would produce a materially different result. Please refer to the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that contain additional information regarding our critical accounting policies and other disclosures.

### Management’s Discussion and Analysis Overview

The Company is a self-administered and self-managed REIT that owns, operates, manages, acquires, develops and redevelops self storage properties (“stores” or “properties”) in the United States. Our stores are designed to offer affordable, easily accessible, and secure storage space for residential and commercial customers. The Company currently owns and operates, or manages, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, thirteen stores located in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.

Our store operations generated most of our net income for all periods presented herein. Accordingly, a significant portion of management’s time is devoted to seeking to maximize cash flows from our existing stores, as well as seeking investments in additional stores. The Company expects to continue to earn a majority of its net income from its store operations as its current store operations continue to develop and as it makes additional store acquisitions. Over time, the Company expects to divest its remaining portfolio of investment securities and use the proceeds to acquire, develop, redevelop, and/or operate additional stores. The Company expects its income from investment securities to continue to decrease as it continues to divest its holdings of investment securities.

#### Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our financing strategy is to minimize the cost of our capital in order to maximize the returns generated for our stockholders. For future acquisitions, the Company may use various financing and capital raising alternatives including, but not limited to, debt and/or equity offerings, credit facilities, mortgage financing, and joint ventures with third parties.

On June 24, 2016, certain wholly owned subsidiaries (“Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries”) of the Company entered into a loan agreement and certain other related agreements (collectively, the “Term Loan Agreement”) between the Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries and Insurance Strategy Funding IV, LLC (the “Term Loan Lender”). Under the Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries are borrowing from Term Loan Lender in the principal amount of $20 million pursuant to a promissory note (the “Term Loan Promissory Note”). The Term Loan Promissory Note bears an interest rate equal to 4.192% per annum and is due to mature on July 1, 2036. Pursuant to a security agreement (the “Term Loan Security Agreement”), the obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are secured by certain real estate assets owned by the Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries. J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. acted as Special Purpose Vehicle Agent of the Term Loan Lender. The Company entered into a non-recourse guaranty on June 24, 2016 (the “Term Loan Guaranty,” and together with the Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Promissory Note and the Term Loan Security Agreement, the “Term Loan Documents”) to guarantee the payment to Lender of certain obligations of the Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries under the Term Loan Agreement. The Term Loan Documents require the Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries and the Company to comply with certain covenants, including, among others, a minimum net worth test and other customary covenants. The Term Loan Lender may accelerate amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Documents upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) including, but not limited to, the failure to pay amounts due or commencement of bankruptcy proceedings. The Company and the Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries paid customary fees and expenses in connection with their entry into the Term Loan Documents. There is no material relationship between the Company, its Term Loan Secured Subsidiaries, or its affiliates and the Term Loan Lender, other than in respect of the Term Loan Documents. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by the full terms and conditions of the Term Loan Documents, filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 30, 2016. We used the proceeds of such debt financing primarily in connection with store acquisitions and development.

On December 20, 2018, certain wholly owned subsidiaries (“Credit Facility Secured Subsidiaries”) of the Company entered into a revolving credit loan agreement (collectively, the “Credit Facility Loan Agreement”) between the Credit Facility Secured Subsidiaries and TCF National Bank (“Credit Facility Lender”). Under the Credit Facility Loan Agreement, the Credit Facility Secured Subsidiaries may borrow from the Credit Facility Lender in the principal amount of up to $10 million pursuant to a promissory note (the “Credit Facility Promissory Note”). The Credit Facility Promissory Note bears an interest rate equal to 3.00% over the One Month U.S. Dollar London Inter-Bank Offered Rate and is due to mature on December 20, 2021. The obligations under the Credit Facility Loan Agreement are secured by certain real estate assets owned by the Credit Facility Secured Subsidiaries. The Company entered into a guaranty of payment on December 20, 2018 (the “Credit Facility Guaranty,” and together with the Credit Facility Loan Agreement, the Credit Facility Promissory Note and related instruments, the “Credit Facility Loan Documents”) to guarantee the payment to Credit Facility Lender of certain obligations of the Credit Facility Secured Subsidiaries under the Credit Facility Loan Agreement. The Company and the Credit Facility Secured Subsidiaries paid customary fees and expenses in connection with their entry into the Credit Facility Loan Documents. The Company also maintains a bank account at the Credit Facility Lender. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by the full terms and conditions of the Credit Facility Loan Documents, filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2018. As of March 31, 2020, we have withdrawn proceeds of $4,914,000 under the Credit Facility Loan Agreement. We currently intend to strategically withdraw proceeds available under the Credit Facility Loan Agreement to fund: (i) the acquisition of additional self storage properties, (ii) expansions at existing self storage properties in our portfolio, and/or (iii) joint ventures with third parties for the acquisition and expansion of self storage properties.

We expect in the near-term there may be a lower volume of acquisition transactions in the self storage sector generally due to uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we continue to actively review a number of store and store portfolio acquisition opportunities and have been working to further develop and expand our current stores. We did not complete any acquisitions in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

We believe that our third-party management platform, Global MaxManagementSM, will provide an additional revenue stream through management fees and tenant insurance premiums and will help expand our brand awareness, and may also allow us to build a captive acquisition pipeline. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to actively market our third-party management platform to developers, single-property self storage operators, and small-portfolio self storage operators, and we believe these discussions may lead to the addition of new properties to our owned and/or third-party management portfolios. In addition, we may pursue third-party management opportunities owned by certain affiliates or joint venture partners for a fee, and utilize such relationships with third-party owners as a source for future acquisitions and investment opportunities. As of March 31, 2020, we managed one property, which was rebranded as “Global Self Storage,” had 136,718-leasable square feet and was comprised of 617 climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled units, located in Edmond, Oklahoma.

We expect we will have sufficient cash from current sources to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months. However, we may opt to supplement our equity capital and increase potential returns to our stockholders through the use of prudent levels of borrowings. We may use debt when the available terms and conditions are favorable to long-term investing and well-aligned with our business plan. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy, we are closely monitoring overall liquidity levels and changes in our business performance (including our properties) to be in a position to enact changes to ensure adequate liquidity going forward.

As of March 31, 2020, we had capital resources totaling approximately $10.1 million, comprised of $3.4 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, $1.6 million of marketable securities, and $5.1 million available for withdrawal under the Credit Facility Loan Agreement. Capital resources derived from retained cash flow have been and are currently expected to continue to be negligible. Retained operating cash flow represents our expected cash flow provided by operating activities, less stockholder distributions and capital expenditures to maintain stores. These capital resources allow us to continue to execute our strategic business plan, which includes funding acquisitions, either directly or through joint ventures; expansion projects at our existing properties; and broadening our revenue base and pipeline of potential acquisitions through developing Global MaxManagementSM, our third-party management platform. Our board of directors regularly reviews our strategic business plan, including topics and metrices like capital formation, debt versus equity ratios, dividend policy, use of capital and debt, funds from operations (“FFO”) and adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) performance, and optimal cash levels.

We expect that the results of our operations will be affected by a number of factors. Many of the factors that will affect our operating results are beyond our control. The Company and its properties could be materially and adversely affected by the risks, or the public perception of the risks, related to an epidemic, pandemic, outbreak, or other public health crisis, such as the current outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global economic activity and caused significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, mandating business and school closures, requiring restrictions on travel, “shelter-in-place” and/or “stay-at-home” orders, and imposing restrictions on the types of businesses that may continue to operate. Such actions are creating disruption in global supply chains, and adversely impacting a number of industries, such as transportation, hospitality and entertainment. The outbreak could have a continued adverse impact on economic and market conditions and trigger a period of global economic slowdown. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The containment measures described above generally do not apply to businesses, like ours, but may apply to certain of our tenants, employees, vendors, and lenders. Self storage has been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a Critical Infrastructure Sector and has been deemed an essential business in all states where we have operations. We believe this is because self-storage facilities play an important role in local supply chains, and are used by residents and businesses to store a variety of critical supplies for residential and commercial use. As such, we are proud to continue to serve our communities in this way and currently expect to remain fully operational for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we are practicing social distancing and enhanced cleaning and disinfectant activities to protect our employees and tenants. We have long provided online leasing and payment options, as well as on-site contactless solutions using kiosks that can facilitate rentals and even automatically dispense locks. Our kiosks are available 24/7 at each of our stores where prospective tenants can select and rent a unit, or current tenants can pay their rent.

Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and our tenant's ability to pay rent. The extent to which our financial condition and results of operations operating will continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will largely depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted.

### Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

#### Revenues

Total revenues increased from $2,106,511 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $2,239,544 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $133,033, or 6.3%. Rental income increased from $2,038,684 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $2,150,240 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $111,556, or 5.5%. The increase was primarily attributable to the West Henrietta, NY acquisition and increases in rental rates at our other wholly-owned stores.

Other store related income consists of customer insurance fees, sales of storage supplies, and other ancillary revenues. Other store related income increased from $67,827 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $71,960 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $4,133, or 6.1%. This increase was primarily attributable to increased insurance participation.

Income from our third-party management platform consists of management fees and customer insurance fees. Management fees and other income increased from $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $17,344 during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

#### Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased from $1,829,171 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $2,123,880 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $294,709, or 16.1%, which was primarily attributable to increases in certain general and administrative expenses. Store operating expenses increased from $913,349 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $916,080 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $2,731, or 0.3%.

Depreciation and amortization increased from $351,644 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $515,937 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $164,293, or 46.7%, which was primarily attributable to depreciation of the building and fixtures and amortization of the in-place leases related to the 2019 store acquisition in West Henrietta, NY.

General and administrative expenses increased from $555,928 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $682,623 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $126,695, or 22.8%. The increase in the general and administrative expenses during the period are primarily attributable to increased accounting expenses relating to the engagement of our new independent registered public accounting firm and increased expenses associated with federal and state tax liability of our taxable REIT subsidiary. ‬

Business development, capital raising, store acquisition, and third-party management marketing expenses increased from $8,250 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $9,240 during the three months ended March 31, 2020. These costs primarily consist of costs incurred in connection with business development, capital raising, and future potential store acquisitions, and third-party management marketing expenses. The increase is primarily attributable to the recording of expenses related to third-party management marketing expenses. Business development costs are typically non-recurring and fluctuate based on periodic business development and acquisition activity.

#### Operating Income

As a result of the operating effects noted above, operating income changed from $277,340 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $115,664‬ during the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $161,676, or 58.3%. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

#### Other income (expense)

Interest expense on loans increased from $261,166 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $305,783 during the three months ended March 31, 2020. This increase was attributable to interest expense on funds drawn on the credit revolver. The cash payments for the $20 million loan remain the same every month until June 2036.

Dividend, interest, and other income was $17,200 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $24,100 during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities was $154,449 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the unrealized loss on marketable equity securities was $190,405 during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

#### Net income (loss)

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net income was $187,823, or $0.02 per fully diluted share. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net loss was $356,424, or $0.04 per share.

#### Distributions and Closing Market Prices

Distributions for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 each totaled $0.065 per share, respectively. The Company’s closing market price as of March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019 were $3.51 and $3.86, respectively. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds from Operations (“FFO”) and FFO per share are non-GAAP measures defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and are considered helpful measures of REIT performance by REITs and many REIT analysts. NAREIT defines FFO as a REIT’s net income, excluding gains or losses from sales of property, and adding back real estate depreciation and amortization. FFO and FFO per share are not a substitute for net income or earnings per share. FFO is not a substitute for GAAP net cash flow in evaluating our liquidity or ability to pay dividends, because it excludes financing activities presented on our statements of cash flows. In addition, other REITs may compute these measures differently, so comparisons among REITs may not be helpful. However, the Company believes that to further understand the performance of its stores, FFO should be considered along with the net income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP and as presented in the Company’s financial statements.

Adjusted FFO (“AFFO”) represents FFO excluding the effects of business development, capital raising, store acquisition, and third-party management marketing expenses and non-recurring items, which we believe are not indicative of the Company’s operating results. We present AFFO because we believe it is a helpful measure in understanding our results of operations insofar as we believe that the items noted above that are included in FFO, but excluded from AFFO, are not indicative of our ongoing operating results. We also believe that the investment community considers our AFFO (or similar measures using different terminology) when evaluating us. Because other REITs or real estate companies may not compute AFFO in the same manner as we do, and may use different terminology, our computation of AFFO may not be comparable to AFFO reported by other REITs or real estate companies.

We believe net operating income or “NOI” is a meaningful measure of operating performance because we utilize NOI in making decisions with respect to, among other things, capital allocations, determining current store values, evaluating store performance, and in comparing period-to-period and market-to-market store operating results. In addition, we believe the investment community utilizes NOI in determining operating performance and real estate values and does not consider depreciation expense because it is based upon historical cost. NOI is defined as net store earnings before general and administrative expenses, interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

NOI is not a substitute for net income, net operating cash flow, or other related GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating results.

### Self Storage Portfolio

The following discussion and analysis of our same-store self storage operations are presented on a comparative basis for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

### GLOBAL SELF STORAGE STORES

| Property(1) OWNED STORES | Address | Year Store Opened / Acquired | Number of Units | Net Leasable Square Feet | March 31, 2020 Square Foot Occupancy % | March 31, 2019 Square Foot Occupancy % |
| --- | --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| SSG BOLINGBROOK LLC | 296 North Weber Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 | 1997 / 2013 | 801 | 113,700 | 93.0% | 91.9% |
| SSG CLINTON LLC | 6 Heritage Park Road, Clinton, CT 06413 | 1996 / 2016 | 182 | 30,408 | 90.5% | 93.6% |
| SSG DOLTON LLC | 14900 Woodlawn Avenue, Dolton, IL 60419 | 2007 / 2013 | 652 | 86,590 | 91.6% | 94.4% |
| SSG LIMA LLC | 1910 West Robb Avenue, Lima, OH 60419 | 1996 / 2016 | 731 | 98,265 | 91.9% | 94.4% |
| SSG MERRILLVILLE LLC | 6590 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410 | 2005 / 2013 | 568 | 80,870 | 90.3% | 91.8% |
| SSG ROCHESTER LLC | 2255 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624 | 2010 / 2012 | 641 | 68,116 | 95.8% | 92.8% |
| SSG SADSBURY LLC | 21 Aim Boulevard, Sadsburyville, PA 19369 | 2006 / 2012 | 690 | 78,847 | 92.4% | 89.5% |
| SSG SUMMERVILLE I LLC | 1713 Old Trolley Road, Summerville, SC 29485 | 1990 / 2013 | 567 | 75,510 | 85.7% | 89.4% |
| SSG SUMMERVILLE II LLC | 900 North Gum Street, Summerville, SC 29483 | 1997 / 2013 | 248 | 42,960 | 89.5% | 93.6% |
| **TOTAL/AVERAGE SAME-STORES** |  |  | **5,080** | **675,266** | **91.4%** | **92.3%** |
| SSG FISHERS LLC | 13942 East 96th Street, McCordsville, IN 46055 | 2007 / 2016 | 544 | 76,378 | 72.1% | 96.2% |
| SSG MILLBROOK LLC | 3814 Route 44, Millbrook, NY 12545 | 2008 / 2016 | 260 | 24,472 | 47.8% | 97.9% |
| SSG WEST HENRIETTA LLC | 70 Erie Station Road, West Henrietta, NY 14586 | 2016 / 2019 | 452 | 48,250 | 79.5% | 71.7%(2) |
| **TOTAL/AVERAGE NON SAME-STORES** |  |  | **1,256** | **149,100** | **70.5%** | **96.5%** |
| **TOTAL/AVERAGE SAME-STORE AND NON SAME-STORE** |  |  | **6,336** | **824,366** | **87.6%** | **92.8%** |
| **MANAGED STORES** |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| TPM EDMOND LLC | 14000 N I 35 Service Rd, Edmond, OK 73013 | 2015 / 2019 | 617 | 136,718 | 87.6% | 94.5%(2) |
| **TOTAL/AVERAGE MANAGED STORES** |  |  | **617** | **136,718** | **87.6%** | **94.5%** |
| **TOTAL/AVERAGE ALL OWNED/MANAGED STORES** |  |  | **6,953** | **961,084** | **87.6%** | **92.8%** |

(1) Each store is directly owned or managed by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary listed in the table.

(2) This percentage is provided for informational purposes only and represents the pre-acquisition/management occupancy of the property on the indicated date. It is not included as part of the “Total/Average Same-Store and Non Same-Store” or “Total/Average All Owned/Managed Stores” occupancy percentages for March 31, 2019, which include only those properties owned and/or managed (as applicable) by the Company as of the indicated date.

Certain stores’ leasable square feet in the chart above includes outside auto/RV/boat storage space: approximately 13,000 square feet at SSG Sadsbury LLC; 15,700 square feet at SSG Bolingbrook LLC; 9,000 square feet at SSG Dolton LLC; 1,000 square feet at SSG Merrillville LLC; 7,200 square feet at SSG Summerville II LLC and 8,750 square feet at SSG Clinton LLC. For SSG Lima LLC, included is approximately 12,683 square feet of non-storage commercial and student housing space. Approximately 33% of our total available units are climate-controlled, 59% are traditional, and 8% are parking.

### Same-Store Self Storage Operations

We consider our same-store portfolio to consist of only those stores owned and operated on a stabilized basis at the beginning and at the end of the applicable periods presented. We consider a store to be stabilized once it has achieved an occupancy rate that we believe, based on our assessment of market-specific data, is representative of similar self storage assets in the applicable market for a full year measured as of the most recent January 1 and has not been significantly damaged by natural disaster or undergone significant renovation or expansion. We believe that same-store results are useful to investors in evaluating our performance because they provide information relating to changes in store-level operating performance without taking into account the effects of acquisitions, dispositions, or new ground-up developments. At March 31, 2020, we owned nine same-store properties and three non same-store properties. The Company believes that, by providing same-store results from a stabilized pool of stores, with accompanying operating metrics including, but not limited to, variances in occupancy, rental revenue, operating expenses, and NOI, stockholders and potential investors are able to evaluate operating performance without the effects of non-stabilized occupancy levels, rent levels, expense levels, acquisitions, or completed developments. Same-store results should not be used as a basis for future same-store performance or for the performance of the Company’s stores as a whole.

Same-store occupancy at March 31, 2020 decreased by 0.9% to 91.4% from 92.3% at March 31, 2019. This excludes the impact from the Millbrook, NY expansion project completed in February 2020 and our McCordsville, IN conversion, which commenced in April 2020 and is not expected to be completed until sometime during the third quarter of 2020.

We grew our top-line results by increasing same-store revenues by 2.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. Same-store cost of operations decreased by 8.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. Same-store NOI increased by 10.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. The increase in same-store NOI was due primarily to a decrease in cost of operations and an increase in rental rates.

We believe that our results were driven by, among other things, our internet and digital marketing initiatives which helped our same-store overall average occupancy maintain at or around 91% as of March 31, 2020. Also, contributing to our results were our customer service efforts which we believe were essential in building local brand loyalty, resulting in strong referral and word-of-mouth market demand for our storage units and services. Another contributing factor to our results was our competitor move-in rate metrics analysis which employs internet data scraping and other methods to help keep our storage unit move-in rates “in the market,” and our revenue rate management program which helped increase existing tenant rates while maintaining or building store occupancy.

These results are summarized as follows:

*SAME - STORE PROPERTIES*

| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2020 | 2019 | Variance | % Change |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Revenues | $1,843,653 | $1,806,511 | $37,142 | 2.1% |
| Cost of operations | $746,007 | $811,952 | $(65,945) | -8.1% |
| Net operating income | $1,097,646 | $994,559 | $103,087 | 10.4% |
| Depreciation and amortization | $237,698 | $236,577 | $1,121 | 0.5% |
| Net leasable square footage at period end\* | 675,266 | 671,685 | 3,581 | 0.5% |
| Net leased square footage at period end | 617,177 | 620,038 | (2,861) | -0.5% |
| Overall square foot occupancy at period end | 91.4% | 92.3% | -0.9% | -1.0% |
| Total annualized revenue per leased square foot | $11.95 | $11.65 | $0.29 | 2.5% |
| Total available leasable storage units\* | 5,080 | 5,063 | 17 | 0.3% |
| Number of leased storage units | 4,590 | 4,612 | (22) | -0.5% |

\* From time to time, as guided by market conditions, net leasable square footage and total available leasable storage units at our properties may increase or decrease as a result of consolidation, division or reconfiguration of storage units. Similarly, leasable square footage may increase or decrease due to expansion or redevelopment of our properties.

The following table presents a reconciliation of same-store net operating income to net income (loss) as presented on our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated (unaudited):

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | 2019 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Net income (loss) | $(356,424) | $187,823 |
| Adjustments: |  |  |
| Management fees and other income | (17,344) | — |
| General and administrative | 682,623 | 555,928 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 515,937 | 351,644 |
| Business development | 9,240 | 8,250 |
| Dividend, interest, and other income | (24,100) | (17,200) |
| Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable equity securities | 190,405 | (154,449) |
| Interest expense | 305,782 | 261,166 |
| Non same-store revenues | (378,547) | (299,999) |
| Non same-store cost of operations | 170,074 | 101,396 |
| Total same-store net operating income | $1,097,646 | $994,559 |
|  | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |  |
|  | **2020** | **2019** |
| Same-store revenues | $1,843,653 | $1,806,511 |
| Same-store cost of operations | 746,007 | 811,952 |
| Total same-store net operating income | $1,097,646 | $994,559 |

#### Analysis of Same-Store Revenue

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, same-store revenue increased 2.1%, or $37,142 versus the same period in 2019, which was attributable to, among other things, additional income from rental income growth. Same-store average overall square foot occupancy for all of the Company’s same-store properties decreased to 91.4% at March 31, 2020, slightly down from 92.3% at March 31, 2019.

We believe that our focus on high occupancy helps us to maximize rental income at our properties. We seek to maintain an average square foot occupancy level at or above 90% by regularly adjusting the rental rates and promotions offered to attract new tenants as well as adjusting our online marketing efforts in seeking to generate sufficient move-in volume to replace tenants that vacate. Demand may fluctuate due to various local and regional factors, including the overall economy. Demand is generally higher in the summer months than in the winter months and, as a result, rental rates charged to new tenants are typically higher in the summer months than in the winter months.

Since late March 2020, we have seen reduced activity with fewer move-ins and move-outs. These trends may be temporary or even reverse, to the extent they are driven by short-term factors such as stay at home orders and delays in our auction process. We have also temporarily suspended our existing tenant rental rate increase program. Because existing tenant rental rate increases have contributed significantly to increases in rental income in recent years, suspension of these increases may have a material adverse impact on our revenue growth. This suspension will impact our revenue for the rest of 2020. It is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic could change consumer behavior, either due to economic recession, uncertainty, or dislocation, as well as other factors, which could increase customer sensitivity and propensity to move-out in response to rate increases, either in the short or longer term.

As of March 31, 2020, we observed no material degradation in rent collections. However, we believe that our bad debt losses (which are reflected as a reduction in revenues) could increase from historical levels, due to (i) cumulative stress on our customers’ financial capacity, (ii) reduced rent recoveries from auctioned units, and (iii) the continued delay of auctions, which began in March 2020.

We may experience a change in the move-out patterns of our long-term customers due to economic uncertainty and the significant increase in unemployment recently. This could lead to lower occupancies and rent “roll down” as long-term customers are replaced with new customers at lower rates.

If and when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we currently expect rental income growth, if any, to come from a combination of the following: (i) continued existing tenant rent increases, (ii) higher rental rates charged to new tenants, (iii) lower promotional discounts, and (iv) higher occupancies. Our future rental income growth will likely also be dependent upon many factors for each market that we operate in, including, among other things, demand for self storage space, the level of competitor supply of self storage space, and the average length of stay of our tenants. Increasing existing tenant rental rates, generally on an annual basis, is a key component of our revenue growth. We typically determine the level of rental increases based upon our expectations regarding the impact of existing tenant rate increases on incremental move-outs. We currently expect existing tenant rent increases in the remainder of 2020, if any, to be substantially less than the prior year due to our temporary suspension of revenue rate increases in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to predict trends in move-in, move-out, in place contractual rents, and occupancy levels. Current trends, when viewed in the short-term, are volatile and not necessarily predictive of our revenues going forward because they may be subject to many short-term factors. Such factors include, among others, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, initial move-in rates, seasonal factors, unit size and geographical mix of the specific tenants moving in or moving out, the length of stay of the tenants moving in or moving out, changes in our pricing strategies, and the degree and timing of rate increases previously passed to existing tenants.

Importantly, we continue to refine our ongoing revenue rate management program which includes regular internet data scraping of local competitors’ prices. We do this in seeking to maintain our competitive market price advantage for our various sized storage units at our stores. This program helps us in seeking to maximize each store’s occupancies and our self storage revenue and NOI. We believe that, through our various marketing initiatives, we can continue to attract high quality, long term tenants who we expect will be storing with us for years. As of March 31, 2020, our average tenant duration of stay was approximately 3.0 years, up from approximately 2.9 years as of March 31, 2019.

#### Analysis of Same-Store Cost of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, same-store cost of operations decreased 8.1%, or $65,945 versus the same period in 2019. This decrease in same-store cost of operations was due primarily to decreased store property taxes, store level employment costs, and store level administrative expenses, which were partially offset by increased store level general expenses.

On-site store manager, regional manager, and district manager payroll expense decreased 7.7%, or $19,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower wage and administration expenses attributable to routine employee departures. We currently expect inflationary increases in compensation rates for existing employees and other increases in compensation costs as we potentially add new stores.

Store property tax expense decreased 6.3%, or $18,529 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to the accrual in the first quarter of 2019 of an unexpected increase of property tax expense invoiced in the first quarter of 2019 for the 2018 tax year. See the section titled “Property Tax Expenses at Dolton, IL” for additional detail. When compared to store property tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020, we currently expect store property tax expense to remain consistent for the remainder of 2020.

Repairs and maintenance expense increased 6.0%, or $1,392 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. These expenses increased during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to a slight increase in one-off maintenance expenses.

Our utility expenses are currently comprised of electricity, oil, and gas costs, which vary by store and are dependent upon energy prices and usage levels. Changes in usage levels are driven primarily by weather and temperature. Also, affecting our utilities expenses over time is our ongoing LED light replacement program at all of our stores which has already resulted in lower electricity usage. Utilities expense decreased 20.1%, or $13,623 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to lower energy usage during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 at most of our stores. This decrease was also the result of lower electricity usage due to our LED light replacement program. It is difficult to estimate future utility costs because weather, temperature, and energy prices are volatile and unpredictable. However, based upon current trends and expectations regarding commercial electricity rates, we currently expect inflationary increases in rates combined with lower usage resulting in slightly higher net utility costs in the remainder of 2020.

Landscaping expenses, which include snow removal costs, decreased 56.1%, or $23,158 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to one-off landscaping expenses during 2019. Landscaping expense levels are dependent upon many factors such as weather conditions, which can impact landscaping needs including, among other things, snow removal, inflation in material and labor costs, and random events. We currently expect inflationary increases in landscaping expense in the remainder of 2020, excluding snow removal expense, which is primarily weather dependent and unpredictable.

Marketing expense is comprised principally of internet advertising and the operating costs of our 24/7 kiosk and telephone call and reservation center. Marketing expense varies based upon demand, occupancy levels, and other factors. Internet advertising, in particular, can increase or decrease significantly in the short term in response to these factors. Marketing expense increased 4.6%, or $2,198 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to increased marketing costs and internet advertising expenses. Based upon current trends in move-ins, move-outs, and occupancies, we currently expect marketing expense to increase at a nominal rate in the remainder of 2020.

Other direct store costs include general and administrative expenses incurred at the stores. General expenses include items such as store insurance, business license costs, and the cost of operating each store’s rental office including supplies and telephone and data communication lines. We classify administrative expenses as bank charges related to processing the stores’ cash receipts, credit card fees, repairs and maintenance, utilities, landscaping, alarm monitoring and trash removal. General expenses increased 4.7%, or $2,437 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. These expenses increased during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to increased expenses for franchise taxes and to a lesser extent dues and subscriptions. Administrative expenses decreased 20.5%, or $34,147 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. We experienced a decrease in administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 due primarily to lower utilities and landscaping expense. We currently expect moderate increases in direct store costs during the remainder of 2020.

Depreciation and amortization increased 0.5%, or $1,121 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019.

#### Property Tax Expenses at Dolton, IL

Late in the third quarter of 2017, our Dolton, IL property was reassessed by the municipality and separately, our Class 8 tax incentive renewal hearing was held. As a result of those two events, our Dolton, IL property was reassessed at approximately 52% higher and the Class 8 tax incentive was not renewed. These events were applied retroactively to take effect on January 1, 2017. The Class 8 tax incentive phases out over the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and during such 2020 period we currently expect the property tax expenses at our Dolton, IL property to increase by approximately 20% as compared to 2019. Both the property tax reassessment and our Class 8 tax incentive renewal status is currently under appeal. However, there is no guarantee that either the assessment will be reduced or our Class 8 tax incentive status will be reinstated.

### Combined Same-Store and Non Same-Store Self Storage Operations

At March 31, 2020, we owned nine same-store properties and three non same-store properties. The non same-store properties are SSG Fishers LLC, SSG Millbrook LLC, and SSG West Henrietta LLC.

Combined store average overall square foot occupancy at March 31, 2020 decreased by 5.2% to 87.6% from 92.8% at March 31, 2019. This includes the impact from our Millbrook, NY store expansion project completed during February 2020 and our McCordsville, IN conversion, which commenced in April 2020 and is not expected to be completed until sometime during the third quarter of 2020. Our Millbrook, NY store expansion project added approximately 11,800 leasable square feet of all-climate-controlled storage units. Upon completion in February 2020 of the Millbrook, NY store expansion project, its area occupancy dropped from approximately 88.6% to approximately 45.5%. There is no guarantee that we will experience demand for the newly added Millbrook, NY expansion or that we will be able to successfully lease-up the expansion to the occupancy level of our other properties.

We grew our top-line results by increasing Combined store revenues by 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. Combined store cost of operations increased by 0.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. Combined store NOI increased by 9.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019.

We believe that our results were driven by, among other things, our internet and digital marketing initiatives, drive-by curb appeal, and superior roadside signage which helped deliver new tenant inquiries and enabled our Combined store overall average occupancy to maintain at or above 87% as of March 31, 2020. Also, contributing to our strong results were our customer service efforts which we believe were essential in building local brand loyalty resulting in referral and word-of-mouth market demand for our storage units and services.

These results are summarized as follows:

*COMBINED SAME - STORE AND NON SAME - STORE PROPERTIES*

| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2020 | 2019 | Variance | % Change |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Revenues | $2,222,200 | $2,106,510 | $115,690 | 5.5% |
| Cost of operations | $916,080 | $913,352 | $2,728 | 0.3% |
| Net operating income | $1,306,120 | $1,193,158 | $112,962 | 9.5% |
| Depreciation and amortization | $480,545 | $300,502 | $180,043 | 59.9% |
| Net leasable square footage at period end\* | 824,366 | 766,007 | 58,359 | 7.6% |
| Net leased square footage at period end | 722,326 | 711,017 | 11,309 | 1.6% |
| Overall square foot occupancy at period end | 87.6% | 92.8% | -5.2% | -5.6% |
| Total available leasable storage units | 6,336 | 5,611 | 725 | 12.9% |
| Number of leased storage units\* | 5,408 | 5,104 | 304 | 6.0% |

\* From time to time, as guided by market conditions, net leasable square footage and total available leasable storage units at our properties may increase or decrease as a result of consolidation, division or reconfiguration of storage units. Similarly, leasable square footage may increase or decrease due to expansion or redevelopment of our properties.

The following table presents a reconciliation of combined same-store and non same-store net operating income (loss) to net income (loss) as presented on our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated (unaudited):

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | 2019 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Net income (loss) | $(356,424) | $187,823 |
| Adjustments: |  |  |
| Management fees and other income | (17,344) | — |
| General and administrative | 682,623 | 555,928 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 515,937 | 351,644 |
| Business development and property acquisition costs | 9,240 | 8,250 |
| Dividend and interest income | (24,100) | (17,200) |
| Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable equity securities | 190,405 | (154,449) |
| Interest expense | 305,783 | 261,166 |
| Total combined same-store and non same-store net operating income | $1,306,120 | $1,193,162 |
|  | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |  |
|  | **2020** | **2019** |
| Combined same-store and non same-store revenues | $2,222,200 | $2,106,511 |
| Combined same-store and non same-store cost of operations | 916,080 | 913,349 |
| Total combined same-store and non same-store net operating income | $1,306,120 | $1,193,162 |

#### Analysis of Combined Same-Store and Non Same-Store Revenue

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, Combined store revenues increased 5.5%, or $115,690 versus the same period in 2019, which was primarily attributable to, among other things, an 8.4% increase in net leasable square footage due to our acquisition of a self storage property in West Henrietta, NY, and to the results of our revenue rate management program of raising existing tenant rates.

We believe that high occupancies help maximize our rental income. We seek to maintain an average square foot occupancy level at or above 90% by regularly adjusting the rental rates and promotions offered to attract new tenants as well as adjusting our marketing efforts on the internet in seeking to generate sufficient move-in volume to replace tenants that vacate. Demand may fluctuate due to various local and regional factors, including the overall economy. Demand is typically higher in the summer months than in the winter months and, as a result, rental rates charged to new tenants are typically higher in the summer months than in the winter months.

Since late March 2020, we have seen reduced activity with fewer move-ins and move-outs. These trends may be temporary or even reverse, to the extent they are driven by short-term factors such as stay at home orders and delays in our auction process. We have also temporarily suspended our existing tenant rental rate increase program. Because existing tenant rental rate increases have contributed significantly to increases in rental income in recent years, suspension of these increases may have a material adverse impact on our revenue growth. This suspension will impact our revenue for the rest of 2020. It is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic could change consumer behavior, either due to economic recession, uncertainty, or dislocation, as well as other factors, which could increase customer sensitivity and propensity to move-out in response to rate increases, either in the short or longer term.

As of March 31, 2020, we observed no material degradation in rent collections. However, we believe that our bad debt losses (which are reflected as a reduction in revenues) could increase from historical levels, due to (i) cumulative stress on our customers’ financial capacity, (ii) reduced rent recoveries from auctioned units, and (iii) the continued delay of auctions, which began in March 2020.

We may experience a change in the move-out patterns of our long-term customers due to economic uncertainty and the significant increase in unemployment recently. This could lead to lower occupancies and rent “roll down” as long-term customers are replaced with new customers at lower rates.

If and when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we currently expect rental income growth, if any, to come from a combination of the following: (i) continued existing tenant rent increases, (ii) higher rental rates charged to new tenants, (iii) lower promotional discounts, and (iv) higher occupancies. Our future rental income growth will likely also be dependent upon many factors for each market that we operate in, including, among other things, demand for self storage space, the level of competitor supply of self storage space, and the average length of stay of our tenants. Increasing existing tenant rental rates, generally on an annual basis, is a key component of our revenue growth. We typically determine the level of rental increases based upon our expectations regarding the impact of existing tenant rate increases on incremental move-outs. We currently expect existing tenant rent increases in the remainder of 2020, if any, to be substantially less than the prior year due to our temporary suspension of revenue rate increases in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to predict trends in move-in, move-out, in place contractual rents, and occupancy levels. Current trends, when viewed in the short-term, are volatile and not necessarily predictive of our revenues going forward because they may be subject to many short-term factors. Such factors include, among others, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, initial move-in rates, seasonal factors, unit size and geographical mix of the specific tenants moving in or moving out, the length of stay of the tenants moving in or moving out, changes in our pricing strategies, and the degree and timing of rate increases previously passed to existing tenants.

Importantly, we continue to refine our ongoing revenue rate management program which includes regular internet data scraping of local competitors’ prices. We do this in seeking to maintain our competitive market price advantage for our various sized storage units at our stores. This program helps us in seeking to maximize each store’s occupancies and our self storage revenue and NOI. We believe that, through our various marketing initiatives, we can continue to attract high quality, long term tenants who we expect will be storing with us for years. As of March 31, 2020, our average tenant duration of stay was approximately 2.9 years, up from approximately 2.8 years as of March 31, 2019.

#### Analysis of Combined Same-Store and Non Same-Store Cost of Operations

Combined store cost of operations increased 0.3%, or $2,728 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. This slight increase in Combined store cost of operations was due primarily to increased store level advertising and marketing expense, which was partially offset by reduced administrative expenses.

On-site store manager and supervisory payroll expense increased 0.3%, or $797 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. This increase was due primarily to wage increases, and higher employee health plan expenses. We currently expect inflationary increases in compensation rates for existing employees and other increases in compensation costs as we potentially add new stores as well as store, district, and regional managers.

Store property tax expense decreased 1.8%, or $5,719 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to the accrual in the first quarter of 2019 of an unexpected increase of property tax expense invoiced in the first quarter of 2019 for the 2018 tax year. When compared to store property tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020, we currently expect store property tax expense to remain consistent for the remainder of 2020.

Repairs and maintenance expense increased 8.1%, or $2,015 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. These expenses increased during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to an increase in one-off maintenance expenses.

Our utility expenses are currently comprised of electricity, oil, and gas costs, which vary by store and are dependent upon energy prices and usage levels. Changes in usage levels are driven primarily by weather and temperature. Also, affecting our utilities expenses over time is our aforementioned ongoing LED light replacement program at all of our stores which has already resulted in lower electricity usage. Utilities expense decreased 6.8%, or $5,584 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to lower energy usage during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 at most of our stores. This decrease was also the result of lower electricity usage due to our LED light replacement program. It is difficult to estimate future utility costs because weather, temperature, and energy prices are volatile and unpredictable. However, based upon current trends and expectations regarding commercial electricity rates, we currently expect inflationary increases in rates combined with lower usage resulting in slightly higher net utility costs in the remainder of 2020.

Landscaping expenses, which include snow removal costs, decreased 49.0%, or $24,558 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to one-off landscaping expenses during 2019. Landscaping expense levels are dependent upon many factors such as weather conditions, which can impact landscaping needs including, among other things, snow removal, inflation in material and labor costs, and random events. We currently expect inflationary increases in landscaping expense in the remainder of 2020, excluding snow removal expense, which is primarily weather dependent and unpredictable.

Marketing expense is comprised principally of internet advertising and the operating costs of our 24/7 kiosk and telephone call and reservation center. Marketing expense varies based upon demand, occupancy levels, and other factors. Internet advertising, in particular, can increase or decrease significantly in the short term in response to these factors. Marketing expense increased 42.6%, or $23,449 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, primarily due to increased marketing costs and internet advertising expenses, especially at properties in lease-up. Based upon current trends in move-ins, move-outs, and occupancies, we currently expect marketing expense to remain the same in the remainder of 2020.

Other direct store costs include general and administrative expenses incurred at the stores. General expenses include items such as store insurance, business license costs, and the cost of operating each store’s rental office including supplies and telephone and data communication lines. We classify administrative expenses as bank charges related to processing the stores’ cash receipts, credit card fees, repairs and maintenance, utilities, landscaping, alarm monitoring and trash removal. General expenses increased 14.0%, or $8,767 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. These expenses increased during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to increased expenses for franchise taxes and to a lesser extent insurance costs. Administrative expenses decreased 13.0%, or $25,673 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. We experienced a decrease in administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 due primarily to lower utilities and landscaping expense. We currently expect moderate increases in direct store costs during the remainder of 2020.

Depreciation and amortization increased 59.9%, or $180,043 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. The difference is primarily attributable to depreciation of the building and fixtures related to the 2019 store acquisition in West Henrietta, NY, the expansion of the Millbrook, NY store, and amortization of the in-place leases related to the 2019 store acquisition at West Henrietta, NY.

#### Analysis of Global Self Storage FFO and AFFO

The following tables present reconciliation and computation of net income (loss) to funds from operations (“FFO”) and adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) and earnings per share to FFO and AFFO per share (unaudited):

33

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | 2019 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| **Net income (loss)** | $(356,424) | $187,823 |
| Eliminate items excluded from FFO: |  |  |
| Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable equity securities | 190,405 | (154,449) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 515,937 | 351,644 |
| **FFO attributable to common stockholders** | **349,918** | **385,018** |
| Adjustments: |  |  |
| Compensation expense related to stock-based awards | 29,162 | 54,160 |
| Business development, capital raising, store acquisition, and third-party management marketing expenses | 9,240 | 8,250 |
| **AFFO attributable to common stockholders** | **$388,320** | **$447,428** |
| Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders - basic | $(0.04) | $0.02 |
| Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders - diluted | $(0.04) | $0.02 |
| FFO per share - diluted | $0.04 | $0.05 |
| AFFO per share - diluted | $0.04 | $0.06 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 9,262,811 | 7,630,722 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 9,262,811 | 7,637,733 |

#### Analysis of Global Self Storage Store Expansions and Redevelopment Operations

In addition to actively reviewing a number of store and portfolio acquisition opportunities, we have been working to further develop and expand our current stores.

Our Millbrook, NY store expansion project added approximately 11,800 leasable square feet of all-climate-controlled storage units. Upon completion in February 2020 of the Millbrook, NY store expansion project, its area occupancy dropped from approximately 88.6% to approximately 45.5%. There is no guarantee that we will experience demand for the newly added Millbrook, NY expansion or that we will be able to successfully lease-up the expansion to the occupancy level of our other properties.

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company began reviewing plans to convert certain commercially-leased space to all-climate-controlled units at McCordsville, IN. In April 2020, the Company commenced such conversion. We currently anticipate that the conversion project will proceed accordingly, with construction completion expected sometime during the third quarter of 2020, resulting in a new total of 544 units and 76,378 leasable square feet at McCordsville, IN. However, there is no guarantee that we will complete this project in this timeframe or at all.

#### Analysis of Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses)

Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s investment in marketable equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were a loss of $190,405 and gain of $154,449, respectively. As we continue to acquire and/or develop additional stores, as part of the funding for such activities, we may liquidate our investment in marketable equity securities and potentially realize gains or losses. As of March 31, 2020, our unrealized gain on marketable equity securities was $815,420. There were no realized gains or losses for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

## Controls and procedures

As filed, 2,128 characters.

#### Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file pursuant to the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of

“disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide a reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

We have a disclosure controls and procedures committee, comprised of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, which meets as necessary and is responsible for considering the materiality of information and determining our disclosure obligations on a timely basis.

The disclosure controls and procedures committee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

#### Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during our most recent quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

## Risk factors

As filed, 8,682 characters.

The risk factors that affect our business and financial results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A, of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed, nor have we identified any previously undisclosed risks that could materially adversely affect our business and financial results, except as described below.

***The outbreak of highly infectious or contagious diseases, including the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. and global economy and financial markets and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues of an as yet unknown magnitude and duration.***

In December 2019, COVID-19 was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 has since spread to over 200 countries, including every state in the United States. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020 the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global economic activity and caused significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, mandating business and school closures, requiring restrictions on travel, “shelter-in-place” and/or “stay-at-home” orders, and imposing restrictions on the types of businesses that may continue to operate. Such actions are creating disruption in global supply chains, and adversely impacting a number of industries, such as transportation, hospitality and entertainment.

While the containment measures described above generally do not apply to our business as self storage has been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a Critical Infrastructure Sector and has been deemed an essential business in all states where we have operations, such measures may apply to certain of our tenants, employees, vendors, and lenders and there are no guarantees that, despite remaining open, tenants will be willing to visit our self storage properties or that future measures will not mandate the closure of one or more of our self storage properties. Although many jurisdictions are gradually relaxing a number of these measures, many of these measures are still in place in regions where our self storage properties are located and there are no guarantees that such measures will not be reinstated with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic or a future pandemic.

Outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases, such as the current outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to, among other factors:

- reduced mobility and economic activity resulting from the containment measures mentioned above or otherwise attributable to a pandemic or the response thereto could result in an economic downturn or prolonged recession, which could negatively impact consumer discretionary spending and could result in a general decline in business activity and demand for self storage and tenant traffic at our self storage properties and such reduction in demand and traffic could adversely affect, among other things, occupancy levels and rental rates at our self storage properties, our revenues, including both rental revenues and revenues from various ancillary products and services, such as moving and packing supplies, and other services, such as tenant insurance, our growth or opportunities for growth, our ability or desire to conduct future acquisitions of self storage properties and/or future or ongoing expansions of our existing self storage properties, and the ability to lease available space at self storage properties that we have expanded or are under ongoing expansion or at properties that we may acquire or have acquired with relatively low occupancy which may also adversely impact the expected performance and success of our strategic endeavors;
- such reduced economic activity and the resulting rise in unemployment and potential disruptions in financial markets resulting therefrom could result in terminations of leases by tenants, tenant bankruptcies and the inability of our tenants to meet their obligations to us in full, or at all, or to otherwise seek modifications of such obligations, and may cause states to put into effect state of emergency orders which may restrict our ability to

increase rent or evict delinquent tenants all of which could increase uncollectible receivables and cause reductions in revenue;

- difficulty accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and a severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may affect our access to capital necessary to fund business operations, potential acquisitions of self storage properties and/or future or ongoing expansions of our existing self storage properties, or other growth opportunities or to address maturing liabilities on a timely basis;
- the financial impact, including potential decreases in cash from operations resulting therefrom, could negatively impact our future compliance with the financial covenants in our loan agreements and result in a default and potential acceleration of indebtedness, which could negatively impact our ability to make additional borrowings under loan agreements or otherwise and to pay dividends;
- the potential negative impact on the health of our personnel, particularly if a significant number of them are impacted, the interrupted availability of personnel, including our executive officers and other employees, and our potential inability to recruit, attract and retain additional skilled personnel to manage our business and/or self storage properties, and the inability of other third-party vendors we rely on to conduct our business to operate effectively and continue to support our business and operations, including vendors that provide IT services, legal and accounting services, or other operational support services, could result in a deterioration of our business or our ability to ensure business continuity;
- moratoriums on construction and macro-economic factors may cause construction contractors to be unable to perform, which may delay the start or completion of certain development, redevelopment or expansion projects by us and adversely impact our strategic endeavors; and
- any of the above factors, or a combination thereof, could negatively and materially impact significant estimates and assumptions we use including, but not limited to estimates of expected credit losses and the fair value estimates of our assets and liabilities and may cause us to recognize impairment in value of our tangible or intangible assets.

Further, while we carry comprehensive property and casualty insurance along with other insurance policies that may provide some coverage for any losses or costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, given the novelty of the issue and the scale of losses incurred throughout the world, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all or any portion of our losses and costs under these policies.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly, and the extent of its effect on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration, scope and severity of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and related containment measures, among others. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Moreover, to the extent any of these risks and uncertainties adversely impact us in the ways described above or otherwise, they may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, if in the future there is an outbreak of another highly infectious or contagious disease or other health concern, we and our self storage properties may be subject to similar risks as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Filed May 15, 2020.
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001564590-20-025805. Last ingested by Listed: Nov 6, 2026, 16:54 ET. No prices; not investment advice.