During a previous earnings call, W.P. Carey’s president and CEO Trevor Bond said that the company’s total square footage will grow by 250%—and lease terms will lengthen and occupancy rates will increase as a result. Now, in a statement released on Sept. 14, Bond described the two transactions as a “milestone” in WP Carey’s history. “While our disciplined, long-term investment strategy remains the same, as a result of these transactions, we expect that the REIT status, significant increase in real estate under ownership and expected dividend growth will provide our shareholders with a compelling investment and help us further diversify our shareholder base over time, including active and passive REIT investors,” he says. “With a larger balance sheet and greater flexibility to access capital for growth, we are well positioned to capitalize on new opportunities that are consistent with our established investment parameters and enhance shareholder value.”