 PHOENIX, May 6, 2021 PRNewswire -- VEREIT, Inc. NYSE: VER VEREIT or the Company announced today its operating results for the three months ending March 31, 2021. First Quarter 2021 Financial and Operating Highlights Net income of 120.7 million and net income per diluted share of 0.50 Achieved 0.80 AFFO per diluted share Rent collection of 99 Compared to last quarter, Total debt - as reported decreased from 5.9 billion to 5.6 billion; Adjusted Principal Outstanding decreased from 6.1 billion to 5.8 billion; Net Debt decreased from 5.6 billion to 5.5 billion; and Net Debt to Normalized EBITDA decreased from 5.64x to 5.45x Redeemed 100.0 million of the Companys 6.7 Series F preferred stock which leaves approximately 373.0 million outstanding SP Global Ratings upgraded the Companys corporate rating from BBB- to BBB with the Rating Outlook remaining at Stable, Moodys upgraded the Companys rating from Baa3 to Baa2 with the Rating Outlook remaining at Stable and Fitch Ratings affirmed the Companys rating of BBB with the Rating Outlook remaining at Stable Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company signed a definitive merger agreement with Realty Income Corporation. 