Liberty Property Trust Announces First Quarter Results
MALVERN, Pa., April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LRY) reported that net income per common share (diluted) was $0.26 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, compared to $0.28 per share (diluted) for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Funds from operations available to common shareholders (diluted) ("FFO") for the first quarter of 2010 was $0.64 per share, compared to $0.72 per share for the first quarter of 2009. A reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO is included in the financial tables accompanying this press release. Funds from operations for the first quarter include termination fees of $1.8 million, and $1.7 million of additional compensation due to the accelerated vesting of long-term incentive compensation, due to the years of service and ages of certain employees.
"Liberty continues to perform well in a market which is poised for recovery but at the moment is still bouncing along the bottom," said Bill Hankowsky, chairman and chief executive officer. "Occupancy decreased slightly as expected, but rental rates declines have moderated, and fundamental indicators of future growth such as prospect activity, are positive. With a strong balance sheet, access to capital, and anticipated increases in portfolio occupancy, we are in an excellent position to take advantage of growth opportunities as the economic recovers."
Portfolio Performance
Leasing: At March 31, 2010 Liberty's in-service portfolio of 78.2 million square feet was 88.2% occupied, compared to 89.2% at the end of last year. During the quarter, Liberty completed lease transactions totaling 3.9 million square feet of space.
Same Store Performance: Property level operating income for same store properties decreased by 2.3% on a cash basis and decreased by 3.6% on a straight line basis for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter in 2009.
Real Estate Investments
Development: During the first quarter, Liberty brought into service one development property totaling 95,000 square feet for a total investment of $24.8 million. This property is 100% occupied at a current yield of 11.7%. No development projects were commenced during the quarter.
As of March 31, 2010, Liberty had 926,000 square feet of wholly-owned and joint venture properties under development. This activity represents a total projected investment of $218.3 million, with an expected yield of 5.5%. The properties were 38.2% leased at March 31.
Acquisitions: Liberty acquired no properties during the quarter.
Dispositions: During the quarter, Liberty sold two operating properties, containing 78,000 square feet, for $6.4 million.
About the Company
Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LRY) is a leader in commercial real estate, serving customers in the United States and United Kingdom, through the development, acquisition, ownership and management of superior office and industrial properties. Liberty's 78 million square foot portfolio includes more than 700 properties which provide office, distribution and light manufacturing facilities to 2,000 tenants.
Additional information about the Company, including Liberty's Quarterly Supplemental Package with detailed financial information is available in the Investors section of the Company's web site at www.libertyproperty.com. If you are unable to access the web site, a copy of the supplemental package may be obtained by contacting Liberty by phone at 610-648-1704, or by e-mail to [email protected].
Liberty will host a conference call during which management will discuss first quarter results, on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 1 p.m. eastern time. To access the conference call in the United States or Canada, please dial 1-888-870-2815. For international access, dial 706-643-7691. No password or code is needed. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 1-800-642-1687 for US/Canada participants or 706-645-9291 for international participants. A passcode is needed for the replay: 67698186. The call can also be accessed via the Internet on the Investors page of Liberty's web site at www.libertyproperty.com for two weeks following the call.
The statements contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. Although Liberty believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. As forward-looking statements, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results. These factors include, without limitation, the uncertainties affecting real estate businesses generally (such as entry into new leases, renewals of leases and dependence on tenants' business operations), risks relating to our ability to maintain and increase property occupancy and rental rates, the financial condition of tenants, the uncertainties of real estate development and construction activity, the costs and availability of financing, the effects of local economic and market conditions, regulatory changes, potential liability relative to environmental matters and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
Liberty Property Trust | ||||||
Statement of Operations | ||||||
March 31, 2010 | ||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||
Quarter Ended | ||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
Operating Revenue | ||||||
Rental | $ 130,282 | $ 127,902 | ||||
Operating expense reimbursement | 58,905 | 57,400 | ||||
Total operating revenue | 189,187 | 185,302 | ||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||
Rental property | 40,664 | 38,500 | ||||
Real estate taxes | 22,551 | 21,817 | ||||
General and administrative | 14,874 | 15,556 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 43,006 | 42,638 | ||||
Total operating expenses | 121,095 | 118,511 | ||||
Operating Income | 68,092 | 66,791 | ||||
Other Income/Expense | ||||||
Interest and other | 2,793 | 3,095 | ||||
Debt extinguishment gain | - | 529 | ||||
Interest | (38,637) | (37,201) | ||||
Total other income/expense | (35,844) | (33,577) | ||||
Income before property dispositions, income taxes, | 32,248 | 33,214 | ||||
Gain (loss) on property dispositions | 768 | (294) | ||||
Income taxes | (452) | (217) | ||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | 394 | 417 | ||||
Income from continuing operations | 32,958 | 33,120 | ||||
Discontinued operations (including net gain on | 2,864 | 722 | ||||
Net Income | 35,822 | 33,842 | ||||
Noncontrolling interest - operating partnerships | (6,283) | (6,317) | ||||
Noncontrolling interest - consolidated joint ventures | 12 | 364 | ||||
Net Income available to common shareholders | $ 29,551 | $ 27,889 | ||||
Basic income per common share | ||||||
Continuing operations | $ 0.24 | $ 0.27 | ||||
Discontinued operations | $ 0.02 | $ 0.01 | ||||
Total basic income per common share | $ 0.26 | $ 0.28 | ||||
Diluted income per common share | ||||||
Continuing operations | $ 0.24 | $ 0.27 | ||||
Discontinued operations | $ 0.02 | $ 0.01 | ||||
Total diluted income per common share | $ 0.26 | $ 0.28 | ||||
Weighted average shares | ||||||
Basic | 112,341 | 100,681 | ||||
Diluted | 112,955 | 100,960 | ||||
Amounts attributable to common shareholders | ||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ 26,784 | $ 27,194 | ||||
Discontinued operations | 2,767 | 695 | ||||
Net income | $ 29,551 | $ 27,889 | ||||
Liberty Property Trust | ||||||||
Statement of Funds From Operations | ||||||||
March 31, 2010 | ||||||||
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||
Quarter Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2010 | March 31, 2009 | |||||||
Per | Per | |||||||
Weighted | Weighted | |||||||
Average | Average | |||||||
Dollars | Share | Dollars | Share | |||||
Reconciliation of net income to FFO - basic: | ||||||||
Basic - income available to common shareholders | $ 29,551 | $ 0.26 | $ 27,889 | $ 0.28 | ||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | 4,059 | 3,990 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 42,449 | 43,022 | ||||||
Gain on property dispositions | (2,664) | (308) | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest share in addback for depreciation and amortization and gain on property dispositions | (1,478) | (1,737) | ||||||
Funds from operations available to common shareholders - basic | $ 71,917 | $ 0.64 | $ 72,856 | $ 0.72 | ||||
Reconciliation of net income to FFO - diluted: | ||||||||
Diluted - income available to common shareholders | $ 29,551 | $ 0.26 | $ 27,889 | $ 0.28 | ||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | 4,059 | 3,990 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortizaton | 42,449 | 43,022 | ||||||
Gain on property dispositions | (2,664) | (308) | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest excluding preferred unit distributions | 1,030 | 1,064 | ||||||
Funds from operations available to common shareholders - diluted | $ 74,425 | $ 0.64 | $ 75,657 | $ 0.72 | ||||
Reconciliation of weighted average shares: | ||||||||
Weighted average common shares - all basic calculations | 112,341 | 100,681 | ||||||
Dilutive shares for long term compensation plans | 614 | 279 | ||||||
Diluted shares for net income calculations | 112,955 | 100,960 | ||||||
Weighted average common units | 3,961 | 4,021 | ||||||
Diluted shares for funds from operations calculations | 116,916 | 104,981 | ||||||
The Company believes that the calculation of Funds from operations is helpful to investors and management as it is a measure of the Company’s operating performance that excludes depreciation and amortization and gains and losses from property dispositions. As a result, year over year comparison of Funds from operations reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, development activities, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. In addition, management believes that Funds from operations provides useful information to the investment community about the Company’s financial performance when compared to other REITs since Funds from operations is generally recognized as the standard for reporting the operating performance of a REIT. Funds from operations available to common shareholders is defined by NAREIT as net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Funds from operations available to common shareholders does not represent net income or cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP and does not necessarily indicate that cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. It should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Funds from operations available to common shareholders also does not represent cash flows generated from operating, investing or financing activities as defined by GAAP. | ||||||||
Liberty Property Trust | |||||
Balance Sheet | |||||
March 31, 2010 | |||||
(In thousands, except share amounts) | |||||
March 31, 2010 | December 31, 2009 | ||||
Assets | (unaudited) | ||||
Real estate: | |||||
Land and land improvements | $ 849,403 | $ 850,559 | |||
Building and improvements | 4,318,266 | 4,289,932 | |||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (1,005,744) | (973,624) | |||
Operating real estate | 4,161,925 | 4,166,867 | |||
Development in progress | 46,961 | 66,714 | |||
Land held for development | 216,307 | 218,633 | |||
Net real estate | 4,425,193 | 4,452,214 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 141,535 | 237,446 | |||
Restricted cash | 38,118 | 42,232 | |||
Accounts receivable | 8,890 | 6,057 | |||
Deferred rent receivable | 99,196 | 95,527 | |||
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated | |||||
amortization (2010, $141,257; 2009, $133,429) | 130,969 | 134,309 | |||
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures | 173,944 | 175,584 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 61,529 | 85,574 | |||
Total assets | $ 5,079,374 | $ 5,228,943 | |||
Liabilities | |||||
Mortgage loans | $ 472,681 | $ 473,993 | |||
Unsecured notes | 1,842,882 | 1,842,882 | |||
Credit facility | 35,000 | 140,000 | |||
Accounts payable | 31,560 | 31,195 | |||
Accrued interest | 27,721 | 31,251 | |||
Dividend and distributions payable | 55,573 | 55,402 | |||
Other liabilities | 151,886 | 171,051 | |||
Total liabilities | 2,617,303 | 2,745,774 | |||
Equity | |||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||
Common shares of beneficial interest, $.001 par value, 183,987,000 shares | |||||
authorized, 114,302,885 (includes 1,249,909 in treasury) and 113,875,211 | |||||
(includes 1,249,909 in treasury) shares issued and outstanding as of | |||||
March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively | 114 | 114 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 2,519,618 | 2,509,704 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | (2,135) | 2,339 | |||
Distributions in excess of net income | (362,059) | (337,911) | |||
Common shares in treasury, at cost, 1,249,909 shares as of | |||||
March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 | (51,951) | (51,951) | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 2,103,587 | 2,122,295 | |||
Noncontrolling interest - operating partnership | |||||
3,943,224 and 4,011,354 common units outstanding as of | |||||
March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively | 69,916 | 72,294 | |||
9,740,000 preferred units outstanding as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 | 287,959 | 287,959 | |||
Noncontrolling interest - consolidated joint ventures | 609 | 621 | |||
Total equity | 2,462,071 | 2,483,169 | |||
Total liabilities & equity | $ 5,079,374 | $ 5,228,943 | |||
SOURCE Liberty Property Trust
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