Exhibit 99.1
Earnings Release
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST
ANNOUNCES
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 2009
Minot, ND – September 9, 2009 – Investors Real Estate Trust (tickers: IRET and IRETP; exchange: NASDAQ Global Select Market) reported financial and operating results today for the quarter ended July 31, 2009.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET’s revenues increased from the year-earlier period, due primarily to property acquisitions in fiscal 2009 and to a lesser extent, rental income increases on stabilized properties and lease termination fees. Funds From Operations (FFO)1 increased from the year-earlier period. On a per share and unit basis, FFO was flat. Net income declined from the year-earlier period, primarily attributable to an increase in depreciation, interest expense and real estate expenses in the three months ended July 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008. For the three month period ended July 31, 2009, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year:
| • | Revenues increased to $60.8 million from $58.8 million. |
| • | FFO increased to $16.5 million on approximately 83,223,000 weighted average shares and units outstanding, from $16.1 million on approximately 79,214,000 weighted average shares and units outstanding ($.20 per share and unit for both periods). |
| • | Net Income Available to Common Shareholders, as computed under generally accepted accounting principles, was approximately $1.4 million, compared to $1.8 million. |
______________________________
1 | The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (NAREIT) defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), excluding gains/losses from sales of property plus real estate depreciation and amortization. FFO is a non-GAAP measure. We consider FFO to be a standard supplemental measure for equity real estate investment trusts because it facilitates an understanding of the operating performance of properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which assume that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead historically rise or fall with market conditions, we believe that FFO provides investors and management with a more accurate indication of our financial and operating results. See table below for a reconciliation of Net Income to FFO. |
Operating Results
Net Operating Income (NOI)2 from stabilized properties3 increased approximately 2.6%, or $899,000, during the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the same period one year ago, and NOI from all properties increased 3.9%, or $1.4 million. NOI from stabilized properties increased in all of our segments except multi-family residential and commercial industrial, which decreased 1.8% and 0.9%, respectively. NOI from all properties increased in all of our segments except multi-family residential, which decreased 0.3%.
Economic occupancy4 levels on a stabilized property basis and all property basis decreased in all of our five reportable segments during the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008. Economic occupancy rates on a stabilized property and all-property basis for the three months ended July 31, 2009, as compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008, were as follows:
Economic Occupancy Levels on a Stabilized Property and All Property Basis:
Segments | | Stabilized Properties(a) | | | All Properties | |
| | 1st Quarter | | | 1st Quarter | | | 1st Quarter | | | 1st Quarter | |
| | Fiscal 2010 | | | Fiscal 2009 | | | Fiscal 2010 | | | Fiscal 2009 | |
Multi-Family Residential | | | 91.1 | % | | | 92.5 | % | | | 91.1 | % | | | 92.3 | % |
Commercial Office | | | 88.5 | % | | | 89.1 | % | | | 87.9 | % | | | 89.1 | % |
Commercial Medical | | | 94.1 | % | | | 96.5 | % | | | 93.4 | % | | | 96.5 | % |
Commercial Industrial | | | 89.8 | % | | | 96.8 | % | | | 90.1 | % | | | 96.8 | % |
Commercial Retail | | | 85.5 | % | | | 86.6 | % | | | 85.5 | % | | | 86.6 | % |
a. | For 1st Quarter Fiscal 2010 and 1st Quarter Fiscal 2009, stabilized properties excluded: |
Multi-Family Residential - | Minot 4th Street Apartments, Minot, ND; Minot 11th Street Apartments, Minot, ND; Minot Fairmont Apartments, Minot, ND; Minot Westridge Apartments, Minot, ND; Thomasbrook Apartments, Lincoln, NE; Evergreen Apartments, Isanti, MN; 401 South Main, Minot, ND and IRET Corporate Plaza, Minot, ND. Total number of units, 409. Occupancy % for the three months ended July 31, 2009, 91.2%. |
Commercial Office - | Bismarck 715 E Broadway, Bismarck, ND; 401 South Main, Minot, ND; IRET Corporate Plaza, Minot, ND and 12 South Main Street, Minot, ND. Total square footage, 82,986. Occupancy % for the three months ended July 31, 2009, 20.2%. |
Commercial Medical - | 2828 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. Total square footage, 56,239. Occupancy % for the three months ended July 31, 2009, 71.8%. |
Commercial Industrial - | Minnetonka 13600 County Road 62, Minnetonka, MN. Total square footage, 69,984. Occupancy % for the three months ended July 31, 2009, 100%. |
______________________________
2 | We measure the performance of our segments based on NOI, which we define as total revenues less property operating expenses and real estate taxes. We believe that NOI is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a real estate investment trust’s operating real estate because it provides a measure of core operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing and general and administrative expense. NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered an alternative to net income, net income available for common shareholders or cash flow from operating activities as a measure of financial performance. See tables below for a reconciliation of NOI to the condensed consolidated financial statements. |
3 | Stabilized properties are those properties owned for the entirety of both periods being compared. While results presented on a stabilized property basis are not determined in accordance with GAAP, management believes that measuring performance on a stabilized property basis is useful to investors and to management because it enables evaluation of how the Company’s properties are performing year over year. |
4 | Economic occupancy represents actual rental revenues recognized for the period indicated as a percentage of scheduled rental revenues for the period. Percentage rents, tenant concessions, straightline adjustments and expense reimbursements are not considered in computing either actual revenues or scheduled rent revenues. |
Acquisitions and Development Projects Placed in Service
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET had no acquisitions, development projects placed in service, or dispositions.
Shareholder Equity, Distributions and Capital Structure
In April 2009, IRET and IRET Properties entered into a continuous equity offering program sales agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (Baird). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, IRET may offer and sell its common shares of beneficial interest, no par value, having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $50 million, from time to time through Baird as IRET's sales agent. IRET has no obligation to sell any common shares under the program, and Baird is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of common shares, but has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell the common shares as directed by IRET. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET sold 116,869 common shares under this program, for total proceeds (before offering expenses but after underwriting discounts and commissions) of $1.1 million.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET completed a public offering of 3,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest at $8.70 per share (before underwriting discounts and commissions). Proceeds to the Company were $24,795,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting offering expenses.
On July 1, 2009, IRET paid a quarterly distribution of $0.1705 per share and unit on its common shares and limited partnership units of IRET Properties. This was IRET’s 153rd consecutive distribution at equal or increasing rates. IRET also paid, on June 30, 2009, a quarterly distribution of $0.5156 per share on its Series A preferred shares.
As of July 31, 2009, IRET had a total capitalization of $1.9 billion. Total capitalization is defined as the market value (closing price at end of period) of the Company’s outstanding common shares and the imputed market value of the outstanding limited partnership units of IRET Properties (which are convertible, at the expiration of a specified holding period, into cash or, at the Company’s sole discretion, into common shares of the Company on a one-to-one basis), plus the book value of the Company’s preferred shares and the outstanding principal balance of the consolidated debt of the Company.
Conference Call Information
The Conference Call for 1st Quarter Earnings is scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2009 at 9:00 A.M. Central Daylight Time. The call will be limited to one hour, including questions and answers. Conference call access information is as follows:
USA Toll Free Number: 1-800-860-2442
International Toll Free Number: 1-412-858-4600
A webcast and transcript of the call will be archived on the “Investors Presentations & Events” page of IRET’s website, http://www.iret.com, for one year. Questions regarding the conference call should be directed to IRET Investor Relations at msaari@iret.com.
About IRET
IRET is a self-administered, equity real estate investment trust investing in income-producing properties located primarily in the upper Midwest. IRET owns a diversified portfolio of properties consisting of 77 multi-family residential properties with 9,645 apartment units; and 67 office properties, 49 medical properties (including senior housing), 18 industrial properties and 33 retail properties with a total of approximately 11.7 million square feet of leasable space. IRET’s distributions have increased every year for 39 consecutive years. IRET common and preferred shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (symbols: IRET and IRETP). IRET’s press releases and supplemental information are available on the Company website at www.iret.com or by contacting Investor Relations at 701-837-4738.
Certain statements in this earnings release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in interest rates, the effect of government regulation, the availability of capital, changes in general and local economic and real estate market conditions, competition, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel, and those risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2009 Form 10-K. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
| | (in thousands, except share data) | |
| | July 31, 2009 | | | April 30, 2009 | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Real estate investments | | | | | | |
Property owned | | $ | 1,737,466 | | | $ | 1,729,585 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | | | (274,497 | ) | | | (262,871 | ) |
| | | 1,462,969 | | | | 1,466,714 | |
Unimproved land | | | 5,713 | | | | 5,701 | |
Mortgage loans receivable, net of allowance of $3 and $3, respectively | | | 160 | | | | 160 | |
Total real estate investments | | | 1,468,842 | | | | 1,472,575 | |
Other assets | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 43,935 | | | | 33,244 | |
Marketable securities – available-for-sale | | | 420 | | | | 420 | |
Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $853 and $842, respectively | | | 16,201 | | | | 16,012 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $220 and $286, respectively | | | 4,148 | | | | 2,738 | |
Real estate deposits | | | 460 | | | | 88 | |
Prepaid and other assets | | | 2,900 | | | | 1,051 | |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $47,240 and $44,887, respectively | | | 49,820 | | | | 52,173 | |
Tax, insurance, and other escrow | | | 7,984 | | | | 7,261 | |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,034 and $957, respectively | | | 1,293 | | | | 1,015 | |
Goodwill | | | 1,392 | | | | 1,392 | |
Deferred charges and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $11,916 and $11,010, respectively | | | 16,958 | | | | 17,122 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 1,614,353 | | | $ | 1,605,091 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 32,508 | | | $ | 32,773 | |
Revolving lines of credit | | | 13,000 | | | | 5,500 | |
Mortgages payable | | | 1,055,705 | | | | 1,070,158 | |
Other | | | 1,455 | | | | 1,516 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | | 1,102,668 | | | | 1,109,947 | |
| | | | | | | | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | |
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE ENTITIES | | | 1,908 | | | | 1,737 | |
EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, no par value, 1,150,000 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, aggregate liquidation preference of $28,750,000) | | | 27,317 | | | | 27,317 | |
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest (Unlimited authorization, no par value, 63,787,568 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2009, and 60,304,154 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2009) | | | 490,441 | | | | 461,648 | |
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income | | | (165,349 | ) | | | (155,956 | ) |
Total Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders’ equity | | | 352,409 | | | | 333,009 | |
Noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities | | | 12,248 | | | | 12,199 | |
Noncontrolling interests – Operating Partnership (20,836,972 units at July 31, 2009 and 20,838,197 units at April 30, 2009) | | | 145,120 | | | | 148,199 | |
Total equity | | | 509,777 | | | | 493,407 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | $ | 1,614,353 | | | $ | 1,605,091 | |
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
| | Three Months Ended July 31 | |
| | (in thousands, except per share data) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
REVENUE | | | | | | |
Real estate rentals | | $ | 49,030 | | | $ | 47,657 | |
Tenant reimbursement | | | 11,791 | | | | 11,189 | |
TOTAL REVENUE | | | 60,821 | | | | 58,846 | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | | 17,401 | | | | 16,888 | |
Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments | | | 14,068 | | | | 13,318 | |
Utilities | | | 4,167 | | | | 4,434 | |
Maintenance | | | 7,207 | | | | 6,999 | |
Real estate taxes | | | 7,971 | | | | 7,370 | |
Insurance | | | 973 | | | | 750 | |
Property management expenses | | | 4,098 | | | | 4,251 | |
Administrative expenses | | | 1,356 | | | | 1,231 | |
Advisory and trustee services | | | 131 | | | | 100 | |
Other expenses | | | 434 | | | | 362 | |
Amortization related to non-real estate investments | | | 575 | | | | 449 | |
TOTAL EXPENSES | | | 58,381 | | | | 56,152 | |
Interest income | | | 66 | | | | 223 | |
Other income | | | 63 | | | | 25 | |
NET INCOME | | | 2,569 | | | | 2,942 | |
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities | | | (73 | ) | | | 63 | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – Operating Partnership | | | (479 | ) | | | (647 | ) |
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust | | | 2,017 | | | | 2,358 | |
Dividends to preferred shareholders | | | (593 | ) | | | (593 | ) |
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS | | $ | 1,424 | | | $ | 1,765 | |
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC AND DILUTED | | $ | .02 | | | $ | .03 | |
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST TO FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | |
Three Months Ended July 31, | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| Amount | | | Weighted Avg Shares and Units(2) | | Per Share and Unit(3) | | Amount | | | Weighted Avg Shares and Units(2) | | Per Share and Unit(3) | |
|
|
|
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust | | $ | 2,017 | | | | | | | | | $ | 2,358 | | | | | | | |
Less dividends to preferred shareholders | | | (593 | ) | | | | | | | | | (593 | ) | | | | | | |
Net income available to common shareholders | | | 1,424 | | | | 62,386 | | | $ | 0.02 | | | | 1,765 | | | | 57,916 | | | $ | .03 | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noncontrolling interest – Operating Partnership | | | 479 | | | | 20,837 | | | | | | | | 647 | | | | 21,298 | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization(1) | | | 14,599 | | | | | | | | | | | | 13,641 | | | | | | | | | |
Funds from operations applicable to common shares and Units | | $ | 16,502 | | | | 83,223 | | | $ | 0.20 | | | $ | 16,053 | | | | 79,214 | | | $ | .20 | |
(1) | Real estate depreciation and amortization consists of the sum of depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments and amortization related to non-real estate investments from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaling $14,643 and $13,767, less corporate-related depreciation and amortization on office equipment and other assets of $44 and $126, for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. |
(2) | UPREIT Units of the Operating Partnership are exchangeable for common shares of beneficial interest on a one-for-one basis. |
(3) | Net income is calculated on a per share basis. FFO is calculated on a per share and unit basis. |
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILATION OF NET OPERATING INCOME TO THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
| (in thousands) | |
Three Months Ended July 31, 2009 | Multi-Family Residential | | | Commercial- Office | | | Commercial- Medical | | | Commercial- Industrial | | | Commercial- Retail | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real estate revenue | | $ | 19,083 | | | $ | 21,166 | | | $ | 13,718 | | | $ | 3,395 | | | $ | 3,459 | | | $ | 60,821 | |
Real estate expenses | | | 9,234 | | | | 9,447 | | | | 3,693 | | | | 951 | | | | 1,091 | | | | 24,416 | |
Net operating income | | $ | 9,849 | | | $ | 11,719 | | | $ | 10,025 | | | $ | 2,444 | | | $ | 2,368 | | | | 36,405 | |
Interest | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (17,401 | ) |
Depreciation/amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (14,643 | ) |
Administrative, advisory and trustee fees | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1,487 | ) |
Other expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (434 | ) |
Other income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 129 | |
Net income | | | $ | 2,569 | |
| (in thousands) | |
Three Months Ended July 31, 2008 | Multi-Family Residential | | | Commercial- Office | | | Commercial- Medical | | | Commercial- Industrial | | | Commercial- Retail | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real estate revenue | | $ | 18,601 | | | $ | 20,806 | | | $ | 12,866 | | | $ | 3,096 | | | $ | 3,477 | | | $ | 58,846 | |
Real estate expenses | | | 8,724 | | | | 9,444 | | | | 3,762 | | | | 734 | | | | 1,140 | | | | 23,804 | |
Net operating income | | $ | 9,877 | | | $ | 11,362 | | | $ | 9,104 | | | $ | 2,362 | | | $ | 2,337 | | | | 35,042 | |
Interest | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (16,888 | ) |
Depreciation/amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (13,767 | ) |
Administrative, advisory and trustee fees | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1,331 | ) |
Other expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (362 | ) |
Other income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 248 | |
Net income | | | $ | 2,942 | |