Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter,
Provides Revised 2010 FFO Guidance
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – (BUSINESS WIRE) – April 27, 2010 -- Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust (NYSE:RPT) today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and revised 2010 guidance.
First Quarter Highlights:
· | Portfolio 90.5% leased at quarter-end |
· | Staples lease signed to replace fourth Linens ‘n Things vacancy |
· | Delivered three redevelopment projects anchored by Ross Dress For Less, Beall’s and CVS |
· | New 10-year CMBS financing of $31.3 million for properties in Michigan and Ohio |
“Our first quarter was a very active and productive period on many fronts. In a continuing volatile market, our management team has done a good job of keeping our shopping centers leased,” said Dennis Gershenson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are encouraged by recent improvements in the financial markets, evidenced by our new 10-year CMBS loan completed in March. Improving our balance sheet, leasing our vacancies and completing our value-added redevelopments remain top priorities for 2010.”
Funds from operations (FFO) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $8.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, as compared to FFO of $11.9 million, or $0.55 per diluted share for the same period in 2009. The first quarter 2010 FFO results included $2.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, of non-cash impairment charges resulting from other-than-temporary declines in the fair market value of various equity investments in joint ventures. Excluding the $2.7 million non-cash impairment charge, FFO for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $11.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share.
Net income (loss) attributable to RPT common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $(0.7) million or $(0.02) per diluted share, compared to $2.3 million or $0.12 per diluted share for the same period in 2009.
Operating Statistics
As of March 31, 2010, the Company owned equity interests in 88 retail shopping centers totaling approximately 19.8 million square feet, consisting of 55 wholly-owned properties and 33 properties held through joint ventures. At quarter-end, the portfolio was 90.5% leased and 89.5% occupied. The decrease in occupancy is primarily due to two previously disclosed anchor closures totaling approximately 200,000 square feet that took place during the quarter.
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company executed 20 new leases in its core portfolio totaling 140,170 square feet at an average rental rate of $11.11 per square foot, representing a 3.8% decrease from prior rents on a same-space cash basis. Also during the first quarter, the Company renewed 89 leases in its core portfolio encompassing 590,303 square feet for an average rental rate decrease of 15.0% to $9.66 per square foot on a cash basis. Excluding three short-term anchor lease extensions, the Company renewed 86 leases for an average rental rate decrease of 8.7% to $11.54 per square foot on a cash basis.
At quarter-end, the Company had 49 properties in its wholly-owned, same-center portfolio, representing all centers not undergoing redevelopment that have been owned and operated for the same three and twelve month periods during each year. On a same-center basis, occupancy was 91.4% compared to 93.6% at March 31, 2009. For the first quarter, same center net operating income (NOI) decreased 1.8% compared to March 31, 2009.
Development
During the first quarter, the Company determined to discontinue capitalizing interest costs and real estate taxes associated with its development projects based on a thorough review of the opening schedules for the proposed anchors. The Company anticipates capitalizing these costs when internal pre-leasing hurdles have been met and the developments are set to commence. In addition, the Company consolidated its joint venture investment in Hartland Towne Square onto the Company’s balance sheet. At the end of the first quarter, the Company had investments in land held for development of $96.3 million.
Redevelopment
During the first quarter, the Company delivered three redevelopment projects. The Company expects to generate a stabilized return of 13.2%, based on incremental NOI of $542,000 and incremental costs of $4.1 million.
At the end of the quarter, five redevelopment projects remain in the pipeline. It is anticipated that the Company will spend an additional $5.8 million to complete these projects during 2010. The Company’s total cost for these projects is estimated to be $22.3 million with an expected return on incremental cost of 12.1%.
Balance Sheet
In March, the Company closed on a new $31.3 million CMBS loan secured by its West Oaks II shopping center in Novi, Michigan and its Spring Meadows Place center in Holland, Ohio. The $31.3 million financing represents a loan to value of approximately 60% for the two properties and has a ten year term with a fixed interest rate of 6.5%. Proceeds from the loan were used primarily to reduce borrowings on the Company's revolving line of credit. At quarter-end the Company had $82.5 million of availability under its revolving line of credit.
At March 31, 2010, the Company’s total market capitalization equaled $942.9 million, comprised of 33.9 million shares of common stock (or equivalents) valued at $382.3 million, and $560.6 million of net debt. Its ratio of net debt to total market capitalization was 59.5%. At quarter-end debt to EBITDA was 7.67x compared to 8.20x for the same period in 2009.
Dividend
On April 1, 2010, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.16325 per common share to shareholders of record on March 20, 2010 for first quarter ended March 31, 2010. The quarterly dividend represents an annualized dividend rate of $0.65. The Company’s non-cash FFO payout ratio for the first quarter was 65.1%.
2010 Guidance
The Company has revised its 2010 FFO and earnings guidance to reflect management’s determination to discontinue capitalizing interest costs and real estate taxes at its development projects. The Company expects FFO per diluted share, excluding impairment charges, to be in a range of $1.04 to $1.12 and earnings per diluted share to be in a range of $0.09 and $0.17.
The following table reconciles the Company’s current FFO guidance to its previous guidance: