Exhibit 99.1
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| | Press Release |
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For Immediate Release | Inquiries: | Jeanne A. Leonard Liberty Property Trust 610/648-1704 |
LIBERTY PROPERTY TRUST ANNOUNCES
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS
Malvern, PA, February 2, 2009 — Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LRY) reported that net income per common share (diluted) was $0.53 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 compared to $0.39 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, and $1.62 per common share for the full year 2008 compared with $1.80 per share for 2007.
Funds from operations available to common shareholders (diluted) (“FFO”) for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $0.80 per share, compared to $0.79 per share for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, FFO per share was $3.20, compared to $3.18 per share for 2007. A reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO is included in the financial tables accompanying this press release.
Fourth quarter FFO was impacted by the following items:
| • | | Termination fees of $0.7 million, or approximately $.01 per share |
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| • | | Impairment charges of $3.1 million or approximately ($.03) per share |
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| • | | Discount in conjunction with the repurchase of Liberty senior notes: $2.5 million or approximately $.02 per share |
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| • | | Approximately $.02 in forfeited buyer deposits related to the cancelled sale of land |
“Liberty’s performance in the fourth quarter, and into the beginning of 2009, demonstrates the resiliency of our business model and positive effect of bracing for the economic storm early. Despite the weakening economy, we have maintained occupancy, increased leasing in the development pipeline, and executed adroitly in the capital markets,” said Bill Hankowsky, chairman and chief executive officer. “We are also seeing the benefits of our business model in increased tenant attraction and retention, as tenants place even greater value on the stability and commitment of customer-centric landlords.”
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Liberty Property Trust
Fourth Quarter 2008 Earnings -2-
Portfolio Performance
Leasing:At December 31, 2008, Liberty’s in-service portfolio of 76.9 million square feet was 91.3% occupied, compared to 92.0% at the end of the third quarter. During the quarter, Liberty completed lease transactions totaling 5.8 million square feet of space.
Same Store Performance:Property level operating income for same store properties decreased by 0.7% on a cash basis and increased by 0.2% on a straight line basis for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter in 2007 and decreased by 0.2% on a cash basis and 0.6% on a straight line basis for the full year 2008 compared to 2007.
Real Estate Investments
Development:During the fourth quarter, Liberty brought into service four development properties totaling 1.1 million square feet for a total investment of $84.9 million. At quarter-end the properties were 16.1% leased. The current yield on the investments is 3.0%, and the projected stabilized yield is 8.0%.
Also during the fourth quarter, Liberty began development of a 72,000 square foot, build-to-suit expansion of an existing office property in Minnesota for a projected investment of $13.2 million; and a joint venture in which Liberty holds a 50% interest began construction of a 500,000 square foot distribution center in Orlando, Florida. This property is 100% pre-leased, with a projected investment of $24.2 million.
As of December 31, 2008, Liberty had 4.5 million square feet of wholly-owned and joint venture properties under development. This activity represents a total projected investment of $560.0 million, with an expected yield of 7.9%. The properties were 55.5% leased at year-end.
Acquisitions:Liberty acquired no properties during the fourth quarter.
Dispositions:During the fourth quarter, Liberty sold five properties containing 306,000 square feet, and 14 acres of land for $40.8 million.
Capital Activities and Balance Sheet Management
Common Share Sales:On October 8, Liberty closed on the sale of 4.75 million common shares. Net proceeds from the offering were $149.5 million. In December, Liberty commenced the sale of common shares pursuant to a continuous equity offering program. Through December 31, 2008, the company sold 495,000 shares as part of this program. Net proceeds from the offering were $10.8 million. Proceeds from these offerings were used to repay borrowings under Liberty’s unsecured credit facility and for general corporate purposes.
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Liberty Property Trust
Fourth Quarter 2008 Earnings -3-
Senior Note Repurchases:During the fourth quarter of 2008, Liberty purchased $23.4 million of its August 2010 Senior Notes. These notes were purchased at a $2.5 million (approximately $.02 per share) discount. This discount is included in FFO as a debt extinguishment gain as noted above.
Dividend Adjustment:The quarterly dividend was decreased from $0.625 for the October 2008 dividend to $0.475 for the January 2009 dividend.
Subsequent Events
To date in 2009, Liberty has sold six properties totaling 301,000 square feet, for $34.8 million and has raised $22 million from its continuous equity offering program.
2009 Guidance
Liberty affirms its previously-announced guidance range for 2009 funds from operations of $3.00 — $3.20 per share. A reconciliation of FFO to GAAP net income is below:
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| | 2009 Range |
| | Low | | High |
Projected net income per share | | $ | 1.24 | | | $ | 1.44 | |
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 0.16 | | | | 0.18 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 1.78 | | | | 1.81 | |
Gain on property dispositions | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
Minority interest share of addbacks | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) |
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Projected funds from operations per share | | $ | 3.00 | | | $ | 3.20 | |
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 77 million square foot portfolio includes more than 700 properties which provide office, distribution and light manufacturing facilities to 2,000 tenants.
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Liberty Property Trust
Fourth Quarter 2008 Earnings -4-
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 atwww.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 tojleonard@libertyproperty.com.
Liberty will host a conference call during which management will discuss fourth quarter results, on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at 1:00 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: 82309390. The call can also be accessed via the Internet on the Investors page of Liberty’s web site atwww.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.
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Liberty Property Trust
Statement of Operations
December 31, 2008
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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| | Quarter Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | | | December 31, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rental | | $ | 131,919 | | | $ | 130,062 | | | $ | 520,301 | | | $ | 480,107 | |
Operating expense reimbursement | | | 57,283 | | | | 55,074 | | | | 228,219 | | | | 206,724 | |
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Total operating revenue | | | 189,202 | | | | 185,136 | | | | 748,520 | | | | 686,831 | |
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Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rental property | | | 40,099 | | | | 38,576 | | | | 152,786 | | | | 143,646 | |
Real estate taxes | | | 20,325 | | | | 19,503 | | | | 86,320 | | | | 72,563 | |
General and administrative | | | 14,157 | | | | 15,260 | | | | 54,378 | | | | 54,249 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 42,775 | | | | 43,759 | | | | 173,097 | | | | 155,616 | |
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Total operating expenses | | | 117,356 | | | | 117,098 | | | | 466,581 | | | | 426,074 | |
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Operating Income | | | 71,846 | | | | 68,038 | | | | 281,939 | | | | 260,757 | |
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Other Income/Expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest and other | | | 4,069 | | | | 3,895 | | | | 13,508 | | | | 11,727 | |
Debt extinguishment gain | | | 2,521 | | | | — | | | | 2,521 | | | | — | |
Interest | | | (38,712 | ) | | | (39,433 | ) | | | (155,675 | ) | | | (127,058 | ) |
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Total other income/expense | | | (32,122 | ) | | | (35,538 | ) | | | (139,646 | ) | | | (115,331 | ) |
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Income before property dispositions, income taxes, minority interest and equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 39,724 | | | | 32,500 | | | | 142,293 | | | | 145,426 | |
Gain (loss) on property dispositions | | | 8,633 | | | | (176 | ) | | | 10,572 | | | | 1,463 | |
Income taxes | | | (273 | ) | | | 201 | | | | (1,645 | ) | | | 709 | |
Minority interest | | | (7,171 | ) | | | (6,447 | ) | | | (27,062 | ) | | | (23,598 | ) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 948 | | | | (1,252 | ) | | | 2,805 | | | | (226 | ) |
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Income from continuing operations | | | 41,861 | | | | 24,826 | | | | 126,963 | | | | 123,774 | |
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Discontinued operations of net minority interest (including net gain on property dispositions of $9,244 and $25,032 for the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 dispositions of $9,884 and $9,233 for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 and $23,519 and $33,611 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007) | | | 9,937 | | | | 10,706 | | | | 24,979 | | | | 41,057 | |
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Net Income | | $ | 51,798 | | | $ | 35,532 | | | $ | 151,942 | | | $ | 164,831 | |
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Basic income per common share | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | 0.27 | | | $ | 1.35 | | | $ | 1.36 | |
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Discontinued operations | | $ | 0.10 | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.27 | | | $ | 0.45 | |
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Total basic income per common share | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 0.39 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | $ | 1.81 | |
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Diluted income per common share | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | 0.27 | | | $ | 1.35 | | | $ | 1.35 | |
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Continuing operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Discontinued operations | | $ | 0.10 | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.27 | | | $ | 0.45 | |
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Total diluted income per common share | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 0.39 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | $ | 1.80 | |
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Weighted average shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 97,493 | | | | 91,206 | | | | 93,624 | | | | 91,185 | |
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Diluted | | | 97,493 | | | | 91,495 | | | | 93,804 | | | | 91,803 | |
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Liberty Property Trust
Statement of Funds From Operations
December 31, 2008
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
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| | Quarter Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | | | December 31, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
| | | | | | Per | | | | | | | Per | | | | | | | Per | | | | | | | Per | |
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | | Weighted | | | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | | | Average | | | | | | | Average | | | | | | | Average | |
| | Dollars | | | Share | | | Dollars | | | Share | | | Dollars | | | Share | | | Dollars | | | Share | |
Reconciliation of net income to FFO — basic: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic — income available to common shareholders | | $ | 51,798 | | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 35,532 | | | $ | 0.39 | | | $ | 151,942 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | $ | 164,831 | | | $ | 1.81 | |
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Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 4,027 | | | | | | | | 3,675 | | | | | | | | 16,235 | | | | | | | | 6,494 | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 42,597 | | | | | | | | 44,129 | | | | | | | | 173,400 | | | | | | | | 162,833 | | | | | |
Gain on property dispositions | | | (19,662 | ) | | | | | | | (9,260 | ) | | | | | | | (34,336 | ) | | | | | | | (36,498 | ) | | | | |
Minority interest share in addback for depreciation and amortization and gain on property dispositions | | | (1,068 | ) | | | | | | | (1,688 | ) | | | | | | | (6,606 | ) | | | | | | | (5,820 | ) | | | | |
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Funds from operations available to common shareholders — basic | | $ | 77,692 | | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 72,388 | | | $ | 0.79 | | | $ | 300,635 | | | $ | 3.21 | | | $ | 291,840 | | | $ | 3.20 | |
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Reconciliation of net income to FFO — diluted: Diluted — income available to common shareholders | | $ | 51,798 | | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 35,532 | | | $ | 0.39 | | | $ | 151,942 | | | $ | 1.62 | | | $ | 164,831 | | | $ | 1.80 | |
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Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 4,027 | | | | | | | | 3,675 | | | | | | | | 16,235 | | | | | | | | 6,494 | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 42,597 | | | | | | | | 44,129 | | | | | | | | 173,400 | | | | | | | | 162,833 | | | | | |
Gain on property dispositions | | | (19,662 | ) | | | | | | | (9,260 | ) | | | | | | | (34,336 | ) | | | | | | | (36,498 | ) | | | | |
Minority interest excluding preferred unit distributions | | | 2,143 | | | | | | | | 1,629 | | | | | | | | 6,669 | | | | | | | | 7,556 | | | | | |
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Funds from operations available to common shareholders — diluted | | $ | 80,903 | | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 75,705 | | | $ | 0.79 | | | $ | 313,910 | | | $ | 3.20 | | | $ | 305,216 | | | $ | 3.18 | |
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Reconciliation of weighted average shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares — all basic calculations | | | 97,493 | | | | | | | | 91,206 | | | | | | | | 93,624 | | | | | | | | 91,185 | | | | | |
Dilutive shares for long term compensation plans | | | — | | | | | | | | 289 | | | | | | | | 180 | | | | | | | | 618 | | | | | |
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Diluted shares for net income calculations | | | 97,493 | | | | | | | | 91,495 | | | | | | | | 93,804 | | | | | | | | 91,803 | | | | | |
Weighted average common units | | | 4,189 | | | | | | | | 4,190 | | | | | | | | 4,190 | | | | | | | | 4,190 | | | | | |
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Diluted shares for funds from operations calculations | | | 101,682 | | | | | | | | 95,685 | | | | | | | | 97,994 | | | | | | | | 95,993 | | | | | |
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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
December 31, 2008
(In thousands, except share amounts)
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| | December 31, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Real estate: | | | | | | | | |
Land and land improvements | | $ | 813,397 | | | $ | 792,991 | |
Building and improvements | | | 4,261,770 | | | | 4,408,309 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | | | (982,114 | ) | | | (858,671 | ) |
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Operating real estate | | | 4,093,053 | | | | 4,342,629 | |
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Development in progress | | | 245,463 | | | | 316,985 | |
Land held for development | | | 209,551 | | | | 247,124 | |
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Net real estate | | | 4,548,067 | | | | 4,906,738 | |
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Cash and cash equivalents | | | 15,794 | | | | 37,989 | |
Restricted cash | | | 39,726 | | | | 34,567 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 12,985 | | | | 15,908 | |
Deferred rent receivable | | | 85,352 | | | | 79,720 | |
Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization (2008, $140,345; 2007, $119,210) | | | 134,029 | | | | 144,295 | |
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 251,520 | | | | 278,383 | |
Assets held for sale | | | 33,662 | | | | 36,908 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 97,549 | | | | 109,429 | |
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Total assets | | $ | 5,218,684 | | | $ | 5,643,937 | |
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Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage loans | | $ | 198,560 | | | $ | 243,169 | |
Unsecured notes | | | 2,131,607 | | | | 2,155,000 | |
Credit facility | | | 260,000 | | | | 622,960 | |
Accounts payable | | | 32,481 | | | | 44,666 | |
Accrued interest | | | 36,474 | | | | 39,725 | |
Dividend and distributions payable | | | 48,858 | | | | 59,849 | |
Other liabilities | | | 184,198 | | | | 268,926 | |
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Total liabilities | | | 2,892,178 | | | | 3,434,295 | |
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Minority interest | | | 369,771 | | | | 372,621 | |
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Shareholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | |
Common shares of beneficial interest, $.001 par value, 183,987,000 shares authorized, 100,034,404 (includes 1,249,909 in treasury) and 92,817,879 (includes 1,249,909 in treasury) shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively | | | 101 | | | | 93 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 2,199,684 | | | | 1,984,141 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | (5,378 | ) | | | 21,378 | |
Distributions in excess of net income | | | (185,721 | ) | | | (116,640 | ) |
Common shares in treasury, at cost, 1,249,909 shares as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 | | | (51,951 | ) | | | (51,951 | ) |
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Total shareholders’ equity | | | 1,956,735 | | | | 1,837,021 | |
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Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity | | $ | 5,218,684 | | | $ | 5,643,937 | |
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