Washington Real Estate Investment Trust Announces First Quarter Financial and Operating Results
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT) (NYSE: WRE) reported financial and operating results today for the quarter ending March 31, 2009:
-- Net income was $0.20 per diluted share compared to $(0.06) per diluted share in the same period one year ago. Included in the first quarter 2009 and first quarter 2008 net income are respective charges of $0.05 and $0.03 per diluted share from the adoption of an accounting pronouncement impacting the accounting of our 3.875% convertible notes (1). Also included in the first quarter 2009 net income is a gain of $0.11 per diluted share related to the repurchase of convertible debt. Also included in the first quarter 2008 net income is a $0.18 per diluted share non-recurring charge for the extinguishment of $60 million of 10-year Mandatory Par Put Remarketed Securities ("MOPPRS"). -- Funds From Operations (FFO)(3) was $0.65 per diluted share compared to $0.38 per diluted share in the same period one year ago. Included in the first quarter 2009 and first quarter 2008 FFO are respective charges of $0.05 and $0.03 per diluted share from the adoption of an accounting pronouncement impacting the accounting of our 3.875% convertible notes (1). Also included in the first quarter 2009 FFO is a gain of $0.11 per diluted share related to the repurchase of convertible debt. Also included in the first quarter 2008 FFO is a $0.18 per diluted share non-recurring charge for the extinguishment of $60 million of 10-year Mandatory Par Put Remarketed Securities ("MOPPRS"). -- Guidance for 2009 FFO per diluted share remains unchanged.
Capital Structure
Throughout the first quarter, WRIT repurchased a total of $48.6 million of its 3.875% convertible notes. WRIT repurchased the notes at discount prices ranging from 80% to 84% of par for approximately $40 million. In conjunction with these repurchases, WRIT reported a gain of approximately $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. In addition, WRIT issued 558,268 shares through its Sales Agency Financing Agreement with BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC. The average share price was $26.47 for gross proceeds of $14.8 million. Also this quarter, WRIT entered into a 10-year, $37.5 million mortgage on The Kenmore at a fixed rate of 5.37%.
On March 31, 2009, WRIT paid a quarterly dividend of $0.4325 per share for its 189th consecutive quarterly dividend at equal or increasing rates.
As of March 31, 2009 WRIT had a total capitalization of $2.3 billion.
Operating Results
Overall portfolio economic occupancy for the first quarter was 92.3%, compared to 93.0% in the same period one year ago and 92.6% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Overall portfolio Net Operating Income (NOI) (5) was $50.5 million compared to $46.7 million in the same period one year ago and $47.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Core (6) portfolio NOI for the first quarter decreased 4.3% and rental rate growth was 2.5% compared to the same period one year ago. Core economic occupancy was 93.1% during the first quarter of 2009, a decrease of 230 basis points (bps) from the same period one year ago and a decrease of 60 bps sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2008.
-- Multifamily properties' core NOI for the first quarter increased 3.1% compared to the same period one year ago. Rental rate growth was 2.2% while core economic occupancy decreased 120 bps to 91.6%. Sequentially, core economic occupancy decreased from 92.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008. -- Medical office properties' core NOI for the first quarter increased 3.6% compared to the same period one year ago. Rental rate growth was 2.5% while core economic occupancy decreased 80 bps to 97.1%. Sequentially, core economic occupancy increased from 95.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008. -- Office properties' core NOI for the first quarter decreased 6.1% compared to the same period one year ago, primarily due to increased bad debt expense. Rental rate growth was 2.9% while core economic occupancy decreased 330 bps to 92.2%, primarily due to occupancy reduction at the One Central Plaza office building. Sequentially, core economic occupancy declined from 93.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008. -- Retail properties' core NOI for the first quarter decreased 8.0% compared to the same period one year ago, primarily due to increased bad debt expense and higher operating expenses throughout the portfolio. Rental rate growth was 3.0% while core economic occupancy decreased 10 bps to 95.2%. Sequentially, core economic occupancy increased from 94.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008. -- Industrial properties' core NOI for the first quarter decreased 7.8% compared to the same period one year ago, primarily due to lower occupancy at Northern Virginia Industrial Park and higher operating expenses throughout the portfolio. Rental rate growth was 1.0% while core economic occupancy decreased 440 bps to 90.3%. Sequentially, core economic occupancy declined from 92.4% in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Leasing Activity
During the first quarter, WRIT signed commercial leases for 235,000 square feet with an average rental rate increase of 11.1% over expiring lease rates, an average lease term of 3.6 years, tenant improvement costs of $4.81 per square foot and leasing costs of $4.07 per square foot.
-- Rental rates for new and renewed medical office leases increased 9.8% to $35.08 per square foot, with $8.12 per square foot in tenant improvement costs and $2.05 per square foot in leasing costs. -- Rental rates for new and renewed office leases increased 13.4% to $31.84 per square foot, with $16.03 per square foot in tenant improvement costs and $12.36 per square foot in leasing costs. -- Rental rates for new and renewed retail leases decreased 5.2% to $17.52 per square foot, with $0.26 per square foot in tenant improvement costs and $3.48 per square foot in leasing costs. -- Rental rates for new and renewed industrial/flex leases increased 13.4% to $9.82 per square foot, with $0.17 per square foot in tenant improvement costs and $0.57 per square foot in leasing costs.
Residential rental rates increased 2.2% in the first quarter compared to the same period one year ago.
Conference Call Information
The Conference Call for 1st Quarter Earnings is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. Conference Call access information is as follows:
USA Toll Free Number: 1-877-407-9205 International Toll Number: 1-201-689-8054 Leader: William T. Camp
The instant replay of the Conference Call will be available until May 12, 2009 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time. Instant replay access information is as follows:
USA Toll Free Number: 1-877-660-6853 International Toll Number: 1-201-612-7415 Account: 286 Conference ID: 316913
The live on-demand webcast of the Conference Call will be available on the Investor section of WRIT's website at www.writ.com. On-line playback of the webcast will be available at http://www.writ.com for two weeks following the Conference Call.
About WRIT
WRIT is a self-administered, self-managed, equity real estate investment trust investing in income-producing properties in the greater Washington metro region. WRIT owns a diversified portfolio of 93 properties consisting of 28 office properties, 22 industrial/flex properties, 17 medical office properties, 14 retail centers, 12 multi-family properties and land for development. WRIT shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:WRE).
Note: WRIT's press releases and supplemental financial information are available on the company website at www.writ.com or by contacting Investor Relations at (301) 984-9400.
Certain statements in this press 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. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of the current credit and financial market conditions, the availability and cost of capital, fluctuations in interest rates, tenants' financial conditions, the timing and pricing of lease transactions, levels of competition, the effect of government regulation, the impact of newly adopted accounting principles, changes in general and local economic and real estate market conditions, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including our 2008 Form 10-K. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
(1) Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position APB14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement) ("FSP 14-1"), requires the bifurcation of a component of our 3.875% convertible notes, classification of that component in shareholders' equity, and accretion of the resulting discount on the convertible notes to interest expense. As a result of the adoption of FSP 14-1, equity increased by $21.0 million as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The principal balance of our 3.875% convertible notes was reduced by $8.7 million and $11.9 million as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and the unamortized balance of the related loan origination costs was reduced by $2.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The decline in principal reflects the unamortized discount balance related to the adoption of FSP 14-1. Interest expense increased $1.2 million in the first quarters of both 2009 and 2008 as a result of the adoption. The gain on extinguishment of debt decreased by $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2009 as a result of the adoption.
(2) As of the first quarter of 2009, we adopted SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements ("FAS 160"), under which noncontrolling interests of consolidated partnerships (previously referred to as "minority interests") are reported as a component of equity. Under FAS 160, net income encompasses the total income of all consolidated subsidiaries and there is a separate disclosure on the face of the consolidated statement of income of the attribution of that income between controlling and noncontrolling interests. The implementation of this standard had no effect on our basic or diluted earnings per share calculation.
(3) Funds From Operations ("FFO") - The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. ("NAREIT") defines FFO (April, 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")) excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property plus real estate depreciation and amortization. FFO is a non-GAAP measure and does not replace net income as a measure of performance or net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We consider FFO to be a standard supplemental measure for equity real estate investment trusts ("REITs") because it facilitates an understanding of the operating performance of our properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which historically assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have instead historically risen or fallen with market conditions, we believe that FFO more accurately provides investors an indication of our ability to incur and service debt, make capital expenditures and fund other needs.
(4) Funds Available for Distribution ("FAD") is a non-GAAP measure. It is calculated by subtracting from FFO (1) recurring expenditures, tenant improvements and leasing costs that are capitalized and amortized and are necessary to maintain our properties and revenue stream and (2) straight-line rents, then adding (3) non-real estate depreciation and amortization, (4) amortization of restricted share and unit compensation, and adding or subtracting amortization of lease intangibles, as appropriate. We consider FAD to be a measure of a REIT's ability to incur and service debt and to distribute dividends to its shareholders. FAD is a non-standardized measure and may be calculated differently by other REITs.
(5) Net Operating income ("NOI"), defined as real estate rental revenue less real estate expenses, is a non-GAAP measure. We provide NOI as a supplement to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. As such, it should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of our operating performance. It is the primary performance measure we use to assess the results of our operations at the property level. NOI is calculated as net income, less non-real estate revenue and the results of discontinued operations (including the gain on sale, if any), plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization and general and administrative expenses.
(6) For purposes of evaluating comparative operating performance, we categorize our properties as "core" or "non-core". A core property is one that was owned for the entirety of the periods being evaluated. A non-core property is one that was acquired or placed into service during either of the periods being evaluated.
Economic Occupancy Levels by Core Properties(i)and All Properties Core Properties All Properties Sector 1st QTR 1st QTR 1st QTR 1st QTR 2009 2008 2009 2008 Residential 91.6% 92.8% 87.4% (ii) 79.6% Office 92.2% 95.5% 92.6% 95.5% Medical Office 97.1% 97.9% 96.5% 97.9% Retail 95.2% 95.3% 95.2% 95.3% Industrial 90.3% 94.7% 90.4% 93.8% Overall Portfolio 93.1% 95.4% 92.3% 93.0%
(i) Core properties include all properties that were owned for the entirety of the current and prior year reporting periods. For Q1 2009 and Q1 2008, core properties exclude: Residential Acquisition: Kenmore Apartments Office Acquisition: 2445 M Street Medical Office Acquisition: Sterling Medical Office Building Retail Acquisitions: none Industrial Acquisition: 6100 Columbia Park Road Also excluded from Core Properties in Q1 2009 and Q1 2008 are Sold Properties: Sullyfield Center and The Earhart Building; Held for Sale Properties: Avondale Apartments and Charleston Business Center; and In Development Properties: Bennett Park, Clayborne Apartments, and Dulles Station. (ii) Residential occupancy for all properties reflects the completion of Bennett Park and Clayborne Apartments. At 3/31/09, 174 of 224 units were occupied at Bennett Park and 60 of 74 units were occupied at Clayborne Apartments.
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, OPERATING RESULTS 2009 2008 Revenue Real estate rental revenue $ 77,860 $ 69,346 Expenses Real estate expenses 27,404 22,678 Depreciation and amortization 23,275 20,333 General and administrative 3,182 3,023 53,861 46,034 Real estate operating income 23,999 23,312 Other income/(expense): Interest expense(1) (19,681 ) (18,900 ) Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt(1) 5,845 (8,449 ) Other income 320 238 (13,516 ) (27,111 ) Income from continuing operations 10,483 (3,799 ) Discontinued operations: Income from operations of properties held for 417 1,132 sale Net income 10,900 (2,667 ) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling (49 ) (57 ) interests(2) Net income attributable to the controlling $ 10,851 $ (2,724 ) interests(2) Income from continuing operations attributable to $ 10,434 $ (3,856 ) the controlling interests Continuing operations real estate depreciation 23,275 20,333 and amortization Funds from continuing operations $ 33,709 $ 16,477 Income from discontinued operations before gain 417 1,132 on sale Discontinued operations real estate depreciation 27 192 and amortization Funds from discontinued operations 444 1,324 Funds from operations(3) $ 34,153 $ 17,801 Gain on extinguishment of debt (5,845 ) - Tenant improvements (1,066 ) (2,110 ) External and internal leasing commissions (1,058 ) (2,023 ) capitalized Recurring capital improvements (1,174 ) (2,116 ) Straight-line rents, net (664 ) (744 ) Non-cash fair value interest expense 1,128 1,047 Non real estate depreciation & amortization of 1,219 1,263 debt costs Amortization of lease intangibles, net (597 ) (506 ) Amortization and expensing of restricted share 577 699 and unit compensation Other - - Funds available for distribution(4) $ 26,673 $ 13,311
Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Three Months Ended March 31, Per share data attributable to the 2009 2008 controlling interests: Income from continuing operations (Basic) $ 0.197 $ (0.083 ) (Diluted) $ 0.197 $ (0.083 ) Net income (Basic) $ 0.203 $ (0.058 ) (Diluted) $ 0.203 $ (0.058 ) Funds from continuing operations (Basic) $ 0.637 $ 0.353 (Diluted) $ 0.637 $ 0.353 Funds from operations (Basic) $ 0.645 $ 0.382 (Diluted) $ 0.645 $ 0.382 Dividends paid $ 0.4325 $ 0.4225 Weighted average shares outstanding 52,914 46,623 Fully diluted weighted average shares 52,915 46,623 outstanding
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) March 31, December 31, 2009 2008 Assets Land $ 414,531 $ 414,531 Income producing property 1,870,493 1,866,221 2,285,024 2,280,752 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (420,279 ) (400,487 ) Net income producing property 1,864,745 1,880,265 Development in progress 23,678 23,732 Total real estate held for investment, net 1,888,423 1,903,997 Investment in real estate sold or held for sale 16,401 16,408 Cash and cash equivalents 9,685 11,874 Restricted cash 19,343 18,823 Rents and other receivables, net of allowance for 47,411 45,244 doubtful accounts of $7,489 and $6,278 Prepaid expenses and other assets(1) 105,615 112,599 Other assets related to property sold or held for 295 462 sale Total assets $ 2,087,173 $ 2,109,407 Liabilities Notes payable(1) $ 845,364 $ 890,679 Mortgage notes payable 458,084 421,286 Lines of credit 48,000 67,000 Accounts payable and other liabilities 71,587 70,569 Advance rents 9,100 9,001 Tenant security deposits 10,199 10,237 Other liabilities related to property sold or held 207 210 for sale Total liabilities 1,442,541 1,468,982 Shareholders' equity Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 53,000 and 52,434 531 526 shares issued and outstanding, respectively Additional paid-in capital(1) 793,441 777,375 Distributions in excess of net income (151,172 ) (138,936 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (1,963 ) (2,335 ) Total shareholders' equity 640,837 636,630 Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries(2) 3,795 3,795 Total equity 644,632 640,425 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,087,173 $ 2,109,407
Note: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) The following tables contain reconciliations of net income to core net operating income for the periods presented: Three months Medical ended March Multifamily Office Office Retail Industrial Total 31, 2009 Core net operating $ 4,659 $ 18,119 $ 7,485 $ 7,706 $ 6,949 $ 44,918 income(6) Add: Net operating income from 1,621 3,571 68 - 278 5,538 non-core properties(6) Total net operating $ 6,280 $ 21,690 $ 7,553 $ 7,706 $ 7,227 $ 50,456 income(5) Add/(deduct): Other income 320 Interest (19,681 ) expense Gain (loss) on extinguishment 5,845 of debt Depreciation and (23,275 ) amortization expense General and administrative (3,182 ) expenses Income from operations of 417 properties held for sale Net income $ 10,900 Less: Net income attributable (49 ) to the noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to the $ 10,851 controlling interests Three months Medical ended March Multifamily Office Office Retail Industrial Total 31, 2008 Core net operating $ 4,519 $ 19,305 $ 7,224 $ 8,374 $ 7,536 $ 46,958 Income(6) Add: Net operating income from (228 ) (149 ) - - 87 (290 ) non-core properties(6) Total net operating $ 4,291 $ 19,156 $ 7,224 $ 8,374 $ 7,623 $ 46,668 income(5) Add/(deduct): Other income 238 Interest (18,900 ) expense Gain (loss) on extinguishment (8,449 ) of debt Depreciation and (20,333 ) amortization expense General and administrative (3,023 ) expenses Income from operations of 1,132 properties held for sale Net income $ (2,667 ) Less: Net income attributable (57 ) to the noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to the $ (2,724 ) controlling interests
Source: Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
Released April 27, 2009