Saul Centers, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2019 Earnings

May 2, 2019 4:10 PM EDT

BETHESDA, Md., May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE: BFS), an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT"), announced its operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 ("2019 Quarter").  Total revenue for the 2019 Quarter increased to $59.8 million from $56.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 ("2018 Quarter").  Net income increased to $17.1 million for the 2019 Quarter from $14.9 million for the 2018 Quarter.

Net income available to common stockholders increased to $10.5 million ($0.46 per diluted share) for the 2019 Quarter from $6.9 million ($0.31 per diluted share) for the 2018 Quarter.  Net income available to common stockholders increased primarily due to (a) extinguishment in 2018 of issuance costs upon redemption of preferred shares ($2.3 million), (b) higher termination fees in the core portfolio ($1.2 million), (c) the net operating income of recently acquired properties ($0.6 million), (d) lower preferred stock dividends ($0.5 million) and (e) higher base rent in the core portfolio ($0.5 million) partially offset by (f) higher noncontrolling interests ($1.3 million).

Same property revenue increased $2.8 million (4.9%) and same property operating income increased $1.8 million (4.3%) for the 2019 Quarter compared to the 2018 Quarter.  We define same property revenue as total revenue minus the revenue of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  We define same property operating income as net income plus (a) interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs, (b) depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs and (c) general and administrative expenses minus (d) the results of properties which were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods.  Shopping Center same property operating income for the 2019 Quarter totaled $33.5 million, a $1.4 million increase from the 2018 Quarter.  Mixed-Use same property operating income totaled $10.5 million, a $0.4 million increase from the 2018 Quarter.  The increase in Shopping Center same property operating income was primarily the result of higher termination fees ($1.2 million).  The increase in Mixed-Use same property operating income was primarily the result of (a) higher base rent ($0.2 million) and (b) lower credit losses ($0.2 million).

As of March 31, 2019, 95.2% of the commercial portfolio was leased (not including the residential portfolio), compared to 94.1% at March 31, 2018.  On a same property basis, 95.7% of the commercial portfolio was leased as of March 31, 2019, compared to 94.1% at March 31, 2018.  As of March 31, 2019, the residential portfolio was 99.0% leased compared to 95.9% at March 31, 2018.

Funds from operations ("FFO") available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests (after deducting preferred stock dividends) was $25.8 million ($0.84 per diluted share) in the 2019 Quarter compared to $20.6 million ($0.69 per diluted share) in the 2018 Quarter.  FFO is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure which the Company considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance.  A reconciliation of net income to FFO is attached to this press release.  The increase in FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests was primarily due to (a) extinguishment in 2018 of issuance costs upon redemption of preferred shares ($2.3 million), (b) higher termination fees ($1.2 million), (c) the net operating income of recently acquired properties ($0.6 million), (d) lower preferred stock dividends ($0.5 million) and (e) higher base rent in the core portfolio ($0.5 million).

Saul Centers, Inc. is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, which currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio of 60 properties which includes (a) 49 community and neighborhood shopping centers and seven mixed-use properties with approximately 9.3 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four land and development properties. Over 85% of the Saul Centers' property operating income is generated by properties in the metropolitan Washington, DC/Baltimore area.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain matters discussed within this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2019, and include the following: (i) general adverse economic and local real estate conditions, (ii) the inability of major tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or a general downturn in their business, (iii) financing risks, such as the inability to obtain equity, debt or other sources of financing or refinancing on favorable terms to the Company, (iv) the Company's ability to raise capital by selling its assets, (v) changes in governmental laws and regulations and management's ability to estimate the impact of such changes, (vi) the level and volatility of interest rates and management's ability to estimate the impact thereof, (vii) the availability of suitable acquisition, disposition, development and redevelopment opportunities, and risks related to acquisitions not performing in accordance with our expectations, (viii) increases in operating costs, (ix) changes in the dividend policy for the Company's common and preferred stock and the Company's ability to pay dividends at current levels, (x) the reduction in the Company's income in the event of multiple lease terminations by tenants or a failure by multiple tenants to occupy their premises in a shopping center, (xi) impairment charges, and (xii) unanticipated changes in the Company's intention or ability to prepay certain debt prior to maturity.  Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements that we make, including those in this press release.  Except as may be required by law, we make no promise to update any of the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  You should carefully review the risks and risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2019.

 

Saul Centers, Inc.Consolidated Balance Sheets(In thousands)

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Assets

Real estate investments

Land

$

488,942

$

488,918

Buildings and equipment

1,275,927

1,273,275

Construction in progress

216,545

185,972

1,981,414

1,948,165

Accumulated depreciation

(535,269)

(525,518)

1,446,145

1,422,647

Cash and cash equivalents

11,456

14,578

Accounts receivable and accrued income, net

51,603

53,876

Deferred leasing costs, net

26,967

28,083

Prepaid expenses, net

4,064

5,175

Other assets

5,593

3,130

Total assets

$

1,545,828

$

1,527,489

Liabilities

Notes payable

$

873,143

$

880,271

Revolving credit facility payable

38,465

45,329

Term loan facility payable

74,616

74,591

Construction loan payable

36,897

21,655

Dividends and distributions payable

19,224

19,153

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

47,671

32,419

Deferred income

25,481

28,851

Total liabilities

1,115,497

1,102,269

Equity

Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized:

Series C Cumulative Redeemable, 42,000 shares issued and outstanding

105,000

105,000

Series D Cumulative Redeemable, 30,000 shares issued and outstanding

75,000

75,000

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 22,860,039 and 22,739,207 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

229

227

Additional paid-in capital

391,122

384,533

Distributions in excess of accumulated net income and accumulated

 other comprehensive loss

(210,207)

(208,593)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(289)

(255)

Total Saul Centers, Inc. equity

360,855

355,912

Noncontrolling interests

69,476

69,308

Total equity

430,331

425,220

Total liabilities and equity

$

1,545,828

$

1,527,489

 

 

Saul Centers, Inc.Consolidated Statements of Operations(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2019

2018

Revenue

(unaudited)

Rental Revenue

$

56,803

$

54,990

Other

2,947

1,118

Total revenue

59,750

56,108

Expenses

Property operating expenses

8,001

7,123

Real estate taxes

7,148

6,845

Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs

11,067

11,424

Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs

11,643

11,349

General and administrative

4,814

4,420

Total expenses

42,673

41,161

Net Income

17,077

14,947

Noncontrolling interests

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(3,630)

(2,359)

Net income attributable to Saul Centers, Inc.

13,447

12,588

Extinguishment of issuance costs upon redemption of preferred shares

(2,328)

Preferred stock dividends

(2,953)

(3,403)

Net income available to common stockholders

$

10,494

$

6,857

Per share net income available to common stockholders

Basic and diluted

$

0.46

$

0.31

Dividends declared per common share outstanding

$

0.53

$

0.52

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to FFO available to common stockholders and

noncontrolling interests (1)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2019

2018

(unaudited)

Net income

$

17,077

$

14,947

Add:

Real estate depreciation and amortization

11,643

11,349

FFO

28,720

26,296

Subtract:

Preferred stock dividends

(2,953)

(3,403)

Extinguishment of issuance costs upon redemption of preferred shares

(2,328)

FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests

$

25,767

$

20,565

Weighted average shares:

Diluted weighted average common stock

22,863

22,218

Convertible limited partnership units

7,835

7,567

Average shares and units used to compute FFO per share

30,698

29,785

FFO per share available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests

$

0.84

$

0.69

 

 

(1)

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) developed FFO as a relative non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT in order to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined under GAAP. FFO is defined by NAREIT as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and excluding impairment charges on real estate assets and gains or losses from real estate dispositions. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, which is disclosed in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the applicable periods. There are no material legal or functional restrictions on the use of FFO. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Management considers FFO a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it primarily excludes the assumption that the value of the real estate assets diminishes predictably over time (i.e. depreciation), which is contrary to what the Company believes occurs with its assets, and because industry analysts have accepted it as a performance measure. FFO may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other REITs.

 

 

Reconciliation of revenue to same property revenue (2)

(in thousands)

Three months ended March 31,

2019

2018

(unaudited)

Total revenue

$

59,750

$

56,108

Less: Acquisitions, dispositions and development properties

(889)

Total same property revenue

$

58,861

$

56,108

Shopping Centers

$

43,159

$

40,924

Mixed-Use properties

15,702

15,184

Total same property revenue

$

58,861

$

56,108

Total Shopping Center revenue

$

43,159

$

40,924

Less: Shopping Center acquisitions, dispositions and development properties

Total same Shopping Center revenue

$

43,159

$

40,924

Total Mixed-Use property revenue

$

16,591

$

15,184

Less: Mixed-Use acquisitions, dispositions and development properties

(889)

Total same Mixed-Use property revenue

$

15,702

$

15,184

 

(2)

Same property revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance that improves the comparability of reporting periods by excluding the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  Same property revenue adjusts property revenue by subtracting the revenue of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  Same property revenue is a measure of the operating performance of the Company's properties but does not measure the Company's performance as a whole.  Same property revenue should not be considered as an alternative to total revenue, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance.  Management considers same property revenue a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it is not affected by the cost of the Company's funding, the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses from the acquisition and sale of operating real estate assets, general and administrative expenses or other gains and losses that relate to ownership of the Company's properties.  Management believes the exclusion of these items from same property revenue is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred by operating the Company's properties.  Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating same property revenue.  Accordingly, the Company's same property revenue may not be comparable to those of other REITs.

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to same property operating income (3)

Three Months Ended March 31,

(In thousands)

2019

2018

(unaudited)

Net income

$

17,077

$

14,947

Add: Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs

11,067

11,424

Add: Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs

11,643

11,349

Add: General and administrative

4,814

4,420

Property operating income

44,601

42,140

Less: Acquisitions, dispositions and development properties

(628)

Total same property operating income

$

43,973

$

42,140

Shopping Centers

$

33,471

$

32,047

Mixed-Use properties

10,502

10,093

Total same property operating income

$

43,973

$

42,140

Shopping Center operating income

$

33,471

$

32,047

Less: Shopping Center acquisitions, dispositions and development properties

Total same Shopping Center operating income

$

33,471

$

32,047

Mixed-Use property operating income

$

11,130

$

10,093

Less: Mixed-Use acquisitions, dispositions and development properties

(628)

Total same Mixed-Use property operating income

$

10,502

$

10,093

 

(3)

Same property operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance that improves the comparability of reporting periods by excluding the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  Same property operating income adjusts property operating income by subtracting the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods.  Same property operating income is a measure of the operating performance of the Company's properties but does not measure the Company's performance as a whole.  Same property operating income should not be considered as an alternative to property operating income, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance.  Management considers same property operating income a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it is not affected by the cost of the Company's funding, the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses from the acquisition and sale of operating real estate assets, general and administrative expenses or other gains and losses that relate to ownership of the Company's properties.  Management believes the exclusion of these items from property operating income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred by operating the Company's properties.  Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating same property operating income.  Accordingly, same property operating income may not be comparable to those of other REITs.

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saul-centers-inc-reports-first-quarter-2019-earnings-300843159.html

SOURCE Saul Centers, Inc.



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Press Releases

Related Entities

Dividend, Bankruptcy, Earnings, Definitive Agreement