EX-99.1 2 a6181666ex99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 a6181666ex99_1.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009 and Reaffirms Corporate Objectives
 
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 16, 2010--Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust (NYSE:RPT) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year-end December 31, 2009 and reaffirmed its commitment to the following goals it established during 2009:
 
   
1.
 
Reduce leverage and continue to improve Debt to EBITDA – 2010 goal of 7.0x-7.2x
   
2.
 
Complete current redevelopment pipeline – slated to fully-stabilize in 2011 and produce net operating income of $3.4 million
   
3.
 
Continue lease-up of vacant space resulting from mid-box bankruptcies – maintain or exceed 2009 occupancy levels
 
Highlights for the fourth quarter and year-end 2009:
 
 
·
Balance Sheet Activities
 
 
o
Closed on new $217 million three-year secured corporate credit facility
 
o
Amended and reduced credit facility for The Town Center at Aquia to $20 million
 
o
Improved Debt to EBITDA of 7.7x, compared to 8.6x at December 31, 2008
 
o
Improved Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.98x, compared to 1.82x at December 31, 2008
 
 
·
Core Real Estate Operations
 
 
o
Opened 80 new stores for the year at an average base rent of $12.60 per SF, 15.9% above portfolio average rents
 
o
Renewed 219 leases for the year at rental rates 4.3% over prior rents paid
 
o
Retained over 70% of expiring tenancies
 
o
Total portfolio occupancy of 90.3%, in-line with guidance
 
 
"In 2009, we refocused our priorities to reduce balance sheet risk and to establish a solid foundation for sustainable earnings growth," said Dennis Gershenson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am pleased with our accomplishments in what proved to be a very challenging year. We were diligent in maintaining the strength of our core shopping center portfolio. We also completed strategic equity and debt transactions to improve our financial position. Although market conditions are still very dynamic, we remain committed to further strengthening the balance sheet and feel confident that we will reach our Debt to EBITDA goal of between 7.0x to 7.2x by year-end. Meeting this deleveraging goal will shape our activities for the remainder of 2010.”
 

 
Funds from operations (FFO) for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $9.8 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to $7.5 million or $0.35 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2008. Funds from operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009 was $45.3 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, compared to $47.4 million or $2.21 per diluted share in 2008. Excluding one-time charges in both 2009 and 2008, recurring funds from operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $12.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $13.1 million or $0.61 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2008. Recurring funds from operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009 was $49.7 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, compared to $53.1 million or $2.48 per diluted share in 2008. The change in recurring FFO is primarily attributable to decreased revenues from asset sales and tenant bankruptcies. On a per share basis, FFO was impacted by a significant increase in weighted average shares outstanding in 2009 as the result of the equity share offering completed in September 2009.
 
Net income available to RPT common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $0.6 million or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million or $(0.14) per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net income available to RPT common shareholders for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $13.7 million or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $23.5 million or $1.27 per diluted share for 2008. The decline in net income for the twelve month period was the result of a decrease in the gain on asset sales from 2008 levels.
 
Portfolio Statistics
 
As of December 31, 2009, 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. The overall portfolio occupancy, including properties under redevelopment, was 90.3% at December 31, 2009, compared to 91.3% at year-end 2008. The decrease in occupancy year-over-year was the result of a continued weak retail environment.
 
At year-end, the Company had 49 properties in its wholly-owned, same-center portfolio, representing those centers (excluding redevelopment) that have been owned and operated for the same three and twelve month periods during each year. Same center net operating income (NOI) decreased 1.7% for the quarter and 3.5% for the year, compared to the same periods in 2008. The decrease was anticipated and primarily resulted from the Linens ‘n Things and Circuit City bankruptcies as well as rent concessions granted during the year. Excluding the effect of these items, same center NOI would have increased 0.5% for the quarter and would have decreased 1.5% for the year. Ramco-Gershenson’s same-center portfolio occupancy was 93.5%, compared to 94.4% at the end of 2008.
 
Redevelopment
 
At year-end, the Company had a pipeline of eight value-added redevelopments, including four joint venture properties, encompassing approximately 597,768 square feet. The Company expects to spend $10.5 million to complete its redevelopment pipeline during 2010 and will limit future redevelopment activity, allowing its efforts to translate into earnings growth and improved net asset value. Upon completion, the redevelopments are projected to cost $26.7 million and produce stabilized net operating income of $3.4 million on a pro-rata basis.
 
Pre-Development Write-Off
 
As part of a continuous review of future growth opportunities, in the fourth quarter the Company determined that there were better investment alternatives than continuing to pursue the pre-development of the Northpointe Town Center in Jackson, Michigan. Therefore, the Company elected to write-off its land option payments, third party due diligence expenses, and capitalized general and administrative cost for this project, resulting in a one-time, non-cash charge of approximately $1.2 million during the fourth quarter.
 

 
Debt Financings
 
In December, the company closed on a new $217 million secured credit facility. The new financing is comprised of a three-year, $150 million secured revolving credit facility, which includes a built in accordion feature allowing up to $50 million in additional borrowing. The credit facility also includes a $67 million amortizing secured term loan, requiring a $33 million payment in September 2010 and a final payment of $34 million in June 2011. The Company also amended its secured revolving credit facility for The Town Center at Aquia. The Aquia credit facility was reduced from $40 million to $20 million and has a new scheduled maturity date of December 31, 2010, with two, one-year extension options. Pricing on the credit facilities and term loan is LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a 2% LIBOR floor.
 
Dividend
 
For 2009, it was the Company’s policy to pay aggregate annual dividends in an amount generally equal to its annual taxable income. On January 4, 2010, the Company paid a fourth quarter common share dividend of $0.16325 per share for the period of October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, to shareholders of record on December 20, 2009. The Company’s FFO payout ratio for the quarter was 56.5%.
 
2010 Guidance
 
The Company’s primary goal in 2010 will be to strengthen its balance sheet by significantly reducing leverage. The Company is continuing to evaluate the best course of action to achieve this objective, which will consist of a variety of actions, including asset sales.
 
Taking into consideration the potential dilutive effect of its deleveraging efforts, the Company forecasts FFO for the year-end December 31, 2010 to be between $1.12 to $1.24 per diluted share. The Company expects earnings per diluted common share to be between $0.23 and $0.35.
 
This FFO guidance takes into consideration the following:
 
 
·
Improving Debt to EBITDA to between 7.0x-7.2x
 
·
Increased interest costs associated with the new secured revolving credit facility
 
·
Full-year effect of the NOI reduction from three asset sales completed in 2009
 
·
Minimum rent reduction in core operating portfolio, due primarily from the impact of tenant bankruptcies and short-term rent concessions granted in 2009
 
For the overall shopping center portfolio, the Company estimates occupancy to be between 90 and 91% at the end of 2010 and for same-center NOI to be down between 2.0% and 3.0% for the year, reflecting a continuous difficult retail environment.
 
The Company will provide further details on guidance as part of its earnings conference call scheduled for February 17, 2010.
 

 
Conference Call/Webcast
 
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust will host a live broadcast of its fourth quarter conference call on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss its fourth quarter/year-end financial and operating results. The live broadcast will be available online at www.rgpt.com and www.investorcalendar.com and also by telephone at (877) 407-0778, no pass code. A replay will be available shortly after the call on the aforementioned websites (for ninety days) or by telephone at (877) 660-6853, (pass code-Account #286, Conference ID # 341964), for one week.
 
Supplemental Materials
 
The Company’s supplemental financial package is available on its corporate web site at www.rgpt.com in the investors section, SEC filings tab. If you wish to receive a copy via email, please send requests to dhendershot@rgpt.com.
 
About Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust
 
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, is a fully integrated, self-administered, publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT), which owns, develops, acquires, manages and leases community shopping centers, regional malls and single tenant retail properties, nationally. The Trust owns interests in 88 shopping centers totaling approximately 19.8 million square feet of gross leasable area in Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Indiana, New Jersey, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland and Illinois. For additional information regarding Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust visit the Trust’s website at www.rgpt.com.
 
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the operation of certain of the Trust’s properties. Management of Ramco-Gershenson believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on reasonable assumptions. Certain factors could occur that might cause actual results to vary, the ongoing U.S. recession, the existing global credit and financial crisis and other changes in general economic and real estate conditions, changes in the interest rate environment and the availability of financing, adverse changes in the retail industry, our continuing to qualify as a REIT and other factors discussed in the Trust’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 

 
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands)
                 
                 
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
   
December 31,
 
December 31,
                 
   
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
                 
Revenues:
               
Minimum rents
  $ 20,466   $ 22,039   $ 83,281   $ 90,271  
Percentage rents
    92     118     769     636  
Recoveries from tenants
    7,941     8,369     32,694     34,258  
Fees and management income
    880     1,455     4,916     6,484  
Other income
    964     1,463     2,480     2,980  
Total revenues
    30,343     33,444     124,140     134,629  
Expenses:
                         
Real estate taxes
    4,401     4,473     18,280     18,344  
Recoverable operating expenses
    4,372     4,364     15,883     16,974  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,569     8,434     30,866     32,009  
Other operating
    890     1,719     3,714     4,611  
General and administrative
    2,256     3,322     13,448     15,121  
Restructuring costs, impairment and other items
    2,819     5,619     4,379     5,787  
Interest expense
    7,323     9,161     31,088     36,518  
Total expenses
    29,630     37,092     117,658     129,364  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before gain on sale
                         
of real estate assets and earnings from unconsolidated entities
    713     (3,648   6,482     5,265  
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate assets
    (1   61     5,010     19,595  
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities
    (21     557     1,328     2,506  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    691     (3,030     12,820     27,366  
Discontinued operations:
                         
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate assets
    -     -     2,886     (463 )
Income from operations
    -     98     230     529  
Income from discontinued operations
    -     98     3,116     66  
Net income (loss)
    691     (2,932   15,936     27,432  
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
                         
in subsidiaries
    (108   419     (2,216   (3,931 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Ramco-Gershenson Properties
                         
Trust ("RPT") common shareholders
  $ 583   $ (2,513 $ 13,720   $ 23,501  
                           
Amounts attributable to RPT common shareholders:
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 583   $ (2,598 $ 11,027   $ 23,444  
Gain from discontinued operations
    -     85     2,693     57  
Net income (loss)
  $ 583   $ (2,513 $ 13,720   $ 23,501  
 

 
Calculation of Funds from Operations
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                         
                         
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Calculation of Funds from Operations:
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to RPT common shareholders
  $ 583     $ (2,513 )   $ 13,720     $ 23,501 )
Add:
                               
Depreciation and amortization expense
    9,037       9,949       36,819       37,850  
Noncontrolling interest in partnership:
                               
Continuing operations
    108       (427     1,793       3,922  
Discontinued operations
    -       -       423       (27 )
Less:
                               
Loss (gain) on sale of depreciable real estate
    22       481       (4,571 )     (18,347 )
Discontinued operations, loss (gain) on sale of property
    -       -       (2,886       463  
                                 
Funds from operations available to RPT common shareholders,
                               
assuming conversion of OP units
  $ 9,750     $ 7,490     $ 45,298     $ 47,362  
                                 
Weighted average equivalent shares outstanding, diluted
    33,720       21,390       25,112       21,397  
                                 
Funds from operations available to RPT common shareholders,
                               
per diluted share
  $ 0.29     $ 0.35     $ 1.80     $ 2.21  
 
Management considers funds from operations, also known as “FFO,” an appropriate supplemental measure of the financial performance of an equity REIT. Under the NAREIT definition, FFO represents income before minority interest, excluding extraordinary items, as defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), gains on sales of depreciable property, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of financing costs), and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. FFO should not be considered an alternative to GAAP net income as an indication of our performance. We consider FFO as a useful measure for reviewing our comparative operating and financial performance between periods or to compare our performance to different REITs. However, our computation of FFO may differ from the methodology for calculating FFO utilized by other real estate companies, and therefore, may not be comparable to these other real estate companies.
 

 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(in thousands)
 
             
             
             
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
ASSETS
           
Investment in real estate, net
  $ 804,295     $ 830,392  
Cash and cash equivalents
    8,800       5,295  
Restricted cash
    3,838       4,891  
Accounts receivable, net
    31,900       34,020  
Notes receivable from unconsolidated entities
    12,566       6,716  
Equity investments in unconsolidated entities
    97,506       95,867  
Other assets, net
    39,052       37,345  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 997,957     $ 1,014,526  
                 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Mortgages and notes payable
  $ 552,551     $ 662,601  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    26,440       26,751  
Distributions payable
    5,477       4,945  
Capital lease obligation
    6,924       7,191  
Total Liabilities
    591,392       701,488  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust ("RPT") shareholders' equity:
               
Common shares of beneficial interest
    309       185  
Additional paid-in capital
    486,731       389,528  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,149 )     (3,328 )
Cumulative distributions in excess of net income
    (117,663 )     (112,671 )
Total RPT Shareholders' Equity
    367,228       273,714  
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries
    39,337       39,324  
Total Shareholders' Equity
    406,565       313,038  
                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 997,957     $ 1,014,526  
 
CONTACT:
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust
Dawn Hendershot, 248-592-6202
Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications