Third quarter highlights include:
- Net income available to common shareholders $0.37 per diluted share
- Funds from Operations $0.66 per diluted share
- Same store operating income increased by 2.6%
- Same store operating income for the industrial distribution portfolio increased by 3.1%
- Industrial distribution rents increased 12.4%
- $400 million of 10-year, 3.25% unsecured notes issued, proceeds used in part to prepay $300 million of 10-year unsecured notes with an interest rate of 5.5%
Subsequent events:
- As previously announced, Liberty completed the sale of 7.6 million square feet of suburban properties for $969 million.
- Announced forthcoming redemption of our 2017 and 2018 unsecured notes totaling $397 million
Earnings Guidance:
- Liberty revised Funds from Operations Guidance range for 2016 to be $2.36 - $2.38 per diluted share, which includes a charge of $0.18 per diluted share relating to the early extinguishment of debt
MALVERN, Pa., Oct. 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) announced today that net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2016 was $54.3 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $91.3 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015. Net income available to common shareholders for the 2016 third quarter reflects a $3.5 million ($0.02 per share) debt extinguishment charge and a $3.3 million ($0.02 per share) land sale gain, which are discussed further below.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net income available to common shareholders was $161.4 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to $157.8 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2015.
Funds from Operations
The company uses the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) definition of Funds from Operations (“FFO”) as an operating measure of the company’s financial performance. A reconciliation of FFO to GAAP net income is included in the financial data tables accompanying this press release.
FFO available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2016 was $99.6 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to $102.1 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015. FFO for the third quarter of 2016 reflects a $3.5 million loss ($0.02 per share) due to the early extinguishment of debt and a gain related to the sale by a joint venture of a land leasehold interest in Cambridge, United Kingdom, Liberty’s share of which was $3.3 million ($0.02 per share). These items largely offset each other.
FFO available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $294.8 million, or $1.96 per diluted share, compared to $311.7 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2015.
“Liberty continues to benefit from the excellent balance of significant demand plus measured supply,” said Bill Hankowsky, chairman and chief executive officer. “During the quarter, our high quality distribution portfolio achieved outstanding occupancy and recorded another quarter of double-digit rent growth. This market dynamic, together with the recent completion of our strategic repositioning and activity that significantly lowered our cost of capital, positions us well for future growth.”
Portfolio Performance
Occupancy: At September 30, 2016, Liberty’s in-service portfolio of 104 million square feet was 95.5% occupied, compared to 94.3% at the end of the second quarter of 2016. During the quarter, Liberty completed leasing transactions totaling 9.1 million square feet of space. Liberty’s 83 million square foot industrial distribution portfolio was 97.0% leased, compared to 95.7% at the end of the second quarter.
Same Store Performance: Property level operating income for same store properties increased by 2.9% on a cash basis and by 2.6% on a straight line basis for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same quarter in 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, property level operating income for same store properties increased by 3.0% on a cash basis and by 2.4% on a straight line basis, compared to the same period in 2015.
Real Estate Development Activity
Development Deliveries: In the third quarter, Liberty brought into service two development properties for a total investment of $71.4 million. The properties contain 801,000 square feet of leasable space and were 100% leased as of the end of the quarter. The yield on these properties at September 30, 2016 was 8.1%.
A joint venture in which Liberty holds a 25% interest brought into service one development property for a total investment of $44.0 million. The property contains 614,000 square feet and was 100% leased at September 30, 2016 at a current yield of 8.3%.
Development Starts: In the third quarter, Liberty began development of two distribution properties totaling 398,000 square feet of leasable space at a projected investment of $39.6 million. The properties consist of:
- 1200 Claybrick Road, Landover, MD, 216,000 square feet
- 1075 King George Post Road, Edison, NJ, 182,000 square feet
Real Estate Disposition Activity
During the third quarter Liberty sold a vacant, 80,000 square foot industrial building in a non-core market for $4.4 million. In addition, a joint venture in which the company holds a 25% interest sold nine properties containing 593,000 square feet of leasable space and six acres of land for $106.7 million. These properties were 67.1% leased at the time of sale. In addition, a joint venture in which Liberty holds a 25% interest sold four operating properties containing 636,000 square feet of leasable space for $32.5 million. These properties were 95.0% leased at the time of sale.
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Liberty completed the sale of a portfolio of non-core suburban properties, consisting of 108 buildings totaling approximately 7.6 million square feet of leasable space in five markets and approximately 26.7 acres of land in two markets for $969 million. These properties were 88.1% leased at closing.
Balance Sheet and Capital Activity
The Company issued $400 million of ten-year 3.25% Senior Unsecured Notes and prepaid in full its $300 million of ten-year 5.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 2016. Subsequent to quarter end, Liberty also fully paid down its line of credit balance, which had been at $420 million at quarter end and announced the redemption in full of $296.5 million of 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due October 2017 and $100.0 million of 7.5% Medium Term Notes due January 2018. In addition to the debt extinguishment charge discussed above, the Company also expects to incur a $0.16 per diluted share debt extinguishment charge in the fourth quarter of 2016.
2016 Outlook
The estimates and assumptions presented below are forward looking and are based on the company’s future view of the industrial and office real estate markets and of general economic conditions, as well as other risks outlined below under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements.” There can be no assurance that the company’s actual results will not differ materially from the estimates set forth below. The company assumes no obligation to update this guidance in the future.
| Current Outlook | Previously Issued Outlook | |
| Net income, per diluted share(1) | $2.52 - $2.54 | $2.60 - $2.70 |
| Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | 0.07 – 0.08 | 0.04 – 0.07 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 1.35 – 1.35 | 1.29 – 1.32 |
| Gain on property dispositions(2) | (1.60) – (1.58) | (1.66) – (1.70) |
| Noncontrolling interest share of addbacks | 0.02 – (0.01) | 0.03 – 0.01 |
| FFO, per diluted share(1) | $2.36 - $2.38 | $2.30 - $2.40 |
(1) The company’s outlook includes a charge relating to the early extinguishment of indebtedness of approximately $0.18 per diluted share to be incurred in the third and fourth quarters of 2016.
(2) Includes equity share of gain on disposition of unconsolidated joint ventures.
About the Company
Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) 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 96 million square foot portfolio includes 566 properties which provide office, distribution and light manufacturing facilities to 1,200 tenants.
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 at www.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 to jleonard@libertyproperty.com.
Liberty will host a conference call during which management will discuss third quarter results, on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the conference call, please dial 855-277-7530. The passcode needed for access is 70954672. A replay of the call will be available until November 25, 2016, by dialing 1-855-859-2056 using the same passcode as above. The call can also be accessed via the Internet on the Investors page of Liberty’s web site at www.libertyproperty.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among others things, completion of the disposition and financing transactions described in this press release, our future dividend policy, achievement of strategic targets, expectations for our operating results, business and financial condition, business and our growth prospects, as well as statements that are generally accompanied by words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “should,” “seeks,” “intends,” “proposed,” “projected,” “planned,” “outlook,” “remain confident,” and “goal” or similar expressions. 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 risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, uncertainties affecting real estate business generally (such as entry into new leases, renewals of leases and dependence on tenants’ business operations), risks relating to the integration of the operations of entities that we have acquired or may acquire, risks relating to our plans for disposing of certain properties, risks relating to financing arrangements and sales of securities, possible environmental liabilities, risks relating to leverage and debt service (including availability of financing terms acceptable to the company and sensitivity of the company’s operations and financing arrangements to fluctuations in interest rates), dependence on the primary markets in which the company’s properties are located, the existence of complex regulations relating to status as a REIT and the adverse consequences of the failure to qualify as a REIT, risks relating to litigation, including without limitation litigation involving entities that we have a acquired or may acquire, and the potential adverse impact of market interest rates on the market price for the company’s securities, 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.
| Liberty Property Trust | ||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2016 | September 30, 2015 | September 30, 2016 | September 30, 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rental | $ | 140,697 | $ | 145,009 | $ | 418,896 | $ | 440,962 | ||||||||||
| Operating expense reimbursement | 50,160 | 53,963 | 148,757 | 168,430 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenue | 190,857 | 198,972 | 567,653 | 609,392 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rental property | 26,496 | 31,454 | 79,752 | 98,973 | ||||||||||||||
| Real estate taxes | 25,968 | 25,953 | 76,490 | 78,579 | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 16,151 | 15,573 | 52,770 | 51,428 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 46,920 | 55,718 | 154,543 | 171,347 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment - real estate assets | - | - | - | 17,118 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 115,535 | 128,698 | 363,555 | 417,445 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | 75,322 | 70,274 | 204,098 | 191,947 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Income/Expense | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and other income | 3,153 | 4,959 | 12,743 | 17,911 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (3,494 | ) | - | (3,494 | ) | - | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (29,528 | ) | (33,559 | ) | (91,071 | ) | (103,295 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total other income/expense | (29,869 | ) | (28,600 | ) | (81,822 | ) | (85,384 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income before gain on property dispositions, income taxes, noncontrolling interest | ||||||||||||||||||
| and equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures | 45,453 | 41,674 | 122,276 | 106,563 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions | 1,318 | 53,467 | 25,671 | 57,330 | ||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | (80 | ) | (599 | ) | (1,633 | ) | (2,613 | ) | ||||||||||
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures | 9,043 | (847 | ) | 19,540 | 805 | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | 55,734 | 93,695 | 165,854 | 162,085 | ||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest - operating partnerships | (1,424 | ) | (2,306 | ) | (4,250 | ) | (4,117 | ) | ||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest - consolidated joint ventures | (57 | ) | (58 | ) | (170 | ) | (171 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net Income available to common shareholders | $ | 54,253 | $ | 91,331 | $ | 161,434 | $ | 157,797 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 55,734 | $ | 93,695 | $ | 165,854 | $ | 162,085 | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation | (4,407 | ) | (7,970 | ) | (23,003 | ) | (6,229 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive gain (loss) - derivative instruments | 663 | (1,220 | ) | (1,132 | ) | (1,539 | ) | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 51,990 | 84,505 | 141,719 | 154,317 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1,393 | ) | (2,148 | ) | (3,851 | ) | (4,105 | ) | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 50,597 | $ | 82,357 | $ | 137,868 | $ | 150,212 | ||||||||||
| Basic income per common share | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 1.06 | ||||||||||
| Diluted income per common share | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 1.06 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average shares | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 146,215 | 148,582 | 146,121 | 148,594 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 147,107 | 149,176 | 146,788 | 149,220 | ||||||||||||||
| Liberty Property Trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of Funds From Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2016 | September 30, 2015 | September 30, 2016 | September 30, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per | Per | Per | Per | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dollars | Share | Dollars | Share | Dollars | Share | Dollars | Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net income available to common shareholders to NAREIT FFO available | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| to common shareholders - basic: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic - income available to common shareholders | $ | 54,253 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 91,331 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 161,434 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 157,797 | $ | 1.06 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | 3,768 | 2,881 | 8,706 | 8,891 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 46,577 | 55,322 | 153,471 | 170,100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions / impairment - real estate assets of unconsolidated joint | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ventures | (4,994 | ) | 3,885 | (6,987 | ) | 11,316 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions / impairment - real estate assets | (1,318 | ) | (53,467 | ) | (25,671 | ) | (40,212 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest share in addback for depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and gain on property dispositions / impairment - real estate assets | (1,035 | ) | (202 | ) | (3,052 | ) | (3,478 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NAREIT Funds from operations available to common shareholders - basic | $ | 97,251 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 99,750 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 287,901 | $ | 1.97 | $ | 304,414 | $ | 2.05 | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net income available to common shareholders to NAREIT FFO available | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| to common shareholders - diluted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted - income available to common shareholders | $ | 54,253 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 91,331 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 161,434 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 157,797 | $ | 1.06 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint ventures | 3,768 | 2,881 | 8,706 | 8,891 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 46,577 | 55,322 | 153,471 | 170,100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions / impairment - real estate assets of unconsolidated joint | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ventures | (4,994 | ) | 3,885 | (6,987 | ) | 11,316 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions / impairment - real estate assets | (1,318 | ) | (53,467 | ) | (25,671 | ) | (40,212 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest excluding preferred unit distributions | 1,306 | 2,188 | 3,896 | 3,763 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NAREIT Funds from operations available to common shareholders - diluted | $ | 99,592 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 102,140 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 294,849 | $ | 1.96 | $ | 311,655 | $ | 2.04 | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of weighted average shares: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares - all basic calculations | 146,215 | 148,582 | 146,121 | 148,594 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dilutive shares for long term compensation plans | 892 | 594 | 667 | 626 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted shares for net income calculations | 147,107 | 149,176 | 146,788 | 149,220 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common units | 3,536 | 3,539 | 3,538 | 3,540 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted shares for NAREIT Funds from operations calculations | 150,643 | 152,715 | 150,326 | 152,760 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Company believes that the calculation of NAREIT 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 dispositions of depreciable property. As a result, year over year comparison of NAREIT 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 NAREIT Funds from operations provides useful information to the investment community about the Company’s financial performance when compared to other REITs since NAREIT Funds from operations is generally recognized as the standard for reporting the operating performance of a REIT. NAREIT 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 depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. NAREIT 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. NAREIT 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 | |||||||
| Balance Sheet | |||||||
| September 30, 2016 | |||||||
| (Unaudited and in thousands, except share and unit amounts) | |||||||
| September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Real estate: | |||||||
| Land and land improvements | $ | 1,009,941 | $ | 1,184,927 | |||
| Building and improvements | 4,409,422 | 5,131,648 | |||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation | (917,201 | ) | (1,148,928 | ) | |||
| Operating real estate | 4,502,162 | 5,167,647 | |||||
| Development in progress | 427,686 | 360,948 | |||||
| Land held for development | 325,444 | 336,967 | |||||
| Net real estate | 5,255,292 | 5,865,562 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 42,290 | 35,353 | |||||
| Restricted cash | 5,661 | 9,018 | |||||
| Accounts receivable | 13,983 | 14,343 | |||||
| Deferred rent receivable | 106,864 | 118,787 | |||||
| Deferred financing and leasing costs, net of accumulated | |||||||
| amortization (2016, $153,022; 2015, $175,798) | 153,593 | 192,109 | |||||
| Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures | 236,800 | 218,454 | |||||
| Assets held for sale | 786,272 | 4,954 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 122,167 | 99,049 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 6,722,922 | $ | 6,557,629 | |||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Mortgage loans, net | $ | 281,384 | $ | 307,908 | |||
| Unsecured notes, net | 2,675,644 | 2,580,108 | |||||
| Credit facility | 420,000 | 259,000 | |||||
| Accounts payable | 76,599 | 51,382 | |||||
| Accrued interest | 38,954 | 26,154 | |||||
| Dividend and distributions payable | 71,378 | 71,787 | |||||
| Other liabilities | 204,031 | 243,806 | |||||
| Liabilities held for sale | 25,416 | - | |||||
| Total liabilities | 3,793,406 | 3,540,145 | |||||
| Noncontrolling interest - operating partnership - 301,483 preferred units | |||||||
| outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 | 7,537 | 7,537 | |||||
| Equity | |||||||
| Shareholders' equity | |||||||
| Common shares of beneficial interest, $.001 par value, 283,987,000 shares | |||||||
| authorized, 146,981,465 and 147,577,984 shares issued and outstanding as of | |||||||
| September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively | 147 | 148 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 3,654,652 | 3,669,627 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (41,459 | ) | (17,893 | ) | |||
| Distributions in excess of net income | (746,530 | ) | (698,954 | ) | |||
| Total shareholders' equity | 2,866,810 | 2,952,928 | |||||
| Noncontrolling interest - operating partnership | |||||||
| 3,530,031 and 3,539,075 common units outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and | |||||||
| December 31, 2015, respectively | 51,250 | 53,100 | |||||
| Noncontrolling interest - consolidated joint ventures | 3,919 | 3,919 | |||||
| Total equity | 2,921,979 | 3,009,947 | |||||
| Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest - operating partnership and equity | $ | 6,722,922 | $ | 6,557,629 | |||