RPT - RPT Realty Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RPT Realty (NYSE:RPT) (the "Company") today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2018 HIGHLIGHTS

• Fourth quarter net loss attributable to common shareholders of $(5.8) million or $(0.07) per diluted share.
• Fourth quarter NAREIT-defined Funds from Operations ("FFO") of $0.30 per diluted share and Operating Funds from Operations (“Operating FFO”) of $0.31 per diluted share.
• Same property NOI with redevelopment increased 4.3% in the fourth quarter and 2.9% for the full year as compared to the same periods in the prior year.
• As of December 31, 2018, the consolidated portfolio leased rate was 94.3%, up 10 basis points sequentially.
• As of December 31, 2018, spaces less than 10,000 square feet ("Small Shops") were 88.8% leased, up 70 basis points sequentially.
• As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $4.8 million of signed not commenced Annualized Base Rent ("ABR") that is scheduled to commence over the next twelve months.
• During the fourth quarter, the Company completed the sale of six non-core properties for an aggregate sale price of $123.0 million. Additionally, the Company is under contract to sell two non-core assets for $68.5 million.
• On February 5, 2019, the Company’s Board of Trustees declared a first quarter 2019 regular cash dividend of $0.22 per common share.

"2018 marked a turning point for RPT.  With the new executive team setting the tone since June, the leasing and development teams now in place, and the completion of our disposition program almost a year ahead of schedule, we ended 2018 with great momentum as evidenced by our above plan operating performance," said Brian Harper, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly pleased with the execution of our disposition program, which has significantly improved the quality of our cash flows and strength of our balance sheet. By shedding our lowest quality assets, we expect to produce higher and more consistent NOI and earnings growth in the years ahead and believe we have better insulated the portfolio from future retailer fallout. As we embark on 2019, our team is laser-focused on capitalizing on our organic growth initiatives including small shop leasing and proactive remerchandising, as well as driving further progress on our large-scale redevelopment opportunities. We believe these initiatives should drive another year of solid same property NOI growth, while setting the Company up for a return to earnings growth in 2020 and beyond.”

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders for the fourth quarter 2018 of $(5.8) million, or $(0.07) per diluted share, compared to $19.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share for the same period in 2017.  Net income available to common shareholders for the full year 2018 of $10.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $62.4 million, or $0.78 per diluted share for the full year 2017.

FFO for the fourth quarter 2018 of $27.0 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to $26.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share for the same period in 2017. FFO for the full year 2018 of $109.4 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, compared to $118.6 million, or $1.34 per diluted share for the full year 2017.

Operating FFO for the fourth quarter 2018 of $27.3 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $27.7 million or $0.31 per diluted share for the same period in 2017. Operating FFO for the fourth quarter 2018 excludes certain net non-recurring costs that totaled $0.4 million, attributable to executive management reorganization, severance, and debt prepayment costs, partially offset by land sale gains associated with the sale of land at Harvest Junction. Operating FFO for the full year 2018 of $120.1 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, compared to $119.6 million, or $1.36 per diluted share in the full year 2017. Operating FFO for the full year 2018 excludes certain net non-recurring costs that totaled $10.7 million, primarily attributable to executive management reorganization and severance costs.

OPERATING RESULTS

Same property NOI with redevelopment during the fourth quarter 2018 increased 4.3% compared to the same period in 2017. For the full year 2018, same property NOI with redevelopment increased 2.9% compared to the same period in 2017. Same property NOI with redevelopment growth for the quarter and year was largely driven by higher minimum rent.

At December 31, 2018, the Company's consolidated portfolio was 94.3% leased compared to 94.2% at September 30, 2018 and 93.3% at December 31, 2017. Occupancy at December 31, 2018 was 91.7% compared to 90.8% at September 30, 2018 and 91.1% at December 31, 2017. The consolidated anchor tenant portfolio (GLA of 10,000 square feet or more) was 96.6% leased and 94.6% occupied at December 31, 2018 compared to 96.7% leased and 93.4% occupied at September 30, 2018 and 96.1% leased and 93.7% occupied at December 31, 2017. Small Shops were 88.8% leased and 84.7% occupied at December 31, 2018 compared to 88.1% leased and 84.4% occupied at September 30, 2018 and 86.4% leased and 84.5% occupied at December 31, 2017.

During the fourth quarter 2018, the Company signed 58 leases totaling 202,342 square feet. Blended re-leasing spreads on comparable leases were 5.4% with an ABR of $22.41 per square foot. Re-leasing spreads on comparable new and renewal leases were 15.6% and 3.6%, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Company signed 288 leases totaling 1,607,252 square feet. Blended re-leasing spreads on comparable leases were 8.3% with an ABR of $17.22 per square foot. Re-leasing spreads on comparable new and renewal leases were 42.9% and 5.5%, respectively.

BALANCE SHEET

At December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $964.1 million of consolidated debt, which resulted in a net debt to annualized proforma adjusted EBITDA ratio of 6.4x. Consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 4.11% and a weighted average maturity, excluding scheduled amortization, of 5.8 years. The Company ended the fourth quarter 2018 with liquidity of $390.9 million, including $41.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $349.8 million of availability on its unsecured revolving credit facility.

DISPOSITIONS

During the quarter, and as previously-announced, the Company completed the sale of six non-core properties for an aggregate sale price of $123.0 million, including two distressed non-core assets located in Jackson, Michigan, which has a Metropolitan Statistical Area ("MSA") rank of 261. Additionally, the Company is under contract to sell two non-core assets for $68.5 million. These transactions are expected to close in the first quarter 2019, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The weighted average ABR per square foot and the weighted average 3-mile household income and population for the properties sold and under contract were $12.86, $72,000, and 54,000 respectively.

DIVIDEND

On February 5, 2019, the Company’s Board of Trustees declared a first quarter 2019 regular cash dividend of $0.22 per common share. The Board of Trustees also approved a first quarter 2019 Series D convertible preferred share dividend of $0.90625 per share. The dividends, for the period January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019 are payable on April 1, 2019 for shareholders of record on March 20, 2019.

2019 GUIDANCE

The Company is initiating 2019 earnings guidance. Selected items are outlined below.

RECONCILIATION OF 2018 OPERATING FFO PER SHARE TO INITIAL 2019 OPERATING FFO PER SHARE GUIDANCE

The following table reconciles the Company's reported 2018 Operating FFO per diluted share to the Company's initial 2019 Operating FFO per diluted share guidance range:

NOI from other investments is expected to decrease $0.07 per diluted share as a result of the following: (i) $0.03 per diluted share related to the implementation of ASC 842 that requires companies to expense certain previously capitalized internal leasing costs, (ii) $0.03 per diluted share from certain property management related expenses that were classified in general and administrative expense in prior periods, and (iii) $0.01 per diluted share as a result of lower NOI from Webster Place due to the pending redevelopment of the asset.

Non-cash items are expected to decrease $0.06 per diluted share as a result of a non-recurring below market lease intangible that benefited 2018.

General and administrative expense, including the above-mentioned $0.03 reclassification to NOI from other investments, is expected to increase $0.04 per diluted share as a result of the following: (i) $0.01 per diluted share from non-cash amortization of stock-based compensation attributable to executive sign-on inducement awards, (ii) $0.01 per diluted share from the Company's anticipated investment in its technology and data platforms, (iii) $0.01 per diluted share from the Company's investment in human capital, including higher benefits cost, merit increases and promotions, and (iv) $0.01 per diluted share primarily as a result of a below target cash bonus payout in 2018 resulting in an unfavorable year-over-year comparison.

CONFERENCE CALL/WEBCAST:

The Company will host a live broadcast of its fourth quarter conference call on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its financial and operating results.

A replay of the call will be available through March 7, 2019.  The replay can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671 for international callers and entering passcode 13684939.  A replay will also be archived on the Company’s website for one year.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

The Company’s quarterly financial and operating supplement is available on its corporate web site at rptrealty.com. If you wish to receive a copy via email, please send requests to invest@rptrealty.com.

RPT Realty owns and operates a national portfolio of open-air shopping destinations principally located in top U.S. markets. The Company's locally-curated consumer experiences reflect the lifestyles of its diverse neighborhoods and match the modern expectations of its retail partners. The Company is a fully integrated and self-administered REIT publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RPT. As of December 31, 2018, the Company's portfolio consisted of 51 shopping centers (including 1 shopping center owned through a joint venture) representing 12.4 million square feet. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s aggregate portfolio was 94.3% leased. For additional information about the Company please visit rptrealty.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that represent the Company’s expectations and projections for the future. Management of the Company believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on reasonable assumptions. Certain factors could occur that might cause actual results to vary, including deterioration in national economic conditions, weakening of real estate markets, decreases in the availability of credit, increases in interest rates, adverse changes in the retail industry, our continuing ability to qualify as a REIT and other factors discussed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Company Contact:
Vin Chao, Vice President - Finance
19 W 44th St. 10th Floor, Ste 1002
New York, New York 10036
vchao@rptrealty.com 
(212) 221-1752

RPT REALTY
FFO AND OPERATING FFO ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON AND OP UNIT HOLDERS GUIDANCE

⁽¹⁾ The total noncontrolling interest reflects OP units convertible 1:1 into common shares. 
⁽²⁾ Series D convertible preferred shares are paid annual dividends of $6.7 million and are currently convertible into approximately 6.9 million shares of common stock. They are dilutive only when earnings or FFO exceed approximately $0.24 per diluted share per quarter and $0.98 per diluted share per year.  The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment based upon a number of factors, and such adjustment could affect the dilutive impact of the Series D convertible preferred shares on FFO and earning per share in future periods. 
⁽³⁾ Amounts noted are included in General and Administrative expense. 
⁽⁴⁾ Includes severance, accelerated vesting of restricted stock and performance award charges and the benefit from the forfeiture of unvested restricted stock and performance awards associated with our former executives, in addition to recruiting fees, relocation expenses and cash inducement bonuses related to the Company's current executive team. 
⁽⁵⁾ The $9.7 million reported for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 includes $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 not previously reported.

RPT Realty
Non-GAAP Financial Definitions

Certain of our key performance indicators are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses these measures along with our GAAP financial statements in order to evaluate our operations results.  We believe these additional measures provide users of our financial information additional comparable indicators of our industry, as well as our performance.

Funds From Operations (FFO) Available to Common Shareholders
As defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), Funds From Operations (FFO) represents net income computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable property and impairment provisions on depreciable real estate or on investments in non-consolidated investees that are driven by measurable decreases in the fair value of depreciable real estate held by the investee, plus depreciation and amortization, (excluding amortization of financing costs).  Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.  We have adopted the NAREIT definition in our computation of FFO available to common shareholders.

Operating FFO Available to Common Shareholders
In addition to FFO available to common shareholders, we include Operating FFO available to common shareholders as an additional measure of our financial and operating performance.  Operating FFO excludes acquisition costs and periodic items such as gains (or losses) from sales of land and impairment provisions on land available for development or sale, bargain purchase gains, severance expense, executive management reorganization costs, net, accelerated amortization of debt premiums and gains or losses on extinguishment of debt that are not adjusted under the current NAREIT definition of FFO. We provide a reconciliation of FFO to Operating FFO.  FFO and Operating FFO should not be considered alternatives to GAAP net income available to common shareholders or as alternatives to cash flow as measures of liquidity.

While we consider FFO available to common shareholders and Operating FFO available to common shareholders useful measures for reviewing our comparative operating and financial performance between periods or to compare our performance to different REITs, our computations of FFO and Operating FFO may differ from the computations utilized by other real estate companies, and therefore, may not be comparable.  We  recognize the  limitations of  FFO  and  Operating FFO  when  compared to  GAAP net  income available to  common shareholders. FFO and Operating FFO available to common shareholders do not represent amounts available for needed capital replacement or expansion, debt service obligations, or other commitments and uncertainties. In addition, FFO and Operating FFO do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, including the payment of dividends. FFO and Operating FFO are simply  used as for reviewing our comparative operating and financial performance between periods or to compare our performance to different REITs, our computations of FFO and Operating FFO may differ from the computations utilized by other real estate companies, and therefore, may not be comparable.

EBITDAre/Adjusted EBITDA/Proforma Adjusted EBITDA
NAREIT defines EBITDAre as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, plus interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization and impairment of depreciable real estate and in substance real estate equity investments; plus or minus gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets and interests in real estate equity investments; and adjustments to reflect our share of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships for these items. The Company calculates EBITDAre in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition.  The Company also presents Adjusted EBITDA which is EBITDAre net of severance expense, lease termination income, and other non-recurring items.  EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative measure of operating results or cash flow from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.  Proforma Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts for the effect of the acquisition or disposition of properties during the period.

Same Property Operating Income
Same Property Operating Income ("Same Property NOI with Redevelopment") is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure of real estate companies' operating performance. Same Property NOI with Redevelopment is considered by management to be a relevant performance measure of our operations because it includes only the NOI of comparable properties for the reporting period.  Same Property NOI with Redevelopment excludes acquisitions and dispositions.   Same Property NOI with Redevelopment is calculated using consolidated operating income and adjusted to exclude management and other fee income, depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expense, provision for impairment and non-comparable income/expense adjustments such as straight-line rents, lease termination fees, above/below market rents, and other non-comparable operating income and expense adjustments.

In addition to Same Property NOI with Redevelopment, the Company also believes Same Property NOI without Redevelopment to be a relevant performance measure of our operations.  Same Property NOI without Redevelopment follows the same methodology as Same Property NOI with Redevelopment, however it excludes redevelopment activity that significantly impacts the entire property, as well as lesser redevelopment activity where we are adding GLA or retenanting a specific space.  A property is designated as redevelopment when projected costs exceed $1.0 million, and the construction impacts approximately 20% or more of the income producing property's gross leasable area ("GLA") or the location and nature of the construction significantly impacts or disrupts the daily operations of the property.  Redevelopment may also include a portion of certain properties designated as same property for which we are adding additional GLA or retenanting space.

Same Property NOI should not be considered an alternative to net income in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. Our method of calculating Same Property NOI may differ from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

RPT Realty
Non-GAAP Financial Definitions (continued)

Occupancy
Occupancy is defined, for a property or group of properties, as the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the number of square feet of such property economically occupied by tenants under leases with an initial term of greater than one year, to (b) the aggregate number of square feet for such property.

Leased Rate
Lease Rate is defined, for a property or group of properties, as the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the number of square feet of such property occupied by tenants at the time the lease was executed with an initial term of greater than one year, to (b) the aggregate number of square feet for such property.