Press Release Details

SL Green Realty Corp. Reports 23% Gain in Second Quarter FFO and Completes Sale of 5 Million Common Shares

Jul 24, 2001 at 12:00 AM EDT
SL Green Realty Corp. Reports 23% Gain in Second Quarter FFO and Completes Sale of 5 Million Common Shares

Highlights

  • 23% FFO increase, $0.80 per share (diluted) versus $0.65 prior year

  • 17% same store portfolio cash NOI growth

  • Issued 5 million common shares at $29.80 net per share; raised $149 million in net proceeds

  • Completed acquisition of 317 Madison Avenue for $105.6 million

  • Completed One Park Avenue joint venture with SITQ Immobilier selling them a 45% interest

  • Established $250 million investment program with Prudential Real Estate Investors (PREI) for structured finance investments

  • Originated $85.7 million in structured finance investments

Financial Results

SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE:SLG) reported a 23% increase in operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2001. During this period, funds from operations (FFO) before minority interests totaled $23.4 million, or $0.80 per share (diluted), compared to $18.3 million, or $0.65 per share (diluted), for the same quarter in 2000. This growth was primarily attributable to strong same-store cash NOI growth of 17%.

Six month results were also strong, reflecting a 20% FFO increase over 2000. FFO for the six months ended June 30, 2001 totaled $44.6 million or $1.53 per share (diluted) compared to $35.5 million or $1.27 per share (diluted) for the same period in the previous year. This growth is also attributable to strong same store cash NOI growth of 17%.

For the quarter, net income available to common shareholders, adjusted for property sales, extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting change increased 38% to $12.5 million, or $0.51 per share (diluted) as compared to $8.6 million, or $0.37 per share (diluted), for the same period in the previous year. For the six months ended June 30, 2001, adjusted net income increased 29% to $22.9 million, or $0.91 per share (diluted), as compared to $16.0 million, or $0.72 per share (diluted), for the same period in the previous year.

Total quarterly revenues increased 18% in the second quarter to $66.5 million compared to last year's $56.5 million. The $10.0 million growth in revenue resulted from:

  • 2001 acquisitions ($8.8 million)

  • 2001 same store portfolio ($2.8 million)

  • Investment and other income ($1.5 million)

These revenue increases were partially offset by reduced revenues of properties sold ($2.5 million) and contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures ($0.5 million).

During the second quarter, same store cash NOI increased $4.0 million to $27.9 million in 2001, as compared to $23.9 million over the same period in the prior year. Cash NOI margins before ground rent improved year over year from 55.3% to 60.2%. The improvement in cash NOI was driven primarily by a $4.6 million increase in cash revenue due to:

  • A 55% increase in replacement rents over previous fully-escalated rents ($1.5 million)

  • Reduced free and straight-line rents ($1.8 million)

  • Rent steps from current in-place tenants ($0.5 million)

  • $1.4 million increase in escalation and reimbursement income primarily from increased electric recoveries ($0.4 million) and operating expense reimbursements ($0.8 million).

  • $0.4 million decrease in signage income

The increase in revenue was partially offset by $0.5 million or 5% increase in operating costs, which was related primarily to higher utility costs ($0.3 million). Approximately 90% of the quarterly electric expense was recovered through the utility clause in the tenants' leases.

The Company's second quarter EBITDA increased $7.9 million resulting in increased margins before ground rent of 68.8% in 2001, compared to 64.8% for the same period last year. After ground rent, margins improved to 63.6% in 2001 from 58.8% in the corresponding prior year period. Margin improvement was driven by the Company's primary real estate investment themes:

  • GAAP NOI of $8.2 million;

  • $6.2 million increase from 2001 acquisitions

  • $2.3 million increase from same store (9% improvement)

  • $1.4 million increase from joint ventures

  • $1.9 million decrease from properties sold or contributed to joint ventures

  • Income from structured finance ($1.1 million), and interest ($0.4 million)

These increases in EBITDA were partially offset by (i) an increase in MG&A ($0.5 million) primarily due to increased personnel costs and (ii) a loss from equity in affiliates ($0.6 million) as compared to net income in the prior year ($0.4 million). The increased losses in affiliates were primarily generated by e.Emerge.

FFO for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 improved $5.1 million primarily as a result of an $8.2 million increase in EBITDA that was partially offset by higher interest costs ($3.1 million). These higher interest costs were associated with higher average debt levels due to acquisition and structured finance debt ($3.7 million), the higher average debt levels due to the funding of ongoing capital projects and working capital requirements ($0.2 million), partially offset by lower interest rates ($0.8 million).

During the quarter ended June 30, 2000, the Company recorded an extraordinary loss of $0.4 million due to the early extinguishment of debt that was excluded from the Company's 2000 FFO results. The 2001 and 2000 results of the Company exclude gains on sales of properties that totaled $3.0 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

At the end of the quarter, consolidated debt totaled $608.6 million, reflecting a debt to market capitalization ratio of 39.4%.

New Activity

Common Share Issuance

         On July 19th, the Company announced that it had sold 5
         million primary common shares at a gross price of $30.66 per
         share. After the underwriter's discount, net proceeds to the
         Company totaled $149.0 million, or $29.80 per share. The
         immediate use of proceeds will be to pay down the Company's
         unsecured revolving credit facility. After giving effect to
         the issuance and the completed third quarter activity, the
         Company's pro-forma debt to market capitalization is 29.10%
         and the lines of credit availability is $267.3 million with
         an outstanding balance of $71.0 million on the unsecured line
         of credit and $21.7 million on the secured line of credit.
         Following the offering, the Company's outstanding basic
         common shares totaled 29.9 million and weighted-average fully
         diluted shares totaled 37.2 million.


Real Estate Activity

317 Madison Avenue Acquisition

         In June 2001, the Company closed on the acquisition of 317
         Madison Avenue for an aggregate purchase price of $105.6
         million ($235 per square foot). The property was acquired
         from Richfield Investment Company. The 22-story building is
         located at the Northeast corner of Madison Avenue and 42nd
         Street with direct access to Grand Central Station. The
         acquisition was funded, in part, with proceeds from the sale
         of 1412 Broadway in a reverse 1031 tax-free exchange, thereby
         deferring the capital gain resulting from such sale. The
         balance of the acquisition was funded using the Company's
         line of credit. The Company expects to complete a $65-$70
         million first mortgage financing during the third quarter
         with the proceeds repaying the unsecured line of credit.

One Park Joint Venture

         In May 2001, the Company announced that it entered into a
         joint venture with respect to the ownership of the Company's
         interests in One Park Avenue with SITQ Immobilier, a
         subsidiary of Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, the
         largest pension fund in Canada with over Cdn $125 billion in
         assets under management. Under the terms of the joint
         venture, SITQ Immobilier purchased a 45% interest in the
         Company's interests in the property based upon a gross
         aggregate price of $233.9 million and yielding proceeds of
         approximately $41.0 million, inclusive of closing costs and
         reimbursements. The transaction enables the Company to free
         up capital for additional high growth opportunities while
         enhancing the yield on its investment interests in One Park
         Avenue through various fee arrangements with respect to the
         investment.


1412 Broadway Sale

         In June 2001, the Company completed the previously announced
         sale of 1412 Broadway for $90.7 million, to an affiliate of
         JER Partners, a subsidiary of the J.E. Robert Companies of
         McLean, VA. As part of the transaction, the Company retained
         a participating preferred equity position of $8.0 million in
         the property. The Company realized a book gain on the sale in
         the amount of approximately $4.1 million (before the write
         off of a $1.0 million loss on the initial financing
         arrangement). Proceeds from the sale of 1412 Broadway were
         used to fund the acquisition of 317 Madison Avenue in a
         reverse 1031 tax-free exchange allowing the Company to defer
         all of the taxable gain.

Structured Finance Activity

  • Three separate transactions totaling $85.7 million originated at a retained yield of 15.8%

  • $51.9 million repaid yielding a 25.3% unlevered IRR

  • $25.0 million participation to PREI under the investment program

PREI Investment Program

         The Company has entered into a non-exclusive investment
         program with Prudential Real Estate Investors (PREI) that
         will invest up to $250 million in structured finance
         investments collateralized by New York City commercial real
         estate. Under the terms of the program, the Company and PREI
         will co-invest by purchasing 50% participation interests in
         structured finance investments originated, managed and
         serviced by the Company. The investment program will target
         mezzanine loans, first mortgage bridge loans, preferred
         equity, and junior mortgage participations in prime,
         well-located commercial real estate primarily in Midtown
         Manhattan. The Company will enhance its total return on
         investment through fees charged to the venture for
         origination, asset management and servicing as well as
         incentive returns based upon the overall performance of the
         investments.


As of June 30, 2001, the Company's portfolio consists of interests in 25 properties, aggregating 10.1 million square feet.

SL Green Realty is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") that acquires, owns, repositions and manages a portfolio of Manhattan office properties. The Company is the only publicly held REIT who specializes exclusively in this niche.

To receive SL Green's latest news release and other corporate documents, including the Second Quarter Supplemental Data, via FAX at no cost, please contact the Investor Relations office at 212-216-1601. All releases and supplemental data can also be downloaded directly from the SL Green website at: www.slgreen.com

This press release contains forward-looking information based upon the Company's current best judgment and expectations. Actual results could vary from those presented herein. The risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking information in this release include the strength of the commercial office and industrial real estate markets in New York, competitive market conditions, unanticipated administrative costs, timing of leasing income, general and local economic growth, interest rates and capital market conditions. For further information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                         SL GREEN REALTY CORP.
                  STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS--UNAUDITED
             (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                      Three Months Ended            Six Months Ended
                           June 30                       June 30
                       2001         2000         2001           2000

      Revenue:
Rental revenue, net    $53,405    $46,410      $108,408      $93,351
Escalations & 
 reimbursement 
 revenues                7,296      5,367        15,353       11,348
Signage rent               179        597           529        1,097
Investment income        5,046      3,923         8,320        4,936
Other income               550        197           860          521

Total revenues          66,476     56,494       133,470      111,253

Expenses:
Operating expenses      14,081     13,443        29,907       26,633
Ground rent              3,159      3,159         6,318        6,342
Interest                13,171     10,053        27,068       19,545
Depreciation 
 and amortization        9,189      8,403        18,909       16,219
Real estate taxes        7,958      7,053        16,138       14,388
Marketing, general 
 and administrative      3,668      3,190         7,215        5,978

Total expenses          51,226     45,301      105,555       89,105

Income before 
 minority interests, 
 preferred stock 
 dividends,
 gain on sales,      
 extraordinary item, 
 equity in affiliates
 and unconsolidated
 joint ventures         15,250     11,193        27,915       22,148  
Equity in net 
 income (loss) 
 from affiliates          (658)       369          (927)         539
Equity in net income 
 from  unconsolidated
 joint ventures          1,756        782         3,269        1,623
Minority interests      (1,405)    (1,316)       (2,486)      (3,467)
Extraordinary loss,
 net of minority 
 interest                   --       (430)          (98)        (430)
Gain on sale of 
 rental properties       3,002      4,797         4,516       19,022
Cumulative effect 
 of accounting 
 change                     --         --          (532)          --
 Preferred stock 
 dividends and 
 accretion              (2,415)    (2,407)       (4,829)      (4,814)

 Net income available
 to common 
 shareholders          $15,530    $12,988       $26,828      $34,621

 Net income per 
 share (Basic)           $0.63      $0.53         $1.09        $1.43
 Net income per 
 share (Diluted)         $0.60      $0.53         $1.06        $1.36
 Funds From 
 Operations (FFO)
 FFO per 
 share (Basic)           $0.87      $0.69         $1.65        $1.33
 FFO per 
 share (Diluted)         $0.80      $0.65         $1.53        $1.27
FFO Calculation:
Income before 
 minority interests, 
 preferred stock 
 dividends,
 extraordinary loss 
 and cumulative 
 effect adjustment     $16,348    $12,344       $30,257      $24,310
Less:
Preferred stock 
 dividend               (2,300)    (2,300)       (4,600)      (4,600)
Add:
Joint venture 
 FFO adjustment          1,358        917         2,354        1,626
Depreciation and
 amortization            9,189      8,403        18,909       16,219
Amortization of 
 deferred financing 
 costs and 
 depreciation of
 non-real            
 estate assets          (1,157)    (1,040)       (2,312)      (2,063) 

FFO - BASIC             23,438     18,324        44,608       35,492
Add:  Preferred 
 stock dividends         2,300      2,300         4,600        4,600

FFO - DILUTED          $25,738     20,624        49,208      $40,092

Basic ownership 
interests
 Weighted average 
 REIT common shares     24,706      24,309       24,706       24,265
 Weighted average 
 partnership units 
 held by 
 minority interest       2,295      2,391         2,289        2,404

Basic weighted 
 average shares 
 and units 
 outstanding            27,001     26,700        26,995       26,669

 Diluted ownership 
  interest
 Weighted average 
 REIT common and 
 common share 
 equivalent shares      25,189     24,654        25,182       24,525

 Weighted average 
 partnership units 
 held by minority
 interests               2,295      2,391         2,289        2,404

 Common share 
 equivalents for 
 preferred stock         4,699      4,699         4,699        4,699

 Diluted weighted 
 average equivalent 
 shares and units
 outstanding            32,183     31,744        32,170       31,628

                         SL Green Realty Corp.
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                        (Dollars in Thousands)

                                June 30,             December 31
                                  2001                  2000

Assets                         (unaudited)
Commercial real 
 estate properties, 
 at cost: 
Land and land interests         $140,657             $125,572
Buildings and 
 improvements                    683,889              618,637
Building leasehold               141,670              139,393
Property under capital            
lease                             12,208               12,208

                                 978,424              895,810
Less accumulated                 
depreciation                     (86,585)             (78,432)
                                 891,839              817,378

Properties 
 held for sale                        --               10,895
Cash and cash                     
equivalents                       43,742               10,793
Restricted                        
cash                              37,516               86,823
Tenant receivables, 
 net $3,049 and $1,723 
 reserve in 2001 
 and 2000,
 respectively                      7,008                7,580
Related party                        
receivables                          955                  917
Deferred rents 
 receivable net of 
 provision for doubtful
 accounts of
  $5,441 and                      
  $4,860 in 2001 
  and 2000, 
  respectively                    49,354               45,816
Investment in 
 and advances to                   
 affiliates                        7,932                6,373
Investment in 
 unconsolidated 
 joint ventures                  124,495               65,031
Mortgage loans and 
 preferred investments            97,832               51,293
Deferred costs, net               37,446               40,113

Other assets                      21,546               18,142


Total assets                  $1,319,665           $1,161,154


Liabilities and
 Stockholders' Equity
Mortgage notes payable          $325,411             $414,342
Revolving credit 
 facility                        283,238               46,374
Accrued interest payable           2,533                2,349

Accounts payable 
 and accrued expenses             20,922               24,818
Deferred revenue                   1,587                1,112
Deferred 
 compensation awards               1,838                2,833
Derivative 
 instruments--fair 
 value                             2,383                   --
Capitalized lease                 
obligations                       15,437               15,303 
Deferred land 
 lease payable                    13,866               13,158
Dividend and 
 distributions payable            12,796               12,678
Security deposits                 20,776               19,014

Total liabilities                700,787              551,981

Minority interests                43,546               43,326


8%Preferred Income 
 Equity Redeemable 
 Stock $0.01 par value,
 $25.00 mandatory 
 liquidation preference
 25,000 shares
 authorized, 4,600 
 outstanding in 2001 
 and 2000                        111,002              110,774

Stockholders' Equity
 Common stock, $.01 
 par value 100,000 
 shares authorized,
 24,859 and 24,516 
 issued and
 outstanding in 2001 
 and 2000, respectively              249                  246


 Additional paid - in            
 capital                         436,262              428,698
  Deferred compensation
   plan                           (9,072)              (5,037)
  Accumulated other 
   comprehensive loss             (1,896)                  --
  Retained 
   earnings                       38,787               31,166

Total stockholders' equity       464,330              455,073

Total liabilities and 
 stockholders' equity         $1,319,665           $1,161,154

                         SL GREEN REALTY CORP.
                   SELECTED OPERATING DATA-UNAUDITED

                              June 30, 2001        June 30, 2000

Operating Data:

Net rentable area at 
 end of period 
 (in 000's)(1)                    10,106                9,131
Portfolio occupancy 
 percentage at end 
 of period                            98%                  98%
Same Store occupancy 
 percentage at end 
 of period                            99%                  98%
Number of properties 
 in operation                         25                   23

(1) Includes wholly-owned and majority and minority owned properties.