Press Release Details
SL Green Realty Corp. Reports Second Quarter FFO Of $1.04 Per Share
SL Green Realty Corp. Reports Second Quarter FFO Of $1.04 Per Share
Jul 20, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT
- FFO increased 20% to $1.04 per share (diluted) versus $0.87 per share (diluted) for the same quarter in 2003
- Signed agreement to acquire 750 Third Avenue and 485 Lexington Avenue for $480 million, or $282 per square foot
- Closed on $117.4 million of structured financed investments bringing total originations in 2004 to $197.4 million
- Sold a 75% interest in One Park Avenue generating $83 million in net proceeds and recognizing a $22 million gain ($0.52 per share) in addition to a $4.3 million incentive distribution ($0.10 per share)
- Issued 4.0 million shares of 7.875% Series D perpetual preferred stock in two public offerings raising $100 million in gross proceeds. The sale of 1.55 million of the shares closed on July 15, 2004
- Refinanced 1515 Broadway with a $425 million first mortgage generating $47.0 million of proceeds to the Company
- Signed 70 office leases totaling approximately 342,000 rentable square feet
- Ended the quarter at 96.6% occupancy, an increase from 96.3% at March 31, 2004
- Filed third amendment to Gramercy Capital Corp. S-11 and commenced road show.
New York, NY, July 20, 2004 - SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE:SLG) reported funds from operations (FFO) totaling $44.1 million, or $1.04 per share (diluted), for the three months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $33.9 million, or $0.87 per share (diluted), for the same quarter in 2003. The increase in FFO is primarily due to (i) increased income from the unconsolidated joint ventures, (ii) increased investment income and (iii) increased other income primarily due to incentive distribution received in connection with the recapitalization of One Park Avenue.
For the six months ended June 30, 2004, operating results improved 9% as FFO before minority interests totaled $79.1 million, or $1.87 per share (diluted), compared to $66.4 million, or $1.72 per share (diluted), for the same period in 2003. The increase is primarily attributable to increased investment income, income from unconsolidated joint ventures and other income.
Net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended, June 30, 2004 totaled $45.4 million, or $1.13 per share (diluted), an increase of $0.63 per share as compared to the same quarter in 2003 when net income totaled $15.5 million, or $0.49 per share (diluted). The increase in net income is primarily due to the gain from the sale of a 75% interest in One Park Avenue ($0.52) and the net effect of the aforementioned changes in FFO.
Net income available to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2004 totaled $61.4 million, or $1.54 per share (diluted), as compared to the same period in 2003 when net income totaled $49.5 million, or $1.51 per share (diluted). The six months ended June 30, 2003 includes a gain on the sale of 50 West 23rd Street totaling $17.5 million ($0.46 per share).
The Company's second quarter weighted average diluted shares outstanding increased 3.7 million, or 9.5%, to 42.5 million in 2004 from 38.8 million in 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) the 1.8 million common stock offering completed on January 16, 2004, (ii) operating partnership units issued in connection with certain 2003 acquisitions and (iii) the effects of stock and option-based compensation.
Consolidated Results
Total quarterly revenues increased 20% in the second quarter of 2004 to $89.4 million compared to $74.4 million in the same quarter of 2003. The $15.0 million growth in revenue resulted primarily from the following items:
- $5.8 million increase in other income, primarily due to the One Park Avenue incentive distribution and service corporation revenue
- $5.1 million increase in preferred and investment income
- $3.8 million increase from 2003 acquisitions
- $1.2 million increase from same store properties
- $0.9 million decrease-other.
- $7.2 million increase in income from unconsolidated joint ventures
- $0.4 million increase from 2003 property acquisitions and other reserves
- $0.5 million increase from same-store properties
- $15.8 million increase in EBITDA
- $2.3 million increase in FFO related to the add back higher joint venture depreciation, primarily 1221 Avenue of the Americas
- $1.4 million decrease in FFO from discontinued operations and other
- $3.4 million decrease from perpetual preferred stock dividends
- $3.0 million decrease from higher interest expense.
Same-Store Results
During the second quarter of 2004, same-store GAAP NOI increased by 2% ($0.5 million) to $29.3 million, as compared to $28.8 million for the same quarter in 2003. The increase in same-store GAAP NOI was driven by a $1.1 million (2%) increase in rental revenues partially offset by a 3% ($0.7 million) increase in operating expenses. The increase in revenue was primarily due to:
- $2.1 million increase in rental revenue primarily due to improved leasing at 420 Lexington Avenue and 555 West 57th Street.
- $0.5 million decrease in escalation and reimbursement revenue primarily due to real estate tax and utility reimbursements
- $0.1 million increase from lower straight-line credit loss reserves
- $0.6 million reduction in signage rent and lease buy-out income
- $0.5 million (6%) increase in real estate taxes
- $0.3 million (14%) increase in condominium, management and professional fees
- $0.3 million (4%) increase in repairs, maintenance and payroll costs
- $0.4 million (8%) decrease in utility costs
For the second quarter of 2004, the Company signed 75 leases totaling approximately 356,000 rentable square feet of which 70 leases and approximately 342,000 square feet represent office leases. Starting office cash rents averaged $32.43 per square foot, a 1.6% decrease over previously fully escalated cash rents averaging $32.95 per square foot. Tenant concessions averaged 1.4 months of free rent with an allowance for tenant improvements of $20.34 per rentable square foot. Excluding an expansion and lease extension for a tenant occupying approximately 33% at 673 First Avenue, the Company signed 69 office leases for approximately 302,000 square feet with starting cash rents 6.4% higher than the previously fully escalated cash rents.
For the six months ended, June 30, 2004, the Company signed 144 leases totaling approximately 635,000 rentable square feet of which 129 leases and 593,000 square feet represent office leases. Starting office cash rents averaged $31.82 per square foot, a 0.1% increase over previously fully escalated cash rents averaging $31.79 per square foot. Tenant concessions averaged 1.6 months of free rent with an allowance for tenant improvements of $22.83 per rentable square foot. This leasing activity includes early renewals for 17 office leases totaling approximately 103,000 rentable square feet.
Real Estate Activity
In June 2004, we announced that we had entered into an agreement to acquire two office buildings, comprising 1.7 million square feet, located at 750 Third Avenue ("750 Third") and 485 Lexington Avenue ("485 Lexington") for $480.0 million, or $282 per square foot. The properties are being acquired from TIAA-CREF, a national financial services company. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2004. The properties will be acquired separately by two SL Green-controlled entities.
750 Third will be purchased by us as a wholly-owned asset for $255.0 million. The acquisition will initially be funded by proceeds from our unsecured revolving credit facility. At closing, TIAA-CREF, a AAA-rated company, will enter into an operating lease for the entire building. At the expiration of such operating lease, in December 2005, the building will be approximately 25% vacant. The majority of such vacancy will be in the upper tower floors of the property. The balance of the property is currently leased to credit-quality tenants including Fairchild Publications, Inc., Richard A. Eisner, LLP and TIAA-CREF on a longer-term basis.
485 Lexington will be acquired in a joint venture with The City Investment Fund. We expect to own approximately 30.0% of the equity interests in the property. The allocated price for 485 Lexington is $225.0 million. The joint venture has arranged for a loan facility to fund 75% of the acquisition and anticipated re-tenanting costs of 485 Lexington. Consistent with our prior joint venture arrangements, we will be the operating partner and day-to-day manager of the venture and will be entitled to management fees, leasing commissions and incentive fees. At closing, TIAA-CREF will enter into an operating lease for the entire building. Upon expiration of the operating lease in December 2005, it is anticipated that TIAA-CREF will vacate all of the space it occupies in 485 Lexington (approximately 870,000 square feet).
In May 2004, Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, through a wholly owned affiliate, acquired a 75% interest in One Park. The interest was acquired from a joint venture comprised of SITQ and us. Simultaneous with the closing of the acquisition, the new joint venture completed a refinancing of the property with an affiliate of Credit Suisse First Boston.
Credit Suisse First Boston's affiliated entity acquired its equity interest for $60.0 million. The acquisition was based on a total capitalization of approximately $318.5 million, or $344 per square foot. The $238.5 million 10-year interest only loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.8% and replaced the existing $150.0 million floating rate loan, which was scheduled to mature in January 2005. We received $83.0 million in net proceeds from the recapitalization. Net proceeds, which were used to pay down our unsecured revolving credit facility, included an incentive fee of approximately $4.3 million earned pursuant to the prior joint venture agreement with SITQ.
We have retained a 16.7% interest in the new venture, which may be increased substantially based upon the financial performance of the property. We will manage the venture, in addition to continuing our responsibility of leasing and managing the property.
We accounted for the transaction as a sale of interests and recognized a gain on sale of approximately $22 million. Our initial book basis in the new joint venture will be approximately $4.3 million and it will be accounted for under the equity method.
In June 2004, the Company exercised its option to acquire its share of the fee position at 125 Broad Street for approximately $6.0 million.
Financing/ Capital Activity
In April 2004, we priced a public offering of 2,450,000 shares of our 7.875% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, or Series D preferred stock, with a mandatory liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. Net proceeds from this offering (approximately $59.0 million) were used principally to repay amounts outstanding under our secured and unsecured revolving credit facilities. The Series D preferred stock receives annual dividends of $1.96875 per share paid on a quarterly basis and dividends are cumulative, subject to certain provisions. On or after May 27, 2009, we may redeem the Series D preferred stock for cash at our option. In July 2004, we issued an additional 1,550,000 shares of our Series D preferred stock with net proceeds to us of approximately $37.3 million. The gross proceeds from these offerings were $100 million.
In June 2004, we refinanced 1515 Broadway with a $425.0 million first mortgage. The interest only mortgage has an interest rate of 90 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR. The all-in blended weighted average effective interest rate was 3.84% for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. The mortgage matures in July 2006 and is subject to three one-year as-of-right renewal options. This loan replaced the $335 million loan, which bore interest at 190 basis points over LIBOR.
In July 2004, we refinanced 1250 Broadway with a $115 million first mortgage. The interest-only mortgage has an interest rate of 120 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR. The mortgage matures in August 2006 and is subject to three one-year as-of-right renewal options. This loan replaced the $85 million loan, which bore interest at 250 basis points over LIBOR.
The Company has received a $240 million commitment to finance the acquisition and redevelopment of 485 Lexington Avenue. The loan, which will bear interest at 200 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR, is for three years and has two one-year extension options. The loan, which is expected to close during the third quarter, is subject to customary closing conditions. At closing, the Company expects to draw approximately $170 million to fund the acquisition.
Structured Finance Activity
As of June 30, 2004, the par value of the Company's structured finance and preferred equity investments totaled $264.3 million. The weighted average balance outstanding for the second quarter of 2004 was $235.2 million. During the second quarter of 2004, the weighted average yield was 10.2%.
During the second quarter 2004, the Company originated $117.4 million of structured finance investments with an initial yield of approximately 10.1%. The Company also received redemptions totaling $129.6 million that were yielding 13.2%.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at 2 pm ET to discuss the financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (913) 981-5519. A replay of the call will be available through July 28, 2004 by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820, passcode 539987. The call will be simultaneously broadcast via the Internet and individuals who wish to access the conference call should go to www.slgreen.com to log onto the call or to listen to a replay following the call.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
During the July 21, 2004 conference call, the Company may discuss non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. In addition, the Company has used non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. A reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure and the comparable GAAP financial measure (net income) can be found on pages seven and nine of this release and in our second quarter supplemental data package.
* Financial Tables attached
To receive the Company'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.
Forward-looking Information
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 real estate markets in New York, competitive market conditions, unanticipated administrative costs, timing of leasing income, general and local economic conditions, interest rates, capital market conditions, tenant bankruptcies and defaults, the availability and cost of comprehensive insurance, including coverage for terrorist acts, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking information. For further information, please refer to the Company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
