INVESTORS
Approaching three decades as a public company focused on top U.S. markets
Press Release
First Industrial Realty Trust Reports First Quarter Results
Launched a $950 Million Development/Repositioning Joint Venture with the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS)
- Funds From Operations (FFO) of $0.80 Per Share/Unit at High End of Guidance
- Improved Occupancy to 90.8 Percent, Eighth Consecutive Quarterly Increase
- Leased a Record 7.9 Million Square Feet in the Quarter
- Retained Tenants in 85.8 Percent of Square Footage Up For Renewal
- Generated Net Economic Gains of $20.1 Million
- Entered Northern California and Southern Florida Markets
CHICAGO, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), the nation's largest provider of diversified industrial real estate, today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Diluted net income available to common stockholders per share (EPS) was $0.33, compared to $0.57 for the first quarter of 2004. Net income available to common stockholders in the quarter was $14.1 million, compared to $23.0 million for first quarter in 2004.
"Our results for the quarter were at the high end of our expectations and we are well on track to meet our full-year guidance for earnings and funds from operations," said Mike Brennan, president and chief executive officer. "Our strategy of providing broad solutions to Corporate America has been significantly enhanced by the launch of our new development/repositioning joint venture with CalSTRS during the first quarter, which provides an additional source of recurring revenue to fuel our growth."
The highlights of the Company's results are presented below:
Portfolio Performance
- Leased a record 7.9 million square feet during the quarter.
- Increased occupancy to 90.8%, up from 90.1% at year end 2004 and 88.5% at March 31, 2004.
- Retained tenants in 85.8% of square footage up for renewal during the quarter.
- Same property net operating income (NOI) increased 0.9% for the quarter.
First Quarter Investment Statistics
- For the quarter, acquisitions (excluding land) and developments placed in service totaled $109.7 million. This was comprised of $86.4 million of property acquisitions, encompassing 3.0 million square feet, at a stabilized weighted average 9.9% capitalization (cap) rate; and $23.3 million of new developments, encompassing 0.8 million square feet, with an expected weighted average first-year stabilized yield of approximately 8.7%.
- For the quarter, the Company sold $129.2 million of property (excluding land) at a weighted average 8.1% cap rate and a weighted average 51.8% unleveraged internal rate of return (IRR).
- For the quarter, the Company sold $29.0 million of land and acquired $5.0 million of land.
- For the quarter, net economic gains were $20.1 million, comprised of $9.1 million from merchant sales, $7.1 million from land sales and $3.9 million from existing property sales.
- Development under construction at the end of the quarter stood at $176.5 million, and was 63 percent leased.
"The combination of our new development/repositioning joint venture, our existing net lease joint venture, and the financial resources of our strong balance sheet, enables us to provide complete industrial real estate solutions on a large scale," said Johannson Yap, chief investment officer.
Solid Financial Position
- Fixed-charge coverage improved to 2.7 times and interest coverage was 3.0 times.
- 96.3% of the Company's real estate assets are unencumbered by mortgages.
- The weighted average maturity of permanent debt at the end of the quarter was 9.1 years, one of the longest in the REIT industry.
- 100% of the Company's permanent debt is fixed rate.
"We are very excited about teaming up with an exceptional partner such as CalSTRS, one of the largest public pension funds in the United States," said Mike Havala, chief financial officer. "This venture provides us with a significant amount of new capital which furthers our efforts to provide comprehensive industrial real estate solutions to Corporate America. This enhances our ability to grow all three of our income streams: net operating income, fees and promotes from joint ventures, and investment gains."
Supplemental Reporting Measure
First quarter FFO per share/unit on a diluted basis was $0.80, compared to $0.81 per share/unit on a diluted basis for the same quarter in 2004. First quarter FFO increased 3.2 percent to $39.1 million, compared to $37.9 million for the first quarter in 2004. First Industrial defines FFO as net income available to common stockholders, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate, minus accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold.
Outlook for 2005
Brennan stated, "The outlook for improving demand for industrial space remains positive, driven by the same factors we have noted in recent quarters; increasing plant utilization, corporate profits and capital spending.
"We are maintaining our guidance for full-year 2005 FFO per share/unit at $3.40 to $3.60, and full-year 2005 EPS of between $1.60 and $1.80. This estimate assumes same property NOI growth of 1% to 3% in 2005. Sales volume in 2005 is assumed to be approximately $550 million to $650 million with an 8.0% to 9.0% average cap rate, with book gains from property sales/fees of between $105 million and $115 million. Investment volume assumptions for 2005, which include both new developments and acquisitions, are assumed to be approximately $600 million to $700 million with an 8.5% to 9.5% average cap rate. Our assumption for net economic gains for 2005 is between $80 million and $90 million. Our estimate for second quarter 2005 FFO per share/unit is in the range of $0.80 to $0.90."
Low High Low High
End of End of End of End of
Guidance for Guidance for Guidance for Guidance for
2Q 2005 2Q 2005 2005 2005
(Per share/ (Per share/ (Per share/ (Per share/
unit) unit) unit) unit)
Net Income
Available to
Common Stockholders $0.35 $0.45 $1.60 $1.80
Add: Real Estate
Depreciation/
Amortization 0.57 0.57 2.30 2.30
Less: Accumulated
Depreciation/
Amortization on
Real Estate Sold (0.12) (0.12) (0.50) (0.50)
FFO $0.80 $0.90 $3.40 $3.60
Brennan continued, "A number of factors could impact our ability to deliver results in line with our assumptions, such as interest rates, the overall economy, the supply and demand of industrial real estate, the timing and yields for divestment and investment, and numerous other variables. There can be no assurance that First Industrial can achieve such results for 2005. However, I believe that First Industrial has the proper strategic and tactical design to deliver such results. We believe our I-N-D-L infrastructure - with its offensive and defensive characteristics - will continue to support our efforts and prove its value."
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., the nation's largest provider of diversified industrial real estate, serves every aspect of Corporate America's industrial real estate needs, including customized supply chain solutions, through its unique I-N-D-L operating platform, which utilizes a pure Industrial focus and National scope to provide Diverse facility types, while offering Local, full-service management and expertise. The Company owns, operates and has under development 85 million square feet of industrial real estate in markets throughout the United States. Building, buying, selling, leasing and managing industrial property in major markets nationwide, First Industrial develops long-term relationships with corporate real estate directors, tenants and brokers to better serve customers with creative, flexible industrial real estate solutions.
This press release contains forward-looking information about the Company. A number of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including changes in: economic conditions generally and the real estate market specifically, legislative/regulatory changes (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts), availability of financing, interest rate levels, competition, supply and demand for industrial properties in the Company's current and proposed market areas, potential environmental liabilities, slippage in development or lease-up schedules, tenant credit risks, higher- than-expected costs and changes in general accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to real estate investment trusts. For further information on these and other factors that could impact the Company and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A schedule of selected financial information is attached.
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. will host a quarterly conference call at 11:00 a.m. Central time, 12:00 p.m. Eastern time, on Thursday, April 28, 2005. The call-in number is (800) 865-4460 and the passcode is "First Industrial." The conference call will also be webcast live on First Industrial's web site, http://www.firstindustrial.com , under the "Investor Relations" tab. Replay will also be available on the web site.
The Company's first quarter supplemental information can be viewed on First Industrial's website, http://www.firstindustrial.com , under the "Investor Relations" tab.
FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except for per share/unit and property data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Restated (e)
March 31, March 31,
2005 2004
Statement of Operations and Other Data:
Total Revenues $87,986 $77,769
Property Expenses (30,988) (26,780)
General & Administrative Expense (11,922) (7,223)
Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs (509) (446)
Depreciation of Corporate F,F&E (320) (319)
Depreciation and Amortization of Real Estate (27,516) (20,491)
Total Expenses (71,255) (55,259)
Interest Income 389 712
Interest Expense (25,975) (23,698)
Mark-to-Market of Interest Rate Protection
Agreement (a) 941 -
Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income
Tax Benefit, Equity in Net (Loss) Income of
Joint Ventures and Income Allocated to
Minority Interest (7,914) (476)
Income Tax Benefit 1,656 888
Equity in Net (Loss) Income of Joint
Ventures (b) (122) 245
Minority Interest Allocable to Continuing
Operations 1,127 613
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations (5,253) 1,270
Income from Discontinued Operations (Including
Gain on Sale of Real Estate of $13,496 and
$27,211 for the Three Months Ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively (c)) 14,504 31,351
Provision for Income Taxes Allocable to
Discontinued Operations (Including $3,202
and $2,168 allocable to Gain on Sale of Real
Estate for the Three Months Ended March 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively) (3,539) (2,638)
Minority Interest Allocable to Discontinued
Operations (c) (1,439) (4,100)
Income Before Gain on Sale of Real Estate 4,273 25,883
Gain on Sale of Real Estate 21,484 3,246
Provision for Income Taxes Allocable to Gain
on Sale of Real Estate (7,537) (730)
Minority Interest Allocable to Gain on Sale
of Real Estate (1,830) (359)
Net Income 16,390 28,040
Preferred Dividends (2,310) (5,044)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $14,080 $22,996
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS TO FFO (d) AND FAD (d)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $14,080 $22,996
Add: Depreciation and Amortization of
Real Estate 27,516 20,491
Add: Depreciation and Amortization of
Real Estate Included in Discontinued
Operations 458 2,008
Add: Income Allocated to Minority Interest 2,142 3,846
Add: Depreciation and Amortization of Real
Estate- Joint Ventures (b) 335 433
Less: Accumulated Depreciation/Amortization on
Real Estate Sold (5,424) (11,827)
Less: Accumulated Depreciation/Amortization on
Real Estate Sold- Joint Ventures (b) - (5)
Funds From Operations ("FFO") (d) $39,107 $37,942
Add: Restricted Stock Amortization 1,890 1,404
Add: Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs 509 446
Add: Depreciation of Corporate F,F&E 320 319
Less: Non-Incremental Capital Expenditures (10,583) (7,218)
Less: Straight-Line Rent (2,250) (1,696)
Funds Available for Distribution ("FAD") (d) $28,993 $31,197
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS TO EBITDA (d) AND NOI (d)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $14,080 $22,996
Add: Interest Expense 25,975 23,698
Add: Depreciation and Amortization of
Real Estate 27,516 20,491
Add: Depreciation and Amortization of Real
Estate Included in Discontinued Operations 458 2,008
Add: Preferred Dividends 2,310 5,044
Add: Provision for Income Taxes / Income Tax
Benefit 9,420 2,480
Add: Income Allocated to Minority Interest 2,142 3,846
Add: Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs 509 446
Add: Depreciation of Corporate F,F&E 320 319
Add: Depreciation and Amortization of Real Estate-
Joint Ventures (b) 335 433
Less: Accumulated Depreciation/Amortization on
Real Estate Sold- Joint Ventures (b) - (5)
Less: Accumulated Depreciation/Amortization on
Real Estate Sold (5,424) (11,827)
EBITDA (d) $77,641 $69,929
Add: General and Administrative Expense 11,922 7,223
Less: Net Economic Gains (20,136) (16,150)
Less: Provision for Income Taxes / Income Tax
Benefit (9,420) (2,480)
Less: Equity in FFO of Joint Ventures (b) (213) (673)
Net Operating Income ("NOI") (d) $59,794 $57,849
Weighted Avg. Number of Shares/Units
Outstanding- Basic 48,625 46,229
Weighted Avg. Number of Shares/Units
Outstanding- Diluted 48,934 46,694
Weighted Avg. Number of Shares Outstanding- Basic 42,158 39,530
Weighted Avg. Number of Shares Outstanding- Diluted 42,466 39,995
Per Share/Unit Data:
FFO :
- Basic $0.80 $0.82
- Diluted $0.80 $0.81
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Less
Preferred Stock Dividends Per Weighted Average
Common Share Outstanding:
- Basic $0.11 $(0.04)
- Diluted $0.11 $(0.04)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders Per
Weighted Average Common Share Outstanding:
- Basic $0.33 $0.58
- Diluted $0.33 $0.57
Dividends/Distributions $0.6950 $0.6850
FFO Payout Ratio 86.4% 83.5%
FAD Payout Ratio 116.6% 101.5%
Balance Sheet Data (end of period):
Real Estate Before Accumulated Depreciation $2,867,216 $2,723,952
Real Estate Held For Sale, Net 49,926 6,217
Total Assets 2,709,506 2,629,787
Debt 1,569,813 1,419,444
Total Liabilities 1,724,831 1,549,390
Stockholders' Equity and Minority Interest $984,675 $1,080,397
Property Data (end of period):
Total In-Service Properties 848 825
Total Gross Leasable Area (in sq ft) 63,554,316 58,533,396
Occupancy 90.8% 88.5%
a) Represents the mark to market of an interest rate protection agreement
used to hedge a prospective transaction that doesn't qualify for hedge
accounting in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities".
b) Represents the Company's share of net income, depreciation and
amortization of real estate and accumulated depreciation and
amortization on real estate sold from the Company's joint ventures in
which it owns minority equity interests.
c) In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144 "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("FAS 144"). FAS 144
requires that the operations and gain (loss) on sale of qualifying
properties sold and properties that were classified as held for sale
be presented in discontinued operations. FAS 144 also requires that
prior periods be restated.
d) Investors in and analysts following the real estate industry utilize
FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD, variously defined, as supplemental
performance measures. While the Company believes net income available
to common stockholders, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate
measure, it considers FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD, given their wide use
by and relevance to investors and analysts, appropriate supplemental
performance measures. FFO, reflecting the assumption that real estate
asset values rise or fall with market conditions, principally adjusts
for the effects of GAAP depreciation and amortization of real estate
assets. NOI provides a measure of rental operations, and does not
factor in depreciation and amortization and non-property specific
expenses such as general and administrative expenses. EBITDA provides
a tool to further evaluate the ability to incur and service debt and
to fund dividends and other cash needs. FAD provides a tool to
further evaluate the ability to fund dividends. In addition, FFO,
NOI, EBITDA and FAD are commonly used in various ratios, pricing
multiples/yields and returns and valuation calculations used to
measure financial position, performance and value.
The Company calculates FFO to be equal to net income available to
common stockholders, plus depreciation and amortization on real
estate, minus accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate
sold.
NOI is defined as revenues of the Company, minus property expenses
such as real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, property
management, utilities, insurance and other expenses. NOI includes NOI
from discontinued operations.
EBITDA is defined as NOI, plus the equity in FFO of the Company's
joint ventures, which are accounted for under the equity method of
accounting, plus Net Economic Gains, minus general and administrative
expenses. Net Economic Gains equal the gain on sale of real estate
and the gain on sale of real estate from discontinued operations,
less accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold and
provision for income taxes/income tax benefit. EBITDA includes
EBITDA from discontinued operations.
FAD is defined as EBITDA, minus GAAP interest expense, minus preferred
stock dividends, minus preferred stock redemption costs, minus
straight-line rental income, minus provision for income taxes, plus
restricted stock amortization, minus non-incremental capital
expenditures. Non-incremental capital expenditures are building
improvements and leasing costs required to maintain current revenues.
FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD 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
repayment of principal on debt and payment of dividends and
distributions. FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD should not be considered as
substitutes for net income available to common stockholders
(calculated in accordance with GAAP), as a measure of results of
operations, or cash flows (calculated in accordance with GAAP) as a
measure of liquidity. FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD, as calculated by the
Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled, but variously
calculated, measures of other REITs or to the definition of FFO
published by NAREIT.
e) In first quarter 2004, the Company classified its entire tax provision
to income from discontinued operations. Based on a review of its
presentation of income taxes under FAS 109, the Company has
reconsidered such presentation and determined that the Company's
income tax provision should be allocated between income from
continuing operations, income from discontinued operations and gain on
sale of real estate. This reclassification does not impact net income
available to common stockholders or FFO.
SOURCE First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
CONTACT: Sean P. O'Neill, SVP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, +1-312-344-4401, or Mike Daly, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, +1-312-344-4320, both of First Industrial Realty Trust