SL Green Realty Corp.


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SL Green Realty Corp. Reports First Quarter 2014 FFO of $1.54 Per Share Before Transaction Costs; and EPS of $1.53 Per Share

 

 

SL Green Realty Corp. Reports First Quarter 2014 FFO of $1.54 Per Share Before Transaction Costs; and EPS of $1.53 Per Share

Raises 2014 Earnings Guidance

Financial and Operating Highlights

  • First quarter FFO of $1.54 per share before transaction related costs of $0.02 per share compared to $1.17 per share before transaction related costs of $0.01 per share in the prior year.
  • Raising 2014 FFO guidance range by $0.26 per share, or 4.6 percent at the midpoint, to a range of $5.90 to $5.96 per share, reflecting additional earnings from real estate investment activity and debt and preferred equity originations.
  • First quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.53 per share, inclusive of $1.06 per share of gains recognized on the sale of real estate, compares with $0.21 per share in the prior year.
  • Combined same-store cash NOI increased 1.0 percent for the first quarter compared to the prior year, in-line with expectations. The Company is currently projecting combined same-store cash NOI to increase by 3 to 4 percent for the full year.
  • Signed 75 Manhattan office leases covering 548,062 square feet during the first quarter. The mark-to-market on replacement office leases was 15.1 percent higher in the first quarter than the previously fully escalated rents on the same spaces. Based on the leasing achieved in the first quarter and the outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company is increasing its Manhattan mark-to-market expectations for 2014 to a range of 7 to 10 percent.
  • Executed a new lease for 21,802 square feet with Infor, Inc. at 635 Sixth Avenue, with a starting rent in excess of $100 per square foot for the penthouse floor. The new lease expands Infor's commitment at 635-641 Sixth Avenue to 114,048 square feet.
  • Signed 33 Suburban office leases covering 159,134 square feet during the first quarter. The mark-to-market on signed Suburban office leases was 0.8 percent higher in the first quarter than the previously fully escalated rents on the same spaces.

Investing Highlights

  • Closed on the sale of the Company's joint venture interest in 21-25 West 34th Street for a sales price of $114.9 million and recognized a gain on sale of $20.9 million.
  • Entered into an agreement to acquire the Company's joint venture partner's interest in 388-390 Greenwich Street at a valuation for the consolidated investment of $1.585 billion.
  • Closed on the sale of the Company's joint venture interest in the West Coast Office portfolio for $100.0 million, reflecting a capitalization rate of 5.3 percent, and recognized a gain on sale of $85.5 million.
  • Entered into two separate agreements to acquire prime retail condominiums at 115 Spring Street and 121 Greene Street, located along two of SoHo's most popular shopping corridors.
  • Entered into a contract to acquire the fee interest at 635 Madison Avenue for $145.0 million. The improvements to the fee interest include a 19-story 176,530 square foot office tower.
  • Announced an agreement to sell the Company's leasehold interest in 673 First Avenue for $145.0 million, reflecting a capitalization rate based on in-place net operating income of 4.7 percent.
  • Originated and retained debt and preferred equity investments totaling $160.4 million in the first quarter at a weighted average current yield of 9.0 percent.

Financing Highlights

  • Expanded the term loan portion of the Company's unsecured corporate credit facility by $383.0 million to $783.0 million while reducing the borrowing cost of the facility by 25 basis points and extending the maturity date to June 2019.
  • " Closed on a $360.0 million mortgage refinancing of 100 Park Avenue. The new seven-year, floating rate loan replaces the previous $209.4 million mortgage.
  • " Closed on a $275.0 million refinancing of 724 Fifth Avenue. The new three-year, floating rate loan replaces the previous $119.8 million loan.

Summary
New York, NY, April 23, 2014 – SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE: SLG) today reported funds from operations, or FFO, of $150.0 million, or $1.52 per share, after giving consideration to transaction costs of $2.5 million, or $0.02 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $109.2 million, or $1.16 per share, after giving consideration to transaction costs of $1.4 million, or $0.01 per share for the same quarter in 2013.

Net income attributable to common stockholders totaled $146.1 million, or $1.53 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, inclusive of $106.4 million, or $1.08 per share, of gains recognized on the sale of the Company's interest in a large, West Coast Office portfolio and 21-25 West 34th Street, compared to $18.9 million, or $0.21 per share, for the same quarter in 2013.

All per share amounts in this press release are presented on a diluted basis.

Operating and Leasing Activity
For the first quarter of 2014, the Company reported consolidated revenues and operating income of $381.1 million and $224.7 million, respectively, compared to $360.0 million and $192.3 million, respectively, for the same period in 2013.

Consistent with the Company's expectations, same-store cash NOI on a combined basis increased by 1.0 percent to $186.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. The Company is currently projecting combined same-store cash NOI to increase by 3 to 4 percent for the full year. Consolidated property same-store cash NOI decreased by 1.1 percent to $154.1 million and unconsolidated joint venture property same-store cash NOI increased 12.5 percent to $32.1 million.

Manhattan same-store occupancy was 95.6 percent as of March 31, 2014, inclusive of 357,109 square feet of leases signed but not yet commenced, including expected vacancies during the first quarter at 711 Third Avenue and 810 Seventh Avenue, as compared to 95.9 percent at December 31, 2013 and 94.8 percent at March 31, 2013.

During the first quarter, the Company signed 75 office leases in its Manhattan portfolio totaling 548,062 square feet. Twenty-one leases comprising 160,614 square feet represented office leases that replaced previous vacancy. Fifty-four leases comprising 387,448 square feet, representing office leases on space that had been occupied within the prior twelve months, are considered replacement leases on which mark-to-market is calculated. Those replacement leases had average starting rents of $61.84 per rentable square foot, representing a 15.1 percent increase over the previously fully escalated rents on the same office spaces. The average lease term on the Manhattan office leases signed in the first quarter was 5.9 years and average tenant concessions were 2.0 months of free rent with a tenant improvement allowance of $29.73 per rentable square foot.

Same-store occupancy for the Company's Suburban portfolio increased to 81.2 percent at March 31, 2014, inclusive of 44,337 square feet of leases signed but not yet commenced, as compared to 80.9 percent at December 31, 2013 and 78.9 percent at March 31, 2013.

During the first quarter, the Company signed 33 office leases in the Suburban portfolio totaling 159,134 square feet. Sixteen leases comprising 71,130 square feet represented office leases that replaced previous vacancy. Seventeen leases comprising the remaining 88,004 square feet, representing office leases on space that had been occupied within the prior twelve months, are considered replacement leases on which mark-to-market is calculated. Those replacement leases had average starting rents of $32.35 per rentable square foot, representing a 0.8 percent increase over the previously fully escalated rents on the same office spaces. The average lease term on the Suburban office leases signed in the first quarter was 8.0 years and average tenant concessions were 3.3 months of free rent with a tenant improvement allowance of $24.90 per rentable square foot.

Significant leases that were signed during the first quarter included:

  • Renewal and expansion on 47,162 square feet with The City University of New York for 10.3 years at 16 Court Street, Brooklyn;
  • Early renewal and expansion on 43,148 square feet with ABN AMRO Holdings USA LLC at 100 Park Avenue with an average remaining lease term of 10.6 years;
  • New lease on 25,224 square feet with Napier Park Global Capital LLC for 10.6 years at 280 Park Avenue; and
  • New lease on 21,802 square feet with Infor, Inc. for 10.6 years at 635 Sixth Avenue increasing its commitment at 635-641 Sixth Avenue to 114,048 square feet.

Marketing, general and administrative, or MG&A, expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 were $23.3 million, or 5.2 percent of total revenues and an annualized 50 basis points of total assets including the Company's share of joint venture revenues and assets.

Real Estate Investment Activity
In January, the Company closed on the sale of its joint venture interest in a 30,100 square foot property located at 21-25 West 34th Street for an allocated sales price of $114.9 million and recognized a gain of $20.9 million. The Company retained its 50 percent interest in 91,311 square feet of development rights.

In March, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Ivanhoe Cambridge's stake in 388-390 Greenwich Street, thereby assuming full ownership of the 2.6 million square foot property located in Tribeca. The transaction values the consolidated investment interest at $1.585 billion, reflecting a going-in capitalization rate based on in-place net operating income of 7.0 percent and a fully stabilized capitalization rate of 6.4 percent. The combined property is triple-net leased to an affiliate of Citigroup Inc. through 2035, under an extension that was announced in December 2013, which was one of the largest lease transactions ever executed in New York. The sale is expected to close during the second quarter of 2014, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

In March, the Company sold its 43.74 percent interest in a southern California office portfolio for $100.0 million, reflecting a capitalization rate of 5.3 percent, and recognized a gain of $85.5 million. The portfolio consisted of 28 properties totaling 3.7 million square feet, located in various submarkets including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, which was originally part of a 31-property, 4.5 million-square-foot portfolio that the Company acquired through foreclosure.

In April, the Company announced two separate agreements to acquire prime retail condominiums located along two of SoHo's most popular shopping corridors. The Company entered into contracts to acquire the 7,200 square foot retail condominium at 121 Greene Street in Lower Manhattan and the 5,218 square foot retail condominium at 115 Spring Street, in between Mercer and Greene streets. The acquisitions will add to the Company's expanding prime retail property portfolio, which features substantial investment interests along several of New York City's most heavily trafficked retail corridors. The Company's SoHo presence already includes retail assets at 131-137 Spring Street and a participating preferred investment at 530-536 Broadway.

In April, the Company entered into a contract to acquire the fee interest at 635 Madison Avenue for $145.0 million. The property is encumbered by a ground lease through April 2030 with one 21-year extension option and improvements include a 19-story 176,530 square foot office tower. The acquisition increases the Company's footprint in Manhattan's prestigious Plaza District, where it also owns several office and retail properties, including 625 Madison Avenue, 724 Fifth Avenue, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, 10 E. 53rd Street and the recently acquired retail at 650 Fifth Avenue. The off-market transaction, which is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2014.

In April, the Company announced an agreement to sell its leasehold interest in 673 First Avenue for $145.0 million, reflecting a capitalization rate based on in-place net operating income of 4.7 percent. The sale of the 422,000 square foot office building is expected to close during the second quarter 2014, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Debt and Preferred Equity Investment Activity
The carrying value of the Company's debt and preferred equity investment portfolio totaled $1.5 billion at March 31, 2014. During the first quarter, the Company originated and retained new debt and preferred equity investments totaling $160.4 million, at a weighted average current yield of 9.0 percent. The debt and preferred equity investment portfolio had a weighted average maturity of 2.0 years as of March 31, 2014, excluding any extension options, and had a weighted average yield during the first quarter of 10.6 percent.

Financing and Capital Activity

In March, the Company amended and expanded the term loan portion of its unsecured corporate credit facility by $383.0 million to $783.0 million. The maturity date of the term loan was extended to June 2019 and the cost of the term loan was reduced to 140 basis points over LIBOR. The facility also includes a $1.2 billion revolving line of credit that matures in March 2018, inclusive of the Company's aggregate one-year, as-of-right extension option.

In February, the Company closed on a $360.0 million mortgage refinancing of 100 Park Avenue. The new loan, which replaces the previous $209.4 million mortgage, matures in February 2021 and bears interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR.

In April, the Company and its joint venture partner closed on a $275.0 million refinancing of 724 Fifth Avenue, resulting in proceeds in excess of our original basis in the building. The new loan matures in April 2017 with two one-year extension options and bears interest at a blended rate of 242 basis points over LIBOR.

Guidance
Based primarily on the Company's real estate investment activity, most significantly the acquisition of our partner's interest in 388-390 Greenwich Street, and the performance of the debt and preferred equity platform for the first three months of 2014 as well as the outlook for that portfolio for the remainder of 2014, the Company is raising its FFO guidance range for 2014 by $0.26 per share, or 4.6 percent at the midpoint, to a range of $5.90 to $5.96 per share from its previously announced guidance range of $5.62 to $5.72 per share.

Dividends
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company declared quarterly dividends on its outstanding common and preferred stock as follows:

  • $0.50 per share of common stock, which was paid on April 15, 2014 to stockholders of record on the close of business on March 31, 2014; and
  • $0.40625 per share on the Company's 6.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock for the period January 14, 2014 through and including April 14, 2014, which was paid on April 15, 2014 to stockholders of record on the close of business on March 31, 2014, and reflects the regular quarterly dividend which is the equivalent of an annualized dividend of $1.625 per share.

Conference Call and Audio Webcast
The Company's executive management team, led by Marc Holliday, Chief Executive Officer, will host a conference call and audio webcast on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 2:00 pm ET to discuss the financial results.

The supplemental package will be available prior to the quarterly conference call on the Company's website, www.slgreen.com, under "Financial Reports" in the Investors section.

The live conference will be webcast in listen-only mode on the Company's website under "Event Calendar & Webcasts" in the Investors section and on Thomson's StreetEvents Network. The conference may also be accessed by dialing 866.318.8620 using pass-code "SL Green."

A replay of the call will be available through May 1, 2014 by dialing 888.286.8010 Domestic or 617.801.6888 International, using pass-code 35660442.

Company Profile
SL Green Realty Corp., New York City's largest office landlord, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust, or REIT, that is focused primarily on acquiring, managing and maximizing value of Manhattan commercial properties. As of March 31, 2014, SL Green held interests in 95 Manhattan buildings totaling 45.1 million square feet. This included ownership interests in 28.4 million square feet of commercial buildings and debt and preferred equity investments secured by 16.7 million square feet of buildings. In addition to its Manhattan investments, SL Green held ownership interests in 35 suburban buildings totaling 5.9 million square feet in Brooklyn, Long Island, Westchester County, Connecticut and New Jersey.

To be added to the Company's distribution list or to obtain the latest news releases and other Company information, please visit our website at www.slgreen.com or contact Investor Relations at 212.594.2700.

Disclaimers
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
During the quarterly 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 can be found on pages 11 through 12 of this release and in the Company's Supplemental Package.

Forward-looking Statement
This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions thereof. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and we caution you not to place undue reliance on such statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," "project," "continue," or the negative of these words, or other similar words or terms.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us. Factors and risks to our business that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

CONTACT
James Mead
Chief Financial Officer
-and-
Heidi Gillette
Investor Relations
(212) 594-2700