Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. Reports 2017 Results


SAN DIEGO, Feb. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ:ROIC) announced today financial and operating results for the twelve and three months ended December 31, 2017.

YEAR 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

•          $38.5mm of net income attributable to common stockholders ($0.35 per diluted share)
•          5.6% increase in Funds From Operations (FFO)(1) per diluted share to $1.14 (’17 vs. ’16)
•          $357.6 million of grocery-anchored shopping centers acquired during 2017
•          97.5% portfolio lease rate at year-end 2017 (4th consecutive year above 97%)
•          1.4 million square feet of leases executed (new and renewed)
•          26.6% increase in same-space cash rents on new leases (9.6% increase on renewals)
•         3.1% increase in same-center cash net operating income (2017 vs. 2016)
•         $305.6 million of capital raised (common equity and unsecured debt)
•          90.5% of total debt effectively fixed-rate at year-end
•         4.2% increase in cash dividends paid (2017 vs. 2016)

4TH QUARTER 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

•          $10.8mm of net income attributable to common stockholders ($0.10 per diluted share)
•          11.1% increase in FFO per diluted share to $0.30 (4Q’17 vs 4Q’16)
•          $155.8 million of grocery-anchored shopping centers acquired in 4Q’17
•          2.9% increase in same-center cash net operating income (4Q’17 vs. 4Q’16)
•          14.1% increase in same-space cash rents on new leases (9.0% increase on renewals)
•          3.7x interest coverage for 4Q’17
•          $0.1875 quarterly cash dividend paid in 4Q’17
•          4.0% increase in quarterly cash dividend ($0.1950 quarterly cash dividend declared in 1Q’18)
              _______________________________________
  (1) A reconciliation of GAAP net income to Funds From Operations (FFO) is provided at the end of this press release.

Stuart A. Tanz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. stated, “During 2017 we continued to execute our business plan, posting another solid year of portfolio growth and performance.  We added over one million square feet to our portfolio through acquiring $357.6 million of grocery-anchored shopping centers in 2017.  Additionally, we leased approximately 1.4 million square feet of space during the year, maintained our portfolio lease rate at over 97%, and again achieved solid releasing spreads and same-center NOI growth.”  Tanz added, “The underlying fundamentals remain strong across our portfolio and core West Coast markets.  Going forward, we intend to continue working hard at capitalizing on these strong fundamentals to further enhance the value of our business.”

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $38.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, as compared to GAAP net income of $32.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.  For the three months ended December 31, 2017, GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $10.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, as compared to GAAP net income of $9.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

FFO for the full year 2017 was $138.9 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, as compared to $124.8 million in FFO, or $1.08 per diluted share, for the full year 2016, representing a 5.6% increase on a per diluted share basis.  FFO for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $37.0 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, as compared to $33.2 million in FFO, or $0.27 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2016, representing an 11.1% increase on a per diluted share basis.  ROIC reports FFO as a supplemental performance measure in accordance with the definition set forth by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.  A reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO is provided at the end of this press release.

At December 31, 2017, ROIC had a total market capitalization of approximately $4.0 billion with approximately $1.5 billion of principal debt outstanding, equating to a 37.8% debt-to-total market capitalization ratio.  ROIC’s principal debt outstanding was comprised of $106.3 million of mortgage debt and approximately $1.4 billion of unsecured debt, including $143.5 million outstanding on its unsecured revolving credit facility at December 31, 2017.  For the fourth quarter of 2017, ROIC’s interest coverage was 3.7 times and 92.4% of its portfolio was unencumbered (based on gross leasable area) at year-end 2017.  Additionally, at December 31, 2017, 90.5% of ROIC’s total debt was effectively fixed-rate with a remaining weighted average maturity of 7.6 years.

2017 ACQUISITION SUMMARY

During 2017, ROIC acquired ten grocery-anchored shopping centers totaling $357.6 million, encompassing approximately 1.1 million square feet.  Included in the $357.6 million, during the fourth quarter ROIC acquired four grocery-anchored shopping centers for a total of $155.8 million.

In October 2017, ROIC acquired the following two-property portfolio for $96.5 million.  ROIC funded the acquisition with the issuance of approximately $51.1 million of ROIC common equity, based on a value of $21.25 per share, and the assumption of two existing mortgages encumbering the properties totaling $44.5 million in principal debt outstanding.

Riverstone Marketplace

Riverstone Marketplace is approximately 96,000 square feet and is anchored by Kroger (QFC) Supermarket.  The property is located in Vancouver, Washington, within the Portland metropolitan area, and is currently 98.5% leased.

Fullerton Crossroads

Fullerton Crossroads is approximately 220,000 square feet and is anchored by Kroger (Ralph’s) Supermarket.  The property is located in Fullerton, California, within Orange County, and is currently 99.4% leased.

North Lynnwood Shopping Center

In October 2017, ROIC acquired North Lynnwood Shopping Center for $13.3 million. The shopping center is approximately 64,000 square feet and is anchored by Kroger (QFC) Supermarket.  The property is located in Lynnwood, Washington, within the Seattle metropolitan area, and is currently 91.3% leased.

The Village at Nellie Gail Ranch

In November 2017, ROIC acquired The Village at Nellie Gail Ranch for $46.0 million. The shopping center is approximately 88,000 square feet and is anchored by Smart & Final Extra Supermarket.  The property is located in Laguna Hills, California, within Orange County, and is currently 98.5% leased.

2018 YEAR-TO-DATE ACQUISITION ACTIVITY

Year-to-date in 2018, ROIC has binding contracts to acquire two grocery-anchored shopping centers, in separate transactions, totaling $34.6 million.

King City Plaza

ROIC has a binding contract to acquire King City Plaza for $15.6 million.  The shopping center is approximately 63,000 square feet and is anchored by Grocery Outlet Supermarket and McCann’s Pharmacy.  The property is located in King City, Oregon, within the Portland metropolitan area, and is currently 100% leased.

Stadium Center

ROIC has a binding contract to acquire Stadium Center for $19.0 million.  The shopping center is approximately 49,000 square feet and is anchored by Thriftway Supermarket.  The property is located in Tacoma, Washington, within the Seattle metropolitan area, and is currently 100% leased.

PROPERTY OPERATIONS SUMMARY

At December 31, 2017, ROIC’s portfolio was 97.5% leased.  For the full year 2017, same-center net operating income (NOI) was $154.7 million, as compared to $150.1 million in same-center NOI for the full year 2016, representing a 3.1% increase.  For the fourth quarter of 2017, same-center NOI was $43.2 million, as compared to $41.9 million in same-center NOI for the fourth quarter of 2016, representing a 2.9% increase.  ROIC reports same-center NOI on a cash basis.  A reconciliation of GAAP operating income to same-center NOI is provided at the end of this press release.

For the full year 2017, ROIC executed 420 leases, totaling approximately 1.4 million square feet, including 155 new leases, totaling 397,215 square feet, achieving a 26.6% increase in same-space comparative base rent, and 265 renewed leases, totaling 957,706 square feet, achieving a 9.6% increase in base rent.  During the fourth quarter of 2017, ROIC executed 102 leases, totaling 393,206 square feet, including 38 new leases, totaling 95,806 square feet, achieving a 14.1% increase in same-space comparative base rent, and 64 renewed leases, totaling 297,400 square feet, achieving a 9.0% increase in base rent.   ROIC reports same-space comparative base rent on a cash basis.

CAPITAL MARKETS SUMMARY

During the fourth quarter of 2017, in connection with acquiring two shopping centers, ROIC issued approximately 2.6 million shares of common stock based on a value of $21.25 per share, equating to $54.9 million.  Furthermore, during the fourth quarter of 2017, ROIC sold, through a private placement, $250 million of senior unsecured notes due 2027.  Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2017, and year-to-date in 2018, ROIC has issued approximately 109,000 shares of common stock through its ATM program, raising approximately $2.2 million in net proceeds.

CASH DIVIDEND

On December 28, 2017, ROIC distributed an $0.1875 per share cash dividend.  For the year 2017, ROIC distributed cash dividends totaling $0.75 per share, representing a 4.2% increase over dividends paid during 2016.  On February 20, 2018, ROIC’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.1950 per share, payable on March 29, 2018 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2018. The $0.1950 per share dividend represents a 4.0% increase as compared to ROIC’s previous dividend.

2018 FFO GUIDANCE

ROIC currently estimates that FFO for the full year 2018 will be within the range of $1.16 to $1.20 per diluted share, and net income to be within the range of $0.39 to $0.41 per diluted share.  The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO.

 Year Ended December 31, 2018
 Low End High End
GAAP net income applicable to stockholders$48,425  $51,489 
Plus: Depreciation and amortization96,256  98,181 
Funds From Operations (FFO) applicable to common stockholders$144,681  $149,670 
    
Diluted Shares124,725  124,725 
    
Earnings per share (diluted)$0.39  $0.41 
FFO per share (diluted)$1.16  $1.20 

ROIC’s estimates are based on numerous underlying assumptions.  ROIC’s management will discuss the company’s guidance and underlying assumptions on its February 22, 2018 conference call.  ROIC’s guidance is a forward-looking statement and is subject to risks and other factors described elsewhere in this press release.

CONFERENCE CALL

ROIC will conduct a conference call and audio webcast to discuss its results on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.  Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial (877) 312-8783 (domestic), or (408) 940-3874 (international) at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. When prompted, provide the Conference ID: 3558668. A live webcast will also be available in listen-only mode at http://www.roireit.net/.  The conference call will be recorded and available for replay beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 22, 2018 and will be available until 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 1, 2018. To access the conference call recording, dial (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and use the Conference ID: 3558668. The conference call will also be archived on http://www.roireit.net/ for approximately 90 days.

ABOUT RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ:ROIC), is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, ownership and management of grocery-anchored shopping centers located in densely-populated, metropolitan markets across the West Coast.  As of December 31, 2017, ROIC owned 91 shopping centers encompassing approximately 10.5 million square feet.  ROIC is the largest publicly-traded, grocery-anchored shopping center REIT focused exclusively on the West Coast.  ROIC is a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and has investment-grade corporate debt ratings from Moody's Investor Services and Standard & Poor's.  Additional information is available at: www.roireit.net.

When used herein, the words "believes," "anticipates," "projects," "should," "estimates," "expects," “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21F of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results of ROIC to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.   Information regarding such risks and factors is described in ROIC's filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available at: www.roireit.net.


RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
 
 December 31,
 2017 2016
ASSETS   
Real Estate Investments:   
Land$878,797  $766,199 
Building and improvements2,230,600  1,920,819 
 3,109,397  2,687,018 
Less: accumulated depreciation260,115  193,021 
Real Estate Investments, net2,849,282  2,493,997 
Cash and cash equivalents11,553  13,125 
Restricted cash5,412  125 
Tenant and other receivables, net43,257  35,820 
Deposits500   
Acquired lease intangible assets, net82,778  79,205 
Prepaid expenses2,853  3,317 
Deferred charges, net37,167  34,753 
Other6,396  2,627 
Total assets$3,039,198  $2,662,969 
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
Liabilities:   
Term loan$298,816  $299,191 
Credit facility140,329  95,654 
Senior Notes Due 2027248,751   
Senior Notes Due 2026199,752  199,727 
Senior Notes Due 2024245,887  245,354 
Senior Notes Due 2023245,696  245,051 
Mortgage notes payable107,915  71,303 
Acquired lease intangible liabilities, net178,984  154,958 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses18,638  18,294 
Tenants’ security deposits6,771  5,950 
Other liabilities18,018  11,922 
Total liabilities1,709,557  1,347,404 
    
Commitments and contingencies   
    
Equity:   
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding   
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 112,347,451 and 109,301,762 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively11  11 
Additional paid-in capital1,412,590  1,357,910 
Dividends in excess of earnings(210,490) (165,951)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss1,856  (3,729)
Total Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. stockholders’ equity1,203,967  1,188,241 
Non-controlling interests125,674  127,324 
Total equity1,329,641  1,315,565 
Total liabilities and equity$3,039,198  $2,662,969 
    


 
RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues       
Base rents$55,686  $48,401  $210,564  $183,330 
Recoveries from tenants15,718  13,812  58,818  51,454 
Other income1,350  857  3,878  2,405 
Total revenues72,754  63,070  273,260  237,189 
        
Operating expenses       
Property operating10,521  8,440  39,151  32,201 
Property taxes7,862  6,756  29,663  25,058 
Depreciation and amortization24,926  22,503  96,256  88,359 
General and administrative expenses3,312  3,065  14,103  13,120 
Acquisition transaction costs  211  4  824 
Other expense103  95  418  456 
Total operating expenses46,724  41,070  179,595  160,018 
        
Operating income26,030  22,000  93,665  77,171 
Non-operating expenses       
Interest expense and other finance expenses(13,917) (11,348) (50,977) (40,741)
Net income12,113  10,652  42,688  36,430 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests(1,264) (1,031) (4,211) (3,676)
Net Income Attributable to Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.$10,849  $9,621  $38,477  $32,754 
        
Earnings per share – basic and diluted$0.10  $0.09  $0.35  $0.31 
        
Dividends per common share$0.1875  $0.1800  $0.7500  $0.7200 
        


 
CALCULATION OF FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
    
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income attributable to ROIC$10,849  $9,621  $38,477  $32,754 
Plus: Depreciation and amortization24,926  22,503  96,256  88,359 
Funds from operations – basic35,775  32,124  134,733  121,113 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests1,264  1,031  4,211  3,676 
Funds from operations – diluted$37,039  $33,155  $138,944  $124,789 
        


 
SAME-CENTER CASH NET OPERATING INCOME ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except number of shopping centers and percentages)
 
  Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 $ Change % Change 2017 2016 $ Change % Change
Number of shopping centers included in same-center analysis78  78      72  72     
Same-center occupancy97.5% 97.6%   (0.1)% 97.7% 97.4%   0.3%
                 
Revenues:               
 Base rents$43,457  $42,119  $1,338  3.2% $158,816  $153,157  $5,659  3.7%
 Percentage rent1,024  1,019  5  0.5% 1,265  1,423  (158) (11.1)%
 Recoveries from tenants13,844  13,528  316  2.3% 50,146  48,013  2,133  4.4%
 Other property income1,279  651  628  96.5% 3,670  2,037  1,633  80.2%
Total Revenues59,604  57,317  2,287  4.0% 213,897  204,630  9,267  4.5%
Operating Expenses               
 Property operating expenses$9,298  $8,668  $630  7.3% $33,563  $30,891  $2,672  8.6%
 Bad debt expense436  142  294  207.0% 1,542  1,089  453  41.6%
 Property taxes6,703  6,558  145  2.2% 24,087  22,527  1,560  6.9%
Total Operating Expenses16,437  15,368  1,069  7.0% 59,192  54,507  4,685  8.6%
Same-Center Cash Net Operating Income$43,167  $41,949  $1,218  2.9% $154,705  $150,123  $4,582  3.1%
                 


 
SAME-CENTER CASH NET OPERATING INCOME RECONCILIATION
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
GAAP operating income$26,030  $22,000  $93,665  $77,171 
Depreciation and amortization24,926  22,503  96,256  88,359 
General and administrative expenses3,312  3,065  14,103  13,120 
Acquisition transaction costs  211  4  824 
Other expense103  95  418  456 
Property revenues and other expenses (1)(5,500) (4,117) (22,404) (17,636)
Total Company cash NOI48,871  43,757  182,042  162,294 
Non same-center cash NOI(5,704) (1,808) (27,337) (12,171)
Same-center cash NOI$43,167  $41,949  $154,705  $150,123 
        

_____________________

(1)     Includes straight-line rents, amortization of above and below-market lease intangibles, anchor lease termination fees, net of contractual amounts, and expense and recovery adjustments related to prior periods.


NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES

Funds from operations (“FFO”), is a widely recognized non-GAAP financial measure for REITs that the Company believes when considered with financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, provides additional and useful means to assess its financial performance.  FFO is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate the performance of REITs, most of which present FFO along with net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP.  The Company computes FFO in accordance with the “White Paper” on FFO published by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which defines FFO as net income attributable to common stockholders (determined in accordance with GAAP) excluding gains or losses from debt restructuring, sales of depreciable property and impairments, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for partnerships and unconsolidated joint ventures.

The Company uses cash net operating income (“NOI”) internally to evaluate and compare the operating performance of the Company’s properties.  The Company believes cash NOI provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, and when compared across periods, can be used to determine trends in earnings of the Company’s properties as this measure is not affected by the non-cash revenue and expense recognition items, the cost of the Company’s funding, the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses from the acquisition and sale of operating real estate assets, general and administrative expenses or other gains and losses that relate to the Company’s ownership of properties.  The Company believes the exclusion of these items from operating income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred in operating the Company’s properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs.  Cash NOI is a measure of the operating performance of the Company’s properties but does not measure the Company’s performance as a whole and is therefore not a substitute for net income or operating income as computed in accordance with GAAP.  The Company defines cash NOI as operating revenues (base rent and recoveries from tenants), less property and related expenses (property operating expenses and property taxes), adjusted for non-cash revenue and operating expense items such as straight-line rent and amortization of lease intangibles, debt-related expenses and other adjustments.  Cash NOI also excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, acquisition transaction costs, other expense, interest expense, gains and losses from property acquisitions and dispositions, extraordinary items, tenant improvements and leasing commissions.  Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating cash NOI, and accordingly, the Company’s cash NOI may not be comparable to other REITs.

Contact:
Ashley Rubino, Investor Relations
858-255-4913
arubino@roireit.net