Saul Centers, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2023 Earnings

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE: BFS), an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT"), announced operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 ("2023 Quarter").  Total revenue for the 2023 Quarter increased to $63.7 million from $60.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 ("2022 Quarter").  Net income increased to $17.2 million for the 2023 Quarter from $17.0 million for the 2022 Quarter primarily due to (a) higher commercial base rent of $1.3 million, (b) higher residential base rent of $0.8 million and (c) higher lease termination fees of $0.5 million, partially offset by (d) higher interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs of $1.8 million and (e) lower recovery income, net of expenses of $0.7 million.  Net income available to common stockholders increased to $10.4 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, for the 2023 Quarter from $10.2 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, for the 2022 Quarter.

Same property revenue increased $3.4 million, or 5.7%, and same property operating income increased $1.8 million, or 3.9%, for the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter. Same property revenue and same property operating income are non-GAAP financial measures of performance and improve the comparability of these measures by excluding the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods. We define same property revenue as total revenue minus the revenue of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  We define same property operating income as net income plus (a) interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs, (b) depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs, (c) general and administrative expenses, (d) change in fair value of derivatives, and (e) loss on early extinguishment of debt minus (f) gains on sale of property and (g) the results of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods.  No properties were excluded from same property results. Shopping Center same property operating income for the 2023 Quarter totaled $34.5 million, a $0.7 million increase from the 2022 Quarter.  Shopping Center same property operating income increased primarily due to (a) higher base rent of $1.3 million, partially offset by (b) lower expense recoveries, net of expenses of $0.4 million and (c) lower percentage rent of $0.3 million.  Mixed-Use same property operating income totaled $12.7 million, a $1.1 million increase from the 2022 Quarter. Mixed-Use same property operating income increased primarily due to (a) higher residential base rent of $0.8 million and (b) higher lease termination fees of $0.5 million. Reconciliations of (a) total revenue to same property revenue and (b) net income to same property operating income are attached to this press release.

Funds from operations ("FFO") available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests (after deducting preferred stock dividends) decreased to $26.5 million, or $0.79 and $0.78 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in the 2023 Quarter compared to $26.6 million, or $0.80 and $0.78 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in the 2022 Quarter.  FFO is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure that the Company considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance.  A reconciliation of net income to FFO is attached to this press release.  The decrease in FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests was primarily the result of (a) higher interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs of $1.8 million, (b) lower recovery income, net of expenses of $0.7 million, (c) lower percentage rent of $0.1 million and (d) higher credit losses on operating lease receivables and corresponding reserves, net (collectively, $0.1 million), partially offset by (e) higher commercial base rent of $1.3 million, (f) higher residential base rent of $0.8 million and (g) higher lease termination fees of $0.5 million.

As of June 30, 2023, 94.0% of the commercial portfolio was leased, compared to 92.6% as of June 30, 2022.  As of June 30, 2023, the residential portfolio was 99.2% leased compared to 98.1% as of June 30, 2022.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023 ("2023 Period"), total revenue increased to $126.8 million from $122.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 ("2022 Period").  Net income increased to $34.9 million for the 2023 Period from $34.5 million for the 2022 Period.  The increase in net income was primarily due to (a) higher commercial base rent of $2.0 million, (b) higher residential base rent of $1.8 million and (c) lower depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs of $0.6 million, partially offset by (d) higher interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs of $3.0 million and (e) lower recovery income, net of expenses of $0.9 million. Net income available to common stockholders increased to $21.1 million, or $0.88 per basic and diluted share, for the 2023 Period compared to $20.8 million, or $0.87 per basic and diluted share, for the 2022 Period.

No properties were excluded from same property results. Same property revenue increased $4.3 million, or 3.5%, and same property operating income increased $3.3 million, or 3.7% for the 2023 Period, compared to the 2022 Period.  Shopping Center same property operating income increased $1.6 million, or 2.4%, primarily due to (a) higher base rent of $2.0 million, partially offset by (b) lower lease termination fees of $0.3 million. Mixed-Use same property operating income increased $1.7 million, or 7.6%, primarily due to (a) higher residential base rent of $1.8 million and (b) higher lease termination fees of $0.5 million, partially offset by (c) lower recovery income, net of expenses of $0.7 million.

FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests, after deducting preferred stock dividends decreased to $53.4 million, or $1.60 and $1.57 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in the 2023 Period from $53.6 million, or $1.61 and $1.58 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in the 2022 Period.  FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests decreased primarily due to (a) higher interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs of $3.0 million, (b) lower recovery income, net of expenses of $0.9 million and (c) higher general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million, partially offset by (d) higher commercial base rent of $2.0 million, (e) higher residential base rent of $1.8 million and (f) higher lease termination fees of $0.2 million.

As of July 31, 2023, the Company had collected 99.1% of contractual base rent and operating expense and real estate tax recoveries due during the 2023 Quarter.  For additional discussion of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Company's business, please see Part 1, Item 2 (Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.              

Although we are and will continue to be actively engaged in rent collection efforts related to uncollected rent, and we continue to work with certain tenants who have requested rent deferrals, we can provide no assurance that such efforts or our efforts in future periods will be successful.  As of June 30, 2023, of the $9.4 million of rents previously deferred, $8.8 million has come due and $0.3 million has been written off. Of the amounts that have come due, $8.5 million, or approximately 96%, has been paid as of July 31, 2023.            

Saul Centers, Inc. is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, which currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio of 61 properties, which includes (a) 50 community and neighborhood shopping centers and seven mixed-use properties with approximately 9.8 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four non-operating land and development properties. Over 85% of the Saul Centers' property operating income is generated by properties in the metropolitan Washington, D.C./Baltimore area.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain matters discussed within this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in our Annual Report on (i) Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and (ii) our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and include the following: (i) general adverse economic and local real estate conditions, (ii) the inability of major tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or a general downturn in their business, (iii) financing risks, such as the inability to obtain equity, debt or other sources of financing or refinancing on favorable terms to the Company, (iv) the Company's ability to raise capital by selling its assets, (v) changes in governmental laws and regulations and management's ability to estimate the impact of such changes, (vi) the level and volatility of interest rates and management's ability to estimate the impact thereof, (vii) the availability of suitable acquisition, disposition, development and redevelopment opportunities, and risks related to acquisitions not performing in accordance with our expectations, (viii) increases in operating costs, (ix) changes in the dividend policy for the Company's common and preferred stock and the Company's ability to pay dividends at current levels, (x) the reduction in the Company's income in the event of multiple lease terminations by tenants or a failure by multiple tenants to occupy their premises in a shopping center, (xi) impairment charges, (xii) unanticipated changes in the Company's intention or ability to prepay certain debt prior to maturity and (xiii) an epidemic or pandemic (such as the outbreak and worldwide spread of COVID-19), and the measures that international, federal, state and local governments, agencies, law enforcement and/or health authorities implement to address it, which may (as with COVID-19) precipitate or exacerbate one or more of the above-mentioned and/or other risks, and significantly disrupt or prevent us from operating our business in the ordinary course for an extended period.  Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements that we make, including those in this press release.  Except as may be required by law, we make no promise to update any of the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  You should carefully review the risks and risk factors included in (i) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and (ii) our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

 

Saul Centers, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	June 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
Assets
Real estate investments
Land	$         511,529		$         511,529
Buildings and equipment	1,590,762		1,576,924
Construction in progress	410,966		319,683
	2,513,257		2,408,136
Accumulated depreciation	(708,770)		(688,475)
	1,804,487		1,719,661
Cash and cash equivalents	11,473		13,279
Accounts receivable and accrued income, net	51,949		56,323
Deferred leasing costs, net	22,799		22,388
Other assets	15,986		21,651
Total assets	$      1,906,694		$      1,833,302
Liabilities
Notes payable, net	$         951,505		$         961,577
Revolving credit facility payable, net	217,328		161,941
Term loan facility payable, net	99,456		99,382
Construction loan payable, net	25,841		—
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,211		42,978
Deferred income	21,836		23,169
Dividends and distributions payable	22,473		22,453
Total liabilities	1,392,650		1,311,500
Equity
Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized:
Series D Cumulative Redeemable, 30,000 shares issued and outstanding	75,000		75,000
Series E Cumulative Redeemable, 44,000 shares issued and outstanding	110,000		110,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 24,048,626 and 24,016,009 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	240		240
Additional paid-in capital	448,231		446,301
Partnership units in escrow	39,650		39,650
Distributions in excess of accumulated net income	(280,850)		(273,559)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,131		2,852
Total Saul Centers, Inc. equity	395,402		400,484
Noncontrolling interests	118,642		121,318
Total equity	514,044		521,802
Total liabilities and equity	$      1,906,694		$      1,833,302

 

Saul Centers, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Revenue	(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Rental revenue	$             62,002		$             59,134		$       123,830		$           119,814
Other	1,707		1,159		2,928		2,623
Total revenue	63,709		60,293		126,758		122,437
Expenses
Property operating expenses	8,997		7,641		17,783		17,179
Real estate taxes	7,453		7,156		14,948		14,574
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs	12,278		10,457		24,099		21,059
Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs	12,114		12,377		24,130		24,704
General and administrative	5,678		5,665		10,946		10,433
Total expenses	46,520		43,296		91,906		87,949
Net Income	17,189		16,997		34,852		34,488
Noncontrolling interests
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,027)		(3,981)		(8,188)		(8,107)
Net income attributable to Saul Centers, Inc.	13,162		13,016		26,664		26,381
Preferred stock dividends	(2,799)		(2,799)		(5,597)		(5,597)
Net income available to common stockholders	$             10,363		$             10,217		$         21,067		$             20,784
Per share net income available to common stockholders
Basic and diluted	$                  0.43		$                  0.43		$              0.88		$                  0.87

 

Reconciliation of net income to FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests (1)
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Net income	$              17,189		$              16,997		$             34,852		$             34,488
Add:
Real estate depreciation and amortization	12,114		12,377		24,130		24,704
FFO	29,303		29,374		58,982		59,192
Subtract:
Preferred stock dividends	(2,799)		(2,799)		(5,597)		(5,597)
FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests	$              26,504		$              26,575		$             53,385		$             53,595
Weighted average shares and units:
Basic	33,340		33,256		33,332		33,210
Diluted (2)	34,049		33,981		34,040		33,933
Basic FFO per share available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests	$                  0.79		$                  0.80		$                 1.60		$                 1.61
Diluted FFO per share available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests	$                  0.78		$                  0.78		$                 1.57		$                 1.58

(1)	The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("Nareit") developed FFO as a relative non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT in order to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined under GAAP. FFO is defined by NAREIT as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and excluding impairment charges on real estate assets and gains or losses from real estate dispositions. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, which is disclosed in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the applicable periods. There are no material legal or functional restrictions on the use of FFO. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Management considers FFO a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it primarily excludes the assumption that the value of the real estate assets diminishes predictably over time (i.e. depreciation), which is contrary to what the Company believes occurs with its assets, and because industry analysts have accepted it as a performance measure. FFO may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other REITs.
(2)	Beginning March 5, 2021, fully diluted shares and units includes 1,416,071 limited partnership units that were held in escrow related to the contribution of Twinbrook Quarter. Half of the units held in escrow were released on October 18, 2021. The remaining units held in escrow are scheduled to be released on October 18, 2023.

 

Reconciliation of revenue to same property revenue (3)
(in thousands)		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023		2022		2023		2022
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Total revenue		$              63,709		$              60,293		$           126,758		$           122,437
Less: Acquisitions, dispositions and development properties		—		—		—		—
Total same property revenue		$              63,709		$              60,293		$           126,758		$           122,437
Shopping Centers		$              43,974		$              42,038		$             88,199		$             86,137
Mixed-Use properties		19,735		18,255		38,559		36,300
Total same property revenue		$              63,709		$              60,293		$           126,758		$           122,437
Total Shopping Center revenue		$              43,974		$              42,038		$             88,199		$             86,137
Less: Shopping Center acquisitions, dispositions and development properties		—		—		—		—
Total same Shopping Center revenue		$              43,974		$              42,038		$             88,199		$             86,137
Total Mixed-Use property revenue		$              19,735		$              18,255		$             38,559		$             36,300
Less: Mixed-Use acquisitions, dispositions and development properties		—		—		—		—
Total same Mixed-Use property revenue		$              19,735		$              18,255		$             38,559		$             36,300

(3)

Same property revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance that management believes improves the comparability of reporting periods by excluding the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  Same property revenue adjusts property revenue by subtracting the revenue of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  Same property revenue is a measure of the operating performance of the Company's properties but does not measure the Company's performance as a whole.  Same property revenue should not be considered as an alternative to total revenue, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance.  Management considers same property revenue a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it is not affected by 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 ownership of the Company's properties.  Management believes the exclusion of these items from same property revenue is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred by operating the Company's properties.  Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating same property revenue.  Accordingly, the Company's same property revenue may not be comparable to those of other REITs.

 

Reconciliation of net income to same property operating income (4)
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2023		2022		2023		2022
	(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Net income	$              17,189		$              16,997		$             34,852		$             34,488
Add: Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs	12,278		10,457		24,099		21,059
Add: Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs	12,114		12,377		24,130		24,704
Add: General and administrative	5,678		5,665		10,946		10,433
Property operating income	47,259		45,496		94,027		90,684
Less: Acquisitions, dispositions and development properties	—		—		—		—
Total same property operating income	$              47,259		$              45,496		$             94,027		$             90,684
Shopping Centers	$              34,512		$              33,854		$             69,477		$             67,861
Mixed-Use properties	12,747		11,642		24,550		22,823
Total same property operating income	$              47,259		$              45,496		$             94,027		$             90,684
Shopping Center operating income	$              34,512		$              33,854		$             69,477		$             67,861
Less: Shopping Center acquisitions, dispositions and development properties	—		—		—		—
Total same Shopping Center operating income	$              34,512		$              33,854		$             69,477		$             67,861
Mixed-Use property operating income	$              12,747		$              11,642		$             24,550		$             22,823
Less: Mixed-Use acquisitions, dispositions and development properties	—		—		—		—
Total same Mixed-Use property operating income	$              12,747		$              11,642		$             24,550		$             22,823

(4)

Same property operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance that management believes improves the comparability of reporting periods by excluding the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.  Same property operating income adjusts property operating income by subtracting the results of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods.  Same property operating income is a measure of the operating performance of the Company's properties but does not measure the Company's performance as a whole.  Same property operating income should not be considered as an alternative to property operating income, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance.  Management considers same property operating income a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it is not affected by 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 ownership of the Company's properties.  Management believes the exclusion of these items from property operating income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred by operating the Company's properties. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating same property operating income. Accordingly, same property operating income may not be comparable to those of other REITs.

 

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SOURCE Saul Centers, Inc.