Retail Value Inc. Reports First Quarter 2021 Operating Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Retail Value Inc. (NYSE: RVI) reported positive operating results for Q1 2021, netting $3.2 million or $0.15 per share, a significant recovery from a $13.1 million loss in the same period last year. The rise in net income was attributed to lower impairment charges and debt costs, although it was partially offset by decreased rental income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating FFO stood at $18.6 million ($0.89/share), down from $20.3 million. Leased rates dropped slightly to 86.7% in the U.S. and 88.3% in Puerto Rico. The company sold properties for $38.9 million, using proceeds to reduce debt.

Positive

• Q1 2021 net income of $3.2 million compared to a loss of $13.1 million year-over-year.
• Reduced impairment charges and lower interest expenses contributed positively to earnings.
• Successful sale of properties for $38.9 million, allowing for debt repayment.

Negative

• Operating FFO declined to $18.6 million from $20.3 million year-over-year.
• Leased rates fell from 88.9% to 86.7% in the Continental U.S. and from 89.2% to 88.3% in Puerto Rico.
• Continued impact of COVID-19 on rental income and tenant operations.

Retail Value Inc. (NYSE: RVI) today announced operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Results for the Quarter and Recent Activity

• First quarter net income attributable to common shareholders was $3.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, as compared to net loss of $13.1 million, or $0.66 per share, in the year-ago period. The period-over-period increase in net income is primarily attributable to reduced impairment charges, interest expense and debt extinguishment costs partly offset by reduced rental income stemming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and asset sales.
• First quarter operating funds from operations attributable to common shareholders (“Operating FFO” or “OFFO”) was $18.6 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to $20.3 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the year-ago period. The period-over-period decrease in OFFO is primarily attributable to the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic and asset sales partly offset by lower interest expense.
• The Continental U.S. leased rate was 86.7% at March 31, 2021 as compared to 88.9% at December 31, 2020. The decrease in the leased rate primarily related to the expiration and termination of two dark anchor tenant leases in the first quarter of 2021.
• The Puerto Rico leased rate was 88.3% at March 31, 2021 as compared to 89.2% at December 31, 2020 primarily due to the legal resolution and termination of dark non-paying tenants.
• Exercised its first extension option under its mortgage loan agreement in which the loan’s maturity was extended to March 9, 2022. In addition, extended the revolving credit facility maturity date to February 9, 2022.
• In April 2021, sold four properties (Marketplace of Brown Deer, Noble Town Center, Plaza Vega Baja and Uptown Solon) for a gross sales price of $38.9 million. In April 2021, net proceeds from the sale of Marketplace of Brown Deer along with unrestricted cash on hand aggregating $23.6 million were used to repay the mortgage loan. The majority of the net proceeds from the other three asset sales are expected to repay $24.9 million of the mortgage loan in May 2021.

Key Quarterly Operating Results
The following metrics are as of March 31, 2021:

		Continental U.S.		Puerto Rico
Shopping Center Count		11		11
Gross Leasable Area (thousands)		4,533		3,918
Base Rent PSF		$13.17		$19.60
Leased Rate		86.7%		88.3%
Commenced Rate		86.1%		87.6%
NOI-Quarter (millions)		$11.9		$13.4

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The impact to the portfolio as of April 23, 2021 is as follows:

		Continental U.S.		Puerto Rico
% of Tenants open and operating (average base rent)		100%		99%
% of Second quarter 2020 rent paid		87%		80%
% of Third quarter 2020 rent paid		92%		90%
% of Fourth quarter 2020 rent paid		96%		92%
% of First quarter 2021 rent paid		98%		94%

• For the total portfolio, 99% of tenants were open for business as of April 23, 2021 (based on average base rents). In Puerto Rico, while 99% of the Company’s tenants were open for business as of April 23, 2021, most remain subject to significant capacity and operating restrictions.
• The Company calculates the aggregate percentage of rents paid for assets owned as of March 31, 2021, by comparing the amount of tenant payments received as of the date presented to the amount billed to tenants during the period, which billed amount includes abated rents, rents subject to deferral arrangements and rents owing from bankrupt tenants that were in possession of the space and billed. For the purposes of reporting the percentage of aggregate base rents collected for a given period, when rents subject to deferral arrangements are later paid, those payments are allocated to the period in which the rent was originally owed.
• As of April 23, 2021, agreed upon rent deferral arrangements that remain unpaid represented approximately 5% of second quarter 2020 rents, 4% of third quarter 2020 rents and 3% of fourth quarter 2020 rents. There were no rent deferral arrangements that remain unpaid with respect to first quarter 2021 rents. The Company granted abatements to tenants representing approximately 6% of second quarter 2020 rents and 1% of third quarter 2020 rents. There were no significant abatements of fourth quarter 2020 rents or first quarter 2021 rents.
• At March 31, 2021, the balance sheet reflects $2.1 million of net deferred rents, a majority of which is expected to be repaid in 2021.
• During the first quarter of 2021, the Company’s rental revenue and NOI benefited from $1.7 million of payments related to 2020 rental income received from cash-basis tenants.

Property Net Operating Income (NOI) Projection
The Company has updated its projection of 2021 NOI. The Company projects, based on the assumptions below, 2021 property level net operating income (NOI) to be as follows:

Portfolio			NOI Projection
Continental U.S.			$35 – $40 million
Puerto Rico			$48 – $54 million

These Projections:

• Exclude all properties sold to date and assume all properties owned by the Company on May 4, 2021 are held through year end;
• Reflect payment of property management fees;
• Assume tenant collections at 100% for second quarter of 2021 through fourth quarter of 2021 (as compared to first quarter 2021 rent collections of 98% and 94% for the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico portfolios, respectively) and
• Assume no reserve reversals related to 2020 rents for the second quarter of 2021 through fourth quarter of 2021.

Because these projections are based on assumptions that are subject to change, including, without limitation, the Company’s actual tenant collections, they should not be viewed as guidance.

About RVI
RVI is an independent publicly traded company trading under the ticker symbol “RVI” on the New York Stock Exchange. RVI holds assets in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico and is managed by one or more subsidiaries of SITE Centers Corp. RVI focuses on realizing value in its business through operations and sales of its assets. Additional information about RVI is available at www.retailvalueinc.com.

Non-GAAP Measures
Funds from Operations (“FFO”) is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used as a standard in the real estate industry and is a widely accepted measure of real estate investment trust (“REIT”) performance. Management believes that both FFO and Operating FFO provide additional indicators of the financial performance of a REIT. The Company also believes that FFO and Operating FFO more appropriately measure the core operations of the Company and provide benchmarks to its peer group.

FFO is generally defined and calculated by the Company as net income (loss) (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”)) adjusted to exclude (i) gains and losses from disposition of real estate property and related investments, which are presented net of taxes, if any, (ii) impairment charges on real estate property and related investments and (iii) certain non-cash items. These non-cash items principally include real property depreciation and amortization of intangibles. The Company’s calculation of FFO is consistent with the definition of FFO provided by NAREIT. The Company calculates Operating FFO by excluding certain non-operating charges and income. Operating FFO is useful to investors as the Company removes non-comparable charges and income to analyze the results of its operations and assess performance of the core operating real estate portfolio. Other real estate companies may calculate FFO and Operating FFO in a different manner.

The Company also uses net operating income (“NOI”), a non-GAAP financial measure, as a supplemental performance measure. NOI is calculated as property revenues less property-related expenses. The Company believes 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, reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs and acquisition and disposition activity on an unleveraged basis.

FFO, Operating FFO and NOI do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered as alternatives to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as indicators of the Company’s operating performance or as alternatives to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in this release herein. Reconciliation of 2021 projected NOI to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is not provided because the Company is unable to provide such reconciliation without unreasonable effort.

Safe Harbor
RVI considers portions of the information in this press release to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, with respect to the Company's expectation for future periods. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, among other factors, the Company’s actual property NOI for 2021, which could differ materially from the NOI projections included in this press release; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s ability to manage its properties and finance its operations and on tenants’ ability to operate their businesses, generate sales and meet their financial obligations, including the obligation to pay ongoing and deferred rents; our ability to sell assets on commercially reasonable terms; our ability to complete dispositions of assets under contract; property damage, expenses related thereto and other business and economic consequences (including the potential loss of rental revenues) resulting from extreme weather conditions and natural disasters in locations where we own properties, and the ability to estimate accurately the amounts thereof; sufficiency and timing of any insurance recovery payments related to damages from extreme weather conditions and natural disasters; local conditions such as an increase in the supply of, or a reduction in demand for, retail real estate in the area; the impact of e-commerce; dependence on rental income from real property; the loss of, significant downsizing of or bankruptcy of a major tenant and the impact of any such event on rental income from other tenants at our properties; our ability to secure equity or debt financing on commercially acceptable terms or at all; impairment charges; our ability to enter into definitive agreements with regard to our financing arrangements and our ability to satisfy conditions to the completion or extension of these arrangements; changes with respect to the Puerto Rican economy and government; the ability to secure and maintain management services provided to us, including pursuant to our external management agreement with one or more subsidiaries of SITE Centers; and our ability to maintain our REIT status. For additional factors that could cause the results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s most recent report on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may also exacerbate the risks described therein, any of which could have a material effect on the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

Retail Value Inc. Income Statement
	in thousands, except per share
		1Q21		1Q21		Total		Total
		Continental U.S.		Puerto Rico		1Q21		1Q20
	Revenues:
	Rental income (1)	$18,153		$23,269		$41,422		$50,330
	Other property revenues	17		20		37		39
		18,170		23,289		41,459		50,369
	Expenses:
	Operating and maintenance (2)	3,085		8,787		11,872		13,614
	Real estate taxes	3,134		1,132		4,266		5,719
		6,219		9,919		16,138		19,333
	Net operating income (3)	11,951		13,370		25,321		31,036
	Other income (expense):
	Asset management fees					(1,770)		(2,324)
	Interest expense, net					(3,991)		(7,292)
	Depreciation and amortization					(13,358)		(16,470)
	General and administrative					(865)		(1,077)
	Impairment charges					(2,010)		(15,910)
	Debt extinguishment costs, net					(130)		(3,965)
	Other income, net					0		334
	Gain on disposition of real estate, net (4)					121		2,674
	Income (loss) before other items					3,318		(12,994)
	Tax expense					(109)		(73)
	Net income (loss)					$3,209		($13,067)
	Weighted average shares – Basic & Diluted – EPS					20,916		19,749
	Earnings (loss) per common share – Basic & Diluted					$0.15		($0.66)
(1)	Revenue items:
	Minimum rents	11,567		13,329		24,896		31,391
	Ground lease minimum rents	839		1,804		2,643		3,206
	Recoveries	4,461		5,834		10,295		12,896
	Uncollectible revenue	992		(754)		238		(858)
	Percentage and overage rent	18		1,439		1,457		1,017
	Ancillary and other rental income	191		1,617		1,808		2,178
	Lease termination fees	85		0		85		500
(2)	Operating expenses:
	Property management fees	(701)		(1,564)		(2,265)		(2,552)
(3)	NOI from assets sold	23		(50)		(27)		1,680
(4)	SITE Centers disposition fees					0		(1,556)

Retail Value Inc. Reconciliation: Net Loss to FFO and Operating FFO and Other Financial Information
	in thousands, except per share
		1Q21		1Q20
	Net income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders	$3,209		($13,067)
	Depreciation and amortization of real estate	13,341		16,453
	Impairment of real estate	2,010		15,910
	Gain on disposition of real estate, net	(121)		(2,674)
	FFO attributable to Common Shareholders	$18,439		$16,622
	Debt extinguishment, transaction, other, net	130		3,631
	Total non-operating items, net	130		3,631
	Operating FFO attributable to Common Shareholders	$18,569		$20,253
	Weighted average shares and units – Basic & Diluted – FFO & OFFO	20,916		19,749
	FFO per share – Basic & Diluted	$0.88		$0.84
	Operating FFO per share – Basic & Diluted	$0.89		$1.03
	Common stock dividends declared, per share	N/A		N/A
	Certain non-cash items:
	Straight-line rent	(565)		(1,108)
	Straight-line fixed CAM	70		101
	Loan cost amortization	(781)		(1,020)
	Non-real estate depreciation expense	(17)		(17)
	Capital expenditures:
	Maintenance capital expenditures	328		18
	Tenant allowances and landlord work	608		591
	Leasing commissions - SITE Centers	778		1,231
	Leasing commissions - external	133		87
	Hurricane restorations	1,848		3,474

Retail Value Inc. Balance Sheet
	$ in thousands
		At Period End
		1Q21		4Q20
	Assets:
	Land	$397,024		$397,699
	Buildings	1,030,973		1,031,886
	Fixtures and tenant improvements	131,780		134,335
		1,559,777		1,563,920
	Depreciation	(602,879)		(593,691)
		956,898		970,229
	Construction in progress and land	1,887		1,515
	Real estate, net	958,785		971,744
	Cash	72,741		56,849
	Restricted cash (1)	63,557		115,939
	Receivables and straight-line (2)	22,053		25,302
	Intangible assets, net (3)	8,529		9,452
	Other assets, net (4)	14,659		16,590
	Total Assets	1,140,324		1,195,876
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Secured debt (5)	294,069		344,485
	Dividends payable	0		23,002
	Other liabilities (6)	34,239		38,603
	Total Liabilities	328,308		406,090
	Redeemable preferred equity	190,000		190,000
	Common shares	2,108		1,983
	Paid-in capital	740,130		721,234
	Distributions in excess of net income	(120,219)		(123,428)
	Common shares in treasury at cost	(3)		(3)
	Total Equity	622,016		599,786
	Total Liabilities and Equity	$1,140,324		$1,195,876
(1)	Asset sale proceeds	0		51,168
	Hurricane related escrows	37,169		38,469
	Other lender required escrows	26,388		26,302
(2)	SL rents (including fixed CAM), net	13,189		13,683
(3)	Operating lease right of use asset	1,456		1,509
(4)	Note receivable	3,000		3,000
(5)	Unamortized loan costs	(8,965)		(9,718)
(6)	Operating lease liabilities	2,540		2,602
	Below-market leases, net	13,529		13,829

www.retailvalueinc.com

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FAQ

What were Retail Value Inc.'s Q1 2021 earnings results?

Retail Value Inc. reported a net income of $3.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share for Q1 2021.

How much did Retail Value Inc. sell properties for in April 2021?

In April 2021, Retail Value Inc. sold properties for a gross sales price of $38.9 million.

What is the current leased rate for Retail Value Inc. as of March 31, 2021?

As of March 31, 2021, Retail Value Inc.'s leased rate was 86.7% in the Continental U.S. and 88.3% in Puerto Rico.

How did COVID-19 impact Retail Value Inc.'s financial results?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced rental income and a slight decline in leased rates for Retail Value Inc.

What is the forecast for Retail Value Inc.'s net operating income in 2021?

Retail Value Inc. projects its 2021 net operating income to be between $35 million and $40 million for the Continental U.S. and $48 million to $54 million for Puerto Rico.