First Industrial Realty Trust Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results 
CHICAGO, IL (REIT Media) July 24, 2007 - First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FR), a leading provider of industrial real estate supply chain solutions, today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Diluted net income available to common stockholders per share (EPS) was $0.67, up 8% from $0.62 in second quarter 2006. Second quarter funds from operations (FFO) grew to $1.17 per share/unit on a diluted basis from $1.12 per share/unit a year ago.
"Given our strong results in the first half of the year, we now expect FFO per share to grow 10% in 2007 using the midpoint of our new guidance range," said Mike Brennan, president and CEO. "Growth has been broad based across First Industrial with higher net operating income from rising occupancy and rental rates, solid performance from our joint ventures, and more net economic gains from properties that we harvest."
Mr. Brennan added, "To fuel future growth, we purchased 1,100 acres of strategic land sites during the quarter, we expanded into Canada by opening new offices serving the Toronto and Calgary/Edmonton markets, and we are expanding into The Netherlands and Belgium, which we announced separately today. The common theme for all of these actions is our strategy to capitalize on growing customer demand for industrial space driven by rising international trade and containerized cargo volume, and the need for new supply chains to accommodate this growth."
Portfolio Performance for On Balance Sheet Properties
- 6.3% growth in same property net operating income (NOI) on a cash basis, up from 2.2% in second quarter 2006. Excluding lease termination fees, same property cash basis NOI increased 4.1%
- Occupancy rose to 94.6% from 92.2% in second quarter 2006
- 3.5% increase in rental rates
- Retained tenants in 72% of square footage up for renewal
Total net operating income grew 7% from second quarter 2006 driven by rising occupancy and rental rates. Rental rate growth was 3.5% from negative 0.5% in second quarter 2006. Leasing costs were $2.03 per square foot.
Investment Performance: Second Quarter 2007
2nd Quarter Six Months
2007 (in millions) 2007 (in millions)
Balance Sheet Investment/
Disposition Activity
Property Acquisitions $123.4 $273.0
Square Feet 2.4 million 5.8 million
Stabilized Weighted
Average Capitalization
Rate 8.1% 8.6%
Developments Placed
in Service $48.8 $58.2
Square Feet 1.0 million 1.1 million
Stabilized Weighted
Average Capitalization
Rate 9.3% 9.0%
Land Acquisitions $10.9 $39.1
Total Investments $183.1 $370.3
Property Sales $232.0 $449.7
Square Feet 4.1 million 8.1 million
Weighted Average
Capitalization Rate 7.3% 7.2%
Land Sales $0.0 $5.4
Total Dispositions $232.0 $455.1
Joint Venture Investment/Disposition
Activity
Investments
2005 Development/
Redevelopment -
Acquisitions $109.1 $162.7
2005 Development/
Redevelopment -
Placed in Service $22.9 $62.7
2006 Strategic Land and
Development $162.0 $201.1
Total Joint Venture
Investments $294.0 $426.5
Dispositions
2005 Development
/Redevelopment $73.9 $125.1
2005 Core $249.6 $324.6
1998 Core $0.0 $43.8
2003 Net Lease $0.0 $3.3
Total Joint Venture
Dispositions $323.5 $496.8
"We significantly expanded our land inventory during the quarter, adding nearly 1,100 acres to our balance sheet and joint ventures, including the largest land acquisition in our history -- a 537 acre parcel in West Palm Beach County for the development of up to 6.2 million square feet of distribution, light industrial, and R&D/flex space," said Johannson Yap, chief investment officer. "We are now targeting total land acquisitions and development starts of $1.1 billion for 2007, up from our initial target of $750 million."
Land and Development
Developable land now totals 3,465 acres including 2,924 acres in joint ventures and 541 acres on balance sheet. Total land positions can now accommodate approximately 59 million square feet of additional development. Developments in process include an estimated investment of $190 million in the joint ventures and $266 million on balance sheet.
Investment Pipeline and Third Quarter To-Date Investments
Third quarter to-date, $145 million of acquisitions have already been completed, which combined with developments currently and soon to be under construction of $885 million and acquisitions under contract or letter of intent of $698 million, total $1.7 billion. The breakdown is as follows:
(millions) Balance Joint
Sheet Ventures Total
Developments $342 $543 $885
Acquisitions $249 $594 $843
Total $591 $1,137 $1,728
In July, First Industrial formed a new $505 million Core Asset Program with UBS Wealth Management-North American Property Fund Limited (UBS-NAPF). This new program is the second with UBS-NAPF and provides another unique capital source to serve the growing industrial real estate needs of corporate customers.
The new program will target high-quality, core industrial properties throughout the United States for long-term hold. UBS-NAPF will be the sole capital provider for all investments. As manager of the program, First Industrial will receive various fees and performance-based incentives.
"Our joint ventures provide us with significant capacity for future growth -- as we purchase major land parcels for future development in strategic markets, acquire properties for repositioning, and purchase net lease properties," said Mike Havala, chief financial officer. "Given the favorable performance of our ventures, we have also increased the capital capacity of certain programs. Since December of last year, we have added more than $600 million to our first joint venture with the California State Teachers' Retirement System, and $505 million in a new program with UBS-NAPF for core acquisitions."
Supplemental Reporting Measure
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. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") has provided a recommendation on how real estate investment trusts (REITs) should define funds from operations ("FFO"). NAREIT suggests that FFO be defined as net income, excluding gains (or losses) from the sale of previously depreciated property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
NAREIT has also clarified that non-recurring charges and gains should be included in FFO.
Importantly, as part of its guidance concerning FFO, NAREIT has stated that the "management of each of its member companies has the responsibility and authority to publish financial information that it regards as useful to the financial community." As a result, modifications to the NAREIT calculation of FFO are common among REITs.
First Industrial calculates FFO to include all cash gains and losses on all industrial property sales whether depreciation is or is not accumulated under the GAAP accounting rules. The Company believes that FFO inclusive of all cash gains and losses is a better performance measure because it reflects all the activities of the Company and better reflects the Company's strategy, which includes investing in real estate; adding value through redevelopment, leasing and repositioning; and then selling the improved real estate in order to maximize investment returns. The Company provides additional disclosure on net economic gains in its quarterly supplemental.
Outlook for 2007
Mr. Brennan stated, "Demand for industrial space is strong in virtually all of our markets, and the outlook for the remainder of 2007 is positive given solid industry fundamentals."
Mr. Brennan added, "First Industrial's guidance range for 2007 FFO per share/unit is $4.45 to $4.65 and $2.25 to $2.45 for EPS. On balance sheet investment volume assumptions for 2007, which include both developments placed in service and acquisitions, range from $800 million to $900 million with a 7.5% to 8.5% average cap rate. On balance sheet sales volume in 2007 is assumed to be $900 million to $1 billion with a 6.5% to 7.5% average cap rate. Book gains from property sales/fees are estimated to be $185 million to $195 million. Our assumption for net economic gains for on balance sheet transactions in 2007 is between $125 million and $135 million.
Our estimate for First Industrial's FFO from joint ventures in 2007 is between $57 million and $62 million. Joint venture investment volume assumptions for 2007, which include both new developments and acquisitions, range from $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion. Joint venture sales volume in 2007 is assumed to be approximately $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion."
Mr. 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 2007. However, I believe that First Industrial has the proper strategy, infrastructure, and capabilities to deliver such results."
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR - News) provides industrial real estate solutions for every stage of a customer's supply chain, no matter how large or complex. Across more than 30 markets in the United States, Canada, The Netherlands and Belgium, our local market experts buy, (re)develop, lease, manage and sell industrial properties, including all of the major facility types -- R&D/flex, light industrial, manufacturing, and regional and bulk distribution centers. We continue to receive leading customer service scores from Kingsley Associates, an independent research firm, and in total, we own and manage more than 100 million square feet of industrial space. For more information, please visit us at www.firstindustrial.com.
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: national, international, regional and local economic conditions generally and real estate markets specifically, legislation/regulation (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, changes in general accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to real estate investment trusts, and risks related to doing business internationally (including foreign currency exchange risks). 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.
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. will host a quarterly conference call at 11:00 a.m. CDT, 12:00 p.m. EDT, on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. The call-in number is (888) 693-3477 and the passcode is "First Industrial." The conference call will also be webcast live on First Industrial's web site, www.firstindustrial.com, under the "Investor Relations" tab. The replay will also be available on the web site.
The Company's first quarter supplemental information can be viewed on First Industrial's website, 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 Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Statement of Operations and
Other Data:
Total Revenues $115,036 $90,064 $230,328 $176,282
Property Expenses (34,873) (29,171) (68,451) (59,715)
Build to Suit For Sale Costs (2,930) -- (6,131) (666)
Contractor Expenses (4,123) -- (8,959) --
General & Administrative
Expense (22,380) (18,236) (45,171) (35,872)
Depreciation of
Corporate F,F&E (491) (448) (962) (864)
Depreciation and
Amortization of Real
Estate (39,949) (34,365) (77,906) (65,707)
Total Expenses (104,746) (82,220) (207,580) (162,824)
Interest Income 225 260 485 899
Interest Expense (29,667) (29,744) (59,568) (59,232)
Amortization of Deferred
Financing Costs (824) (603) (1,644) (1,223)
Mark-to-Market/Loss on
Settlement of Interest
Rate Protection
Agreements(a) -- -- -- (170)
Loss from Early Retirement of
Debt (108) -- (254) --
Loss from Continuing
Operations Before
Equity in Net Income
of Joint Ventures, Income
Tax (Provision) Benefit
and Minority Interest
Allocable to Continuing
Operations (20,084) (22,243) (38,233) (46,268)
Equity in Net Income of
Joint Ventures (b) 11,626 7,307 17,257 7,273
Income Tax (Provision) Benefit (118) 983 1,607 6,951
Minority Interest Allocable
to Continuing Operations 2,039 2,373 4,182 5,489
Loss from Continuing
Operations (6,537) (11,580) (15,187) (26,555)
Income from Discontinued
Operations (Including Gain on
Sale of Real Estate of $59,429
and $51,999 for the Three Months
Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively and $114,799 and
$106,021 for the Six Months
Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively (c)) 61,325 57,281 119,747 115,248
Provision for Income Taxes
Allocable to Discontinued
Operations (Including a
provision allocable to Gain
on Sale of Real Estate of
$11,070 and $7,625 for the
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively and $21,203 and
$22,535 for the Six Months
Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively) (11,577) (8,321) (22,613) (23,596)
Minority Interest Allocable
to Discontinued
Operations (c) (6,238) (6,370) (12,239) (12,007)
Income Before Gain on Sale
of Real Estate 36,973 31,010 69,708 53,090
Gain on Sale of Real Estate 830 2,447 4,404 3,522
Provision for Income Taxes
Allocable to Gain on Sale of
Real Estate (327) (971) (1,095) (1,051)
Minority Interest Allocable to
Gain on Sale of Real Estate (63) (192) (417) (324)
Net Income 37,413 32,294 72,600 55,237
Preferred Dividends (5,671) (5,029) (11,606) (10,048)
Redemption of Preferred Stock (2,017) -- (2,017) (672)
Net Income Available to
Common Stockholders $29,725 $27,265 $58,977 $44,517
RECONCILIATION OF NET
INCOME AVAILABLE TO
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
TO FFO (d) AND FAD (d)
Net Income Available to
Common Stockholders $29,725 $27,265 $58,977 $44,517
Add: Depreciation and
Amortization of Real Estate 39,949 34,365 77,906 65,707
Add: Income Allocated to
Minority Interest 4,262 4,189 8,474 6,842
Add: Depreciation and
Amortization of Real Estate
Included in Discontinued
Operations 1,390 5,157 4,209 11,668
Add: Depreciation and
Amortization of Real
Estate - Joint Ventures (b) 2,284 3,090 4,962 5,507
Less: Accumulated
Depreciation/Amortization
on Real Estate Sold (15,546) (16,562) (34,711) (27,406)
Less: Accumulated
Depreciation/Amortization
on Real Estate Sold - Joint
Ventures (b) (2,496) (599) (3,158) (683)
Funds From Operations
("FFO")(d) $59,568 $56,905 $116,659 $106,152
Add: Loss from Early
Retirement of Debt 108 -- 254 --
Add: Restricted Stock
Amortization 3,648 2,480 7,254 4,625
Add: Amortization of
Deferred Financing Costs 824 603 1,644 1,223
Add: Depreciation of
Corporate F,F&E 491 448 962 864
Add: Redemption of Preferred
Stock 2,017 -- 2,017 672
Less: Non-Incremental Capital
Expenditures (7,118) (10,257) (12,373) (19,733)
Less: Straight-Line Rent (2,843) (2,503) (5,505) (4,984)
Funds Available for
Distribution ("FAD")(d) $56,695 $47,676 $110,912 $88,819
Source: First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
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Jul.24.2007. 20:43
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