EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AMB PROPERTY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2003 RESULTS
Occupancy Reflects Improving Operating Environment; Company Achieving Significant Traction with Global Expansion
SAN FRANCISCO, January 13, 2004 AMB Property Corporation (NYSE: AMB), a leading owner and operator of industrial real estate, today reported fourth quarter and full year 2003 earnings per share (EPS) of $0.32 and $1.47, respectively. The results are a penny above the companys EPS guidance for both the quarter and full year.
Fourth quarter 2003 EPS decreased 25.6% from EPS of $0.43 in the same period of 2002. EPS for fourth quarter 2003 included $0.04 per share in net gains on disposition of real estate while the same period in the prior year included $0.16 per share in net gains. Full year 2003 EPS increased 7.3% from EPS of $1.37 in the same period of 2002.
Occupancy in the companys industrial operating portfolio increased 110 basis points over the prior quarter reaching 93.1% at December 31, 2003, compared with 92.0% at September 30, 2003 and 94.6% at December 31, 2002. Cash-basis same store net operating income decreased 14.5% in the quarter and decreased 5.6% for the full year, primarily reflecting the impact of lower occupancy and rental rate levels from the same period last year. Tenant retention in the companys operating portfolio increased from the prior quarter to 70.4% in the fourth quarter and totaled 65.3% for the full year 2003. Rents on renewal and rollover of leases decreased by 15.7% during the quarter and 10.1% for the year.
Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and CEO, said, Our fourth quarter occupancy reflects an improving operating environment and continues to demonstrate AMBs ability to outperform the national industrial real estate market. The fourth quarter marks the first time in three-and-a-half years that we have seen sequential quarterly gains in portfolio occupancy levels. Although several more quarters of such improvement will be required before rental rate growth begins, we find the prospects for continued improvement of industrial space demand encouraging. Business spending is strengthening and inventories are hovering at historic lows, which should drive growth in industrial space absorption as inventory restocking and industrial production accelerate.
Investment Activity
During the fourth quarter, AMB acquired twelve properties for a total investment of $345 million, and completed $28 million in non-core and opportunistic dispositions. For the full year, acquisitions totaled $534 million; dispositions, including both direct sales and contributions of assets, totaled $366 million.
AMB completed and stabilized seven industrial development projects during the fourth quarter in the U.S., Mexico and France, comprising 821,000 square feet, for a total investment of $56 million. The company began six new development and redevelopment projects during the quarter, representing 1.8 million square feet at an estimated total investment of $80 million. The companys industrial development and renovation pipeline now stands at 16 projects in North America, Europe and Asia,
totaling an estimated five million square feet with deliveries slated through 2006. Total investment in the development pipeline is estimated at $233 million, of which 39% has been funded and 34% is preleased.
AMBs president, W. Blake Baird, commented, Our fourth quarter acquisition and development activity significantly expanded our global network of air cargo and logistics facilities in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Mexico. Demand for industrial space from our customers appears to be accelerating, resulting in ahead-of-schedule preleasing in our development properties with four properties stabilizing earlier than planned this quarter. Our international platform now accounts for three percent of our business and is expected to grow to 15 percent over the next three to four years.
Other investment activity for the year included the repurchase of 812,900 shares of AMBs common stock for a total investment of $21 million, at a weighted average purchase price of $26.10 per share. In December 2003, the companys Board of Directors adopted a new two-year common stock repurchase program authorizing the acquisition of up to $200 million of the companys common shares. Since its IPO, the company has repurchased more than six million shares of common stock for a total investment of $151 million, at a weighted average purchase price of $24.05 per share.
Financing Activities
During the quarter, AMB redeemed at par all of its 8 5/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Limited Partnership Units and issued $58 million of 6 3/4% Series M Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. As a result of this and other refinancing activity during 2003, the company reduced the weighted average coupon on its outstanding preferred stock and units by 64 basis points.
The company issued $75 million of unsecured notes under its medium term note program during the quarter with a 5.53% coupon and ten-year term. Additionally, the company issued $50 million of floating-rate notes with a three-year term at 40 basis points over three-month LIBOR 20 basis points below the companys marginal borrowing rate of LIBOR plus 60 basis points on its $500 million line of credit.
Promotions and Addition of Company Officers
The company announced four officer promotions effective January 1, 2004. A. Brent Elkins and Ellen F. Hall are now vice presidents of international transactions. Brent and Ellen are focused on AMBs investments in Japan and Europe, respectively. Jonathan M. Hill and Christos F. Kombouras have been promoted to vice presidents, regional managers. Jon is responsible for AMBs assets in the San Francisco East Bay; Chris is an asset manager with AMBs Midwest team.
Commenting on these promotions, Mr. Moghadam stated, Each member of this group of talented and dedicated individuals has produced sustained and meaningful results for AMB. Our stockholders will benefit from their leadership and continued contributions as we pursue our mission of enduring excellence.
The company further announced that two new vice presidents have joined the companys U.S. development group reporting to Eugene F. Reilly, AMBs executive vice president of North American development. Jay R. Cornforth is responsible for East Coast development and James McGill runs the companys Midwest development. Jay and Jim will work out of AMBs Boston and Chicago offices, respectively.
Supplemental Earnings Measure
AMB reports funds from operations per fully diluted share and unit (FFOPS) in accordance with the standards established by NAREIT. Fourth quarter 2003 FFOPS was $0.59, compared with $0.61 in the same period of 2002, which was above the companys guidance of $0.57 to $0.58. FFOPS for the full year ended December 31, 2003 was $2.13, compared with $2.40 for the same period in 2002, which was above the companys guidance of $2.11 to $2.12. Effective January 1, 2003, to comply with NAREITs definition of FFO, the company no longer adds back impairment losses when calculating FFOPS. For comparative purposes, FFOPS for the fourth quarter and full year 2002 have been adjusted by $0.03 in each period to reflect impairment losses.
In the footnotes to the attached financial statements, AMB provides a discussion of why management believes FFO is a useful supplemental measure of operating performance, of ways in which investors might use FFO when assessing the companys financial performance, and of FFOs limitations as a measurement tool.
A reconciliation from net income to funds from operations is provided in the attached tables and published in AMBs quarterly supplemental analyst package, available on the companys website at www.amb.com.
Conference Call and Supplemental Information
The company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2003 results on January 14, 2004 at 8:00 AM PST/11:00 AM EST. Stockholders and interested parties may listen to a live broadcast of the conference call by dialing +1 719 457 2621 and using reservation code 695285 or by web cast through a link on the companys website at www.amb.com. If you are unable to listen to the live conference call, a telephone and web cast replay will be available after 12:00 PM PST on Wednesday, January 14, 2004. The telephone replay will be available until 12:00 PM PST on Friday, February 13, 2004 and can be accessed by dialing +1 719 457 0820 and using reservation code 695285. The web cast can be accessed through a link on the companys website at www.amb.com and will be available until 12:00 PM PST on Friday, February 13, 2004.
In addition, the company will post a summary of the guidance given on the call and a supplement detailing the components of net asset value to the Investor Information portion of its website on Friday, January 23, 2004 by 5:00 PM PST.
AMB Property Corporation is a leading owner and operator of industrial real estate, focused on major hub and gateway distribution markets throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As of December 31, 2003 AMB owned, managed and had renovation and development projects totaling 101.5 million square feet (9.4 million square meters) and 1,057 buildings in 36 markets within seven countries. AMB invests in industrial properties located predominantly in the infill submarkets of its targeted markets. The companys portfolio is comprised largely of High Throughput Distribution® facilities industrial properties built for speed and located near airports, seaports and ground transportation systems.
AMBs press releases are available on the company website at www.amb.com or by contacting the Investor Relations department at +1 877 285 3111.
This document contains forward-looking statements about business strategy and future plans, which are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events. The events or circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements might not occur. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements. In particular, a number of factors could cause AMBs actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated, including, among other things, changes in general economic conditions or in the real estate sector; non-renewal of leases by customers or renewal at lower than expected rent; a downturn in Californias economy or real estate conditions; we experience losses in excess of our insurance coverage; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and in effecting acquisitions on advantageous terms and the failure of acquisitions to perform as we expect; our failure to divest of properties on advantageous terms or to timely reinvest proceeds from any such divestitures; risks and uncertainties affecting property development and renovation (including construction delays, cost overruns, our inability to obtain necessary permits and financings); unknown liabilities acquired from our predecessors or in connections with acquired properties; risks of doing business internationally, including unfamiliarity with new markets and currency risks; risks associated with using debt to fund acquisitions and development, including refinancing risks; our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; changes in local, state and federal regulatory requirements; environmental uncertainties; and our failure to qualify and maintain our status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. AMBs success also depends upon economic trends generally, various market conditions and fluctuations. For further information on these and other factors that could impact AMB and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to AMBs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AMBs quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. The quarterly financial data contained herein is unaudited and the historical financial information is not necessarily indicative of future results.
AMB CONTACTS
Investors/Analysts | Media | |||||
John P. Cummings | Lauren Barr | |||||
Direct | 415 733.9565 | Direct | 415 733.9477 | |||
Fax | 415 477.2065 | Fax | 415 394.9001 | |||
jcummings@amb.com | lbarr@amb.com |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
As of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2003 | September 30, 2003 | June 30, 2003 | March 31, 2003 | December 31, 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||
Assets |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments in real estate: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total investments in properties |
$ | 5,491,707 | $ | 5,094,573 | $ | 5,016,014 | $ | 4,869,741 | $ | 4,925,982 | |||||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
(474,452 | ) | (442,755 | ) | (412,990 | ) | (382,900 | ) | (362,540 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net investments in properties |
5,017,255 | 4,651,818 | 4,603,024 | 4,486,841 | 4,563,442 | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures |
52,009 | 56,159 | 68,566 | 67,754 | 64,428 | ||||||||||||||||||
Properties held for divestiture, net |
11,751 | 20,467 | 73,000 | 59,742 | 107,871 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investments in real estate |
5,081,015 | 4,728,444 | 4,744,590 | 4,614,337 | 4,735,741 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
156,663 | 152,432 | 91,161 | 149,908 | 117,214 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage receivable |
43,145 | 13,066 | 13,097 | 13,112 | 13,133 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
88,452 | 80,927 | 83,116 | 76,056 | 74,207 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other assets |
51,391 | 70,208 | 44,300 | 51,909 | 52,199 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 5,420,666 | $ | 5,045,077 | $ | 4,976,264 | $ | 4,905,322 | $ | 4,992,494 | |||||||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Secured debt |
$ | 1,363,890 | $ | 1,312,105 | $ | 1,215,135 | $ | 1,250,528 | $ | 1,284,675 | |||||||||||||
Unsecured senior debt securities |
925,000 | 800,000 | 800,000 | 800,000 | 800,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unsecured debt |
9,628 | 9,772 | 9,909 | 10,050 | 10,186 | ||||||||||||||||||
Alliance Fund II credit facility |
| | | 51,500 | 45,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unsecured credit facility |
275,739 | 91,335 | 19,420 | 17,464 | 95,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities |
187,095 | 179,558 | 167,621 | 188,050 | 181,716 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
2,761,352 | 2,392,770 | 2,212,085 | 2,317,592 | 2,417,077 | ||||||||||||||||||
Minority interests: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Joint venture partners |
659,487 | 644,413 | 640,095 | 497,760 | 488,524 | ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred unitholders |
241,899 | 305,197 | 308,369 | 308,369 | 308,369 | ||||||||||||||||||
Limited partnership unitholders |
91,029 | 88,553 | 93,209 | 94,500 | 94,374 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total minority interests |
992,415 | 1,038,163 | 1,041,673 | 900,629 | 891,267 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock |
1,563,526 | 1,565,923 | 1,578,087 | 1,591,107 | 1,588,156 | ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock |
103,373 | 48,221 | 144,419 | 95,994 | 95,994 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total stockholders equity |
1,666,899 | 1,614,144 | 1,722,506 | 1,687,101 | 1,684,150 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 5,420,666 | $ | 5,045,077 | $ | 4,976,264 | $ | 4,905,322 | $ | 4,992,494 | |||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
For the Quarters Ended | For the Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
|||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenues |
$ | 158,491 | $ | 155,023 | $ | 601,700 | $ | 578,489 | |||||||||||
Private capital income (1) |
5,493 | 2,725 | 13,337 | 11,193 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
163,984 | 157,748 | 615,037 | 589,682 | |||||||||||||||
Costs and expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||
Property operating costs |
(41,869 | ) | (38,632 | ) | (159,907 | ) | (144,129 | ) | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(35,688 | ) | (34,976 | ) | (133,514 | ) | (123,380 | ) | |||||||||||
Impairment losses |
| (2,846 | ) | (5,251 | ) | (2,846 | ) | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
(12,542 | ) | (13,000 | ) | (47,729 | ) | (47,207 | ) | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
(90,099 | ) | (89,454 | ) | (346,401 | ) | (317,562 | ) | |||||||||||
Operating income |
73,885 | 68,294 | 268,636 | 272,120 | |||||||||||||||
Other income and expenses |
|||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures |
1,223 | 1,231 | 5,445 | 5,674 | |||||||||||||||
Interest and other income |
1,005 | 539 | 4,648 | 10,460 | |||||||||||||||
Gains from dispositions of real estate |
| | 7,429 | 2,480 | |||||||||||||||
Development profits, net of taxes |
8,929 | 465 | 14,441 | 1,171 | |||||||||||||||
Interest, including amortization |
(38,810 | ) | (37,068 | ) | (146,773 | ) | (146,200 | ) | |||||||||||
Total other income and expenses |
(27,653 | ) | (34,833 | ) | (114,810 | ) | (126,415 | ) | |||||||||||
Income before minority interests and discontinued operations |
46,232 | 33,461 | 153,826 | 145,705 | |||||||||||||||
Minority interests share of income: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Joint venture partners share of operating income |
(8,525 | ) | (5,741 | ) | (34,412 | ) | (28,940 | ) | |||||||||||
Joint venture partners share of development profits |
(4,996 | ) | (74 | ) | (8,442 | ) | (196 | ) | |||||||||||
Preferred unitholders |
(5,534 | ) | (6,379 | ) | (24,607 | ) | (25,149 | ) | |||||||||||
Limited partnership unitholders |
(1,076 | ) | (1,198 | ) | (3,778 | ) | (4,661 | ) | |||||||||||
Total minority interests share of income |
(20,131 | ) | (13,392 | ) | (71,239 | ) | (58,946 | ) | |||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
26,101 | 20,069 | 82,587 | 86,759 | |||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Income attributable to discontinued operations, net of minority
interests |
144 | 4,765 | 8,536 | 20,575 | |||||||||||||||
Gains from dispositions of real estate, net of minority interests |
3,317 | 13,176 | 42,896 | 16,903 | |||||||||||||||
Total discontinued operations |
3,461 | 17,941 | 51,432 | 37,478 | |||||||||||||||
Net income |
29,562 | 38,010 | 134,019 | 124,237 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends |
(1,211 | ) | (2,123 | ) | (6,999 | ) | (8,496 | ) | |||||||||||
Preferred stock and unit redemption discount/(issuance costs) |
(1,742 | ) | | (5,413 | ) | 412 | |||||||||||||
Net income available to common stockholders |
$ | 26,609 | $ | 35,887 | $ | 121,607 | $ | 116,153 | |||||||||||
Net income per common share (diluted) |
$ | 0.32 | $ | 0.43 | $ | 1.47 | $ | 1.37 | |||||||||||
Weighted average common shares (diluted) |
83,667,798 | 83,648,772 | 82,852,528 | 84,795,987 | |||||||||||||||
1) | In the quarter and year ended December 31, 2003, private capital income includes incentive distributions of $2.5 million earned from AMB Partners II. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FUNDS
FROM OPERATIONS (3)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
For the Quarters Ended | For the Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 29,562 | $ | 38,010 | $ | 134,019 | $ | 124,237 | ||||||||||
Gains from dispositions of real estate, net of minority interests |
(3,317 | ) | (13,176 | ) | (50,325 | ) | (19,383 | ) | ||||||||||
Real estate related depreciation and amortization: |
||||||||||||||||||
Total depreciation and amortization |
35,688 | 34,976 | 133,514 | 123,380 | ||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations depreciation |
28 | 2,520 | 3,381 | 9,587 | ||||||||||||||
FF& E depreciation |
(172 | ) | (186 | ) | (720 | ) | (712 | ) | ||||||||||
Ground lease amortization(1) |
| (830 | ) | | (2,301 | ) | ||||||||||||
Adjustments to derive FFO from consolidated JVs: |
||||||||||||||||||
Joint venture partners minority interests (NI) |
8,525 | 5,741 | 34,412 | 28,940 | ||||||||||||||
Limited partnership unitholders minority interests (NI) |
1,076 | 1,198 | 3,778 | 4,661 | ||||||||||||||
Limited partnership unitholders minority interests
(Development profits) |
229 | 23 | 344 | 57 | ||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations minority interests (NI) |
43 | 661 | 1,968 | 3,246 | ||||||||||||||
FFO attributable to minority interests |
(17,756 | ) | (14,298 | ) | (65,603 | ) | (52,051 | ) | ||||||||||
Adjustments to derive FFO from unconsolidated JVs: |
||||||||||||||||||
AMBs share of net income |
(1,223 | ) | (1,231 | ) | (5,445 | ) | (5,674 | ) | ||||||||||
AMBs share of FFO |
2,135 | 2,425 | 9,755 | 9,291 | ||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends |
(1,211 | ) | (2,123 | ) | (6,999 | ) | (8,496 | ) | ||||||||||
Preferred stock and unit redemption discount/(issuance costs) |
(1,742 | ) | | (5,413 | ) | 412 | ||||||||||||
Funds from operations |
$ | 51,865 | $ | 53,710 | $ | 186,666 | $ | 215,194 | ||||||||||
FFO per common share and unit (diluted) |
$ | 0.59 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 2.40 | ||||||||||
FFO per common share and unit (excluding impairment
losses and preferred stock redemption issuance costs) (2) |
$ | 0.61 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 2.43 | ||||||||||
Weighted average common shares and units (diluted) |
88,360,432 | 88,495,159 | 87,616,365 | 89,689,310 | ||||||||||||||
1) | In the quarter ended June 30, 2003, and effective January 1, 2003, the Company discontinued its practice of deducting amortization of investments in leasehold interests from FFO as such an adjustment is not provided for in NAREITs FFO definition. As a result, FFO for the periods presented has been adjusted to reflect the changes. | |
2) | In the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company modified its FFO reporting to no longer add back impairment losses when computing FFO in accordance with NAREITs FFO definition. Additionally, the Company adopted EITF D-42 and began including preferred stock and unit redemption discounts and issuance cost write-offs in FFO. As a result, FFO for the periods presented has been adjusted to reflect the changes. | |
3) | The Company believes that net income, as defined by U.S. GAAP, is the most appropriate earnings measure. However, the Company considers funds from operations, or FFO, as defined by NAREIT, to be a useful supplemental measure of its operating performance. FFO is defined as net income, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, less gains (or losses) from dispositions of real estate held for investment purposes and real estate-related depreciation, and adjustments to derive the Companys pro rata share of FFO of consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures. In accordance with the NAREIT White Paper on FFO, the Company includes in FFO the effects of straight-line rents. Further, the Company does not adjust FFO to eliminate the effects of non-recurring charges. The Company believes that FFO, as defined by NAREIT, is a meaningful supplemental measure of its operating performance because historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, as reflected through depreciation and amortization expenses. However, since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market and other conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of operating performance for real estate investment trusts that excludes historical cost depreciation and amortization, among other items, from net income, as defined by U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that the use of FFO, combined with the required U.S. GAAP presentations, has been beneficial in improving the understanding of operating results of real estate investment trusts among the investing public and making comparisons of operating results among such companies more meaningful. The Company considers FFO to be a useful measure for reviewing comparative operating and financial performance because, by excluding gains or losses related to sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets and real estate depreciation and amortization, FFO can help the investing public compare the operating performance of a companys real estate between periods or as compared to other companies. While FFO is a relevant and widely used measure of operating performance of real estate investment trusts, it does not represent cash flow from operations or net income as defined by U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to those measures in evaluating the Companys liquidity or operating performance. FFO also does not consider the costs associated with capital expenditures related to our real estate assets nor is FFO necessarily indicative of cash available to fund our future cash requirements. Further, the Companys computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other real estate investments trusts that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do. |