Cousins Properties Reports Results for Quarter Ended March 31, 2009

May 5, 2009

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) today reported its results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. All per share amounts are reported on a diluted basis; basic per share data is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income accompanying this release.

Funds from Operations Available to Common Stockholders ("FFO") was $7.6 million, or $0.15 per share, for the first quarter of 2009 compared with FFO of $13.8 million, or $0.27 per share, for the first quarter of 2008. Net Income Available to Common Stockholders ("Net Income Available") was $160.6 million, or $3.13 per share, compared with Net Income Available of $1.8 million, or $0.04 per share, for the first quarter of 2008.

First quarter highlights of the Company included the following:

    --  As a result of a distribution from the venture to the partners,
        recognized approximately $167 million of deferred gain related to the
        June 2006 Avenue Fund transaction with Prudential.
    --  Sold a ground-leased outparcel at The Avenue Webb Gin for approximately
        $1.8 million, generating pre-tax FFO of approximately $582,000.
    --  Executed or renewed leases covering approximately 80,000 square feet of
        office space and 72,000 square feet of retail space.

Other highlights subsequent to quarter end included the following:

    --  In April 2009, repaid in full the $83.3 million mortgage note payable
        secured by the San Jose MarketCenter for approximately $70 million. The
        Company anticipates recognizing a gain on extinguishment of this debt of
        approximately $12.7 million in the second quarter of 2009.
    --  Executed a 50,000 square foot lease with Firethorn Holdings, LLC in
        Terminus 200, a 25-story office building under construction at the
        Company's Terminus development in Atlanta, Georgia.

At March 31, 2009, the Company's portfolio of operational office buildings was 90% leased, its portfolio of operational retail centers was 83% leased and its operational industrial buildings were 40% leased.

"In an extremely challenging leasing environment, our leasing team made good progress during the first quarter, leasing new space and renewing existing space," said Tom Bell, Chairman and CEO of Cousins. "Our recently executed lease of two floors at Terminus 200 provides an encouraging start to the leasing of this asset. Equally encouraging was the purchase of our San Jose MarketCenter note at 84 cents on the dollar, which is a testament to our ability to put our strong balance sheet to work in this environment. We will continue to seek other opportunities that emerge while focusing on maintaining and strengthening our existing assets."

The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and a schedule entitled Funds From Operations, which reconciles Net Income Available to FFO, are attached to this press release. More detailed information on Net Income Available and FFO results is included in the "Net Income and Funds From Operations-Supplemental Detail" schedule which is included along with other supplemental information in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company is furnishing to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and which can be viewed through the "Quarterly Disclosures" and "SEC Filings" links on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at www.cousinsproperties.com. This information may also be obtained by calling the Company's Investor Relations Department at (404) 407-1984.

The Company will conduct a conference call at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, to discuss the results of the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (303) 275-2170. A replay of the conference call will be available for 14 days by dialing (303) 590-3000 and entering the passcode 11129149#. The replay can be accessed on the Company's website, www.cousinsproperties.com, through the "Q1 2009 Cousins Properties Incorporated Earnings Conference Call" link on the Investor Relations page, as well as at www.streetevents.com and www.earnings.com. The rebroadcast will be available on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website for 14 days.

Cousins Properties Incorporated is a leading diversified real estate company with extensive experience in development, acquisition, financing, management and leasing. Based in Atlanta, the Company actively invests in office, multi-family, retail, industrial and land development projects. Since its founding in 1958, Cousins has developed 20 million square feet of office space, 20 million square feet of retail space, more than 4,000 multi-family units and more than 60 single-family neighborhoods. The Company is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust (REIT) and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUZ. For more, please visit www.cousinsproperties.com.

Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risk. These include, but are not limited to, general and local economic conditions (including the current general recession and state of the credit markets), local real estate conditions (including the overall condition of the residential markets), the activity of others developing competitive projects, the risks associated with development projects (such as delay, cost overruns and leasing/sales risk of new properties), the cyclical nature of the real estate industry, the financial condition of existing tenants, interest rates, the Company's ability to obtain favorable financing or zoning, environmental matters, the effects of terrorism, the ability of the Company to close properties under contract and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in any forward-looking statement are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and speak as of the date of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                         March 31,

                                                         2009         2008

REVENUES:

Rental property revenues                                 $ 37,509     $ 34,307

Fee income                                                 8,044        7,558

Residential lot and outparcel sales                        2,548        1,744

Interest and other                                         986          1,360

                                                           49,087       44,969

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

Rental property operating expenses                         17,313       13,439

General and administrative expenses                        9,762        10,599

Reimbursed general and administrative expenses             4,228        3,786

Depreciation and amortization                              13,056       11,265

Residential lot and outparcel cost of sales                1,730        946

Interest expense                                           10,430       6,275

Other                                                      1,546        1,755

                                                           58,065       48,065

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES, INCOME
FROM UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND NONCONTROLLING      (8,978  )    (3,096 )
INTERESTS

BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES FROM OPERATIONS                   3,941        3,217

INCOME FROM UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES                  1,820        2,817

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE GAIN ON    (3,217  )    2,938
SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, NET OF              167,434      3,792
APPLICABLE INCOME TAX PROVISION

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                          164,217      6,730

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS                          (7      )    (407   )

NET INCOME                                                 164,210      6,323

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS        (412    )    (671   )

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST            163,798      5,652

DIVIDENDS TO PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS                        (3,227  )    (3,813 )

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS              $ 160,571    $ 1,839

PER COMMON SHARE-BASIC:

Income from continuing operations                        $ 3.13       $ 0.05

Loss from discontinued operations                          -            (0.01  )

Net income available to common stockholders              $ 3.13       $ 0.04

PER COMMON SHARE-DILUTED:

Income from continuing operations                        $ 3.13       $ 0.05

Loss from discontinued operations                          -            (0.01  )

Net income available to common stockholders              $ 3.13       $ 0.04

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE                 $ 0.25       $ 0.37

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES                                    51,350       51,281

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES                            51,350       51,803



COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                        Three Months Ended

                                                        March 31,

                                                        2009          2008

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders             $ 160,571     $ 1,839

Depreciation and amortization:

Consolidated properties                                   13,056        11,265

Discontinued properties                                   -             174

Share of unconsolidated joint ventures                    2,158         1,391

Depreciation of furniture, fixtures and equipment and
amortization of specifically identifiable intangible
assets:

Consolidated properties                                   (968     )    (770   )

Discontinued properties                                   -             (7     )

Share of unconsolidated joint ventures                    (10      )    (25    )

Gain on sale of investment properties, net of
applicable income tax provision:

Consolidated                                              (167,434 )    (3,792 )

Share of unconsolidated joint ventures                    (28      )    -

Gain on sale of undepreciated investment properties       209           3,736

Funds From Operations Available to Common Stockholders  $ 7,554       $ 13,811

Per Common Share - Basic:

Net Income Available                                    $ 3.13        $ .04

Funds From Operations                                   $ .15         $ .27

Weighted Average Shares-Basic                             51,350        51,281

Per Common Share - Diluted:

Net Income Available                                    $ 3.13        $ .04

Funds From Operations                                   $ .15         $ .27

Weighted Average Shares-Diluted                           51,350        51,803



The table above shows Funds From Operations Available to Common Stockholders ("FFO") and the related reconciliation to Net Income Available to Common Stockholders ("Net Income Available") for Cousins Properties Incorporated and Subsidiaries. The Company calculated FFO in accordance with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts' ("NAREIT") definition, which is net income available to common stockholders (computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP")), excluding extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and gains or losses from sales of depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis.

FFO is used by industry analysts and investors as a supplemental measure of an equity REIT's operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of REIT operating performance that excludes historical cost depreciation, among other items, from GAAP net income. Management believes that the use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial, improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Company management evaluates operating performance in part based on FFO. Additionally, the Company uses FFO and FFO per share, along with other measures, to assess performance in connection with evaluating and granting incentive compensation to its officers and key employees.

COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

                                                    March 31,      December 31,

                                                    2009           2008

ASSETS

PROPERTIES:

 Operating properties, net of accumulated
 depreciation of $192,988 and $182,050 in 2009 and  $ 849,386      $ 853,450
 2008, respectively

 Projects under development                           169,427        172,582

 Land held for investment or future development       122,360        115,862

 Residential lots under development                   60,122         59,197

 Multi-family units held for sale                     70,888         70,658

 Total properties                                     1,272,183      1,271,749

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                             59,662         82,963

RESTRICTED CASH                                       4,549          3,636

NOTES AND OTHER RECEIVABLES,net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $2,942 and $2,764 in 2009 and    51,390         51,267
2008, respectively

INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES           200,726        200,850

OTHER ASSETS                                          84,200         83,330

 TOTAL ASSETS                                       $ 1,672,710    $ 1,693,795

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

NOTES PAYABLE                                       $ 945,269      $ 942,239

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES              55,076         65,026

DEFERRED GAIN                                         4,620          171,838

DEPOSITS AND DEFERRED INCOME                          6,662          6,485

 TOTAL LIABILITIES                                    1,011,627      1,185,588

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN                12,658         3,945
CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT:

 Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, $1
 par value:

 7.75% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred
 stock, $25 liquidation preference; 2,993,090         74,827         74,827
 shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2008

 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred
 stock, $25 liquidation preference; 3,791,000         94,775         94,775
 shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2008

 Common stock, $1 par value, 150,000,000 shares
 authorized, 54,912,152 and 54,922,173 shares         54,912         54,922
 issued in 2009 and 2008, respectively

 Additional paid-in capital                           369,665        368,829

 Treasury stock at cost, 3,570,082 shares in 2009     (86,840   )    (86,840   )
 and 2008

 Accumulated other comprehensive loss                 (16,121   )    (16,601   )

 Cumulative undistributed net income                  124,364        (23,189   )
 (distributions in excess of net income)

 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO       615,582        466,723
 CONTROLLING INTEREST

 NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN            32,843         37,539
 CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT                       648,425        504,262

 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT     $ 1,672,710    $ 1,693,795



 

 

    Source: Cousins Properties Incorporated
Contact: Cousins Properties Incorporated James A. Fleming, 404-407-1150 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer jimfleming@cousinsproperties.com or Cameron Golden, 404-407-1984 Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications camerongolden@cousinsproperties.com www.cousinsproperties.com