Cousins Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2013

July 29, 2013

Accelerates Earnings Call to July 30 at 8 a.m. ET

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ):

Highlights

  • Funds From Operations for the quarter was $0.12 per share, $0.14 per share before preferred stock redemption charges.
  • Same property net operating income for the quarter increased 4.7% over prior year.
  • Leased or renewed 413,000 square feet of office and retail space.
  • Acquired 816 Congress, a 435,000-square-foot Class-A office tower in downtown Austin, Texas.
  • Commenced construction of Colorado Tower, a 371,000-square-foot Class-A office tower in downtown Austin, Texas.

Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) today reported its results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

“It was another solid quarter, highlighted by the 816 Congress acquisition and the commencement of Colorado Tower in Austin,” said Larry Gellerstedt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins. “We were also pleased with our leasing progress, particularly at Promenade and 2100 Ross, where our re-positioning efforts continue to drive results.”

Portfolio Activity

  • Leased or renewed 367,000 square feet of office space and 46,000 square feet of retail space.
  • The office and retail portfolios finished the quarter 90% occupied on a same property basis, up from 87% in the prior year.

Transaction Activity

  • Completed a public offering of 16.5 million shares of common stock at $10.45 per share, generating net proceeds of $165.1 million.
  • Redeemed all outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock for approximately $75 million.
  • Acquired 816 Congress, a Class-A office tower in downtown Austin, Texas, for $102.4 million, after adjusting for rent credits.
  • Commenced construction of Colorado Tower, a Class-A office tower in downtown Austin, Texas for an estimated total cost of $126.1 million.
  • Refinanced the mortgage on Emory University Hospital Midtown Medical Office Tower, lowering the interest rate to 3.5% from 5.9%.
  • Sold all remaining land at the Company’s Jefferson Mill project for $2.9 million.
  • Entered into a contract to sell Tiffany Springs MarketCenter.
  • Entered into a contract to sell The Avenue Murfreesboro.

Financial Results

FFO was $14.2 million, or $0.12 per share, for the second quarter of 2013 compared with $13.2 million, or $0.13 per share, for the second quarter of 2012. FFO was $25.6 million, or $0.23 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared with $26.6 million, or $0.26 per share, for the same period in 2012.

Net loss available to common stockholders was ($5.6) million, or ($0.05) per share, for the second quarter of 2013, compared with net income available of $6.4 million, or $0.06 per share, for the second quarter of 2012. Net income available was $47.6 million, or $0.43 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to net loss available of ($6.7) million, or ($0.06) per share, for the same period in 2012.

In connection with the redemption of the Series A preferred stock in the second quarter of 2013, net income available was reduced by $2.7 million, or $0.02 per share. This amount represents the original issuance costs associated with the preferred stock. FFO before the effect of this reduction was $0.14 per share.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, to discuss the results of the quarter ended June 30, 2013. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2917.

A replay of the conference call will be available for 14 days by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the passcode 21669478. The replay can be accessed on the Company’s website, www.cousinsproperties.com, through the “Q2 2013 Cousins Properties Incorporated Earnings Conference Call” link on the Investor Relations page.

Cousins Properties Incorporated is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA, primarily invests in Class-A office towers located in high growth Sunbelt markets, with a focus on Georgia, Texas and North Carolina.

The Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Balance Sheets, a schedule entitled Funds From Operations, which reconciles Net Income (Loss) Available to FFO, and a schedule entitled Same Property Information, which reconciles same property net operating income to rental property revenues and rental property expenses, are attached to this press release. More detailed information on Net Income (Loss) 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 “Supplemental Information” and “SEC Filings” links on the “Investor Information & Filings” link of 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.

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, the availability and terms of capital and financing; the ability to refinance indebtedness as it matures; failure of purchase, sale or other contracts to ultimately close; the availability of buyers and adequate pricing with respect to the disposition of assets; risks and uncertainties related to national and local economic conditions, the real estate industry in general and in specific markets, and the commercial markets in particular; market conditions and changes to the Company's strategy with regard to land and other non-core holdings that require impairment losses to be recognized; the effects of the sale of the Company's third party management business; leasing risks, including the ability to obtain new tenants or renew expiring tenants on favorable terms, and the ability to lease newly developed, recently acquired or current vacant space; financial condition of existing tenants; volatility in interest rates and insurance rates; the availability of sufficient investment opportunities; competition from other developers or investors; the risks associated with real estate developments and acquisitions (such as construction delays, cost overruns and leasing risk); loss of key personnel; potential liability for uninsured losses, condemnation or environmental issues; potential liability for a failure to meet regulatory requirements; the financial condition and liquidity of, or disputes with, joint venture partners; any failure to comply with debt covenants under credit agreements; and any failure to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust 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, 2012. The words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” ”plans,” “may,” “intend,” “will” or 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 such 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, except as required under U.S. federal securities laws.

 
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited; in thousands, except per share amounts)
       
Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2013201220132012
REVENUES:
Rental property revenues $38,729 $ 28,922 $73,477 $ 57,221
Fee income 2,931 2,786 6,511 5,642
Land sales 433 535 1,396 1,484
Other   2,065     253     2,668     1,526  
  44,158     32,496     84,052     65,873  
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Rental property operating expenses 18,576 12,521 34,406 24,370
Reimbursed expenses 1,359 1,357 3,268 2,732
General and administrative expenses 4,552 5,644 10,622 12,267
Land cost of sales 433 416 1,396 980
Interest expense 4,241 5,875 9,176 12,143
Depreciation and amortization 15,450 9,783 27,240 19,796
Separation expenses - 79 - 292
Other   631     566     1,358     1,246  
  45,242     36,241     87,466     73,826  
 
LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT   -     -     -     (94 )
 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES, UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

(1,084) (3,745 ) (3,414) (8,047 )
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES FROM OPERATIONS(1) (33 ) (2) (60 )
 
INCOME FROM UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES   1,132     9,762     2,784     11,948  
 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

47 5,984 (632) 3,841
 
GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES   406     29     57,583     86  
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS453 6,013 56,951 3,927
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 280 3,543 593 (5,811 )
Gain on sale of discontinued operations   86     674     181     760  
  366     4,217     774     (5,051 )
 
NET INCOME (LOSS)819 10,230 57,725 (1,124 )
 
NET (INCOME) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS   (515)   (602 )   (1,022)   867  
 
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST304 9,628 56,703 (257 )
 
PREFERRED SHARE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE COSTS(2,656) - (2,656) -
 
DIVIDENDS TO PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS   (3,227)   (3,227 )   (6,454)   (6,454 )
 
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS$(5,579) $ 6,401   $47,593   $ (6,711 )
 
PER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION - BASIC AND DILUTED:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest $(0.05) $ 0.02 $0.42 $ (0.01 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations   0.00   $ 0.04   $0.01   $ (0.05 )
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders   (0.05) $ 0.06   $0.43   $ (0.06 )
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES - BASIC   118,661     104,165     111,430     104,082  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES - DILUTED   118,661     104,165     111,593     104,082  
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE$0.045   $ 0.045   $0.09   $ 0.09  
 
 
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
       
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,
2013201220132012
 
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders$(5,579)$6,401$47,593$(6,711)
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets:
Consolidated properties 15,262 9,560 26,869 19,209
Discontinued properties 524 2,967 1,033 7,210
Share of unconsolidated joint ventures 4,167 2,495 7,371 5,156

Impairment loss on depreciable investment property net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

- - - 10,190
Gain on sale of depreciated properties:
Consolidated (130 ) (59 ) (57,066 ) (116 )
Discontinued properties (86 ) (674 ) (181 ) (760 )
Share of unconsolidated joint ventures - (7,509 ) - (7,509 )
Other   -     (29 )   -     (29 )
 
Funds From Operations Available to Common Stockholders$14,158   $13,152   $25,619   $26,640  
 
 
Per Common Share - Basic and Diluted:
 
Net Income (Loss) Available$(.05)$.06   $.43   $(.06)
 
Funds From Operations$.12   $.13   $.23   $.26  
 
Weighted Average Shares - Basic   118,661     104,165     111,430     104,082  
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted   118,845     104,165     111,593     104,082  
 

The table above shows Funds From Operations Available to Common Stockholders (“FFO”) and the related reconciliation to Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders 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 (loss) 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, impairment losses on depreciable investment property 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 along with other measures, to assess performance in connection with evaluating and granting incentive compensation to its officers and other key employees.

 
 
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
   
 
June 30, 2013December 31, 2012

ASSETS

(unaudited)
PROPERTIES:

Operating properties, net of accumulated depreciation of $221,331 and $255,128 in 2013 and 2012, respectively

$838,826 $ 669,652

Projects under development, net of accumulated depreciation of $0 and $183 in 2013 and 2012, respectively

5,819 25,209
Land 38,039 42,187
Other   -     151  
Total properties 882,684 737,199
 
 

OPERATING PROPERTIES AND RELATED ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, net of accumulated depreciation of $12,139 and $2,947 in 2013 and 2012, respectively

51,301 1,866
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS4,925 176,892
RESTRICTED CASH3,230 2,852

NOTES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,700 and $1,743 in 2013 and 2012, respectively

8,539 9,972
DEFERRED RENTS RECEIVABLE34,707 39,378
INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES127,948 97,868
OTHER ASSETS   87,454     58,215  
 
TOTAL ASSETS$1,200,788   $ 1,124,242  
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

NOTES PAYABLE$340,374 $ 425,410
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES34,433 34,751
DEFERRED INCOME25,785 11,888
OTHER LIABILITIES   26,582     9,240  
TOTAL LIABILITIES427,174 481,289
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT:
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, $1 par value:

7.75% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $25 liquidation preference; 0 and 2,993,090 shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively

- 74,827

7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $25 liquidation preference; 3,791,000 shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012

94,775 94,775

Common stock, $1 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 124,257,723 and 107,660,080 shares issued in 2013 and 2012, respectively

124,258 107,660
Additional paid-in capital 825,777 690,024
Treasury stock at cost, 3,570,082 shares in 2013 and 2012 (86,840) (86,840 )
Distributions in excess of cumulative net income   (206,995)   (260,104 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT750,975 620,342
 
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests   22,639     22,611  
TOTAL EQUITY   773,614     642,953  
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$1,200,788   $ 1,124,242  
 
 
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
SAME PROPERTY INFORMATION
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012
(Unaudited, in thousands)
       
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,
2013201220132012
 
Net Operating Income - Consolidated Properties
Rental property revenues $ 38,729 $ 28,922 $ 73,477 $ 57,221
Rental property expenses   18,576 $ 12,521   34,406 $ 24,370
Net Operating Income - Consolidated Properties20,15316,40139,07132,851
 
Net Operating Income - Discontinued Operations
Rental property revenues 1,311 7,753 2,687 16,946
Rental property expenses   474   2,663   1,047   5,321
Net Operating Income - Discontinued Operations8375,0901,64011,625
 
Net Operating Income - Unconsolidated Joint Ventures   7,582   5,937   14,029   12,206
Total Net Operating Income$28,572$27,428$54,740$56,682
 
Net Operating Income:
Same property 18,611 17,768 37,605 35,850
Non-same property   9,962   9,660   17,136   20,832
Net Operating Income$28,572$27,428$54,740$56,682
 

This schedule shows same property net operating income and the related reconciliation to rental property revenues and rental property expenses.  Net Operating Income is used by industry analysts, investors and Company management to measure operating performance of the Company’s properties.  Net Operating Income, which is rental property revenues less rental property operating expenses, excludes certain components from net income in order to provide results that are more closely related to a property’s results of operations.  Certain items, such as interest expense, while included in FFO and net income, do not affect the operating performance of a real estate asset and are often incurred at the corporate level as opposed to the property level.  As a result, management uses only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level to evaluate a property’s performance.  Depreciation and amortization are also excluded from Net Operating Income.  Same Property Net Operating Income includes those office and retail properties that have been fully operational in each of the comparable reporting periods.  A fully operational  property is one that achieved 90% economic occupancy for each of the two periods presented or has been substantially complete and owned by the Company for each of the two periods presented and the preceding year.  Same Property Net Operating Income allows analysts, investors and management to analyze continuing operations and evaluate the growth trend of the Company’s portfolio.

 

 

Cousins Properties Incorporated
Gregg D. Adzema, 404-407-1116
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
greggadzema@cousinsproperties.com
or
Cameron Golden, 404-407-1984
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
camerongolden@cousinsproperties.com

Source: Cousins Properties Incorporated