Prologis Announces Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

Published on Wednesday, 08 February 2012 08:32 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD), the leading global owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, today reported results for the fourth quarter 2011.

Core funds from operations (Core FFO) per fully diluted share was $0.44 for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to $0.41 for the same period in 2010. Funds from operations (FFO) as defined by Prologis per fully diluted share was $0.29 for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to $(4.81) for the same period in 2010. The differential between Core FFO and FFO in the fourth quarter 2011 primarily relates to impairment charges and merger costs. Net income (loss) per share was $(0.10) for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to a net loss of $(4.86) for the same period in 2010. All results for 2010 represent solely legacy ProLogis and therefore are not directly comparable to the 2011 reported results.  

Full-year 2011 results include combined company results since the merger on June 3, 2011, and legacy ProLogis prior to the merger. Core FFO per fully diluted share was $1.58 for the full year 2011 compared to $1.27 for the same period in 2010.  FFO as defined by Prologis per fully diluted share was $1.10 for the full year 2011 compared with $(4.44) for the same period in 2010.  Net loss per share was ($0.51) for the full year 2011 compared to a net loss of $(5.90) for the same period in 2010.

"We had an excellent quarter with financial and operating results that were ahead of plan. The team came together seamlessly and we made excellent progress on our strategic priorities," said Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and co-chief executive officer, Prologis. "Noteworthy accomplishments include increasing our occupancy to 92.2 percent, a 120 basis point improvement over the third quarter and reducing our share of outstanding debt by more than $900 million. In addition, the heavy lifting associated with the merger integration is effectively complete and we have increased our synergy target to an annual savings of $115 million."

Operating Portfolio Metrics

Same-store net operating income (NOI) increased over the prior year by 0.4 percent in the fourth quarter, compared to a decrease of 0.7 percent in the third quarter of 2011. Rental rates on leases signed in the fourth quarter same-store pool decreased 4.5 percent, compared to rental rates on leases signed in the third quarter 2011, which decreased by 8.6 percent.

During the fourth quarter, the company leased a total of 37.6 million square feet (3.5 million square meters) in its combined operating and development portfolios. The company also achieved an 80.1 percent tenant retention rate for the quarter, signing 22.5 million square feet (2.1 million square meters) of renewals.

"Our strong performance for the quarter was driven principally by higher than expected occupancy in the operating portfolio and higher Private Capital revenues. Additionally, our financial performance benefitted by year-end adjustments including a one-time adjustment to G&A expenses," said Walter C. Rakowich, co-chief executive officer, Prologis. "Our teams around the world delivered outstanding results in the fourth quarter, especially in Europe, where occupancy increased 160 basis points over the third quarter."

Contributions & Dispositions

The company closed 37 contribution and disposition transactions during the fourth quarter 2011 with a stabilized capitalization rate of 7.1 percent.  The transactions totaled more than $1.25 billion, of which more than $1.0 billion was Prologis' share of the proceeds, comprising:

• $907 million in building contributions and sales to five of its co-investment vehicles on three continents, of which $750 million was the company's share; and
• $366 million of third-party dispositions, of which $316 million was the company's share.

At year end, the company had more than $500 million of operating portfolio assets in five separate transactions under contract and scheduled to close in the first quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions. The combination of the total $1.65 billion in transactions closed in the second half of 2011 and the $500 million in transactions under contract at year end represents an 8 percent increase to the top end of the company's second half 2011 guidance range for contributions and dispositions of $1.8 billion to $2.0 billion.

Acquisitions & Development Starts

Capital deployed or committed during the fourth quarter 2011 totaled approximately $345 million, of which $210 million was Prologis' share, including:

• Acquisitions of $178 million including 11 industrial properties totaling to 1.6 million square feet (150,000 square meters) with a stabilized capitalization rate of 7.0 percent and 10 acres of land. Of  the total acquisitions, $106 million was Prologis' share; and
• Development starts of $166 million totaling 2.2 million square feet (206,500 square meters) in 9 projects, which monetized $41 million of land. Prologis' share of the total expected investment is $105 million.

At quarter end, Prologis' global development portfolio totaled 13.1 million square feet (1.2 million square meters), with an estimated total investment of $1.4 billion. Prologis' share of the estimated total investment was $1.2 billion with an estimated value creation at stabilization of $238 million.

Private Capital Activity

In 2011, Prologis raised or received new, third-party equity commitments of approximately $1.8 billion.

Consistent with the company's priority to streamline its private capital business, it has implemented a plan to rationalize its co-investment ventures into a smaller number of differentiated investment vehicles.

• As previously announced the company sold its 20 percent interest in its Prologis Korea Fund and liquidated the first phase of its Prologis North America Properties Fund I during the second half of 2011.
• Subsequent to year end, the company purchased its partner's 63 percent interest in Prologis North America Fund II and brought the portfolio entirely onto its balance sheet.

Financing Activity

During the fourth quarter, Prologis completed approximately $1.4 billion of capital markets activities, including debt repurchases, refinancings, and new financings.

As a result and in combination with the significant disposition and contribution activity, the company:

• Reduced its share of total debt by $907 million;
• Lowered its share of 2012 debt maturities by $399 million; and
• Improved its key debt metrics in line with its previously stated strategic priorities.

"We exceeded our balance sheet management and delevering objectives for 2011 and remain committed to building one of the top balance sheets in the industry," said William Sullivan, chief financial officer, Prologis. "Carrying this momentum into 2012, a key area of focus is on further improving our financial position and mitigating our exposure to foreign currency."

Guidance for 2012

Prologis established a full-year 2012 Core FFO guidance range of $1.60 to $1.70 per diluted share. The company also expects to recognize a net loss for GAAP purposes, on a relative basis, of $(0.40) to $(0.50) per share.  The difference between the company's Core FFO and net earnings guidance for 2012 predominately relates to real estate depreciation and merger related expenses.

The Core FFO and earnings guidance reflected above excludes any potential gains (losses) recognized from property dispositions, due to the variability of timing, composition of properties and estimate of proceeds.  In reconciling from net earnings to Core FFO, Prologis makes certain adjustments including but not limited to real estate depreciation and amortization expense, impairment charges, deferred taxes, unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency or derivative activity, as well as transaction and merger costs.

The principal drivers supporting Prologis' 2012 guidance include the following:

• Year end occupancy in its operating portfolio between 92.5 and 93.5 percent (consistent with historical seasonal trends, the company expects occupancy to decrease in the first quarter and trend higher through the remainder of the year);
• Same-store NOI growth flat to 1.0 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements;
• Development starts of $1.1 to $1.4 billion, of which approximately 70 percent is expected to be the company's share;
• Acquisitions of buildings of $400 to $600 million, of which approximately 40 percent is expected to be the company's share;
• Building and land dispositions and contributions of $4.5 to $5.5 billion, of which approximately 70 percent is expected to be the company's share. A substantial portion of the disposition and contribution guidance relates to the formation of the Prologis Targeted Japan Logistics Fund and subsequent contribution of assets from its balance sheet; and
• An average euro exchange rate of $1.30 and an average yen exchange rate of 80 yen per U.S. dollar.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

The company will host a webcast /conference call to discuss quarterly results, current market conditions and future outlook today, February 8, 2012, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties are encouraged to access the live webcast by clicking the microphone icon located near the top of the opening page at: http://ir.prologis.com. Interested parties also can participate via conference call by dialing (877) 256-7020 from the U.S. and Canada or (+1 973-409-9692) internationally with reservation code 40596350.

A telephonic replay will be available from February 8, 2012, through March 8, 2012, at 855-859-2056 (from the U.S. and Canada) or +1 404-537-3406 (from all other countries), with the reservation code 40596350. The webcast and podcast replay will be posted when available in the "Financial Information" section of the Prologis Investor Relations website.

About Prologis

Prologis, Inc. is the leading owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, focused on global and regional markets across the Americas, Europe and Asia. As of December 31, 2011, Prologis owned or had investments in, on a consolidated basis or through unconsolidated joint ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 600 million square feet (55.7 million square meters) in 22 countries. The company leases modern distribution facilities to more than 4,500 customers, including manufacturers, retailers, transportation companies, third-party logistics providers and other enterprises.

The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which Prologis operates, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management.  Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact Prologis' financial results. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature.  All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, development activity and changes in sales or contribution volume of developed properties, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, synergies to be realized from our recent merger transaction, our debt and financial position, our ability to form new property funds and the availability of capital in existing or new property funds — are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust ("REIT") status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments in our co-investment ventures and funds, including our ability to establish new co-investment ventures and funds, (viii) risks of doing business internationally, including currency risks, (ix) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, and (x) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Prologis under the heading "Risk Factors." Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.