Boston Properties Announces Second Quarter 2015 Results

Reports diluted FFO per share of $1.36
Reports diluted EPS of $0.52

BOSTON--()--Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE: BXP), a real estate investment trust, reported results today for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Funds from Operations (FFO) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 were $208.7 million, or $1.36 per share basic and $1.36 per share diluted. This compares to FFO for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 of $207.0 million, or $1.35 per share basic and $1.35 per share diluted. The weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding totaled approximately 153,450,000 and 153,815,000, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and 153,078,000 and 153,623,000, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.

The Company’s reported FFO of $1.36 per share diluted was greater than the guidance previously provided of $1.32-$1.34 per share diluted primarily due to better than expected portfolio operations of $0.02 per share and lease termination income of $0.01 per share.

Net income available to common shareholders was $79.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, compared to $76.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. Net income available to common shareholders per share (EPS) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 was $0.52 basic and $0.52 on a diluted basis. This compares to EPS for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 of $0.50 basic and $0.50 on a diluted basis.

The reported results are unaudited and there can be no assurance that the results will not vary from the final unaudited information for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of these reported results have been made.

As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s portfolio consisted of 170 properties aggregating approximately 46.3 million square feet, including 13 properties under construction/redevelopment totaling 4.2 million square feet. In addition, the Company has structured parking for vehicles containing approximately 14.7 million square feet. The overall percentage of leased space for the 154 properties in service (excluding the Company’s two residential properties and hotel) as of June 30, 2015 was 91.1%.

Significant events during the second quarter included:

  • During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts which fix the ten-year swap rate on notional amounts aggregating $75.0 million. The Company has now entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts which fix the ten-year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.458% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $325.0 million. The interest rate swap contracts were entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in September 2016 and maturity in September 2026.

In addition, the Company’s 767 Fifth Partners LLC consolidated entity (the entity in which the Company has a 60% interest and that owns the General Motors Building at 767 Fifth Avenue in New York City) entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, including contracts entered into subsequent to June 30, 2015, which fix the ten-year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.809% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $225.0 million. These interest rate swap contracts were entered into in advance of a financing with a target commencement date in June 2017 and maturity in June 2027.

  • On May 1, 2015, the Company commenced the redevelopment of Reservoir Place North, a Class A office project with approximately 73,000 net rentable square feet located in Waltham, Massachusetts.
  • On May 8, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture with an affiliate of 1265 Main Street LLC to redevelop an existing building into a Class A office building totaling approximately 115,000 net rentable square feet at 1265 Main Street in Waltham, Massachusetts. The joint venture partner contributed real estate and improvements, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $9.4 million, for its initial 50% interest in the joint venture. For its initial 50% interest, the Company will contribute cash totaling approximately $9.4 million as the joint venture incurs costs. The joint venture has entered into a fifteen-year lease with a tenant to occupy 100% of the building.
  • On June 25, 2015, the Company’s Operating Partnership redeemed the remaining 12,667 Series Four Preferred Units for cash totaling approximately $0.6 million.
  • On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture with Rudin Development to develop Dock72, an office building totaling approximately 670,000 net rentable square feet located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York. Each partner contributed cash totaling approximately $9.1 million for their initial 50% interest in the joint venture. The joint venture entered into a 96-year ground lease with the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, comprised of an initial term of 49 years, which may be extended by the joint venture to 2111, subject to certain conditions. The joint venture also entered into a 20-year lease with WeWork to occupy approximately 222,000 net rentable square feet at the building and be a co-developer of the project.

Transactions completed subsequent to June 30, 2015:

  • On July 29, 2015, a consolidated entity in which the Company has a 50% interest executed a binding agreement for the sale of 505 9th Street, N.W. located in Washington, DC, for approximately $318.0 million, including the assumption by the buyer of approximately $117.0 million of mortgage indebtedness. 505 9th Street, N.W. is an approximately 322,000 net rentable square foot Class A office building. The sale is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and, although there can be no assurance that the sale will be consummated on the terms currently contemplated or at all, it is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2015.

EPS and FFO per Share Guidance:

The Company’s guidance for the third quarter and full year 2015 for EPS (diluted) and FFO per share (diluted) is set forth and reconciled below. Except as described below, the estimates reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, including assumptions with respect to rental rates, occupancy levels and the earnings impact of the events referenced in this release and otherwise referenced during the conference call referred to below. The estimates do not include possible future gains or losses or the impact on operating results from other possible future property acquisitions or dispositions, other possible capital markets activity or possible future impairment charges. EPS estimates may be subject to fluctuations as a result of several factors, including changes in the recognition of depreciation and amortization expense and any gains or losses associated with disposition activity. The Company is not able to assess at this time the potential impact of these factors on projected EPS. By definition, FFO does not include real estate-related depreciation and amortization, impairment losses or gains or losses associated with disposition activities. There can be no assurance that the Company’s actual results will not differ materially from the estimates set forth below.

As shown below, the Company has updated its guidance for FFO per share (diluted) for full year 2015 to $5.37 - $5.45 per share from $5.35 - $5.45 per share. The updated guidance reflects, when compared to the Company’s prior guidance, an increase from the second quarter 2015 results of $0.03 per share offset by an increase in projected operating expenses for the remainder of 2015 of $0.01 per share and a decrease in FFO of $0.01 per share from the projected sale of 505 9th Street in Washington, DC.

     

Third Quarter 2015

Full Year 2015

 
Low - High Low - High
Projected EPS (diluted) $ 1.13 - $ 1.15 $ 3.13 - $ 3.21
 
Add:
Projected Company Share of Real Estate Depreciation and Amortization

0.82

-

0.82

3.41

-

3.41

Less:
Projected Company Share of Gains on Sales of Real Estate

0.61

-

0.61

1.17

-

1.17

           

Projected FFO per Share (diluted)

$

1.34

-

$

1.36

$

5.37

-

$

5.45

 

Boston Properties will host a conference call on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, open to the general public, to discuss the second quarter 2015 results, the 2015 projections and related assumptions, and other related matters that may be of interest to investors. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 796-3880 (Domestic) or (281) 913-8731 (International) and entering the passcode 56899689. A replay of the conference call will be available through August 13, 2015, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (Domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (International) and entering the passcode 56899689. There will also be a live audio webcast of the call which may be accessed on the Company’s website at www.bostonproperties.com in the Investor Relations section. Shortly after the call a replay of the webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website and archived for up to twelve months following the call.

Additionally, a copy of Boston Properties’ second quarter 2015 “Supplemental Operating and Financial Data” and this press release are available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.bostonproperties.com.

Boston Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that develops, redevelops, acquires, manages, operates and owns a diverse portfolio of Class A office space, one hotel, two residential properties and five retail properties. The Company is one of the largest owners and developers of Class A office properties in the United States, concentrated in four markets – Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. You can identify these statements by our use of the words “assumes,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects” and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond Boston Properties’ control and could materially affect actual results, performance or achievements. These factors include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to satisfy the closing conditions to the pending transactions described above, the Company’s ability to enter into new leases or renew leases on favorable terms, dependence on tenants’ financial condition, the uncertainties of real estate development, acquisition and disposition activity, the ability to effectively integrate acquisitions, the uncertainties of investing in new markets, the costs and availability of financing, the effectiveness of our interest rate hedging contracts, the ability of our joint venture partners to satisfy their obligations, the effects of local, national and international economic and market conditions, the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and possible impairment charges on our operating results, the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on the Company’s accounting policies and on period-to-period comparisons of financial results, regulatory changes and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Boston Properties does not undertake a duty to update or revise any forward-looking statement, including its guidance for the third quarter and full fiscal year 2015, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     
June 30,
2015
December 31,
2014
 
(in thousands, except for share amounts)
(unaudited)
ASSETS
 
Real estate $ 18,207,934 $ 18,231,978
Construction in progress 880,996 736,311
Land held for future development 277,327 268,114

Less: accumulated depreciation

  (3,753,926 )   (3,547,659 )

Total real estate

15,612,331 15,688,744
 
Cash and cash equivalents 1,342,751 1,763,079
Cash held in escrows 252,558 487,321
Investments in securities 20,953 19,459
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,061 and $1,142, respectively 55,183 46,595
Accrued rental income, net of allowance of $1,219 and $1,499, respectively 730,797 691,999
Deferred charges, net 771,419 831,744
Prepaid expenses and other assets 117,993 164,432
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures   209,974     193,394  

Total assets

$ 19,113,959   $ 19,886,767  
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
Liabilities:

Mortgage notes payable

$ 4,269,808 $ 4,309,484

Unsecured senior notes, net of discount

5,288,503 5,287,704

Unsecured exchangeable senior notes, net of discount

- -

Unsecured line of credit

- -

Mezzanine notes payable

309,148 309,796

Outside members' notes payable

180,000 180,000

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

231,900 243,263

Dividends and distributions payable

112,892 882,472

Accrued interest payable

178,548 163,532

Other liabilities

  448,480     502,255  

Total liabilities

  11,019,279     11,878,506  
 
Commitments and contingencies   -     -  
 
Noncontrolling interest:

Redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership

  -     633  
 

Redeemable interest in property partnership

  106,233     104,692  

 

Equity:

Stockholders' equity attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.

Excess stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

- -

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized;
5.25% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock,
$0.01 par value, liquidation preference $2,500 per share,
92,000 shares authorized, 80,000 shares issued and outstanding at
June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

 

200,000

200,000

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized,
153,552,831 and 153,192,845 shares issued and 153,473,931
and 153,113,945 shares outstanding at
June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

 

1,535 1,531

Additional paid-in capital

6,293,556 6,270,257

Dividends in excess of earnings

(711,239 ) (762,464 )

Treasury common stock, at cost

(2,722 ) (2,722 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  1,848     (9,304 )

Total stockholders' equity attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.

5,782,978 5,697,298
 

Noncontrolling interests:

Common units of the Operating Partnership

614,988 603,171

Property partnerships

1,590,481 1,602,467
   

Total equity

  7,988,447     7,902,936  
   

Total liabilities and equity

$ 19,113,959   $ 19,886,767  
 
 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
         
Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

 

(in thousands, except for per share amounts)

Revenue
Rental
Base rent $ 486,609 $ 463,239 $ 977,291 $ 918,257
Recoveries from tenants 86,795 81,382 175,388 163,316
Parking and other   26,552     26,300     51,340     50,633  
Total rental revenue 599,956 570,921 1,204,019 1,132,206
Hotel revenue 13,403 12,367 22,488 20,560
Development and management services   4,862     6,506     10,190     11,722  
Total revenue   618,221     589,794     1,236,697     1,164,488  
 
Expenses
Operating
Rental 214,464 202,646 435,814 409,034
Hotel 8,495 7,315 16,071 14,112
General and administrative 22,284 23,271 51,075 53,176
Transaction costs 208 661 535 1,098
Depreciation and amortization   167,844     154,628     322,067     308,898  
Total expenses   413,295     388,521     825,562     786,318  
 
Operating income 204,926 201,273 411,135 378,170
Other income (expense)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,078 2,834 17,912 5,650
Interest and other income 1,293 2,109 2,700 3,420
Gains (losses) from investments in securities (24 ) 662 369 948
Interest expense   (108,534 )   (110,977 )   (217,291 )   (224,531 )
Income before gains on sales of real estate 100,739 95,901 214,825 163,657
Gains on sales of real estate   -     -     95,084     -  
Net income 100,739 95,901 309,909 163,657
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships (9,264 ) (7,553 ) (24,472 ) (11,907 )

Noncontrolling interest - redeemable preferred units of the
Operating Partnership

(3 ) (320 ) (6 ) (939 )

Noncontrolling interest - common units of the Operating
Partnership

  (9,394 )   (8,883 )   (29,530 )   (15,010 )
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. 82,078 79,145 255,901 135,801
Preferred dividends (2,618 ) (2,618 ) (5,207 ) (5,207 )
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common        
shareholders $ 79,460   $ 76,527   $ 250,694   $ 130,594  
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Boston
Properties, Inc. common shareholders:
Net income $ 0.52   $ 0.50   $ 1.63   $ 0.85  
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding   153,450     153,078     153,341     153,054  
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Boston
Properties, Inc. common shareholders:
Net income $ 0.52   $ 0.50   $ 1.63   $ 0.85  
 

Weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding

  153,815     153,238     153,845     153,203  
 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (1)
(Unaudited)
         
Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

 
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
 

 

Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common
shareholders

$ 79,460 $ 76,527 $ 250,694 $ 130,594
 
Add:
Preferred dividends 2,618 2,618 5,207 5,207

 

Noncontrolling interest - common units of the Operating
Partnership

9,394 8,883 29,530 15,010

 

Noncontrolling interest - redeemable preferred units of
the Operating Partnership

3 320 6 939
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships 9,264 7,553 24,472 11,907
Less:
Gains on sales of real estate   -     -     95,084     -  
 
Income before gains on sales of real estate 100,739 95,901 214,825 163,657
 
Add:
Real estate depreciation and amortization (2) 171,384 159,272 320,138 317,786
Less:

Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships' share of
funds from operations

36,699 21,825 73,214 40,848

Noncontrolling interest - redeemable preferred units of
the Operating Partnership

3 320 6 939
Preferred dividends   2,618     2,618     5,207     5,207  

 

Funds from operations (FFO) attributable to the Operating
Partnership common unitholders
(including Boston Properties, Inc.)

232,803 230,410 456,536 434,449
 
Less:

Noncontrolling interest - common units of the Operating
Partnership's share of funds from operations

  24,072     23,400     47,423     43,566  

 

Funds from operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.
common shareholders

$ 208,731   $ 207,010   $ 409,113   $ 390,883  

 

Boston Properties, Inc.'s percentage share of funds from
operations - basic

  89.66 %   89.84 %   89.61 %   89.97 %
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic   153,450     153,078     153,341     153,054  
 
FFO per share basic $ 1.36   $ 1.35   $ 2.67   $ 2.55  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted   153,815     153,623     153,845     153,831  
 
FFO per share diluted $ 1.36   $ 1.35   $ 2.66   $ 2.55  
 

(1) Pursuant to the revised definition of Funds from Operations adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), we calculate Funds from Operations, or “FFO,” by adjusting net income (loss) attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders (computed in accordance with GAAP, including non-recurring items) for gains (or losses) from sales of properties, impairment losses on depreciable real estate of consolidated real estate, impairment losses on investments in unconsolidated joint ventures driven by a measurable decrease in the fair value of depreciable real estate held by the unconsolidated joint ventures, real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustment for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure. The use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial in improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Management generally considers FFO to be a useful measure for reviewing our comparative operating and financial performance because, by excluding gains and losses related to sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets, impairment losses and real estate asset depreciation and amortization (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO can help one compare the operating performance of a company's real estate between periods or as compared to different companies.

Our computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs or real estate companies that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently.

FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indication of our performance. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP, and is not a measure of liquidity or an indicator of our ability to make cash distributions. We believe that to further understand our performance, FFO should be compared with our reported net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. and considered in addition to cash flows in accordance with GAAP, as presented in our consolidated financial statements.

(2) Real estate depreciation and amortization consists of depreciation and amortization from the Consolidated Statements of Operations of $167,844, $154,628, $322,067 and $308,898 and our share of unconsolidated joint venture real estate depreciation and amortization of $3,886, $4,986, $(1,246) and $9,570, less corporate-related depreciation and amortization of $346, $342, $683 and $682 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
PORTFOLIO LEASING PERCENTAGES
     
 
 
% Leased by Location
June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014
Boston 90.6% 91.4%
New York 90.5% 90.9%
San Francisco 89.2% 88.3%
Washington, DC 93.6% 94.8%
Total Portfolio 91.1% 91.7%
 
 
 
 
% Leased by Type
June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014
Class A Office Portfolio 91.4% 91.8%
Office/Technical Portfolio 84.7% 87.7%
Total Portfolio 91.1% 91.7%
 

Contacts

Boston Properties, Inc.
Michael LaBelle, 617-236-3352
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
or
Arista Joyner, 617-236-3343
Investor Relations Manager

Contacts

Boston Properties, Inc.
Michael LaBelle, 617-236-3352
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
or
Arista Joyner, 617-236-3343
Investor Relations Manager