Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. today reported funds from operations available to common shareholders ("FFO"), a widely accepted measure of REIT performance, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased 9.4% to $0.70 per share, or $26.5 million, as compared to FFO of $0.64 per share, or $23.9 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, FFO was $64.4 million, or $1.70 per share, as compared to FFO of $67.4 million, or $1.80 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
FFO for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was impacted by a previously announced $8.9 million charge relating to the settlement of $200.0 million in 10 year US Treasury locks, as well as a $406,000 prepayment premium associated with the early extinguishment of debt. Excluding these two non-recurring charges, FFO for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 would have been $1.94 per share, representing an increase of 7.8% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, net income available to common shareholders increased 26.9% to $8.9 million or $0.28 per share, as compared to $7.0 million, or $0.22 per share for the third quarter of 2007. Net income available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $14.3 million, or $0.45 per share compared $13.9 million, or $0.44 per share for the first nine months of 2007. Net income available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was also impacted by the non-recurring charges described above.
Net income and FFO per share amounts above are on a diluted basis. FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used as a standard in the real estate industry to measure and compare the operating performance of real estate companies. A complete reconciliation containing adjustments from GAAP net income to FFO is included in this press release.
Third Quarter Highlights
-- Received an upgrade from BBB- to BBB from Standard and Poor's Ratings Services on October 23, 2008
-- 31.2% debt-to-total market capitalization ratio, compared to 30.5% as of September 30, 2007
-- 3.92 times interest coverage ratio compared to 3.40 times last year
-- 4.7% increase in same center net operating income for the third quarter and year to date
-- 47.0% average increase in base rental rates on 77,000 square feet of re-leased space during the third quarter of 2008, 43.8% increase year to date, compared to a 37.6% increase year to date in 2007
-- 8.3% average increase in base rental rates on 56,000 square feet of signed renewals during the third quarter of 2008, 17.6% increase year to date, compared to a 13.2% increase year to date in 2007
-- 96.7% occupancy rate for wholly-owned properties, up 0.5% from June 30, 2008
-- Same-space tenant sales for the rolling twelve months ended September 30, 2008 increased 0.3% to $341 per square foot excluding two properties undergoing major renovations
Stanley K. Tanger, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our third quarter results were very positive. Same center net operating income increased 4.7% for the quarter as a result of our continuing efforts to drive rental rates on the renewal and releasing of space. Our balance sheet is conservatively positioned given current financial and economic conditions."
Financing Activities and Balance Sheet Summary
On October 23, 2008, Tanger was upgraded by Standard and Poor's Ratings Services from BBB- to BBB, making it one of only two REITs to receive a ratings upgrade this year. The company also currently maintains an investment grade rating with Moody's Investors Service of Baa3.
On June 11, 2008, Tanger closed on a $235.0 million unsecured three year term loan facility. The facility bears interest at a spread over LIBOR of 160 basis points, with the spread adjusting over time, based upon the debt ratings of the company.
On June 26, 2008, the company used proceeds from the term loan to repay its only remaining mortgage with a principal balance of approximately $170.7 million two weeks ahead of its optional prepayment date. As a result of the repayment of this mortgage, Tanger's entire portfolio of wholly-owned properties is now unencumbered. The remaining proceeds of approximately $62.8 million, net of closing costs, were applied against amounts outstanding on the company's unsecured lines of credit and to settle two treasury based interest rate lock protection agreements.
On July 9, 2008, Tanger entered into a LIBOR based interest rate swap agreement, which effectively changes the floating rate of interest on $118.0 million of the unsecured three year term loan facility to a fixed rate of 5.21%. The interest rate swap agreement expires on April 1, 2011. Subsequently, on September 25, 2008, the company entered into an additional LIBOR based interest rate swap agreement, which effectively changes the floating rate of interest on the remaining $117.0 million of the unsecured three year term loan facility to a fixed rate of 5.30%. This interest rate swap agreement also expires on April 1, 2011.
As of September 30, 2008, Tanger had $783.3 million of debt outstanding, equating to a 31.2% debt-to-total market capitalization ratio. The company had $149.5 million outstanding on its $325.0 million in available unsecured lines of credit, and approximately 81% of Tanger's debt was at fixed interest rates as of September 30, 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, Tanger continued to maintain a strong interest coverage ratio of 3.92 times, compared to 3.40 times during the third quarter of last year.
Portfolio Operating Results
During the first nine months of 2008, Tanger executed 351 lease documents, totaling 1,521,000 square feet within its wholly-owned properties. Lease renewals accounted for 1,040,000 square feet, or 77.0% of the square feet which was scheduled to expire during 2008, and generated a 17.6% increase in average base rental rates on a straight-line basis. Base rental increases on re-tenanted space during the first nine months of 2008 averaged 43.8% on a straight-line basis and accounted for the remaining 481,000 square feet.
Same center net operating income increased 4.7% for the third quarter of 2008 and the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Excluding two properties undergoing major renovations, reported tenant comparable sales per square foot for the rolling twelve months ended September 30, 2008 were up 0.3% to $341 per square foot, compared to $340 per square foot for the twelve months ended September 30, 2007. Sales were impacted by the general weakness in the U.S. economy, as well as severe weather and hurricanes during the third quarter of the year.
Investment and Other Activities
In Washington County, south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tanger held a very successful grand opening celebration of its second center in the state on August 29, 2008. The first phase, totaling 370,000 square feet, was approximately 86% leased upon opening. The Washington County center is wholly owned by Tanger.
On October 23, 2008, Tanger held the grand opening of its center in Deer Park (Long Island), NY. The initial phase which contains approximately 656,000 square feet of retail space and 26,000 square feet of office space, opened to huge crowds and parking lots filled beyond their capacity. The retail space at the Deer Park center was approximately 77% leased upon opening. The Deer Park property is owned through a joint venture of which Tanger and two venture partners each own a one-third interest.
Based upon the tremendous response by customers at both of these centers' grand opening events, the company feels confident additional tenant interest in the remaining available space will remain high and additional signed leases for both properties will be completed during the first year stabilization period.
Tanger has entered into purchase options on new development sites located in Mebane, North Carolina and Irving, Texas. Tanger is continuing with its predevelopment work at these locations. However in October, 2008, Tanger made the decision to terminate its purchase options with respect to its potential sites in Port St. Lucie, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona. As a result, Tanger will be taking a charge of approximately $1.8 million relating to its predevelopment costs on these projects during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Tanger Elects New Board Member
At its meeting on October 28, 2008, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the company's Board of Directors recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, that the number of directors be expanded from six members to seven members, and that Ms. Bridget Ryan Berman shall serve as independent director of the company effective January 1, 2009 until the next Annual Shareholders Meeting.
Ms. Berman was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Giorgio Armani Corp., the wholly-owned US subsidiary of Giorgio Armani S.p.A., one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world, from 2006 to 2007. Previously, she was Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Apple Computer Retail from 2004 to 2005 and held various executive positions with Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, including Group President of Polo Ralph Lauren Global Retail, from 1992 to 2004. Ms. Berman also served in various capacities at May Department Stores, Federated Department Stores, and Allied Stores Corp. from 1982 to 1992. In addition, Ms. Berman was a member of the board of directors, and served on the audit committee for J. Crew Group, Inc. from 2005 to 2006.
"We are pleased to add to our Board of Directors someone with Ms. Berman's credentials," said Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Ms. Berman's extensive experience and impressive background in the retail industry will add value and perspective to our board."
2008 FFO Per Share Guidance
Based on current market conditions and the strength and stability of its core portfolio, the company currently believes its net income for 2008, excluding gains or losses on the sale of real estate, will be between $0.63 and $0.69 per share and its FFO for 2008 will be between $2.35 and $2.41 per share. The company's earnings estimates include the impact of the expected write-off of predevelopment costs mentioned above totaling approximately $1.8 million, but do not include the impact of any potential gains on the sale of land parcels or the impact of any potential sales or acquisitions of properties. The following table provides the reconciliation of estimated diluted net income available to common shareholders per share to estimated diluted FFO per share: For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008:
Low Range High Range
Estimated diluted net income per share $0.63 $0.69
Minority interest, gain/loss on the sale of
real estate, depreciation and amortization
uniquely significant to real estate
including minority interest share and our
share of joint ventures 1.72 1.72
Estimated diluted FFO per share $2.35 $2.41
Third Quarter Conference Call
Tanger will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results for analysts, investors and other interested parties on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 10:00 A.M. eastern time. To access the conference call, listeners should dial 1-877-277-5113 and request to be connected to the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results call. Alternatively, the call will be web cast by CCBN and can be accessed at the company's web site at http://www.tangeroutlet.com/investorrelations/news .
A telephone replay of the call will be available from October 29, 2008 starting at 1:00 P.M. Eastern Time through 11:59 P.M., November 7, 2008, by dialing 1-800-642-1687 (conference ID # 65292786). Additionally, an online archive of the broadcast will also be available through November 7, 2008.
About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. , a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed publicly traded REIT, presently owns 30 outlet centers in 21 states coast to coast, totaling approximately 8.8 million square feet of gross leasable area. Tanger also manages for a fee and owns an interest in three outlet centers containing approximately 1.3 million square feet. Tanger is filing a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission that includes a supplemental information package for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, visit our web site at www.tangeroutlet.com.
Estimates of future net income per share and FFO per share are by definition, and certain other matters discussed in this press release regarding our re-merchandising strategy, the renewal and re-tenanting of space, tenant sales and sales trends, interest rates, funds from operations, the development and opening of new centers, and coverage of the current dividend may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to various factors including, but not limited to, the risks associated with general economic and local real estate conditions, the availability and cost of capital, the company's ability to lease its properties, the company's inability to collect rent due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of tenants or otherwise, and competition. For a more detailed discussion of the factors that affect our operating results, interested parties should review the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
