GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) today reported funds from   operations ("FFO") available to common shareholders, a widely accepted supplemental measure of REIT performance, increased to $56.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to FFO of $41.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, FFO increased to $139.8 million, as compared to FFO of $116.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

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FFO for all periods shown was impacted by a number of charges as described in the summary below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Excluding these charges, adjusted funds from operations ("AFFO") increased 16.7% to $0.49 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $0.42 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, AFFO per share increased 13.4% to  $1.35 per share, compared to $1.19 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. 

"We are pleased to report another quarter of positive financial and operational performance.  During the quarter, we continued to execute our multi-faceted growth strategy, which incorporates acquisition, development, and positive rental rate spreads within our core portfolio to expand our platform and add shareholder value," commented Steven B. Tanger, President & Chief Executive Officer.  "Just as our past execution contributed to double digit AFFO per share growth during this quarter, we expect the activities that took place during this quarter to provide benefits in the quarters to come," he added.

Net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased to $52.7 million, or $0.56 per share, as compared to net income of $15.1 million, or $0.16 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net income available to common shareholders increased to $84.7 million, or $0.90 per share, as compared to net income available to common shareholders of $34.6 million, or $0.37 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  In addition to the charges described above, net income available to common shareholders was impacted by a $26.0 million gain on fair value measurement related to the acquisition of an additional one-third interest in the Deer Park property, and the consolidation of Deer Park into Tanger's financial statements as of August 30, 2013. 

Net income, FFO and AFFO per share are on a diluted basis.  FFO and AFFO are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures used in the real estate industry to measure and compare the operating performance of real estate companies.  Complete reconciliations containing adjustments from GAAP net income to FFO and to AFFO are included in this release.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Same center net operating income increased 4.0% during the quarter, marking the 35th consecutive quarter of same center net operating income growth
• Year-to-date blended increase in average base rental rates on space renewed and released throughout the consolidated portfolio of 23.4%
• Period-end consolidated portfolio occupancy rate of 98.7% at September 30, 2013, up 10 basis points compared to September 30, 2012
• Comparable tenant sales for the consolidated portfolio increased approximately 1% to $384 per square foot for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013
• Debt-to-total market capitalization ratio of 29.0% as of September 30, 2013
• Interest coverage ratio of 4.71 times, compared to 4.37 times last year
• Total market capitalization increased 7.8% to $4.6 billion at September 30, 2013 from $4.2 billion on September 30, 2012
• Acquired a controlling interest in Tanger Outlets Deer Park, located in New York on Long Island on August 30, 2013
• Commenced construction in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 20, 2013
• Commenced construction of Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut on September 26, 2013
• Completed recast of unsecured lines of credit on October 24, 2013
• Entered into interest rate swaps on the $150 million Deer Park mortgage on October 28, 2013

North American Portfolio Drives Operating Results

During the first nine months of 2013, Tanger executed 460 leases totaling 1,967,000 square feet throughout its consolidated portfolio.  Lease renewals accounted for 1,457,000 square feet, which generated a 17.9% increase in average base rental rates and represents 74.6% of the space originally scheduled to expire in 2013.  Base rental rate increases on space re-tenanted during the first nine months averaged 37.8% and accounted for the remaining 510,000 square feet. 

Consolidated portfolio same center net operating income increased 4.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  For the third quarter of 2013, consolidated portfolio same center net operating income increased 4.0%.  Comparable tenant sales for the consolidated portfolio for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013 increased approximately 1% to $384 per square foot.  For the three months ended September 30, 2013, consolidated comparable tenant sales increased approximately 1%.

Investment Activities Provide Potential Future Growth

As previously announced, the company acquired an additional one-third ownership interest in Tanger Outlets Deer Park, located in New York on Long Island on August 30, 2013.  As a result of Tanger's acquisition of a controlling interest, the property is consolidated into the company's consolidated financial statements. 

During the quarter, the company broke ground on two new developments.  On September 20, 2013, Tanger and its 50/50 joint venture partner broke ground on a new outlet center in the Charlotte, North Carolina market.  The center will be located eight miles southwest of uptown Charlotte at the interchange of I-485 and Steele Creek Road (NC Highway 160), the two major thoroughfares for the city.  The approximately 400,000 square foot project will feature approximately 90 brand name and designer stores and is expected to open during the third quarter of 2014.

On September 26, 2013, the company broke ground at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut on Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods.  Tanger owns a controlling interest in the project, which will be consolidated for financial reporting purposes.  The center will feature approximately 80 brand name and designer tenants, including American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Fossil, Gap, LOFT, Michael Kors, Nike, Skechers, Steve Madden, Tommy Hilfiger and more.   The approximately 314,000 square foot project will be suspended above ground to join the casino floors of the MGM Grand Hotel and the Grand Pequot Hotel, which attract millions of visitors each year.  Due to the complexity of the project, the construction period is expected to exceed Tanger's typical nine to twelve month timeframe.  The company currently expects the property to open in the second quarter of 2015.

A small expansion of Tanger Outlets Sevierville in Sevierville, Tennessee opened during the third quarter.  The project added approximately 20,000  square feet to the center, increasing its total gross leasable area to approximately 438,000 square feet.  

Three other Tanger projects are currently under construction.  Tanger and its 50/50 joint venture partner are finalizing plans for the opening of Tanger Outlets National Harbor on November 22, 2013, just in time for the holiday shopping season.  Located within the National Harbor waterfront resort in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the center will be accessible from I-95, I-295, I-495, and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.  The nation's capital welcomes approximately 33 million tourist visitors annually.  When complete, the center will include approximately 340,000 square feet and feature approximately 80 brand name and designer outlet stores.       

Construction continues in Canada, in the Ottawa and Toronto markets.  In May 2013, the company and its 50/50 co-owner broke ground on Tanger Outlets Ottawa in Kanata and on a major expansion and renovation of Tanger Outlets Cookstown north of Toronto.  Currently both projects are expected to be completed in time for Holiday 2014 openings.

Tanger has a robust pipeline of several other development sites for which current predevelopment activities are ongoing.  These projects include planned new developments in Columbus, Ohio; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Clarksburg, Maryland; as well as planned expansions of existing assets in Park City, Utah;  and in Saint-Sauveur in the Montreal, Quebec market.

Balance Sheet Summary

As of September 30, 2013, Tanger had a total market capitalization of approximately $4.6 billion including $1.3 billion of debt outstanding, equating to a 29.0% debt-to-total market capitalization ratio.  The company had $259.0 million outstanding on its $520.0 million in available unsecured lines of credit. During the third quarter of 2013, Tanger maintained an interest coverage ratio of 4.71 times.

On October 24, 2013, Tanger closed on amendments to its unsecured lines of credit, including extending the maturity, reducing the overall borrowing costs, and improving the related debt covenants.  Maturity of these facilities was extended from November 10, 2015 to October 24, 2017, with the ability to further extend the maturity for an additional year at the company's option.  The annual commitment fee, which is payable on the full $520 million in loan commitments, was reduced from 17.5 basis points to 15.0 basis points, and the interest rate spread over LIBOR was reduced from 110 basis points to 100 basis points.    

On October 28, 2013, Tanger entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the company's floating rate debt exposure by locking the interest rate on the $150 million Deer Park mortgage.  The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 150 basis points and matures in August 2018.  The interest rate swap agreements fix the base rate at an average of 1.3%, creating an effective interest rate for the loan of 2.8% through August 2018.  Based on market conditions, the company may choose to complete additional financing transactions by year end with the objectives of further reducing its floating rate debt exposure, extending the average term of its debt outstanding, and increasing its unused lines of credit capacity.

Tanger Expects Solid FFO Per Share In 2013

Based on Tanger's internal budgeting process, the company's view on current market conditions, and the strength and stability of its core portfolio, management currently believes its net income available to common shareholders for 2013 will be between $1.10 and $1.12 per share, its FFO available to common shareholders for 2013 will be between $1.90 and $1.92 per share, and its AFFO per share available to common shareholders for 2013 will be between $1.84 per share and $1.86 per share. 

The company's earnings estimates reflect a projected increase in same-center net operating income of approximately 4%, and average general and administrative expense of approximately $9.5 million to $10.0 million per quarter.  The company's estimates do not include the impact of any rent termination fees, any additional potential refinancing transactions, the sale of any out parcels of land, or the sale or acquisition of any additional properties.  The following table provides a reconciliation of estimated diluted net income per share to estimated diluted FFO per share and AFFO per share:

Third Quarter Conference Call

Tanger will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2013 results for analysts, investors and other interested parties on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.  To access the conference call, listeners should dial 1-877-277-5113 and provide conference ID # 78333767 to be connected to the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Third Quarter 2013 Financial Results call.  Alternatively, the call will be web cast by SNL IR Solutions and can be accessed at Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.'s web site by clicking the Investor Relations link at www.tangeroutlet.com.  A telephone replay of the call will be available from October 30, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. through 11:59 p.m., November 13, 2013 by dialing 1-855-859-2056, conference ID # 78333767.  An online archive of the broadcast will also be available through November 13, 2013.

About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), is a publicly-traded REIT headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina that presently operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 43 upscale outlet shopping centers in 26 states coast to coast and in Canada, totaling approximately 12.9 million square feet leased to over 2,700 stores operated by more than 470 different brand name companies.  More than 180 million shoppers visit Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. annually.  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, 2013.  For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the company's web site at www.tangeroutlet.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, estimates of future net income per share, FFO and AFFO per share, same center net operating income and general and administrative expenses, as well as other statements regarding plans for new developments and expansions, the expected timing of the commencement of construction and the openings of the current developments, the renewal and re-tenanting of space, tenant sales and sales trends, interest rates, potential future financing transactions, coverage of the current dividend and management's beliefs, plans, estimates, intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. 

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 real estate conditions in the United States and Canada, the company's ability to meet its obligations on existing indebtedness or refinance existing indebtedness on favorable terms, the availability and cost of capital, whether projects in our pipeline convert into successful developments, the company's ability to lease its properties, the company's ability to implement its plans and strategies for joint venture properties that it does not fully control, 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, 2012.

CONTACT:
Frank C. Marchisello, Jr.
Executive Vice President and CFO
(336) 834-6834

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.