• Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. Reports 2022 Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 15 Feb 2023 15:10:00   America/Chicago

    SAN DIEGO, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ:ROIC) announced today financial and operating results for the year and three months ended December 31, 2022.

    YEAR 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

    • $51.9 million of net income attributable to common stockholders ($0.42 per diluted share)
    • $145.3 million in Funds From Operations(1) ($1.10 per diluted share)
    • 10.0% growth in Funds From Operations per diluted share (2022 vs. 2021)
    • 4.6% increase in same-center cash net operating income (2022 vs. 2021)
    • 98.1% portfolio lease rate at year-end (all-time record high)
    • 1.6 million square feet leased (all-time record activity)
    • 23.2% increase in same-space cash rents on new leases (7.8% increase on renewals)
    • $120.2 million of grocery-anchored shopping center acquisitions
    • $61.4 million of capital raised ($36.2 million disposition, $25.2 million ATM stock issuance)
    • $23.5 million of mortgage debt retired
    • 96.6% of portfolio’s gross leasable area unencumbered at year-end (all-time record high)
    • Advanced environmental, social & governance initiatives

    4TH QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

    • $10.2 million of net income attributable to common stockholders ($0.08 per diluted share)
    • $35.9 million in Funds From Operations ($0.27 per diluted share)
    • 5.0% increase in same-center cash net operating income (4Q‘22 vs. 4Q‘21)
    • 6.6x net principal debt-to-annualized EBITDA ratio for 4Q‘22 (vs. 7.0x for 4Q‘21)
    • $0.15 per share cash dividend paid

    ________________________________________

    (1) A reconciliation of GAAP net income to Funds From Operations (FFO) is provided at the end of this press release.

    Stuart A. Tanz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. stated, “During 2022, we continued to enhance the long-term intrinsic value and competitive position of our portfolio. In terms of leasing, we posted one of the strongest, most active years on record for the company, achieving a new record high portfolio lease rate, surpassing 98% at year-end. We also leased a record amount of space during the year, and again achieved solid releasing rent growth. Additionally, we continued to work at enhancing our presence on the West Coast through our disciplined, relationship-driven investment program. During 2022, we acquired over 0.5 million square feet of grocery-anchored shopping centers. All of the properties are well-situated in our core markets and are an excellent strategic fit with our existing portfolio.” Tanz added, “Looking ahead, with our strong operating platform, we are well positioned to achieve another productive year in 2023 and continue building long-term value.”

    FINANCIAL SUMMARY

    For the year ended December 31, 2022, GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $51.9 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, as compared to GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders of $53.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2021. Included in GAAP net income for 2022 was a $7.7 million gain on sale of real estate as a result of ROIC’s property disposition activity during 2022, as compared to $22.3 million gain on sale of real estate during 2021. For the three months ended December 31, 2022, GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $10.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, as compared to GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders of $8.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

    FFO for the year 2022 was $145.3 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, as compared to $127.9 million in FFO, or $1.00 per diluted share, for the year 2021, representing a 10.0% increase in FFO per diluted share. FFO for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $35.9 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, as compared to $32.6 million in FFO, or $0.25 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2021. ROIC reports FFO as a supplemental performance measure in accordance with the definition set forth by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. A reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO is provided at the end of this press release.

    For the year 2022, same-center net operating income (NOI) was $196.7 million, as compared to $188.1 million in same-center NOI for the year 2021, representing a 4.6% increase. For the fourth quarter of 2022, same-center NOI increased 5.0% as compared to same-center NOI for the fourth quarter of 2021. ROIC reports same-center comparative NOI on a cash basis. A reconciliation of GAAP operating income to same-center comparative NOI is provided at the end of this press release.

    During 2022, ROIC raised $61.4 million of capital, including $36.2 million from a property disposition and $25.2 million from the issuance of approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock through its ATM program. ROIC utilized the proceeds, together with cash flow from operations and borrowings on its unsecured revolving credit facility, to fund $120.2 million of shopping center acquisitions and retire two mortgage loans totaling $23.5 million. At December 31, 2022, ROIC had total real estate assets (before accumulated depreciation) of approximately $3.4 billion and approximately $1.4 billion of principal debt outstanding. As of December 31, 2022, 95.7% of ROIC’s principal debt outstanding was unsecured, including $88.0 million outstanding on its $600.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility. Additionally, ROIC’s net principal debt-to-annualized EBITDA ratio for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 6.6 times, and 96.6% of its portfolio was unencumbered at December 31, 2022, based on gross leasable area. During 2022, Fitch Ratings, Inc. awarded ROIC an upgrade to its investment-grade corporate debt rating and reaffirmed its stable outlook. Additionally, Moody's Investor Services and S&P Global Ratings each reaffirmed their respective investment-grade corporate debt rating and stable outlook.

    ACQUISITION & DISPOSITION SUMMARY

    During 2022, ROIC acquired, in three separate transactions, five grocery-anchored shopping centers totaling $120.2 million, encompassing approximately 501,000 square feet. Three of the properties are located within the Seattle metropolitan area, one property is located within the Portland metropolitan area, and one property is located within the San Francisco metropolitan area. Additionally, during 2022 ROIC sold one property for $36.2 million located within the Seattle metropolitan area.

    PROPERTY OPERATIONS SUMMARY

    At December 31, 2022, ROIC’s portfolio was 98.1% leased, as compared to 97.5% leased at December 31, 2021. For the year 2022, ROIC executed 439 leases, totaling approximately 1.6 million square feet, including 173 new leases, totaling 445,612 square feet, achieving a 23.2% increase in same-space comparative base rent, and 266 renewed leases, totaling 1,162,619 square feet, achieving a 7.8% increase in base rent. During the fourth quarter of 2022, ROIC executed 109 leases, totaling 415,793 square feet, including 48 new leases, totaling 136,750 square feet, achieving an 11.1% increase in same-space comparative base rent, and 61 renewed leases, totaling 279,043 square feet, achieving a 7.2% increase in base rent. ROIC reports same-space comparative base rent on a cash basis.

    ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE SUMMARY

    During 2022, ROIC continued to advance its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. As disclosed in its 2022 annual ESG report (issued in July 2022), ROIC achieved a 14% reduction in same-center greenhouse gas emissions and a 15% reduction in same-center common area energy consumption (2021 vs. 2020). For the second consecutive year ROIC was selected as a Green Lease Leader by the U.S. Department of Energy. Specifically, ROIC received the designation of “Gold” in recognition of its efforts to incorporate crucial energy efficiency, cost savings, air quality and sustainability criteria into its leases. Additionally, during 2022 ROIC enhanced its Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark public disclosure rating.

    DIVIDEND SUMMARY

    On December 29, 2022, ROIC distributed a $0.15 per share cash dividend. On February 14, 2023, ROIC’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on April 7, 2023 to stockholders of record on March 17, 2023.

    2023 GUIDANCE SUMMARY

    ROIC currently estimates that GAAP net income for 2023 will be within the range of $0.35 to $0.43 per diluted share, and FFO will be within the range of $1.05 to $1.11 per diluted share.

     2022 Actual
    		 Year Ended December 31, 2023
      Low End High End
     (unaudited, amounts in thousands except per share and percentage data)
    GAAP net income applicable to stockholders$51,869  $43,709  $54,526 
    Funds from operations (FFO) – diluted$145,301  $139,650  $150,700 
          
    GAAP net income per diluted share$0.42  $0.35  $0.43 
    FFO per diluted share$1.10  $1.05  $1.11 
          
    Key Drivers     
    General and administrative expenses$21,735  $23,000  $22,000 
    Interest expense and other finance expenses$59,225  $68,000  $73,000 
    Straight-line rent$2,715  $1,000  $1,000 
    Amortization of above- and below-market rent$11,947  $10,000  $10,000 
    Bad debt$2,034  $5,000  $3,000 
    Acquisitions$120,150  $100,000  $200,000 
    Dispositions$36,193  $200,000  $50,000 
    Same-center cash NOI growth 4.6%  2.0%  5.0%
          

    ROIC’s management will discuss guidance, and the underlying assumptions, on ROIC’s February 16, 2023 conference call. ROIC’s guidance is a forward-looking statement and is subject to risks and other factors noted elsewhere in this press release.

    CONFERENCE CALL

    ROIC will conduct a conference call to discuss its results on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

    To participate in the conference call, click on the following link (ten minutes prior to the call) to register:

    https://register.vevent.com/register/BIb65c0bdd569b4cc59cbcd8cdabf2c8cc

    Once registered, participants will have the option of: 1) dialing in from their phone (using a PIN); or 2) clicking the “Call Me” option to receive an automated call directly to their phone.

    The conference call will also be available live (in a listen-only mode) at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/bja5jezf

    The conference call will be recorded and available for replay following the conclusion of the live broadcast and will be accessible up to one year on ROIC’s website, specifically on its Investor Relations Events & Presentations page: https://investor.roicreit.com/events-presentations

    ABOUT RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.

    Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ: ROIC), is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, ownership and management of grocery-anchored shopping centers located in densely-populated, metropolitan markets across the West Coast. As of December 31, 2022, ROIC owned 93 shopping centers encompassing approximately 10.6 million square feet. ROIC is the largest publicly-traded, grocery-anchored shopping center REIT focused exclusively on the West Coast. ROIC is a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and has investment-grade corporate debt ratings from Moody's Investor Services, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, Inc. Additional information is available at: www.roireit.net.

    When used herein, the words "believes," "anticipates," "projects," "should," "estimates," "expects," “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements with the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21F of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results of ROIC to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information regarding such risks and factors is described in ROIC's filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available at: www.roireit.net.


    RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands, except share data)

     December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
    ASSETS   
    Real Estate Investments:   
    Land$958,236  $915,861 
    Building and improvements 2,452,857   2,350,294 
      3,411,093   3,266,155 
    Less: accumulated depreciation 578,593   510,836 
      2,832,500   2,755,319 
    Mortgage note receivable 4,786   4,875 
    Real Estate Investments, net 2,837,286   2,760,194 
    Cash and cash equivalents 5,598   13,218 
    Restricted cash 1,861   2,145 
    Tenant and other receivables, net 57,546   55,787 
    Deposits 500   — 
    Acquired lease intangible assets, net 52,428   50,139 
    Prepaid expenses 5,957   5,337 
    Deferred charges, net 26,683   25,017 
    Other assets 16,420   17,007 
    Total assets$3,004,279  $2,928,844 
        
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
    Liabilities:   
    Term loan$299,253  $298,889 
    Credit facility 88,000   — 
    Senior Notes 946,849   945,231 
    Mortgage notes payable 60,917   85,354 
    Acquired lease intangible liabilities, net 152,117   136,608 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses 22,885   48,598 
    Tenants’ security deposits 7,701   7,231 
    Other liabilities 41,959   40,580 
    Total liabilities 1,619,681   1,562,491 
        
    Commitments and contingencies   
        
    Equity:   
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding —   — 
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 124,538,811 and 122,685,266
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively    		 12   12 
    Additional paid-in capital 1,612,126   1,577,837 
    Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings (315,984)  (297,801)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 14   (3,154)
    Total Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. stockholders’ equity 1,296,168   1,276,894 
    Non-controlling interests 88,430   89,459 
    Total equity 1,384,598   1,366,353 
    Total liabilities and equity$3,004,279  $2,928,844 
        


    RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands, except per share data)

     Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
      2022   2021   2022   2021 
    Revenues       
    Rental revenue$79,285  $71,999  $308,960  $280,924 
    Other income 908   799   3,969   3,176 
    Total revenues 80,193   72,798   312,929   284,100 
            
    Operating expenses       
    Property operating 13,589   12,105   51,057   44,439 
    Property taxes 8,839   8,161   34,651   33,663 
    Depreciation and amortization 25,050   23,528   97,494   92,929 
    General and administrative expenses 5,590   5,301   21,735   19,654 
    Other expense 182   229   960   860 
    Total operating expenses 53,250   49,324   205,897   191,545 
            
    Gain on sale of real estate —   —   7,653   22,340 
            
    Operating income 26,943   23,474   114,685   114,895 
    Non-operating expenses       
    Interest expense and other finance expenses (16,049)  (14,362)  (59,225)  (57,535)
    Net income 10,894   9,112   55,460   57,360 
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (695)  (598)  (3,591)  (3,852)
    Net Income Attributable to Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.$10,199  $8,514  $51,869  $53,508 
            
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted$0.08  $0.07  $0.42  $0.44 
            
    Dividends per common share$0.15  $0.18  $0.56  $0.51 
            


    CALCULATION OF FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands)

     Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
      2022  2021  2022   2021 
    Net income attributable to ROIC$10,199 $8,514 $51,869  $53,508 
    Plus: Depreciation and amortization 25,050  23,528  97,494   92,929 
    Less: Gain on sale of real estate —  —  (7,653)  (22,340)
    Funds from operations – basic 35,249  32,042  141,710   124,097 
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 695  598  3,591   3,852 
    Funds from operations – diluted$35,944 $32,640 $145,301  $127,949 
            


    SAME-CENTER CASH NET OPERATING INCOME ANALYSIS
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands, except number of shopping centers and percentages)

      Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
       2022   2021  $ Change % Change  2022   2021  $ Change % Change
    Number of shopping centers included in same-center analysis 85   85       84   84     
    Same-center occupancy 98.0%  97.5%   0.5%  98.0%  97.5%   0.5%
                     
    Revenues:               
     Base rents$52,656  $50,918  $1,738 3.4% $205,223  $198,434  $6,789  3.4%
     Percentage rent 956   791   165 20.9%  1,482   970   512  52.8%
     Recoveries from tenants 17,978   16,596   1,382 8.3%  69,890   65,592   4,298  6.6%
     Other property income 667   608   59 9.7%  2,933   2,101   832  39.6%
     Bad debt (390)  (682)  292 (42.8)%  (1,701)  (2,607)  906  (34.8)%
    Total Revenues 71,867   68,231   3,636 5.3%  277,827   264,490   13,337  5.0%
    Operating Expenses               
     Property operating expenses 13,058   12,092   966 8.0%  48,739   43,707   5,032  11.5%
     Property taxes 8,259   7,974   285 3.6%  32,405   32,727   (322) (1.0)%
    Total Operating Expenses 21,317   20,066   1,251 6.2%  81,144   76,434   4,710  6.2%
    Same-Center Cash Net Operating Income$50,550  $48,165  $2,385 5.0% $196,683  $188,056  $8,627  4.6%
                     


    SAME-CENTER CASH NET OPERATING INCOME RECONCILIATION
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands)

     Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
      2022   2021   2022   2021 
    GAAP operating income$26,943  $23,474  $114,685  $114,895 
    Depreciation and amortization 25,050   23,528   97,494   92,929 
    General and administrative expenses 5,590   5,301   21,735   19,654 
    Other expense 182   229   960   860 
    Gain on sale of real estate —   —   (7,653)  (22,340)
    Straight-line rent (427)  (521)  (2,715)  (959)
    Amortization of above- and below-market rent (2,729)  (2,224)  (11,947)  (8,795)
    Property revenues and other expenses (1) (265)  (14)  (1,331)  (614)
    Total Company cash NOI 54,344   49,773   211,228   195,630 
    Non same-center cash NOI (3,794)  (1,608)  (14,545)  (7,574)
    Same-center cash NOI$50,550  $48,165  $196,683  $188,056 
            

    ____________________

    (1)Includes anchor lease termination fees, net of contractual amounts, if any, expense and recovery adjustments related to prior periods and other miscellaneous adjustments.

    NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES

    Funds from operations (“FFO”), is a widely recognized non-GAAP financial measure for REITs that the Company believes when considered with financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, provides additional and useful means to assess its financial performance. FFO is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate the performance of REITs, most of which present FFO along with net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company computes FFO in accordance with the “White Paper” on FFO published by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which defines FFO as net income attributable to common stockholders (determined in accordance with GAAP) excluding gains or losses from debt restructuring, sales of depreciable property and impairments, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for partnerships and unconsolidated joint ventures.

    The Company uses cash net operating income (“NOI”) internally to evaluate and compare the operating performance of the Company’s properties. The Company believes cash NOI provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, and when compared across periods, can be used to determine trends in earnings of the Company’s properties as this measure is not affected by the non-cash revenue and expense recognition items, the cost of the Company’s funding, the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses from the acquisition and sale of operating real estate assets, general and administrative expenses or other gains and losses that relate to the Company’s ownership of properties. The Company believes the exclusion of these items from operating income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred in operating the Company’s properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. Cash NOI is a measure of the operating performance of the Company’s properties but does not measure the Company’s performance as a whole and is therefore not a substitute for net income or operating income as computed in accordance with GAAP. The Company defines cash NOI as operating revenues (base rent and recoveries from tenants), less property and related expenses (property operating expenses and property taxes), adjusted for non-cash revenue and operating expense items such as straight-line rent and amortization of lease intangibles, debt-related expenses and other adjustments. Cash NOI also excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, acquisition transaction costs, other expense, interest expense, gains and losses from property acquisitions and dispositions, extraordinary items, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating cash NOI, and accordingly, the Company’s cash NOI may not be comparable to other REITs.


    Contact:
Nicolette O’Leary
Director of Investor Relations
858-677-0900
noleary@roireit.net

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