Inland Real Estate Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

Inland Real Estate Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

OAK BROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Inland Real Estate Corporation (NYS: IRC) today announced financial and operational results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Key Points

• Funds From Operations (FFO) per common share was $0.22 for the third quarter of 2012, compared to $0.22 for the third quarter of 2011.

• Consolidated same store net operating income (NOI) rose for the seventh consecutive quarter, increasing 5.5 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, over the third quarter of 2011; consolidated same store NOI increased 5.0 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, over the same period last year.

• Total portfolio leased occupancy was 93.1 percent and financial occupancy was 90.6 percent at September 30, 2012. Both rates improved 20 basis points over the second quarter and 40 basis points over the first quarter.

• Company executed 94 leases for 424,377 square feet within the total portfolio for the three months ended September 30, 2012, the third consecutive quarter of increased leasing volume. A total of 102,012 square feet, or nearly 50 percent of square feet leased under new and non-comparable leases signed during the quarter, was leased to anchor tenants.

• Company increased average base rent for new leases signed in the total portfolio by 39.7 percent and renewal leases by 14 percent over expiring average rents for the quarter.

• Following the close of the quarter, IRC-PGGM joint venture agreement upsized to provide for the acquisition of approximately $400 million of additional retail shopping centers within Midwestern U.S. markets.

• Company amended consolidated unsecured credit facilities to increase total capacity by $50 million to $350 million, secure improved rates and extend maturity dates.

Financial Results for the Quarter

For the quarter ended September 30, 2012, FFO attributable to common stockholders was $19.4 million, compared to $19.3 million for the third quarter of 2011. On a per share basis, FFO was $0.22 (basic and diluted) for both the third quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2011.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2012 was $0.5 million, compared to net income of $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2011. On a per common share basis, net loss attributable to common stockholders was $0.01 (basic and diluted), compared to net income of $0.03 for the prior year quarter. Net loss for the quarter was impacted primarily by increased general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses on new acquisitions. The loss was partially offset by decreased interest expense.

"Our significant presence in primary Midwest markets, supported by a strong operating platform, drove healthy performance for the period," said Mark Zalatoris, Inland Real Estate Corporation's president and chief executive officer. "The 5.5 percent gain in consolidated same store net operating income over one year ago is the seventh consecutive quarterly increase delivered. There is also good momentum in leasing volume. For the total portfolio, we leased 424,377 square feet of gross leasable area, including more than 100,000 square feet of space signed with in-demand anchor retailers in the Greater Chicago and Twin Cities metro areas."

Added Zalatoris, "Amendments made to our consolidated unsecured credit facilities this quarter, which include improved rates, extended maturities and increased capacity, enhance our liquidity. In addition, we have increased the target acquisition level for our joint venture with PGGM. The new threshold objective of approximately $400 million in additional retail shopping centers within the Midwest is a productive step forward in our growth strategy."

Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, FFO attributable to common stockholders was $61.4 million, compared to $40.5 million for the same period in 2011. On a per share basis, FFO for the nine-month period was $0.69 (basic and diluted), compared to $0.46 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. FFO for the period increased primarily due to lower interest expense and higher consolidated same store NOI, as well as the impact in 2011 of non-cash asset impairment charges on non-operating properties.

FFO adjusted for non-cash items was $56.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to FFO adjusted for asset impairment charges and other non-cash items, of $53.0 million for the prior year period. On a per share basis, FFO adjusted was $0.64 (basic and diluted), compared to $0.60 for the same period of 2011. FFO adjusted was impacted by the same factors affecting FFO.

Net income attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was $1.7 million, compared to a net loss of $9.0 million for the same period in 2011. On a per share basis, net income attributable to common stockholders was $0.02 (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss of $0.10 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Net income for the nine-month period increased as a result of the same items that impacted FFO. Net income also increased due to the impact in 2011 of the change in control of Orchard Crossing.

Reconciliations of FFO and FFO adjusted to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as well as FFO and FFO adjusted per share to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share, are provided at the end of this news release.

Portfolio Performance

The Company evaluates its overall portfolio by analyzing the operating performance of properties that have been owned and operated for the same three and nine-month periods during each year. A total of 96 of the Company's investment properties within the consolidated portfolio satisfied this criterion during these periods and are referred to as "same store" properties. Same store NOI is a supplemental non-GAAP measure used to monitor the performance of the Company's investment properties.

A reconciliation of consolidated same store NOI to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, is provided at the end of this news release.

Consolidated same store NOI was $23.0 million for the quarter and $68.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, representing increases of 5.5 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively over the prior year periods. The gains were due to increased rental income from new leases and the conclusion of any associated rent abatement periods.

As of September 30, 2012, same store financial occupancy for the consolidated portfolio was 89.2 percent, representing an increase of 200 basis points over September 30, 2011.

Leasing

For the quarter ended September 30, 2012, the Company executed 94 leases within the total portfolio aggregating 424,377 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA). Leasing activity for this period included 56 renewal leases comprising 218,281 square feet of GLA with an average rental rate of $15.10 per square foot, which represents an increase of 14.0 percent over the average expiring rent. Seventeen new leases and 21 non-comparable leases aggregating 206,096 square feet of GLA were signed during the quarter. New leases executed had an average rental rate of $15.81 per square foot, an increase of 39.7 percent over the expiring rent. The increase was driven primarily by two leases signed with soft goods retailers for spaces that were previously leased to a national grocer and a former fitness club in the Chicagoland portfolio.

The non-comparable leases signed have an average rental rate of $16.72 per square foot. Non-comparable leases represent leases signed for expansion square footage or for space in which there was no former tenant in place for one year or more. On a blended basis, the 73 new and renewal leases signed during the quarter had an average rental rate of $15.35 per square foot, representing an increase of 22 percent over the average expiring rent. The calculations of former and new average base rents are adjusted for rent abatements on the included leases.

Leased occupancy for the total portfolio was 93.1 percent as of September 30, 2012, compared to 94.1 percent as of September 30, 2011. The decrease in total portfolio leased occupancy was due to previously disclosed lease expirations or terminations of certain big-box spaces currently being repositioned or under contract for sale.

Financial occupancy for the total portfolio was 90.6 percent as of September 30, 2012, compared to 89.4 percent as of September 30, 2011. The increase of 120 basis points in total portfolio financial occupancy over the one year ago period was due to new tenants exiting abatement periods and beginning to pay rent. Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage of total gross leasable area for which a tenant is obligated to pay rent under the terms of the lease agreement, regardless of the actual use or occupation by that tenant of the area being leased, and excludes tenants in abatement periods.

EBITDA, Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Market Value

The Company reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted for non-cash items, of $34.2 million for the quarter, compared to $32.0 million for the third quarter of 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, adjusted EBITDA was $98.7 million, compared to $92.3 million for the prior year period. Definitions and reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) are provided at the end of this news release.

EBITDA coverage of interest expense, adjusted, was 2.8 times for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, compared to 2.5 times for the third quarter of 2011. The Company has provided EBITDA and related non-GAAP coverage ratios because it believes EBITDA and the related ratios provide useful supplemental measures in evaluating the Company's operating performance in that expenses that may not be indicative of operating performance are excluded.

During the quarter, the Company entered into amendments to its consolidated unsecured credit agreements to, among other things: (1) extend the maturity dates of the line of credit facility to 2016, excluding a one-year extension option, and the term loan to 2017; (2) increase the amounts borrowed under the term loan and available under the line of credit facility to $175 million each (excluding the $100 million accordion feature of the line of credit); (3) reduce the graduated interest rate spread that varies with the Company's leverage ratio; and (4) add an investment grade pricing grid. The Company had $55 million outstanding on its $175 million unsecured line of credit facility at the end of the third quarter.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had an equity market capitalization (common shares) of $736.4 million, outstanding preferred stock of $110.0 million (at face value), and total debt outstanding of $1.0 billion (including the pro-rata share of debt in unconsolidated joint ventures and full face value of outstanding 5.0% convertible senior notes, due 2029) for a total market capitalization of approximately $1.9 billion and a debt-to-total market capitalization of 54.4 percent. Approximately 64 percent of total debt bears interest at fixed rates. As of September 30, 2012, the weighted average interest rate on the fixed rate debt was 5.23 percent and the overall weighted average interest rate, including variable rate debt, was 4.30 percent.

Dispositions

On August 1, 2012, the Company sold for $2.3 million a single-tenant retail property leased to Walgreens in Jennings, Missouri. In addition, on October 9, 2012, the Company sold for $4.5 million the 43,762-square-foot Hartford Plaza in Naperville, Illinois. Each property was sold at a price above its current carrying value. The Company expects to recycle proceeds from the sales into new acquisitions with higher growth potential.

Joint Venture Activity

During the quarter, the Company's venture with IPCC acquired two free-standing retail properties located in Villa Park, Illinois and New Bedford, Massachusetts, for $4.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Both properties are leased to Walgreens.

Following the close of the quarter, the Company and PGGM entered into an amendment to their joint venture agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the amendment, the partners increased their maximum contribution obligations to allow for the acquisition of approximately $400 million of additional grocery-anchored and community retail centers within Midwestern markets. The amendment increases the Company's maximum total contribution from approximately $160 million to $280 million, and PGGM's maximum total equity contribution from approximately $130 million to $230 million. Subsequent to the amendment, the Company's remaining commitment is approximately $130 million and PGGM's remaining commitment is approximately $107 million. The Company believes the key benefit of the joint venture with PGGM is the fact that it provides the Company the opportunity to achieve a higher yield on investment for assets acquired by the venture as a result of the fee income it receives from PGGM for leasing and managing the properties.

Total fee income from unconsolidated joint ventures was $1.5 million for the quarter, compared to $1.7 million for the prior year period. Fee income from unconsolidated joint ventures for the quarter was lower due to the timing of sales of interests in properties through the IRC-IPCC venture. The decrease was partially offset by increased management fees from additional assets under management through the joint ventures with PGGM and IPCC.

Distributions

In August, September and October of 2012, the Company paid a monthly cash dividend to Preferred Stockholders of $0.169271 per share on the outstanding shares of its 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company has declared a cash dividend of $0.169271 per share on the outstanding shares of its Preferred Stock, payable on November 15, 2012, to Preferred Stockholders of record as of November 1, 2012.

In August, September and October of 2012, the Company paid monthly cash distributions to Common Stockholders of $0.0475 per common share. The Company also declared a cash distribution of $0.0475 per common share, payable on November 19, 2012, to common stockholders of record as of October 31, 2012.

Guidance

The Company reaffirms the guidance provided for fiscal year 2012 that FFO adjusted per common share (basic and diluted) is expected to range from $0.84 to $0.89 and average total portfolio financial occupancy is expected to range from 90 percent to 91 percent. Consolidated same store net operating income is now expected to increase by 2 percent to 4 percent.

Conference Call/Webcast

Management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operational results for third quarter 2012 on Thursday, November 1, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET). Hosting the conference call will be Mark Zalatoris, President and Chief Executive Officer; Brett Brown, Chief Financial Officer; and Scott Carr, President of Property Management. The live conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-317-6789 for callers within the United States, 1-866-605-3852 for callers dialing from Canada, or 1-412-317-6789 for other international callers. A live webcast also will be available on the Company's website at www.inlandrealestate.com. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay one hour after the end of the live event through 8:00 a.m. CT (9:00 a.m. ET) on November 14, 2012. Interested parties can access the replay of the conference call by dialing 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers, and entering the conference number 10018870. An online playback of the webcast will be archived for approximately one year within the investor relations section of the Company's website.

About Inland Real Estate Corporation

Inland Real Estate Corporation is a self-administered and self-managed publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates open-air neighborhood, community, power and lifestyle retail centers and single-tenant properties located primarily in the Midwestern United States. As of September 30, 2012, the Company owned interests in 150 investment properties, including 42 owned through its unconsolidated joint ventures, with aggregate leasable space of approximately 15 million square feet. Additional information on Inland Real Estate Corporation, including a copy of the Company's supplemental financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, is available at www.inlandrealestate.com.

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not reflect historical facts and instead reflect our management's intentions, beliefs, expectations, plans or predictions of the future.Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "may," "will," "should" and "could." Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that describe or contain information related to matters such as management's intent, belief or expectation with respect to our financial performance, investment strategy or our portfolio, our ability to address debt maturities, our cash flows, our growth prospects, the value of our assets, our joint venture commitments and the amount and timing of anticipated future cash distributions. Forward-looking statements reflect the intent, belief or expectations of our management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry and their assumptions, beliefs and expectations with respect to the market for commercial real estate, the U.S. economy and other future conditions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to the factors listed and described under Item 1A "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 27, 2012 as they may be revised or supplemented by us in subsequent Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC.Among such risks, uncertainties and other factors are market and economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy or real estate industry as a whole, including dislocations and liquidity disruptions in the credit markets; the inability of tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or a general downturn in their business; competition for real estate assets and tenants; impairment charges; the availability of cash flow from operating activities for distributions and capital expenditures; our ability to refinance maturing debt or to obtain new financing on attractive terms; future increases in interest rates; actions or failures by our joint venture partners, including development partners; and factors that could affect our ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

INLAND REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(In thousands except per share data)

The following table presents certain assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs), which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet above as of September 30, 2012. There were no consolidated VIE assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2011. The assets in the table below include only those assets that can be used to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs. The liabilities in the table below include third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs only, and exclude intercompany balances that are eliminated in consolidation.