American Realty Investors, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

American Realty Investors, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Realty Investors, Inc. (NYS: ARL) , a Dallas-based real estate investment company, today reported results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. ARL announced today that the Company reported net gain applicable to common shares of $7.7 million or $0.67 per diluted earnings per share, as compared to a net gain applicable to common shares of $4.1 million or $0.35 per diluted earnings per share for the same period ended 2012.

The Company has shown an unwavering commitment to fortify our portfolio and streamline our operational activity; while at the same time maintaining our commitment to creating value. We are pleased that we are seeing improvements in our operations from these endeavors and will continue to adapt to market challenges with an eye on both near term economic challenges and long-term prospects as the real estate market improves.

Our apartment portfolio continues to thrive in the current economic conditions with occupancies averaging over 95%. We continue to work aggressively to attract new tenants and strive for continuous improvement of our properties in order to maintain our existing tenants. We have seen positive signs from the commercial market within the last three months, with new leases being signed and an increase in traffic and we look forward to growth in our commercial products in the near future.

Rental and other property revenues have remained in line during the three months ended June 30, 2013 as they were in the prior period.

Property operating expenses were $12.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents a decrease of $0.8 million, as compared to the prior period expense of $13.3 million. Within the apartment portfolio, there was an increase of $0.2 million in the same properties due to an increase in real estate taxes for several properties in the current period. Within the commercial portfolio, the same properties decreased by $1.2 million due to real estate tax refunds from protests and litigations for several properties.

General and administrative expenses were $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents an increase of $1.1 million, as compared to the prior period expenses of $0.9 million due to an increase in professional services and cost reimbursements due to our Advisor.

Interest income was $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents a decrease of $1.2 million, as compared to the prior period interest income of $4.7 million. This decrease was mainly due to cash received on one of the surplus cash flow notes from Unified Housing Foundation, Inc., in the prior period. There were refinance proceeds received which allowed for the recognition of previously deferred interest income. This decrease was offset by an agreement made on January 1, 2013, where the Company extended the maturity on the surplus cash flow notes receivable from UHF for an additional term of five years in exchange for the early termination of the preferred interest rate. The original notes gave a five-year period of preferred interest rate at 5.25%, before returning to the original note rate of 12.0%.

Other income was $149,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents a decrease of $2.1 million, as compared to the prior period other income of $2.2 million. The prior year income relates to the agreement between UHF and TCI for consulting services related to the development of apartment projects. There were no development projects in progress during the current period.

Mortgage and loan interest expense was $11.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents a decrease of $1.0 million, as compared to the prior period interest expense of $12.1 million. The majority of the increase was a result of the refinances closed with long-term, low interest rates.

Deferred borrowing costs amortization was $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents a decrease of $1.0 million as compared to the prior period expense of $2.0 million due to the higher loan deferred borrowing costs written off upon the refinance into a new mortgage note in the prior period than in the current period.

Loan charges and prepayment penalties were $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This represents a decrease of $0.4 million, as compared to the prior period expense of $3.8 million due to the prepayment penalties from the refinancing of several existing mortgage notes. There were more refinances completed in the prior period than in the current period.

Gain on land sales decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to the prior period. We had no land sales in the current period. In the prior period, we sold 84.75 acres of land in five separate transactions for an aggregate sales price of $12.7 million and recorded a gain of $4.7 million.

Discontinued operations relates to properties that were either sold or held for sale as of the period ended June 30, 2013. Properties sold in 2013 have been reclassified to discontinued operations for current and prior year reporting periods. In 2013, we sold two apartment complexes and three commercial properties. In 2012, we sold two apartment complexes, three commercial properties, and one hotel. The gain on sale of the properties is also included in discontinued operations for those years.

About American Realty Investors, Inc.

American Realty Investors, Inc., a Dallas-based real estate investment company, holds a diverse portfolio of equity real estate located across the U.S., including office buildings, apartments, shopping centers and developed and undeveloped land. The Company invests in real estate through direct ownership, leases and partnerships and invests in mortgage loans on real estate. The Company also holds mortgage receivables. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.americanrealtyinvest.com.