BPO Properties Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

Tue Nov 3, 2009 5:00pm EST
 
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http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091103006777/en

TORONTO--(Business Wire)--
BPO Properties Ltd. (TSX: BPP) today announced financial results for the quarter
ended September 30, 2009. 

BPO Properties` net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was
$13.4million ($0.43per share), compared to $15.4 million ($0.43 per share)
during the same period in 2008. Net operating income from commercial properties
totaled $49.6 million, compared to $49.2 million during the same period in 2008.


Funds from operations was $26.4million ($0.89per share) for the three months
ended September 30, 2009, compared to $38.6million ($1.24per share) during the
same period in 2008. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE THIRD QUARTER

Opened Bay Adelaide Centre, Toronto, the first development built to achieve a
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Standard and the first
major development in Toronto`s financial district in 17 years. Standing 51
stories tall, the 1.2-million-square-foot office tower adheres to strict
building efficiency guidelines, including optimization of energy, light and
water, and the use of local and recycled building materials. The tower is 73
percent leased. 

Commenced the recladding of First Canadian Place, Toronto. Along with ownership
partners, the company will thoroughly renovate Canada`s tallest office tower
including a total recladding of the building`s exterior with laminated glass
spandrel panels replacing the existing white marble. The project is seeking LEED
- EB:OM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings:
Operations and Maintenance) certification and is expected to be complete by the
end of 2011. 

Renewed normal course issuer bid. BPO Properties may, during the twelve month
period commencing September 22, 2009 and ending September 21, 2010, purchase on
the Toronto Stock Exchange up to 332,410 common shares, representing
approximately 5% of its issued and outstanding common shares. 

STOCK SPLIT

On November 3, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-one stock split
in the form of a stock dividend. Subject to regulatory approval, shareholders
will receive two additional BPP common shares for each common share held.
Fractional shares will be paid in cash at the prevailing market price. The stock
dividend will be payable on December 31, 2009 to shareholders of record at the
close of business on December 8, 2009. 

BPO Properties is undertaking the stock split to ensure its shares remain
accessible to individual shareholders, and to further enhance the liquidity of
the company's shares. The dividend will have no unfavorable tax consequences,
and will not dilute shareholders' equity. The number of shares subject to the
company`s current normal course issuer bid will be adjusted upwards to reflect
the stock split. 

OPERATIONS REVIEW

BPO Properties continued its pro-active leasing strategy in the third quarter of
2009, with the portfolio 98.2% leased at the end of the quarter, compared to a
Canadian national average of 92.0%. During the quarter, BPO Properties leased
327,000 square feet of space. 

Transactional highlights from the third quarter include: 

191,000 square feet in Toronto

* A one-year lease renewal with the Department of Justice at Exchange Tower for
144,000 square feet 
* A new three-year lease with Lombard Canada Ltd. at 105 Adelaide St. West for
10,000 square feet

102,000 square feet at Canadian Western Bank Place in Edmonton

* A five-year lease renewal with CGI Information Systems for 57,000 square feet 
* A 10-year lease renewal and expansion with Witten Management Ltd. for 39,000
square feet

34,000 in other markets

OUTLOOK

"We feel a sense of optimism that the economy may be in the early stages of a
recovery," said Tom Farley, CEO of BPO Properties Ltd. "Our strong leasing
activity and high occupancy across the portfolio keeps us well-positioned for
continued success." 

Net Operating Income and FFO

This press release and accompanying financial information make reference to net
operating income and funds from operations ("FFO") on a total and per share
basis. Net operating income is defined as income from property operations after
operating expenses have been deducted, but prior to deducting financing,
administration, depreciation, amortization and income tax expenses. FFO is
defined as net income prior to extraordinary items, one-time transaction costs,
future income taxes, certain other non-cash items and depreciation and
amortization. The company uses net operating income and FFO to assess its
operating results. Net operating income is important in assessing operating
performance and FFO is a relevant measure to analyze real estate, as commercial
properties generally appreciate rather than depreciate. The company provides the
components of net operating income and a full reconciliation from net income to
FFO with the financial statements accompanying this press release. The company
reconciles FFO to net income as opposed to cash flow from operating activities
as it believes net income is the most comparable measure. Net operating income
and FFO are both non-GAAP measures which do not have any standard meaning
prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other companies. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, particularly the "Outlook" section, contains forward-looking
statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation. Although BPO Properties believes that the anticipated future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and
expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the company to differ materially from anticipated future
results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements and information. Accordingly, the company cannot give any assurance
that its expectations will in fact occur and cautions that actual results may
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements and information include general economic conditions;
local real estate conditions, including the development of properties in close
proximity to the company`s properties; timely leasing of newly-developed
properties and re-leasing of occupied square footage upon expiration; dependence
on tenants' financial condition; the uncertainties of real estate development
and acquisition activity; the ability to effectively integrate acquisitions;
interest rates; availability of equity and debt financing; the impact of
newly-adopted accounting principles on the company's accounting policies and on
period-to-period comparisons of financial results; and other risks and factors
described from time to time in the documents filed by the company with the
securities regulators in Canada, including in the Annual Information Form under
the heading "Business of BPO Properties - Company and Real Estate Industry
Risks" and in the company`s annual report under the heading "Management`s
Discussion and Analysis." The company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law. 

Dividend Declaration

The Board of Directors of BPO Properties declared a quarterly common share
dividend of $0.30 per share (on a pre-split basis), payable on December 30, 2009
to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2009. This
dividend payment will be made one day prior to the stock split, which will be
payable on December 31, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business
on December 8, 2009. Subsequent dividend payments will be adjusted to reflect
the impact of the stock split. 

The Board of Directors also declared dividends on series G, J and M preferred
shares, payable February 14, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of
business on January 29, 2010, for the period November 14, 2009 to February 13,
2010. The dividend per preferred share is to be computed in accordance with the
terms of the shares. 

Conference Call

BPO Properties` third quarter 2009 conference call can be accessed by
teleconference on Wednesday, November 4 at 9:00am E.T. at 866.551.1530, pass
code: 7184947#. The call will be archived through December 4, 2009 and can be
accessed by dialing 800.551.4520, pass code: 255716#. The conference call can
also be accessed by webcast on the BPO Properties website at
www.bpoproperties.com. 

Supplemental Information

Investors, analysts and other interested parties can access BPO Properties'
Supplemental Information Package on BPO Properties' Web site under the Investor
Relations/Financial Reports section. This additional financial information
should be read in conjunction with this press release. 

BPO Properties Profile

BPO Properties Ltd., 90% owned by Brookfield Properties Corporation, is a
Canadian company that invests in real estate, focusing on the ownership and
value enhancement of premier office properties. The current property portfolio
is comprised of interests in 28 commercial properties totaling 18.3 million
square feet and five development sites totaling 5.4 million square feet.
Landmark properties include First Canadian Place in Toronto and Bankers Hall in
Calgary. BPO Properties` common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol BPP.
For more information, visit www.bpoproperties.com. 

Contact

Investor relations and media inquiries should be directed to Melissa Coley, Vice
President, Investor Relations and Communications at (416) 359-8593. Inquiries
regarding financial results should be directed to Bryan Davis, Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, at (416) 359-8612.

                                                                                                   
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET                                                                        
 (Millions)                                  September 30, 2009         December 31, 2008      
                                                                                             
 Assets                                                                                      
 Commercial properties                       $           1,379.9       $          1,338.0    
 Commercial developments                                 733.3                    689.1      
 Loans receivable                                        -                        150.6      
 Tenant receivables and other assets                     80.2                     82.3       
 Cash and cash equivalents                               150.7                    61.5       
 Intangible assets                                       25.4                     30.3       
                                             $           2,369.5       $          2,351.8    
                                                                                             
 Liabilities and shareholders` equity                                                        
 Commercial and development property debt    $           1,417.3       $          1,255.3    
 Accounts payable and other liabilities                  112.9                    135.6      
 Intangible liabilities                                  64.5                     71.9       
 Future income tax liabilities                           32.0                     28.6       
 Shareholders` equity                                    742.8                    860.4      
                                             $           2,369.5       $          2,351.8    


                                                                                                                                       
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                            
                                         Three months ended Sept. 30                   Nine months ended Sept. 30                  
 (Millions, except per share amounts)            2009                    2008              2009                    2008    
                                                                                                                           
 Commercial Properties                                                                                                     
 Revenue                                 $       85.4            $       84.6      $       257.5           $       254.7   
 Expenses                                        35.8                    35.4              107.8                   109.0   
 Net operating income                            49.6                    49.2              149.7                   145.7   
 Loans and investment income                     0.2                     4.0               3.1                     12.4    
                                                 49.8                    53.2              152.8                   158.1   
 Expenses                                                                                                                  
 Interest expense                                10.6                    9.5               29.7                    28.1    
 General and administrative expenses             5.8                     5.1               16.1                    15.4    
                                                 33.4                    38.6              107.0                   114.6   
                                                                                                                           
 Depreciation and amortization                   13.0                    13.3              39.1                    38.8    
 Income taxes                                    7.0                     9.9               23.2                    25.2    
 Net income and comprehensive income             13.4                    15.4              44.7                    50.6    
 Net income per common share             $       0.43            $       0.43      $       1.42            $       1.38    
                                                                                                                           


 RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS ("FFO")                                                                                        
                                           Three months ended Sept. 30                                  Nine months ended Sept. 30                  
 (Millions)                                           2009                             2008                 2009                    2008    
 Net income                                $          13.4                  $          15.4         $       44.7            $       50.6    
 Add:                                                                                                                                       
 Depreciation and amortization                        13.0                             13.3                 39.1                    38.8    
 Future income taxes1                                 -                                9.9                  5.1                     25.2    
 FFO                                       $          26.4                  $          38.6         $       88.9            $       114.6   


1Funds from operations was redefined in the first quarter as net income prior to
extraordinary items, one-time transaction costs, depreciation and amortization,
future income taxes, and certain non-cash items.

 FFO PER COMMON SHARE                                                                                                                         
                                           Three months ended Sept. 30                       Nine months ended Sept. 30                       
                                                                                                                                  
 (Millions, except per share amounts)            2009                    2008                2009                    2008         
 FFO                                       $     26.4              $     38.6          $     88.9              $     114.6        
 Preferred share dividends                       (1.1  )                 (3.3  )             (4.5  )                 (11.3  )     
 Funds available to common shareholders          25.3                    35.3                84.4                    103.3        
 Weighted average shares outstanding             28.3                    28.4                28.3                    28.5         
 FFO per common share                            0.89                    1.24                2.98                    3.62         


BPO Properties Ltd.
Investor Relations/Media:
Melissa Coley, Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
416-359-8593
or
Inquiries Regarding Financial Results:
Bryan Davis, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
416-359-8612 

Copyright Business Wire 2009

 

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