Boston Properties Announces First Quarter 2015 Results

April 27, 2015

Reports diluted FFO per share of $1.30 Reports diluted EPS of $1.11

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 27, 2015-- Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE: BXP), a real estate investment trust, reported results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Funds from Operations (FFO) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 were $200.4 million, or $1.31 per share basic and $1.30 per share diluted. This compares to FFO for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 of $183.8 million, or $1.20 per share basic and $1.20 per share diluted. The weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding totaled approximately 153,230,000 and 153,873,000, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and 153,030,000 and 154,043,000, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

The Company’s reported FFO of $1.30 per share diluted was greater than the guidance previously provided of $1.22-$1.24 per share diluted primarily due to greater lease termination income of $0.07 per share and portfolio operations of $0.01 per share, offset by greater than projected interest expense of $0.01 per share.

Net income available to common shareholders was $171.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to $54.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Net income available to common shareholders per share (EPS) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was $1.12 basic and $1.11 on a diluted basis. This compares to EPS for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 of $0.35 basic and $0.35 on a diluted basis. Net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 includes gains on sales of real estate aggregating approximately $95.1 million, or $0.56 per share basic and $0.55 per share on a diluted basis.

The reported results are unaudited and there can be no assurance that the results will not vary from the final unaudited information for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of these reported results have been made.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s portfolio consisted of 168 properties, comprised primarily of Class A office space, one hotel, two residential properties and five retail properties, aggregating approximately 45.5 million square feet, including ten properties under construction totaling 3.3 million square feet. In addition, the Company has structured parking for vehicles containing approximately 14.7 million square feet. The overall percentage of leased space for the 155 properties in service (excluding the two residential properties and the hotel) as of March 31, 2015 was 90.3%.

Significant events during the first quarter included:

  • On January 21, 2015, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the 2015 Multi-Year, Long-Term Incentive Program (the “2015 MYLTIP”) as a performance-based component of the Company’s overall compensation program. Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” the 2015 MYLTIP has an aggregate value of approximately $15.7 million, which will generally be amortized into earnings over the four-year plan period under the graded vesting method and has been reflected in the 2015 guidance below.
  • On February 19, 2015, the Company commenced a planned interest rate hedging program in contemplation of a financing with a target commencement date in September 2016 and maturity in September 2026. The Company has since entered into seven forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, including two contracts entered into subsequent to March 31, 2015, which fix the ten-year swap rate at a weighted-average rate of approximately 2.451% per annum on notional amounts aggregating $300.0 million.
  • On February 19, 2015, the Company completed the sale of a parcel of land within its Washingtonian North property located in Gaithersburg, Maryland for a gross sale price of $8.7 million. Net cash proceeds totaled approximately $8.3 million, resulting in a gain on sale of real estate totaling approximately $3.7 million. The parcel contains approximately 8.5 acres of the approximately 27 acre property.
  • On March 11, 2015, the Company received a second interim distribution from its unsecured creditor claim against Lehman Brothers, Inc. totaling approximately $4.5 million, leaving a remaining claim of approximately $33.0 million. There can be no assurance as to the timing or amount of additional proceeds, if any, that the Company may ultimately realize on the claim.
  • On March 17, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its Residences on The Avenue property located in Washington, DC for a gross sale price of $196.0 million. Net cash proceeds totaled approximately $192.5 million, resulting in a gain on sale of real estate totaling approximately $91.4 million. The Company has agreed to provide net operating income support of up to $6.0 million should the property’s net operating income fail to achieve certain thresholds, which has been recorded as a reduction to the gain on sale. The Residences on The Avenue is comprised of 335 apartment units and approximately 50,000 net rentable square feet of retail space, subject to a ground lease that expires on February 1, 2068.

EPS and FFO per Share Guidance:

The Company’s guidance for the second quarter and full year 2015 for EPS (diluted) and FFO per share (diluted) is set forth and reconciled below. Except as described below, the estimates reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, including assumptions with respect to rental rates, occupancy levels and the earnings impact of the events referenced in this release and otherwise referenced during the conference call referred to below. The estimates do not include possible future gains or losses or the impact on operating results from other possible future property acquisitions or dispositions, other possible capital markets activity or possible future impairment charges. EPS estimates may be subject to fluctuations as a result of several factors, including changes in the recognition of depreciation and amortization expense and any gains or losses associated with disposition activity. The Company is not able to assess at this time the potential impact of these factors on projected EPS. By definition, FFO does not include real estate-related depreciation and amortization, impairment losses or gains or losses associated with disposition activities. There can be no assurance that the Company’s actual results will not differ materially from the estimates set forth below.

As shown below, the Company has updated its guidance for FFO per share (diluted) for full year 2015 to $5.35 - $5.45 per share from $5.28 - $5.43 per share. The updated guidance reflects, when compared to the Company’s prior guidance, an increase from the first quarter 2015 results of $0.07 per share, an increase in net operating income from the Company’s property portfolio of $0.02 per share, offset by a decrease in FFO of $0.05 per share from lower capitalized interest.

    Second Quarter 2015       Full Year 2015
Low     -     High Low     -     High
Projected EPS (diluted) $ 0.43     -     $ 0.45 $

2.43

    -     $

2.53

 
Add:

Projected Company Share of Real Estate
Depreciation and Amortization

0.89

-

0.89

3.47

-

3.47

Less:

Projected Company Share of Gains on
Sales of Real Estate

0.00

-

0.00

 

0.55

-

0.55

                           

Projected FFO per Share (diluted)

$

1.32

   

-

   

$

1.34

$

5.35

   

-

   

$

5.45

Boston Properties will host a conference call on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, open to the general public, to discuss the first quarter 2015 results, the 2015 projections and related assumptions, and other related matters that may be of interest to investors. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 796-3880 (Domestic) or (281) 913-8731 (International) and entering the passcode 97591714. A replay of the conference call will be available through May 12, 2015, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (Domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (International) and entering the passcode 97591714. There will also be a live audio webcast of the call which may be accessed on the Company’s website at www.bostonproperties.com in the Investor Relations section. Shortly after the call a replay of the webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website and archived for up to twelve months following the call.

Additionally, a copy of Boston Properties’ first quarter 2015 “Supplemental Operating and Financial Data” and this press release are available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.bostonproperties.com.

Boston Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that develops, redevelops, acquires, manages, operates and owns a diverse portfolio of Class A office space, one hotel, two residential properties and five retail properties. The Company is one of the largest owners and developers of Class A office properties in the United States, concentrated in four markets – Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. You can identify these statements by our use of the words “assumes,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects” and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond Boston Properties’ control and could materially affect actual results, performance or achievements. These factors include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to enter into new leases or renew leases on favorable terms, dependence on tenants’ financial condition, the uncertainties of real estate development, acquisition and disposition activity, the ability to effectively integrate acquisitions, the uncertainties of investing in new markets, the costs and availability of financing, the effectiveness of our interest rate hedging contracts, the ability of our joint venture partners to satisfy their obligations, the effects of local, national and international economic and market conditions, the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and possible impairment charges on our operating results, the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on the Company’s accounting policies and on period-to-period comparisons of financial results, regulatory changes and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Boston Properties does not undertake a duty to update or revise any forward-looking statement, including its guidance for the second quarter and full fiscal year 2015, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Financial tables follow.

           
 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
   
March 31, December 31,
  2015     2014  
 
(in thousands, except for share amounts)
(unaudited)

ASSETS

 
Real estate $ 18,153,816 $ 18,231,978
Construction in progress 797,148 736,311
Land held for future development 271,327 268,114
Less: accumulated depreciation   (3,646,853 )   (3,547,659 )
Total real estate 15,575,438 15,688,744
 
Cash and cash equivalents 1,064,396 1,763,079
Cash held in escrows 588,218 487,321
Investments in securities 20,736 19,459
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,099 and $1,142, respectively 47,768 46,595
Accrued rental income, net of allowance of $1,126 and $1,499, respectively 713,874 691,999
Deferred charges, net 806,468 831,744
Prepaid expenses and other assets 165,985 164,432
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures   196,188     193,394  
Total assets $ 19,179,071   $ 19,886,767  
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable $ 4,289,120 $ 4,309,484
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount 5,288,101 5,287,704
Unsecured exchangeable senior notes, net of discount - -
Unsecured line of credit - -
Mezzanine notes payable 309,475 309,796
Outside members' notes payable 180,000 180,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 224,086 243,263
Dividends and distributions payable 112,796 882,472
Accrued interest payable 186,630 163,532
Other liabilities   483,762     502,255  
Total liabilities   11,073,970     11,878,506  
 
Commitments and contingencies   -     -  
 
Noncontrolling interest:
Redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership   633     633  
 
Redeemable interest in property partnership   105,520     104,692  
 
Equity:
Stockholders' equity attributable to Boston Properties, Inc.
Excess stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding - -
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized;
5.25% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $0.01 par value, liquidation preference $2,500 per
share, 92,000 shares authorized, 80,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31,
2014, respectively 200,000 200,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 153,481,007 and 153,192,845 shares issued and
153,402,107 and 153,113,945 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively 1,534 1,531
Additional paid-in capital 6,286,260 6,270,257
Dividends in excess of earnings (690,993 ) (762,464 )
Treasury common stock, at cost (2,722 ) (2,722 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (11,907 )   (9,304 )
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. 5,782,172 5,697,298
 
Noncontrolling interests:
Common units of the Operating Partnership 617,274 603,171
Property partnerships 1,599,502 1,602,467
   
Total equity   7,998,948     7,902,936  
   
Total liabilities and equity $ 19,179,071   $ 19,886,767  
 
 
           
 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
       
Three months ended
March 31,
  2015     2014  
 
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Revenue
Rental
Base rent $ 490,682 $ 455,018
Recoveries from tenants 88,593 81,934
Parking and other   24,788     24,333  
Total rental revenue 604,063 561,285
Hotel revenue 9,085 8,193
Development and management services   5,328     5,216  
Total revenue   618,476     574,694  
 
Expenses
Operating
Rental 221,350 206,388
Hotel 7,576 6,797
General and administrative 28,791 29,905
Transaction costs 327 437
Depreciation and amortization   154,223     154,270  
Total expenses   412,267     397,797  
 
Operating income 206,209 176,897
Other income (expense)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 14,834 2,816
Interest and other income 1,407 1,311
Gains from investments in securities 393 286
Interest expense   (108,757 )   (113,554 )
Income before gains on sales of real estate 114,086 67,756
Gains on sales of real estate   95,084     -  
Net income 209,170 67,756
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships (15,208 ) (4,354 )
Noncontrolling interest - redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership (3 ) (619 )
Noncontrolling interest - common units of the Operating Partnership   (20,188 )   (6,160 )
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. 173,771 56,623
Preferred dividends   (2,589 )   (2,589 )
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 171,182   $ 54,034  
 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders:
Net income $ 1.12   $ 0.35  
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding   153,230     153,030  
 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders:
Net income $ 1.11   $ 0.35  
 
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding   153,873     153,169  
 
 
           
 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (1)
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ended
March 31,
  2015     2014  
 
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
 
Net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders $ 171,182 $ 54,034
 
Add:
Preferred dividends 2,589 2,589
Noncontrolling interest - common units of the Operating Partnership 20,188 6,160
Noncontrolling interest - redeemable preferred units of the Operating
Partnership 3 619
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships 15,208 4,354
Less:
Gains on sales of real estate   95,084     -  
 
Income before gains on sales of real estate 114,086 67,756
 
Add:
Real estate depreciation and amortization (2) 148,754 158,514
Less:
Noncontrolling interests in property partnerships' share of funds from
operations 36,515 19,023
Noncontrolling interest - redeemable preferred units of the Operating
Partnership 3 619
Preferred dividends   2,589     2,589  
 
Funds from operations (FFO) attributable to the Operating Partnership 223,733 204,039
 
Less:
Noncontrolling interest - common units of the Operating Partnerships'
share of funds from operations   23,348     20,195  
 
Funds from operations attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. $ 200,385   $ 183,844  
 
Boston Properties, Inc.'s percentage share of funds from operations - basic   89.56 %   90.10 %
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic   153,230     153,030  
 
FFO per share basic $ 1.31   $ 1.20  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted   153,873     154,043  
 
FFO per share diluted $ 1.30   $ 1.20  
 
 

(1) Pursuant to the revised definition of Funds from Operations adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), we calculate Funds from Operations, or “FFO,” by adjusting net income (loss) attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. (computed in accordance with GAAP, including non-recurring items) for gains (or losses) from sales of properties, impairment losses on depreciable real estate of consolidated real estate, impairment losses on investments in unconsolidated joint ventures driven by a measurable decrease in the fair value of depreciable real estate held by the unconsolidated joint ventures, real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustment for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure. The use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial in improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Management generally considers FFO to be a useful measure for reviewing our comparative operating and financial performance because, by excluding gains and losses related to sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets, impairment losses and real estate asset depreciation and amortization (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO can help one compare the operating performance of a company's real estate between periods or as compared to different companies.

Our computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs or real estate companies that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently.

FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indication of our performance. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP, and is not a measure of liquidity or an indicator of our ability to make cash distributions. We believe that to further understand our performance, FFO should be compared with our reported net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. and considered in addition to cash flows in accordance with GAAP, as presented in our consolidated financial statements.

(2) Real estate depreciation and amortization consists of depreciation and amortization from the Consolidated Statements of Operations of $154,223 and $154,270 and our share of unconsolidated joint venture real estate depreciation and amortization of $(5,132) and $4,584, less corporate-related depreciation and amortization of $337 and $340 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

           
 
BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
PORTFOLIO LEASING PERCENTAGES
 
 
 
% Leased by Location
March 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Boston 88.5% 91.4%
New York 90.4% 90.9%
San Francisco 88.3% 88.3%
Washington, DC 93.8% 94.8%
Total Portfolio 90.3% 91.7%
 
 
 
 
% Leased by Type
March 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Class A Office Portfolio 90.6% 91.8%
Office/Technical Portfolio 84.7% 87.7%
Total Portfolio 90.3% 91.7%

Source: Boston Properties, Inc.

AT THE COMPANY
Boston Properties, Inc.
Michael LaBelle, 617-236-3352
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
or
Arista Joyner, 617-236-3343
Investor Relations Manager