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Liberty Property (LPT) Up 1.6% on Q1 FFO Beat, Raises Guidance
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Liberty Property Trust reported first-quarter 2019 NAREIT funds from operations (FFO) per share of 62 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents.
Results reflect 4.6% increase in cash same-store operating income. Amid healthy demand from users for industrial space, the company witnessed a solid leasing activity. Moreover, it raised its 2019 FFO guidance.
However, revenues were down 8.7% from the prior-year period to $157.8 million. The revenue figure also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $168.5 million.
Reflecting analysts’ bullish sentiments, shares of Liberty Property hit a 52-week high of $49.82 on Apr 30, before crawling back to $49.64 at the close of the trading session, denoting a 1.60% increase from the previous day.
Quarter in Detail
For its industrial portfolio, during the reported quarter, Liberty Property accomplished lease deals for 8.9 million square feet of space. As of Mar 31, 2019, occupancy at the company’s in-service operating portfolio, spanning 103.0 million square feet, shrunk 70 basis points (bps) sequentially to 95.6%. Rents increased 6.6% on a cash basis (16.3% GAAP) on retention and replacement leases commenced during the quarter.
Property level operating income for same-store properties were up 4.6% on a cash basis (1.7% GAAP) year over year.
Portfolio Activity
During the March-end quarter, Liberty Property acquired five industrial properties, aggregating 1.1 million square feet, for $127.5 million. At the same time, the company sold four operating properties, totaling 297,000 square feet, for $85.2 million.
The company brought into service six industrial properties, comprising 850,000 square feet of space for a total investment of $89.1 million. These properties are currently 100% leased and were 87.8% occupied as of the end of the first quarter.
Balance-Sheet Position
Liberty Property exited first-quarter 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of around $96.9 million, up from $84.9 million recorded at the end of December 2018.
Outlook
Liberty Property has raised its guidance for 2019. The company now guides FFO per share of $2.55-$2.65 compared to the prior projection of $2.53-$2.65. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is currently pinned at $2.58.
The company expects same-store property level operating income for industrial properties to be up 1.6-2.6% on a GAAP basis and 3-4% on a cash basis. This reflects the expectation of an 849,000-square-foot space vacate on May 1 by a major retailer in bankruptcy.
Our Take
Banking on the strong fundamentals of the industrial real estate market, Liberty Property is focusing to expand its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and development. Also, it is disposing non-core office properties to pursue such expansion opportunities. Further, it has a decent balance sheet, superior access to capital, strategic asset sales activity and ample liquidity position that lends financial flexibility to invest in its growth endeavors.
However, large scale dispositions will likely have a dilutive impact on the company’s earnings in the near term. In addition, with rising supply of industrial real estate space, there is lesser scope for robust rent and occupancy growth.
We now look forward to the earnings releases of other REITs like Apartment Investment and Management Co. (AIV - Free Report) , Regency Centers Corp. (REG - Free Report) and Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT - Free Report) which are slated to report their quarterly numbers on May 2.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
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Liberty Property (LPT) Up 1.6% on Q1 FFO Beat, Raises Guidance
Liberty Property Trust reported first-quarter 2019 NAREIT funds from operations (FFO) per share of 62 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents.
Results reflect 4.6% increase in cash same-store operating income. Amid healthy demand from users for industrial space, the company witnessed a solid leasing activity. Moreover, it raised its 2019 FFO guidance.
However, revenues were down 8.7% from the prior-year period to $157.8 million. The revenue figure also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $168.5 million.
Reflecting analysts’ bullish sentiments, shares of Liberty Property hit a 52-week high of $49.82 on Apr 30, before crawling back to $49.64 at the close of the trading session, denoting a 1.60% increase from the previous day.
Quarter in Detail
For its industrial portfolio, during the reported quarter, Liberty Property accomplished lease deals for 8.9 million square feet of space. As of Mar 31, 2019, occupancy at the company’s in-service operating portfolio, spanning 103.0 million square feet, shrunk 70 basis points (bps) sequentially to 95.6%. Rents increased 6.6% on a cash basis (16.3% GAAP) on retention and replacement leases commenced during the quarter.
Property level operating income for same-store properties were up 4.6% on a cash basis (1.7% GAAP) year over year.
Portfolio Activity
During the March-end quarter, Liberty Property acquired five industrial properties, aggregating 1.1 million square feet, for $127.5 million. At the same time, the company sold four operating properties, totaling 297,000 square feet, for $85.2 million.
The company brought into service six industrial properties, comprising 850,000 square feet of space for a total investment of $89.1 million. These properties are currently 100% leased and were 87.8% occupied as of the end of the first quarter.
Balance-Sheet Position
Liberty Property exited first-quarter 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of around $96.9 million, up from $84.9 million recorded at the end of December 2018.
Outlook
Liberty Property has raised its guidance for 2019. The company now guides FFO per share of $2.55-$2.65 compared to the prior projection of $2.53-$2.65. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is currently pinned at $2.58.
The company expects same-store property level operating income for industrial properties to be up 1.6-2.6% on a GAAP basis and 3-4% on a cash basis. This reflects the expectation of an 849,000-square-foot space vacate on May 1 by a major retailer in bankruptcy.
Our Take
Banking on the strong fundamentals of the industrial real estate market, Liberty Property is focusing to expand its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and development. Also, it is disposing non-core office properties to pursue such expansion opportunities. Further, it has a decent balance sheet, superior access to capital, strategic asset sales activity and ample liquidity position that lends financial flexibility to invest in its growth endeavors.
However, large scale dispositions will likely have a dilutive impact on the company’s earnings in the near term. In addition, with rising supply of industrial real estate space, there is lesser scope for robust rent and occupancy growth.
Currently, Liberty Property carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Liberty Property Trust Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Liberty Property Trust Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Liberty Property Trust Quote
We now look forward to the earnings releases of other REITs like Apartment Investment and Management Co. (AIV - Free Report) , Regency Centers Corp. (REG - Free Report) and Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT - Free Report) which are slated to report their quarterly numbers on May 2.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>