Sovran Self Storage, Inc. (NYSE:SSS), a self-storage real estate
investment trust (REIT), reported operating results for the quarter
ended March 31, 2009.
Net income available to common shareholders for the first
quarter of 2009 was $7.6 million or $.35 per diluted share. Net
income available to common shareholders for the same period in 2008
was $9.0 million or $.41 per diluted share. Funds from operations
for the quarter were $.74 per fully diluted common share. Higher
interest expense associated with the Company�s recent long-term
financing and increased customer move-in incentives were the
primary factors leading to the lower earnings for 2009�s first
quarter compared to 2008�s.
Kenneth F. Myszka, the Company�s President and Chief Operating
Officer, said: �The overall economic climate has had an impact on
our operating performance, but our scale and management systems put
us in good stead to weather this downturn. We�ve made great strides
this quarter getting ready for what is shaping up to be a busy
rental season -�our web site is newly revamped, our marketing
programs are in place, and we�ve unleashed our call center
operators and store managers to make deals to win customers.�
The Company also plans to reduce its regular quarterly dividend
by approximately 30% (from $0.64 to $0.45 per share) commencing
with 2009�s second quarter payment. David Rogers, the Company�s
Chief Financial Officer, stated: �Given the current economic
outlook and its impact on our business, the reduced distributions
will preserve liquidity and provide additional flexibility. Despite
the fact that we have a solid balance sheet, we continue to place a
high priority on capital preservation and believe such prudence is
in the Company�s long term best interest.�
OPERATIONS:
Total Company net operating income for the first quarter
declined 0.4% ($120,000) compared with the same quarter in 2008 to
$31.0 million. Overall average occupancy for the quarter was 79.3%
and average rent per square foot for the portfolio was $10.57.
Revenues at the 357 stores owned and/or managed for the entire
quarter in both years decreased 1.4% over the first quarter of
2008, the result of a slight increase in effective rental rates
offset by a 150 basis point drop in average occupancy. The Company
continues to make extensive use of move-in incentives; during the
quarter, over $2.7 million in �first month free� incentives were
granted; almost 75% more than those of last winter.
Property taxes increased by 8.3% over last year�s first quarter
while all other operating costs declined by a total of 3.0%. Of
these, utility costs increased 5.5% and advertising almost 20%, but
most other operating costs decreased.
General and administrative expenses rose $262,000 over the same
period in 2008, primarily due to increased expenses associated with
operating the Joint Venture.
During the quarter, strong revenue growth was shown at the
Company�s New York, Louisiana, and Texas stores. Stores in Florida,
Georgia, and New England experienced slower than expected
growth.
PROPERTIES:
The Company did not acquire any properties during the quarter
for its own portfolio or that of the Joint Venture�s.
As previously announced, the Company has severely curtailed its
program of expanding and enhancing its existing stores. Three
projects were started in 2008 and completed during the quarter at a
cost of $5 million. Most improvements will be postponed
indefinitely, except for about $8 million of projects already
underway.
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
As previously reported in June of 2008, the Company refinanced
its near term maturities and repaid its line of credit with the
proceeds of a $250 million four year term note. The Company then
entered into a group of interest rate swaps, effectively setting
the interest rate on the note at 5.97% through 2012.
Simultaneously with the term note agreement, the Company entered
into a new, three year Line of Credit agreement, which provides
$125 million of unsecured financing at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.375%.
The facility is expandable, at the Company�s option, to $175
million and can be extended for one additional year. At March 31,
2009, $23 million had been drawn on the Line.
The Company�s line of credit and term notes require it to meet
certain financial covenants, including prescribed leverage, fixed
charge coverage, minimum net worth, limitations on additional
indebtedness and limitations on dividend payouts. One such covenant
limits total consolidated liabilities to 55% of gross asset value;
at March 31st this ratio was 55.4%. The Company expects to receive
a waiver from its lenders, and is in the process of negotiating an
amendment to the unsecured line of credit and term note agreements.
As of April 30, 2009, the Company believes it is again in
compliance with the original covenant provision.
During the quarter, the Company issued 56,071 shares through its
Dividend Reinvestment Program, Direct Stock Purchase Plan and
Employee Option Plan. A total of $1.3 million was received and was
used to fund capital improvements.
YEAR 2009 EARNINGS GUIDANCE:
The Company is anticipating reduced consumer demand in many of
its markets and for conditions to become increasingly more
competitive. It expects to utilize leasing incentives as well as
increased advertising and aggressive marketing to improve occupancy
and, accordingly, estimates a decline in same store revenue of 2-3%
from that of 2008. Property operating costs are projected to grow
by 1�2%, resulting in a decline in same store NOI of 2-4%.
The Company has curtailed its expansion and enhancement program
and, until market conditions significantly improve, will defer its
planned 2009 expenditures of $50 million. It has an estimated total
of $8 million of commitments outstanding on construction projects
remaining to be completed in 2009.
At present, the Company does not have any properties under
contract and does not expect to actively pursue the purchase of
additional facilities while the capital markets remain unstable.
Approximately $5 million of additional capital remains committed by
the Company as its share of the equity for the Joint Venture formed
in 2008.
General and administrative expenses are not expected to increase
significantly in 2009.
At March 31, 2009, all but $23 million of the Company�s debt is
either fixed rate or covered by rate swap contracts that
essentially fix the rate. Subsequent borrowings that may occur will
be pursuant to the Company�s Line of Credit agreement at a floating
rate of LIBOR plus 1.375%.
Management expects funds from operations for the second quarter
of 2009 to be approximately $.73 to $.75 per share, and between
$3.00 and $3.08 for the year 2009.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
When used within this news release, the words �intends,�
�believes,� �expects,� �anticipates,� and similar expressions are
intended to identify �forward looking statements� within the
meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1933, and in Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by such
forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not
limited to, the effect of competition from new self storage
facilities, which could cause rents and occupancy rates to decline;
the Company�s ability to evaluate, finance and integrate acquired
businesses into the Company�s existing business and operations; the
Company�s ability to form joint ventures and sell existing
properties to those joint ventures; the Company�s existing
indebtedness may mature in an unfavorable credit environment,
preventing refinancing or forcing refinancing of the indebtedness
on terms that are not as favorable as the existing terms; interest
rates may fluctuate, impacting costs associated with the Company�s
outstanding floating rate debt; the Company�s ability to comply
with debt covenants; the regional concentration of the Company�s
business may subject it to economic downturns in the states of
Florida and Texas; the Company�s ability to effectively compete in
the industries in which it does business; the Company�s reliance on
its call center; the Company�s cash flow may be insufficient to
meet required payments of principal, interest and dividends; and
tax law changes which may change the taxability of future
income.
CONFERENCE CALL:
Sovran Self Storage will hold its First Quarter Earnings Release
Conference Call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 7, 2009.
Anyone wishing to listen to the call may access the webcast via the
event page at www.unclebobs.com/company/investment. The call will
be archived for a period of 90 days after initial airing.
Sovran Self Storage, Inc. is a self-administered and
self-managed equity REIT that is in the business of acquiring and
managing self-storage facilities. The Company operates 385
self-storage facilities in 24 states under the name �Uncle Bob�s
Self Storage��. For more information, please contact David Rogers,
CFO or Diane Piegza, VP Corporate Communications at (716) 633-1850
or visit the Company�s Web site at www.unclebobs.com.
� �
SOVRAN SELF STORAGE, INC. BALANCE SHEET DATA
(unaudited) � March 31, December 31, (dollars in thousands)
2009 � 2008
Assets Investment in storage facilities: Land $
240,525 $ 240,525 Building, equipment and construction in progress
�
1,155,454 � �
1,148,676 � 1,395,979
1,389,201 Less: accumulated depreciation �
(225,009
) �
(216,644 ) Investment in
storage facilities, net 1,170,970 1,172,557 Cash and cash
equivalents 7,416 4,486 Accounts receivable 1,842 2,971 Receivable
from related parties - 14 Receivable from joint ventures 183 336
Investment in joint ventures 20,010 20,111 Prepaid expenses 3,626
4,691
Intangible asset - in-place
customer leases (net of accumulated�amortization of $5,305 in 2009
and $5,160 in 2008)
144 289 Other assets �
6,843 � �
7,171 �
Total Assets
$ 1,211,034 �
$
1,212,626 � �
Liabilities Line of credit $
23,000 $ 14,000 Term notes 500,000 500,000 Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities 18,532 23,979 Deferred revenue 5,747 5,659 Fair
value of interest rate swap agreements 25,493 25,490 Accrued
dividends 14,136 14,090 Mortgages payable �
108,777 �
�
109,261 � Total Liabilities 695,685 692,479 �
Noncontrolling redeemable Operating Partnership Units at redemption
value 8,433 15,118 �
Equity Common stock 233 232 Additional
paid-in capital 668,402 666,633 Accumulated deficit (122,523 )
(122,581 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (25,103 ) (25,162 )
Treasury stock at cost �
(27,175 ) �
(27,175 ) Total Shareholders' Equity
493,834 491,947 Noncontrolling interest - consolidated joint
venture �
13,082 � �
13,082 � Total
Equity �
506,916 � �
505,029 � Total
Liabilities and Equity
$ 1,211,034 �
$ 1,212,626 � � � �
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) January 1, 2009
January 1, 2008 to to (dollars in thousands, except share data)
March 31, 2009 � March 31, 2008 �
Revenues Rental income $
47,660 $ 48,057 Other operating income 1,575 1,562 Management and
acquisition fee income �
311 � �
- �
Total operating revenues 49,546 49,619 �
Expenses Property
operations and maintenance 13,438 13,795 Real estate taxes 5,144
4,740 General and administrative 4,387 4,125 Depreciation and
amortization 8,396 8,072 Amortization of in-place customer leases �
145 � �
529 � Total operating expenses �
31,510 � �
31,261 � � Income from
operations 18,036 18,358 � Other income (expense)
Interest expense (including
amortization of financing fees�of $315 in 2009 and $273 in
2008)
(9,979 ) (8,955 ) Interest income 33 92 Equity in income of joint
ventures �
30 � �
12 � � Income from
continuing operations 8,120 9,507 Income from discontinued
operations �
- � �
82 � Consolidated net
income 8,120 9,589 Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling
interests �
(485 ) �
(636
) Net income attributable to controlling
interests $ 7,635 �
$
8,953 � �
Earnings per common share attributable to
controlling interest - basic Continuing operations $ 0.35 $
0.41 Discontinued operations �
0.00 � �
0.00 � Earnings per common share - basic
$ 0.35 �
$ 0.41
� �
Earnings per common share attributable to controlling
interest - diluted Continuing operations $ 0.35 $ 0.41
Discontinued operations �
0.00 � �
0.00 �
Earnings per common share - diluted
$
0.35 �
$ 0.41 � �
Common shares used in
basic�earnings per share calculation
21,969,065 21,647,366 �
Common shares used in
diluted�earnings per share calculation
21,972,360 21,664,445 �
Dividends declared per common share
$ 0.6400 �
$
0.6300 � � �
COMPUTATION OF FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
(FFO) (1) - (unaudited) � � January 1, 2009 January 1, 2008 to
to (dollars in thousands, except share data) March 31, 2009 � March
31, 2008 � Net income attributable to controlling interests $ 7,635
$ 8,953 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 485 636
Depreciation of real estate and
amortization of intangible�assets exclusive of deferred financing
fees
8,541 8,647 Depreciation and amortization from unconsolidated joint
ventures 208 15
Funds from operations allocable to
noncontrolling�interest in Operating Partnership
(309 ) (339 )
Funds from operations allocable to
noncontrolling�interest in consolidated joint ventures
�
(340 ) �
(462
)
Funds from operations available to
common shareholders
16,220 17,450 FFO per share - diluted $ 0.74 $ 0.81 � Common shares
- diluted 21,972,360 21,664,445 � (1) We believe that Funds from
Operations (�FFO�) provides relevant and meaningful information
about our operating performance that is necessary, along with net
earnings and cash flows, for an understanding of our operating
results. FFO adds back historical cost depreciation, which assumes
the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably in the
future. In fact, real estate asset values increase or decrease with
market conditions. Consequently, we believe FFO is a useful
supplemental measure in evaluating our operating performance by
disregarding (or adding back) historical cost depreciation. � Funds
from operations is defined by the National Association of Real
Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (�NAREIT�) as net income computed in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (�GAAP�),
excluding gains or losses on sales of properties, plus depreciation
and amortization and after adjustments to record unconsolidated
partnerships and joint ventures on the same basis. We believe that
to further understand our performance, FFO should be compared with
our reported net income and cash flows in accordance with GAAP, as
presented in our consolidated financial statements. � 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 does not represent cash
generated from operating activities determined in accordance with
GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income
(determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indication of our
performance, as an alternative to net cash flows from operating
activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our
liquidity, or as an indicator of our ability to make cash
distributions. � � �
QUARTERLY SAME STORE DATA (2) January
1, 2009 January 1, 2008 to to Percentage (dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2009 � March 31, 2008 Change �
Revenues: Rental
income $ 47,158 $ 47,769 -1.3 % Other operating income �
1,505 �
1,561 -3.6
% Total operating revenues 48,663 49,330 -1.4 % �
Expenses: Property operations and maintenance 13,316 13,725
-3.0 % Real estate taxes �
5,116 �
4,722
8.3 % Total operating expenses �
18,432 �
18,447 -0.1
% � Operating income $ 30,231 $ 30,883 -2.1 % � (2)
Includes the 357 stores owned and/or managed by the Company for the
entire periods presented. �
Same Store Revenues by State (2)
January 1, 2009 January 1, 2008 to to Percentage
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2009 � March 31, 2008 Change � Alabama 2,540 2,600 -2.3 %
Arizona 1,202 1,247 -3.6 % Connecticut 1,055 1,122 -6.0 % Florida
7,465 8,121 -8.1 % Georgia 3,049 3,288 -7.3 % Louisiana 1,991 1,899
4.8 % Maine 265 274 -3.3 % Maryland 470 487 -3.5 % Massachusetts
1,930 1,947 -0.9 % Michigan 557 533 4.5 % Mississippi 1,389 1,420
-2.2 % Missouri 1,030 1,048 -1.7 % New Hampshire 518 509 1.8 % New
York 4,385 4,287 2.3 % North Carolina 1,590 1,624 -2.1 % Ohio 1,983
2,020 -1.8 % Pennsylvania 698 707 -1.3 % Rhode Island 441 481 -8.3
% South Carolina 893 913 -2.2 % Tennessee 489 532 -8.1 % Texas
12,521 11,989 4.4 % Virginia 2,202 2,282 -3.5 % � � �
���Total same store
$ 48,663 $ 49,330 -1.4 % � � � � � � � � � � � � �
OTHER
DATA Same Store (2) All Stores
2009
� � �
2008
2009
� � �
2008
� Weighted average quarterly occupancy 79.5% 81.0% 79.3% 81.0% �
Occupancy at March 31 79.0% 80.7% 78.9% 80.7% � Rent per occupied
square foot $10.45 $10.43 $10.57 $10.50 � � �
Investment in Storage Facilities:
The following summarizes activity in storage facilities during the
three months ended March 31, 2009: � Beginning balance $ 1,389,201
Property acquisitions - Improvements and equipment additions:
Expansions 5,049 Roofing, paving, painting, and equipment:
Stabilized stores 1,580 Recently acquired and joint venture stores
80 Change in construction in progress (Total CIP $14.1 million) 110
Dispositions �
(41 ) Storage facilities
at cost at period end
$ 1,395,979 � � �
March 31, 2009 � March 31, 2008 � Common shares outstanding at
March 31 22,086,901 21,801,855 Operating Partnership Units
outstanding at March 31 419,952 422,527
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