JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regency Centers Corporation (“Regency Centers”, “Regency” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: REG) today reported financial and operating results for the period ended December 31, 2023. For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Net Income was $0.47 per diluted share and $0.56 per diluted share, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Net Income was $2.04 per diluted share and $2.81 per diluted share, respectively.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Highlights

• Reported Nareit FFO of $1.02 per diluted share for the fourth quarter, and $4.15 per diluted share for the full year, including the impact of merger transition expense of $0.02 per diluted share and $0.03 per diluted share, respectively
• Reported Core Operating Earnings of $0.99 per diluted share for the fourth quarter, and $3.95 per diluted share for the full year
• Generated Core Operating Earnings per share year-over-year growth, excluding the collection of receivables reserved during 2020 and 2021, of approximately 6% for the full year
• Increased Same Property NOI year-over-year, excluding lease termination fees and the collection of receivables reserved during 2020 and 2021, by 1.4% in the fourth quarter and 3.6% for the full year
• Increased Same Property percent leased by 60 basis points year-over-year to 95.7%, and Same Property percent commenced by 10 basis points year-over-year to 92.9%
• Executed 6.9 million square feet of comparable new and renewal leases during the full year at blended rent spreads of +10.0% on a cash basis and +18.5% on a straight-lined basis
• Started $251 million of development and redevelopment projects and completed $87 million of redevelopment projects during the full year, each at the Company’s share
• Completed the acquisition of Urstadt Biddle Properties, in addition to property acquisitions of $62 million and property dispositions of $8 million during the full year, both at Regency’s share
• Pro-rata net debt and preferred stock to operating EBITDAre at December 31, 2023 was 5.4x, and was 5.1x as adjusted for the annualized impact of the EBITDAre contribution from Urstadt Biddle
  
  

Subsequent Highlights

• On January 8, 2024, Regency priced a public offering of $400 million of senior unsecured notes due 2034, with a coupon of 5.25%
• On January 18, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement providing an unsecured revolving credit facility in the amount of $1.5 billion
• On February 7, 2024, Regency’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.67 per share
• Ranked 6^th overall in the United States on Newsweek’s 2024 Most Responsible Companies List, including a #1 position in the "Real Estate and Housing" industry

“2023 was an exceptional year for Regency in all facets of our business, and I couldn’t be more proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Lisa Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have strong momentum within our leasing and value creation pipelines, supported by positive demand trends in our trade areas for high quality shopping centers. Looking ahead, I’m excited by the opportunities we see to drive future growth, both within our existing portfolio and as we allocate capital to new pursuits.”

Financial Results

Net Income

• For the three months ended December 31, 2023, Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders (“Net Income”) was $86.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to Net Income of $95.3 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.
• For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Net Income was $359.5 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, compared to Net Income of $482.9 million, or $2.81 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.
  • Net Income for the full year 2022 was impacted by gains on sale of $109 million, or $0.63 per diluted share.
    

Nareit FFO

• For the three months ended December 31, 2023, Nareit Funds from Operations (“Nareit FFO”) was $190.0 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, compared to $181.5 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.
  • Nareit FFO in the fourth quarter of 2023 was impacted by $3.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, of merger transition expense related to the Company’s acquisition of Urstadt Biddle.
• For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Nareit FFO was $736.1 million, or $4.15 per diluted share, compared to $707.8 million, or $4.10 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.
  • Nareit FFO for the full year 2023 was impacted by $4.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, of merger transition expense related to the Company’s acquisition of Urstadt Biddle.

Core Operating Earnings

• For the three months ended December 31, 2023, Core Operating Earnings was $184.4 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, compared to $169.2 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.
• For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, Core Operating Earnings was $700.9 million, or $3.95 per diluted share, compared to $660.8 million, or $3.83 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.
  • Core Operating Earnings for the full year 2023 was impacted by $4.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, from the collection of receivables reserved during 2020 and 2021.
    
    

Portfolio Performance

Same Property NOI

• Fourth quarter 2023 Same Property Net Operating Income (“NOI”), excluding lease termination fees and the collection of receivables reserved during 2020 and 2021, increased by 1.4% compared to the same period in 2022.
  • Same Property base rents contributed 3.2% to Same Property NOI growth in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Full year 2023 Same Property NOI, excluding lease termination fees and the collection of receivables reserved during 2020 and 2021, increased by 3.6% compared to the same period in 2022.
  • Same Property base rents contributed 3.6% to Same Property NOI growth in the full year 2023.

Occupancy

• As of December 31, 2023, Regency’s Same Property portfolio was 95.7% leased, an increase of 30 basis points sequentially and an increase of 60 basis points compared to December 31, 2022.
  • Same Property anchor percent leased, which includes spaces greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet, was 97.1%, an increase of 40 basis points sequentially and an increase of 10 basis points compared to December 31, 2022.
  • Same Property shop percent leased, which includes spaces less than 10,000 square feet, was 93.4%, an increase of 20 basis points sequentially and an increase of 150 basis points compared to December 31, 2022.
• As of December 31, 2023, Regency’s Same Property portfolio was 92.9% commenced, an increase of 20 basis points sequentially and an increase of 10 basis points compared to December 31, 2022.

Leasing Activity

• During the three months ended December 31, 2023, Regency executed approximately 2.1 million square feet of comparable new and renewal leases at a blended cash rent spread of +11.7% and a blended straight-lined rent spread of +21.1%.
• During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company executed approximately 6.9 million square feet of comparable new and renewal leases at a blended cash rent spread of +10.0% and a blended straight-lined rent spread of +18.5%.
  
  

Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet

Developments and Redevelopments

• For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company started developments and redevelopments with estimated net project costs of $251 million, at the Company’s share.
• As of December 31, 2023, Regency’s in-process development and redevelopment projects had estimated net project costs of $468 million at the Company’s share, 45% of which has been incurred to date.

Property Transactions

• During the fourth quarter, the Company completed acquisitions for a combined total of $57 million and completed a disposition for $8 million at Regency’s share.
  • On October 11, 2023, the Company acquired Nohl Plaza in Orange County, CA, for a gross purchase price of $25 million.
  • On December 1, 2023, the Company acquired The Longmeadow Shops in Massachusetts for a gross purchase price of $31 million. In conjunction with the purchase, Regency issued 181,885 operating partnership (“OP”) units at a price of $61.87 per share, for a total of $11.3 million.
  • On December 7, 2023, the Company completed the disposition of Braemar Village Center for $8 million, at Regency’s share.
• During the full year 2023, the Company completed acquisitions for a combined total of $62 million and a disposition for $8 million, each at Regency’s share.
• Subsequent to year end, on January 5, 2024, the Company completed the disposition of Glengary Shoppes for $31 million.

Balance Sheet

• As of December 31, 2023, Regency had approximately $1.1 billion of capacity under its $1.25 billion revolving credit facility.
  • Subsequent to quarter end, on January 18, 2024, the Company and its operating partnership, Regency Centers, L.P., entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) providing an unsecured revolving credit facility in the amount of $1.5 billion. The termination date for the Credit Agreement is March 23, 2028 and includes two, six-month extension options.
• As of December 31, 2023, Regency’s pro-rata net debt and preferred stock to operating EBITDAre ratio was 5.4x on a trailing 12-month basis.
  • As of December 31, 2023, Regency’s pro-rata net debt and preferred stock to operating EBITDAre was 5.1x, as adjusted for the annualized impact of the EBITDAre contribution from the acquisition of Urstadt Biddle assets.
• As previously disclosed, on January 8, 2024, the Company’s operating partnership, Regency Centers, L.P., priced a public offering of $400 million of senior unsecured notes due 2034 (the “Notes”) under its existing shelf registration filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Notes will mature on January 15, 2034, and were issued at 99.617% of par value with a coupon of 5.250%. Regency intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to reduce the outstanding balance on its line of credit and for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, the future repayment of outstanding debt.
  
  

Common and Preferred Dividends

• On February 7, 2024, Regency’s Board declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.67 per share. The dividend is payable on April 3, 2024, to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2024.

• On February 7, 2024, Regency’s Board declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s Series A preferred stock of $0.390625 per share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2024.
  • On February 7, 2024, Regency’s Board declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s Series B preferred stock of $0.367200 per share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2024.
    
    

2024 Guidance

Regency Centers has provided initial 2024 guidance, as summarized in the table below. Please refer to the Company’s fourth quarter 2023 ‘Earnings Presentation’ and ‘Quarterly Supplemental’ for additional detail. All materials are posted on the Company’s website at investors.regencycenters.com.

Conference Call Information

To discuss Regency’s fourth quarter results and provide further business updates, management will host a conference call on Friday, February 9^th at 11:00 a.m. ET. Dial-in and webcast information is below.

Replay: Webcast Archive – Investor Relations page under Events & Webcasts

About Regency Centers Corporation (Nasdaq: REG)

Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. Our portfolio includes thriving properties merchandised with highly productive grocers, restaurants, service providers, and best-in-class retailers that connect to their neighborhoods, communities, and customers. Operating as a fully integrated real estate company, Regency Centers is a qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) that is self-administered, self-managed, and an S&P 500 Index member. For more information, please visit RegencyCenters.com.

Same Property NOI is a key non-GAAP measure used by management in evaluating the operating performance of Regency’s properties. The Company provides a reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders to pro-rata Same Property NOI.

Reported results are preliminary and not final until the filing of the Company’s Form 10-K with the SEC and, therefore, remain subject to adjustment.

The Company has published forward-looking statements and additional financial information in its fourth quarter 2023 supplemental package that may help investors estimate earnings. A copy of the Company’s fourth quarter 2023 supplemental package will be available on the Company's website at investors.regencycenters.com or by written request to: Investor Relations, Regency Centers Corporation, One Independent Drive, Suite 114, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202. The supplemental package contains more detailed financial and property results including financial statements, an outstanding debt summary, acquisition and development activity, investments in partnerships, information pertaining to securities issued other than common stock, property details, a significant tenant rent report and a lease expiration table in addition to earnings and valuation guidance assumptions. The information provided in the supplemental package is unaudited and includes non-GAAP measures, and there can be no assurance that the information will not vary from the final information in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023. Regency may, but assumes no obligation to, update information in the supplemental package from time to time.

Non-GAAP Disclosure

We believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to our Board of Directors, management and investors regarding certain trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Our management uses these non-GAAP measures to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses, purposes of determining management incentive compensation and budgeting, forecasting and planning purposes.

We do not consider non-GAAP measures an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, rather they supplement GAAP measures by providing additional information we believe to be useful to our shareholders. The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is they may exclude significant expense and income items that are required by GAAP to be recognized in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, they reflect the exercise of management’s judgment about which expense and income items are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. In order to compensate for these limitations, reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures we use to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be relied upon in evaluating the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of the Company.

Nareit FFO is a commonly used measure of REIT performance, which the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”) defines as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains on sale and impairments of real estate, net of tax, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Regency computes Nareit FFO for all periods presented in accordance with Nareit's definition. Since Nareit FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and gains on sales and impairments of real estate, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, reflects the impact on operations from trends in percent leased, rental rates, operating costs, acquisition and development activities, and financing costs. This provides a perspective of the Company’s financial performance not immediately apparent from net income determined in accordance with GAAP. Thus, Nareit FFO is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure of the Company's operating performance, which does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP; and, therefore, should not be considered a substitute measure of cash flows from operations. The Company provides a reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders to Nareit FFO.

Core Operating Earnings is an additional performance measure that excludes from Nareit FFO: (i) transaction related income or expenses; (ii) gains or losses from the early extinguishment of debt; (iii) certain non-cash components of earnings derived from above and below market rent amortization, straight-line rents, and amortization of mark-to-market of debt adjustments; and (iv) other amounts as they occur. The Company provides a reconciliation of Net Income to Nareit FFO to Core Operating Earnings.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document regarding anticipated financial, business, legal or other outcomes including business and market conditions, outlook and other similar statements relating to Regency’s future events, developments, or financial or operational performance or results such as our 2024 Guidance, are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “guidance,” and other similar language. However, the absence of these or similar words or expressions does not mean a statement is not forward-looking. While we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable when made, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance these expectations will be attained, and it is possible actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Our operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those risk factors described in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023 Form 10-K”) under Item 1A. When considering an investment in our securities, you should carefully read and consider these risks, together with all other information in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings and submissions to the SEC. If any of the events described in the risk factors actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results, as well as the market price of our securities, could be materially adversely affected. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and Regency undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments or otherwise, except as to the extent required by law. These risks and events include, without limitation:

Risk Factors Related to the Current Economic and Geopolitical Environments

Interest rates in the current economic environment may adversely impact our cost to borrow, real estate valuation, and stock price. Current economic challenges, including the potential for recession, may adversely impact our tenants and our business. Unfavorable developments affecting the banking and financial services industry could adversely affect our business, liquidity and financial condition, and overall results of operations. Additionally, current geopolitical challenges would impact the U.S. economy and our results of operations and financial condition.

Risk Factors to Regency’s Financial Performance Related to the Company’s Acquisition of Urstadt Biddle

Regency may not realize the anticipated benefits and synergies from the Urstadt Biddle merger.

Risk Factors Related to Pandemics or other Health Crises

Pandemics or other health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect our tenants’ financial condition, the profitability of our properties, and our access to the capital markets and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Risk Factors Related to Operating Retail-Based Shopping Centers

Economic and market conditions may adversely affect the retail industry and consequently reduce our revenues and cash flow and increase our operating expenses. Shifts in retail trends, sales, and delivery methods between brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce, home delivery, and curbside pick-up may adversely impact our revenues, results of operations, and cash flows. Changing economic and retail market conditions in geographic areas where our properties are concentrated may reduce our revenues and cash flow. Our success depends on the continued presence and success of our “anchor” tenants. A percentage of our revenues are derived from “local” tenants and our net income may be adversely impacted if these tenants are not successful, or if the demand for the types or mix of tenants significantly change. We may be unable to collect balances due from tenants in bankruptcy. Many of our costs and expenses associated with operating our properties may remain constant or increase, even if our lease income decreases. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other building, fire, and safety and regulations may have a material negative effect on us.

Risk Factors Related to Real Estate Investments

Our real estate assets may decline in value and be subject to impairment losses which may reduce our net income. We face risks associated with development, redevelopment and expansion of properties. We face risks associated with the development of mixed-use commercial properties. We face risks associated with the acquisition of properties. We may be unable to sell properties when desired because of market conditions. Changes in tax laws could impact our acquisition or disposition of real estate.

Risk Factors Related to the Environment Affecting Our Properties

Climate change may adversely impact our properties directly and may lead to additional compliance obligations and costs as well as additional taxes and fees. Geographic concentration of our properties makes our business more vulnerable to natural disasters, severe weather conditions and climate change. Costs of environmental remediation may adversely impact our financial performance and reduce our cash flow.

Risk Factors Related to Corporate Matters

An increased focus on metrics and reporting relating to environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks. An uninsured loss or a loss that exceeds the insurance coverage on our properties may subject us to loss of capital and revenue on those properties. Failure to attract and retain key personnel may adversely affect our business and operations.

Risk Factors Related to Our Partnerships and Joint Ventures

We do not have voting control over all of the properties owned in our real estate partnerships and joint ventures, so we are unable to ensure that our objectives will be pursued. The termination of our partnerships may adversely affect our cash flow, operating results, and our ability to make distributions to stock and unit holders.

Risk Factors Related to Funding Strategies and Capital Structure

Our ability to sell properties and fund acquisitions and developments may be adversely impacted by higher market capitalization rates and lower NOI at our properties which may dilute earnings. We depend on external sources of capital, which may not be available in the future on favorable terms or at all. Our debt financing may adversely affect our business and financial condition. Covenants in our debt agreements may restrict our operating activities and adversely affect our financial condition. Increases in interest rates would cause our borrowing costs to rise and negatively impact our results of operations. Hedging activity may expose us to risks, including the risks that a counterparty will not perform and that the hedge will not yield the economic benefits we anticipate, which may adversely affect us.

Risk Factors Related to Information Management and Technology

The unauthorized access, use, theft or destruction of tenant or employee personal, financial, or other data or of Regency's proprietary or confidential information stored in our information systems or by third parties on our behalf could impact our reputation and brand and expose us to potential liabilities and adverse financial impact. The use of technology based on artificial intelligence presents risks relating to confidentiality, creation of inaccurate and flawed outputs and emerging regulatory risk, any or all of which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Risk Factors Related to the Market Price for Our Securities

Changes in economic and market conditions may adversely affect the market price of our securities. There is no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends at current or historical rates.

Risk Factors Related to the Company’s Qualification as a REIT

If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, it would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Dividends paid by REITs generally do not qualify for reduced tax rates. Certain foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a disposition of our common stock if we do not qualify as a “domestically controlled” REIT. Legislative or other actions affecting REITs may have a negative effect on us or our investors. Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities. Partnership tax audit rules could have a material adverse effect.

Risk Factors Related to the Company’s Common Stock

Restrictions on the ownership of the Company’s capital stock to preserve its REIT status may delay or prevent a change in control. The issuance of the Company's capital stock may delay or prevent a change in control. Ownership in the Company may be diluted in the future.