Simon Property Group, Inc. (the 'Company' or 'Simon') has announced results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2004.
Diluted funds from operations ('FFO') of the Simon portfolio for the quarter increased 18.8% to $397.6 million from $334.8 million in 2003. On a per share basis the increase was 7.9% to $1.36 per share from $1.26 per share in the fourth quarter of 2003. Results for the quarter include a non-cash impairment charge of $18 million ($0.06 per share) for one regional mall. Excluding this charge, FFO for the quarter was $1.42, an increase of 12.7% from 2003. Diluted FFO of the Simon portfolio for the twelve months increased 12.1% to $1.198 billion from $1.069 billion in 2003. On a per share basis the increase was 8.7% to $4.39 per share from $4.04 per share in 2003. Excluding the one-time impairment charge, diluted FFO for the year was $4.46 per share, an increase of 10.4% from 2003.
-- Net income available to common shareholders for the quarter was $107.4 million in 2004 as compared to $165.4 million in 2003. On a diluted per share basis the decrease was 41.0% to $0.49 per share from $0.83 per share in the fourth quarter of 2003. The decline in net income per share is primarily attributable to 2003 net gains on the sale of real estate and the previously described impact of the $18 million non-cash impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income available to common shareholders for the twelve months decreased to $300.6 million from $313.6 million in 2003. On a diluted per share basis, the decrease was 12.7% to $1.44 per share from $1.65 per share in 2003.
The Company considers FFO a key measure of its operating performance that is not specifically defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ('GAAP'). The Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors because it is a widely recognized measure of the performance of real estate investment trusts and provides a relevant basis for comparison among REITs.
'2004 was another productive year for our organization,' said David Simon, Chief Executive Officer. 'Domestically, we acquired a high quality mall in Puerto Rico and a lifestyle center in Austin, Texas; increased our interests in three existing malls; completed two significant expansion projects; opened two new shopping centers; and at year-end had six new development projects under construction. We also opened four new retail projects outside of the U.S. We capped off the year with the fourth quarter acquisition of Chelsea Property Group, adding a market-leading position in the Premium Outlet(R) business that will serve as a new growth platform to our Company. Our Company is well-positioned for 2005 and we are pleased to announce today a 7.7% increase in our common stock dividend.'
Dividends
The Company also announced a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.70 per share, an increase of 7.7%. This dividend will be paid on February 28, 2005 to shareholders of record on February 21, 2005.
Full press release can be read on www.simon.com
Source: Simon
