ROCKVILLE, Md., May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) today reported operating results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

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Financial Results

For first quarter 2014, Federal Realty generated funds from operations available for common shareholders (FFO) of $81.8 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared to $74.1 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, in first quarter 2013. Net income available for common shareholders was $38.6 million and earnings per diluted share was $0.57 for first quarter 2014 versus $34.5 million and $0.53, respectively, for first quarter 2013.

FFO is a non-GAAP supplemental earnings measure which the Trust considers meaningful in measuring its operating performance. A reconciliation of FFO to net income is attached to this press release.

Portfolio Results

In first quarter 2014, same-center property operating income increased 3.4% including redevelopment and expansion properties, and increased 2.9% excluding redevelopment and expansion properties, compared to first quarter 2013. During the quarter, same-center property operating income was impacted by approximately 100 basis points due to excessive snow removal costs experienced in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The overall portfolio was 95.6% leased as of March 31, 2014, compared to 95.8% on December 31, 2013 and 95.1% on March 31, 2013. Federal Realty's same-center portfolio was 95.5% leased on March 31, 2014, compared to 95.9% on December 31, 2013 and 95.2% on March 31, 2013.

During first quarter 2014, the Trust signed 78 leases for 364,034 square feet of retail space. On a comparable space basis (i.e., spaces for which there was a former tenant), the Trust leased 328,355 square feet at an average cash-basis contractual rent increase per square foot (i.e., excluding the impact of straight-line rents) of 18%. The weighted average contractual rent on this comparable space for the first year of the new lease is $31.84 per square foot compared to the weighted average contractual rent of $27.01 per square foot for the last year of the prior lease. The previous weighted average contractual rent is calculated by including both the minimum rent and any percentage rent actually paid during the last year of the lease term for the re-leased space. On a GAAP basis (i.e., including the impact of straight-line rents), rent increases per square foot for comparable retail space averaged 29% for first quarter 2014.

Summary of Other Quarterly Activities and Recent Developments


    --  January 6, 2014 - Federal Realty announced the acquisition of a
        controlling interest in two shopping centers totaling 285,600 square
        feet in affluent Monmouth County, New Jersey, for a total value of $161
        million. The Grove at Shrewsbury and Brook 35 are located on busy Route
        35, less than three miles from the Garden State Parkway, serving the NY
        Metro emerging bedroom and second home communities of Shrewsbury, Red
        Bank, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver and Middletown. The acquisition,
        which was effective January 1, 2014, was made using a combination of
        downREIT units, cash and the assumption of $68 million of fixed rate
        debt secured by the properties.
    --  May 6, 2014 - Federal Realty announced the promotion of Christopher J.
        Weilminster to the position of Executive Vice President, Real Estate &
        Leasing for the Trust, Wendy Seher to the position of Vice President &
        Director of Leasing, Mid-Atlantic Region, and the concurrent promotions
        of Jeffrey Fischer and Joseph Byrnes as Co-Directors of Leasing,
        Northeast Region.

"With the closing of the acquisitions of The Grove at Shrewsbury and Brook 35, two iconic assets, and the leasing and development progress at Pike & Rose, Assembly Row and The Point, we continue to demonstrate a clear and stable path toward future growth and value creation," commented Donald C. Wood, president and chief executive officer of Federal Realty. "As always, this activity was supported by a strong core portfolio that continued to deliver sector leading growth despite the significant snow impact in the first quarter."

Guidance

We have maintained our 2014 guidance for FFO per diluted share of $4.86 to $4.93. Our earnings per share guidance was maintained at $2.54 to $2.62.

Regular Quarterly Dividends

Federal Realty also announced today that its Board of Trustees declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on its common shares of $0.78 per share, resulting in an indicated annual rate of $3.12 per share. The regular common dividend will be payable on July 15, 2014 to common shareholders of record on June 23, 2014.

Conference Call Information

Federal Realty's management team will present an in-depth discussion of the Trust's operating performance on its first quarter 2014 earnings conference call, which is scheduled for May 9, 2014, at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. To participate, please call (800) 708-4540 five to ten minutes prior to the call start time and use the passcode 36876436 (required). Federal Realty will also provide an online webcast on the Company's web site, www.federalrealty.com, which will remain available for 30 days following the call. A telephone recording of the call will also be available through May 16, 2014, by dialing (888) 843-7419 and using the passcode 36876436.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.6% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of March 31, 2014, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.3% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 46 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.

Safe Harbor Language

Certain matters discussed within this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although Federal Realty believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. These factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 11, 2014, and include the following:


    --  risks that our tenants will not pay rent, may vacate early or may file
        for bankruptcy or that we may be unable to renew leases or re-let space
        at favorable rents as leases expire;
    --  risks that we may not be able to proceed with or obtain necessary
        approvals for any redevelopment or renovation project, and that
        completion of anticipated or ongoing property redevelopments or
        renovations may cost more, take more time to complete, or fail to
        perform as expected;
    --  risks that we are investing a significant amount in ground-up
        development projects that may be dependent on third parties to deliver
        critical aspects of certain projects, requires spending a substantial
        amount upfront in infrastructure, and assumes receipt of public funding
        which has been committed but not entirely funded;
    --  risks normally associated with the real estate industry, including risks
        that occupancy levels at our properties and the amount of rent that we
        receive from our properties may be lower than expected, that new
        acquisitions may fail to perform as expected, that competition for
        acquisitions could result in increased prices for acquisitions, that
        environmental issues may develop at our properties and result in
        unanticipated costs, and, because real estate is illiquid, that we may
        not be able to sell properties when appropriate;
    --  risks that our growth will be limited if we cannot obtain additional
        capital;
    --  risks associated with general economic conditions, including local
        economic conditions in our geographic markets;
    --  risks of financing, such as our ability to consummate additional
        financings or obtain replacement financing on terms which are acceptable
        to us, our ability to meet existing financial covenants and the
        limitations imposed on our operations by those covenants, and the
        possibility of increases in interest rates that would result in
        increased interest expense; and
    --  risks related to our status as a real estate investment trust, commonly
        referred to as a REIT, for federal income tax purposes, such as the
        existence of complex tax regulations relating to our status as a REIT,
        the effect of future changes in REIT requirements as a result of new
        legislation, and the adverse consequences of the failure to qualify as a
        REIT.

Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements that we make, including those in this press release. Except as may be required by law, we make no promise to update any of the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should carefully review the risks and risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2014.



    Media Inquiries            Investor Inquiries
    ---------------            ------------------

    Andrea Simpson             Kristina Lennox

    Director, Marketing        Investor Relations Manager

    617/684-1511               301/998-8265

    asimpson@federalrealty.com klennox@federalrealty.com


    Federal Realty Investment Trust

    Summarized Balance Sheets

    March 31, 2014

                                                                                             March 31,                    December 31,

                                                                                                    2014                               2013
                                                                                                    ----                               ----

                                                                                                           (in thousands)

                                                                                             (unaudited)

    ASSETS

    Real estate, at cost

    Operating (including $281,602 and $265,138 of consolidated variable interest entities,               $4,815,667                         $4,618,258

    respectively)

    Construction-in-progress                                                                     572,986                            531,205
                                                                                                 -------                            -------

                                                                                               5,388,653                          5,149,463

    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (including $20,974 and $19,086 of         (1,383,520)                        (1,350,471)

    consolidated variable interest entities, respectively)


    Net real estate                                                                            4,005,133                          3,798,992

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                     75,699                             88,927

    Accounts and notes receivable, net                                                            92,769                             84,838

    Mortgage notes receivable, net                                                                55,287                             55,155

    Investment in real estate partnership                                                         32,140                             32,264

    Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                            144,619                            159,118
                                                                                                 -------                            -------

    TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                         $4,405,647                         $4,219,294
                                                                                                         ==========                         ==========


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Liabilities

    Mortgages and capital lease obligations (including $209,742 and $202,782 of consolidated               $729,929                           $660,127

    variable interest entities, respectively)

    Notes payable                                                                                300,910                            300,822

    Senior notes and debentures                                                                1,361,098                          1,360,913

    Accounts payable and other liabilities                                                       329,074                            321,710
                                                                                                 -------                            -------

    Total liabilities                                                                          2,721,011                          2,643,572

    Redeemable noncontrolling interests                                                          110,368                            104,425

    Shareholders' equity

        Preferred shares                                                                           9,997                              9,997

        Common shares and other shareholders' equity                                           1,475,741                          1,438,163
                                                                                               ---------                          ---------

    Total shareholders' equity of the Trust                                                    1,485,738                          1,448,160

        Noncontrolling interests                                                                  88,530                             23,137
                                                                                                  ------                             ------

    Total shareholders' equity                                                                 1,574,268                          1,471,297

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                           $4,405,647                         $4,219,294
                                                                                                         ==========                         ==========


    Federal Realty Investment Trust

    Summarized Income Statements

    March 31, 2014

                                                                       Three Months Ended

                                                                           March 31,
                                                                           ---------

                                                               2014                  2013
                                                               ----                  ----

                                                           (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                                        (unaudited)

    Revenue

    Rental income                                                     $166,193                        $152,616

    Other property income                                     3,400                            3,268

    Mortgage interest income                                  1,235                            1,265
                                                              -----                            -----

    Total revenue                                           170,828                          157,149
                                                            -------                          -------

    Expenses

    Rental expenses                                          37,130                           29,501

    Real estate taxes                                        18,700                           17,572

    General and administrative                                7,704                            7,057

    Depreciation and amortization                            43,850                           40,517
                                                             ------                           ------

    Total operating expenses                                107,384                           94,647
                                                            -------                           ------

    Operating income                                         63,444                           62,502

    Other interest income                                        25                               30

    Interest expense                                        (23,137)                         (27,405)

    Income from real estate partnership                         213                              312
                                                                ---                              ---

    Income from continuing operations                        40,545                           35,439

    Discontinued operations

    Discontinued operations - income                              -                              403
                                                                ---                              ---

    Net income                                               40,545                           35,842

       Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,792)                          (1,254)
                                                             ------                           ------

    Net income attributable to the Trust                     38,753                           34,588

    Dividends on preferred shares                              (135)                            (135)
                                                               ----                             ----

    Net income available for common shareholders                       $38,618                         $34,453
                                                                       =======                         =======


    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC

    Continuing operations                                                $0.58                           $0.52

    Discontinued operations                                       -                             0.01
                                                                ---                             ----

                                                                         $0.58                           $0.53
                                                                         =====                           =====


    Weighted average number of common shares, basic          66,615                           64,692
                                                             ======                           ======


    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED

    Continuing operations                                                $0.57                           $0.52

    Discontinued operations                                       -                             0.01
                                                                ---                             ----

                                                                         $0.57                           $0.53
                                                                         =====                           =====


    Weighted average number of common shares, diluted        66,773                           64,847
                                                             ======                           ======


    Federal Realty Investment Trust

    Funds From Operations

    March 31, 2014

                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                             March 31,
                                                                             ---------

                                                                       2014                 2013
                                                                       ----                 ----

                                                                  (in thousands, except per share
                                                                              data)

    Funds from Operations available for common shareholders (FFO)
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    Net income                                                                $40,545                     $35,842

    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests              (1,792)                      (1,254)

    Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets              39,549                       36,562

    Amortization of initial direct costs of leases                    2,831                        2,768

    Depreciation of joint venture real estate assets                    409                          376
                                                                        ---                          ---

    Funds from operations                                            81,542                       74,294

    Dividends on preferred shares                                      (135)                        (135)

    Income attributable to operating partnership units                  716                          227

    Income attributable to unvested shares                             (369)                        (336)
                                                                       ----                         ----

    FFO                                                                       $81,754                     $74,050
                                                                              =======                     =======

    FFO per diluted share                                                       $1.21                       $1.14
                                                                                =====                       =====

    Weighted average number of common shares, diluted                67,691                       65,158
                                                                     ======                       ======


    Federal Realty Investment Trust

    Reconciliation of Net Income to FFO Guidance

    March 31, 2014


                                                                                             2014 Guidance
                                                                                             -------------

                                                                                    (Dollars in millions except

                                                                                       per share amounts) (1)

    Funds from Operations available for common shareholders (FFO)
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    Net income                                                                                    $180                 $185

    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                                     (8)                   (8)

    Depreciation and amortization of real estate & joint venture real estate assets        148                   148

    Amortization of initial direct costs of leases                                          11                    11

    Funds from operations                                                                  331                   336

    Dividends on preferred shares                                                           (1)                   (1)

    Income attributable to operating partnership units                                       3                     3

    Income attributable to unvested shares                                                  (1)                   (1)

    FFO                                                                                           $332                 $337
                                                                                                  ====                 ====


    Weighted average number of common shares, diluted                                     68.3                  68.3


    FFO per diluted share                                                                        $4.86                $4.93
                                                                                                 =====                =====

Note:
(1) - Individual items may not add up to total due to rounding.

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SOURCE Federal Realty Investment Trust