Gazit-Globe Reports Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Gazit-Globe Reports Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Aug. 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gazit-Globe (NYSE:GZT) (TSX:GZT) (TASE:GZT), one of the world’s leading multi-national real estate companies focused on the management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of supermarket-anchored shopping centers in major urban markets, announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

References to the “Group” relate to Gazit-Globe’s consolidated statements. References to the “Company” relate to Gazit-Globe’s stand-alone financial statements. Unless otherwise stated, financial information included in this press release relates to the “Group”.

Highlights:

  • NOI for the quarter increased by 3.0% to NIS 1,074 million (US$ 279 million) compared to NIS 1,043 million (US$ 271 million) in the same quarter last year. Excluding the effect of exchange rate fluctuations NOI increased by 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year.
  • FFO for the quarter totaled NIS 142 million (US$ 37 million), or NIS 0.72 per share (US$ 0.19), compared to NIS 135 million (US$ 35 million), or NIS 0.69 per share (US$ 0.18), in the first quarter of 2016 and NIS 162 million (US$ 42 million), or NIS 0.91 per share (US$ 0.24), in the same quarter last year. The decrease in FFO and FFO per share between the two periods is mainly due to the effects of exchange rates, the sale of shares in subsidiaries and the equity offering that was completed at the end of 2015.
  • Shareholders’ equity as of June 30, 2016 increased during the quarter by approximately NIS 0.5 billion (NIS 2.6 per share) totaled NIS 7,867 million (US$ 2,046 million), or NIS 40.2 per share (US$ 10.45 per share), compared to NIS 7,512 million (US$ 1,953 million), or NIS 38.4 million (US$ 9.98 per share), as of December 31, 2015 and after a dividend distribution of NIS 0.81 per share (US$ 0.21) in the six months ended June 30, 2016.
  • Investments during the quarter totaled NIS 1.1 billion (US$ 293 million).
  • The occupancy rate as of June 30, 2016 increased to a level of 95.7% compared to 95.4% as of June 30, 2015.
  • Same Property NOI for the period, excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, decreased by 0.1%. The decrease is mainly due to one-time effect in Canada as well as a decrease in NOI in Russia.
  • As of June 30, 2016, the Group had liquid assets and unutilized revolving credit facilities in the amount of NIS 9.8 billion (US$ 2.55 billion), of which NIS 2.3 billion (US$ 0.6 billion) was at the Company level.
  • As of June 30, 2016, net debt to total assets (LTV) decreased by 50 basis points to 50.8%, compared to 51.3% as of December 31, 2015.
  • The Company will distribute a quarterly cash dividend of NIS 0.35 per share, payable on September 12, 2016 to shareholders record as of September 5, 2016.
  • During the quarter and thereafter Gazit-Globe disposed part of its shares in BR Malls, which resulted in a total realized and unrealized gain of more than NIS 130 million (US$ 34 million).
  • In August 2016, the local credit agency, S&P Maalot, re-affirmed Gazit-Globe’s local credit rating of ilAA-.

Rachel Lavine, CEO of Gazit-Globe: “The second quarter results clearly show the continuation of the positive trends as evident through a significant increase in shareholders’ equity, strengthening of our balance sheet, decrease of our cost of debt, and the improvement in our financial ratios. The Company’s financial strength has recently been reinforced by the re-affirmation of our local credit rating by S&P Maalot.

Alongside of more than NIS 130 million gain from the investment in BR Malls, we continue to bear fruit as a result of our portfolio repositioning; We believe that our portfolio is exceptional due to its high quality as well as its geographical diversity in strong economies and their leading urban cities. The Company focuses its activity on the acquisition, development and redevelopment of prime assets which amount to approximately NIS 3.7 billion, with a cost to complete of approximately NIS 2 billion. We believe that these quality properties, located in leading cities around the world such as Toronto, San Francisco, Sau Paulo, Helsinki and Warsaw will yield over the coming quarters, and in particularly during the course of 2017.”

Financial highlights for second quarter 2016:

  • Rental income for the quarter totaled NIS 1,523 million compared to NIS 1,514 million in the same quarter last year, an increase of 0.6%. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the rental income increased by 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year.
  • NOI for the quarter totaled NIS 1,074 million compared to NIS 1,043 million in the same quarter last year an increase of 3.0%. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, NOI increased by 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year.
  • FFO for the quarter totaled NIS 142 million, or NIS 0.72 per share, compared to NIS 135 million, or NIS 0.69 per share, in the first quarter of 2016 and NIS 162 million, or NIS 0.91 per share, in the same quarter last year. The decrease in FFO and FFO per share between the two periods is mainly due to the effects of exchange rates, the sale of shares in subsidiaries and the equity offering that was completed at the end of 2015.
  • The occupancy rate as of June 30, 2016 increased to a level of 95.7% compared to 95.4% as of June 30, 2015. By region, occupancy rates as of June 30, 2016 were: 96.3% in the US; 95.2% in Canada; 96.5% in North Europe; and 95.4% in Central and Eastern Europe.
  • EPRA NAV per share as of June 30, 2016 was NIS 55.2 compared to NIS 52.9 per share as of December 31, 2015.
  • Net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders totaled NIS 97 million, or NIS 0.47 per share, compared to NIS 130 million, or NIS 0.70 per share, in the same quarter last year.
  • The net fair value gain of investment property and investment property under development was NIS 572 million, compared to a gain of NIS 373 million in the same quarter last year.
  • Cash flow from operating activities totaled NIS 313 million, compared to NIS 322 million in the same quarter last year.

 Financial highlights for the first half 2016:

  • Rental income for the period totaled NIS 3,062 million compared to NIS 3,041 million in the same period last year, an increase of 0.7%. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the rental income increased by 4.8% compared to the same period last year.
  • NOI for the period totaled NIS 2,126 million compared to NIS 2,071 million in the same period last year an increase of 2.7%. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, NOI increased by 6.6% compared to the same period last year.
  • FFO for the period totaled NIS 277 million, or NIS 1.42 per share, compared to NIS 323 million, or NIS 1.81 per share, in the same quarter last year. The decrease in FFO and FFO per share between the two periods is mainly due to the effects of foreign exchange rates, the sale of shares of subsidiaries and equity offering that was completed at the end of 2015.
  • Loss attributable to the Company’s shareholders totaled NIS 181 million, or NIS 0.96 per share, compared to net income of NIS 506 million, or NIS 2.81 per share, in the same period last year. The loss is mainly due to the revaluation of financial derivatives and the loss from the sale of shares of Luzon Group (previously: Dori Group) recognized in the first quarter of 2016.
  • Cash flow from operating activities totaled NIS 603 million, compared to NIS 497 million in the same period last year.

Acquisition, Development, Redevelopment and Capital Recycling Activities:

  • During the period, the Group invested NIS 2,122 million. Total investment included NIS 783 million invested in 7 income-producing properties totaling 63 thousand square meters, as well as NIS 1,339 million in development and redevelopment projects.
  • As of June 30, 2016, the Group had 6 properties under development with a gross leasable area of 111 thousand square meters with a total investment of NIS 1.4 billion, and 21 properties under redevelopment with a gross leasable area of 215 thousand square meters with a total investment of NIS 4.3 billion. The additional cost to complete the properties under development and redevelopment totaled NIS 2.0 billion.
  • During the quarter, the company announced that it is increasing its share in Gazit Israel (Development) to 100%, becoming the sole shareholder in the company.

Financing Activities:

  • The average nominal annual cost of debt during the period was 4.0%, compared to 4.2% in the same period last year.
  • The Company will distribute a quarterly cash dividend of NIS 0.35 per share, payable on September 12, 2016 to shareholders record as of September 5, 2016.
  • In August 2016, the local credit agency, S&P Maalot, re-affirmed Gazit-Globe’s local credit rating of ilAA-.

ACCOUNTING AND OTHER DISCLOSURES

The Company believes that publication of FFO, which is computed according to EPRA guidance, more correctly reflects the operating results of the Company, since the Company’s financial statements are prepared in line with IFRS. In addition, publication of FFO provides a better basis for the comparison of the Company’s operating results in a particular period with those of previous periods and also provides a uniform financial measure for comparing the Company’s operating results with those published by other European property companies.

In addition, pursuant to the investment property guideline issued by the Israel Securities Authority in January 2011, FFO is to be presented in the “Description of the Company’s Business” section of the annual report of investment property companies on the basis of the EPRA criteria. As clarified in the EPRA and NAREIT position papers, the EPRA Earnings and the FFO measures do not represent cash flows from operating activities according to accepted accounting principles, nor do they reflect the cash held by a company or its ability to distribute that cash, and they are not a substitute for the reported net income. Furthermore, it is clarified that these measures are not audited by the Company’s independent auditors.

CONFERENCE CALL/WEB CAST INFORMATION

Gazit-Globe will host a conference call and webcast in English on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 5:00 pm Israel Time / 4:00 pm Central European Time / 10:00 am Eastern Time, to review the second quarter 2016 financial results. Shareholders, analysts and other interested parties can access the conference call by dialing: United States 1888 668 9141, Canada 1866 485 2399, United Kingdom 0800 917 5108, International +972 39180610, Israel 03 9180610.

A presentation will be available on the company’s website under Investor Relations/Conference Calls & Webcast at: www.gazit-globe.com

Webcast link: http://www.veidan-stream.com/?con=Gazit_Globe_Q2_2016_Results_Conference_Call

For those unable to participate during the call, a replay will be available for future review on Gazit-Globe’s website under Investor Relations.

About Gazit-Globe

Gazit-Globe is one of the largest owners, developers and operators of predominantly supermarket-anchored shopping centers in major urban markets around the world. Gazit-Globe is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:GZT), the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:GZT) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE:GZT) and is included in the TA-25 and Real-Estate 15 indices in Israel. As of June 30, 2016 Gazit-Globe owns and operates 429 properties in more than 20 countries, with a gross leasable area of approximately 6.5 million square meters and a total value of approximately US$ 21.5 billion.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A comprehensive copy of the Company’s financial report is available on Gazit-Globe website at www.gazit-globe.com
Investors Contact: [email protected], Media Contact: [email protected]
Gazit-Globe Headquarters, Tel-Aviv, Israel, Tel: +972 3 6948000

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In the United States, these statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks detailed in our public filings with the SEC and the Canadian Securities Administrators. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Below please find excerpts from our Q2 2016 financial report. For our full Q2 2016 report in English, please go to http://www.gazitglobe.com/financial-reports.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
 
  June 30,   December 31,
  2016   2015   2015
  Unaudited   Audited
           
  NIS in millions
ASSETS          
           
CURRENT ASSETS          
           
Cash and cash equivalents 1,427   1,989   2,125
Short-term investments and loans 71   301   203
Marketable securities 52   41   38
Financial derivatives 52   136   77
Trade receivables 237   560   467
Other accounts receivable 1,073   572   363
Inventory of buildings and apartments for sale  -   544   522
Current taxes receivable 37   33   24
           
  2,949   4,176   3,819
           
Assets classified as held for sale 534   929   826
           
  3,483   5,105   4,645
NON-CURRENT ASSETS          
           
Equity-accounted investees 2,646   2,686   2,996
Other investments, loans and receivables 781   632   754
Available-for-sale financial assets 914   528   771
Financial derivatives 346   674   702
Investment property 73,738   65,007   70,606
Investment property under development 2,799   3,078   2,587
Fixed assets, net 128   195   170
Intangible assets, net 926   99   900
Deferred taxes 39   89   105
           
  82,317   72,988   79,591
           
  85,800   78,093   84,236

  June 30,   December 31,
  2016   2015   2015
  Unaudited   Audited
           
  NIS in millions
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
           
Credit from banks and others    918        730        1,062  
Current maturities of non-current liabilities    2,980        2,102        2,279  
Financial derivatives    57        249        45  
Trade payables    519        788        833  
Other accounts payable    1,532        1,489        1,521  
Advances from customers and buyers of apartments    -        287        326  
Current taxes payable    91        84        111  
           
     6,097        5,729        6,177  
Liabilities attributable to assets held for sale    6        275        50  
           
     6,103        6,004        6,227  
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES          
           
Debentures    28,479        27,955        29,480  
Convertible debentures    615        1,005        921  
Interest-bearing loans from banks and others    11,940        9,516        11,457  
Financial derivatives    132        84        93  
Other liabilities    410        429        402  
Deferred taxes    4,916        4,209        4,661  
           
     46,492        43,198        47,014  
           
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY              
           
Share capital    249        232        249  
Share premium    4,989        4,413        4,983  
Retained earnings    4,868        5,257        5,207  
Foreign currency translation reserve   (2,592 )     (2,574 )     (3,103 )
Other reserves    374        147        197  
Treasury shares   (21 )     (21 )     (21 )
           
     7,867        7,454        7,512  
Non-controlling interests    25,338        21,437        23,483  
           
Total equity    33,205        28,891        30,995  
           
     85,800        78,093        84,236  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
  Six months ended
 June 30,
  Three months ended
 June 30,
  Year ended
December 31,
  2016   2015   2016   2015   2015
  Unaudited   Audited
                   
  NIS in millions (except for per share data)
                   
Rental income    3,062        3,041        1,523        1,514        6,150  
Property operating expenses    936        970        449        471        1,966  
                   
Net operating rental income    2,126        2,071        1,074        1,043        4,184  
                   
Fair value gain from investment property and investment property under development, net    821        480        572        373        711  
General and administrative expenses   (354 )     (345 )     (179 )     (176 )     (726 )
Other income    40        7        31        3        31  
Other expenses   (54 )     (503 )     (36 )     (2 )     (795 )
Company’s share in earnings of equity-accounted investees, net    86        85        51        55        234  
                   
Operating income    2,665        1,795        1,513        1,296        3,639  
                   
Finance expenses   (1,301 )     (875 )     (578 )     (565 )     (1,831 )
Finance income    94        703        34        86        852  
                   
Income before taxes on income    1,458        1,623        969        817        2,660  
Taxes on income    289        120        188        58        166  
                   
Net income from continuing operations    1,169        1,503        781        759        2,494  
Loss from discontinued operation, net   (230 )     (79 )      -       (62 )     (188 )
Net income    939        1,424        781        697        2,306  
                   
Attributable to:                  
                   
Equity holders of the Company   (181 )      506        97        130        620  
Non-controlling interests    1,120        918        684        567        1,686  
                   
     939        1,424        781        697        2,306  
                   
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to equity holders of the Company (NIS):                  
Basic net earnings from continuing operations    0.07        2.99        0.50        0.84        4.05  
Basic loss from discontinued operation   (1.00 )     (0.15 )      -       (0.11 )     (0.58 )
Total basic net earnings (loss)   (0.93 )      2.84        0.50        0.73        3.47  
Diluted net earnings from continuing operations    0.04        2.96        0.47        0.81        4.02  
Diluted loss from discontinued operation   (1.00 )     (0.15 )      -       (0.11 )     (0.57 )
Total diluted net earnings (loss)   (0.96 )      2.81        0.47        0.70        3.45  

FFO (EPRA Earnings)
 
The table below presents the calculation of the Company’s FFO, calculated according to the recommendations EPRA and the guidelines of the Israel Securities Authority, and its FFO per share for the stated periods:
 
              For the year
  For the 6 months ended
June 30,
  For the 3 months ended
June 30,
  ended
December 31
  2016   2015    2016   2015   2015
  NIS in millions (other than per share data)
                   
Net income (loss) attributable to equity holders of the Company for the period   (181 )      506        97        130        620  
                   
Adjustments:                  
Fair value gain from investment property and investment property under development, net   (821 )     (480 )     (572 )     (373 )     (711 )
Capital loss (gain) on sale of investment property   (13 )      5       (11 )            106  
Changes in the fair value of financial instruments, including derivatives, measured at fair value through profit or loss    610       (629 )      84       (54 )     (693 )
Adjustments with respect to equity-accounted investees   (16 )     (6 )     (11 )     (15 )     (50 )
Loss from disposal and  decrease of holding interest in investees          1,533                    1,533  
Deferred taxes and current taxes with respect to disposal of properties    264        92        175        51        138  
Gain from bargain purchase, net of goodwill amortization         (1,067 )      -             (1,026 )
Acquisition costs recognized in profit or loss    3        3        2        2        41  
Loss from early redemption of interest-bearing liabilities and financial derivatives    40        29        11        30        78  
Non-controlling interests’ share in above adjustments    348        290        282        248        395  
                   
Nominal FFO (EPRA Earnings)    234        276        57        19        431  
                   
Additional adjustments:                  
CPI linkage differences   (31 )     (45 )      39        97       (77 )
Depreciation and amortization    8        10        4        5        21  
Adjustments with respect to equity-accounted investees         (3 )           (3 )      
Other adjustments    66        85        42        44        252  
                   
FFO according to the management approach (Adjusted EPRA Earnings)    277        323        142        162        627  
Basic and diluted FFO according to the management approach per share (in NIS)    1.42        1.81        0.72        0.91        3.51  
Number of shares used in the basic FFO per share calculation (in thousands)    195,481        178,420        195,485        178,425        178,426  
Number of shares used in the diluted FFO per share calculation (in thousands)    195,567        178,525        195,572        178,525        178,601  

Gazit-Globe Ltd.	 1 HaShalom Rd. Tel Aviv, Israel 67892 +972 3 694 8000  For additional information: Adi Jemini CFO, Gazit-Globe