Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust Releases Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 12, 2014) - Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CWT.UN) is pleased to report positive results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013.

Highlights for the quarter:

  • Funds from operations ("FFO")(1) increased by 5.6% to $63.8 million and 0.9% to $0.473 on a per unit basis compared to the same quarter of 2012

  • Maintained portfolio occupancy rate at the 99% level for the 16th sequential quarter

  • Invested $45.4 million to complete the development and lease up of 154,245 square feet of leasable area at an average yield of 6.8%

  • Issued $100.0 million in Series K senior unsecured debentures bearing interest at a variable rate based on the three-month Canadian dealer offered rate plus 1.38% per annum maturing in October 2015

  • Monthly distributions are confirmed for the period of February to April 2014 at $0.129 per unit

  • Increased the unencumbered asset pool to $1,482.8 million

Highlights for the year:

  • Maintained a 99% occupancy rate throughout the year

  • Funds from operations ("FFO")(2) increased by 8.9% to $247.1 million and 3.4% to $1.847 on a per unit basis compared to 2012

  • Completed the first phase of the Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills, Ontario, which had a successful grand opening on August 1, 2013 and continues to draw very strong traffic

  • Commenced construction of the Montreal Premium Outlets in Mirabel, Quebec in October 2013

  • Invested $181.5 million to complete the development and lease up of 548,856 square feet of leasable area at an average yield of 7.2%

  • Acquired four income properties totalling 696,867 square feet for a total of $184.2 million from SmartCentres and Walmart Canada Realty Inc. and formed a 50:50 joint venture with a third party for the purchase of the largest of these properties

  • Acquired three income properties for $102.6 million totalling 416,589 square feet from third parties

  • Issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured debentures in three separate transactions during the year

  • Repaid $75.0 million of 7.95% Series D senior unsecured debentures

Subsequent to year end:

  • Issued $150.0 million of 3.749% Series L senior unsecured debentures maturing in February 2021. The proceeds from the sale of the debentures will be used to redeem the 5.10% Series E senior unsecured debentures and for general Trust purposes

Huw Thomas, President & CEO of Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust (the "Trust"), said, "I am pleased with our positive fourth quarter results and overall results for the year. Our portfolio of 121 mostly Walmart-anchored retail centres continues to deliver reliable performance and steady growth. Over the last year, we have grown our portfolio in a balanced way with a combination of building out new space for existing and new tenants at an average investment yield of 7.2% and acquiring three income properties from a third party and four income properties from SmartCentres and Walmart Canada Realty Inc. The addition of the seven properties continues our commitment to add accretive acquisitions occupied by national tenants in high quality locations. The extremely successful opening of the first Canadian Premium Outlets location, with record traffic count for a Premium Outlet opening, reflects our commitment to look for various avenues of growth for Calloway and we continue to look for further sites to add to the portfolio in addition to our Montreal Premium Outlets location, which will open in the fall of 2014."