Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

LOGO

 

CONTACT:   LOGO   6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 800
Sara Grootwassink     Rockville, Maryland 20852
Chief Financial Officer     Tel 301-984-9400
Direct Dial: 301-255-0820     Fax 301-984-9610
E-Mail: sgrootwassink@writ.com     www.writ.com
    Newspaper Quote: WRIT    
Page 1 of 7   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   February 17, 2005

 

WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE

THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT) reported the following results today:

 

     For the three months
ended December 31,


   For the twelve months
ended December 31,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Net Income Per Share – Diluted

   $ 0.30    $ 0.28    $ 1.09    $ 1.13

Funds from Operations (“FFO”) Per Share - Diluted

   $ 0.52    $ 0.54    $ 2.05    $ 2.04

 

  Net Income per fully diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $0.30, compared to $0.28 for the same period in 2003, a 7.1% increase. Net Income per fully diluted share was $1.09 and $1.13 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, a 3.5% decrease. The increase in net income per share for the quarter was due to the $1.0 million gain on the November disposition of 8230 Boone Boulevard, partially offset by dilution from the December 2003 equity offering of 2.2 million common shares, as well as increased interest and depreciation expense resulting from 2003 and 2004 acquisitions. The year-to-date decrease in net income per share was due to dilution from the December 2003 equity offering, increases in depreciation and interest expense resulting from acquisitions, and an increase in corporate administrative expense related to Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 compliance efforts. These decreases were partially offset by the gain on the sale of 8230 Boone Boulevard.

 

  Funds from Operations (“FFO”) per fully diluted share, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $0.52, representing a 3.7% decrease from FFO per fully diluted share of $0.54 for the three months ended December 31, 2003. FFO per fully diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 was $2.05, representing a 0.5% increase over FFO per fully diluted share of $2.04 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003. FFO per share for both the quarter and year-to-date was impacted by the aforementioned factors affecting net income per share, excluding the gain on the sale of 8230 Boone Boulevard and the increase in depreciation expense.

 

A reconciliation of net income to funds from operations is provided on the attached income statement.

 

Edmund B. Cronin, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, stated, “WRIT continues to pursue its business plan to reduce its exposure to the general office market through selected asset dispositions and an increased focus on the acquisition of medical office buildings in conjunction with its historical practice of acquiring industrial/flex, retail and multi-family properties.”

 


Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Page 2 of 7

 

Company Information

 

WRIT is a self-administered, self-managed, equity real estate investment trust investing in income-producing properties in the greater Washington/Baltimore metropolitan region. WRIT owns a diversified portfolio of 66 properties consisting of 11 retail centers, 27 office properties, 19 industrial/flex properties and 9 multifamily properties.

 

WRIT’s dividends have increased every year for 34 consecutive years. WRIT’s FFO per share has increased every year for 32 consecutive years. WRIT shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: WRE).

 

Note: WRIT’s press releases and supplemental financial information are available on the company website at www.writ.com or by contacting Investor Relations at 301-984-9400.

 

Certain statements in this press release and the supplemental disclosures attached hereto are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in interest rates, availability of raw materials and labor costs, levels of competition, the effect of government regulation, the availability of capital, weather conditions, the timing and pricing of lease transactions and changes in general and local economic and real estate market conditions, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including our 2003 Form 10-K. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Page 3 of 7

 

WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

         Three Months Ended
December 31,


    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,


 

OPERATING RESULTS


       2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenue

                                    

Real estate rental revenue

       $ 43,828     $ 41,713     $ 172,067     $ 154,004  

Other income

         88       72       327       414  
        


 


 


 


           43,916       41,785       172,394       154,418  
        


 


 


 


Expenses

                                    

Real estate expenses

         (12,984 )     (11,828 )     (51,394 )     (44,689 )

Interest expense

         (8,551 )     (8,011 )     (34,500 )     (30,040 )

Depreciation and amortization

         (10,315 )     (9,872 )     (39,441 )     (33,622 )

General and administrative

         (1,622 )     (1,583 )     (6,194 )     (5,275 )
        


 


 


 


           (33,472 )     (31,294 )     (131,529 )     (113,626 )
        


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations

         10,444       10,491       40,865       40,792  

Discontinued operations:

                                    

Income from operations of properties sold or held for sale

         910       907       3,670       4,095  

Gain on property disposed

         1,029       —         1,029       —    
        


 


 


 


Net Income

       $ 12,383     $ 11,398     $ 45,564     $ 44,887  
        


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations

       $ 10,444     $ 10,491     $ 40,865     $ 40,792  

Continuing operations real estate depreciation and amortization

         10,315       9,872       39,441       33,622  
        


 


 


 


Funds from continuing operations

       $ 20,759     $ 20,363     $ 80,306     $ 74,414  
        


 


 


 


Income from discontinued operations before gain on disposal

       $ 910     $ 907     $ 3,670     $ 4,095  

Discontinued operations real estate depreciation and amortization

         270       464       1,652       2,133  
        


 


 


 


Funds from discontinued operations

       $ 1,180     $ 1,371     $ 5,322     $ 6,228  
        


 


 


 


Funds from operations(1)

       $ 21,939     $ 21,734     $ 85,628     $ 80,642  
        


 


 


 


Accretive:

                                    

Tenant improvements

         (3,057 )     (4,958 )     (9,432 )     (9,506 )

Leasing commissions capitalized

         (923 )     (935 )     (2,713 )     (4,241 )

Non-Accretive:

                                    

Recurring capital improvements

         (3,009 )     (2,887 )     (9,068 )     (6,548 )

Straight-line rents, net

         (610 )     (395 )     (2,129 )     (1,689 )

Rent abatement amortization

         308       220       1,216       933  

Non real estate depreciation & amortization

         400       448       1,698       1,844  

Amortization of lease intangibles

         51       (35 )     (12 )     (5 )
        


 


 


 


Funds Available for Distribution(2)

       $ 15,099     $ 13,192     $ 65,188     $ 61,430  
        


 


 


 


Per Share Data


                            

Income from continuing operations

   (Basic)   $ 0.25     $ 0.26     $ 0.98     $ 1.04  
     (Diluted)   $ 0.25     $ 0.26     $ 0.98     $ 1.03  

Net income

   (Basic)   $ 0.30     $ 0.29     $ 1.09     $ 1.14  
     (Diluted)   $ 0.30     $ 0.28     $ 1.09     $ 1.13  

Funds from continuing operations

   (Basic)   $ 0.50     $ 0.51     $ 1.93     $ 1.89  
     (Diluted)   $ 0.50     $ 0.51     $ 1.92     $ 1.88  

Funds from operations

   (Basic)   $ 0.53     $ 0.55     $ 2.06     $ 2.05  
     (Diluted)   $ 0.52     $ 0.54     $ 2.05     $ 2.04  

Dividends paid

       $ 0.3925     $ 0.3725     $ 1.5500     $ 1.4700  

Weighted average shares outstanding

         41,711       39,862       41,642       39,399  

Fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding

         41,911       40,121       41,863       39,600  

 


Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Page 4 of 7

 


(1) Funds From Operations (“FFO”) – The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (“NAREIT”) defines FFO (April, 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)) excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property plus real estate depreciation and amortization. We consider FFO to be a standard supplemental measure for equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) because it facilitates an understanding of the operating performance of our properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which historically assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have instead historically risen or fallen with market conditions, we believe that FFO more accurately provides investors an indication of our ability to incur and service debt, make capital expenditures and fund other needs.
(2) Funds Available for Distribution (“FAD”) is calculated by subtracting from FFO (1) recurring expenditures, tenant improvements and leasing costs that are capitalized and amortized and are necessary to maintain our properties and revenue stream and (2) straight line rents, then adding (3) non-real estate depreciation and amortization and (4) non-cash rent abatement amortization, and adding or subtracting amortization of lease intangibles, as appropriate. FAD is included herein, because we consider it to be a measure of a REIT’s ability to incur and service debt and to distribute dividends to its shareholders. FAD is a non-GAAP and non-standardized measure, and may be calculated differently by other REITs.

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Page 5 of 7

 

WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

Assets

                

Land

   $ 210,647     $ 199,808  

Building

     906,228       799,932  
    


 


Total real estate, at cost

     1,116,875       999,740  

Accumulated depreciation

     (201,758 )     (166,095 )
    


 


Total investment in real estate, net

     915,117       833,645  

Investment in real estate held for sale, net

     34,158       41,582  

Cash and cash equivalents

     5,950       5,486  

Rents and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,605 and $2,486, respectively

     21,423       17,956  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     35,066       28,686  

Other assets related to properties held for sale

     679       734  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 1,012,393     $ 928,089  
    


 


Liabilities

                

Accounts payable and other liabilities

   $ 22,586     $ 18,922  

Advance rents

     5,108       4,903  

Tenant security deposits

     5,784       5,562  

Other liabilities related to properties held for sale

     848       1,171  

Mortgage notes payable

     173,429       142,182  

Lines of credit/short-term note payable

     117,000       —    

Notes payable

     320,000       375,000  
    


 


Total Liabilities

     644,755       547,740  
    


 


Minority interest

     1,629       1,601  
    


 


Shareholders’ Equity

                

Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized: 42,000 and 41,607 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

   $ 420     $ 416  

Additional paid-in capital

     405,029       396,462  

Distributions in excess of net income

     (35,544 )     (16,272 )

Less: Deferred Compensation on restricted shares

     (3,896 )     (1,858 )
    


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     366,009       378,748  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,012,393     $ 928,089  
    


 


 

Note:  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 


Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Page 6 of 7

 

Occupancy Levels by Core Portfolio(1) and All Properties

 

     Core Portfolio

    All Properties

 
     4th QTR

    4th QTR

    4th QTR

    4th QTR

 

Sector


   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Multifamily

   91.6 %   89.2 %   91.6 %   89.2 %

Office Buildings

   88.6 %   89.5 %   88.4 %   88.1 %

Retail Centers

   95.8 %   96.1 %   95.8 %   96.1 %

Industrial/Flex Centers

   94.0 %   88.8 %   94.3 %   88.8 %
    

 

 

 

Overall Portfolio

   90.9 %   90.3 %   90.6 %   89.4 %

(1) Core portfolio properties include all properties that were owned for the entirety of the current and prior year reporting periods and exclude properties either sold or classified as held for sale. For Q4 2004 and Q4 2003, core portfolio properties exclude Prosperity Medical Center, 8880 Gorman Road, Shady Grove Medical Village II, 8301 Arlington Boulevard, Dulles Business Park, 8230 Boone Boulevard, 7700 Leesburg, Tycon Plaza II and Tycon Plaza III. 8230 Boone Boulevard was sold on November 15, 2004. 7700 Leesburg, Tycon Plaza II and Tycon Plaza III were classified as properties held for sale as of December 31, 2004, and subsequently sold on February 1, 2005.

 

2004 Acquisition Summary

 

     Acquisition
Date


   Square
Feet


   Leased Sq.
Ft. at
Acquisition


   Leased
Percentage at
Acquisition


    December 31,
2004 Leased
Percentage


    Investment

8880 Gorman Road

   3/10/04    140,700    140,700    100.0 %   100.0 %   $ 11,500,000

Shady Grove Medical Village II

   8/12/04    66,157    66,157    100.0 %   100.0 %     18,500,000

8301 Arlington Boulevard

   10/12/04    49,744    44,599    89.7 %   92.1 %     8,000,000

Dulles Business Park Portfolio

   12/22/04    264,657    261,721    98.9 %   98.9 %     46,000,000
         
                   

Total

        521,258                     $ 84,000,000
         
                   

 


Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Page 7 of 7

 

Conference Call Information

 

WRIT will conduct a Conference/Webcast Call to discuss 4th Quarter Earnings on Friday, February 18, 2005 at 11:00 AM, Eastern Time. Conference call access information is as follows:

 

USA Toll Free Number:

  1-888-271-8857

International Toll Number:

  1-706-679-7697

Leader:

  Sara Grootwassink

Passcode:

  3289618

 

The instant replay of the Conference Call will be available until March 4, 2005, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Instant Replay access information is as follows:

 

USA Toll Free Number:

  1-800-642-1687

International Toll Number:

  1-706-645-9291

Passcode:

  3289618

 

The live on-demand webcast of the Conference Call will also be available on WRIT’s website at www.writ.com. The on-line playback of the webcast will be available at www.writ.com for 30 days following the Conference Call.