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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. Announces 2017 Second Quarter Financial Results

August 8, 2017 4:25 PM

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, including FFO, Adjusted FFO, Property NOI, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are included in the accompanying financial tables.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Aug. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHLR) (“Wheeler” or the “Company”) today reported operating and financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2017 and the six month period ended June 30, 2017.

2017 Second Quarter Highlights (all comparisons to the same prior year period unless otherwise noted)

2017 Year-to-Date Highlights (all comparisons to prior year unless otherwise noted)

Jon S. Wheeler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I am pleased that the Company is reporting earnings of $0.40 in line with guidance for the second quarter. We had some very positive movement in the second quarter, despite operating in a currently challenging retail environment. The sale of the two parcels demonstrates the strong demand for space in the secondary and tertiary markets, which we believe remain largely insulated from e-commerce retail trends. While the grocery store industry continues to evolve, we are confident that our retailers will adapt to consumer habits and that our real estate will remain the dominant location for retail in our markets.”

2017 Second Quarter Financial Review

• Total revenue from continuing operations increased by approximately 32.80% to $14.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared with total revenue from continuing operations of $11.1 million for the same prior year period.

• Net loss attributable to Common Stock shareholders was $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, or $0.37 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.2 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the same prior year period.

• Wheeler reported Funds From Operations ("FFO") available to Common Stock shareholders and holders of OP Units of $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, or $0.24 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.14 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit for the same prior year period.

• AFFO was $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, or $0.40 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit, compared to AFFO of $2.7 million, or $0.29 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit for the same prior year period.

• NOI from continuing operations increased by 26.6% to $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, as compared to NOI from continuing operations of $8.0 million for the same prior year period.

• Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") was $9.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, as compared to $6.3 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the same prior year period.

• The Company recorded $360 thousand in interest income on notes receivable and $163 thousand in development fees for the three months ended June 30, 2017 attributable to Sea Turtle Marketplace ("Sea Turtle Development").

2017 Year-to-Date Financial Review

• Total revenue from continuing operations increased by approximately 43.6% to $29.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared with total revenue from continuing operations of $20.2 million for the same prior year period.

• Net loss attributable to Common Stock shareholders was $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, or $0.79 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.0 million, or $0.83 per basic and diluted share, for the same prior year period.

• Wheeler reported FFO available to Common Stock shareholders and holders of OP Units of $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, or $0.40 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit, compared to $2.2 million, or $0.25 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit for the same prior year period.

• AFFO was $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, or $0.70 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit, compared to AFFO of $4.6 million, or $0.51 per share of Common Stock and OP Unit for the same prior year period.

• NOI from continuing operations increased by 42.6% to $20.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, as compared to NOI from continuing operations of $14.0 million for the same prior year period.

• Adjusted EBITDA was $18.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, as compared to $10.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the same prior year period.

• The Company recorded $716 thousand in interest income on notes receivable and $299 thousand in development fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017 attributable to Sea Turtle Development.

Leasing Review

Balance Sheet Summary

Dividend Distribution

Dividend Payout Schedule

Subsequent Activity

Third Quarter 2017 Outlook and Guidance

Management will discuss Third Quarter 2017 and Full-Year 2017 guidance on the earnings conference call (August 9, 2017) at 10:00 AM ET.

Conference Call Dial-in and Webcast Information:

The dial-in numbers are:

Live Participant Dial-In (Toll-Free): 877-407-3101

Live Participant Dial-In (International): 201-493-6789

The conference call will also be webcast. To listen to the call, please go to the Investor Relations section of Wheeler’s website at

www.whlr.us, or click on the following link: http://whlr.equisolvewebcast.com/q2-2017.

Supplemental Information

Further details regarding Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.’s operations and financials for the period ended June 30, 2017, including a supplemental presentation, are available through the Company’s website by visiting www.whlr.us.

About Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.

Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. is a fully-integrated, self-managed commercial real estate investment company focused on acquiring and managing income-producing retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored centers. Wheeler’s portfolio contains well-located, potentially dominant retail properties in secondary and tertiary markets that generate attractive, risk-adjusted returns, with a particular emphasis on grocery-anchored retail centers. For additional information about the Company, please visit: www.whlr.us.

Financial Information

A copy of Wheeler’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which includes the Company’s consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion & analysis of financial condition and results of operations, will be available upon filing via the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website (www.sec.gov) or through Wheeler’s website at www.whlr.us.

FFO, AFFO, Pro Forma AFFO, Property NOI, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wheeler considers FFO, AFFO, Pro Forma AFFO, Property NOI, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be important supplemental measures of its operating performance and believes it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs, many of which present FFO when reporting their results. FFO is intended to exclude GAAP historical cost depreciation and amortization of real estate and related assets, which assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes ratably over time. Historically, however, real estate values have risen or fallen with market conditions. Because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization unique to real estate and gains and losses from property dispositions, the Company believes that it provides a performance measure that, when compared year-over-year, reflects the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, development activities and interest costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from the closest GAAP measurement, net income.

Management believes that the computation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT’s definition includes certain items that are not indicative of the operating performance of the Company’s real estate assets. These items include, but are not limited to, nonrecurring expenses, legal settlements, legal and professional fees, and acquisition costs. Management uses AFFO, which is a non- GAAP financial measure, to exclude such items. Management believes that reporting AFFO and Pro Forma AFFO in addition to FFO is a useful supplemental measure for the investment community to use when evaluating the operating performance of the Company on a comparative basis. Management also believes that Property NOI, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA represent important supplemental measures for securities analysts, investors and other interested parties, as they are often used in calculating net asset value, leverage and other financial metrics used by these parties in the evaluation of REITs.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain “forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s expected results may not be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from expectations. Specifically, the Company’s statements regarding: (i) the future generation of financial returns from the acquisition of retail focused properties; (ii) the Company’s ability to complete future acquisitions of properties; (iii) the Company’s expectation that tenants will renew leases at amounts and terms comparable to existing lease agreements; (iv) the Company’s expectation that its properties remain the dominant location for retail in its markets; (v) the anticipated implementation of the Company’s acquisition strategy; (vi) the Company’s expectation that demand for space in the secondary and tertiary markets will remain largely insulated from e-commerce retail trends; (vii) the Company’s annualized Common Stock dividend rate of $1.44 per share on an annualized basis; and (viii) the anticipated ability to produce returns and growth for the Company and its shareholders are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. In addition, this press release states that the Company’s quarterly dividend rate on the Company’s common stock is $0.34 per share. A possible implication of this statement is that the Company will continuously pay quarterly dividends on the Company’s common stock of $0.34 per share. The Company’s dividend rates are set and may be reset from time to time by its Board of Directors. The Company’s Board of Directors will consider many factors when setting dividend rates, including the Company’s historical and projected income, normalized funds from operations, the then current and expected needs and availability of cash to pay the Company’s obligations, distributions which may be required to be paid to maintain the Company’s tax status as a real estate investment trust and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors in its discretion. Accordingly, future dividend rates may be increased or decreased and there is no assurance as to the rate at which future dividends will be paid. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release.

Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016
REVENUE:
Rental revenues $11,027 $8,455 $22,156 $15,197
Asset management fees 500 205 662 460
Commissions 194 91 309 244
Tenant reimbursements and other revenues 2,998 2,333 5,914 4,321
Total Revenue 14,719 11,084 29,041 20,222
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Property operations 3,747 2,797 7,741 5,472
Non-REIT management and leasing services 636 279 907 656
Depreciation and amortization 6,309 5,432 12,709 10,312
Provision for credit losses 168 77 420 165
Corporate general & administrative 1,317 2,512 3,549 4,794
Total Operating Expenses 12,177 11,097 25,326 21,399
Operating Income (Loss) 2,542 (13) 3,715 (1,177)
Gain on disposal of properties 1,022 1,022
Interest income 360 1 716 2
Interest expense (4,570) (3,742) (8,747) (6,162)
Net Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (646) (3,754) (3,294) (7,337)
Income tax expense (69) (110)
Net Loss from Continuing Operations (715) (3,754) (3,404) (7,337)
Discontinued Operations
Income from discontinued operations 55 16 76
(Loss) gain on disposal of properties (11) 688 1,502 688
Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations (11) 743 1,518 764
Net Loss (726) (3,011) (1,886) (6,573)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (13) (313) (54) (646)
Net Loss Attributable to Wheeler REIT (713) (2,698) (1,832) (5,927)
Preferred stock dividends (2,494) (512) (4,977) (1,023)
Net Loss Attributable to Wheeler REIT CommonShareholders $(3,207) $(3,210) $(6,809) $(6,950)
Loss per share from continuing operations (basic and diluted) $(0.37) $(0.46) $(0.96) $(0.91)
Income per share from discontinued operations 0.08 0.17 0.08
$(0.37) $(0.38) $(0.79) $(0.83)
Weighted-average number of shares:
Basic and Diluted 8,628,204 8,410,618 8,591,458 8,347,367
Dividends declared per common share $0.34 $0.42 $0.76 $0.84

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
(unaudited)
ASSETS:
Investment properties, net$384,432 $388,880
Cash and cash equivalents7,052 4,863
Restricted cash9,242 9,652
Rents and other tenant receivables, net3,670 3,984
Related party receivables1,803 1,456
Notes receivable12,000 12,000
Goodwill5,486 5,486
Assets held for sale 366
Above market lease intangible, net10,954 12,962
Deferred costs and other assets, net42,121 49,397
Total Assets$476,760 $489,046
LIABILITIES:
Loans payable, net$305,018 $305,973
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 1,350
Below market lease intangible, net11,112 12,680
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities9,708 9,610
Dividends payable5,473 1,711
Total Liabilities331,311 331,324
Commitments and contingencies
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (no par value, 4,000,000 shares authorized, 2,237,000 shares issued and outstanding; $55.93 million aggregate liquidation preference)52,869 52,530
EQUITY:
Series A Preferred Stock (no par value, 4,500 shares authorized, 562 shares issued and outstanding)453 453
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (no par value, 5,000,000 authorized, 1,871,244 shares issued and outstanding; $46.78 million aggregate liquidation preference)40,776 40,733
Common Stock ($0.01 par value, 18,750,000 shares authorized, 8,666,646 and 8,503,819 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)87 85
Additional paid-in capital226,075 223,939
Accumulated deficit(183,729) (170,377)
Total Shareholders’ Equity83,662 94,833
Noncontrolling interests8,918 10,359
Total Equity92,580 105,192
Total Liabilities and Equity$476,760 $489,046

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Funds From Operations (FFO)
(unaudited, in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30,
Same Stores New Stores Total Period Over PeriodChanges
2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 $ %
Net (Loss) Income $(1,189) $(1,860) $463 $(1,151) $(726) $(3,011) $2,285 75.89%
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets 3,803 4,470 2,506 962 6,309 5,432 877 16.15%
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties 11 (1,033) (1,022) (1,022) %
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties-discontinued operations 11 (688) 11 (688) 699 101.60%
FFO $2,636 $1,922 $1,936 $(189) $4,572 $1,733 $2,839 163.82%

Six Months Ended June 30,
Same Stores New Stores Total Period Over PeriodChanges
2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 $ %
Net loss $(1,763) $(5,422) $(123) $(1,151) $(1,886) $(6,573) $4,687 71.31%
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets 7,657 9,350 5,052 962 12,709 10,312 2,397 23.24%
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties 11 (1,033) (1,022) (1,022) %
Gain on disposal of properties-discontinued operations (1,502) (688) (1,502) (688) (814) (118.31)%
FFO $4,403 $3,240 $3,896 $(189) $8,299 $3,051 $5,248 172.01%

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO)
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Net Loss $(726) $(3,011) $(1,886) $(6,573)
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets 6,309 5,432 12,709 10,312
Gain on disposal of properties (1,022) (1,022)
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties-discontinued operations 11 (688) (1,502) (688)
FFO 4,572 1,733 8,299 3,051
Preferred stock dividends (2,494) (512) (4,977) (1,023)
Preferred stock accretion adjustments 205 88 400 177
FFO available to common shareholders and common unitholders 2,283 1,309 3,722 2,205
Acquisition costs 339 383 599 796
Capital related costs 166 188 386 250
Other non-recurring and non-cash expenses (1) 23 222 130 459
Share-based compensation 224 261 601 411
Straight-line rent (219) (135) (404) (142)
Loan cost amortization 1,064 645 1,827 835
Accrued interest income (120) (238)
Above (below) market lease amortization 190 383 72
Recurring capital expenditures and tenant improvement reserves (245) (187) (451) (326)
AFFO $3,705 $2,686 $6,555 $4,560
Weighted Average Common Shares 8,628,204 8,410,618 8,591,458 8,347,367
Weighted Average Common Units 728,934 705,558 745,353 646,732
Total Common Shares and Units 9,357,138 9,116,176 9,336,811 8,994,099
FFO per Common Share and Common Units $0.24 $0.14 $0.40 $0.25
AFFO per Common Share and Common Units $0.40 $0.29 $0.70 $0.51
(1) Other non-recurring expenses are detailed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017.

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Property Net Operating Income
(unaudited, in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Property Revenues $13,862 $10,788 $27,771 $19,518
Property Expenses 3,747 2,797 7,741 5,472
Property Net Operating Income 10,115 7,991 20,030 14,046
Asset Management and Commission Revenue 694 296 971 704
Other non-property income 163 299
Other Income 857 296 1,270 704
Non-REIT management and leasing services 636 279 907 656
Depreciation and amortization 6,309 5,432 12,709 10,312
Provision for credit losses 168 77 420 165
Corporate general & administrative 1,317 2,512 3,549 4,794
Total Other Operating Expenses 8,430 8,300 17,585 15,927
Gain on disposal of properties 1,022 1,022
Interest income 360 1 716 2
Interest expense (4,570) (3,742) (8,747) (6,162)
Net Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (646) (3,754) (3,294) (7,337)
Income tax expense (69) (110)
Net Loss from Continuing Operations (715) (3,754) (3,404) (7,337)
Discontinued Operations
Income from operations 55 16 76
(Loss) gain on disposal of properties (11) 688 1,502 688
Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations (11) 743 1,518 764
Net Loss $(726) $(3,011) $(1,886) $(6,573)

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization - EBITDA
(unaudited, in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Net Loss$(726) $(3,011) $(1,886) $(6,573)
Add back:Depreciation and amortization (1)6,499 5,432 13,092 10,384
Interest Expense (2)4,570 3,762 8,756 6,204
Income taxes69 110
EBITDA10,412 6,183 20,072 10,015
Adjustments for items affecting comparability:
Acquisition costs339 383 599 796
Capital related costs166 188 386 250
Other non-recurring expenses (3)23 222 130 459
Gain on disposal of properties(1,022) (1,022)
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties-discontinued operations11 (688) (1,502) (688)
Adjusted EBITDA$9,929 $6,288 $18,663 $10,832
(1) Includes above (below) market lease amortization.
(2) Includes loan cost amortization and amounts associated with assets held for sale.
(3) Other non-recurring expenses are detailed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017.
CONTACT: 

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. 

Wilkes Graham
Chief Financial Officer
(757) 627-9088 / [email protected]

Laura Nguyen 
Director of Investor Relations 
(757) 627-9088 / [email protected]

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Source: Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc

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