Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) reported Q1 EPS of $1.43, $0.20 worse than the analyst estimate of $1.63. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.35 billion versus the consensus estimate of $1.29 billion.

Results for the Quarter

• Net income attributable to common stockholders was $437.6 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, as compared to $548.5 million, or $1.78 per diluted share in 2019. Results for the first quarter of 2019 included a combined $83.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, of proceeds from an insurance settlement and a gain on the sale of our interest in a multi-family residential property. The current year period includes a $19.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, unrealized loss in fair value of equity instruments compared to a gain of $5.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the prior year period, from the Company's ownership of Washington Prime Group Inc. partnership units as part of the 2014 spin-off.
• Funds From Operations ("FFO") was $980.6 million, or $2.78 per diluted share, as compared to $1.082 billion, or $3.04 per diluted share, in the prior year period. The first quarter 2019 results also included the $0.24 per diluted share noted above. The current year period reflects a negative impact of approximately $0.06 per diluted share (pre-tax) from the Company's investments in retailers primarily due to store closures as a result of COVID-19.
• Comparable property Net Operating Income ("NOI") for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was flat and portfolio NOI declined 0.2%.
• Operating statistics for the Company's combined U.S. Malls and Premium Outlets:
  • Occupancy was 94.0% at March 31, 2020.
  • Base minimum rent per square foot was $55.76 at March 31, 2020.
  • Leasing spread per square foot for the trailing 12 months ended March 31, 2020 was $2.80, an increase of 4.6%.
  • Reported retailer sales per square foot were $673 for the trailing 12 months ended March 31, 2020. This was an increase of 2.1%; however, it was impacted by the Company's temporary closure of its U.S. retail properties effective March 18, 2020. This impact is shown by comparing the trailing 12 months ended February 29, 2020, sales per square foot of $703, an increase of 6.5%.

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19 and we salute all of the individuals on the front lines fighting the pandemic," said David Simon, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "The Simon team is meeting these unprecedented challenges with unwavering commitment to the safety of our employees, shoppers, retailers and the communities we serve. We have successfully navigated challenging times throughout our company's history, and we will endure and gain strength as we weather this disruption. The resilience of our people, our innovative business approach and our strong balance sheet with ample liquidity will serve us well."

"Business was off to a good start in January and February, with shopper traffic, tenant demand, reported retailer sales and other underlying portfolio fundamentals trending at or above our expectations," said Simon. "In March, we quickly pivoted to address the rapid spread of COVID-19, temporarily closing U.S. properties, reducing operating costs and increasing financial resources. We are beginning to reopen properties and are encouraged by the consumer response thus far."

Withdrawal of 2020 Financial Guidance

Given the evolving nature of COVID-19 and the global economic disruption it has caused, it is not currently possible to predict with certainty the pandemic's impact on the rest of the year's financial results. As such, the Company is withdrawing its full-year 2020 guidance for estimated net income attributable to common stockholders per diluted share, estimated FFO per diluted share and comparable property NOI growth, which were provided on February 4, 2020.

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