CBL Properties (NYSE: CBL) announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. Results of operations as reported in the consolidated financial statements for these periods are prepared in accordance with GAAP. A description of each supplemental non-GAAP financial measure and the related reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure is located at the end of this news release.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• CBL initiates 2024 FFO, as adjusted, per share guidance in the range of $6.19 - $6.63 and 2024 same-center NOI guidance in the range of $428 million - $442 million.
• Same-center NOI declined 1.2% during the fourth quarter 2023 as compared with the prior-year quarter and declined 1.5% in 2023 as compared with the prior year, near the high-end of the previously issued guidance range.
• FFO, as adjusted, per share was $1.94 for the fourth quarter 2023, and $6.66 for the year ended December 31, 2023. FFO, as adjusted, per share was $2.11 for fourth quarter 2022, and $7.88 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
• Portfolio occupancy was 90.9% as of December 31, 2023, approximately flat compared with portfolio occupancy as of December 31, 2022. Same-center occupancy for malls, lifestyle centers and outlet centers was 89.8% as of December 31, 2023, a 20-basis-point increase from 89.6% as of December 31, 2022.
• Nearly 4.4 million square feet of leases were executed in 2023, including approximately 1.3 million square feet in the fourth quarter. 2023 leasing results included comparable leases of approximately 2.7 million square feet signed at flat average rents versus the prior leases.
• As anticipated, same-center tenant sales per square foot for the fourth quarter 2023 declined 2.6%. Same-center tenant sales per square foot for the 12-months ended December 31, 2023, declined 4.4% to $416, compared with $435 for the prior period.
• As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $296 million of unrestricted cash and marketable securities.
• CBL's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per common share for the quarter ending March 31, 2024, a 6.7% increase from the previous quarterly dividend rate of $0.375 per share. The dividend equates to an annual dividend payment of $1.60 per common share.

“2023 was an excellent year for CBL," said CBL's chief executive officer, Stephen D. Lebovitz. "Same-center NOI and FFO, as adjusted, were at the high end of our guidance ranges. This strong performance was driven by a record level of leasing production, which drove occupancy improvements throughout the year. Comparable leasing was stable with flat blended lease spreads. The favorable retail environment produced strong demand for new store openings and limited closings. Although portfolio sales were down for the year, results improved in the fourth quarter with a strong close to the holiday season. NOI was also helped by our ability to limit increases in same-center operating expenses despite inflationary pressures.

"While rising interest rates contributed to a challenging financing environment, we successfully addressed all of our 2023 maturities. The refinancing of the Outlet Shops at Atlanta, closed in October, extended our maturity schedule, locked in a favorable, long-term rate and generated new proceeds. The elimination of the corporate guarantee on our term loan on November 2nd removed nearly all of our corporate recourse obligations. Additionally, we demonstrated our commitment to return capital to shareholders, implementing a stock repurchase program and most recently announcing another increase in the dividend. This commitment will continue to be a priority as we work to maximize shareholder returns in the future.

"Our 2024 guidance reflects the impact of operating momentum carried over from 2023, offset by certain anticipated headwinds this year. Our forecast assumes ongoing healthy tenant demand, improving specialty leasing income and the benefit of successful real estate tax appeals. Contributions from new large space openings, such as Thrill Factory at East Towne Mall and replacements for several Bed, Bath & Beyond spaces, such as Crunch Fitness at Coastal Grand and Schuler's Books at Meridian Mall will also positively impact revenues. Alternatively, the sales declines in 2023 will put pressure on near-term percentage rent and renewal lease spreads. Rising insurance costs will increase operating expenses and overall higher interest rates will continue to impact FFO. As we move forward in 2024, our team is working to offset these challenges and generate positive NOI growth. Our balance sheet is well-positioned with our strong cash balance and limited upcoming loan maturities. We are focused on sustaining strong leasing and operating momentum and generating further growth in free cash flow and shareholder value."

Same-center Net Operating Income (“NOI”) ⁽¹⁾:

Same-center NOI for the fourth quarter 2023 declined $1.4 million. Major variances impacting the quarter included a $4.0 million decline in percentage rents. Expenses declined $2.4 million including a $2.1 million decline in real estate taxes.

Same-center NOI for the year ended December 31, 2023, declined by $6.9 million or 1.5% from the prior-year period. The decline was driven by a $5.6 million unfavorable variance in the estimate for uncollectable revenues and a $7.0 million decline in percentage rents. Total expenses declined $3.0 million including a $2.5 million decline in real estate taxes.

PORTFOLIO OPERATIONAL RESULTS

Occupancy⁽¹⁾:

New and Renewal Leasing Activity of Same Small Shop Space Less Than 10,000 Square Feet:

Same-Center Sales Per Square Foot for In-line Tenants 10,000 Square Feet or Less:

DIVIDEND

On February 8, 2024, CBL’s Board of Directors approved a 6.7% increase in CBL's regular quarterly cash dividend for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to $0.40 per share. The dividend, which equates to an annual dividend payment of $1.60 per share, is payable on March 29, 2024, to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024.

FINANCING ACTIVITY

In 2023, CBL completed more than $575.0 million in financing activity, successfully addressing all 2023 final loan maturities.

In October, CBL, along with its 50% joint venture partner, Horizon Group Properties, closed a new $79.3 million loan ($39.7 million at CBL’s 50% share) secured by The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta, the premier outlet shopping destination located in Woodstock, GA. The new non-recourse ten-year loan bears a fixed interest-only rate of 7.85% and replaces two loans with an aggregate balance of $69.5 million (at 100%) that were set to mature in November 2023.

In October, CBL and its 35% joint venture partner closed on the extension and modification of the loan secured by The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo in Laredo, TX. The loan was modified to reduce the principal balance to $33.98 million and extend the loan through June 2025. The interest rate of SOFR plus 325 basis points remained the same.

In October, CBL exercised its option to extend the $17.6 million recourse loan secured by the Brookfield Square Anchor Redevelopment to December 2024. In connection with the extension, CBL made the optional election to reduce the outstanding principal balance by $2.0 million.

In November, CBL and the lender of the loan secured by Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach, FL, closed on the modification and extension of the loan. The loan was modified to apply escrow balances to reduce the principal balance by $1.7 million to $36.7 million and extend the maturity date two years to May 2026.

CBL is cooperating with the foreclosure or conveyance of WestGate Mall in Spartanburg, SC, ($28.7 million) and Alamance Crossing East in Burlington, NC, ($41.1 million).

In February 2024, CBL retired the $15.3 million recourse loan secured by Brookfield Square Anchor Redevelopment in Brookfield, WI.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM ACTIVITY

On August 10, 2023, CBL announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for the Company to buy up to $25.0 million of its common stock. Purchases may be made through the program by August 10, 2024. In 2023, CBL repurchased 51,966 shares at an average price of $21.30 per share under the program.

DISPOSITIONS

During the fourth quarter 2023, CBL completed the sale of one land parcel, generating $0.7 million in gross proceeds at CBL's share. In 2023, CBL grossed more than $9.6 million from dispositions.

DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

Detailed project information is available in CBL’s Financial Supplement for Q4 2023, which can be found in the Invest – Financial Reports section of CBL’s website at cblproperties.com.

OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE

Based on Management's expectations for 2024, CBL is initiating the following guidance for FFO, as adjusted, and same-center NOI for full-year 2024. Guidance excludes the impact of any unannounced transactions.

2023 vs. 2024 Same-Center NOI Guidance Bridge (in millions):

Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings Per Share to 2024 FFO, as Adjusted, Per Share:

2024 Estimate of Capital Items (in millions):

ABOUT CBL PROPERTIES

Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, CBL Properties owns and manages a national portfolio of market-dominant properties located in dynamic and growing communities. CBL’s owned and managed portfolio is comprised of 94 properties totaling 58.5 million square feet across 22 states, including 56 high-quality enclosed malls, outlet centers and lifestyle retail centers as well as more than 30 open-air centers and other assets. CBL seeks to continuously strengthen its company and portfolio through active management, aggressive leasing and profitable reinvestment in its properties. For more information visit cblproperties.com.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Funds From Operations

FFO is a widely used non-GAAP measure of the operating performance of real estate companies that supplements net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") defines FFO as net income (loss) (computed in accordance with GAAP) excluding gains or losses on sales of depreciable operating properties and impairment losses of depreciable properties, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures and noncontrolling interests. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures and noncontrolling interests are calculated on the same basis. We define FFO as defined above by NAREIT. The Company’s method of calculating FFO may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

The Company believes that FFO provides an additional indicator of the operating performance of its properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which assumes the value of real estate assets declines predictably over time. Since values of well-maintained real estate assets have historically risen with market conditions, the Company believes that FFO enhances investors’ understanding of its operating performance. The use of FFO as an indicator of financial performance is influenced not only by the operations of the Company’s properties and interest rates, but also by its capital structure.

The Company believes FFO allocable to Operating Partnership common unitholders is a useful performance measure since it conducts substantially all of its business through its Operating Partnership and, therefore, it reflects the performance of the properties in absolute terms regardless of the ratio of ownership interests of the Company’s common shareholders and the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership.

In the reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to the Company’s common shareholders to FFO allocable to Operating Partnership common unitholders, located in this earnings release, the Company makes an adjustment to add back noncontrolling interest in income (loss) of its Operating Partnership in order to arrive at FFO of the Operating Partnership common unitholders.

FFO does not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP, is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund all cash flow needs and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) for purposes of evaluating the Company’s operating performance or to cash flow as a measure of liquidity.

The Company believes that it is important to identify the impact of certain significant items on its FFO measures for a reader to have a complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations. Therefore, the Company has also presented adjusted FFO measures excluding these items from the applicable periods. Please refer to the reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to FFO allocable to Operating Partnership common unitholders on page 8 of this news release for a description of these adjustments.

Same-center Net Operating Income

NOI is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of the operating performance of the Company’s shopping centers and other properties. The Company defines NOI as property operating revenues (rental revenues, tenant reimbursements and other income) less property operating expenses (property operating, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs).

The Company computes NOI based on the Operating Partnership’s pro rata share of both consolidated and unconsolidated properties. The Company believes that presenting NOI and same-center NOI (described below) based on its Operating Partnership’s pro rata share of both consolidated and unconsolidated properties is useful since the Company conducts substantially all of its business through its Operating Partnership and, therefore, it reflects the performance of the properties in absolute terms regardless of the ratio of ownership interests of the Company’s common shareholders and the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership. The Company's definition of NOI may be different than that used by other companies and, accordingly, the Company's calculation of NOI may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Since NOI includes only those revenues and expenses related to the operations of the Company’s shopping center properties, the Company believes that same-center NOI provides a measure that reflects trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, sales at the malls and operating costs and the impact of those trends on the Company’s results of operations. The Company’s calculation of same-center NOI excludes lease termination income, straight-line rent adjustments, amortization of above and below market lease intangibles and write-off of landlord inducement assets in order to enhance the comparability of results from one period to another. A reconciliation of same-center NOI to net income (loss) is located at the end of this earnings release.

Pro Rata Share of Debt

The Company presents debt based on the carrying value of its pro rata ownership share (including the carrying value of the Company’s pro rata share of unconsolidated affiliates and excluding noncontrolling interests’ share of consolidated properties) because it believes this provides investors a clearer understanding of the Company’s total debt obligations which affect the Company’s liquidity. A reconciliation of the Company’s pro rata share of debt to the amount of debt on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet is located at the end of this earnings release.

Information included herein contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual events, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the events and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The reader is directed to the Company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included therein, for a discussion of such risks and uncertainties.