Retail Opportunity Investments Corp (ROIC)

[Enterprising Investor]

ROIC Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results (11/01/12)

9% Increase in Same-Center Net Operating Income

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (Nasdaq:ROIC) announced today financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS

•Net income of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share for 3Q'12

•Funds From Operation (FFO) of $10.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share (1) for 3Q'12

•$156.2 million of shopping center acquisitions completed year to date

•$58.0 million of shopping center acquisitions under binding contract

•9.0% increase in same-center cash net operating income (3Q'12 vs. 3Q'11)

•93.1% portfolio occupancy at 9/30/12

•26.4% debt-to-total market capitalization ratio at 9/30/12

•Extends, expands and lowers borrowing costs of unsecured credit facility & term loan

•Quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share of common stock declared


(1) See the end of this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO.

Stuart A. Tanz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. stated, "We are fully on track to achieve our stated objectives for the year. We continue to broaden our portfolio in each of our core markets on the West Coast. Year-to-date, we have completed $156.2 million of shopping center acquisitions and have another $58.0 million of grocery-anchored shopping centers currently under contract. Additionally, we continue to capitalize on the demand for space across our portfolio. Occupancy increased for the third consecutive quarter, reaching a new, two-year portfolio high of 93.1%, and same-center net operating income increased by 9.0%. Along with broadening our portfolio and achieving solid property operating results, during third quarter we expanded, extended and lowered the borrowing costs on our unsecured debt facilities, enhancing the company's financial flexibility and capacity to continue growing." Tanz added, "With respect to our previously announced relocation of the company's headquarters from New York to San Diego and CFO executive search, we are on track as planned to complete the process by year-end."

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, net income attributable to common stockholders was $2.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share. FFO for the third quarter 2012 was $10.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net income was $8.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. FFO for the first nine months of 2012 was $30.6 million, or $0.60 per diluted share. ROIC reports FFO as a supplemental performance measure. See the end of this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to FFO.

At September 30, 2012, ROIC had a total market capitalization of $988.0 million, including $260.4 million of debt outstanding, equating to a 26.4% debt-to-total market cap ratio. At September 30, 2012, 80.7% of ROIC's debt was at fixed interest rates and 91.2 % of its portfolio was unencumbered, based on gross leasable area.

In August 2012, ROIC expanded its unsecured credit facility from $175.0 million to $200.0 million, extended the maturity date to August 2016, and lowered its borrowing costs by approximately 40 basis points. Simultaneously, ROIC expanded its unsecured term loan from $110.0 million to $200.0 million, extended the maturity date to August 2017, and lowered its borrowing costs by approximately 40 basis points. Additionally, ROIC has the ability to increase the credit facility and term loan amounts to $300.0 million each, subject to commitments and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. ROIC utilized the $90.0 million in proceeds from the increased term loan to pay down outstanding borrowings on its credit facility. At September 30, 2012, ROIC had no borrowings outstanding on its $200.0 million unsecured credit facility.

INVESTMENT SUMMARY

During the third quarter 2012, ROIC acquired three shopping centers, in separate transactions, totaling $40.3 million. ROIC funded the transactions with cash and borrowings on its unsecured credit facility. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, ROIC acquired one shopping center for $21.6 million funded with cash and borrowings on its unsecured credit facility.

Year-to-date, ROIC has acquired ten shopping centers totaling $156.2 million. In addition, ROIC has binding contracts to acquire three shopping centers, in separate transactions, for a total of $58.0 million.

The Village at Novato

In July 2012, ROIC acquired The Village at Novato for $10.5 million. The shopping center is approximately 20,000 square feet and is anchored by Trader Joe's. The property is located in Novato, California, within the San Francisco metropolitan area and is currently 90.6% leased. Included in the acquisition is an adjacent parcel entitled for an additional 55,000 square feet of retail space, which ROIC is developing.

Wilsonville Old Town Square

In August 2012, ROIC acquired the remaining interest in Wilsonville Old Town Square from its joint venture development partner for $1.6 million. Additionally, ROIC repaid an existing $13.3 million construction loan securing the property. The property is a newly developed 200,000 square foot shopping center and is anchored by Kroger (Fred Meyer) (NAP). The property is located in Wilsonville, Oregon, within the Portland metropolitan area and is currently 95.0% leased.

Glendora Shopping Center

In August 2012, ROIC acquired Glendora Shopping Center for $14.9 million. The shopping center is approximately 107,000 square feet and is anchored by Albertson's. The property is located in Glendora, California, within the Los Angeles metropolitan area and is currently 94.3% leased.

Bay Plaza Shopping Center

In October 2012, ROIC acquired Bay Plaza Shopping Center for $21.6 million. The shopping center is approximately 73,000 square feet and is anchored by Seafood City Supermarket, a regional grocery store. The property is located in San Diego, California and is currently 88.0% leased.

Bernardo Heights Plaza

ROIC has a binding contract to acquire Bernardo Heights Plaza for $12.4 million. The shopping center is approximately 38,000 square feet and is anchored by Sprouts Supermarket, a regional grocery store. The property is located in Rancho Bernardo, California, within the San Diego metropolitan area and is currently 100.0% leased.

Manhattan Village Shopping Center

ROIC has a binding contract to acquire Manhattan Village Shopping Center for $14.0 million. The shopping center is approximately 63,000 square feet and is anchored by QFC Supermarket (Kroger). The property is located in Normandy Park, Washington, within the Seattle metropolitan area and is currently 95% leased.

Santa Teresa Village Shopping Center

ROIC has a binding contract to acquire Santa Teresa Village Shopping Center for $31.6 million. The shopping center is approximately 124,000 square feet and is anchored by Nob Hill Foods, a regional grocery store. The property is located in San Jose, California and is currently 91.1% leased.

CASH DIVIDEND

On August 31, 2012, ROIC distributed a $0.14 per share cash dividend. On October 31, 2012, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.14 per share, payable on November 30, 2012 to holders of record on November 14, 2012.

2012 FFO GUIDANCE

ROIC has adjusted its FFO guidance for 2012 to be within the range of $0.70 and $0.75 per diluted share and net income within the range of $0.12 to $0.14 per diluted share. ROIC's guidance takes into account anticipated costs associated with the relocation of its corporate headquarters to San Diego, California. During the third quarter of 2012, ROIC incurred $1.0 million in costs associated with the relocation and expects to incur an additional $2.0 million to $2.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 associated with completing the relocation.

CONFERENCE CALL

ROIC will conduct a conference call and audio webcast to discuss its quarterly results on November 1, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial [phone] (domestic), or [phone] (international) at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. When prompted, provide the Conference ID: 32354131. A live webcast will also be available in listen-only mode at http://www.roicreit.com/. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 1, 2012 and will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 7, 2012. To access the conference call recording, dial [phone] (domestic), or [phone] (international) and use the Conference ID: 32354131. The conference call will also be archived on http://www.roicreit.com/ for approximately 90 days.

ABOUT RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.

Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (Nasdaq:ROIC) is a fully integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust. The Company specializes in the acquisition, ownership and management of necessity-based community and neighborhood shopping centers, anchored by national or regional supermarkets and drugstores. At September 30, 2012, ROIC's property portfolio included 40 shopping centers encompassing approximately 4.3 million square feet. Additional information is available at www.roicreit.net.

http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/11/01/501603/10010594/en/Retail-Opportunity-Investments-Corp-Reports-Third-Quarter-2012-Results.html