Melcor REIT Announces First Quarter, Twelve Month Results Exceeding Forecast

EDMONTON, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – May 9, 2014) – Melcor REIT (TSX:MR.UN) –

Melcor REIT announced results for the first quarter of 2014, which ended March 31, 2014. These results are also compared to the financial forecast disclosed in our prospectus dated April 19, 2013 and revised in our annual management’s discussion and analysis dated March 10, 2014, both of which are available on our website at MelcorREIT.ca and on SEDAR.com.

Darin Rayburn, CEO of Melcor REIT commented: “As we conclude our forecast period, I’m pleased to report results exceeding forecast on key performance metrics. Throughout the past year, we’ve delivered as promised while at the same time consistently and methodologically executing on our strategy. We have initiated and completed specific actions on each element of our growth strategy – acquiring both third party and Melcor properties and making improvements to our overall portfolio through property management and asset enhancements.

Our team remains committed to executing our strategy and continuing to deliver solid results.”

Financial Highlights for the quarter include:

• We continue to deliver as promised and exceeded IPO forecast with stable and sustainable growth on key indicators through Q1-2014. We continued to execute on our growth strategy of acquiring new properties and improving our existing properties through both property management and asset enhancement. Building on the momentum of our first eight months of operations, we:
  • Achieved strong leasing activity. We completed 45,715 sq. ft. in new leases during the period and have renewed 66% of the GLA expiring in 2014 as of March 31, 2014.
  • Grew through acquisition. We completed our third property acquisition with the purchase of LC Industrial, a 67,610 sq. ft. industrial warehouse in Lethbridge, Alberta, for $5.93 million (excluding closing costs). GLA has grown by 12% since IPO.

• The successful execution of these strategies contributed to:
  • Revenue growth of 10% over Q1-2013 as a result of our expanded portfolio. Weighted average base rent (per sq. ft.) and occupancy remained consistent with year end. NOI also grew by 6% over Q1-2013.
  • FFO and AFFO 4% and 3% ahead of our twelve-month forecast, respectively.
• Direct operating expenses were up by 13% over the comparative period as a result of timing differences as well as differences in allocations in the comparative period. Higher snow removal costs in 2014 also contributed to the increase.
• Distributions of $0.05625 per trust unit (in line with forecast) were paid in January, February and March. Distributions made during each of the eleven months of the REIT’s operations represent a payout ratio of 88%.
• We successfully completed a bought deal issuance of 1,900,000 trust units at $10.65 for gross proceeds of $20.24 million subsequent to the quarter. The funds are to be used to fund two property acquisitions from Melcor, with the remainder intended to pay down our revolving credit facility, and for future acquisitions and for general trust purposes. The two pending property acquisitions demonstrate execution on our growth strategy via our proprietary Melcor pipeline.

Selected Quarter Highlights

MD&A and Financial Statements

Information included in this press release is a summary of results. This press release should be read in conjunction with Melcor REIT’s Q1-2014 report to unitholders, including the consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the three-months ended March 31, 2014 which can be found on the REIT’s website at www.MelcorREIT.ca or on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

About Melcor REIT

Melcor REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. Melcor REIT owns, acquires, manages and leases quality retail, office and industrial income-generating properties with exposure to high growth Canadian markets. Its portfolio is currently made up of interests in 30 properties representing approximately 1.76 million square feet of gross leasable area located across Alberta and in Regina, Saskatchewan and Kelowna, British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.melcorREIT.ca.

Non-Standard Measures

NOI, FFO and AFFO are key measures of performance used by real estate operating companies; however, they are not defined by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), do not have standard meanings and may not be comparable with other industries or income trusts. These non-IFRS measures are more fully defined and reconciled in the REIT’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the period ended March 31, 2014, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the REIT’s current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the REIT’s control, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general and local economic and business conditions; the financial condition of tenants; the REIT’s ability to refinance maturing debt; leasing risks, including those associated with the ability to lease vacant space; and interest rate fluctuations. The REIT’s objectives and forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, including that the general economy remains stable, interest rates remain stable, conditions within the real estate market remain consistent, competition for acquisitions remains consistent with the current climate and that the capital markets continue to provide ready access to equity and/or debt. All forward-looking information in this press release speaks as of the date of this press release. The REIT does not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained in the REIT’s filings with securities regulators.