Increases Quarterly Dividend by 7% to $0.75 per Common Share

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Entertainment Properties Trust (NYSE:EPR) today announced operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

Total revenue was $77.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, representing a 4% increase from $74.7 million for the same quarter in 2010. Net income available to common shareholders was $31.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $26.7 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, for the same quarter in 2010. Funds From Operations (FFO) for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $42.6 million, or $0.91 per diluted common share, compared to $40.4 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2010. FFO as adjusted for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $42.4 million, or $0.90 per diluted common share, compared to $40.5 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2010.

Total revenue was $301.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 representing a 4% increase from $289.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Net income available to common shareholders was $84.3 million, or $1.80 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $84.7 million, or $1.86 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2010. FFO for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $150.3 million, or $3.20 per diluted common share, compared to $128.1 million, or $2.81 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2010. FFO as adjusted for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $160.8 million, or $3.43 per diluted common share, compared to $152.2 million, or $3.34 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2010.

David Brain, President and CEO, commented “In 2011, our business units produced solid results even though our disciplined investment approach resulted in less investment spending than was anticipated. With the continued strengthening of our balance sheet and a significant investment pipeline, particularly in our key build-to-suit theatre and public charter school businesses, we believe we are well positioned for accelerated portfolio and earnings growth. As a result, we are pleased to report an increase in 2012 earnings guidance as well as a 7% increase in our dividend run rate.”

A reconciliation of FFO to FFO as adjusted follows (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):

Portfolio Update

As of December 31, 2011, the Company's real estate portfolio consisted of 112 megaplex theatres (including two joint venture properties) totaling approximately 8.8 million square feet, and restaurant, retail and other destination recreation and specialty properties totaling 4.4 million square feet. The Company also owned 35 public charter schools (including two public charter school properties under construction), five vineyards totaling approximately 726 plantable acres and eight wineries totaling approximately 640 thousand square feet. At December 31, 2011, the Company's megaplex theatres were 99% occupied, public charter schools were 100% occupied, and its overall real estate portfolio was 98% occupied.

In addition, as of December 31, 2011, the Company's real estate mortgage loan portfolio had a carrying value of $325.1 million and included financing provided for entertainment, retail and recreational properties, including ten metropolitan ski areas covering approximately 6,100 acres in six states.

Investment Update

The Company's investment spending in the fourth quarter totaled $31.0 million bringing the total for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $137.9 million. The Company's investment activity in the fourth quarter included $13.2 million for the development of public charter school properties, $9.0 million in funding to Peak Resorts for the purchase of land at two ski resorts as well as $7.7 million for theatre and retail development projects.

Looking forward to 2012, in the first quarter we anticipate entering into eight to ten new build-to-suit theater investments totaling approximately $80.0 million to $100.0 million and closing on $75.0 million of other entertainment and recreational properties. Also in the first quarter of 2012, we anticipate executing commitments totaling approximately $40.0 million for the development of five additional public charter schools expected to open before the end of the fiscal year.

Balance Sheet Update

The Company's balance sheet remains strong with a debt to gross assets ratio (defined as total long-term debt to total assets plus accumulated depreciation) of 38% at December 31, 2011. As previously announced, on October 13, 2011, the Company amended and restated its unsecured revolving credit facility. The facility was increased from $382.5 million to $400.0 million and includes a $100.0 million accordion feature. The facility is priced based on a grid related to the Company's senior unsecured credit ratings, with pricing at closing of LIBOR plus 160 basis points, a 140 basis point reduction in the credit spread from the former facility. The new facility has a maturity date of October 13, 2015 with a one year extension available at the Company's option.

On January 5, 2012, the Company entered into a new $240.0 million five year term loan facility. The loan matures on January 5, 2017 and includes a $110.0 million accordion feature. Similar to the revolving credit facility, pricing is based on a grid related to the Company's senior unsecured credit ratings, which at closing was LIBOR plus 175 basis points. Simultaneously at closing, this rate was fixed at 2.66% for the first four years through interest rate swaps. The net proceeds from this new term loan facility were primarily utilized to reduce the outstanding balance of the Company's revolving credit facility to zero.

Dividend

The Company is announcing a dividend for the first quarter of 2012 of $0.75 per common share. This dividend represents an annualized dividend of $3.00 per common share, a 7% increase over the prior year.

Guidance Update

The Company is maintaining its 2012 investment spending guidance of $250.0 million to $300.0 million. The Company is increasing its 2012 guidance for FFO as adjusted per diluted share to $3.50 to $3.70, from the previous guidance of $3.44 to $3.64, to reflect the Company's current investment spending expectations as well as recent financing activities.

Quarterly and Year-End Supplemental

The Company's supplemental information package for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 is available on the Company's website at www.eprkc.com.

The additional 1.9 million common shares that would result from the conversion of the Company's 5.75% Series C cumulative convertible preferred shares and the additional 1.6 million common shares that would result from the conversion of the Company's 9.00% Series E cumulative convertible preferred shares and the corresponding add-back of the preferred dividends declared on those shares are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share and FFO per share for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 because the effect is anti-dilutive.

About Entertainment Properties Trust

Entertainment Properties Trust (NYSE:EPR) is a specialty real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in properties in select categories which require unique industry knowledge, while offering the potential for stable and attractive returns. Our total assets exceed $2.7 billion and include megaplex movie theatres and adjacent retail, public charter schools and other destination recreational and specialty investments. We adhere to rigorous underwriting and investing criteria, centered on key industry and property level cash flow standards. We believe our focused niche approach provides a competitive advantage, and the potential for higher growth and better yields. Further information is available at www.eprkc.com or from Brian Moriarty at 888-EPR-REIT.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical information, certain statements contained or incorporated by reference herein may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), such as those pertaining to ouracquisition or disposition of properties, our capital resources, future expenditures for development projects, and our results of operations.Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of actual events.There is no assurance the events or circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will occur.You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “will be,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,” “hope,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “expects,” “pipeline,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “offers,” “plans,” “would,” “may” or other similar expressions or other comparable terms or discussions of strategy, plans or intentions contained or incorporated by reference herein.In addition, references to our budgeted amounts and guidance are forward looking statements.Forward-looking statements necessarily are dependent on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise.These forward-looking statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Many of the factors that will determine these items are beyond our ability to control or predict. For further discussion of these factors see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and, to the extent applicable, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof or the date of any document incorporated by reference herein. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Entertainment Properties Trust
Brian Moriarty, 888-EPR-REIT

Source: Entertainment Properties Trust