strs4q09_8k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 31, 2010


Stratus Properties Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
 
0-19989
 
72-1211572
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)

98 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 220
 
Austin, Texas
78701
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (512) 478-5788

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 
 
Item 8.01 Other Events.

Stratus Properties Inc. issued a press release dated March 31, 2010, announcing its fourth-quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 results and updating its W Austin Hotel & Residences development activities (see Exhibit 99.1).

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibit.

The Exhibit included as part of this Current Report is listed in the attached Exhibit Index.

 
 

 

SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Stratus Properties Inc.


By: /s/ Erin D. Pickens
----------------------------------------
Erin D. Pickens
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(authorized signatory and
Principal Financial Officer)
Date:  March 31, 2010
 
 
 

 

Stratus Properties Inc.
Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number

Press release dated March 31, 2010, titled “Stratus Properties Inc. Reports Fourth-Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2009 Results and Updates W Austin Hotel & Residences Development Activities.”
 

 
 

 

ex99-1.htm

Stratus Logo

 
NEWS RELEASE
 
NASDAQ Symbol: “STRS”
Stratus Properties Inc.
Financial and Media Contact:
98 San Jacinto Blvd. Suite 220
William H. Armstrong III
Austin, Texas  78701
(512) 478-5788

STRATUS PROPERTIES INC. REPORTS
FOURTH-QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 RESULTS
AND UPDATES W AUSTIN HOTEL & RESIDENCES DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
 


HIGHLIGHTS
·  
W Austin Hotel & Residences project in downtown Austin, Texas, continues to be on schedule and within budgeted cost of $300 million.
·  
At December 31, 2009, Stratus had $15.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $30 million in available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility.
·  
As of December 31, 2009, there were 13 Meridian lots in the Circle C community remaining under homebuilder contracts, all of which were sold in the first quarter of 2010 for $0.9 million.

SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS
     
Years Ended
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
Revenues
$
2,419
 
$
2,719
 
$
10,785
 
$
18,783
 
Operating loss
 
(1,974
)
 
(2,988
)
 
(9,878
)
 
(7,258
)
Net loss
 
(1,243
)
 
(2,190
)
 
(6,231
)
 
(4,229
)
Net loss attributable to Stratus common stock
 
(1,170
)
 
(1,986
)
 
(5,904
)
 
(3,837
)
                         
Diluted net loss per share attributable to Stratus common stock:
                       
Continuing operations
$
(0.16
)
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.79
)
$
(0.49
)
Discontinued operations
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(0.01
)
Diluted net loss per share attributable to Stratus common stock
$
(0.16
)
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.79
)
$
(0.50
)
                         
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock
                       
outstanding
 
7,436
   
7,644
   
7,438
   
7,621
 
                         
 
AUSTIN, TX, March 31, 2010 – Stratus Properties Inc. (NASDAQ: STRS) reported a net loss attributable to common stock of $1.2 million, $0.16 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, $0.26 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2008.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, Stratus reported a net loss attributable to common stock of $5.9 million, $0.79 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, $0.50 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 
 

 

Stratus sold 17 lots at its Meridian development in each of the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, Stratus sold 2 courtyard homes at Calera Court, 1 lot at Verano Drive and 56 lots at Meridian, compared with 2 courtyard homes at Calera Court, 3 lots at Verano Drive and 142 total lots at Meridian, Deerfield and Wimberly Lane during the year ended December 31, 2008.  Stratus sold the last 13 Meridian lots in the Circle C community remaining under homebuilder contracts in the first quarter of 2010 for $0.9 million.  Stratus currently has no outstanding homebuilder contracts.  Stratus is proactively working to continue high-priority development activities and to maximize long-term property values, despite current real estate market conditions.

Rental income from commercial leasing properties totaled $1.2 million in each of the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008, and $4.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008; however, rental income from Stratus’ two 75,000-square-foot office buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard was $0.2 million lower in both the fourth-quarter and year 2009 because of higher vacancies, compared to the fourth-quarter and year 2008.  These 2009 decreases were offset by additional rental income from the new leases in 2009 at Barton Creek Village and 5700 Slaughter, where leasing activities continue.  At December 31, 2009, occupancy was 97 percent for the original office building at 7500 Rialto Boulevard and 94 percent for the second building.

W Austin Hotel & Residences.  As previously announced, in May 2008, Stratus entered into a joint venture with Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, L.P. (Canyon-Johnson) for the development of the W Austin Hotel & Residences in downtown Austin.  Stratus, the manager of the project, has an approximate 40 percent interest in the joint venture and Canyon-Johnson has an approximate 60 percent interest in the joint venture.  As of December 31, 2009, capital contributions totaled $53.0 million for Stratus and $75.2 million for Canyon-Johnson.

On October 21, 2009, the subsidiary of Stratus assigned and transferred the construction loan agreement documents to Beal Bank Nevada (Beal Bank).  Pursuant to the Beal Bank loan agreement, the joint venture may borrow up to an aggregate of $120 million to fund the construction, development and marketing costs of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.  An initial advance under the Beal Bank loan agreement of $3.4 million was made at closing.  The next advance is expected to occur in mid-2010 and thereafter advances are expected to be made monthly until the loan is fully funded.  As a condition to further funding from the Beal Bank loan agreement, the joint venture must invest at least $180 million in the project.

On December 16, 2009, Stratus and Canyon-Johnson amended the operating agreement for the joint venture to provide that each partner will make an additional $10 million contribution to the joint venture, as needed, to fund construction costs.  In connection with the amended agreement, the joint venture partners’ required capital contributions increased from $53 million to $63 million for Stratus and from $75 million to $85 million for Canyon-Johnson, reducing the additional equity required from approximately $52 million to approximately $32 million.

The joint venture is currently in negotiations with a lender to secure financing for the additional required equity.  To the extent negotiations with this lender are unsuccessful or other acceptable third-party financing is not secured, the joint venture may be obligated to fund the additional capital necessary to meet the $180 million pre-funding requirement under the Beal Bank loan agreement.  If the joint venture does not secure project financing from a third-party lender or investor, or if Stratus or Canyon-Johnson is unable to make required additional future capital contributions to the joint venture, the joint venture may be required to delay further construction of the project until additional financing is available, which could also result in an impairment charge to the W Austin Hotel & Residences real esta te asset.

 
2

 

Stratus is a diversified real estate company engaged in the acquisition, development, management, operations and sale of commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located primarily in the Austin, Texas area.
____________________________

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT.  This press release contains forward-looking statements in which we discuss factors we believe may affect our performance in the future.  Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts, such as statements regarding proposed real estate sales, commercial leasing activities and development and financing activities at the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.  Accuracy of the forward-looking statements depends on assumptions about events that change over time and is thus susceptible to periodic change based on actual experience and new developments.  Stratus cautions readers that it assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements in this press release and does not intend to update the forward-looki ng statements more frequently than quarterly.  Important factors that might cause future results to differ from results anticipated by forward-looking statements include economic and business conditions, the availability of financing, regulatory approvals, environmental regulations and other factors which are described in more detail in Stratus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A copy of this release is available on Stratus’ web site, www.stratusproperties.com.

#           #           #

 
3

 


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Revenues:
                       
Real estate
$
1,130
 
$
1,277
 
$
5,331
 
$
13,271
 
Rental income
 
1,232
   
1,195
   
4,528
   
4,473
 
Commissions, management fees and other
 
57
   
247
   
926
   
1,039
 
Total revenues
 
2,419
   
2,719
   
10,785
   
18,783
 
Cost of sales:
                       
Real estate, net
 
1,471
   
1,868
   
8,277
   
13,031
 
Rental
 
673
   
871
   
3,078
   
3,554
 
Depreciation
 
407
   
441
   
1,634
   
1,652
 
Long-lived asset impairments
 
-
   
250
   
-
   
250
 
Total cost of sales
 
2,551
   
3,430
   
12,989
   
18,487
 
General and administrative expenses
 
1,842
   
2,277
   
7,674
   
7,554
 
Total costs and expenses
 
4,393
   
5,707
   
20,663
   
26,041
 
Operating loss
 
(1,974
)
 
(2,988
)
 
(9,878
)
 
(7,258
)
Interest income
 
352
   
16
   
679
   
1,448
 
Other (expense) income, net
 
(63
)
 
-
   
504
a
 
-
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
-
   
-
   
(182
)b
 
-
 
Loss on interest rate cap agreement
 
(71
)
 
(489
)
 
(38
)
 
(610
)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and
                       
equity in unconsolidated affiliate’s (loss) income
 
(1,756
)
 
(3,461
)
 
(8,915
)
 
(6,420
)
Equity in unconsolidated affiliate’s (loss) income
 
(77
)
 
197
   
(354
)
 
562
 
Benefit from income taxes
 
590
   
1,074
   
3,038
   
1,734
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
(1,243
)
 
(2,190
)
 
(6,231
)
 
(4,124
)
Loss from discontinued operations
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(105
)c
Net loss
 
(1,243
)
 
(2,190
)
 
(6,231
)
 
(4,229
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaryd
 
73
   
204
   
327
   
392
 
Net loss attributable to Stratus common stock
$
(1,170
)
$
(1,986
)
$
(5,904
)
$
(3,837
)
                         
Net loss per share attributable to Stratus common stock:
                       
Continuing operations
$
(0.16
)
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.79
)
$
(0.49
)
Discontinued operations
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(0.01
)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Stratus
                       
common stock
$
(0.16
)
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.79
)
$
(0.50
)
                         
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
                       
Basic and diluted
 
7,436
   
7,644
   
7,438
   
7,621
 
                         
a.  
Includes $0.6 million related to a forfeited homebuilder deposit for contract termination.
b.  
Relates to assignment of W Austin Hotel & Residences project construction loan to a Stratus subsidiary.
c.  
Relates to the revised amount of Texas Margin Tax accrued on Escarpment Village income earned during 2007.
d.  
Relates to the operations of W Austin Hotel & Residences, Stratus’ consolidated subsidiary.
 
 
I

 


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$
15,398
 
$
17,097
 
Investment in U.S. treasury securities
 
-
   
15,388
 
Real estate held for sale – developed or under development
 
124,801
   
115,966
 
Real estate held for sale – undeveloped
 
57,201
   
27,514
 
Real estate held for use, net
 
101,863
   
56,919
 
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
 
3,391
   
2,283
 
Deferred tax assets
 
8,296
   
7,330
 
Other assets
 
17,640
   
10,049
 
Total assets
$
328,590
 
$
252,546
 
             
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
           
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
16,247
 
$
6,585
 
Accrued interest and property taxes
 
3,401
   
3,203
 
Deposits
 
7,700
   
1,301
 
Debt
 
81,105
   
63,352
 
Other liabilities
 
2,224
   
3,583
 
Total liabilities
 
110,677
   
78,024
 
             
Equity:
           
Stratus stockholders’ equity:
           
Preferred stock
 
-
   
-
 
Common stock
 
83
   
83
 
Capital in excess of par value of common stock
 
197,333
   
196,692
 
Accumulated deficit
 
(35,999
)
 
(30,095
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
-
   
(3
)
Common stock held in treasury
 
(17,941
)
 
(17,441
)
Total Stratus stockholders’ equity
 
143,476
   
149,236
 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
 
74,437
a
 
25,286
a
Total equity
 
217,913
   
174,522
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
328,590
 
$
252,546
 
             
a.  
Relates to Canyon-Johnson’s interest in the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.
 
 
II

 


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
Cash flow from operating activities:
         
Net loss
$
(6,231
)
$
(4,229
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
           
used in operating activities:
           
Depreciation
 
1,634
   
1,652
 
Cost of real estate sold
 
3,652
   
9,021
 
Loss on interest rate cap agreement
 
38
   
610
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
182
   
-
 
Long-lived asset impairments
 
-
   
250
 
Deferred income taxes
 
(966
)
 
(774
)
Stock-based compensation
 
735
   
1,021
 
Equity in unconsolidated affiliate’s loss (income)
 
354
   
(562
)
Distribution of unconsolidated affiliate’s income
 
-
   
1,266
 
Loss from discontinued operations
 
-
   
105
a
Deposits
 
(924
)
 
(1,950
)
Purchases and development of real estate properties
 
(44,239
)
 
(30,165
)
Municipal utility district reimbursements
 
6,389
   
6,229
 
(Increase) decrease in other assets
 
(209
)
 
1,196
 
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other
 
(2,031
)
 
(461
)
Net cash used in operating activities
 
(41,616
)
 
(16,791
)
             
Cash flow from investing activities:
           
Development of commercial leasing properties and other expenditures
 
(39,267
)
 
(15,545
)
(Investment in) return of investment in unconsolidated affiliate
 
(1,462
)
 
2,374
 
Proceeds from (investment in) U.S. treasury securities
 
15,391
   
(15,391
)
Investment in interest rate cap agreement
 
-
   
(673
)
Other
 
53
   
36
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(25,285
)
 
(29,199
)
             
Cash flow from financing activities:
           
Borrowings from revolving credit facility
 
20,035
   
-
 
Payments on revolving credit facility
 
(7,932
)
 
-
 
Borrowings from project and term loans
 
8,073
   
2,094
 
Payments on project and term loans
 
(579
)
 
(242
)
Noncontrolling interest contributions
 
49,478
   
25,678
 
Net (payments for) proceeds from stock-based awards
 
(121
)
 
58
 
Purchases of Stratus common stock
 
(404
)
 
(2,529
)
Financing costs
 
(3,348
)
 
(2,845
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
65,202
   
22,214
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(1,699
)
 
(23,776
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
17,097
   
40,873
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
15,398
 
$
17,097
 
             
a.  
Relates to the revised amount of Texas Margin Tax accrued on Escarpment Village income earned during 2007.
 
 
III