MALVERN, Pa., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LRY - News) reported that funds from operations available to common shareholders (diluted) ("FFO") for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.68 per share, compared to $0.65 per share for the first quarter of 2011. Funds from operations for the first quarter of 2012 include termination fees of $2.2 million, a $3.7 million net discount realized on the redemption of certain preferred units, and $3.2 million of additional compensation expense due to the accelerated vesting of long-term incentive compensation due to the years of service and ages of certain employees.

Net income per common share (diluted) was $0.32 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $0.25 per share (diluted) for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

"Liberty has done very well so far in 2012," commented Bill Hankowsky, chief executive officer. "We had strong first quarter, leasing 4.3 million square feet and redeeming high-dividend preferred securities, and we have subsequently advanced our repositioning strategy with the execution of a significant sale of suburban office and high-finish flex properties. All of this was accomplished in an environment of slow recovery in the real estate markets."

Portfolio Performance

Leasing: At March 31, 2012, Liberty's in-service portfolio of 79.3 million square feet was 90.5% occupied, compared to 91.3% at the end of the fourth quarter, an anticipated decrease. During the quarter, Liberty completed lease transactions totaling 4.3 million square feet of space.

Same Store Performance: Property level operating income for same store properties increased by 0.5% on a cash basis and decreased by 0.4% on a straight line basis for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter in 2011.

Capital Activities and Balance Sheet Management

Preferred Unit Redemptions: During the first quarter, Liberty redeemed $32.5 million of its outstanding 6.65% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units for $26.0 million, and redeemed the entire $95.0 million of 7.45% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units at par. The $6.5 million discount net of the write off of $2.8 million of origination costs is included in FFO.

Property Sales: During the first quarter, Liberty sold two operating properties, which contained 105,000 square feet of leasable space for $6.5 million. The properties were 76.6% leased at the time of the sale.

Real Estate Investments

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Liberty Property Trust Announces First Quarter 2012 Results