INDIANAPOLIS, May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon®, a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. "We delivered strong results to start the year," said David Simon, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "Leasing momentum and cash flow growth continued. We successfully sold our remaining investment in Authentic Brands Group, generating total gross proceeds of $1.45 billion, including the sale of a portion of our interest in the fourth quarter of 2023.  Today, we raised our quarterly dividend and are increasing the mid-point of our full-year 2024 guidance."   Results for the Quarter Net income attributable to common stockholders was $731.7 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, as compared to $451.8 million, or $1.38 per diluted share in 2023. Net income for the first quarter of 2024 includes after-tax net gains of $303.9 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, primarily resulting from the sale of the Company's remaining ownership interest in Authentic Brands Group. Funds From Operations ("FFO") was $1.334 billion, or $3.56 per diluted share as compared to $1.026 billion, or $2.74 per diluted share in the prior year, including the gains referenced above.  Domestic property Net Operating Income ("NOI") increased 3.7% and portfolio NOI increased 3.9% compared to the prior year period.  U.S. Malls and Premium Outlets Operating Statistics Occupancy at March 31, 2024 was 95.5%, a 1.1% increase compared to 94.4% at March 31, 2023. Base minimum rent per square foot was $57.53 at March 31, 2024, compared to $55.84 at March 31, 2023, an increase of 3.0%.  Reported retailer sales per square foot was $745 for the trailing 12 months ended March 31, 2024. Balance Sheet LiquidityAs of March 31, 2024, Simon had approximately $11.2 billion of liquidity consisting of $3.1 billion of cash on hand, including its share of joint venture cash, and $8.1 billion of available capacity under its revolving credit facilities. DividendsToday, Simon's Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $2.00 for the second quarter of 2024.  This is an increase of $0.15, or 8.1% year-over-year.  The dividend will be payable on June 28, 2024 to shareholders of record on June 7, 2024.  Simon's Board of Directors declared the quarterly dividend on its 8 3/8% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (NYSE:SPGPRJ) of $1.046875 per share, payable on June 28, 2024 to shareholders of record on June 14, 2024.  2024 GuidanceThe Company currently estimates net income to be within a range of $7.38 to $7.53 per diluted share and FFO to be within a range of $12.75 to $12.90 per diluted share for the year ending December 31, 2024.     The following table provides the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation for the expected range of estimated net income attributable to common stockholders per diluted share to FFO per diluted share: For the year ending December 31, 2024 Low    High End    End Estimated net income attributable to common stockholders      per diluted share $7.38 $7.53 Depreciation and amortization including Simon's share      of unconsolidated entities 5.40 5.40 Gain on acquisition of controlling interest, sale or      disposal of, or recovery on, assets and interest in      unconsolidated entities and impairment, net   (0.03) (0.03) Estimated FFO per diluted share   $12.75 $12.90   Conference CallSimon will hold a conference call to discuss the quarterly financial results today from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, May 6, 2024.  A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible in listen-only mode at investors.simon.com.  An audio replay of the conference call will be available until May 13, 2024.  To access the audio replay, dial 1-844-512-2921 (international +1-412-317-6671) passcode 13745980.  Supplemental Materials and WebsiteSupplemental information on our first quarter 2024 performance is available at investors.simon.com. This information has also been furnished to the SEC in a current report on Form 8-K. We routinely post important information online on our investor relations website, investors.simon.com. We use this website, press releases, SEC filings, quarterly conference calls, presentations and webcasts to disclose material, non-public information in accordance with Regulation FD. We encourage members of the investment community to monitor these distribution channels for material disclosures.  Any information accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document. Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThis press release includes FFO, FFO per share and portfolio NOI growth which are financial performance measures not defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in this press release and in Simon's supplemental information for the quarter.  FFO and NOI growth are financial performance measures widely used in the REIT industry. Our definitions of these non-GAAP measures may not be the same as similar measures reported by other REITs. Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements made in this press release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained, and it is possible that the Company's actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic and market conditions that may adversely affect the general retail environment, including but not limited to those caused by inflation, recessionary pressures, wars, escalating geopolitical tensions as a result of the war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East, and supply chain disruptions; the inability to renew leases and relet vacant space at existing properties on favorable terms; the inability to collect rent due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of tenants or otherwise; the potential loss of anchor stores or major tenants; an increase in vacant space at our properties; the potential for violence, civil unrest, criminal activity or terrorist activities at our properties; natural disasters; the availability of comprehensive insurance coverage; the intensely competitive market environment in the retail industry, including e-commerce; security breaches that could compromise our information technology or infrastructure; reducing emissions of greenhouse gases; environmental liabilities; our international activities subjecting us to risks that are different from or greater than those associated with our domestic operations, including changes in foreign exchange rates; our continued ability to maintain our status as a REIT; changes in tax laws or regulations that result in adverse tax consequences; risks associated with the acquisition, development, redevelopment, expansion, leasing and management of properties; the inability to lease newly developed properties on favorable terms; the loss of key management personnel; uncertainties regarding the impact of pandemics, epidemics or public health crises, and the associated governmental restrictions on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity; changes in market rates of interest; the impact of our substantial indebtedness on our future operations, including covenants in the governing agreements that impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to operate freely; any disruption in the financial markets that may adversely affect our ability to access capital for growth and satisfy our ongoing debt service requirements; any change in our credit rating; risks relating to our joint venture properties, including guarantees of certain joint venture indebtedness; and general risks related to real estate investments, including the illiquidity of real estate investments. The Company discusses these and other risks and uncertainties under the heading "Risk Factors" in its annual and quarterly periodic reports filed with the SEC.  The Company may update that discussion in subsequent other periodic reports, but except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. About SimonSimon® is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations and an S&P 100 company ((Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our properties across North America, Europe and Asia provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales. Simon Property Group, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 REVENUE: Lease income $ 1,302,671 $ 1,248,185 Management fees and other revenues 29,455 28,949 Other income 110,464 73,715 Total revenue 1,442,590 1,350,849 EXPENSES: Property operating 126,114 111,748 Depreciation and amortization 307,369 307,059 Real estate taxes 109,210 111,159 Repairs and maintenance 25,728 22,174 Advertising and promotion 28,081 24,159 Home and regional office costs 60,723 56,820 General and administrative 9,132 9,107 Other 41,053 45,900 Total operating expenses 707,410 688,126 OPERATING INCOME BEFORE OTHER ITEMS 735,180 662,723 Interest expense (230,623) (199,429) Gain on disposal, exchange, or revaluation of equity interests, net 414,769 - Income and other tax (expense) benefit (47,603) 13,453 (Loss) income from unconsolidated entities (34,342) 21,900 Unrealized (losses) gains in fair value of publicly traded equity instruments and derivative instrument, net (7,192) 20,608 Gain on acquisition of controlling interest, sale or disposal of, or recovery on, assets and interests in unconsolidated entities and impairment, net 10,966 - CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME 841,155 519,255 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 108,619 66,594 Preferred dividends 834 834 NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 731,702 $ 451,827