Prologis European Properties (PEPR) said EPRA earnings fell 18.8% to EUR 103.6 mln in 2009 from EUR 127.7 mln in 2008, due to a EUR 26.9 mln decline in rental income and the EUR 10 mln early termination of CMBS interest rate swaps. The decrease was partially offset by lower operating and finance costs for the year.

Prologis European Properties (PEPR) said EPRA earnings fell 18.8% to EUR 103.6 mln in 2009 from EUR 127.7 mln in 2008, due to a EUR 26.9 mln decline in rental income and the EUR 10 mln early termination of CMBS interest rate swaps. The decrease was partially offset by lower operating and finance costs for the year.

PEPR saw IFRS losses narrow to EUR 310.6 mln in 2009 from EUR 577.9 mln in 2008, primarily reflecting the EUR 282.4 mln of losses recorded in relation to the company's investment in and disposal of PEPF II during that year. Europe's leading owner of distsribution facilities said 2009 IFRS results were also negatively impacted by EUR 42.6 mln of losses on property disposals and a EUR 3.3 mln write-off of legal structure conversion costs.

Rental and property income fell by 9.4% to EUR 265.8 mln in 2009 (2008: EUR 293.3 mln), reflecting the loss of EUR 9.2 mln of rental income from the portfolio sales and a EUR 7.0 mln fall in UK sourced income when measured in euros.

'Whilst 2009 was a testing time for the European commercial property sector, there are signs of improvement in investment market sentiment across the majority of countries and particularly the UK,' PEPR said in a press release. 'However, we remain cautious over net occupier demand and short-term rental declines. Our operational priority for 2010 is to ensure we benefit from any improvements in occupier demand and continue to drive cash flow from the portfolio through proactive asset management and exemplary customer service.'

Looking ahead, the company said Europe's logistics property markets appear to be approaching the bottom of the cycle, with investment yields either stabilising or beginning to compress across a number of markets. The movement was led by the UK, which has seen a significant rebound in yields during the second half of 2009, with the core markets of Western Europe also stabilising prior to the end of the year. Central Europe may be expected to follow as investor confidence returns.

The company said it refinanced or repaid 94.5% of its EUR 1.3 bn debt maturities due in 2009/2010, primarily due to extensions on existing loans and refinancing agreements. In addition, PEPR launched a EUR 61.1 mln equity offer in November 2009 in the form of fully underwritten perpetual convertible preferred units. Proceeds from these activities have enabled PEPR to significantly strengthen its balance sheet, which after the prepayment of EUR 17.0 mln in February 2010, includes only EUR 73.6 mln of remaining CMBS debt to be repaid before May 2010. The next debt maturity date is December 2012.

See also PEPR devaluation story