Crescent Announces First Quarter 2002 Results

Press Release: Crescent Real Estate Equities Company
May 10, 2002
FORT WORTH, TX -- Crescent Real Estate Equities Company (NYSE:CEI) yesterday announced results for the first quarter 2002. Funds from operations ("FFO") for the three months ended March 31, 2002 was $64.1 million, or $.54 per share and equivalent unit (diluted), compared to $72.3 million, or $.59 per share and equivalent unit (diluted), for the same period in 2001.

According to John C. Goff, Chief Executive Officer, "We were pleased to have reported better than expected financial results this quarter. We exceeded our original FFO guidance by $.09 per share based on the high end of our range, and our net income was also affected, primarily as a result of three factors: accelerated timing of residential development sales, higher than expected resort operating results and the recognition of a tax benefit associated with obtaining resort/hotel lease interests in February. As such, we are reaffirming our 2002 FFO guidance range of $2.00 to $2.30 per share."

Net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2002 was $11.9 million, or $.11 per share (diluted), compared to $27.9 million, or $.26 per share (diluted), for the same period in 2001. Net income was reported after the application of two new SFAS rulings. A gain of $.03 per share related to an office property sale was recorded as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", and a write-off of $.09 per share related to goodwill in the temperature-controlled logistics investment was recorded in accordance with SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets".

BUSINESS SECTOR REVIEW

Office Sector (67% of Total Asset Value as of March 31, 2002)

Office property same-store net operating income ("NOI") declined 0.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 over the same period in 2001 for the 25.8 million square feet of office property space owned during both periods. Average occupancy for these properties for the three months ended March 31, 2002 was 90.0% compared to 92.6% for the same period in 2001. As of March 31, 2002, the overall office portfolio was 90.5% leased based on executed leases. During the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, Crescent received $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of lease termination fees. Crescent's policy is to exclude lease termination fees from its same-store NOI growth calculation.

The Company leased 1.0 million net rentable square feet during the three months ended March 31, 2002, of which 585,000 square feet was renewed or re-leased. The weighted average FFO net effective rental rate (rental rate less operating expenses) increased 13% over the expiring rates for the renewed or re-leased leases, all of which have commenced or will commence within the next twelve months. Tenant improvements related to these leases were $.79 per square foot per year and leasing costs were $.71 per square foot per year.

On January 18, 2002, Crescent closed on the sale of Cedar Springs, a 111,000 square foot Class A office property located in the Uptown / Turtle Creek submarket in Dallas. The sale generated net proceeds to Crescent of approximately $12 million.

Denny Alberts, President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "We continue to be encouraged by our office leasing activity given the economic uncertainty. Nearly 70% of our 3.9 million square feet of leases expiring in 2002 have been signed or are in active negotiations. And using first quarter renewal and re-leasing activity as a measure, we are experiencing a healthy roll up in net effective rental rates."

"As expected, our average occupancy declined to 90% in the first quarter as a result of certain lease expirations early in the year. This caused our same-store net operating income to slightly decline. However, we are pleased with our progress in backfilling that space and anticipate occupancy levels rising over the year. Due to continued economic uncertainty, we remain cautious in projecting 2002 growth for our office segment, and as such, we are reaffirming our same-store growth range of 0% to 4% based on occupancy of 90% to 93%," Alberts added.

Resort and Residential Development Sector (22% of Total Asset Value as of March 31, 2002)

Destination Resort Properties

Based on actual performance of Crescent's five resort properties, same-store net operating income declined 10% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 over the same period in 2001. The average daily rate increased 2% and revenue per available room decreased 5% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. Weighted average occupancy was 75% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 compared to 79% for the three months ended March 31, 2001.

"Although first quarter results in 2002 were below 2001, resort performance exceeded our expectations and showed a dramatic recovery from fourth quarter 2001 levels. We have seen strong operating results from our Canyon Ranch and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek properties," commented Alberts.

Upscale Residential Development Properties

"While we continue to feel the effects of a soft economy in our residential development projects, we are clearly seeing signs that velocity of sales activity is picking up. Based on overall residential performance in the first quarter, we are cautiously optimistic that our consolidated residential results will meet our expectations for the year," commented Alberts.

Investment Sector (11% of Total Asset Value as of March 31, 2002)

Upscale Business-Class Hotel Properties

Based on actual performance of Crescent's four hotel properties, same-store net operating income declined 17% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 over the same period in 2001. The average daily rate decreased 4%, while revenue per available room decreased 14% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. Weighted average occupancy was 65% for the three months ended March 31, 2002 compared to 73% for the three months ended March 31, 2001.

Temperature-Controlled Logistics Investment

AmeriCold Logistics' same-store EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and rent) remained flat for the three months ended March 31, 2002, compared to the same period in 2001. AmeriCold Logistics elected to defer $3.0 million (of the $35.0 million contracted rent) for the first quarter, of which Crescent's share was $1.2 million.

Receipt of COPI Assets

As was announced on February 14, 2002, Crescent reached an agreement with Crescent Operating, Inc. ("COPI") under which, during the first quarter, Crescent received COPI's lessee interests in eight of Crescent's resort/hotel properties, the voting interests in three of Crescent's residential development corporations and related entities, and other assets. As a result, the financial information of the resort/hotel and residential development properties includes operations of these properties beginning on the date Crescent received the assets.

BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

On April 15, 2002, Crescent's operating partnership completed a private offering of $375 million in 9.25% senior, unsecured notes due 2009. Proceeds were used to repay existing indebtedness and redeem preferred units of one of its subsidiaries.

On April 26, 2002, Crescent also completed a preferred stock issuance of 2.8 million shares of its 6 3/4% Series A convertible cumulative preferred stock to an institutional investor. Proceeds of $50 million were used to redeem preferred units of one of its operating partnership subsidiaries.

"The successful placement of the senior unsecured notes with institutional investors and the issuance of the preferred stock gives us substantial financial flexibility. By paying down our line of credit with proceeds from the unsecured notes, we are in a position to repay the remaining $98 million of unsecured notes due in September and a $63.5 million mortgage loan due in December. Effectively, we will have no significant debt maturities prior to 2005," commented Goff.

2002 OUTLOOK

FFO Per Share

Crescent's management reaffirms its previously disclosed 2002 FFO guidance range of $2.00 to $2.30 per share, of which $.43 to $.45 is expected for the second quarter.

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA

Crescent's supplemental and operating financial data report for the first quarter 2002 is available on the Company's website (www.cei-crescent.com) in the investor relations section. To request a hard copy, please call the Company's investor relations department at 817/321-2180.

CONFERENCE CALL, WEBCAST AND PRESENTATION

The Company also hosted a conference call and audio webcast, both open to the general public, at 10:00 A.M. Central Time on Thursday, May 9, 2002, to discuss the first quarter results and provide a Company update. During the call, reference was made to a presentation that was also posted on the Company's website. A replay of the conference call will be available through May 16, 2002, by dialing 800/642-1687 domestically or 706/645-9291 internationally with a passcode of 3622930. The webcast and presentation will be available on Crescent's website (www.cei-crescent.com) for 30 days.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are generally characterized by terms such as "believe", "expect" and "may".

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors might cause such a difference:


ABOUT THE COMPANY

Crescent Real Estate Equities Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and manages some of the highest quality properties in the country. Its portfolio consists primarily of 76 office properties (which includes 3 retail properties) totaling over 28 million square feet located in six states, as well as world-renowned luxury resorts and spas and upscale residential developments.

                                     March 31,            December 31,
                                        2002                  2001
                                    (unaudited)            (audited)
ASSETS:
Investments in
 real estate:
Land                           $      314,577         $      252,109
Land held
 for investment
 or development                       521,199                108,274
Building and
 improvements                       3,049,553              2,954,666
Furniture,
 fixtures and
 equipment                            104,600                 72,247
Properties held
 for disposition,
 net                                   27,337                 35,158
Less - accumulated
 depreciation                        (694,622)              (642,531)
                             ----------------       ----------------
 Net investment
  in real estate               $    3,322,644         $    2,779,923

Cash and cash
 equivalents                   $       66,890         $       36,285
Restricted cash
 and cash equivalents                  82,252                115,531
Accounts receivable,
 net                                   52,793                 28,654
Deferred rent
 receivable                            65,839                 66,362
Investments in real
 estate mortgages
 and equity
 of unconsolidated
 companies                            526,918                838,317
Notes receivable,
 net                                  103,670                132,065
Income tax
 asset-current
 and deferred,
 net                                   27,806                      -
Other assets, net                     202,062                145,012
                             ----------------       ----------------

 Total assets                  $    4,450,874         $    4,142,149
                             ================       ================


LIABILITIES:
Borrowings under
 Credit Facility                      334,500                283,000
Notes payable                       2,045,883              1,931,094
Accounts payable,
 accrued expenses
 and other
 liabilities                          333,173                220,068
                                -------------          -------------
 Total liabilities             $    2,713,556         $    2,434,162
                             ----------------       ----------------


MINORITY INTERESTS:
Operating partnership,
 6,591,837 and 6,594,521
 units, respectively           $       66,960         $       69,910
Consolidated real
 estate partnerships                  284,825                232,137
                             ----------------       ----------------

 Total minority interests      $      351,785         $      302,047
                             ----------------       ----------------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred shares,
 $.01 par value,
 authorized 100,000,000
 shares:
6 3/4% Series A
 Convertible Cumulative
 Preferred Shares,
 liquidation preference
 of $25.00 per share,
 8,000,000 shares
 issued and outstanding
 at March 31, 2002
 and December 31, 2001         $      200,000         $      200,000

Common shares, $.01 par
 value, authorized
 250,000,000 shares,
 123,959,962 and 123,396,017
 shares issued and outstanding
 at March 31, 2002 and
 December 31, 2001, respectively        1,233                  1,227

Additional paid-in
 capital                            2,240,107              2,234,360

Deferred compensation
 on restricted shares                  (5,253)                     -

Accumulated deficit                  (665,892)              (638,435)

Accumulated other
 comprehensive income                 (24,922)               (31,484)
                             ----------------       ----------------
                               $    1,745,273         $    1,765,668

Less - shares held
 in treasury, at cost,
 18,770,953 and 18,770,418
 common shares at March 31, 2002
 and December 31, 2001,
 respectively                        (359,740)              (359,728)
                             ----------------       ----------------

 Total shareholders' equity    $    1,385,533         $    1,405,940
                             ----------------       ----------------

 Total liabilities
  and shareholders'
  equity                       $    4,450,874         $    4,142,149
                             ================       ================


TOTAL COMMON SHARES
 AND UNITS OUTSTANDING            118,372,683            117,814,641

COMMON SHARE PRICE                     $19.40                 $18.11

MARKET VALUE OF EQUITY             $2,496,430             $2,333,623

TOTAL MARKET
 CAPITALIZATION
 INCLUDING DEBT                    $4,876,813             $4,547,717


                                          For the three months
                                            ended March 31,
                                ------------------------------------
                                        2002                  2001

REVENUE:
 Office property              $       143,471        $       153,384
 Resort/Hotel
  property                             38,524                 15,949
 Residential Development
  property                             48,065                      -
 Interest and
  other income                          2,226                  9,003
                              ----------------      ----------------
 Total revenue                $       232,286        $       178,336
                                ----------------    ----------------

EXPENSE:
 Office property
  real estate
  taxes                       $        21,272        $        22,825
 Office property
  operating expenses                   44,555                 43,661
 Resort/Hotel
  property expense                     23,890                      -
 Residential Development
  property expense                     42,215                      -
 Corporate general
  and administrative                    6,392                  5,264
 Interest expense                      42,272                 47,448
 Amortization of
  deferred financing costs              2,320                  2,425
 Depreciation and
  amortization                         33,822                 30,442
 Impairment and
  other charges
  related
  to real estate assets                     -                  2,150
                             ----------------       ----------------
Total expense                 $       216,738        $       154,215
                             ----------------       ----------------

Operating income             $        15,548         $        24,121
                             ----------------       ----------------

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE:
 Equity in net income
  (loss) of unconsolidated
  companies:
   Office and retail
    properties                $         1,310        $         1,093
   Residential
    development
    properties                         12,483                 10,708
   Temperature-controlled
    logistics properties                 (310)                 2,719
   Other                               (4,061)                 1,846

                             ----------------       ----------------
 Total equity in
  net income of
  unconsolidated
  companies                  $         9,422         $        16,366
                             ----------------       ----------------


 Gain on property sales                     -                    330

                             ----------------       ----------------
 Total other
  income and
  expense                     $         9,422        $        16,696
                             ----------------       ----------------

INCOME BEFORE
 INCOME TAXES,
 MINORITY INTERESTS,
 DISCONTINUED
 OPERATIONS AND
 CUMULATIVE EFFECT
 OF A CHANGE IN
 ACCOUNTING PRINCIP           $        24,970        $        40,817
  Minority interests                   (8,043)                (9,752)
  Income tax benefit                    4,283                      -
                             ----------------       ----------------

INCOME BEFORE
 DISCONTINUED
 OPERATIONS AND
 CUMULATIVE EFFECT
 OF A CHANGE IN
 ACCOUNTING PRINCIP           $        21,210        $        31,065

Discontinued operations -
 income and gain on
 assets held for sale                   3,216                    183
Cumulative effect of
 a change in accounting
 principle                             (9,172)                     -

NET INCOME                    $        15,254        $        31,248

6 3/4% Series A
 Preferred Share
 distributions                         (3,375)                (3,375)
                             ----------------       ----------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE
 TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS       $        11,879        $        27,873


BASIC EARNINGS
 (LOSS) PER SHARE DATA:
Income from continuing
 operations                   $          0.17        $          0.26
Discontinued operations -
 income and gain on
 assets held for sale                    0.03                      -
Cumulative effect of
 a change in accounting
 principle                              (0.09)                     -
                             ----------------       ----------------

Net income - basic             $         0.11        $          0.26
                             ================       ================


DILUTED EARNINGS
 (LOSS) PER SHARE
 DATA:
Income from
 continuing
 operations                   $          0.17        $          0.26
Discontinued operations -
 income and gain on
 assets held for sale                    0.03                      -
Cumulative effect of
 a change in accounting
 principle                              (0.09)                     -
                             ----------------       ----------------

Net income - diluted           $         0.11         $         0.26
                             ================       ================

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
   OUTSTANDING - BASIC            104,938,208            107,377,133
                             ================       ================

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
   OUTSTANDING - DILUTED          105,447,648            108,992,880
                             ================       ================

DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE RATIO               2.4                    2.6
                             ================       ================


                                            For the three months
                                               ended March 31,

                                         2002                  2001
                                                (unaudited)


NET INCOME                 $           15,254     $           31,248

ADJUSTMENTS:
  Depreciation
  and amortization
  of real
  estate assets                        32,139                 29,495
  Gain on property
   sales, net                          (3,764)                  (330)
  Cumulative effect
   of change in
   accounting
   principle                            9,172                      -
  Impairment and
   other charges
   related to
   real estate assets                     600                  1,150
 Adjustment for
  investments
  in real estate
  mortgages and
  equity of
  unconsolidated
  companies:
   Office properties                    2,162                  2,040
   Residential
    development
    properties                            903                  2,358
   Temperature-controlled
    logistics properties                5,711                  5,606
   Other                                2,646                      -
 Unitholder minority
  interest                              2,679                  4,069
 6 3/4% Series A
  Preferred Share
  distributions                        (3,375)                (3,375)
                            -----------------      -----------------

FUNDS FROM
 OPERATIONS  (a)           $           64,127     $           72,261
                           ==================     ==================

INVESTMENT SEGMENTS:
  Office properties        $           80,572     $           90,153
  Resort/hotel
   properties                          20,910                 15,752
  Residential
   development
   properties                          15,561                 13,066
  Temperature-controlled
   logistics properties                 5,401                  8,325
  Corporate general &
   administrative                      (6,392)                (5,264)
  Interest expense                    (42,272)               (47,448)
  6 3/4% Series A
   Preferred Share
   distributions                       (3,375)                (3,375)
  Other (b)                            (6,278)                 1,052
                           ------------------    -------------------

FUNDS FROM
 OPERATIONS  (a)           $           64,127     $           72,261
                           ==================     ==================

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 SHARES
 OUTSTANDING -
 BASIC                            104,938,208            107,377,133

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 SHARES/UNITS
 OUTSTANDING -
 DILUTED                          118,632,753            122,973,205

DIVIDEND PAID
 PER SHARE
 DURING PERIOD             $            0.375     $            0.550

SUPPLEMENTAL
 INFORMATION:
  Rental income from
   straight-line rents     $             (481)    $             (925)
  Residential development
   capital expenditures                  (133)                  (132)
  Temperature-controlled
   capital expenditures                  (951)                  (950)
  Non-incremental
   revenue generating
   exp.:
     Resort/hotel
      property capital
      expenditures                     (3,887)                (1,320)
     Office property
      capital
      expenditures                     (1,910)                (1,789)
     Tenant improvement
      and leasing costs                (4,756)                (6,458)
  Depreciation and
   amortization of
   non-real
   estate assets                        1,449                    755
  Amortization of
   deferred financing
   costs                                2,320                  2,425


    (a) To calculate Basic Fund from Operations ("FFO") per share,
deduct Unitholder minority interest from FFO and divide by basic
weighted average shares outstanding.

    (b) Includes interest and other income, behavioral healthcare
income, preferred return paid to GMAC, other unconsolidated companies,
less depreciation and amortization of non-real estate assets and
amortization of deferred financing costs.

--------------------------------------------------------

Contact: 
     Crescent Real Estate Equities Company
     Investors:
     Jane E. Mody, 817/321-1086
     or
     Jerry R. Crenshaw, 817/321-1492
     or
     Keira B. Moody, 817/321-1412
     Media:
     Sandra Porter, 817/321-1460