DALLAS, Aug. 13, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSE:ARL) Monday announced increased equity in income of investees and decreased minority interest expense produced 2001 second quarter and six months net incomes of $7.9 million and $9.7 million, or $.78 and $.96 per share, on revenues of $48.1 million and $89.5 million, as compared to net losses of $1.4 million and $7.7 million, or losses of $.13 per share and $.71 per share, on revenues of $44.4 million and $89.9 million in the comparable periods of 2000.
The primary factors contributing to net income in second quarter and six months 2001, as compared to the same periods in 2000, included:
-- Rents decreased to $32.8 million and $66 million, from $35.4 million and $70.5 million in 2000, due to sales of nine apartments in 2000. Hotel rents increased by $1.2 million in the first six months of 2001. -- Equity in income of investees rose to $5.7 million and $5.7 million, up from $94,000 and $296,000. -- Pizza parlor sales, cost of sales and gross margin were up slightly. -- Interest income decreased due to the collection of mortgage receivables in 2000 and 2001. -- Gains on land sales improved to $4.7 million for the six months, from $3.5 million; gains on real estate sales declined to $25.8 million and $42.3 million, from $32.1 million and $48.2 million.
Total expenses for the second quarter and six months of 2001 decreased to $66.3 million and $125.6 million, from $78.4 million and $148.2 million in 2000, primarily due to lower general and administrative expenses and sales of nine apartments and 12 land parcels in 2000. In the second quarter and six months of 2001:
-- General and administrative expenses fell by $3.2 million and $4.4 million due to reduced consulting and partnership fees and reduced cost reimbursements to the advisor. -- Interest expenses decreased to $19.1 million and $37.2 million, from $20.4 million and $40.6 million in the comparable periods in 2000, due to property sales. -- Advisory fees, net income fees and incentive fees all increased due to the addition of assets from the merger in 2000, the increase in net income and the increase in net capital gains on the sale of property. -- Minority interest expenses decreased to ($95,000) and $1.5 million, from $17.9 million and $27.3 million in 2000, due to the August 2000 acquisition of National Realty, L.P.
American Realty Investors, Inc., a Dallas-based real estate investment company, holds a diverse portfolio of equity real estate located across the U.S., including office buildings, apartments, hotels, shopping centers and land. The company also has interests in mortgage loans and real estate-related entities. For more information, go to www.amrealtytrust.com.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2001 2000 2001 2000 Income from rents $ 32,823 $ 35,424 $ 66,036 $ 70,503 Expense from operations 25,643 22,710 49,094 46,675 Operating income 7,180 12,714 16,942 23,828 Land sales $ 13,087 $ 5,760 $ 33,577 $ 18,953 Cost of sales 12,163 4,698 28,864 15,442 Gain on land sales 924 1,062 4,713 3,511 Pizza sales $ 8,733 $ 8,392 $ 16,559 $ 16,264 Cost of sales 7,129 6,852 13,551 13,340 Gross margin 1,604 1,540 3,008 2,924 Income from operations $ 9,708 $ 15,316 $ 24,663 $ 30,263 Other income 6,530 578 6,942 3,121 Other expense 33,545 48,836 62,948 88,203 Gain on sale of real estate 25,840 32,078 42,266 48,232 Net income (loss) $ 8,533 $ (864) $ 10,923 $ (6,587) Preferred dividend requirement (606) (563) (1,248) (1,071) Net income (loss) applicable to Common shares $ 7,927 $ (1,427) $ 9,675 $ (7,658) Earnings Per Share Net income (loss) $ .78 $ (.13) $ .96 $ (.71) Weighted average common shares used to compute earnings per share 10,128,124 10,716,533 10,116,196 10,738,003