SITE Centers announces executive transitions ahead of spin-off

SITE Centers Corp. (NYSE:SITC), a real estate investment trust, has disclosed significant changes in its executive team in preparation for the upcoming spin-off of Curbline Properties Corp. According to a recent SEC filing, the company has entered into Assigned Employment Agreements with three Named Executive Officers (NEOs), effective September 1, 2024.

David R. Lukes, Conor M. Fennerty, and John M. Cattonar, the current NEOs, will transfer their employment from SITE Centers to Curbline TRS LLC, a subsidiary of Curbline, ahead of the spin-off. The agreements aim to ensure continuity of leadership roles and adjust compensation arrangements.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Lukes will continue serving as President and CEO of SITE Centers until the spin-off, after which he will assume the same roles at Curbline. His employment with Curbline is set for a term extending to the third anniversary of the spin-off date.

Additionally, he may continue to serve SITE Centers in his current capacity, subject to the terms of a Shared Services Agreement expected to be executed on the spin-off date.

Mr. Fennerty is set to continue as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of SITE Centers until the spin-off, when he is expected to cease these roles for SITE Centers and take on the same positions at Curbline.

Similarly, Mr. Cattonar will remain as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at SITE Centers until the spin-off and will serve in the same capacity at Curbline thereafter.

The agreements also stipulate modifications to the annual performance-based and time-based equity awards for Messrs. Fennerty and Cattonar. Starting in October 2024, the performance-based equity awards will be granted as Curbline OP limited partnership units or Curbline restricted stock, with a performance period of approximately 37 months. The time-based equity awards will be granted by March 15 of each year, with the option to receive them in either format.

For 2024, the annual cash incentive will be divided between SITE Centers and Curbline, with a pro-rated payment from SITE Centers for the part of the year before the spin-off and a payment from Curbline for the remainder of the year, based on actual performance.

This strategic move is part of SITE Centers' broader effort to streamline its operations and management structure in anticipation of the spin-off. The information is based on a press release statement and reflects the company's commitment to a smooth transition for its leadership team.

In other recent news, SITE Centers Corp. has reported substantial progress in its financial and strategic goals. The company successfully repaid its outstanding debts under two significant credit agreements, marking a crucial financial milestone. In addition, SITE Centers had a robust Q2 2024, executing nearly $1 billion in transactions and repurchasing $50 million in debt.

SITE Centers is also preparing for the upcoming spin-off of its Convenience portfolio into a new entity, Curbline Properties. This new entity is expected to be debt-free and capitalized with $600 million in cash. In light of these developments, JPMorgan and Piper Sandler have adjusted their stock price targets for SITE Centers, reflecting the company's ongoing transition towards its CURB strategy.

Analysts from JPMorgan and Piper Sandler noted that SITE Centers' portfolio, less reliant on small shops and local businesses, may offer resilience compared to its peers. They also highlighted the lower operating costs associated with CURB's convenience assets, which enjoy high occupancy rates between 96% and 98%.

InvestingPro Insights

As SITE Centers Corp. (NYSE:SITC) navigates through significant executive transitions and the upcoming spin-off of Curbline Properties Corp., investors may find additional context in the company's financial metrics and market performance. SITE Centers boasts a high shareholder yield, which is a composite measure of shareholder return from both dividends and share repurchases. This is supported by the company's history of raising its dividend for three consecutive years. Furthermore, the company is trading at a low EBITDA valuation multiple, suggesting that it may be undervalued relative to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

InvestingPro data reveals a market capitalization of $3.04 billion, and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 6.84, indicating a potentially attractive valuation for earnings-focused investors. Additionally, SITE Centers has maintained dividend payments for 32 consecutive years, which, along with a dividend yield of 3.45%, highlights its commitment to returning value to shareholders. The company's stock price movements have been quite volatile, which could present opportunities for investors with a tolerance for risk. For those seeking further insights and analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at InvestingPro, providing a comprehensive view of SITE Centers' financial health and market position.

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