DineEquity Inc. on Tuesday posted rising net income and revenue in the first quarter, as the company reported strong sales for both its chains. The Glendale operator of the Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants posted net income of $21.5 million ($1.14 a share) for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to $21 million ($1.10) for the same period a year earlier. Revenue ticked up about 1 percent to $163 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial estimated net income of $1.07 a share on revenue of $159 million. Same-store sales at IHOP restaurants increased 2.4 percent, while Applebee’s sales increased 1.7 percent. Chief Executive Julia Stewart said the quarter had several “notable achievements,” including the company’s previously announced refinancing of its long-term debt through a $1.4 billion securitization. “In addition to strong same-restaurant sales at both brands in the third quarter, we announced significant increases in both our dividend and share repurchase authorization,” she said in a statement. Also Tuesday, the company announced a 17 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to 87.5 cents a share, payable on Jan. 9 for shareholders of record as of Dec. 3. In addition, the company’s board approved an increase in the share repurchase program to $100 million. The company anticipates using the majority of its remaining free cash flow after dividend payments for share repurchases. Shares closed up $4.05 or 4.7 percent to $89.20 on the New York Stock Exchange. PS Business Parks Inc. posted third quarter net income that beat analyst expectations, as the company continues to enjoy strong rental rates at its facilities. The Glendale real estate investment trust reported funds from operations of $43.2 million ($1.26 a share) in the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to $39.5 million ($1.24) in the same period a year earlier. Rental revenue increased about 7 percent to $91 million. Funds from operations, or FFO, is a key REIT metric that adds amortization and depreciation expenses back into net income to get a better picture of cash flow. Analysts on average expected FFO of $1.20 a share on revenue of $95 million, according to Thomson Financial. Same-park rental income increased about 2 percent compared to last year, which the company attributed to increased occupancy. PS Business Parks develops and operates multi-tenant flex, office and industrial properties. As of Sept. 30, the company owned 28.8 million rentable square feet with about 5,100 customers located in eight states. The company also announced a special one-time cash dividend of $2.75 per share as a result of the sale of two business parks in Beaverton, Ore. during the quarter. Combined with a regular cash dividend of 50 cents per share, the total $3.25 dividend will be payable Dec. 30 to shareholders of record on Dec. 15. Shares closed up 71 cents or nearly 1 percent to $83.85 on the New York Stock Exchange. CU Bancorp reported third quarter earnings Tuesday that missed analyst estimates, as the company incurred additional costs associated with its upcoming merger. The Encino owner of California United Bank reported net income of $2.55 million (23 cents a share) for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with $2.48 million (23 cents) from the same period last year. Total assets increased nearly 8 percent to $1.5 billion. Analysts estimated net income of 26 cents, according to Thomson Financial Network. The company said total loans rose 7.6 percent to $979 million and deposits rose 7.4 percent to $1.3 billion. The company said the quarter included about $631,000 in non-tax deductible charges associated with the company’s pending merger with 1st Enterprise Bank, which is expected to close this quarter. The purchase was announced this summer and will have California United acquire 1st Enterprise in an all-stock deal. Shareholders in 1st Enterprise will receive about 1.3 shares of CU Bancorp stock for each of their current shares, valuing the bank at about $103 million when it was announced. Shares closed up 35 cents, or about 1.8 percent, to $19.68 on the Nasdaq.
