SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                   TO                  

 

 

 

 

 

Commission file number 1-12244

 

NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MARYLAND

 

33-0160389

(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

1120 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036

(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

 

 

 

212-869-3000

Registrant’s Telephone Number

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES  ý     NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES  ý     NO o

 

The number of shares of common stock of the Registrant outstanding on October 31, 2003 was 97,717,880.

 

 



 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report of Form 10-Q, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Registrant” or the “Company”), contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Such statements are based on assumptions and expectations which may not be realized and are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated.  Future events and actual results, performance, transactions or achievements, financial or otherwise, may differ materially from the results, performance, transactions or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences, some of which could be material, include, but are not limited to:

 

                  changes in the global political environment

                  national or local economic, business, real estate and other market conditions, including the ability of the general economy to recover timely from the current economic downturn

                  the competitive environment in which we operate

                  property management risks

                  financial risks, such as the inability to obtain debt or equity financing on favorable terms

                  possible future downgrades in our credit rating

                  the level and volatility of interest rates

                  financial stability of tenants, including the ability of tenants to pay rent, the decision of tenants to close stores and the effect of bankruptcy laws

                  the rate of revenue increases versus expense increases

                  the ability to maintain our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes

                  governmental approvals, actions and initiatives; environmental/safety requirements and costs

                  risks of real estate acquisition and development, including the failure of acquisitions to close and pending developments and redevelopments to be completed on time and within budget; risks of disposition strategies, including the failure to complete sales on a timely basis and the failure to reinvest sale proceeds in a manner that generates favorable returns

                  risks of joint venture activities

                  other risks identified in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, from time to time, in other reports we file with the SEC or in other documents that we publicly furnish.

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 



 

NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2003
 
2002
 
2003
 
2002
 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Rental revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

 

$

94,253

 

$

79,049

 

$

280,419

 

$

221,192

 

Percentage rents

 

1,361

 

1,205

 

5,053

 

5,062

 

Expense reimbursements

 

23,666

 

20,405

 

76,018

 

59,047

 

Total rental revenues

 

119,280

 

100,659

 

361,490

 

285,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs

 

21,640

 

17,479

 

67,908

 

47,747

 

Real estate and other taxes

 

14,648

 

12,297

 

45,022

 

33,521

 

Interest

 

25,764

 

24,617

 

76,613

 

68,371

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20,034

 

16,531

 

57,725

 

47,965

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

2,006

 

2,159

 

5,802

 

6,801

 

General and administrative

 

6,293

 

4,190

 

14,727

 

13,313

 

Total expenses

 

90,385

 

77,273

 

267,797

 

217,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before real estate sales, impairment of real estate, minority interest and other income and expenses

 

28,895

 

23,386

 

93,693

 

67,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, dividend and other income

 

2,112

 

3,042

 

7,404

 

8,940

 

Equity in income of unconsolidated ventures

 

772

 

1,177

 

2,433

 

3,733

 

Foreign currency loss

 

 

(397

)

 

(13

)

Gain on sale of real estate

 

 

 

 

202

 

Impairment of real estate

 

 

(228

)

(4,376

)

(4,228

)

Minority interest in income of consolidated partnership

 

(394

)

(74

)

(1,170

)

(418

)

Income from continuing operations

 

31,385

 

26,906

 

97,984

 

75,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations (Note 5)

 

326

 

2,885

 

1,445

 

6,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

31,711

 

$

29,791

 

$

99,429

 

$

82,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred dividends

 

(5,279

)

(4,859

)

(15,891

)

(16,164

)

Discount (premium) on redemption of preferred stock

 

 

6,997

 

(630

)

6,997

 

Net income available to common stock — basic

 

26,432

 

31,929

 

82,908

 

73,373

 

Minority interest in income of consolidated partnership

 

394

 

74

 

1,170

 

418

 

Net income available to common stock — diluted

 

$

26,826

 

$

32,003

 

$

84,078

 

$

73,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.84

 

$

0.71

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.03

 

0.01

 

0.07

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.85

 

$

0.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.70

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.03

 

0.01

 

0.07

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.84

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average shares outstanding — basic

 

97,455

 

96,617

 

97,170

 

94,519

 

Average shares outstanding — diluted

 

100,505

 

97,934

 

100,011

 

96,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

31,711

 

$

29,791

 

$

99,429

 

$

82,540

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

 

259

 

(108

)

565

 

210

 

Realized / unrealized gains on interest risk hedges

 

1,588

 

1,015

 

900

 

776

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

33,558

 

$

30,698

 

$

100,894

 

$

83,526

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 



 

NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002

(In thousands, except par value amounts)

 

 

 

September 30, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate:

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

835,884

 

$

830,376

 

Building and improvements

 

2,805,926

 

2,735,046

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(343,482

)

(295,946

)

Net real estate

 

3,298,328

 

3,269,476

 

Real estate held for sale

 

20,415

 

21,276

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

4,037

 

8,528

 

Restricted cash

 

20,718

 

52,930

 

Marketable securities

 

2,680

 

2,115

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $15,580 and $15,307 at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

60,534

 

46,990

 

Other, net

 

18,716

 

43,479

 

Mortgages and notes receivable

 

13,260

 

2,632

 

Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

 

42,150

 

21,527

 

Investments in/advances to unconsolidated ventures

 

34,830

 

31,234

 

Other assets

 

13,272

 

15,092

 

Total assets

 

$

3,528,940

 

$

3,515,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgages payable, including unamortized premium of $17,865 and $20,403 at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

$

565,155

 

$

671,200

 

Notes payable, net of unamortized discount of $3,008 and $2,222 at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

898,131

 

783,927

 

Notes payable, other

 

 

28,349

 

Credit facilities

 

236,000

 

230,000

 

Capital leases

 

28,640

 

28,866

 

Dividends payable

 

45,537

 

44,836

 

Other liabilities

 

115,934

 

106,690

 

Tenant security deposits

 

9,793

 

9,128

 

Total liabilities

 

1,899,190

 

1,902,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in consolidated partnership

 

38,377

 

39,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000 shares authorized: Series B: 6,300 depositary shares, each representing 1/10 of one share of 8 5/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred, 0 and 630 shares outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively; Series D: 1,500 depositary shares, each representing 1/10 of one share of Series D Cumulative Voting Step-Up Premium Rate Preferred, 150 shares outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002; Series E: 8,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/10 of one share of 7.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred, 800 and 0 shares outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

10

 

8

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 250,000 shares authorized: 97,595 and 96,916 shares issued and outstanding as of  September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

 

975

 

968

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,880,383

 

1,825,820

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

872

 

(593

)

Accumulated distribution in excess of net income

 

(290,867

)

(253,354

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,591,373

 

1,572,849

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

3,528,940

 

$

3,515,279

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 



 

NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

 

September 30, 2003

 

September 30, 2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

99,429

 

$

82,540

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

58,150

 

52,735

 

Amortization of net premium/discount on mortgages and notes payable

 

(2,174

)

(720

)

Amortization of deferred debt and loan acquisition costs

 

1,224

 

2,926

 

Amortization of stock option expense

 

224

 

 

 

Foreign currency loss

 

 

13

 

Gain on sale of real estate and securities

 

 

(371

)

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

 

(3,404

)

(1,338

)

Minority interest in income of consolidated partnership

 

1,170

 

418

 

Impairment of real estate assets

 

8,077

 

16,562

 

Equity in income of unconsolidated ventures

 

(2,433

)

(3,733

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in trade receivables

 

(14,352

)

(2,852

)

Change in other receivables

 

24,763

 

(1,231

)

Change in other liabilities

 

(2,651

)

27,174

 

Change in tenant security deposits

 

665

 

2,379

 

Change in sundry assets and liabilities

 

(6,105

)

5,821

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

162,583

 

180,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate acquisitions and building improvements

 

(55,541

)

(37,317

)

Proceeds from real estate sales, net

 

46,209

 

33,067

 

Proceeds from contribution of property to joint venture

 

15,022

 

 

Cash in escrow

 

32,212

 

(2,608

)

Advances for mortgage notes receivable

 

(12,165

)

(351

)

Repayments of mortgage notes receivable

 

1,537

 

10,367

 

Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash received (Note 3)

 

(100,236

)

(403,188

)

Leasing commissions paid

 

(7,730

)

 

Capital contributions to joint ventures

 

(2,190

)

(4,296

)

Distributions from joint ventures

 

6,219

 

8,641

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(76,663

)

(395,685

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments of mortgages and notes payable

 

(144,250

)

(105,445

)

Dividends paid

 

(135,279

)

(134,098

)

Proceeds from credit facility borrowing

 

581,000

 

650,000

 

Repayment of credit facility

 

(575,000

)

(560,000

)

Proceeds from mortgage financing

 

50,000

 

 

Financing fees

 

(3,512

)

(7,412

)

Cash paid for forward starting swaps

 

 

(1,914

)

Redemption of limited partnership units

 

(29

)

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

8,381

 

5,491

 

Distributions paid to minority partners

 

(1,694

)

(1,390

)

Repayment of loans receivable for the purchase of common stock

 

5,771

 

94

 

Repayment of notes payable, other

 

(28,349

)

 

Proceeds from stock offering, net

 

193,192

 

120,907

 

Redemption of preferred stock, net

 

(157,500

)

 

Proceeds from convertible debt offering, net

 

113,850

 

 

Payments for the repurchase of common stock

 

 

(800

)

Proceeds from bond issuance, net

 

 

249,150

 

Proceeds from dividend reinvestment plan

 

3,008

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(90,411

)

214,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,491

)

(779

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

8,528

 

7,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

4,037

 

$

6,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

76,465

 

$

63,921

 

Capitalized interest

 

3,084

 

2,686

 

State and local taxes paid

 

103

 

368

 

Mortgages assumed in acquisition

 

27,816

 

288,500

 

Municipal bonds and tax incentive financing received in acquisition

 

 

16,892

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 



 

NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1:                                 Description of Business

 

New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are operated as a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”).  The principal business of the Company is the ownership and operation of retail properties throughout the United States.

 

Note 2:                                 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of the Company, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules.  The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Net Earnings per Share of Common Stock

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings per Share (“SFAS No. 128”), the Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share.  Net earnings per common share (“basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Net earnings per common share assuming dilution (“diluted EPS”) is computed giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period.  Dilutive potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the conversion of preferred stock (using the “if converted” method), the exercise of in-the-money stock options and the conversion of Excel Realty Partners, L.P. (“ERP”) limited partnership units.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid debt instruments with maturities of three months or less at acquisition.  Items classified as cash equivalents include insured bank certificates of deposit and commercial paper.  At times, cash balances at a limited number of banks may exceed insurable amounts.  The Company believes it mitigates this risk by investing in or through major financial institutions.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash consists primarily of cash held in escrow accounts for deferred maintenance, capital improvements, environmental expenditures, taxes, insurance, operating expenses and debt service as required by certain loan agreements.  As of December 31, 2002, restricted cash balances also contained escrow funds held for the repayment of a promissory note issued in connection with the Equity Investment Group portfolio acquisition (Note 3).  Substantially all restricted cash is invested in money market mutual funds and carried at market value.

 

1



 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable is stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15.6 million and $15.3 million as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

 

Real Estate

 

Land, buildings and building and tenant improvements are recorded at cost and stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives; ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

 

Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Buildings

 

35 to 40 years

 

Building Improvements

 

5 to 40 years

 

Tenant Improvements

 

The shorter of the term of the related lease or useful life

 

 

Business Combinations

 

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of properties, purchase costs are allocated to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values.  The value of the tangible assets, consisting of land, buildings and tenant improvements, are determined as if vacant, that is, at replacement cost.  Intangible assets, including the above-market or below-market value of leases, the value of in-place leases and the value of tenant relationships are recorded at their relative fair values.

 

Above-market, below-market and in-place lease values for owned properties are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate reflecting the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the leases negotiated and in-place at the time of acquisition and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the property or equivalent property, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease.  The capitalized above-market or below-market lease value is amortized as a reduction of, or increase to, rental income over the remaining non-cancelable term of each lease plus any renewal periods with fixed rental terms that are considered to be below-market.

 

The total amount of other intangible assets allocated to in-place lease values and tenant relationship intangible values is based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each lease and the Company’s overall relationship with each tenant.  Factors considered in the allocation of these values include the nature of the existing relationship with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality, the expectation of lease renewals, the estimated carrying costs of the property during a hypothetical expected lease-up period, current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases, among other factors.  Management will also consider information obtained about a property in connection with its pre-acquisition due diligence.  Estimated carrying costs include real estate taxes, insurance, other property operating costs and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the hypothetical expected lease-up periods, based on management’s assessment of specific market conditions.  Management will estimate costs to execute leases including commissions and legal costs to the extent that such costs are not already incurred with a new lease that has been negotiated in connection with the purchase of a property.  Independent appraisals and/or management’s estimates will be used to determine these values.

 

The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining initial term of each lease.  The value of tenant relationship intangibles is amortized to expense over the initial and renewal terms of the leases; however, no amortization period for intangible assets will exceed the remaining depreciable life of the building.

 

2



 

In the event that a tenant terminates its lease, the unamortized portion of each intangible, including market rate adjustments, lease origination costs, in-place values and tenant relationship values, will be charged as an expense.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of its real estate properties may be impaired.  A property’s value is impaired only if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property (taking into account the anticipated holding period of the asset) are less than the carrying value of the property.  Such cash flows consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other economic factors.  To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property over the fair value of the property, and reflected as an adjustment to the basis of the property.

 

When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of selling costs, of such assets.  If, in management’s opinion, the net sales price of the assets which have been identified for sale is less than the net book value of the assets, a valuation allowance is established.  For investments accounted for under the equity method, a loss is recognized if the loss in value of the investment is other than temporary.

 

Employee Loans

 

Prior to 2001, the Company had made loans to officers, directors and employees primarily for the purpose of purchasing common stock of the Company.  These loans are demand and term notes bearing interest at rates ranging from 5% to 10%.  Interest is payable quarterly.  Loans made for the purchase of common stock are reported as a deduction from stockholders’ equity.  The Company had aggregate loans to employees of approximately $1.1 million and $6.9 million at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

 

Investments in /Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures

 

The Company has direct equity investments in several joint venture projects.  The Company accounts for these investments in unconsolidated ventures using the equity method of accounting, as the Company exercises significant influence over, but does not control, these entities.  These investments are initially recorded at cost, as “Investments in/advances to unconsolidated ventures”, and subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions.

 

Deferred Leasing and Loan Origination Costs

 

Costs incurred in obtaining tenant leases (including internal leasing costs) are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the related leases and included in depreciation and amortization.  Unamortized deferred leasing costs are charged to amortization expense upon early termination of the lease.  Costs incurred in obtaining long-term financing are amortized and charged to interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements, which approximates the effective interest method.

 

Internal Leasing Costs

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company commenced capitalizing internal leasing costs in accordance with SFAS No. 91, Nonrefundable Fees & Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases.  Approximately $7.2 million and $2.8 million of internal leasing costs had been capitalized as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

 

3



 

Derivative/Financial Instruments

 

The Company accounts for derivative and hedging activities in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”) and SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities.  These accounting standards require the Company to measure derivatives, including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts, at fair value and to recognize them in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as assets or liabilities, depending on the Company’s rights or obligations under the applicable derivative contract.  For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings.  For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of changes in fair value of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and are subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item affects earnings.  Changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments and ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period.

 

Self-Insured Health Plan

 

Beginning in May 2003, the Company implemented a self-insured health plan for all of its employees.  In order to limit its exposure, the Company has purchased stop-loss insurance, which will reimburse the Company for individual claims in excess of $0.1 million annually, or aggregate claims in excess of $1.0 million annually.  Self-insurance losses are accrued based on the Company’s estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims incurred using certain actuarial assumptions adhered to in the insurance industry.  The liability for self-insured losses is included in accrued expenses and was approximately $0.5 million at September 30, 2003.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Rental revenue is recognized on the straight-line basis, which averages minimum rents over the terms of the leases.  The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under this method and contractual lease payment terms is recorded as “deferred rent receivable”, and is included in “trade receivables” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Certain leases provide for percentage rents based upon the level of sales achieved by the lessee.  These percentage rents are recorded once the required sales levels are achieved.  The leases also typically provide for tenant reimbursement of common area maintenance and other operating expenses.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company is required to, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain tests regarding the nature of its income and assets.  As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax with respect to that portion of its income which meets certain criteria and is distributed annually to the stockholders.  Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The Company plans to continue to operate so that it meets the requirements for taxation as a REIT.  Many of these requirements, however, are highly technical and complex.  If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, the Company would be subject to federal income tax.  The Company is subject to certain state and local taxes.  Provision for such taxes has been included in real estate and other taxes in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

The Company may elect to treat one or more of its subsidiaries as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”).  In general, a TRS of the Company may perform additional services for tenants of the Company and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business (except for the operation or management of health care facilities or lodging facilities or the provision to any person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, of rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated).  A TRS is subject to corporate federal income tax.

 

4



 

The Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as TRSs.  At September 30, 2003, the Company’s TRSs had a tax net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward of approximately $16.7 million, expiring from 2013 to 2016.

 

Segment Information

 

The principal business of the Company is the ownership and operation of retail shopping centers.  The Company does not distinguish or group its operations on a geographical basis for purposes of measuring performance.  Accordingly, the Company believes it has a single reportable segment for disclosure purposes in accordance with GAAP.  Further, all operations are within the United States and no tenant comprises more than 10% of revenue.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

 

In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (“SFAS No. 150”).  This statement established principles for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity.  It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances).  Previously, many of those instruments were classified as equity.  SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the interim period beginning after June 15, 2003.  The initial adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the Company.

 

In April 2003, FASB issued Statement 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 149”).  This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133.  SFAS No. 149 improves financial reporting by requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly.  In particular, this statement (1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative as defined by SFAS No. 133, (2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, (3) amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to the language used in FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, and (4) amends certain other existing pronouncements.  These changes will result in more consistent reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments.  SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

 

In January 2003, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46”), an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) 51.  FIN 46 provides guidance on identifying entities for which control is achieved through means other than through voting rights, variable interest entities (“VIEs”), and how to determine when and which business enterprises should consolidate the VIEs.  In addition, FIN 46 requires both the primary beneficiary and all other enterprises with significant variable interests in VIEs to make additional disclosures.  The transitional disclosure requirements are required for all financial statements initially issued after January 31, 2003.  The consolidation provisions of FIN 46 are effective immediately for variable interests in VIEs created after January 31, 2003.  The FASB staff recently issued a FASB Staff Position (FSP) which deferred the effective date of FIN 46 until December 31, 2003 for VIEs created before February 1, 2003.  The Company’s potential variable interests in VIEs are its Investments in/advances to unconsolidated ventures described in Note 7.  The adoption of FIN 46 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

 

In December 2002, FASB issued Statement 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of FAS 123 (“SFAS No. 148”).  This statement provides alternative transition methods for a voluntary change to the fair value basis of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.  However, SFAS No. 148 does not permit the use of the original FAS 123 prospective method of transition for changes to fair value based methods

 

5



 

made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003.  In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”), to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, a description of the transition method utilized and the effect of the method used on reported results.  The transition and annual disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148 are to be applied for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002.  The new interim disclosure provisions are effective for the first interim period beginning after December 15, 2002.  Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the prospective method provisions of SFAS No. 148, which apply the recognition provisions of FAS 123 to all employee stock options granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003.  Accordingly, stock options which the Company granted in 2003 were valued at approximately $0.8 million and will be amortized over the related vesting periods of the options.

 

With respect to the Company’s stock options which were granted prior to 2003, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB No. 25”), and related interpretations.  Under APB No. 25, compensation cost is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant over the exercise price of the option granted.  Compensation cost for stock options, if any, is recognized ratably over the vesting period.  The Company’s policy is to grant options with an exercise price equal to the quoted closing market price of the Company’s stock on the business day preceding the grant date.  Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized under the Company’s stock option plans for the granting of stock options made prior to December 31, 2002.

 

SFAS No. 148 disclosure requirements, including the effect on net income and earnings per share had the fair value based method been applied to all outstanding and unvested stock awards in each period, are presented below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Net income, as reported

 

$

31,711

 

$

29,791

 

$

99,429

 

$

82,540

 

Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(491

)

(540

)

(1,473

)

(1,620

)

Pro forma net income

 

$

31,220

 

$

29,251

 

$

97,956

 

$

80,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic – as reported

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.85

 

$

0.78

 

Basic – pro forma

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.84

 

$

0.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted – as reported

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.84

 

$

0.77

 

Diluted – pro forma

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.75

 

 

In November 2002, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (“FIN 45”) (an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34).  FIN 45 clarifies the requirements of FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.  It requires that upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee regardless of whether or not the guarantor receives separate identifiable consideration (i.e., a premium).  The Company adopted the new disclosure requirements, effective beginning with the consolidated financial statements for the 2002 fiscal year.  The initial recognition and measurement provisions of FIN 45 are effective on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.  The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the Company.

 

6



 

In July 2002, FASB issued Statement 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities (“SFAS No. 146”).  This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in Restructuring).  It addresses when to recognize a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity including, but not limited to, termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated, costs to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease and costs to consolidate facilities or relocate employees.  SFAS No. 146 does not apply to entities newly acquired in a business combination or with a disposal activity covered by FASB Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS No. 144”) and to costs associated with the retirement of long-lived assets covered by FASB Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.  SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized and measured initially at fair value only when the liability is incurred and not at the date of an entity’s commitment to a plan, as previously defined in Issue 94-3.  The provisions of SFAS No. 146 have been and will continue to be applied for exit and disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002.  The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a material impact on the Company.

 

In April 2002, FASB issued Statement 145, Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13 and Technical Corrections (“SFAS No. 145”).  This statement rescinds FASB Statement No. 4, Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt.  Debt extinguishments that do not meet the criteria for classification as extraordinary items prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, Reporting the Results of Operations – Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions  (“APB No. 30”) should not be classified as extraordinary.  The provisions of SFAS No. 145 have been and will continue to be applied in fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002.  Debt extinguishments that were classified as extraordinary in prior periods presented that do not meet the criteria of APB No. 30 for classification as an extraordinary item will be reclassified.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 145, as required, effective January 1, 2003, and reclassified approximately $0.3 million from extraordinary loss to interest expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 144.  This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment of long-lived assets and for the disposition of long-lived assets.  SFAS No. 144 requires, among other things, that the primary assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the Company’s real properties which have been sold during 2002 or thereafter, or otherwise qualify as held for sale (as defined by SFAS No. 144), be classified as discontinued operations and segregated in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and Balance Sheets.  Properties classified as real estate held for sale generally represent properties that are under contract for sale and are expected to close within the next twelve months.  SFAS No. 144 requires that the provisions of this statement be adopted prospectively.  Accordingly, real estate designated as held for sale prior to January 1, 2002 has been and will continue to be accounted for under the provisions of Statement 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, and the results of operations, including impairment, gains and losses, of these properties are included in income from continuing operations.  Real estate designated as held for sale subsequent to January 1, 2002 has been and will continue to be accounted for in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144 and the results of operations of these properties are included in income from discontinued operations.  Prior periods have been restated for comparability, as required.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The

 

7



 

most significant assumptions and estimates relate to impairments of real estate, recovery of mortgage notes and trade accounts receivable and depreciable lives.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.

 

Note 3:                                 Acquisitions and Dispositions

 

Spartan Acquisition

 

On January 3, 2003, the Company acquired a portfolio of seven grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers located in Michigan and aggregating 534,386 square feet for approximately $46 million in cash (the “Spartan Acquisition”).  The cash component of the acquisition was financed through borrowings under the Company’s $350 million revolving credit facility.

 

EIG Acquisition

 

On December 12, 2002, the Company acquired a portfolio of 57 community and neighborhood shopping centers from Equity Investment Group, a private retail-focused REIT.  The acquisition of one additional shopping center from Equity Investment Group was completed on January 3, 2003 (collectively, the “EIG Acquisition”).  The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $437 million, consisting of the assumption of approximately $149 million of outstanding indebtedness, the issuance of approximately $25 million of units in ERP and approximately $263 million in cash.  The cash component of the acquisition was financed with proceeds generated from the sale of four of the Company’s factory outlet centers (see “Factory Outlet Center Disposition” below) and through borrowings under the Company’s $350 million revolving credit facility.

 

CenterAmerica Acquisition

 

On March 1, 2002, the Company acquired a portfolio of 92 community and neighborhood shopping centers (the “CenterAmerica Acquisition”) from CenterAmerica Property Trust, L.P., a private company majority owned by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund II.  As part of the transaction, the Company also acquired a 10% managing membership interest in a joint venture with a private U.S. pension fund.  The joint venture currently owns 13 grocery-anchored shopping centers located in six states.  The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $654 million, consisting of approximately $365 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $289 million of outstanding indebtedness.  The cash component of the acquisition was financed with the proceeds of a public equity offering of the Company’s common stock, borrowings under the Company’s then existing credit facilities and a $125 million senior unsecured term loan facility.

 

Other Acquisitions

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company also acquired the remaining 50% interest in Vail Ranch II that it did not already own, and three other properties - Panama City Square, Harpers Station and Dickson City Crossings.  The remaining 50% interest in Vail Ranch II, a 105,000 square foot shopping center located in Temecula, California, was acquired on February 25, 2003 for approximately $1.5 million in cash and the satisfaction of $9.0 million of mortgage indebtedness.  Panama City Square, a 289,119 square foot shopping center located in Panama City, Florida, was acquired on June 25, 2003 for approximately $18.3 million, including the assumption of $12.7 million of mortgage indebtedness.  Harpers Station, a 240,681 square foot shopping center located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was acquired on September 11, 2003 for approximately $23.8 million, including the assumption of approximately $13.0 million of mortgage indebtedness.  Dickson City Crossings, a 301,462 square foot shopping center located in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, was acquired on September 30, 2003 for approximately $28.1 million, including the assumption of approximately $14.8 million of mortgage indebtedness.

 

8



 

In fiscal 2002, the Company also acquired three properties - Midway Market Square, Superior Marketplace and Whitestown Plaza.  Midway Market Square, a 234,670 square foot grocery-anchored community shopping center located in Elyria, Ohio, was acquired on November 20, 2002 for approximately $23.7 million, including the assumption of approximately $17.8 million of mortgage indebtedness.  Superior Marketplace was acquired on July 31, 2002 from The Ellman Companies for approximately $13.6 million in cash and the satisfaction of $38.0 million of notes receivable and accrued interest.  Superior Marketplace is an existing 148,302 square foot grocery-anchored community shopping center located in Superior, Colorado, northwest of Denver.  The shopping center is currently in the later stages of development and is expected to total 295,602 square feet upon completion.  Whitestown Plaza, an 80,612 square foot shopping center located in Whitesboro, New York, was acquired on April 3, 2002 in consideration of approximately $3.8 million of notes and interest receivable.

 

Factory Outlet Center Disposition

 

On December 19, 2002, the Company completed the sale of four of its factory outlet centers to Chelsea Property Group, Inc. (the “Factory Outlet Disposition”).  The four properties included St. Augustine Outlet Center, located in St. Augustine, Florida; Factory Merchants Branson, located in Branson, Missouri; Factory Outlet Village Osage Beach, located in Osage Beach, Missouri; and Jackson Outlet Village, located in Jackson, New Jersey.  As consideration for the four properties, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $193 million, and after costs associated with the disposition, the gain on sale was approximately $79 million, and was included in income (loss) from discontinued operations.  The proceeds were used to pay down a portion of the balance outstanding under the Company’s $350 million revolving credit facility, which had been drawn to fund a portion of the EIG Acquisition.

 

Other Dispositions 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company sold 18 properties, four land parcels and 70% of its ownership interest in Arapahoe Crossings for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $101.8 million.  In connection with the sale of these properties and interests, and in accordance with SFAS No. 144 (Note 2), the Company recorded the results of operations and the related gain/loss on sale as income from discontinued operations (Note 5).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the Company sold 13 properties, one outparcel and approximately 0.2 acres of land for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $34.3 million.  The gain from these sales was approximately $1.7 million and is allocated between “Gain on sale of real estate” and “(Loss) gain on sale of discontinued operations” in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144.

 

Note 4:           Real Estate Held for Sale

 

As of September 30, 2003, seven retail properties and two land parcels were classified as “Real estate held for sale”.  These properties are located in seven states and have an aggregate gross leasable area of approximately 0.5 million square feet.  Such properties had an aggregate book value of approximately $20.4 million, net of accumulated depreciation of approximately $0.9 million and impairment charges of $1.2 million.  In accordance with SFAS No. 144 (Note 2), the Company has recorded the results of operations and the related impairment of any properties classified as held for sale subsequent to December 31, 2001 as income from discontinued operations (Note 5).

 

As of December 31, 2002, 11 retail properties and two land parcels were classified as “Real estate held for sale”.  These properties were located in seven states and had an aggregate gross leasable area of approximately 0.5 million square feet.  Such properties had an aggregate book value of approximately $21.3 million, net of accumulated depreciation of approximately $4.0 million and impairment charges of approximately $3.5 million.  In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the Company has recorded the results of operations and the related impairment of any properties classified as held for sale subsequent to December 31, 2001 as income from discontinued operations.

 

9



 

Note 5:           Income from Discontinued Operations

 

The following is a summary of income from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Total revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

$

763

 

$

360

 

$

2,214

 

$

1,105

 

Other discontinued operations

 

424

 

9,828

 

1,977

 

30,448

 

Total revenue

 

1,187

 

10,188

 

4,191

 

31,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

137

 

64

 

473

 

150

 

Other discontinued operations

 

30

 

2,234

 

294

 

6,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

87

 

80

 

353

 

164

 

Other discontinued operations

 

42

 

535

 

170

 

1,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

7

 

18

 

38

 

21

 

Other discontinued operations

 

230

 

81

 

516

 

362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

60

 

 

180

 

 

Other discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

57

 

48

 

237

 

133

 

Other discontinued operations

 

 

1,213

 

188

 

4,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

Other discontinued operations

 

 

16

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating costs

 

650

 

4,289

 

2,449

 

13,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations before impairment and (loss) gain on sale

 

537

 

5,899

 

1,742

 

17,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of real estate held for sale

 

(48

)

(2,730

)

(3,701

)

(12,334

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) gain on sale of other discontinued operations

 

(163

)

(284

)

3,404

 

1,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

326

 

$

2,885

 

$

1,445

 

$

6,741

 

 

10



 


 

Note 6:           Pro Forma Financial Information

 

The following pro forma financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 is presented as if the Factory Outlet Disposition, the EIG Acquisition, the CenterAmerica Acquisition, and the Company’s public offering of 6,900,000 shares of common stock in January 2002 (the “Common Stock Offering”), had occurred on January 1, 2002.  In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary to reflect the effects of these transactions have been made.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended

 

Nine Months
Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental revenues

 

$

108,377

 

$

312,969

 

Expenses

 

(82,826

)

(242,034

)

Other income

 

3,168

 

7,130

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

28,719

 

$

78,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

31,604

 

$

84,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations per share – basic

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.72

 

Income from continuing operations per share –diluted

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share – basic

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.79

 

Net income per share - diluted

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average shares outstanding – basic

 

96,617

 

95,227

 

Average shares outstanding - diluted

 

99,316

 

97,988

 

 

This pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the Company would have been assuming such transactions had been completed as of January 1, 2002, nor do they represent the results of operations of future periods.

 

11



 

Note 7:           Investments in/Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures

 

At September 30, 2003, the Company had investments in five joint ventures: (1) Arapahoe Crossings, LP, (2) Benbrooke Ventures, (3) CA New Plan Venture Fund, (4) Clearwater Mall and (5) Preston Ridge Joint Venture, which includes The Centre at Preston Ridge, The Market at Preston Ridge and undeveloped land parcels.  The Company accounts for these joint venture investments using the equity method.  The following table summarizes the joint venture projects as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in/Advances to

 

 

 

City

 

State

 

JV Partner

 

Percent
Ownership

 

September 30,
2003

 

December 31,
2002

 

Arapahoe Crossings, LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arapahoe Crossings (1)

 

Aurora

 

CO

 

Foreign Investor

 

30%

(2)

 

$

6,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benbrooke Ventures (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rodney Village

 

Dover

 

DE

 

Benbrooke Partners

 

50%

 

 

 

 

Fruitland Plaza

 

Fruitland

 

MD

 

Benbrooke Partners

 

50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

8,075

 

$

8,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CA New Plan Venture Fund (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ventura Downs

 

Kissimmee

 

FL

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Sarasota Village

 

Sarasota

 

FL

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Atlantic Plaza

 

Satellite Beach

 

FL

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Mableton Walk

 

Mableton

 

GA

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Raymond Road

 

Jackson

 

MS

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Mint Hill Festival

 

Charlotte

 

NC

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Ladera

 

Albuquerque

 

NM

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Harwood Central Village

 

Bedford

 

TX

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Odessa-Winwood Town Center

 

Odessa

 

TX

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Ridglea Plaza

 

Fort Worth

 

TX

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Marketplace at Wycliff

 

Lake Worth

 

FL

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Spring Valley Crossing

 

Dallas

 

TX

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

Windvale

 

The Woodlands

 

TX

 

Major U.S. Pension Fund

 

10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6,071

 

$

6,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clearwater Mall, LLC (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clearwater Mall

 

Clearwater

 

FL

 

The Sembler Company

 

50%

 

 

$

4,162

 

$

4,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preston Ridge Joint Venture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Centre at Preston Ridge (1)

 

Frisco

 

TX

 

Foreign Investor/George Allen/Milton Schaffer

 

25%

 

 

 

 

The Market at Preston Ridge (6)

 

Frisco

 

TX

 

George Allen/Milton Schaffer

 

50%

 

 

 

 

Undeveloped land parcels (6)

 

Frisco

 

TX

 

George Allen/Milton Schaffer

 

50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,583

(7)

$

10,706

(7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vail Ranch II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vail Ranch II

 

Temecula

 

CA

 

Land Grand Development

 

100%

(8)

 

 

$

1,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in/Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures

 

$

34,830

 

$

31,234

 

 


*              Multiple properties held in a single investment joint venture.

(1)           The Company receives increased participation after a 10% return on its investment.

(2)           As of December 31, 2002, the Company owned a 100% ownership interest in this property.  On September 30, 2003, the Company sold 70% of its ownership interest in this property to a third party.  Accordingly, the results of operations for this property prior to the sale of this interest were included in the consolidated results of operations of the Company.

(3)           The Company receives an 8.5% preferred return on its investment.

(4)           The Company receives increased participation after 12% IRR.

(5)           The Company receives a 9.5% preferred return on its investment.

(6)           The Company receives a 10% preferred return on its investment.

(7)           The Company’s investment balance includes approximately $3.0 million of outstanding notes receivable.

(8)           As of December 31, 2002, the Company’s ownership percentage in this joint venture was 50%.  On February 25, 2003, the Company acquired the 50% interest not previously owned.  Accordingly, the results of operations for this property subsequent to the acquisition of the remaining 50% have been included in the consolidated results of operations of the Company.

 

12



 

Combined summary unaudited financial information for the Company’s investments in/advances to unconsolidated ventures is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

Condensed Combined Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,566

 

$

12,072

 

Receivables

 

12,094

 

4,569

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

 

331,636

 

270,001

 

Other assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

6,079

 

8,265

 

Total Assets

 

$

359,375

 

$

294,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

242,834

 

$

191,971

 

Accrued interest

 

1,067

 

882

 

Other liabilities

 

7,511

 

6,882

 

Total liabilities

 

251,412

 

199,735

 

Total partners’ capital

 

107,963

 

95,172

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

359,375

 

$

294,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company’s investments in/advances to

 

$

34,830

 

$

31,234

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Condensed Combined Statements of Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental revenues

 

$

9,820

 

$

4,788

 

$

34,476

 

$

14,066

 

Operating expenses

 

(2,552

)

(651

)

(8,309

)

(1,859

)

Interest expense

 

(2,280

)

(1,304

)

(7,390

)

(3,881

)

Other expense, net

 

(2,042

)

(1,485

)

(4,734

)

(3,848

)

Net income

 

$

2,946

 

$

1,348

 

$

14,043

 

$

4,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company’s share of net income (1)

 

$

772

 

$

1,177

 

$

2,433

 

$

3,733

 

 


(1)                                 Includes preferred returns of $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $0.7 and $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The following is a brief summary of the joint venture obligations that the Company had as of September 30, 2003:

 

      Arapahoe Crossings, LP.  On September 30, 2003, a U.S. partnership comprised substantially of foreign investors purchased a 70% interest in Arapahoe Crossings, reducing the Company’s ownership interest from 100% to 30%.  Under the terms of this joint venture, the Company has agreed to contribute its pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, the Company does not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $50.0 million as of September 30, 2003.

 

      Benbrooke Ventures.  The Company has an investment in a joint venture which owns two shopping centers located in Dover, Delaware and Fruitland, Maryland.  Under the terms of this joint venture, the Company has a 50% interest in the venture; however, the Company has agreed to contribute 80% of any

 

13



 

capital required by the joint venture.   The Company does not, however, expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.

 

      CA New Plan Venture Fund.  In connection with the CenterAmerica Acquisition, the Company assumed obligations under a joint venture agreement with a third-party institutional investor.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $89.9 million as of September 30, 2003.  Under the terms of this joint venture, the Company has a 10% interest in the venture, and is responsible for contributing its pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture, up to a maximum amount of $8.3 million, of which approximately $5.2 million had been contributed by the Company as of September 30, 2003.  The Company may contribute the remaining $3.1 million during the remainder of 2003.

 

      Clearwater Mall, LLC.  In October 2002, the Company contributed its Clearwater Mall property to this joint venture, which is currently redeveloping the property.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $26.1 million as of September 30, 2003.  Under the terms of this joint venture, the Company has a 50% interest in the venture; however, the Company has agreed to contribute 75% of any capital that might be required by the joint venture.  The Company does not, however, expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.

 

                  Preston Ridge Joint Venture.  The Company has investments in various joint ventures that own two community shopping centers (The Centre at Preston Ridge and The Market at Preston Ridge) and undeveloped land in Frisco, Texas.

 

                  The Centre at Preston Ridge.  Under the terms of this joint venture, the Company has a 25% interest in a venture that owns The Centre at Preston Ridge.  The Company’s ownership interest was reduced to 25% from 50% on November 25, 2002 when a U.S. partnership comprised substantially of foreign investors purchased a 70% interest in the joint venture.  The Company has agreed to contribute its pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, the Company does not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $70.0 million as of September 30, 2003.

 

                  The Market at Preston Ridge.  The Company has a 50% investment in a joint venture that owns The Market at Preston Ridge.  The Company has agreed to contribute its pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, the Company does not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $3.8 million as of September 30, 2003.

 

                  Undeveloped land parcels.  The Company has a 50% investment in a joint venture that owns approximately 38.6 acres of undeveloped land in Frisco, Texas.  The Company has agreed to contribute its pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, the Company does not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  As of September 30, 2003, the joint venture had a mortgage loan outstanding of approximately $3.0 million, payable to the Company.

 

14



 

Note 8:   Debt Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the Company has debt obligations under various arrangements with financial institutions as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Maximum
Amount
Available

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying Value as of

Stated
Interest
Rates

Scheduled
Maturity
Date

 

September 30,
2003

 

December 31,
2002

CREDIT FACILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet Unsecured Term Loan (1)

 

$

 

$

 

$

155,000

 

LIBOR + 115 bp

 (2)

N/A

 

Fleet Revolving Facility

 

350,000

 

136,000

 

75,000

 

LIBOR + 105 bp

 (2)

April 2005

 

Fleet Secured Term Loan

 

100,000

(3)

100,000

 

 

LIBOR + 125 bp

 (2)

September 2006

 

Total Credit Facilities

 

$

450,000

 

$

236,000

 

$

230,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORTGAGES PAYABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Rate Mortgages

 

 

 

$

536,521

 

$

529,256

 

6.670% - 9.625

%

2004 - 2028

 

Variable Rate Mortgages

 

 

 

10,769

 

121,541

 

Variable 

(4)

2009 - 2011

 

Total Mortgages

 

 

 

547,290

 

650,797

 

 

 

 

 

Net unamortized premium

 

 

 

17,865

 

20,403

 

 

 

 

 

Total Mortgages, net

 

 

 

$

565,155

 

$

671,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES PAYABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.33% unsecured notes

 

 

 

$

49,000

 

$

49,000

 

7.330

%

November 2003

 

6.88% unsecured notes

 

 

 

75,000

 

75,000

 

6.875

%

October 2004

 

7.75% unsecured notes

 

 

 

100,000

 

100,000

 

7.750

%

April 2005

 

7.35% unsecured notes

 

 

 

30,000

 

30,000

 

7.350

%

June 2007

 

5.88% unsecured notes

 

 

 

250,000

 

250,000

 

5.875

%

June 2007

 

7.40% unsecured notes

 

 

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

7.400

%

September 2009

 

3.75% unsecured notes (5)

 

 

 

115,000

 

 

3.750

%

June 2023

 

7.97% unsecured notes

 

 

 

10,000

 

10,000

 

7.970

%

August 2026

 

7.65% unsecured notes

 

 

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

7.650

%

November 2026

 

7.68% unsecured notes

 

 

 

10,000

 

10,000

 

7.680

%

November 2026

 

7.68% unsecured notes

 

 

 

10,000

 

10,000

 

7.680

%

November 2026

 

6.90% unsecured notes

 

 

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

6.900

%

February 2028

 

6.90% unsecured notes

 

 

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

6.900

%

February 2028

 

7.50% unsecured notes

 

 

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

7.500

%

July 2029

 

Total Notes

 

 

 

899,000

 

784,000

 

 

 

 

 

Net unamortized discount

 

 

 

(3,008

)

(2,222

)

 

 

 

 

Impact of reverse swap agreement

 

 

 

2,139

 

2,149

 

 

 

 

 

Total Notes, net

 

 

 

$

898,131

 

$

783,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES PAYABLE, OTHER (6)

 

 

 

$

 

$

28,349

 

Variable

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL LEASES

 

 

 

$

28,640

 

$

28,866

 

7.500

%

June 2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL DEBT

 

 

 

$

1,727,926

 

$

1,742,342

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)          On September 29, 2003, the Company entered into a new secured term loan facility and, in connection therewith, retired this facility.

(2)          The Company incurs interest using the 30-day LIBOR rate which was 1.12% as of September 30, 2003.  The interest rate on this facility adjusts based on the Company’s credit rating.

(3)          Under certain circumstances, the maximum amount available under this facility may be increased to $150 million.

(4)          As defined in the applicable loan agreements, the Company incurs interest on these obligations using Moody’s A Corporate Bond Index, which was 5.49% as of September 30, 2003, plus spreads ranging from 105 to 375 basis points.

(5)          Represents convertible senior notes.

(6)          Represents a promissory note issued in connection with the EIG Acquisition.  The note was repaid in full on January 2, 2003.

 

The Company has a $350 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Fleet Revolving Facility”), which matures on April 25, 2005, with a one-year extension option.  On September 29, 2003, the Company amended the total debt to total adjusted assets coverage ratio covenant prescribed under this facility, increasing it from 55.0% to 57.5%.  As of September 30, 2003, the Fleet Revolving Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 105 basis points, based on the Company’s current debt rating.

 

15



 

On September 29, 2003, the Company entered into a $100 million secured term loan facility (the “Fleet Secured Term Loan”), refinancing its $155 million senior unsecured term loan facility (the “Fleet Unsecured Term Loan”).  The new facility matures on September 29, 2006, and under certain circumstances, the amount of the facility may be increased to $150 million.  The new facility contains all of the covenants that are present in the Fleet Revolving Facility, as amended, as well as certain additional covenants relating to the operating performance of certain properties that collateralize the Fleet Secured Term Loan.  As of September 30, 2003 the Fleet Secured Term Loan bore interest at LIBOR plus 125 basis points, based on the Company’s current debt rating.

 

The Fleet Revolving Facility and the Fleet Secured Term Loan require that the Company maintain certain financial coverage ratios.  These coverage ratios currently include:

 

                  net operating income of unencumbered assets to interest on unsecured debt ratio of at least 2:1

                  EBITDA to fixed charges ratio of at least 1.75:1

                  minimum tangible net worth of approximately $1.3 billion

                  total debt to total adjusted assets of no more than 57.5%

                  total secured debt to total adjusted assets of no more than 40%

                  unsecured debt to unencumbered assets value ratio of no more than 55%

                  book value of ancillary assets to total adjusted assets of no more than 25%

                  book value of new construction assets to total adjusted assets of no more than 15%

                  Funds from Operations (as defined in the applicable debt agreement) payout ratio no greater than 95%

 

On May 19, 2003, the Company completed a public offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% convertible senior notes due June 2023 (the “Convertible Debt Offering”).  On June 10, 2003, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full and purchased an additional $15 million aggregate principal amount of the notes.  The notes are convertible into common stock of the Company, upon the occurrence of certain events, at an initial conversion price of $25.00 per share.  The notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to June 9, 2008, but are redeemable for cash, in whole or in part, any time thereafter.  The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $112 million and were used to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the Fleet Revolving Facility.

 

On June 11, 2002, the Company completed a public offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior unsecured notes due June 2007 (the “Bond Offering”).  Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15.  The notes were priced at 99.66% of par value to yield 5.955%.  Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Fleet Revolving Facility.

 

As of September 30, 2003, future expected/scheduled maturities of outstanding long-term debt obligations are as follows (in thousands):

 

2003 (remaining three months)

 

$

59,231

 

2004

 

105,613

 

2005

 

321,144

 

2006

 

117,978

 

2007

 

320,672

 

Thereafter

 

786,292

 

Total debt maturities

 

1,710,930

 

Net unamortized premiums on mortgages

 

17,865

 

Net unamortized discount on notes

 

(3,008

)

Impact of reverse swap agreement

 

2,139

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt obligations

 

$

1,727,926

 

 

16



 

Note 9:           Risk Management and Use of Financial Instruments

 

Risk Management

 

In the normal course of its on-going business operations, the Company encounters economic risk.  There are three main components of economic risk: interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk.  The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its interest-bearing liabilities.  Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s operations and tenants’ inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments.  Market risk includes changes in the value of loans due to changes in interest rates or other market factors, including, but not limited to, the rate of prepayments of principal, the value of the collateral underlying loans and the valuation of properties held by the Company.

 

Use of Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s use of derivative instruments is primarily limited to the utilization of interest rate agreements or other instruments to manage interest rate risk exposures and not for speculative purposes.  The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with the Company’s operating and financial structure, as well as to hedge specific transactions.  The counterparties to these arrangements are major financial institutions with which the Company and its affiliates may also have other financial relationships. The Company is potentially exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by these counterparties.  However, because of their high credit ratings, the Company does not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet these obligations as they come due.  The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge credit/market risk.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2003, in order to mitigate the potential risk of adverse changes in the interest rate on the cash flows for anticipated fixed rate borrowings, the Company entered into a 10-year forward starting interest rate swap for an aggregate of approximately $47.0 million in notional amount.  This derivative instrument is expected to be used to hedge the risk of changes in interest cash outflows on an anticipated fixed rate financing by effectively locking the LIBOR swap rate at 4.1135%.  The swap is expected to be cash settled no later than the pricing of the forecasted hedged debt.  The effective portion of the gain or loss on the swap will be deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized into earnings as an increase/decrease in effective interest expense during the same period or periods in which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Any ineffective portion will be charged as an expense.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2002, in order to hedge a portion of the expected cash flows on the anticipated long-term fixed rate borrowing, the Company entered into certain derivative instruments based on LIBOR for an aggregate of approximately $90.0 million in notional amount.  Under these agreements, the Company would generally settle the agreement upon consummation of the forecasted issuance of debt, at which time the Company would receive additional cash flow settlement if interest rates rose and pay cash if interest rates fell.  On June 11, 2002, upon consummation of the Bond Offering, the Company settled these agreements for approximately $1.9 million.  The effects of such payments are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized into earnings as an increase in effective interest expense over the term of the fixed rate borrowing.

 

The following table summarizes the terms and fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2003 (in thousands).  The notional amount at September 30, 2003 provides an indication of the extent of the Company’s involvement in these instruments at that time, but does not represent exposure to credit, interest rate or market risks.

 

Hedge Product

 

Hedge Type

 

Notional Amount

 

Strike

 

Maturity

 

Fair Value

 

Reverse Arrears Swap

 

Fair Value

 

$

50,000

 

4.357

%

10/15/04

 

$

2,139

 

Forward Starting Swap

 

Cash Flow

 

47,000

 

4.114

%

08/15/13

 

613

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,752

 

 

17



 

On September 30, 2003, the reverse arrears swap and the forward starting swap were reported at their fair values as Other Assets of $2.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively.  Additionally, the reverse arrears swap was reported as a component of the note payable to which it was assigned.  As of September 30, 2003, there were $0.8 million in deferred losses represented in OCI, representing the unamortized portion of the settlement costs for the hedge on the Bond Offering, as well as the unsettled portion of the forward starting swap.

 

Over time, the unrealized losses held in OCI will be reclassified to earnings in the same period(s) in which the hedged items are recognized in earnings.  The current balance held in OCI is expected to be reclassified to earnings over the lives of the current hedging instruments, or for realized losses on forecasted debt transactions, over the related term of the debt obligation, as applicable.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

A concentration of credit risk arises in the Company’s business when a national or regionally-based tenant occupies a substantial amount of space in multiple properties owned by the Company.  In that event, if the tenant suffers a significant downturn in its business, it may become unable to make its contractual rent payments to the Company, exposing the Company to a potential loss in rental revenue that is magnified as a result of the tenant renting space in multiple locations.  The Company regularly monitors its tenant base to assess potential concentrations of credit risk.  Management believes the current credit risk portfolio is reasonably well diversified and does not contain any unusual concentration of credit risk.   No tenant exceeds 5% of annual reported rental income.

 

Note 10:         Minority Interest in Consolidated Partnership

 

In 1995, ERP, a consolidated entity, was formed to own certain real estate properties.  A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company is the sole general partner of ERP and is entitled to receive 99% of all net income and gains before depreciation, if any, after the limited partners receive their net income and gain allocations.  Properties have been contributed to ERP in exchange for limited partnership units (which may be redeemed at stipulated prices for cash or, at the Company’s option, shares of common stock of the Company), cash and the assumption of mortgage indebtedness.  The units are convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at exchange ratios ranging from 1.0 to 1.4 shares of common stock for each unit.  ERP unit information is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Total
Units

 

Company
Units

 

Limited Partner
Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2002

 

5,565,066

 

3,430,524

 

2,134,542

 

Redeemed

 

 

1,541

 

(1,541

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2003

 

5,565,066

 

3,432,065

 

2,133,001

 

 

18



 

Note 11:                          Stockholders’ Equity

 

Earnings per Share (EPS)

 

In accordance with the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 128 (Note 2), a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted EPS is provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

31,385

 

$

26,906

 

$

97,984

 

$

75,799

 

Preferred dividends

 

(5,279

)

(4,859

)

(15,891

)

(16,164

)

Discount (premium) on redemption of preferred stock

 

 

6,997

 

(630

)

6,997

 

Net income available to common shares from continuing operations - basic

 

26,106

 

29,044

 

81,463

 

66,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shares from discontinued operations - basic

 

326

 

2,885

 

1,445

 

6,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shares - basic

 

$

26,432

 

$

31,929

 

$

82,908

 

$

73,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average of common shares outstanding

 

97,455

 

96,617

 

97,170

 

94,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earning per share - continuing operations

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.84

 

$

0.71

 

Earnings per share - discontinued operations

 

 

0.03

 

0.01

 

0.07

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.85

 

$

0.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

31,385

 

$

26,906

 

$

97,984

 

$

75,799

 

Preferred dividends

 

(5,279

)

(4,859

)

(15,891

)

(16,164

)

Discount (premium) on redemption of preferred stock

 

 

6,997

 

(630

)

6,997

 

Minority interest

 

394

 

74

 

1,170

 

418

 

Net income available to common shares from continuing operations - diluted

 

26,500

 

29,118

 

82,633

 

67,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shares from discontinued operations – diluted

 

326

 

2,885

 

1,445

 

6,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shares - diluted

 

$

26,826

 

$

32,003

 

$

84,078

 

$

73,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average of common shares outstanding – basic

 

97,455

 

96,617

 

97,170

 

94,519

 

Effect of diluted securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock options

 

872

 

519

 

663

 

581

 

Excel Realty Partners, L.P. third party units

 

2,178

 

798

 

2,178

 

1,023

 

Weighted average of common shares outstanding – diluted

 

100,505

 

97,934

 

100,011

 

96,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earning per share - continuing operations

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.70

 

Earnings per share - discontinued operations

 

 

0.03

 

0.01

 

0.07

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.84

 

$

0.77

 

 

Note - Preferred A shares are anti-dilutive for earnings per share calculations.  On July 15, 2002, the Company redeemed all Preferred A shares outstanding, resulting in the issuance of approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock.

 

On January 29, 2002, the Company completed the Common Stock Offering.  The net proceeds to the Company from the Common Stock Offering were approximately $120.7 million and were used initially to pay down amounts outstanding under the Company’s then existing revolving credit facilities (which amounts were subsequently re-drawn to finance the CenterAmerica Acquisition).

 

On July 15, 2002, pursuant to a notice issued to shareholders on June 5, 2002, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding shares of 8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.  Each share of Series A preferred stock was redeemed for 1.24384 shares of common stock of the Company, and resulted in the issuance of approximately 1.9

 

19



 

million shares of common stock at an equivalent of $20.10 per share.  The redemption occurred at a discount to the carrying value of the preferred stock, with such discount aggregating approximately $7.0 million based on shares redeemed by the Company at the closing price at redemption.

 

On April 21, 2003, the Company completed a public offering of 8,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/10 fractional interest of a share of 7.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock Offering”).  The net proceeds to the Company from the Preferred Stock Offering were approximately $193 million and were used to redeem all of the Company’s outstanding Series B depositary shares (the “Series B Preferred Stock Redemption”), each of which represented a 1/10 fractional interest of a share of 8 5/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, as well as to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under the Fleet Revolving Facility.

 

On May 5, 2003, the Company completed the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption at an aggregate cost of $158 million.  The redemption occurred at a premium to the carrying value of the preferred stock, aggregating approximately $0.6 million based on shares redeemed by the Company at the closing price at redemption.

 

On July 21, 2003, the Company established a standby equity distribution program with BNY Capital Markets, Inc. pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell from time to time up to $50 million of common stock in “at the market” transactions.  As of September 30, 2003, the Company has not issued or sold any common stock under this distribution program.

 

Note 12:         Comprehensive Income

 

Total comprehensive income was $33.6 million and $30.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $100.9 million and $83.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  The primary components of comprehensive income, other than net income, are the adoption and continued application of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138 to the Company’s cash flow hedges and the Company’s mark-to-market on its available-for-sale securities.

 

As of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reflected in the Company’s equity on the consolidated balance sheet is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

As of
September 30,
2003

 

As of
December 31,
2002

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

 

$

1,707

 

$

1,142

 

Unrealized gain on interest risk hedges

 

613

 

 

Realized losses on interest risk hedges, net

 

(1,448

)

(1,735

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

872

 

$

(593

)

 

Note 13:         Commitments and Contingencies

 

General

 

The Company is not presently involved in any material litigation nor, to its knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against the Company or its properties.  The Company is involved in routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, for which approximately $2.0 million has been reserved as of September 30, 2003.

 

20



 

Funding Commitments

 

In addition to the joint venture funding commitments described in Note 7 above, the Company also has the following contractual obligations as of September 30, 2003, none of which the Company believes will have a material adverse affect on the Company’s operations:

 

      Non-Recourse Debt Guarantees.  Under certain Company and joint venture non-recourse mortgage loans, the Company could, under certain circumstances, be responsible for portions of the mortgage indebtedness in connection with certain customary non-recourse carve out provisions such as environmental conditions, misuse of funds and material misrepresentations.  As of September 30, 2003, the Company had mortgage loans outstanding of approximately $565.2 million and joint ventures in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest had mortgage loans outstanding of approximately $239.8 million.

 

      Leasing Commitments.  The Company has entered into leases, as lessee, in connection with ground leases for shopping centers which it operates, an office building which it sublets, and administrative space for the Company.  These leases are accounted for as operating leases.  The minimum annual rental commitments for these leases during the next five fiscal years and thereafter are approximately as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

 

 

 

 

2003 (remaining three months)

 

$

922

 

2004

 

1,356

 

2005

 

1,324

 

2006

 

833

 

2007

 

543

 

Thereafter

 

13,043

 

 

Environmental Matters

 

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, the Company may be considered an owner or operator of real property or may have arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in their property or disposed of by them, as well as certain other potential costs which could relate to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property).  Such liability may be imposed whether or not the Company knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of these hazardous or toxic substances.  As is common with community and neighborhood shopping centers, many of the Company’s properties had or have on-site dry cleaners and/or on-site gasoline facilities.  These operations could potentially result in environmental contamination at the properties.

 

The Company is aware that soil and groundwater contamination exists at some of its properties. The primary contaminants of concern at these properties include perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene (associated with the operations of on-site dry cleaners) and petroleum hydrocarbons (associated with the operations of on-site gasoline facilities).  The Company is also aware that asbestos-containing materials exist at some of its properties.  While the Company does not expect the environmental conditions at its properties, considered as a whole, to have a material adverse effect on the Company, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.  Further, no assurance can be given that any environmental studies performed have identified or will identify all material environmental conditions, that any prior owner of the properties did not create a material environmental condition not known to the Company or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist with respect to any of the Company’s properties.

 

21



 

Item 2.                                   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes thereto.  Historical results and percentage relationships set forth in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, including trends which might appear, should not be taken as indicative of future operations.

 

On January 3, 2003, we completed the Spartan Acquisition.  Accordingly, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 include the results of operations of the properties acquired in the Spartan Acquisition from and after January 3, 2003.

 

On December 12, 2002, we completed the EIG Acquisition.  Accordingly, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 include the results of operations of the properties acquired in the EIG Acquisition.

 

On March 1, 2002, we completed the CenterAmerica Acquisition.  As part of the acquisition, we also acquired a 10% managing membership interest in a joint venture with a private U.S. pension fund.  Accordingly, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 include the results of operations of the properties acquired in the CenterAmerica Acquisition from and after March 1, 2002.

 

During the third and fourth quarters of 2002 and the first, second and third quarters of 2003, we acquired five properties, Superior Marketplace, Midway Market Square, Panama City Square, Harpers Station and Dickson City Crossings, as well as the remaining 50% interest in Vail Ranch II (collectively, “Other Acquisitions”).  Accordingly, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 include the results of operations of the Other Acquisitions from and after their respective acquisition dates.

 

Results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Revenues:

 

Total rental revenue increased $18.6 million, or 18%, from $100.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $119.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The major areas of change are discussed below.

 

Rental income increased $15.3 million, or 19%, from $79.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $94.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased rental income by approximately $12.1 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased rental income by approximately $1.3 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased rental income by approximately $1.8 million

 

                  Increases in rental rates, combined with rental revenues generated by properties previously under redevelopment, which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

22



 

Expense reimbursements increased $3.3 million, or 16%, from $20.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $23.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $2.1 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $0.5 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $0.5 million

 

                  An increase in the amount of reimbursable operating expenses, compounded by higher recovery rates, which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

Interest, dividend and other income decreased $0.9 million, or 30%, from $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to the loss of interest income on certain loans receivable, which were paid off during the first nine months of 2003.

 

Equity in income of unconsolidated ventures decreased $0.4 million, or 33%, from $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to reduced income from our investment in the Preston Ridge Joint Venture – The Centre at Preston Ridge, in which our ownership interest decreased to 25% from 50% on November 25, 2002.

 

Expenses:

 

Total expenses increased $13.1 million, or 17%, from $77.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $90.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. The major areas of change are discussed below.

 

Operating costs increased $4.1 million, or 23%, from $17.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $21.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased operating costs by approximately $3.0 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased operating costs by approximately $0.2 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased operating costs by approximately $0.3 million

 

                  Increased insurance expense of approximately $1.0 million, attributable to higher premiums under our renewed policy and our addition of a higher coverage terrorism clause

 

                  Combined increases in repairs, utility and security expenses of approximately $0.4 million

 

                  Increased capitalized expenses attributable to properties under redevelopment, which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

23



 

Real estate and other taxes increased $2.3 million, or 19%, from $12.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $14.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $1.9 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $0.2 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $0.2 million

 

Interest expense increased $1.2 million, or 5%, from $24.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  Debt assumed in connection with the EIG Acquisition, which increased interest expense by approximately $2.3 million

 

                  Debt assumed in connection with the Other Acquisitions, which increased interest expense by approximately $0.6 million

 

                  The Convertible Debt Offering and the Bond Offering, which increased interest expense by approximately $1.1 million

 

                  Higher outstanding balance under the Fleet Revolving Facility, partially offset by lower interest rates, which increased interest expense by approximately $0.3 million

 

                  The payoff of the variable rate REMIC debt, which decreased interest expense by approximately $1.0 million

 

                  A reduction of mortgage debt, which decreased interest expense by approximately $0.4 million

 

                  The expiration of a two-year interest rate swap agreement in October 2002 with Fleet National Bank, compounded by interest received from our reverse arrears swap agreement, which decreased interest expense by approximately $0.9 million

 

                  Reduced amortization of debt issuance costs, which decreased interest expense by approximately $0.8 million

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $3.5 million, or 21%, from $16.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $20.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.   The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $2.1 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $0.2 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $0.3 million

 

                  Depreciation on capital spending which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

24



 

General and administrative expenses increased $2.1 million, or 50%, from $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to increased legal fees resulting from reserves taken for litigation.

 

Minority Interest in Income of Consolidated Partnership:

 

Minority interest in income of consolidated partnership increased $0.3 million, or 300%, from $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This increase is primarily attributable to our issuance of additional ERP partnership units in connection with the EIG Acquisition in December 2002.

 

Discontinued Operations:

 

Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 144.  This statement retains the requirement of APB No. 30 to report discontinued operations separately from continuing operations, and extends that reporting to a component of an entity that either has been disposed of (by sale, by abandonment, or in a distribution to owners) or is classified as held for sale.  As of September 30, 2003, such properties generated approximately $0.5 million and $0.2 million in results of operations and loss on sale, respectively.  As of September 30, 2002, such properties generated approximately $5.9 million, $2.7 million and $0.3 million in results of operations, impairment expense and loss on sale, respectively.  Accordingly, these amounts have been classified as income from discontinued operations.

 

Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Revenues:

 

Total rental revenue increased $76.2 million, or 27%, from $285.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $361.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The major areas of change are discussed below.

 

Rental income increased $59.2 million, or 27%, from $221.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $280.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The CenterAmerica Acquisition, which increased rental income by approximately $13.5 million

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased rental income by approximately $36.7 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased rental income by approximately $3.9 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased rental income by approximately $5.3 million

 

                  Decreased lease termination fee income, which reduced rental income by approximately $0.4 million

 

                  Increases in rental rates, combined with rental revenues generated by properties previously under redevelopment, which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

25



 

Expense reimbursements increased $17.0 million, or 29%, from $59.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $76.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The CenterAmerica Acquisition, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $3.7 million

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $8.8 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $1.2 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased expense reimbursements by approximately $1.3 million

 

                  An increase in reimbursable real estate taxes and property operating expenses which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

Interest, dividend and other income decreased $1.5 million, or 17%, from $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to the loss of interest income from certain notes receivable, which were paid off during the period.

 

Equity in income of unconsolidated ventures decreased $1.3 million, or 35%, from $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to reduced income from our investment in the Preston Ridge Joint Venture – The Centre at Preston Ridge, in which our ownership percentage decreased to 25% from 50% on November 25, 2002.

 

Expenses:

 

Total expenses increased $50.1 million, or 23%, from $217.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $267.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The major areas of change are discussed below.

 

Operating costs increased $20.2 million, or 42%, from $47.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $67.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The CenterAmerica Acquisition, which increased operating expenses by approximately $4.4 million

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased operating expenses by approximately $9.0 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased operating expenses by approximately $0.7 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased operating expenses by approximately $1.0 million

 

                  Increased insurance expense of approximately $2.2 million, attributable to higher premiums under our renewed policy and our addition of a higher coverage terrorism clause

 

                  Increased snow removal costs of approximately $2.1 million, attributable to unusually harsh winter conditions in the Northeast and Midwest as compared to 2002

 

                  Combined increases in utilities, cleaning, security and professional expenses of approximately $0.9 million

 

26



 

Real estate and other taxes increased $11.5 million, or 34%, from $33.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $45.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The CenterAmerica Acquisition, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $2.2 million

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $5.7 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $0.6 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $0.7 million

 

                  Property tax rate increases at certain municipalities, combined with higher assessments at certain properties, which increased real estate and other taxes by approximately $2.3 million

 

Interest expense increased $8.2 million, or 12%, from $68.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $76.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  Debt assumed in connection with the EIG Acquisition, which increased interest expense by approximately $7.1 million

 

                  Debt assumed in connection with the Other Acquisitions, which increased interest expense by approximately $1.3 million

 

                  The Convertible Debt Offering and the Bond Offering, which increased interest expense by approximately $6.2 million

 

                  Lower outstanding balance under the Fleet Revolving Facility, primarily attributable to repayments with funds from the Preferred Stock Offering and the Convertible Debt Offering, compounded by lower interest rates, which decreased interest expense by approximately $0.2 million

 

                  A reduction of mortgage debt, which decreased interest expense by approximately $1.0 million

 

                  The expiration of a two-year interest rate swap agreement in October 2002 with Fleet National Bank, compounded by interest received from our reverse arrears swap agreement, which decreased interest expense by approximately $3.1 million

 

                  Increased capitalization with respect to our redevelopment projects, which decreased interest expense by $0.4 million

 

                  Reduced amortization of debt issuance costs, which decreased interest expense by approximately $1.7 million

 

27



 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $9.7 million, or 20%, from $48.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $57.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.   The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  The CenterAmerica Acquisition, which increased depreciation and amortization by approximately $2.6 million

 

                  The EIG Acquisition, which increased depreciation and amortization by approximately $6.4 million

 

                  The Spartan Acquisition, which increased depreciation and amortization by approximately $0.7 million

 

                  Other Acquisitions, which increased depreciation and amortization by approximately $0.9 million

 

                  Reductions in the book value of certain properties not included in our held for sale pool, attributable to impairment taken in the fourth quarter of 2002, which decreased depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $1.7 million

 

                  Depreciation on capital spending which accounted for the balance of the variance

 

General and administrative expense increased $1.4 million, or 11%, from $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $14.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The following factors accounted for this variance:

 

                  Combined increases in office costs, utilities and payroll expenses attributable to our operation of additional offices nationwide, which increased general and administrative expense by approximately $1.0 million

 

                  Increased professional fees, primarily attributable to higher legal fees resulting from reserves taken for litigation, which increased general and administrative expense by approximately $2.5 million

 

                  Decreased franchise tax, which reduced general and administrative expense by approximately $2.1 million

 

Provision for doubtful accounts decreased $1.0 million, or 15%, from $6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This decrease reflects the $1.7 million received from Kmart Corporation in satisfaction of previously reserved accounts receivable, partially offset by increases attributable to the EIG Acquisition, the Spartan Acquisition and Other Acquisitions.

 

Gains on the Sale of Assets:

 

We sold one single tenant property and one outparcel during 2002 that resulted in a gain of approximately $0.2 million.

 

Minority Interest in Income of Consolidated Partnership:

 

Minority interest in income of consolidated partnership increased $0.8 million, or 200%, from $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This increase is primarily attributable to our issuance of additional ERP partnership units in connection with the EIG Acquisition in December 2002.

 

28



 

Discontinued Operations:

 

Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 144.  This statement retains the requirement of APB No. 30 to report discontinued operations separately from continuing operations, and extends that reporting to a component of an entity that either has been disposed of (by sale, by abandonment, or in a distribution to owners) or is classified as held for sale.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, such properties generated approximately $1.7 million, $3.7 million and $3.4 million in results of operations, impairment expense and gain on sale, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, such properties generated approximately $17.6 million, $12.3 million and $1.5 million in results of operations, impairment expense and gain on sale, respectively.  Accordingly, these amounts have been classified as discontinued operations.

 

Same Property Analysis

 

Included in our consolidated results of operations are the results of operations of shopping centers that have been owned for the full periods presented (“Same-Store Properties”).  The Same-Store Properties results exclude the results of operations of properties that have undergone or are undergoing redevelopment during the applicable periods, as well as properties acquired or disposed of during the periods presented.  Same-Store Properties financial information and statistics are as follows (in thousands, except for number of properties included in analysis and percent leased (weighted average)):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of properties included in analysis

 

247

 

247

 

162

 

162

 

Percent leased (weighted average)

 

91.3

%

92.8

%

91.7

%

93.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income (1)

 

$

59,727

 

$

59,755

 

$

129,033

 

$

126,687

 

Percentage rents

 

1,000

 

570

 

2,571

 

2,730

 

Expense reimbursements

 

15,286

 

16,002

 

35,001

 

33,809

 

Total rental revenues

 

76,013

 

76,327

 

166,605

 

163,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs

 

12,953

 

11,638

 

28,920

 

24,668

 

Real estate and other taxes

 

8,996

 

9,322

 

19,422

 

18,120

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

873

 

1,393

 

1,072

 

3,171

 

Total expenses

 

22,822

 

22,353

 

49,414

 

45,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating income

 

$

53,191

 

$

53,974

 

$

117,191

 

$

117,267

 

 


(1)  Amounts exclude lease termination fees.

 

Same-Store Properties Results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Revenues:

 

Rental income for the Same-Store Properties decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, from $59.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $59.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to a 1.5% decline in weighted average occupancy.

 

29



 

Percentage rents for the Same-Store Properties increased $0.4 million, or 67%, from $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to a general increase in reported tenants’ sales.

 

Expense reimbursements decreased $0.7 million, or 4%, from $16.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $15.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a minor decrease in recovery rates, compounded by a decrease in reimbursable operating expenses.

 

Expenses:

 

Total expenses increased $0.4 million, or 2%, from $22.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $22.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The major areas of change are discussed below.

 

Operating expenses increased $1.4 million, or 12%, from $11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $13.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is attributable to (1) increased insurance expense attributable to higher premiums under our renewed policy and our addition of a higher coverage terrorism clause and (2) increased utility and snow removal expenses attributable to unfavorable weather conditions as compared to the same period in 2002.

 

Provision for doubtful accounts decreased $0.5 million, or 36%, from $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  This decrease is primarily attributable to improved collections and lower write-off levels.

 

Same-Store Properties Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Revenues:

 

Rental income for the Same-Store Properties increased $2.3 million, or 2%, from $126.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $129.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to increased rental rates, as well as increased billings for rent step-ups, which are based on the consumer price index, partially offset by a 1.6% decline in weighted average occupancy.

 

Expense reimbursements increased $1.2 million, or 4%, from $33.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $35.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is primarily attributable to an increase in reimbursable real estate taxes and property operating expenses.

 

Expenses:

 

Total expenses increased $3.4 million, or 7%, from $46.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $49.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The major areas of change are discussed below.

 

Operating expenses increased $4.2 million, or 17%, from $24.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $28.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This variance is attributable to (1) increased insurance expense attributable to higher premiums under our renewed policy and our addition of a higher coverage terrorism clause and (2) increased utility and snow removal expenses attributable to unfavorable weather conditions as compared to the same period in 2002.

 

Real estate and other taxes increased $1.3 million, or 7%, from $18.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $19.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This increase is due primarily

 

30



 

to property tax rate increases in certain municipalities combined with higher assessments at certain properties in 2003.

 

Provision for doubtful accounts decreased $2.1 million, or 66%, from $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  This decrease is attributable to the $1.7 million received from Kmart Corporation in satisfaction of previously reserved accounts receivable, as well as improved collections and lower write-off levels.

 

Funds from Operations

 

Funds from Operations (“FFO”) is a widely used performance measure for real estate companies and is provided here as a supplemental measure of operating performance.  We calculate FFO in accordance with the best practices described in the April 2002 National Policy Bulletin of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (the “White Paper”).  The White Paper defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

 

On October 1, 2003, NAREIT, based on discussions with the SEC, provided revised guidance regarding the calculation of FFO.  This revised guidance provides that impairments should not be added back to net income in calculating FFO and that original issuance costs associated with preferred stock that has been redeemed should be factored into the calculation of FFO.  We historically have added back impairments in calculating FFO, in accordance with prior NAREIT guidance, and have not factored in original issuance costs of preferred stock that has been redeemed in the calculation of FFO.  We have revised our calculation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT’s revised guidance in the table set forth below.

 

Given the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, we believe that FFO is helpful to investors as a starting point in measuring our operational performance because it excludes various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of our operating performance such as gains (or losses) from sales of property and depreciation and amortization, which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating performance more difficult.  FFO should not, however, be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our financial performance, is not an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our liquidity, and is not indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make distributions.  Our computation of FFO may differ from the methodology utilized by other equity REITs to calculate FFO and, therefore, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

 

31



 

The following information is provided to reconcile net income, the most comparable GAAP number, to FFO, and to show the items included in our FFO for the past periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders -basic

 

$

26,432

 

$

31,929

 

$

82,908

 

$

73,373

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations real estate assets

 

20,034

 

16,531

 

57,008

 

47,965

 

Discontinued operations real estate assets

 

57

 

1,261

 

425

 

4,770

 

Pro rata share of joint venture real estate assets

 

253

 

327

 

716

 

976

 

Deduct:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of real estate (1)

 

 

 

 

(202

)

(Gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations (1)

 

(51

)

284

 

(1,129

)

(1,338

)

Pro rata share of joint venture gain on sale of real estate (1)

 

(39

)

 

(643

)

 

Funds from operations – basic

 

46,686

 

50,332

 

139,285

 

125,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred A dividends

 

 

 

 

1,587

 

Minority interest in income of consolidated partnership

 

394

 

74

 

1,170

 

418

 

Funds from operations – diluted

 

$

47,080

(2)

$

50,406

(3)

$

140,455

(2)

$

127,549

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average of common shares outstanding – diluted

 

100,505

 

97,934

(4)

100,011

 

97,365

(4)

 


(1)     Excludes gain/loss on sale of land.

(2)     As noted above, the calculation of FFO has been revised in accordance with revised NAREIT guidance.  FFO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 includes a deduction of $48 and $8,077 in FFO, respectively, relating to impairments (which amounts, under prior NAREIT guidance, would have been added back in the calculation of and increased FFO over what is set forth above).  FFO for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 also includes a deduction of $630 relating to our redemption of preferred stock in May 2003 (which amount we historically did not include in the calculation of FFO and therefore would have resulted in an increase in FFO over what is set forth above absent the revised guidance).

(3)     As noted above, the calculation of FFO has been revised in accordance with revised NAREIT guidance.  As a result, the revised calculation of FFO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 now reflects changes from previously disclosed FFO for such periods, consisting of (i) an increase in FFO of $6,997 relating to the redemption of preferred stock (which amount previously was not included in the calculation of FFO, thereby decreasing previously disclosed FFO by such amounts from that stated above) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, and (ii) a decrease of $2,958 and $16,562 in FFO for impairments (which amounts previously were added back in the calculation of FFO, thereby increasing previously disclosed FFO by such amounts from that stated above) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, respectively.

(4)     Includes the dilutive effect of convertible Preferred A shares.  On July 15, 2002, we redeemed all Preferred A shares outstanding, resulting in the issuance of approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock at an equivalent of $20.10 per share.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2003, we had approximately $27.4 million in available cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities.  As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to our stockholders on an annual basis.  Therefore, as a general matter, it is unlikely that we will have any substantial cash balances that could be used to meet our liquidity needs.  Instead, these needs must be met with cash generated from operations and external sources of capital.

 

Short-Term Liquidity Needs

 

Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for operating and other expenses directly associated with our portfolio of properties (including regular maintenance items), interest expense and scheduled principal payments on our outstanding debt, capital expenditures incurred to facilitate the leasing of space (e.g., tenant improvements and leasing commissions), and quarterly dividends and distributions that we pay to our common and preferred stockholders and holders of partnership units in a partnership that we control.

 

32



 

Historically, we have satisfied these requirements principally through cash generated from operations.  We believe that cash generated from operations and borrowings under the Fleet Revolving Facility will be sufficient to meet our short-term liquidity requirements; however, there are certain factors that may have a material adverse effect on our cash flow.

 

We derive substantially all of our revenue from tenants under existing leases at our properties.  Therefore, our operating cash flow is dependent on the rents that we are able to charge to our tenants, and the ability of these tenants to make their rental payments.  We believe that the nature of the properties in which we typically invest - primarily community and neighborhood shopping centers - provides a more stable revenue flow in uncertain economic times, because consumers still need to purchase basic living essentials such as food and soft goods.  However, general economic downturns, or economic downturns in one or more markets in which we own properties, still may adversely impact the ability of our tenants to make lease payments and our ability to re-lease space on favorable terms as leases expire.  In either of these instances, our cash flow would be adversely affected.  We are not currently aware of any pending tenant bankruptcies that are likely to materially affect our rental revenues.

 

The current economic downturn in the United States has had an adverse effect on our performance thus far. A continuation of the current downturn would continue to negatively impact our operating results in 2003.  The extent of such impact is dependent upon the magnitude and length of the downturn.

 

Our current redevelopment pipeline is comprised of 29 redevelopment projects, including 26 community and neighborhood shopping centers and three outparcels, the aggregate cost of which (including costs incurred in prior years on these projects) is expected to be approximately $113.4 million, which we intend on financing through draws on the Fleet Revolving Facility.

 

We regularly incur significant expenditures in connection with the re-leasing of our retail space, principally in the form of tenant improvements and leasing commissions.  The amounts of these expenditures can vary significantly, depending on negotiations with tenants and the willingness of tenants to pay higher base rents over the life of the leases.  We also incur expenditures for certain recurring capital expenses.  We expect to pay for re-leasing and recurring capital expenditures out of cash from operations.

 

We have established a stock repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $75 million of our outstanding common stock through periodic open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.  As of September 30, 2003, we had repurchased approximately 2,150,000 shares of common stock under this program at an average purchase price of $15.30 per share.  In light of the current trading price of our common stock, we do not anticipate effecting additional stock repurchases in the near future, although we could reevaluate this determination at any time based on market conditions.

 

We have also established a repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $125 million of our outstanding preferred stock and public debt through periodic open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.  As of September 30, 2003, no purchases had been made under this program.

 

The current quarterly dividend on our common stock is $0.4125 per share.  We also pay regular quarterly dividends on our preferred stock.  The maintenance of these dividends is subject to various factors, including the discretion of our Board of Directors, our ability to pay dividends under Maryland law, the availability of cash to make the necessary dividend payments and the effect of REIT distribution requirements, which require at least 90% of our taxable income to be distributed to stockholders.  We also make regular quarterly distributions on units in a partnership that we control.

 

In addition, under the Fleet Revolving Facility and the Fleet Secured Term Loan, we are restricted from paying common stock dividends that would exceed 95% of our Funds from Operations (as defined in the applicable debt agreement) during any four-quarter period.

 

33



 

Long-Term Liquidity Needs

 

Our long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for the principal amount of our long-term debt as it matures, significant non-recurring capital expenditures that need to be made periodically at our properties, redevelopment projects that we undertake at our properties and the costs associated with acquisitions of properties that we pursue.  Historically, we have satisfied these requirements principally through the most advantageous source of capital at the time, which has included the incurrence of new debt through borrowings (through public offerings of unsecured debt and private incurrence of secured and unsecured debt), sales of common and preferred stock, capital raised through the disposition of assets, repayment by third parties of notes receivable and joint venture capital transactions.  We believe that these sources of capital will continue to be available in the future to fund our long-term capital needs; however, there are certain factors that may have a material adverse effect on our ability to access these capital sources.

 

Our ability to incur additional debt is dependent upon a number of factors, including our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets, our credit rating and borrowing restrictions imposed by existing lenders.  Currently, we have investment grade credit ratings for prospective unsecured debt offerings from two major rating agencies - Standard & Poor’s (BBB) and Moody’s Investor Service (Baa2).  A downgrade in outlook or rating by a rating agency can occur at any time if the agency perceives an adverse change in our financial condition, results of operations or ability to service debt.  If such a downgrade occurs, it would increase the interest rate currently payable under our existing credit facilities, it likely would increase the costs associated with obtaining future financing, and it potentially could adversely affect our ability to obtain future financing.

 

Our ability to raise funds through sales of common stock and preferred stock is dependent on, among other things, general market conditions for REITs, market perceptions about our company and the current trading price of our stock.  We will continue to analyze which source of capital is most advantageous to us at any particular point in time, but the equity markets may not be consistently available on attractive terms.

 

We have selectively effected asset sales to generate cash proceeds over the last two years.  In particular, in December 2002 we completed the Factory Outlet Disposition and generated gross proceeds of approximately $193 million.  During the first nine months of 2003 and during the 2002 fiscal year, we also sold other assets and ownership interests and generated proceeds from certain of our joint venture projects and notes receivable that raised an additional $105.4 million and $364.6 million in gross proceeds, respectively.  Our ability to generate cash from asset sales is limited by market conditions and certain rules applicable to REITs.  Our ability to sell properties in the future in order to raise cash will necessarily be limited if market conditions make such sales unattractive.

 

The following table summarizes all of our long-term contractual cash obligations, excluding interest, to pay third parties as of September 30, 2003 (based on a calendar year, in thousands):

 

Contractual Cash
Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than 
1 year

 

1 - 3
years

 

3 - 5
years

 

More than
5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt (1)

 

$

1,682,290

 

$

59,153

 

$

426,351

 

$

437,916

 

$

758,870

 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

28,640

 

78

 

406

 

734

 

27,422

 

Operating Leases

 

18,021

 

922

 

2,680

 

1,376

 

13,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,728,951

 

$

60,153

 

$

429,437

 

$

440,026

 

$

799,335

 

 


(1)     Long-term debt includes scheduled amortization and scheduled maturities for mortgage loans, notes payable and credit facilities.

 

34



 

In January 2003, we repaid $28.3 million of “Notes payable, other” with deposits held in escrow.  On March 3, 2003, we repaid $110.5 million of mortgage indebtedness that was to mature in July 2003 through borrowings under the Fleet Revolving Facility.  On April 21, 2003, we completed the Preferred Stock Offering.  Our net proceeds from the Preferred Stock Offering were approximately $193 million, approximately $158 million of which were used to complete the Series B Preferred Stock Redemption.  The remaining proceeds from the Preferred Stock Offering were used to repay a portion of the balance outstanding under the Fleet Revolving Facility.  On May 19, 2003, we completed the Convertible Debt Offering.  On June 10, 2003, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full and purchased an additional $15 million aggregate principal amount of the notes offered in the Convertible Debt Offering.  Our net proceeds from the Convertible Debt Offering were approximately $112 million and were used to repay a portion of the balance outstanding under the Fleet Revolving Facility.  On September 29, 2003, we entered into the Fleet Secured Term Loan, refinancing the Fleet Unsecured Term Loan.  The remainder of the balance outstanding under the Fleet Unsecured Term Loan was repaid through a draw under the Fleet Revolving Facility.

 

We intend to repay $49 million and $75 million of notes issued under our medium term notes program which mature in November 2003 and October 2004, respectively, either through draws under the Fleet Revolving Facility or from the proceeds generated through the issuance of public or private secured or unsecured debt, or a combination thereof.  We anticipate repaying the balance of the 2003 and 2004 long-term debt obligations, which consist of scheduled amortization, through draws under the Fleet Revolving Facility.

 

The following table summarizes our obligations under our existing credit facilities:

 

Loan

 

Amount Available
to be Drawn
(in thousands)

 

Amount Drawn as of
September 30, 2003
(in thousands)

 

Current Interest
Rate (1)

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet Secured Term Loan

 

$

100,000

(2)

$

100,000

 

LIBOR plus 125 bp

 

September 2006

 

Fleet Revolving Facility

 

350,000

 

136,000

 

LIBOR plus 105 bp

 

April 2005

 

Total

 

$

450,000

 

$

236,000

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)     We incur interest using a 30-day LIBOR rate, which was 1.12% at September 30, 2003.

(2)     Under certain circumstances, the amount available to be drawn under this facility may be increased to $150 million.

 

The Fleet Revolving Facility and the Fleet Secured Term Loan require that we maintain certain financial coverage ratios.  These coverage ratios currently include:

 

                  net operating income of unencumbered assets to interest on unsecured debt ratio of at least 2:1

                  EBITDA to fixed charges ratio of at least 1.75:1

                  minimum tangible net worth of approximately $1.3 billion

                  total debt to total adjusted assets of no more than 57.5%

                  total secured debt to total adjusted assets of no more than 40%

                  unsecured debt to unencumbered assets value ratio of no more than 55%

                  book value of ancillary assets to total adjusted assets of no more than 25%

                  book value of new construction assets to total adjusted assets of no more than 15%

                  Funds from Operations (as defined in the applicable debt agreement) payout ratio no greater than 95%

 

Under the terms of each of the Fleet Secured Term Loan and the Fleet Revolving Facility, the respective covenants will be modified to be consistent with any more restrictive covenant contained in any other existing or new senior unsecured credit facility that we enter into.  The Fleet Secured Term Loan also contains certain financial covenants relating to the operating performance of certain properties that collateralize the Fleet Secured Term Loan.

 

35



 

We have also issued approximately $899 million of indebtedness under four public indentures.  These indentures also contain covenants that require us to maintain certain financial coverage ratios.  These covenants are generally less onerous than the covenants contained in our senior unsecured credit facilities, as described above.

 

As of September 30, 2003, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants under our existing credit facilities and public indentures, and we believe that we will continue to remain in compliance with these covenants.  However, if our properties do not perform as expected, or if unexpected events occur that require us to borrow additional funds, compliance with these covenants may become difficult and may restrict our ability to pursue certain business initiatives.  In addition, these financial covenants may restrict our ability to pursue particular acquisition transactions (for example, acquiring a portfolio of properties that is highly leveraged) and could significantly impact our ability to pursue growth initiatives.

 

In addition to our existing credit facilities and public indebtedness, we had approximately $565.2 million of mortgage debt outstanding as of September 30, 2003, having a weighted average interest rate of 7.6% per annum, and $898.1 million of notes payable with a weighted average interest rate of 6.5% per annum.

 

Joint Ventures

 

In a few cases, we have made commitments to provide funds to joint ventures under certain circumstances.  The liabilities associated with these joint ventures do not show up as liabilities on our consolidated financial statements.

 

The following is a brief summary of the joint venture obligations that we had as of September 30, 2003:

 

      Arapahoe Crossings, LP.  On September 30, 2003, a U.S. partnership comprised substantially of foreign investors purchased a 70% interest in Arapahoe Crossings, reducing our ownership interest from 100% to 30%.  Under the terms of this joint venture, we have agreed to contribute our pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, we do not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  As of September 30, 2003, the joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $50.0 million and the book value of our investment in Arapahoe Crossings, LP was approximately $6.9 million.

 

      Benbrooke Ventures.  We have an investment in a joint venture which owns two shopping centers located in Dover, Delaware and Fruitland, Maryland.  Under the terms of this joint venture, we have a 50% interest in the venture; however, we have agreed to contribute 80% of any capital required by the joint venture.  We do not, however, expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  As of September 30, 2003, the book value of our investment in Benbrooke Ventures was approximately $8.1 million.

 

      CA New Plan Venture Fund.  In connection with the CenterAmerica Acquisition, we assumed obligations under a joint venture agreement with a third-party institutional investor.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $89.9 million as of September 30, 2003.  Under the terms of this joint venture, we have a 10% interest in the venture, and are responsible for contributing our pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture, up to a maximum amount of $8.3 million, of which approximately $5.2 million had been contributed by us as of September 30, 2003.  We may contribute the remaining $3.1 million during the remainder of 2003.  As of September 30, 2003, the book value of our investment in CA New Plan Venture Fund was approximately $6.1 million.

 

36



 

      Clearwater Mall, LLC.  In October 2002, we contributed our Clearwater Mall property to this joint venture, which is currently redeveloping the property.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $26.1 million as of September 30, 2003.  Under the terms of this joint venture we have a 50% interest in the venture; however, we have agreed to contribute 75% of any capital that might be required by the joint venture.  We do not, however, expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  As of September 30, 2003, the book value of our investment in the Clearwater Mall, LLC was approximately $4.2 million.

 

      Preston Ridge Joint Venture.  We have investments in various joint ventures that own two community shopping centers (The Centre at Preston Ridge and The Market at Preston Ridge) and undeveloped land in Frisco, Texas.  As of September 30, 2003, the aggregate book value of our investment in these joint ventures was approximately $9.6 million.

 

                  The Centre at Preston Ridge.  Under the terms of this joint venture, we have a 25% interest in the venture that owns The Centre at Preston Ridge.  Our ownership interest was reduced to 25% from 50% on November 25, 2002 when a U.S. partnership comprised substantially of foreign investors purchased a 70% interest in the joint venture.  We have agreed to contribute our pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, we do not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of approximately $70.0 million as of September 30, 2003.

 

                  The Market at Preston Ridge.  We have a 50% interest in a joint venture that owns The Market at Preston Ridge.  We have agreed to contribute our pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, we do not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  The joint venture had loans outstanding of $3.8 million as of September 30, 2003.

 

                  Undeveloped land parcels.  We have a 50% interest in a joint venture that owns approximately 38.6 acres of undeveloped land in Frisco, Texas.  We have agreed to contribute our pro rata share of any capital that might be required by the joint venture; however, we do not expect that any significant capital contributions will be required.  As of September 30, 2003, the joint venture had a mortgage loan outstanding of approximately $3.0 million, payable to us.

 

Other Funding Obligations

 

In addition to the joint venture obligations described above, we also had the following contingent contractual obligations as of September 30, 2003, none of which we believe will materially adversely affect us:

 

      Non-Recourse Debt Guarantees.  Under certain of our non-recourse loans and those of our joint ventures, we could, under certain circumstances, be responsible for portions of the mortgage indebtedness in connection with certain customary non-recourse carve out provisions such as environmental conditions, misuse of funds and material misrepresentations.  As of September 30, 2003, we had mortgage loans outstanding of approximately $565.2 million and our joint ventures had mortgage loans outstanding of approximately $239.8 million.

 

37



 

      Leasing Commitments.   We have entered into leases, as lessee, in connection with ground leases for shopping centers which we operate, an office building which we sublet, and our administrative space.  These leases are accounted for as operating leases.  The minimum annual rental commitments for these leases during the next five fiscal years and thereafter are approximately as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

 

 

 

 

2003 (remaining three months)

 

$

922

 

2004

 

1,356

 

2005

 

1,324

 

2006

 

833

 

2007

 

543

 

Thereafter

 

13,043

 

 

For a discussion of other factors which may adversely affect our liquidity and capital resources, please see the section titled “Risk Factors” in Item I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Inflation

 

The majority of our leases contain provisions designed to mitigate the adverse impact of inflation.  Such provisions include clauses enabling us to receive percentage rents which generally increase as prices rise but may be adversely impacted by tenant sales decreases, and/or escalation clauses which are typically related to increases in the consumer price index or similar inflation indices.  In addition, we believe that many of our existing lease rates are below current market levels for comparable space and that upon renewal or re-rental such rates may be increased to or get closer to current market rates.  This belief is based upon an analysis of relevant market conditions, including a comparison of comparable market rental rates, and upon the fact that many of such leases have been in place for a number of years and may not contain escalation clauses sufficient to match the increase in market rental rates over such time.  Most of our leases require the tenant to pay its share of operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance, thereby reducing our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation.  In addition, we periodically evaluate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, and may enter into interest rate protection agreements which mitigate, but do not eliminate, the effect of changes in interest rates on our floating rate loans.

 

In the normal course of business, we also face risks that are either non-financial or non-qualitative.  Such risks principally include credit risks and legal risks.

 

Item 3.                                   QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

As of September 30, 2003, we had approximately $10.8 million of outstanding floating rate mortgages.  We also had approximately $236.0 million outstanding under floating rate credit facilities.  We do not believe that the interest rate risk represented by our floating rate debt is material as of September 30, 2003, in relation to our $1.7 billion of outstanding total debt, our $3.5 billion of total assets and our $4.3 billion total market capitalization as of that date.  In addition, as discussed below, we have converted $50.0 million of fixed rate borrowings to floating rate borrowings through the use of a hedging agreement.

 

 We have entered into a hedging agreement - a reverse arrears swap agreement under which we will receive the difference between the fixed rate of the swap, 4.357%, and the floating rate option, which is the six-month LIBOR rate, in arrears.  Hedging agreements expose us to the risk that the counterparties to these agreements may not perform, which could increase our exposure to rising interest rates.  Generally, the counterparties to hedging agreements that we enter into are major financial institutions.  We may borrow additional money with floating interest rates in the future.  Increases in interest rates, or the loss of the benefit of existing or future hedging

 

38



 

agreements, would increase our expense, which would adversely affect cash flow and our ability to service our debt.  Future increases in interest rates will increase our interest expense as compared to the fixed rate debt underlying our hedging agreements and we could be required to make payments to unwind such agreements.

 

If market rates of interest on our variable rate debt increase by 1%, the increase in annual interest expense on our variable rate debt would decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $3.0 million.  If market rates of interest on our variable rate debt decrease by 1%, the decrease in interest expense on our variable rate debt would increase future earnings and cash flows by approximately $3.0 million.  This assumes that the amount outstanding under our variable rate debt remains at approximately $296.8 million (including the $50.0 million reverse arrears swap), the balance as of September 30, 2003.  If market rates of interest increase by 1%, the fair value of our total outstanding debt would decrease by approximately $17.3 million.  If market rates of interest decrease by 1%, the fair value of our total outstanding debt would increase by approximately $17.3 million. This assumes that our total outstanding debt remains at $1.7 billion, the balance as of September 30, 2003.

 

As of September 30, 2003, we had no material exposure to market risk (including foreign currency exchange risk, commodity price risk or equity price risk).

 

Item 4.                                   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

39



 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6.

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2003, by and among the Company, Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Secured Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2003, by and among the Company, Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

Guaranty, dated as of September 29, 2003, by and among New Plan Realty Trust, Excel Realty Trust - ST, Inc., New Plan Factory Malls, Inc., CA New Plan Asset Partnership IV, L.P., Excel Realty Trust-NC, NP of Tennessee, L.P., Pointe Orlando Development Company, CA New Plan Floating Rate Partnership, L.P., HK New Plan Exchange Property Owner I, LLC, New Plan of Illinois, LLC, New Plan Property Holding Company and Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent (Secured Term Loan Agreement).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.1

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

 

During the period covered by this report the Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form 8-K filed on July 21, 2003, containing Item 5, Other Events disclosure regarding the establishment by the Company of a standby equity distribution program with BNY Capital Markets, Inc. pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell from time to time up to $50 million of common stock in “at the market” transactions.

 

40



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 7, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW PLAN EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Glenn J. Rufrano

 

 

 

Glenn J. Rufrano

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John B. Roche

 

 

 

John B. Roche

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and

 

 

Executive Vice President

 

41