Expenses
Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2011 increased by $165 thousand, or 21%, as compared to the prior year period. The net increase in total operating expenses was primarily due to a $150 thousand increase in railcar maintenance costs and a $23 thousand increase in depreciation expense.
Railcar maintenance cost was higher as a result of a period over period increase in the number of railcars in service; and, depreciation expense increased largely due to capitalized drydock costs associated with the Fund’s marine vessel offset, in part, by continued run-off of the lease asset portfolio.
The nine months ended September 30, 2011 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2010
The Company had net income of $1.5 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The results for the first nine months of 2011 reflect increases in total revenues and total operating expenses when compared to the prior year period.
Revenues
Total revenues for the first nine months of 2011 increased by $278 thousand, or 6%, as compared to the prior year period. The growth in total revenues was largely due to increases in gain on sales of assets and in operating lease revenues totaling $223 thousand and $66 thousand, respectively.
The period over period increase in gains recognized on sales of lease assets reflects a higher number and change in the mix of assets sold.
Operating lease revenues increased primarily as the prior year period rental income was unfavorably impacted by the termination of certain railcar leases in July 2010. Such leases were subsequently renewed during the fourth quarter of 2010. In addition, operating lease revenues increased due to an increase in usage-based rental revenues relative to railcars and containers. These were partially offset by the drydock status of the Fund’s marine vessel during the first quarter of 2011 and continued run-off and sales of lease assets.
Expenses
Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2011 increased by $92 thousand, or 3%, as compared to the prior year period. The net increase in total operating expenses was primarily due to increases in railcar maintenance costs and depreciation expense offset, in part, by decreases in other expense and professional fees.
The increase in railcar maintenance costs totaled $242 thousand and was largely due to an increase in the number of railcars in service. Depreciation expense increased by $30 thousand largely due to capitalized drydock costs associated with the Fund’s marine vessel offset, in part, by continued run-off and sales of lease assets.
Partially offsetting the aforementioned increases in expenses were reductions in other expense and professional fees totaling $71 thousand and $51 thousand, respectively. The decrease in other expense was largely attributable to lower railcar storage fees as more railcars were in service during the current year period; and professional fees decreased primarily as a result of decreases in audit, legal and tax preparation fees.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $3.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The liquidity of the Company varies, increasing to the extent that cash flows from leases and proceeds of asset sales exceed expenses and decreasing as lease assets are acquired, as distributions are made to the Other Members and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.
The primary source of liquidity for the Company is its cash flow from leasing activities. As initial lease terms expire, the Company re-leases or sells the equipment. The future liquidity beyond the contractual minimum rentals will depend on the Company’s success in remarketing or selling the equipment as it comes off rental.
In a normal economy, if inflation in the general economy becomes significant, it may affect the Company in as much as the residual (resale) values and rates on re-leases of the Company’s leased assets may increase as the costs of similar assets increase. However, the Company’s revenues from existing leases would not increase; as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases without adjustment for inflation. In addition, if interest rates increase