Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration File No. 333-128816
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 001-32564
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
Maryland | | 75-3152779 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| |
1650 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1600, McLean, VA | | 22102 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(703) 714-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
Former name, former aliases and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not applicable
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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Large Accelerated Filer ¨ Accelerated Filer ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of May 10, 2006, 25,687,035 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value per share) were outstanding.
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, statements relating to the performance of the investments of JER Investors Trust Inc. (the “Company”) and the Company’s financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company’s actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
| • | | changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate and bond markets specifically; |
| • | | legislative and regulatory changes (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts); |
| • | | availability of capital to the Company; |
| • | | the Company’s ability to obtain future financing arrangements; |
| • | | changes in interest rates and interest rate spreads; |
| • | | changes in generally accepted accounting principles or interpretations thereof; |
| • | | policies and rules applicable to REITs; |
| • | | application and interpretation of the rules and regulations of the Investment Company Act; and |
| • | | other factors as may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s public announcements and Securities and Exchange Commission filings. |
When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this quarterly report and in other reports of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views as of the date of this quarterly report.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company is under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report to conform these statements to actual results.
3
Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Interim Financial Statements |
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2006 | | | December 31, 2005 | |
| | (unaudited) | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 100,929 | | | $ | 151,814 | |
CMBS, at fair value | | | 469,684 | | | | 416,864 | |
Real estate loans | | | 68,528 | | | | 81,696 | |
Accrued interest receivable | | | 4,259 | | | | 4,011 | |
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value | | | 2,806 | | | | — | |
Other assets | | | 4,457 | | | | 4,791 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 650,663 | | | $ | 659,176 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Loans and Notes Payable | | $ | 266,255 | | | $ | 266,255 | |
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value | | | — | | | | 646 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 682 | | | | 486 | |
Dividends payable | | | 8,477 | | | | 8,477 | |
Due to affiliate | | | 774 | | | | 1,550 | |
Other liabilities | | | 1,157 | | | | 1,192 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 277,345 | | | | 278,606 | |
| | |
Stockholders’ Equity: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 25,687,035 and 11,845,010 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | | | 257 | | | | 257 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 391,576 | | | | 391,553 | |
Cumulative dividends paid/declared | | | (31,175 | ) | | | (22,698 | ) |
Cumulative earnings | | | 20,146 | | | | 13,661 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | | (7,486 | ) | | | (2,203 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | | 373,318 | | | | 380,570 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 650,663 | | | $ | 659,176 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
4
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 |
REVENUES | | | | | | | |
Interest income from CMBS | | $ | 9,354 | | | $ | 3,507 |
Interest income from real estate loans | | | 3,062 | | | | 1,515 |
Interest income from cash and cash equivalents | | | 1,667 | | | | 4 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Revenues | | | 14,083 | | | | 5,026 |
| | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | 3,973 | | | | 486 |
Management fees | | | 1,921 | | | | 808 |
General and administrative | | | 1,394 | | | | 1,012 |
| | | | | | | |
Total Expenses | | | 7,288 | | | | 2,306 |
| | |
INCOME BEFORE OTHER GAINS (LOSSES) | | | 6,795 | | | | 2,720 |
| | |
OTHER GAINS (LOSSES) | | | | | | | |
Gain on sales of assets, net | | | — | | | | 169 |
Loss on impairment of assets | | | (310 | ) | | | — |
| | | | | | | |
NET INCOME | | $ | 6,485 | | | $ | 2,889 |
| | | | | | | |
Net earnings per share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.25 | | | $ | 0.25 |
| | | | | | | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.25 | | | $ | 0.25 |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 25,682,035 | | | | 11,672,510 |
| | | | | | | |
Diluted | | | 25,684,529 | | | | 11,676,260 |
| | | | | | | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | 0.33 | | | | — |
| | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
5
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Cumulative Dividends Paid/Declared | | | Cumulative Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | Total | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2005 | | 25,687 | | $ | 257 | | $ | 391,553 | | $ | (22,698 | ) | | $ | 13,661 | | $ | (2,203 | ) | | $ | 380,570 | |
| | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6,485 | | | | | | | 6,485 | |
Fair value adjustment for effective cash flow hedges, net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,441 | | | | 3,441 | |
Unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (8,724 | ) | | | (8,724 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,202 | |
Dividends to stockholders | | | | | | | | | | | (8,477 | ) | | | | | | | | | | (8,477 | ) |
Amortization of unearned compensation | | | | | | | | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2006 | | 25,687 | | $ | 257 | | $ | 391,576 | | $ | (31,175 | ) | | $ | 20,146 | | $ | (7,486 | ) | | $ | 373,318 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
6
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 6,485 | | | $ | 2,889 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Amortization/Accretion | | | 179 | | | | 81 | |
Impairment—CMBS | | | 310 | | | | — | |
Capitalized interest on loans | | | (986 | ) | | | — | |
Compensation expense related to stock awards | | | 23 | | | | 19 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Increase in other assets | | | 84 | | | | (900 | ) |
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | (615 | ) | | | 818 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 5,480 | | | | 2,907 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of CMBS | | | (62,021 | ) | | | (38,092 | ) |
Purchase/origination of real estate loans | | | — | | | | (50,740 | ) |
Proceeds from sale/repayment of real estate loans | | | 14,133 | | | | 16,892 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (47,888 | ) | | | (71,940 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid | | | (8,477 | ) | | | — | |
Proceeds from borrowings | | | — | | | | 90,908 | |
Repayment of debt | | | — | | | | (21,411 | ) |
Payment of financing costs | | | — | | | | (100 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | (8,477 | ) | | | 69,397 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | (50,885 | ) | | | 364 | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 151,814 | | | | 1,177 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 100,929 | | | $ | 1,541 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 4,322 | | | $ | 441 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared | | $ | 8,477 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
7
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JER Investors Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), was formed on April 19, 2004 for the purpose of acquiring and originating a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate structured finance investments. References herein to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to JER Investors Trust Inc. unless the context specifically requires otherwise.
The Company is organized and conducts its operations to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes. Additionally, management believes that the Company conducts its operations so as not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Investment Company Act exempts from its registration requirements entities that, directly or through majority-owned subsidiaries, are primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring “mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” This exemption generally requires the Company to maintain at least 55% of its assets in qualifying real estate assets and at least 80% of its assets in qualifying real estate assets and real estate related assets.
Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, the business of the Company is managed by JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC (the “Manager”). The consolidated financial statements of JER Investors Trust Inc. include the accounts of the Company, three wholly-owned subsidiaries created in connection with the pricing of a collateralized debt obligation, two wholly-owned subsidiaries established for financing purposes and the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). There are no balances or activities in the financing subsidiaries or the TRS.
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Any intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The financial information presented as of March 31, 2006 has been prepared from the books and records without audit. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2006 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.
Income Taxes
As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and stock ownership tests are met. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, it would be subject to federal income tax, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and amounts available for distributions to its stockholders. Any activity in the TRS will be subject to future income taxes.
Dividends to Stockholders
In order for corporate income tax not to apply to the earnings that the Company distributes, the Company must distribute to its stockholders an amount at least equal to (i) 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined
8
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain), plus (ii) 90% of the excess of its net income from foreclosure property (as defined in Section 856(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) over the tax imposed on such income by the Internal Revenue Code, less (iii) any excess non-cash income (as determined under the Internal Revenue Code). The Company is subject to income tax on income that is not distributed, and to an excise tax to the extent that certain percentages of its income are not distributed by specified dates. The actual amount and timing of distributions is at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors, and depends upon various factors. Dividends to stockholders are recorded on the declaration date.
Earnings Per Share
The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128 “Earnings per Share.” Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated using income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is similar to Basic EPS except that the weighted average of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been exercised. The dilutive effect of 5,000 shares of non-vested restricted stock has been excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The dilutive effect of 172,500 shares with contingent features has been excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares:
| | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
| | 2006 | | 2005 |
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares | | 25,682,035 | | 11,672,510 |
Dilutive Potential Common Shares | | | | |
Restricted Shares | | 2,494 | | 3,750 |
| | | | |
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares | | 25,684,529 | | 11,676,260 |
| | | | |
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s other comprehensive income is comprised primarily of unrealized gains and losses on securities categorized as available-for-sale and from net unrealized gains and losses on certain derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. During three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company reclassified approximately $11,000 from equity to interest expense related to cash flow hedges. Total comprehensive income at March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $1.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Interest income on loans and securities investments is recognized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Mortgage loans will generally be originated or purchased at or near par value and interest income will be recognized based on the contractual terms of the debt instrument. Any loan fees or acquisition costs on originated loans will be deferred and recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Any exit fees received from prepayments of loans are recognized in the current period and included in interest income. Interest income on commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) is recognized on the effective interest method as required by Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 99-20 “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.”
Under EITF 99-20, management estimates, at the time of purchase, the future expected cash flows and determines the effective interest rate based on these estimated cash flows and the Company’s purchase prices.
9
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Subsequent to the purchase and on a quarterly basis, these estimated cash flows are updated and a revised yield is calculated based on the current amortized cost of the investment. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal payments (including prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass through or coupon rate, and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans, and the timing of and magnitude of credit losses on the mortgage loans underlying the securities have to be judgmentally estimated. These uncertainties and contingencies are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may impact management’s estimates and the Company’s interest income.
When current period cash flow estimates are lower than the previous period and fair value is less than an asset’s carrying value, the Company will write down the asset to fair market value and record the impairment charge in current period earnings. After taking into account the effect of the impairment charge, income is recognized using the market yield for the security used in establishing the write-down.
Loan Loss Provisions
The Company purchases and originates commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans to be held as long-term investments. The loans are evaluated for possible impairment on a quarterly basis. Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Upon determination of impairment, the Company will establish a reserve for loan losses and a corresponding charge to earnings through the provision for loan losses. Significant judgments are required in determining impairment, which includes making assumptions regarding the value of the loan and the value of the real estate or partnership interests that secure the loan.
Derivative Activities
The Company accounts for derivative and hedging activities using SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 148, which requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet.
The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction and how ineffectiveness of the hedging instrument, if any, will be measured. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2006, the Company has an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge, as further described in Footnote 7. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. To the extent hedges are effective, a corresponding amount, adjusted for swap payments, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded in the income statement. The Company periodically reviews the effectiveness of each hedging transaction, which involves estimating future cash flows, at least quarterly as required by the standard. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, will be considered fair value hedges under SFAS 133. The Company currently has no fair value hedges outstanding.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair-value based
10
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. Compensation expense related to grants of stock, stock options and other equity instruments is recognized over the vesting period of such grants and is based on the estimated fair value on the grant date.
Securities Valuation
The Company accounts for CMBS in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” The Company classifies its CMBS investments as available-for-sale because the Company may dispose of them prior to maturity in response to changes in the market, liquidity needs or other events even though it does not hold the securities for the purpose of selling them in the near term.
The fair value of CMBS investments is determined by management based on discounted cash flow models which utilize prepayment and loss assumptions based upon historical experience, economic factors and the characteristics of the underlying cash flows. Management determines the applicable discount rates based on current credit spreads as reflected in comparable deals purchased in the marketplace and market interest rates. In addition, management substantiates its fair value estimates with information from dealers who make markets in these securities. The determination of future cash flows and the appropriate discount rate is inherently subjective and actual results may vary from management’s estimates.
Any unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale which are determined to be temporary do not affect the Company’s reported income or cash flows, but are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity and, accordingly, affect book value per share. The Company must also assess whether unrealized losses on securities indicate impairment, which would result in writing down the security to its fair value, through earnings. The Company follows impairment guidance of EITF 99-20 in assessing potential impairment of its CMBS investments. This will create a new carrying basis for the security and a revised yield will be calculated based on the future estimated cash flows as described above underRevenue Recognition.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits, and money market funds with an original maturity of 90 days or less when purchased. Carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of the investments.
Variable Interest Entities
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a revised version of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46R”). FIN 46R addresses the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which voting rights are not effective in identifying an investor with a controlling financial interest. An entity is subject to consolidation under FIN 46R if the investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities, or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”). Variable interest entities within the scope of FIN 46R are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is determined to be the party that absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, its expected returns, or both.
The Company’s ownership of the subordinated classes of CMBS from a single issuer gives it the right to control the foreclosure/workout process on the underlying loans (“Controlling Class CMBS”). FIN 46R has certain scope exceptions, one of which provides that an enterprise that holds a variable interest in a qualifying
11
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
special-purpose entity (“QSPE”) does not consolidate that entity unless that enterprise has the unilateral ability to cause the entity to liquidate. SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” provides the requirements for an entity to be considered a QSPE. To maintain the QSPE exception, the trust must continue to meet the QSPE criteria both initially and in subsequent periods. A trust’s QSPE status can be impacted in future periods by activities by its transferor(s) or other involved parties, including the manner in which certain servicing activities are performed. To the extent its CMBS investments were issued by a trust that meets the requirements to be considered a QSPE, the Company records the investments at the purchase price paid. To the extent the underlying trusts are not QSPEs, the Company follows the guidance set forth in FIN 46R as the trusts would be considered VIEs.
The Company has analyzed the governing pooling and servicing agreements for each of its Controlling Class CMBS and believes that the terms are industry standard and are consistent with the QSPE criteria. However, there is uncertainty with respect to QSPE treatment due to ongoing review by accounting standard setters, potential actions by various parties involved with the QSPE, as discussed above, as well as varying and evolving interpretations of the QSPE criteria under SFAS 140. Additionally, the standard setters continue to review the FIN 46R provisions related to the computations used to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Future guidance from the standard setters may require the Company to consolidate CMBS trusts in which the Company has invested.
The table below details information about our CMBS investments, including the purchase date, face amount of the Company’s CMBS investments, the face amount of the total respective issuance and the amortized cost of the Company’s CMBS investments as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS Trust | | Investment Date | | Face amount purchased | | Total Face amount of CMBS issuance | | Amortized Cost |
| | | | March 31, 2006 | | December 31, 2005 |
MACH One 2004-1 | | July 2004 | | $ | 50,637 | | $ | 643,261 | | $ | 18,490 | | $ | 18,492 |
CSFB 1998-C1 | | August 2004 | | | 12,500 | | | 2,482,942 | | | 9,157 | | | 9,107 |
CSFB 2004-C4 | | November 2004 | | | 52,976 | | | 1,138,077 | | | 22,550 | | | 22,539 |
MLMT 2004-BPC1 | | November 2004 | | | 76,986 | | | 1,242,650 | | | 26,549 | | | 26,551 |
JPMCC 2004-C3 | | December 2004 | | | 81,561 | | | 1,517,410 | | | 35,919 | | | 35,938 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC11 | | March 2005 | | | 70,035 | | | 1,800,969 | | | 34,088 | | | 34,405 |
BACM 2005 | | April 2005 | | | 84,663 | | | 2,322,091 | | | 41,837 | | | 41,872 |
LB UBS 2005-C2 | | April 2005 | | | 7,000 | | | 1,942,131 | | | 4,292 | | | 4,287 |
CSFB 2005-C2 | | May 2005 | | | 82,261 | | | 1,614,084 | | | 38,936 | | | 38,920 |
LB UBS 2005-C3 | | June 2005 | | | 39,335 | | | 2,060,632 | | | 19,878 | | | 19,908 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC12 | | July 2005 | | | 70,429 | | | 2,167,039 | | | 35,037 | | | 35,122 |
JPMCC 2005-LDP4 | | September 2005 | | | 90,352 | | | 2,677,075 | | | 48,837 | | | 48,846 |
MSCI 2005-IQ10 | | October 2005 | | | 55,274 | | | 1,546,863 | | | 30,786 | | | 30,793 |
MLMT 2005 CKI1 | | December 2005 | | | 96,066 | | | 3,073,749 | | | 52,149 | | | 52,203 |
MSC 2006 HQ8 | | March 2006 | | | 105,707 | | | 2,731,231 | | | 62,022 | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 975,782 | | $ | 28,960,204 | | $ | 480,527 | | $ | 418,983 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in these VIEs totaled $480.5 million and $419.0 million as March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.
The financing structures that the Company offers to its borrowers on certain of its loans involve the creation of entities that could be deemed VIEs and, therefore, could be subject to FIN 46R. Management has evaluated these entities and has concluded that none of them are VIEs that are subject to consolidation under FIN 46R.
12
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following is a summary of the Company’s CMBS by rating class as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of March 31, 2006 |
| | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized | | | Estimated Fair Value | | Weighted Average |
Security Description | | | Gains | | Losses | | | | Coupon | | | Yield | | | Term (yrs) |
Investment Grade (BBB) | | $ | 35,688 | | $ | — | | $ | (1,431 | ) | | $ | 34,257 | | 5.45 | % | | 6.12 | % | | 10.27 |
Non-Investment Grade (BB, B, NR) | | | 444,839 | | | 3,244 | | | (12,656 | ) | | | 435,427 | | 4.88 | % | | 9.12 | % | | 11.81 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total CMBS | | $ | 480,527 | | $ | 3,244 | | $ | (14,087 | ) | | $ | 469,684 | | 4.93 | % | | 8.90 | % | | 11.70 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | As of December 31, 2005 |
| | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized | | | Estimated Fair Value | | Weighted Average |
Security Description | | | Gains | | Losses | | | | Coupon | | | Yield | | | Term (yrs) |
Investment Grade (BBB) | | $ | 29,431 | | $ | — | | $ | (1,360 | ) | | $ | 28,071 | | 5.41 | % | | 6.04 | % | | 10.64 |
Non-Investment Grade (BB, B, NR) | | | 389,552 | | | 4,198 | | | (4,957 | ) | | | 388,793 | | 4.84 | % | | 9.10 | % | | 11.92 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total CMBS | | $ | 418,983 | | $ | 4,198 | | $ | (6,317 | ) | | $ | 416,864 | | 4.88 | % | | 8.89 | % | | 11.83 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The unrealized gains (losses) are primarily the result of changes in market interest rates and credit spreads subsequent to the purchase of a CMBS investment.
The following table sets forth the amortized cost, fair values and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
(In Thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2006 |
Security Description | | Amortized Cost | | Unrealized loss >12 months | | | Unrealized loss <12 months | | | Fair Value |
Investment Grade (BBB) | | $ | 35,688 | | $ | (616 | ) | | $ | (815 | ) | | $ | 34,257 |
Non-Investment Grade (BB, B, NR) | | | 368,585 | | | (286 | ) | | | (12,370 | ) | | | 355,929 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 404,273 | | $ | (902 | ) | | $ | (13,185 | ) | | $ | 390,186 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | December 31, 2005 |
Security Description | | Amortized Cost | | Unrealized loss >12 months | | | Unrealized loss <12 months | | | Fair Value |
Investment Grade (BBB) | | $ | 29,431 | | $ | (629 | ) | | $ | (731 | ) | | $ | 28,071 |
Non-Investment Grade (BB, B, NR) | | | 260,713 | | | — | | | | (4,957 | ) | | | 255,756 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 290,144 | | $ | (629 | ) | | $ | (5,688 | ) | | $ | 283,827 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The unrealized losses result from the fair value of the securities falling below the amortized cost basis and are primarily the result of market factors other than credit impairment. The unrealized losses have been determined to be temporary and do not affect the Company’s net income. The Company expects to hold all the investments until their expected maturity.
13
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
At March 31, 2006, pursuant to EITF 99-20, the Company took an aggregate impairment charge to earnings totaling $0.3 million. This impairment charge relates to three separate securities issued in two separate CMBS trusts where, in each case, the cash flow projections of the securities in this current reporting period were estimated to be lower than the cash flow projections of the same securities in the prior reporting period and, at the same time, the fair values of the securities are less than the prior reporting period carrying values. The actual cash flows of the securities may be less than or greater than the cash flow projections of the securities in this current reporting period or the cash flow projections of the securities in the prior reporting period depending on final resolutions of the underlying loans and assets in the respective CMBS trusts.
As of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the mortgage loans in the underlying collateral pools for all CMBS were secured by properties of the types and at the locations identified below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location(1) | | March 31, 2006 | | | December 31, 2005 | | | Property Type(1) | | March 31, 2006 | | | December 31, 2005 | |
California | | 13.0 | % | | 12.8 | % | | Retail | | 34.2 | % | | 34.5 | % |
New York | | 9.5 | % | | 9.7 | % | | Office | | 26.5 | % | | 27.0 | % |
Texas | | 9.0 | % | | 9.0 | % | | Residential | | 18.0 | % | | 17.7 | % |
Florida | | 6.5 | % | | 6.4 | % | | Hospitality | | 6.8 | % | | 6.1 | % |
Other(2) | | 58.2 | % | | 57.7 | % | | Industrial | | 4.2 | % | | 3.8 | % |
Re-REMIC(3) | | 3.8 | % | | 4.4 | % | | Other(2) | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | Re-REMIC(3) | | 3.8 | % | | 4.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Total | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Percentages are based on the unpaid principal balance of the underlying loans. |
(2) | No other individual state or property type comprises more than 4.0% of the total. |
(3) | The Company’s investment in a Re-REMIC backed by CMBS from 41 previous conduit securitizations is not included in the above categories due to the stratification information on the original loan collateral not being meaningful. |
The non-investment grade and unrated tranches of the CMBS owned by the Company provide credit support to the more senior classes of the related commercial securitizations. Cash flow from the underlying mortgages generally is allocated first to the senior tranches, with the most senior tranches having a priority right to the cash flow. Any remaining cash flow is allocated, generally, among the other tranches in order of their relative seniority. To the extent there are defaults and unrecoverable losses on the underlying mortgages resulting in reduced cash flows, the remaining CMBS classes will bear such losses in order of their relative subordination.
For the period ending March 31, 2006, the Company invested $62.3 million, prior to closing credits, in CMBS bonds in a newly-issued conduit transaction. The CMBS bonds are rated BBB- and below with yields ranging from 6.5% to 12.8%.
14
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, our real estate loans consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of March 31, 2006 |
Description | | Carrying Value | | Weighted Average Interest Rate | | | Range of Initial Maturity Dates |
Mezzanine loans | | $ | 68,528 | | 16.13 | % | | July 2006 - October 2007 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total real estate loans | | $ | 68,528 | | 16.13 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| | As of December 31, 2005 |
Description | | Carrying Value | | Weighted Average Interest Rate | | | Range of Initial Maturity Dates |
Mezzanine loans | | $ | 81,696 | | 15.10 | % | | July 2006 - October 2007 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total real estate loans | | $ | 81,696 | | 15.10 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | |
For the period ending March 31, 2006, the Company received repayments of $14.1 million related to outstanding principal balances on a mezzanine loan investment.
The Company determines if its real estate loans should be accounted for as loans, real estate investments or equity method joint ventures in accordance with AICPA Practice Bulletin No. 1 on acquisition, development or construction (ADC) arrangements. To date, the Company has accounted for all of its arrangements as loans based on the guidance set forth in the Practice Bulletin.
5. | LOANS AND NOTES PAYABLE |
Collateralized Debt Obligations
In November 2005, the Company issued its first collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) through two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, JER CRE CDO 2005-1, Limited and JER CRE CDO 2005-1, LLC (collectively “CDO I”). CDO I is secured by a static pool of $418.7 million par value of fixed rate subordinate CMBS. CDO I issued privately placed notes totaling $275.6 million rated AAA through BBB- (“Investment Grade Bonds”). The Company retained a portion of the BBB- rated notes, all of the non-investment grade rated notes and all of the preferred shares. The Company has accounted for the CDO I transaction as a financing due to certain permitted activities of the CDO I trust that are not consistent with activities of a QSPE permitted under SFAS 140, such as having the ability to sell impaired securities and acquire replacement securities with the proceeds at the discretion of the collateral administrator. Accordingly, the CMBS assets that were transferred to the CDO I trust are reflected in the Company’s balance sheet and bonds issued to third parties are reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued by CDO I were used to purchase $52.2 million of CMBS bonds rated BB+ and below, of which portions of those bonds with a par value of $48.6 million are held as collateral in CDO I pursuant to the ramp facility within CDO I. The $370.1 million par value of remaining assets pledged as collateral in CDO I were contributed from our existing portfolio of CMBS. Two of the Investment Grade Bonds, totaling $119.2 million were issued with floating rate coupons with a weighted average rate of LIBOR plus 0.4%. The remaining Investment Grade Bonds totaling $147.0 million, net of the portion retained by the Company, were issued with fixed rate coupons with a weighted average rate of 6.0%. All of the Investment Grade Bonds
15
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
have a remaining expected average maturity of 9.4 years as of March 31, 2006. The Company incurred $4.4 million of issuance costs which are amortized on an effective yield basis over the life of CDO I.
Repurchase Agreements
The Company had a repurchase agreement in place with Banc of America Securities LLC and its affiliates providing for a maximum of $150 million in financing which matured on May 8, 2006. The repurchase agreement, which had a one-year extension option, subject to certain conditions, was not renewed. There were no amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 under this agreement.
The Company has considered an interpretation of GAAP relating to the treatment of transactions where investments acquired by the Company from a particular counterparty are simultaneously financed via a repurchase agreement with that same counterparty or an affiliate thereof. Currently, in such cases, the Company records such transactions as a sale of the investment to us and such related debt provided to us as a financing. An alternative interpretation of GAAP, however, concerns whether such investment should be treated as a derivative.
The Company has identified one investment in CMBS that was acquired in the second quarter ended June 30, 2005 from a counterparty (as part of a selling syndicate) that also provided financing for some of the classes of the same CMBS at the time of initial acquisition. While the Company continues to own most of this CMBS investment, all debt outstanding under the initial repurchase agreement provided by the counterparty was fully repaid during the third quarter ended September 30, 2005. If the Company recorded certain classes of this one CMBS investment as a derivative at the time of acquisition, changes in the fair value of such derivative would have affected net income in 2005. In addition, total assets and total liabilities would have been affected for the periods ended June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005.
Our understanding is that the issue is being considered for further technical guidance by the accounting standard setters. Future guidance may require the Company to adjust the accounting of the assets in which the Company has invested.
6. | FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
The Company presents its financial instruments at estimated fair value in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” which defines fair value as the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, in other than a forced sale or liquidation.
The fair values of the Company’s CMBS and interest rate swap agreements are based on management’s estimates and market pricing information provided by certain dealers who make markets in these financial instruments as further described in Footnotes 3 and 7, respectively. The fair values reported reflect estimates and may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. Real estate loans and repurchase agreements are floating rate instruments, and based on these terms, their carrying value approximates fair value. The fair value of CDO I debt related to the fixed notes is approximately $144 million, net of the portion retained by the Company. The fair value of CDO I floating rate debt approximates fair value.
7. | DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
In connection with the pricing of CDO I in October 2005, through JER CRE CDO 2005-1, Limited, the Company entered into an amortizing interest rate swap with an initial notional balance of approximately $110 million and a final maturity of June 2015. The amortizing interest rate swap hedges the interest rate risk exposure
16
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
on an amortizing principal amount of the investment-grade, floating-rate notes issued by the Company. This swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and is expected to be effective in hedging the risk of changes in ten years of interest cash outflows attributable to changes in the applicable USD-LIBOR swap rate over the term of the hedging relationship. Under the swap, the Company has agreed to pay the counterparty a fixed interest rate of 4.943% per annum in exchange for floating payments on the applicable notional amount. As of March 31, 2006, $3.5 million is reflected in other comprehensive income (loss) representing the change in value of the effective portion of the $110 million amortizing swap. Of the existing balances in other comprehensive income related to its cash flow derivatives, the Company estimates that approximately $0.1 million will be reclassified from other comprehensive income to earnings in the next twelve months.
In connection with the pricing of CDO I in October 2005, the Company effectively terminated or assigned for value $201 million notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding. The net proceeds from termination of $0.6 million were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and are being reclassified to interest expense over the life of CDO I based on the effective yield method. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, $11,310 has been reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) as a reduction to interest expense.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments contain credit risk to the extent that its bank counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. The Company minimizes such risk by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions with good credit ratings. Additionally, the potential risk of loss with any one party resulting from this type of credit risk is monitored.
8. | DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NET INCOME AND TAXABLE INCOME |
The differences between GAAP net income and taxable income are generally attributable to differing treatment, including timing related thereto, of unrealized/realized gains and losses associated with certain assets, the bases, income, impairment, and/or credit loss recognition related to certain assets, primarily CMBS, accounting for derivative instruments, and amortization of various costs. The distinction between GAAP net income and taxable income is important to the Company’s stockholders because dividends or distributions, if any, are declared and paid on the basis of annual estimates of taxable income or loss. The Company does not pay Federal income taxes on income that it distributes on a current basis, provided that it satisfies the requirements for qualification as a REIT pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. The Company calculates its taxable income or loss as if it were a regular domestic corporation. This taxable income or loss level determines the amount of dividends, if any, the Company is required to distribute over time in order to reduce or eliminate its tax liability pursuant to REIT requirements.
Income on CMBS investments is computed for GAAP purposes based upon a yield, which assumes credit losses will occur (See Footnote 2 –Revenue Recognition for further discussion.). The yield to compute the Company’s taxable income does not assume there would be credit losses, as a loss can only be deducted for tax purposes when it has occurred. Additionally, due diligence expenses incurred related to the acquisition of CMBS investments are required to be expensed for GAAP purposes but are included as a component of the cost basis of the asset and amortized for tax purposes. As a result of these two primary differences, the net difference between the tax and GAAP bases of the underlying CMBS assets was approximately $9.8 million and $7.1 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.
In June 2004, the Company sold 11,500,000 shares of its common stock through transactions that were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 144A, Regulation S and Regulation D (the “144A Offering”). Gross proceeds were $172.1 million. Net proceeds after deducting the
17
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
initial purchaser’s discount and other offering expenses were $160.1 million. In July 2005, the Company completed its initial public offering of 12,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $17.75 per share. In August 2005, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 1,832,025 shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount to cover over-allotments. The net proceeds to the Company on the sale of 12,000,000 shares in the initial public offering and the 1,832,025 shares pursuant to the over-allotment option was $226.4 million after deducting underwriting discount and offering expenses and was primarily used to pay down indebtedness.
In connection with the 144A Offering, the Company issued 345,000 shares to its Manager and independent directors pursuant to its Nonqualified Option and Incentive Award Plan as further described in Footnote 11. In September 2005, the Company granted an additional 10,000 shares of restricted stock to the independent directors pursuant to the Nonqualified Option and Incentive Award Plan.
As March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company has a total of 25,687,035 common shares outstanding.
10. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
The Company entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Manager in June 2004 for an initial term of two years. After the initial term, the Management Agreement will automatically be renewed each year for an additional one-year period unless the Company or the Manager terminates the agreement. Pursuant to the Management Agreement and subject to the supervision and direction of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Manager performs services for the Company including the purchase, sale and management of real estate and other real estate-related assets, the day-to-day management of the Company and the performance of certain administrative duties. For performing these services, the Company pays the Manager a monthly base management fee in arrears equal to 1/12 of the sum of (i) 2.0% of the first $400 million of the Company’s equity and (ii) 1.5% of equity in an amount in excess of $400 million and up to $800 million and (iii) 1.25% of equity in excess of $800 million. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, the Company’s equity equals the month-end value, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, of the Company’s stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income.
In addition, the Manager is entitled to receive a quarterly incentive fee in an amount, not less than zero, equal to the product of (i) 25% of the dollar amount by which (a) Funds From Operations (as defined in the Management Agreement) of the Company for such quarter per share of Common Stock (based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for such quarter) exceeds (b) an amount equal to (A) the weighted average of the price per share of Common Stock in the 144A Offering, and the prices per share of Common Stock in any subsequent offerings by the Company multiplied by (B) the greater of (1) 2.25% and (2) .875% plus one fourth of the ten-year U.S. treasury rate for such quarter, multiplied by (ii) the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during such quarter. “Funds From Operations” as defined in the Management Agreement is net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) before incentive compensation and including base management fees, excluding gains or losses from debt restructuring and sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization on real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
The Company incurred $1.9 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, in base management fees in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement. No incentive fees were due to the Manager for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. At March 31, 2006 and 2005, $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to unpaid management fees and are included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The Company’s Manager must be provided adequate notice of termination as defined according to the terms of the Management Agreement. Upon notice, a termination fee equal to four times the sum of the Manager’s base
18
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
management fees plus incentive fees for the 12-month period preceding the date of termination would be paid. Any accrued compensation due to the Manager would also be paid.
In addition, if the Management Agreement is terminated without cause due to fees that the independent directors have determined to be unfair, the Company’s Manager may agree to perform its management services at fees the independent directors determine to be fair, and the Management Agreement would not terminate. The Company’s Manager may give notice that it wishes to renegotiate the fees, in which case the Company and its Manager must negotiate in good faith. If a renegotiated fee cannot be agreed upon within a specified period, the agreement will terminate, and the Company must pay the termination fees described above.
The Company may also terminate the Management Agreement with 60 days’ prior notice for cause, which is defined as (i) the Manager’s fraud or gross negligence, (ii) the Manager’s willful noncompliance with the Management Agreement, (iii) the commencement of any proceeding relating to the Manager’s bankruptcy or insolvency or a material breach of any provision of the Management Agreement, uncured for a period of 60 days or (iv) a change in control of the Manager. The Manager may at any time assign certain duties under the Management Agreement to any affiliate of the Manager provided that the Manager shall remain liable to the Company for the affiliate’s performance.
The Management Agreement provides that the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for certain expenses incurred by the Manager on the Company’s behalf which include the Company’s pro rata share of rent, telephone, utilities and overhead expenses required for the Company’s operations. If services are provided by the Manager, the reimbursement for such services will be no greater than what management believes would be paid to outside professionals, consultants or other third parties on an arm’s length basis. In accordance with the provisions of the Management Agreement, the Company recorded reimbursements to the Manager of $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, for certain expenses incurred on behalf of the Company which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2006 and 2005, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of expenses to be reimbursed was unpaid and included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company originated mezzanine loans with an affiliated entity totaling $10.9 million. The ownership was allocated equally between the Company and the affiliated entity, with the Company’s share of the loans equal to $5.4 million. There were no similar transactions with the affiliated entity during the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Each CMBS securitization requires that a special servicer be appointed by the purchaser controlling the most subordinated non-investment grade class of securities. As the Manager does not have special servicer status, it appoints J.E. Robert Company, an affiliated entity, or another entity that has special servicer status as the special servicer whenever the Company acquires a controlling interest in the most subordinated non-investment grade class of a CMBS securitization. J.E. Robert Company received $0.5 million in fees as special servicer during the three months ended March 31, 2006. All fees due to J.E. Robert Company as special servicer are paid either by the securitization vehicle or the borrower and not by us. Under the Management Agreement, the Manager is responsible for all costs incident to the performance of its duties under the Management Agreement, including the employment compensation of J.E. Robert Company personnel who perform services for us pursuant to the Management Agreement
11. | STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN |
The Company adopted the Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, (the “Plan”), which provides for awards under the Plan in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other equity-based incentive awards and cash. Officers, directors and employees of the Company and of the Manager are eligible to receive awards under the Plan. The Plan has a term of ten years and limits the awards to a maximum of 1,150,000 shares of Common Stock, unless the Plan is amended.
19
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
In accordance with the Plan, a total of 355,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to the Manager and the independent directors in 2004. As consideration for the Manager’s role in raising capital for the Company, the Manager was granted an award of 335,000 shares of stock upon the closing of the 144A Offering. Additionally, each independent director was granted 2,000 shares of restricted stock upon the date of the first board meeting of the Board of Directors attended by the independent director. Each independent director receives an additional 2,000 shares of restricted stock annually pursuant to the Plan. As discussed below under “Registration Rights Agreement,” one-half of the shares granted to the Manager were subject to a risk of forfeiture. One-half of the shares granted to the independent directors are also subject to a risk of forfeiture if the independent director no longer serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company one year from the date of the grant. Compensation expense is recorded at fair value of the stock at the time of the award for those awards which vest immediately and for the remaining awards over the vesting periods. Currently, the restricted stock awards granted to the independent directors comprise the total amount of stock-based compensation accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately $23,000 and $19,000 was recorded as compensation expense related to the amortization of unvested restricted stock grants and is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
12. | REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT |
At the time of the 144A Offering, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement that requires, among other things, that it file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) no later than nine months following the closing of the 144A Offering either a registration statement providing for the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock or a shelf registration statement providing for the resale of shares of the Company’s common stock sold in the 144A Offering. Additionally, if the Company consummates an initial public offering, the Company is also required to file a shelf registration statement providing for the resale of shares of the Company’s common stock not sold in the initial public offering within 90 days after the consummation of the initial public offering and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable after the filing of the shelf registration statement.
The registration statement providing for the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock was declared effective by the SEC on July 13, 2005 and the Company’s common stock began trading on the NYSE on July 14, 2005. In addition, on October 4, 2005, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company filed a shelf registration statement providing for the resale of a certain number of shares of the Company’s common stock not sold in the initial public offering. The SEC declared such shelf registration statement effective on December 8, 2005.
To the extent that the Company does not meet the remaining requirements of the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the shelf registration statement, including the obligation to file, when and as required, any documents or other materials necessary to effect, or maintain the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement until certain dates set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, one-half of the shares originally granted to the Manager as discussed under the Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan above are subject to forfeiture except as a result of circumstances outside the reasonable control of the Manager. Additionally, payment of incentive fees, if any, to the Manager would be suspended until the Company is in compliance with the registration obligations discussed above, at which time all suspended amounts are due and payable.
On April 28, 2006, the Company paid dividends of $8.5 million, or $0.33 per common share outstanding to shareholders of record on March 31, 2006.
On May 9, 2006, the Company received a $23.0 million prepayment related to the outstanding principal balance of a mezzanine loan investment. In addition, the Company received a 1% prepayment penalty of $0.2 million and an interest payment of $0.2 million for the period May 9, 2006 through June 8, 2006, in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.
20
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included herein.
General
JER Investors Trust is a specialty finance company established in April 2004 to capitalize on the growing volume of commercial real estate structured finance products. We are externally managed and advised by JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC, our manager, an affiliate of J.E. Robert Company, Inc. J.E. Robert Company and its affiliates are a fully integrated real estate investment management firm. We have invested in commercial mortgage backed securities, which we refer to as CMBS, mezzanine loans and B-Note participations in mortgage loans. We also intend to originate, acquire and invest in whole commercial mortgage loans, preferred equity, loans to real estate companies and net leased real estate assets. We may also invest in residential mortgages and related securities, but expect that such investments will be limited. We expect to derive substantially all our income from the difference between the interest or rental income we earn on our investments and the expense we incur in financing our investments.
We are organized and conduct our operations to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to federal income tax on that portion of our income that is distributed to stockholders if we distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders by the due date of our federal income tax return and comply with various other requirements.
In June 2004, we sold 11,500,000 shares of common stock in a private placement offering for net proceeds of approximately $160.1 million. Additionally, we issued 335,000 shares of common stock to our manager and an aggregate of 6,000 shares of restricted common stock to our independent directors pursuant to our Nonqualified Incentive Plan, which we refer to as our Incentive Plan, at the time of the closing of the private placement. In July 2004, when James Kimsey and Frank Caufield joined our board of directors, we issued each of them 2,000 additional shares of restricted common stock pursuant to our Incentive Plan.
In July 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective a registration statement of the Company on Form S-11 (File No. 333-122802) (the “Registration Statement”) relating to (1) the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”) of up to 13,832,025 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), including 1,832,025 shares of Common Stock pursuant to an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters and (2) the offering by selling stockholders of 213,499 shares of Common Stock through the underwriters. On July 19, 2005, the Company issued a total of 12,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the IPO (the “IPO Shares”), at a price to the public of $17.75 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of 213,499 shares of Common Stock, at a price to the public of $17.75 per share.
In August 2005, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 1,832,025 shares of Common Stock at $17.75 to cover over-allotments. The net proceeds to the Company on the sale of 12,000,000 shares in the IPO and the 1,832,025 pursuant to the over-allotment option was $226.4 million after deducting underwriting discount and offering expenses. The net proceeds of the IPO were primarily used to pay down indebtedness.
In September 2005, we granted each of our independent directors an additional 2,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock grant in our Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2006, we have a total of 25,687,035 shares of common stock outstanding.
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Trends
Competition:We expect to face increased competition for our targeted investments. However, overall, we expect that the size and growth of the market for these investments, as well as the continuing trend of tranching and further retranching commercial mortgage loans into new securities that are packaged and resold, will continue to provide us with a variety of investment opportunities. We believe borrowers need a full range of financing opportunities to make acquisitions, in particular on larger assets where substantial equity commitments are required. In addition, as interest rates rise, we believe some senior lenders will be unwilling to provide a full range of financing options to borrowers, which provides additional opportunities for us.
We believe that the overall mezzanine market is growing because purchasers of commercial real estate are increasingly using mezzanine debt and preferred equity financing to reduce their required equity investment and to attain greater leverage on their equity. However, at the same time, we believe that there is and will continue to be greater competition among providers of mezzanine financing, which could result in declining interest rates on mezzanine financing.
Finally, with an increase in competition for our targeted investments, we believe that some lenders may be willing to accept relatively higher levels of risk with respect to the type of assets that collateralize the loans as well as the terms under which they are willing to lend monies. If we are unwilling to accept the relatively higher levels of risk associated with these loans, we may not be able to acquire or originate investments that are associated with such relatively higher risk loans. Alternatively, if we are willing to accept the relatively higher levels of risk associated with these loans and do acquire or originate investments that are associated with such loans, we may increase our overall risk of impairment and loss associated with such loans.
Rising interest rate environment:We believe that interest rates are likely to increase. With respect to our existing and future floating rate investments, we believe such interest rate increases should result in increases in our net interest income. Similarly, we believe such an increase in interest rates should result in an increase in our net interest income on future fixed interest rate investments made by us. Conversely, in periods of rising interest rates, prepayments on mortgage loans generally decrease, in which case we would not have the prepayment proceeds available to invest in assets with higher yields. With respect to our existing fixed rate investments, we believe our strategy of financing such assets through a match-funded collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”), combined with utilizing interest rate swaps prior to the execution of the CDO, allows us to mitigate reductions in net interest income. Nevertheless, we may not be able to successfully match fund all of our investments.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our most critical accounting policies relate to investment consolidation, revenue recognition, securities valuation, loan loss provisions, derivative accounting and income taxes. Each of these items involves estimates that require management to make judgments that are subjective in nature. We rely on J.E. Robert Company and its affiliates’ experience and analysis of historical and current market data in order to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates. Under different conditions, we could report materially different amounts using these critical accounting policies.
Investment Consolidation.For each investment we make, we evaluate the underlying entity that issued the securities we acquired or to which we made a loan in order to determine the appropriate accounting. We refer to guidance in SFAS No. 140,Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,and FIN 46R,Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,in performing our analysis. FIN 46R addresses the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which voting rights are not effective in identifying an investor with a controlling financial interest. An entity is subject to consolidation under FIN 46R if the investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities, or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”). Variable interest entities within the scope of FIN 46R are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is determined to be the party that absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, its expected returns, or both.
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Our ownership of the subordinated classes of CMBS from a single issuer gives us the right to control the foreclosure/workout process on the underlying loans (“Controlling Class CMBS”). FIN 46R has certain scope exceptions, one of which provides that an enterprise that holds a variable interest in a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”) does not consolidate that entity unless that enterprise has the unilateral ability to cause the entity to liquidate. SFAS 140 provides the requirements for an entity to be considered a QSPE. To maintain the QSPE exception, the trust must continue to meet the QSPE criteria both initially and in subsequent periods. A trust’s QSPE status can be impacted in future periods by activities by its transferor(s) or other involved parties, including the manner in which certain servicing activities are performed. To the extent our CMBS investments were issued by a trust that meets the requirements to be considered a QSPE, we record the investments at the purchase price paid. To the extent the underlying trusts are not QSPEs, we follow the guidance set forth in FIN 46R as the trusts would be considered VIEs.
We have analyzed the governing pooling and servicing agreements for each of our subordinated class CMBS and believe that the terms are industry standard and are consistent with the QSPE criteria. However, there is uncertainty with respect to QSPE treatment due to ongoing review by accounting standard setters, potential actions by various parties involved with the QSPE, as discussed above, as well as varying and evolving interpretations of the QSPE criteria under SFAS 140. Additionally, the standard setters continue to review the FIN 46R provisions related to the computations used to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Future guidance from the standard setters may require the Company to consolidate CMBS trusts in which the Company has invested.
The non-investment grade and unrated tranches of the CMBS owned by us provide credit support to the more senior classes of the related commercial securitizations. Cash flow from the underlying mortgages generally is allocated first to the senior tranches, with the most senior tranches having a priority right to the cash flow. Any remaining cash flow is allocated, generally, among the other tranches in order of their relative seniority. To the extent there are defaults and unrecoverable losses on the underlying mortgages resulting in reduced cash flows, the remaining CMBS classes will bear such losses in order of their relative subordination.
The table below details information about our CMBS investments, including the purchase date, face amount of our CMBS investments, the face amount of the total respective issuance and the amortized cost of our CMBS investments as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS Trust | | Investment Date | | Face amount purchased | | Total Face amount of CMBS issuance | | Amortized Cost |
| | | | March 31, 2006 | | December 31, 2005 |
MACH One 2004-1 | | July 2004 | | $ | 50,637 | | $ | 643,261 | | $ | 18,490 | | $ | 18,492 |
CSFB 1998-C1 | | August 2004 | | | 12,500 | | | 2,482,942 | | | 9,157 | | | 9,107 |
CSFB 2004-C4 | | November 2004 | | | 52,976 | | | 1,138,077 | | | 22,550 | | | 22,539 |
MLMT 2004-BPC1 | | November 2004 | | | 76,986 | | | 1,242,650 | | | 26,549 | | | 26,551 |
JPMCC 2004-C3 | | December 2004 | | | 81,561 | | | 1,517,410 | | | 35,919 | | | 35,938 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC11 | | March 2005 | | | 70,035 | | | 1,800,969 | | | 34,088 | | | 34,405 |
BACM 2005 | | April 2005 | | | 84,663 | | | 2,322,091 | | | 41,837 | | | 41,872 |
LB UBS 2005-C2 | | April 2005 | | | 7,000 | | | 1,942,131 | | | 4,292 | | | 4,287 |
CSFB 2005-C2 | | May 2005 | | | 82,261 | | | 1,614,084 | | | 38,936 | | | 38,920 |
LB UBS 2005-C3 | | June 2005 | | | 39,335 | | | 2,060,632 | | | 19,878 | | | 19,908 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC12 | | July 2005 | | | 70,429 | | | 2,167,039 | | | 35,037 | | | 35,122 |
JPMCC 2005-LDP4 | | September 2005 | | | 90,352 | | | 2,677,075 | | | 48,837 | | | 48,846 |
MSCI 2005-IQ10 | | October 2005 | | | 55,274 | | | 1,546,863 | | | 30,786 | | | 30,793 |
MLMT 2005 CKI1 | | December 2005 | | | 96,066 | | | 3,073,749 | | | 52,149 | | | 52,203 |
MSC 2006 HQ8 | | March 2006 | | | 105,707 | | | 2,731,231 | | | 62,022 | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 975,782 | | $ | 28,960,204 | | $ | 480,527 | | $ | 418,983 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in these VIEs totaled $480.5 million and $419.0 million as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.
The financing structures that we offer to our borrowers on certain of our loans involve the creation of entities that could be deemed VIEs and, therefore, could be subject to FIN 46R. We have evaluated these entities and have concluded that none of them are VIEs that are subject to consolidation under FIN 46R.
Revenue Recognition.The most significant source of our revenue comes from interest income on our securities and loan investments. Interest income on loans and securities investments is recognized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Mortgage loans will generally be originated or purchased at or near par value and interest income will be recognized based on the contractual terms of the debt instrument. Any loan fees or acquisition costs on originated loans will be deferred and recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Any exit fees received from prepayments of loans are recognized in the current period and included in interest income. Interest income on CMBS is recognized on the effective interest method as required by EITF 99-20 “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” Under EITF 99-20, management estimates, at the time of purchase, the future expected cash flows and determines the effective interest rate based on these estimated cash flows and our purchase prices. Subsequent to the purchase and on a quarterly basis, these estimated cash flows are updated and a revised yield is calculated based on the current amortized cost of the investment. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal payments (including prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans, and the timing of and magnitude of credit losses on the mortgage loans underlying the securities have to be judgmentally estimated. These uncertainties and contingencies are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may impact management’s estimates and our interest income. When current period cash flow estimates are lower than the previous period and fair value is less than an asset’s carrying value, we will write down the asset to fair market value and record an impairment charge in current period earnings. After taking into account the effect of the impairment charge, income is recognized using the market yield for the security used in establishing the write-down.
Securities Valuation.We designate certain of our investments in mortgage backed securities, mortgage related securities and certain other securities as available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are carried at estimated fair value with the net unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. The fair value of CMBS investments is determined by management based on discounted cash flow models which utilize prepayment and loss assumptions based upon historical experience, economic factors and the characteristics of the underlying cash flows. Management determines the applicable discount rates based on current credit spreads as reflected in comparable deals purchased in the marketplace and market interest rates. In addition, management substantiates its fair value estimates with information from dealers who make markets in these securities. The determination of future cash flows and the appropriate discount rate is inherently subjective and actual results may vary from management’s estimates.
We must also assess whether unrealized losses on securities reflect a decline in value that is other than temporary, which would result in writing down the impaired security to its fair value, through earnings. This will create a new carrying basis for the security and a revised yield will be calculated based on the future estimated cash flows. SeeRevenue Recognitionabove. Significant judgments of management are required in this analysis, which include assumptions regarding the collectability of the principal and interest, net of expenses, on the underlying loans.
Accounting Treatment for an Investment Acquired from and Financed with a Repurchase Agreement from the Same Counterparty.The Company has considered an interpretation of GAAP relating to the treatment of transactions where investments acquired by the Company from a particular counterparty are simultaneously
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financed via a repurchase agreement with that same counterparty or an affiliate thereof. Currently, in such cases, the Company records such transactions as a sale of the investment to us and such related debt provided to us as a financing. An alternative interpretation of GAAP, however, concerns whether such investment should be treated as a derivative.
The Company has identified one investment in CMBS that was acquired in the second quarter ended June 30, 2005 from a counterparty (as part of a selling syndicate) that also provided financing for some of the classes of the same CMBS at the time of initial acquisition. While the Company continues to own most of this CMBS investment, all debt outstanding under the initial repurchase agreement provided by the counterparty was fully repaid during the third quarter ended September 30, 2005. If the Company recorded certain classes of this one CMBS investment as a derivative at the time of acquisition, changes in the fair value of such derivative would have affected net income in 2005. In addition, total assets and total liabilities would have been affected for the periods ended June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005.
Our understanding is that the issue is being considered for further technical guidance by the accounting standard setters. Future guidance may require the Company to adjust the accounting of the assets in which the Company has invested.
Loan Loss Provisions.We purchase and originate mezzanine loans and commercial mortgage loans to be held as long-term investments. We evaluate each of these loans for possible impairment on a quarterly basis. Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Upon determination of impairment, we will establish a reserve for loan losses and a corresponding charge to earnings through the provision for loan losses. Significant judgments are required in determining impairment, which include assumptions regarding the value of the real estate or partnership interests that secure the mortgage loans.
Derivative Accounting.We account for our derivative and hedging activities, using SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 149, which requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet.
Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction. We periodically review the effectiveness of each hedging transaction, which involves estimating future cash flows. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability, with a corresponding amount, adjusted for swap payments, recorded in other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges under SFAS 133.
Income Taxes.We operate in a manner that we believe will allow us to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, we do not expect to pay substantial corporate-level income taxes. Many of the requirements for REIT qualification, however, are highly technical and complex. If we were to fail to meet these requirements and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be subject to federal income tax, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and amounts available for distributions to our stockholders.
Recent Events
In May 2006, we announced that Mark Weiss will become the President of JER Investors Trust Inc. and a Managing Director of J.E. Robert Company, Inc. Mr. Weiss will also serve as President of JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC, an affiliate of J.E. Robert Company, Inc. and the manager of JER Investors Trust Inc.
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On May 9, 2006, we received a $23.0 million prepayment related to the outstanding principal balance of a mezzanine loan investment. In addition, we received a 1% prepayment penalty of $0.2 million and an interest payment of $0.2 million for the period May 9, 2006 through June 8, 2006, in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.
Results of Operations
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $6.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $2.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share.
Interest Income.The following tables set forth information regarding the total amount of interest income from our assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | Investment balance at March 31, |
(In thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
CMBS | | $ | 9,354 | | $ | 3,507 | | $ | 469,684 | | $ | 203,272 |
Real estate loans | | | 3,062 | | | 1,515 | | | 68,528 | | | 63,714 |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 1,667 | | | 4 | | | 100,929 | | | 1,541 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 14,083 | | $ | 5,026 | | $ | 639,141 | | $ | 268,527 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The increase in interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the prior period is primarily due to our acquisitions of interest bearing assets and interest income on cash. The weighted average yield on CMBS at March 31, 2006 and 2005 was 8.9% and 8.6%, respectively. The weighted average yield on real estate loans at March 31, 2006 and 2005 was 16.1% and 11.3%, respectively.
Interest Expense.Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $4.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Interest expense primarily consists of interest incurred on debt outstanding on our repurchase agreements and CDO, interest payments on our swap agreement, amortization of bond issue costs related to the CDO and the amortization of deferred financing fees related to our repurchase agreements. The increase in interest expense from the prior year is due to an increase in our current debt outstanding.
Management Fees.Base management fees are calculated as a percentage of stockholders’ equity adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income. Our manager is also entitled to receive quarterly incentive fees based on our Funds From Operations (as defined in the Management agreement). Management fees for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $1.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The increase in management fees from the prior period is related to the increase in the average equity balance outstanding during these periods as a result of the IPO and the issuance of shares associated with the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
No incentive fees were payable to our manager during the periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Under the management agreement, our manager may engage J.E. Robert Company or its affiliates to perform certain legal, accounting, due diligence, asset management, securitization, property management, brokerage, loan servicing, leasing and other services that outside professionals or outside consultants otherwise would perform on our behalf. J.E. Robert Company and its affiliates may be reimbursed or paid for the cost of performing such tasks, provided that such costs and reimbursements are no greater than those that would be paid to outside professionals or consultants on an arm’s-length basis. Our manager is reimbursed for any expenses incurred in contracting with third parties. In addition, each CMBS securitization requires that a special servicer be appointed by the purchaser controlling the most subordinated non-investment grade class of securities. As our manager does not have special servicer status, it appoints J.E. Robert Company or another entity that has special
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servicer status as the special servicer whenever we acquire a controlling interest in the most subordinated non-investment grade class of a CMBS securitization. J.E. Robert Company received $0.5 million in fees as special servicer during the three months ended March 31, 2006. All fees due to J.E. Robert Company as special servicer are paid either by the securitization vehicle or the borrower and not by us. Under the management agreement, our manager is responsible for all costs incident to the performance of its duties under the management agreement, including the employment compensation of J.E. Robert Company personnel who perform services for us pursuant to the management agreement.
General and Administrative Expense.General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively. General and Administrative expenses consists primarily of due diligence expenses, fees for professional services, insurance premiums and reimbursements to our manager. Our management agreement provides that we are required to reimburse our manager for certain expenses incurred by our manager on our behalf, which include our pro rata share of rent, telephone, utilities and overhead expenses required for our operations. In accordance with the provisions of our management agreement, we recorded reimbursements to our manager of $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses from the prior period is primarily related to the increase in fees for professional services and due diligence expenses on unconsummated transactions.
Other Gains (Losses).Other gains (losses) consist of impairment adjustments on our investments and gain on sales of assets. Pursuant to EITF 99-20, the Company took an aggregate impairment charge to earnings totaling $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. This impairment charge relates to three separate securities issued in two separate CMBS trusts where, in each case, the cash flow projections of the securities in this current reporting period were estimated to be lower than the cash flow projections of the same securities in the prior reporting period and, at the same time, the fair values of the securities are less than the prior reporting period carrying values. There was no impairment of assets in the prior period. Gains on sales of assets for the three months ended March 31, 2005 related to a sale of a B-Note investment at par to an unaffiliated third party. The unamortized fee related to the portion of the investment sold was recognized as a $0.2 million gain on sale.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of funds are operating cash flows, borrowings and future debt and equity offerings. In July 2005, we completed our initial public offering of 12,000,000 shares of common stock. In August 2005, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 1,832,025 shares. The net proceeds to the Company on the sale of 12,000,000 shares in the IPO and the 1,832,025 pursuant to the over-allotment option was $226.4 million after deducting underwriting discount and offering expenses. The net proceeds of the IPO were primarily used to pay down indebtedness under our repurchase agreements described below.
We expect our borrowings will be through loan agreements, including warehouse facilities, and other credit facilities with institutional lenders. We may also issue long-term debt securities, including CDOs, and preferred stock.
We had a repurchase agreement in place with Banc of America Securities LLC and its affiliates providing for a maximum of $150 million in financing which matured on May 8, 2006. The repurchase agreement, which had a one-year extension option, subject to certain conditions, was not renewed. There can be no assurance we will be able to obtain a similar short term facility in the future, which could result in lower returns on our investments and reductions in cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
If we default in the payment of interest or principal on any debt, breach any representation or warranty in connection with any borrowing or violate any covenant in any loan document, our lender may accelerate the maturity of such debt, requiring us to immediately repay all outstanding principal. If we are unable to make payments, our lender could force us to sell our securities or foreclose on our assets that are pledged as collateral to such lender. The lender could also sue us or force us into bankruptcy. Any of these events would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of an investment in our common stock.
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We intend to make regular quarterly distributions to the holders of our common stock. On March 13, 2006, we declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.33 per share of common stock related to the first quarter 2006. The first quarter dividend was paid on April 28, 2006 to stockholders of record on March 31, 2006.
In order to qualify as a REIT and to avoid corporate level tax on the income we distribute to our stockholders, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and net capital gains on an annual basis. Certain of our investments, such as the subordinate CMBS investments, may generate substantial mismatches between taxable income and available cash. In order to meet the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our net taxable income, we may need to borrow, sell assets or raise additional capital. Additionally, we will need to raise additional capital in order to acquire additional investments. We anticipate borrowing funds to obtain additional capital, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so on terms acceptable or available to us, if at all.
We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements generally through the proceeds from our CDO I execution, cash flow provided by operations as well as borrowings. Our initial borrowings have been short-term, variable rate debt; however, we financed and expect to finance the majority of our assets through one or more match-funded CDO strategies. Our CDO strategy is dependent upon our ability to place the match-funded debt we intend to create in the market at spreads that provide a positive arbitrage. If spreads for CDO liabilities widen or if demand for such liabilities ceases to exist, then our ability to execute the CDO strategy will be severely restricted.
We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements, specifically the repayment of debt and our investment funding needs, through additional borrowings, the issuance of debt and equity securities and the liquidation or refinancing of our assets at maturity. We believe that the value of these assets is, and will continue to be, sufficient to repay our debt at maturity under either scenario. However, our ability to meet our long-term liquidity requirements is subject to obtaining additional equity and debt financing. Decisions by investors and lenders to enter into transactions with us will depend upon a number of factors, such as our historical and projected financial performance, compliance with the terms of our current credit arrangements, industry and market trends, the availability of capital and our investors’ and lenders’ policies and rates applicable thereto, and the relative attractiveness of alternative investment or lending opportunities.
We have conducted preliminary negotiations with financial institutions and believe, on the basis of these negotiations, that we will be able to obtain both short-term and longer-term financing in amounts and at interest rates generally consistent with our financing objectives. We cannot assure you, however, that negotiations with potential lenders will result in a definitive agreement being entered into or consummated or at terms consistent with our business plan. In the event that we are unable to secure lines of credit or collateralized financing on favorable terms, our ability to successfully effect our investment strategy may be significantly impacted and returns to investors may be reduced.
We expect that our cash flow provided by operations and our current and anticipated financings will satisfy our liquidity needs over the next twelve months.
Inflation
We believe that the risk of increases in the market interest rates as a result of inflation, on any floating rate debt that we may invest in will be largely offset by our use of match funded financing.
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ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Market Risk. Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, credit curve spreads, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The primary market risks to which we are exposed are interest rate risk and credit curve risk. Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental, monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. Credit curve risk is highly sensitive to dynamics of the markets for commercial mortgage securities and other loans and securities we plan to invest in. Excessive supply of these assets combined with reduced demand will cause the market to require a higher yield. This demand for higher yield will cause the market to use a higher spread over the U.S. Treasury securities yield curve, or other benchmark interest rates, to value these assets. Changes in the general level of the U.S. Treasury yield curve can have significant effects on the market value of our intended portfolio.
Our operating results depend substantially on the difference between the interest and related income earned on our assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing liabilities. Competition from other providers of real estate financing may lead to a decrease in the interest rate earned on our interest-earning assets, which we may not be able to offset by obtaining lower interest costs on our borrowings. Changes in the general level of interest rates prevailing in the financial markets may affect the spread between our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Any significant compression of the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, an increase in interest rates could, among other things, reduce the value of our interest-earning assets and our ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets, and a decrease in interest rates could reduce the average life of our interest-earning assets.
We may utilize a variety of financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, options, floors and other interest rate exchange contracts, in order to limit the effects of fluctuations in interest rates on our operations. We do not intend to utilize derivatives for speculative or other purposes other than interest rate risk management. The use of these types of derivatives to hedge interest-earning assets and/or interest-bearing liabilities carries certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the funds available for payments to holders of securities and that such losses may exceed the amount invested in such instruments. A hedge may not perform its intended purpose of offsetting losses. Moreover, with respect to certain of the instruments used as hedges, we are exposed to the risk that the counterparties with which we trade may cease making markets and quoting prices in such instruments, which may render us unable to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to an open position. If we anticipate that the income from any such hedging transaction will not be qualifying income for REIT income test purposes, we may conduct part or all of our hedging activities through a corporate subsidiary that will be fully subject to federal corporate income taxation (a taxable REIT subsidiary). Our profitability may be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates.
Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. Our net interest income is affected by changes in various interest rates, primarily LIBOR and treasury rates. At March 31, 2006, our primary sensitivity to interest rates related to the income we earned on our $68.5 million of floating rate real estate loans and the interest expense incurred on $119.2 million of floating rate debt.
In November 2005, we issued our first CDO through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, JER CRE CDO 2005-1, Limited and JER CRE CDO 2005-1, LLC, which we refer to as CDO I. CDO I is secured by a static pool of $418.7 million par value of fixed rate subordinate CMBS. CDO I issued privately placed notes totaling $275.6 million rated AAA through BBB-, which we refer to as the Investment Grade Bonds. We retained a portion of the BBB- rated notes, all of the non-investment grade rated notes and all of the preferred shares. CDO I included a ramp facility that financed $48.6 million par value of additional collateral securities. Two of the Investment Grade Bonds were issued with floating rate coupons with a weighted average rate of LIBOR plus 0.4%. The remaining Investment Grade Bonds, net of the portion retained by the Company, were issued with fixed rate coupons with a weighted average rate of 6.0%.
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In connection with the pricing of CDO I in October 2005, through JER CRE CDO 2005-1 Limited, we entered into an amortizing swap with an initial notional balance of approximately $110 million and a final maturity of June 2015. The amortizing interest rate swap hedges the interest rate risk exposure on an amortizing principal amount of the investment-grade, floating-rate notes issued by the Company. This swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and is expected to be effective in hedging the risk of changes in ten years of interest cash outflows attributable to changes in the applicable USD-LIBOR swap rate over the term of the hedging relationship. Under the swap, we agreed to pay the counterparty a fixed interest rate of 4.943% per annum in exchange for floating payments on the applicable notional amount of interest. Prior to CDO I, we had entered into several forward-starting interest rate swaps to mitigate the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows on the forecasted issuance of the CDO. In connection with the pricing of CDO I in October 2005, we effectively terminated or assigned for value $201 million notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding.
We had a repurchase agreement in place with Banc of America Securities LLC and its affiliates providing for a maximum of $150 million in financing which matured on May 8, 2006. The repurchase agreement, which had a one-year extension option, subject to certain conditions, was not renewed. There can be no assurance we will be able to obtain a similar short term facility in the future, which could result in lower returns on our investments and reductions in cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
At March 31, 2006, the existence of our interest rate swap mitigates the impact of an interest rate increase on our floating rate debt. As a result and due to floating rates on our real estate loans, increases in interest rates will increase our net income. The following table shows the estimated change in net income for a 12-month period based on changes in the interest rates applied to our assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Estimated Change in Net Income over 12 Months at | |
Rate Change (Basis Points) | | March 31, 2006 | | | December 31, 2005 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
-200 | | $ | (1,186 | ) | | $ | (1,448 | ) |
-100 | | | (593 | ) | | | (724 | ) |
100 | | | 593 | | | | 724 | |
200 | | | 1,186 | | | | 1,448 | |
Interest rate changes may also affect the fair value of our CMBS investments, real estate loans and derivatives.
Credit Risk. Our portfolio of commercial real estate loans and securities is subject to a high degree of credit risk. Credit risk is the exposure to loss from debtor defaults. Default rates are subject to a wide variety of factors, including, but not limited to, property performance, property management, supply and demand factors, construction trends, consumer behavior, regional economics, interest rates, the strength of the American economy and other factors beyond our control.
All loans are subject to a certain probability of default. We underwrite our CMBS investments assuming the underlying loans will suffer a certain dollar amount of defaults and the defaults will lead to some level of realized losses. Loss adjusted yields are computed based on these assumptions and applied to each class of security supported by the cash flow on the underlying loans. The most significant variables affecting loss adjusted yields include, but are not limited to, the number of defaults, the severity of loss that occurs subsequent to a default and the timing of the actual loss. The different rating levels of CMBS will react differently to changes in these assumptions. The lowest rated securities are generally more sensitive to changes in timing of actual losses. The higher rated securities are more sensitive to the severity of losses.
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We generally assume that substantially all of the principal of a non-rated security will not be recoverable over time. The timing and the amount of the loss of principal are the key assumptions to determine the economic yield of these securities. Timing is of paramount importance because we will assume substantial losses of principal on the non-rated securities, therefore the longer the principal balance remains outstanding the more interest the holder receives to support a greater economic return. Alternatively, if principal is lost faster than originally assumed, there is less opportunity to receive interest and a lower or possibly negative return may result.
If actual principal losses on the underlying loans exceed assumptions, the higher rated securities will be affected more significantly as a loss of principal may not have been assumed. We expect that most if not all principal will be recovered with respect to classes rated B or higher.
We manage credit risk though the underwriting process, establishing loss assumptions and monitoring of loan performance. Before acquiring a controlling class security (represented by a majority ownership interest in the most subordinate tranche) in a proposed pool of loans, we perform a rigorous analysis of all of the proposed underlying loans. Information from this review is then used to establish loss assumptions. We assume that a certain portion of the loans will default and calculate an expected or loss adjusted yield based on that assumption. After the securities have been acquired, we monitor the performance of the loans, as well as external factors that may affect their value.
Factors that indicate a higher loss severity or acceleration of the timing of an expected loss will cause a reduction in the expected yield and therefore reduce our earnings. Furthermore, we may be required to write down a portion of the accreted cost basis of the affected assets through a charge to income.
We will also invest in commercial real estate loans, primarily mezzanine loans, bridge loans, B-notes, loans to real estate companies, mortgage loans and net leased real estate. We may also invest in residential mortgages and related securities. These investments will be subject to credit risk. The extent of our credit risk exposure will be dependent on risks associated with commercial and residential real estate. Property values and net operating income derived from such properties are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing, retail, industrial, office or other commercial space); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; retroactive changes to building or similar codes; and increases in operating expenses (such as energy costs). In the event a borrower’s net operating income decreases, the borrower may have difficulty repaying our loans, which could result in losses to us. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay our loans, which could also cause us to suffer losses.
With respect to one of our mezzanine loan investments with a principal balance outstanding of $11.5 million at March 31, 2006, we have determined that one or more non-monetary defaults may exist under the applicable loan documents due to the failure and/or delay by the applicable borrowing entities to provide certain information about the borrower entities, the underlying property and an opinion of their independent auditors unqualified as to the scope of the audits or as to the status of the borrowers or property owner as a going concern. Although we are working with the borrowers to correct such non-monetary defaults, no assurance can be given that such defaults will be remedied. All payments due under the mezzanine loan are current.
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ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the “Exchange Act”)) as of March 31, 2006. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately and on a timely basis. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2006.
(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act), during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10K.
ITEM 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
None.
ITEM 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
ITEM 4. | Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders |
None.
None.
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| | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
| |
3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.* |
| |
3.2 | | By-laws of the Registrant.* |
| |
4.1 | | Form of Certificate for Common Stock.* |
| |
4.2 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 4, 2004, between Registrant, JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.* |
| |
10.1 | | Management Agreement, dated June 4, 2004, between Registrant and JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC.* |
| |
10.2 | | Amendment to Management Agreement, dated January 24, 2006, between Registrant and JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC.* |
| |
10.3 | | Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan.* |
| |
10.4 | | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement.* |
| |
10.5 | | Services Agreement, dated June 4, 2004, by and among JER Investors Trust Inc., JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC and J.E. Robert Company, Inc.* |
| |
10.6 | | Advisory Services Letter, dated July 8, 2005.* |
| |
21.1 | | Subsidiaries of the Registrant.* |
| |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
| |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
| |
32.1 | | Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. |
* | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-122802), as amended. Such Registration Statement was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2005. |
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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:
| | |
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. |
(Registrant) |
| |
By: | | /s/ JOSEPH E. ROBERT, JR. |
Name: | | Joseph E. Robert, Jr. |
Title: | | Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer |
|
Date: May 11, 2006 |
| |
By: | | /s/ TAE-SIK YOON |
Name: | | Tae-Sik Yoon |
Title: | | Chief Financial Officer |
|
Date: May 11, 2006 |
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