PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our 2021 Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (the “First Quarter 2022 10-Q”), which could materially affect our business, financial condition, and/or future results. The risks described in our 2021 Form 10-K and the First Quarter 2022 10-Q are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.
With the exception of the risk factors set forth below, which updates and supplements the risk factors disclosed in our 2021 Form 10-K and First Quarter 2022 10-Q, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2021 Form 10-K and First Quarter 2022 10-Q.
Inflation, increased interest rates or deflation may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Although neither inflation nor deflation has materially impacted our operations in the recent past, inflation is at a 40-year high and beginning in March of 2022, the Federal Reserve began raising the federal funds rate in an effort to curb inflation. The Federal Reserve’s action, coupled with other macroeconomic factors, may trigger a recession in the United States, globally, or both. Increased inflation and interest rates could have an adverse impact on our floating rate mortgages, our ability to borrow money, and general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our rental and other revenue. Increases in the costs of owning and operating our properties due to inflation could reduce our net operating income and our NAV to the extent such increases are not reimbursed or paid by our customers. If we are materially impacted by increasing inflation because, for example, inflationary increases in costs are not sufficiently offset by the contractual rent increases and operating expense reimbursement provisions or escalations in the leases with our customers, we may implement measures to conserve cash or preserve liquidity. Such measures could include deferring investments, reducing or suspending the number of shares redeemed under our share redemption program and reducing or suspending distributions we make to our stockholders, which may adversely and materially affect our net operating income and NAV. In addition, due to rising interest rates, we may experience restrictions in our liquidity based on certain financial covenant requirements as well as our inability to refinance maturing debt in part or in full as it comes due depending on rates at such time and higher debt service costs and reduced yields relative to cost of debt. If we are unable to find alternative credit arrangements or other funding in a high interest environment, our business needs may not be adequately met.
In addition, customers and potential customers of our properties may be adversely impacted by inflation and rising interest rates, which could negatively impact our customers’ ability to pay rent and demand for our properties. Such adverse impacts on our customers may cause increased vacancies, which may add pressure to lower rents and increase our expenditures for re-leasing. Inflation could also have an adverse effect on consumer spending, which could impact our customers’ operations and, in turn, demand for our properties. Conversely, deflation could lead to downward pressure on rents and other sources of income.
We are dependent on our customers for revenue, and our inability to lease our properties or to collect rent from our customers will adversely affect our results of operations, NAV and returns to our stockholders.
Our revenues from our real property investments are dependent on our ability to lease our real properties and the creditworthiness of our customers and would be adversely affected by the loss of or default by significant customers. Much of our customer base is comprised of non-rated and non-investment grade customers. The success of our real properties depends on the financial stability of such customers. The financial results of our customers can depend on several factors, including but not limited to the general business environment, interest rates, inflation, the availability of credit, taxation and overall consumer confidence. In addition, our ability to increase our revenues and operating income partially depends on steady growth of demand for the products and services offered by the customers located in the assets that we own and manage. A drop in demand, as a result of a slowdown in the U.S. and global economy or otherwise, could result in a reduction in performance of our customers and consequently, adversely affect our results of operations, NAV and returns to our stockholders. If indicators of impairment exist in any of our real properties, for example, we experience negative operating trends such as prolonged vacancies or operating losses, we may not recover some or all of our investment.
Lease payment defaults by customers could impact operating results, causing us to lower our NAV, reduce the amount of distributions to our stockholders, or could force us to find an alternative source of funding to pay any mortgage loan interest or principal, taxes, or other obligations relating to the property. In the event of a customer default, we may also experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment and re-leasing our property. If a lease is terminated, the value of