FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
of New Jersey
Annual Report 2006
company profile
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (“FREIT”), organized in 1961, is an equity real estate investment trust. The focus of its activities has been to acquire real property for long-term investment.
FREIT conducts its operations in a manner intended to comply with the requirements for qualifying as a real estate investment trust pursuant to the Federal Internal Revenue Code. As a result, FREIT receives favorable tax treatment as provided under the tax code. FREIT has recorded a profit and has paid dividends to its shareholders during each year since its founding.
Hekemian & Co., Inc., a real estate management and brokerage company, has managed FREIT’s assets since its inception. FREIT’s offices are located at “Corporate 505”, 505 Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey.
CONTENTS | ||
message to our shareholders | 1 | |
fiscal 2006 financial highlights | 5 | |
properties | 6 | |
form 10-K | 8 | |
corporate information | inside back cover |
message to our shareholders
We are pleased to announce that 2006 was another strong year for FREIT.
ü | Revenues for 2006 increased 14% over the prior year, to a record level of $38.3 million. |
ü | 2006 operating income from continuing operations increased to $16.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, the highest levels ever achieved by FREIT. |
ü | Funds From Operations increased 11% to $8.6 million ($1.26 per share-diluted) from $7.7 million ($1.14 per share-diluted). |
ü | Gross assets at the end of the year were $235 million, a 9% increase over the prior year. |
ü | Dividends also increased 4.2% over the prior year to $1.25 per share. |
These impressive results were achieved as a result of an improving apartment rental market and continuing diligent and professional asset and property management.
It is FREIT’s goal to increase shareholder value by increasing net income, cash flow and the market value of its properties. We expect to achieve this through skillful marketing and management of our properties, and prudent acquisition, development and redevelopment policies that identify selective properties for future growth.
During Fiscal 2006 we continued to focus on development activities, which we expect will add significantly to shareholder value.
The Boulders at Rockaway, Rockaway, NJ During 2005 construction was started on The Boulders, a 129-unit residential garden apartment community in Rockaway, NJ. The first completed buildings in this new community were ready for occupancy and residents began moving in during the month of June 2006. Final construction was completed in August 2006, with all buildings having received certificates of occupancy by October 2006. As of the end of January 2007 occupancy exceeded 80%. Construction costs, which were under $18 million, were financed in part by our own funds and by proceeds from a construction loan. In January 2007 we converted the construction loan into a $20.7 million permanent loan. We plan to utilize the excess cash received from this financing for acquisitions and/ or development activities. |
The Boulders at Rockaway Roackaway, NJ | |
1
message to our shareholders
Damascus Centre, Damascus, MD This 140,000 square foot retail center was acquired in 2003 with the intention of redeveloping and expanding it to 150,000 square feet. Building plans have now been finalized and required governmental approvals have been obtained. Construction contracts are being finalized, and we are in the process of negotiating major tenant leases. We expect to begin construction on this $30 million redevelopment project in the Spring of 2007. |
Damascus Centre Concept Plan Damascus, MD | |
The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD The Rotunda is a 217,000 square foot mixed-use (offce and retail) property situated near Johns Hopkins University. Plans are being developed to expand the retail space by 100,000 square feet and build 300 - 400 residential apartment and condominium units on the property. Redevelopment construction is expected to commence during 2008. |
The Rotunda Concept Plan Baltimore, MD | ||
REVIEW OF FISCAL 2006
2006 was a profitable year for FREIT. On a combined basis, revenue and net operating income (“NOI”) of our commercial and residential segments increased 12% and 10%, respectively over the prior year. Our residential and commercial properties are well positioned to take advantage of current positive market trends, including increasing demand for residential and retail space and increases in rental rates.
Accounting Restatement: FREIT has restated its prior years’ financial statements, as presented herein, in order to properly reflect the Westwood Hills minority members’ share of the Westwood Hills capital deficit. This deficit was principally attributable to the minority members’ share of net proceeds from refinancings. FREIT’s 2005 and 2004 financial statements have been restated by reducing undistributed earnings as of October 31, 2003, as previously reported, by $2,358,000. In addition, net income for the year ended October 31, 2005 has been increased by $38,000 ($.01 per share) and net income for the year ended October 31, 2004 has been decreased by $139,000 ($.02 per share) from amounts previously reported. The effect of such adjustments on the consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2005 was to decrease undistributed earnings and increase minority interest by $2,458,000 from amounts previously reported. The restatement has no economic effect on FREIT. (See Note 2 to FREIT’s consolidated ӿnancial statements for more detail regarding this restatement.)
2
Commercial Properties:
Our commercial properties performed well in 2006. Revenues and NOI (including the Rotunda acquired during Fiscal 2005) increased by 18% and 13%, respectively, over the prior year despite a slight 1% decline in occupancy. Revenues and NOI for existing properties (properties owned since the beginning of Fiscal 2005) increased 4% and 7%, respectively, in Fiscal 2006 over Fiscal 2005.
Residential Properties:
Revenues and NOI at our residential properties both increased by 6% for the year. This increase was attributable to new revenues generated from The Boulders property in Rockaway, NJ, combined with higher overall rents and occupancy levels. The Boulders should contribute significantly to earnings and cash flow during Fiscal 2007, its first full year of operation.
SHAREHOLDER VALUE & DIVIDENDS
Dividends for the year increased 4.2% to $1.25 per share, compared to $1.20 for the prior year. Since Fiscal 2001, dividend distributions per share have increased 81%. During Fiscal 2006, holders of options to purchase our shares exercised options for 269,500 shares. This increased our capital in excess of $2 million. As indicated in the chart below, an investment of $100 in FREIT stock in 2001 would have been worth $372 at the end of Fiscal 2006. This takes into consideration dividends paid and the appreciation in the stock price.
3
LOOKING FORWARD
We look forward to continued long-term growth that will benefit our Shareholders with increased share value and dividend distributions. We plan to accomplish this by maximizing the value of our existing portfolio through continued diligent property management and from the future contributions from new developments, redevelopments and acquisitions.
The entire Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, has been included in this Annual Shareholders’ Report. We hope you find it to be informative.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Sincerely, | ||||
Robert S. Hekemian | Donald W. Barney | |||
Chief Executive Officer | President |
The Statements in this report that relate to future earnings or performance are forward-looking. Actual results might differ materially and be adversely affected by such factors as longer than anticipated lease-up periods or the inability of tenants to pay increased rents. Additional information about these factors is contained in FREIT’s filings with the SEC including FREIT’s most recent filed Form 10-K included elsewhere in this report.
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financial highlights
BALANCE SHEET DATA | ||||||||||||||||
As At October 31, | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||||||||||||||
Restated | ||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 234,786 | $ | 214,998 | $ | 190,575 | $ | 155,764 | $ | 110,485 | ||||||
Long-Term Obligations | $ | 180,679 | $ | 166,874 | $ | 148,244 | $ | 126,767 | $ | 83,188 | ||||||
Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 24,972 | $ | 26,115 | $ | 28,671 | $ | 19,783 | $ | 21,426 | ||||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 6,574 | 6,440 | 6,378 | 6,268 | 6,240 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 6,816 | 6,774 | 6,658 | 6,522 | 6,466 |
INCOME STATEMENT DATA | ||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
REVENUE : | Restated | |||||||||||||||
Revenue from real estate operations | $ | 38,305 | $ | 33,667 | $ | 30,356 | $ | 25,399 | $ | 19,571 | ||||||
EXPENSES: | ||||||||||||||||
Real estate operations | 15,894 | 13,671 | 11,459 | 9,133 | 6,460 | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 1,212 | 1,001 | 689 | 592 | 449 | |||||||||||
Depreciation | 4,739 | 4,265 | 3,677 | 2,839 | 2,155 | |||||||||||
Minority interest | 407 | 426 | 555 | 2,254 | 300 | |||||||||||
Totals | 22,252 | 19,363 | 16,380 | 14,818 | 9,364 | |||||||||||
Operating income | 16,053 | 14,304 | 13.976 | 10,581 | 10,207 | |||||||||||
Investment income | 232 | 229 | 183 | 201 | 249 | |||||||||||
Interest expense including amortization of deferred ӿnancing costs | (11,127 | ) | (10,039 | ) | (9,046 | ) | (7,838 | ) | (5,480 | ) | ||||||
Income from continuing operations | 5,158 | 4,494 | 5,113 | 2,944 | 4,976 | |||||||||||
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of Minority Interst * | 9,958 | 741 | 809 | |||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | $ | 3,685 | $ | 5,785 | ||||||
* Includes gain of disposal of $12,681,000 and $475,000 in fiscal years 2004 and 2002 respectively. | ||||||||||||||||
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE: | ||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.80 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | $ | 1.56 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 2.36 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.93 | ||||||
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE: | ||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.77 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | $ | 1.50 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 2.27 | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.90 | ||||||
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.86 |
(a) | Amounts for 2002 through 2005 were restated from amounts previously reported to reflect minority members’ share of a capital deficit of a 40% owned subsidary as a reduction of shareholders’ equity and to reflect as a minority interest expense, cash distributions made to minority members during such years. The minority members’ share of the subsidiary’s deficit was principally attributable to the minority members’ share of net proceeds from refinancings. Accordingly, accumulated undistributed earnings throughout Fiscal 2005 was reduced by $2,357,000 from amounts previously stated and net income (and earnings per share) for intervening Fiscal years restated as follows: 2002, increased by $104,000 ( $.02); 2003, decreased by $1,880,000 ($.30); 2004, decreased by $139,000 ($.02), and 2005, increased by $38,000 ($.01). |
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properties
APARTMENT BUILDINGS
BERDAN COURT APARTMENTS | PALISADES MANOR | |
Wayne, New Jersey | Palisades Park, New Jersey | |
GRANDVIEW APARTMENTS | STEUBEN ARMS | |
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey | River Edge, New Jersey | |
HAMMEL GARDENS | WESTWOOD HILLS (a) | |
Maywood, New Jersey | Westwood, New Jersey | |
HEIGHTS MANOR APARTMENTS | THE BOULDERS AT ROCKAWAY | |
Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey | Rockaway Township, New Jersey | |
LAKEWOOD APARTMENTS | THE PIERRE (b) | |
Lakewood, New Jersey | Hackensack, New Jersey |
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properties
SHOPPING CENTERS/COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
FRANKLIN CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER | Franklin Lakes, New Jersey | |
WESTRIDGE SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER | Frederick, Maryland | |
WESTWOOD PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER | Westwood, New Jersey | |
RETAIL STORES | Glen Rock, New Jersey | |
PATHMARK SUPERMARKET | Patchogue, New York | |
COMMERCE BANK | Rockaway New Jersey | |
PREAKNESS SHOPPING CENTER (c) | Wayne, New Jersey | |
DAMASCUS CENTRE | Damascus, Maryland | |
THE ROTUNDA (f) | Baltimore, Maryland |
VACANT LAND
33 ACRES, INDUSTRIAL ZONE (d) South Brunswick, New Jersey 4.27 ACRES, RESIDENTIAL ZONE Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 2.1 ACRES, COMMERCIAL ZONE Wayne, NJ | (a) FREIT holds a 40% interest in Westwood Hills LLC, which owns Westwood Hills Apartments. (b) FREIT holds a 65% interest in S and A Commercial Associates LP, which owns The Pierre. (c) FREIT holds a 40% interest in Wayne PSC, LLC, which owns the 323,000 sq. ft shopping center. (d) FREIT has received site plan approval for the construction of a 560,000 sq. ft. industrial building. (f ) FREIT holds a 60% in terest in Grande Rotunda, LLC, which owns The Rotunda. |
The Rotunda Concept Plan Baltimore, MD | |
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2006
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File No. 2-27018
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
New Jersey | 22-1697095 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
505 Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey | 07601 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
201-488-6400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each Class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
None | Not Applicable |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Shares of Beneficial Interest
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
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 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 o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer o | Accelerated Filer x | Non-Accelerated Filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s shares of beneficial interest held by non-affiliates was approximately $177 million. Computation is based on the closing sales price of such shares as quoted on the over-the-counter-market on April 28, 2006, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter.
As of January 30, 2007, the number of shares of beneficial interest outstanding was 6,750,652.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 4, 2007 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORM 10-K
Page No. | |||
PART I | |||
Item 1 | 3 | ||
Item 1A | 9 | ||
Item 1B | 9 | ||
Item 2 | 10 | ||
Item 3 | 14 | ||
Item 4 | 14 | ||
PART II | |||
Item 5 | 14 | ||
Item 6 | 15 | ||
Item 7 | 16 | ||
Item 7A | 30 | ||
Item 8 | 30 | ||
Item 9 | 30 | ||
Item 9A | 30 | ||
Item 9B | 31 | ||
PART III | |||
Item 10 | 33 | ||
Item 11 | 34 | ||
Item 12 | 34 | ||
Item 13 | 34 | ||
Item 14 | 34 | ||
PART IV | |||
Item 15 | 35 | ||
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information included in this Annual Report contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The registrant cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to the registrant’s investment policies and objectives; the financial performance of the registrant; the ability of the registrant to service its debt; the competitive conditions which affect the registrant’s business; the ability of the registrant to obtain the necessary governmental approvals for the development, expansion or renovation of its properties, the impact of environmental conditions affecting the registrant’s properties, and the registrant’s liquidity and capital resources, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors, including, without limitation, the registrant’s future financial performance; the availability of capital; general market conditions; national and local economic conditions, particularly long-term interest rates; federal, state and local governmental regulations that affect the registrant; and the competitive environment in which the registrant operates, including, the availability of retail space and residential apartment units in the areas where the registrant’s properties are located. In addition, the registrant’s continued qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the application of highly technical and complex rules of the Internal Revenue Code. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Annual Report and the registrant assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those projected in such forward-looking statements.
PART I
ITEM 1 | BUSINESS |
(a) | GENERAL BUSINESS |
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (“FREIT”) is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) organized in New Jersey in 1961. FREIT acquires, develops, constructs and holds real estate properties for long-term investment and not for resale.
FREIT’s long-range investment policy is to review and evaluate potential real estate investment opportunities for acquisition that it believes will (i) complement its existing investment portfolio, (ii) generate increased income and distributions to its shareholders, and (iii) increase the overall value of FREIT’s portfolio. FREIT’s investments may take the form of wholly-owned fee interests or, if the circumstances warrant, joint venture basis, to diversify risk, with other parties including employees and affiliates of Hekemian & Co., Inc. (“Hekemian”) (See “Management Agreement”), provided FREIT is able to maintain management control over the property. While our general investment policy is to hold and maintain properties long-term, we may, from time-to-time, sell or trade certain properties in order to (i) obtain capital to be used to purchase, develop or renovate other properties which we believe will provide a higher rate of return and increase the value of our investment portfolio, and (ii) divest properties which we have determined or determine are no longer compatible with our growth strategies and investment objectives for our real estate portfolio.
Fiscal Year 2006 Developments
(i) | Financing |
(a) On October 21, 2005, FREIT entered into a $17.7 million construction loan agreement with State Farm Bank, F.S.B. (“State Farm”), whereby State Farm agreed to finance all the construction costs at Boulders (FREIT’s 129 garden apartment project in Rockaway, NJ). Interest on State Farm advances is payable monthly at 140 basis points above the one-month LIBOR rate in effect from time-to-time. As of October 31, 2006 FREIT had drawn down construction advances of approximately $14,369,000 and had no plans to request any additional construction draws since it has used funds from its own reserves to complete the construction of the project. The maturity date for the construction loan is January 1, 2007, and under certain circumstances, this date may be extended to February 1, 2007. On the maturity date the construction loan can be converted (“Conversion Date”) to a permanent loan and State Farm will fund additional amounts to bring the permanent loan balance up to $20.7 million. The permanent loan will bear a fixed interest rate of 5.37%, and require fixed monthly interest and principal payments totaling $115,850. The final payment of unpaid principal will be due fifteen (15) years from the Conversion Date. Until the construction loan is converted into a permanent loan, the loan is fully guaranteed by FREIT. Upon conversion to a permanent loan, and the achievement of certain occupancy and debt service coverage ratios, the loan becomes a non-recourse loan, and will be secured, principally, by the underlying property. On January 10, 2007, FREIT completed the process of converting the construction loan to the permanent loan, and received approximately $6.6 million in net loan proceeds.
(b) During fiscal 2005, FREIT’s Board of Trustees, to incentivize employees of Hekemian, authorized an investor group, comprised principally of Hekemian employees (“Hekemian Group”), to acquire a 30% equity interest in Damascus Centre, LLC that owns the Damascus Shopping Center in Damascus, Maryland. The sale price, based on the fair market value of the shopping center, will reduce FREIT’s equity interest to 70%. FREIT has agreed to advance, only to employees of Hekemian, up to 50% of the amount of the equity purchase price required to be paid by them. These advances will be in the form of secured loans that will bear interest that will float at 225 basis points over LIBOR, in effect from time-to-time. The sale of equity to the Hekemian Group was completed on October 31, 2006, at a sales price of $3,224,000, of which FREIT financed approximately $1,451,000. The sale price was equivalent to the book value of the interest sold.
(ii) | CONSTRUCTION |
(a) | Rockaway Township, NJ |
Construction started in July 2005 on 129 garden apartment units on FREIT’s property (approximately 20 +/- acres) in Rockaway, NJ. Development costs of approximately $17.7 million have been financed from construction financing and funds available from our cash and cash equivalents (See Financing above). Construction was completed during August 2006. Certificates of Occupancy for all buildings have been received, and tenants started taking occupancy during June 2006. As of January 10, 2007 occupancy is about 82%.
Approximately one (1) acre of the Rockaway land has been sub-divided and leased to a bank. Rent under the land lease commenced in December 2003.
(b) | Financial Information about Segments |
FREIT has two reportable segments: Commercial Properties and Residential Properties. These reportable segments have different types of tenants and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise. Segment information for the two years ended October 31, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Note 13, “Segment Information.”
(c) | Narrative Description of Business |
FREIT was founded and organized for the principal purpose of acquiring, developing, and owning a portfolio of diverse income producing real estate properties. FREIT’s developed properties include residential apartment communities and commercial properties that consist of multi and single tenanted properties. Our properties are located in New Jersey, Maryland and on Long Island. We also currently own approximately 40.37 acres of unimproved land in New Jersey. See “Item 2 Properties - Portfolio of Investments.”
FREIT elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. FREIT operates in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT in order to take advantage of certain favorable tax aspects of the REIT structure. Generally, a REIT will not be subject to federal income taxes on that portion of its ordinary income or capital gain that is currently distributed to its equity holders.
As an equity REIT, we generally acquire interests in income producing properties to be held as long-term investments. FREIT’s return on such investments is based on the income generated by such properties mainly in the form of rents.
From time to time, FREIT has sold, and may sell again in the future, certain of its properties in order to (i) obtain capital used or to be used to purchase, develop or renovate other properties which we believe will provide a higher rate of return and increase the value of our investment portfolio, and (ii) divest properties which FREIT has determined or determines are no longer compatible with our growth strategies and investment objectives for our real estate portfolio.
We do not hold any patents, trademarks, or licenses.
Portfolio of Real Estate Investments
At October 31, 2006, FREIT’s real estate holdings included (i) ten (10) apartment buildings or complexes containing 1,115 rentable units, (ii) nine (9) commercial properties (retail and office) containing approximately 1,265,000 square feet of leasable space, including one (1) single tenant store, and a one acre parcel subject to a ground lease, and (iii) four (4) parcels of undeveloped land consisting of approximately 40.37 acres. FREIT and its subsidiaries own all such properties in fee simple. See “Item 2 Properties - Portfolio of Investments” of this Annual Report for a description of FREIT’s separate investment properties and certain other pertinent information with respect to such properties that is relevant to FREIT’s business.
Investment in Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements (See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K) include the accounts of the following subsidiaries not wholly owned by FREIT:
Westwood Hills, LLC (“Westwood Hills”): FREIT owns a 40% membership interest in Westwood Hills which owns and operates a 210-unit residential apartment complex in Westwood, NJ.
Wayne PSC, LLC (“WaynePSC”): FREIT owns a 40% membership interest in Wayne PSC, LLC which owns a 323,000 +/- sq. ft. community center in Wayne, NJ.
S And A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership (“S And A”): FREIT owns a 65% partnership interest in S And A which owns a 269-unit residential apartment complex in Hackensack, NJ.
Grande Rotunda, LLC (“Grande”): FREIT owns a 60% membership interest in Grande which owns a 217,000 square foot mixed use property in Baltimore, MD.
Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus”): FREIT owns a 70% membership interest in Damascus, that owns a 139,878 +/- square foot shopping center in Damascus, MD.
Employees
On October 31, 2006 FREIT and its subsidiaries had twenty-three (23) full-time employees and twelve (12) part-time employees who work solely at the properties owned by FREIT or its subsidiaries. The number of part-time employees varies seasonally.
Mr. Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Donald W. Barney, President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. John A. Aiello, Esq., Secretary and Executive Secretary, are the executive officers of FREIT. Mr. Hekemian devotes approximately fifty to sixty percent (50% - 60%) of his business activities to FREIT, Mr. Barney devotes approximately fifteen percent (15%) of his business activities to FREIT, and Mr. Aiello devotes approximately five percent (5%) of his business activities to FREIT. See “Item 4A - Executive Officers of FREIT.” Hekemian & Co., Inc. (“Hekemian”) has been retained by FREIT to manage FREIT’s properties and is responsible for recruiting, on behalf of FREIT, the personnel required to perform all services related to the operation of FREIT’s properties. See “Management Agreement.”
Management Agreement
On April 10, 2002, FREIT and Hekemian executed a Management Agreement whereby Hekemian would continue as Managing Agent for FREIT. The term of the Management Agreement currently runs until October 31, 2007 and shall be automatically renewed for periods of two (2) years unless either party gives not less than six (6) months prior notice to the other of non-renewal. The April 10, 2002 Management Agreement replaced the Management Agreement dated December 20, 1961 as extended. The salient provisions of the Management Agreement are as follows: FREIT continues to retain the Managing Agent as the exclusive management and leasing agent for properties which FREIT owned as of April 2002 and for the Preakness Shopping Center acquired on November 1, 2002 by WaynePSC. However, FREIT may retain other managing agents to manage certain other properties acquired after April 10, 2002 and to perform various other duties such as sales, acquisitions, and development with respect to any or all properties. The Managing Agent is no longer the exclusive advisor for FREIT to locate and recommend to FREIT investments, which the Managing Agent deems suitable for FREIT, and is no longer required to offer potential acquisition properties exclusively to FREIT before acquiring those properties for its own account. The Management Agreement includes a detailed schedule of fees for those services, which the Managing Agent may be called upon to perform. The Management Agreement provides for a termination fee in the event of a termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement under certain circumstances.
Pursuant to the terms of the new Management Agreement, FREIT pays Hekemian certain fees and commissions as compensation for its services. From time to time, FREIT engages Hekemian to provide certain additional services, such as consulting services related to development and financing activities of FREIT. Separate fee arrangements are negotiated between Hekemian and FREIT with respect to such additional services. See “First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 8.”
Mr. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of FREIT, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hekemian. Mr. Hekemian owns approximately .2% of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hekemian.
Real Estate Financing
FREIT funds acquisition opportunities and the development of its real estate properties largely through debt financing, including mortgage loans against certain of its properties. At October 31, 2006, FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $180.7 million with an average interest cost on a weighted average basis of 6.07%. FREIT has mortgage loans against certain properties, which serve as collateral for such loans. See the tables in “Item 2 Properties - Portfolio of Investments” for the outstanding mortgage balances at October 31, 2006 with respect to each of these properties.
FREIT is currently, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, more highly leveraged than it has been in the past. This increased level of indebtedness also presents an increased risk of default on the obligations of FREIT and an increase in debt service requirements that could adversely affect the financial condition and results of operations of FREIT. A number of FREIT’s mortgage loans are being amortized over a period that is greater than the terms of such loans; thereby requiring balloon payments at the expiration of the terms of such loans. FREIT has not established a cash reserve sinking fund with respect to such obligations and at this time does not expect to have sufficient funds from operations to make such balloon payments when due under the terms of such loans. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” under Item 7.
FREIT is subject to the normal risks associated with debt financing, including the risk that FREIT’s cash flow will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest; the risk that indebtedness on its properties will not be able to be renewed, repaid or refinanced when due; or that the terms of any renewal or refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of the indebtedness being replaced. If FREIT were unable to refinance its indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, FREIT might be forced to dispose of one or more of its properties on disadvantageous terms which might result in losses to FREIT. These losses could have a material adverse effect on FREIT and its ability to make distributions to shareholders and to pay amounts due on its debt. If a property is mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and FREIT is unable to meet mortgage payments, the mortgagee could foreclose upon the property, appoint a receiver and receive an assignment of rents and leases or pursue other remedies, all with a consequent loss of revenues and asset value to FREIT. Further, payment obligations on FREIT’s mortgage loans will not be reduced if there is a decline in the economic performance of any of FREIT’s properties. If any such decline in economic performance occurs, FREIT’s revenues, earnings, and funds available for distribution to shareholders would be adversely affected.
Neither FREIT’s Declaration of Trust nor any policy statement formally adopted by FREIT’s Board of Trustees limits either the total amount of indebtedness or the specified percentage of indebtedness (based on the total capitalization of FREIT), which may be incurred by FREIT. Accordingly, FREIT may incur in the future additional secured or unsecured indebtedness in furtherance of its business activities, including, if or when necessary, to refinance its existing debt. Future debt incurred by FREIT could bear interest at rates which are higher than the rates on FREIT’s existing debt. Future debt incurred by FREIT could also bear interest at a variable rate. Increases in interest rates would increase FREIT’s variable interest costs (to the extent that the related indebtedness was not protected by interest rate protection arrangements), which could have a material adverse effect on FREIT and its ability to make distributions to shareholders and to pay amounts due on its debt or cause FREIT to be in default under its debt. Further, in the future, FREIT may not be able to, or may determine that it is not able to, obtain financing for property acquisitions or for capital expenditures to develop or improve its properties on terms which are acceptable to FREIT. In such event, FREIT might elect to defer certain projects unless alternative sources of capital were available, such as through an equity or debt offering by FREIT.
Competitive Conditions
FREIT is subject to normal competition with other investors to acquire real property and to profitably manage such property. Numerous other REITs, banks, insurance companies and pension funds, as well as corporate and individual developers and owners of real estate, compete with FREIT in seeking properties for acquisition and for tenants. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than FREIT.
In addition, retailers at FREIT's retail properties face increasing competition from discount shopping centers, outlet malls, sales through catalogue offerings, discount shopping clubs, marketing and shopping through cable and computer sources, particularly over the internet, and telemarketing. In many markets, the trade areas of FREIT's retail properties overlap with the trade areas of other shopping centers. Renovations and expansions at those competing shopping centers and malls could negatively affect FREIT's retail properties by encouraging shoppers to make their purchases at such new, expanded or renovated shopping centers and malls. Increased competition through these various sources could adversely affect the viability of FREIT's tenants, and any new retail real estate competition developed in the future could potentially have an adverse effect on the revenues of and earnings from FREIT's retail properties.
(A) | General Factors Affecting Investment in Commercial and Apartment Properties; Effect on Economic and Real Estate Conditions |
The revenues and value of FREIT’s commercial and residential apartment properties may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including, without limitation, the national economic climate; the regional economic climate (which may be adversely affected by plant closings, industry slow downs and other local business factors); local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of retail space or apartment units); perceptions by retailers or shoppers of the security, safety, convenience and attractiveness of a shopping center; perception by residential tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of an apartment building or complex; the proximity and the number of competing shopping centers and apartment complexes; the availability of recreational and other amenities and the willingness and ability of the owner to provide capable management and adequate maintenance. In addition, other factors may adversely affect the fair market value of a retail property or apartment building or complex without necessarily affecting the revenues, including changes in government regulations (such as limitations on development or on hours of operation) changes in tax laws or rates, and potential environmental or other legal liabilities.
(B) | Retail Shopping Center Properties' Dependence on Anchor Stores and Satellite Tenants |
FREIT believes that its revenues and earnings; its ability to meet its debt obligations; and its funds available for distribution to shareholders would be adversely affected if space in FREIT's multi-store shopping center properties could not be leased or if anchor store tenants or satellite tenants failed to meet their lease obligations.
The success of FREIT's investment in its shopping center properties is largely dependent upon the success of its tenants. Unfavorable economic, demographic, or competitive conditions may adversely affect the financial condition of tenants and consequently the lease revenues from and the value of FREIT's investments in its shopping center properties. If the sales of stores operating in FREIT's shopping center properties were to decline due to deteriorating economic conditions, the tenants may be unable to pay their base rents or meet other lease charges and fees due to FREIT. In addition, any lease provisions providing for additional rent based on a percentage of sales could be rendered moot. In the event of default by a tenant, FREIT could suffer a loss of rent and experience extraordinary delays while incurring additional costs in enforcing its rights under the lease, which may or may not be recaptured by FREIT. As at October 31, 2006 the following table lists the ten (10) largest retail tenants, which account for approximately 54.2% of FREIT’s commercial rental space and 40.8% of fixed retail rents.
Tenant | Center | Sq. Ft. | ||
Burlington Coat Factory | Westridge Square | 85,992 | ||
Kmart Corporation | Westwood Plaza | 84,254 | ||
Macy's Federated Department Stores, Inc. | Preakness | 81,160 | ||
Pathmark Stores Inc. | Patchoque | 63,932 | ||
Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. | Preakness | 61,020 | ||
Giant Of Maryland Inc. | Westridge Square | 55,330 | ||
Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. | Franklin Crossing | 48,673 | ||
Safeway Stores Inc. | Damascus Center | 45,189 | ||
Giant Food of Maryland | The Rotunda | 35,994 | ||
TJ MAXX | Westwood Plaza | 28,480 |
(C) | Renewal of Leases and Reletting of Space |
There is no assurance that we will be able to retain tenants at our commercial properties upon expiration of their leases. Upon expiration or termination of leases for space located in FREIT's commercial properties, the premises may not be relet or the terms of reletting (including the cost of concessions to tenants) may not be as favorable as lease terms for the terminated lease. If FREIT were unable to promptly relet all or a substantial portion of this space or if the rental rates upon such reletting were significantly lower than current or expected rates, FREIT's revenues and earnings, FREIT’s ability to service its debt, and FREIT’s ability to make expected distributions to its shareholders, could be adversely affected. During fiscal 2006, one lease, which we consider material, for approximately 18,954 sq. ft. at our Damascus shopping center, was allowed to expire without attempting renewal in order to allow FREIT to redevelop and expand the center. During fiscal 2007 and 2008 there are no material lease expirations expected.
(D) | Illiquidity of Real Estate Investments; Possibility that Value of FREIT's Interests may be less than its Investment |
Equity real estate investments are relatively illiquid. Accordingly, the ability of FREIT to vary its portfolio in response to changing economic, market or other conditions is limited. Also, FREIT's interests in its partially owned subsidiaries are subject to transfer constraints imposed by the operating agreements which govern FREIT’s investment in these partially owned subsidiaries. Even without such restrictions on the transfer of its interests, FREIT believes that there would be a limited market for its interests in these partially owned subsidiaries.
If FREIT had to liquidate all or substantially all of its real estate holdings, the value of such assets would likely be diminished if a sale was required to be completed in a limited time frame. The proceeds to FREIT from any such sale of the assets in FREIT’s real estate portfolio might be less than the fair market value of those assets.
Impact of Governmental Laws and Regulations on Registrant's Business
FREIT’s properties are subject to various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, including those relating to the environment and local rent control and zoning ordinances.
(A) | Environmental Matters |
Both Federal and state governments are concerned with the impact of real estate construction and development programs upon the environment. Environmental legislation affects the cost of selling real estate, the cost to develop real estate, and the risks associated with purchasing real estate.
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, an owner of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, in or under such property, as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including government fines and penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property). Such laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owners knew of, or were responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances. Such liability may be imposed on the owner in connection with the activities of any operator of, or tenant at, the property. The cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and the owner's liability therefore could exceed the value of the property and/or the aggregate assets of the owner. In addition, the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. If FREIT incurred any such liability, it could reduce FREIT's revenues and ability to make distributions to its shareholders.
A property can also be negatively impacted by either physical contamination or by virtue of an adverse effect upon value attributable to the migration of hazardous or toxic substances, or other contaminants that have or may have emanated from other properties.
At this time, FREIT is aware of the following environmental matters affecting its properties:
(i) | Westwood Plaza Shopping Center, Westwood, NJ |
This property is in a HUD Flood Hazard Zone and serves as a local flood retention basin for part of Westwood, New Jersey. FREIT maintains flood insurance in the amount of $500,000 for the subject property, which is the maximum available under the HUD Flood Program for the property. Any reconstruction of that portion of the property situated in the flood hazard zone is subject to regulations promulgated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP"), which could require extraordinary construction methods.
(ii) | Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ |
The redeveloped Franklin Crossing shopping center was completed during the summer of 1997. Also in 1997, a historical discharge of hazardous materials was discovered at Franklin Crossing. The discharge was reported to the NJDEP in accordance with applicable regulations. FREIT completed the remediation required by the NJDEP.
In November 1999, FREIT received a No Further Action Letter from the NJDEP concerning the contaminated soil at Franklin Crossing. Monitoring of the groundwater will continue pursuant to a memorandum of agreement filed with the NJDEP.
(iii) | Preakness Shopping Center, Wayne, NJ |
Prior to its purchase by WaynePSC, a Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessment of the Preakness shopping center revealed soil and ground water contamination with Percloroethylene (Dry Cleaning Fluid) caused by the mishandling of this chemical by a former Dry Cleaner tenant.
The seller of the center to WaynePSC is in the process of performing the remedial work in accordance with the requirements of the NJDEP. Additionally, the seller has escrowed the estimated cost of the remediation and has purchased a cap-cost insurance policy covering any expenses over and above the estimated cost.
(iv) | Other |
a) The State of New Jersey has adopted an underground fuel storage tank law and various regulations with respect to underground storage tanks.
FREIT no longer has underground storage tanks on any of its properties.
FREIT has conducted environmental audits for all of its properties except for its undeveloped land; retail properties in Franklin Lakes (Franklin Crossing) and Glen Rock, New Jersey; and residential apartment properties located in Lakewood, Palisades Park and Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Except as noted in subparagraph (iii) above, the environmental reports secured by FREIT have not revealed any environmental conditions on its properties, which require remediation pursuant to any applicable Federal or state law or regulation.
b) FREIT has determined that several of its properties contain lead based paint (“LBP”). FREIT complies with all Federal, state and local requirements as they pertain to LBP.
FREIT does not believe that the environmental conditions described in subparagraphs (i) - (iv) above will have a materially adverse effect upon the capital expenditures, revenues, earnings, financial condition or competitive position of FREIT.
(B) | Rent Control Ordinances |
Each of the apartment buildings or complexes owned by FREIT is subject to some form of rent control ordinance which limits the amount by which FREIT can increase the rent for renewed leases, and in some cases, limits the amount of rent which FREIT can charge for vacated units. Westwood Hills and The Boulders at Rockaway are not subject to any rent control law or regulation.
(C) | Zoning Ordinances |
Local zoning ordinances may prevent FREIT from renovating, expanding or converting its existing properties, for their highest and best use as determined by FREIT’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is not aware of any such zoning impediments to the development of the South Brunswick property described herein.
(D) | Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sale |
FREIT does not engage in operations in foreign countries and it does not derive any portion of its revenues from customers in foreign countries.
ITEM 1 A | RISK FACTORS |
See discussion under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
ITEM 1 B | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
ITEM 2 | PROPERTIES |
Portfolio of Investments: The following charts set forth certain information relating to each of FREIT's real estate investments in addition to the specific mortgages encumbering the properties.
Residential Apartment Properties as of October 31, 2006:
Property and Location | Year Acquired | No. of Units | Average Annual Occupancy Rate | Mortgage Balance ($000) | Depreciated Cost of Buildings and Equipment ($000) | |||||||||||
Lakewood Apts. | 1962 | 40 | 94.0 | % | None (1) | $ | 101 | |||||||||
Lakewood, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Palisades Manor | 1962 | 12 | 100.0 | % | None (1) | $ | 44 | |||||||||
Palisades Park, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Grandview Apts. | 1964 | 20 | 98.1 | % | None (1) | $ | 125 | |||||||||
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Heights Manor | 1971 | 79 | 94.8 | % | $ | 3,298 | $ | 543 | ||||||||
Spring Lake Heights, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Hammel Gardens | 1972 | 80 | 95.0 | % | $ | 4,808 | $ | 798 | ||||||||
Maywood, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Steuben Arms | 1975 | 100 | 96.9 | % | $ | 6,667 | $ | 1,290 | ||||||||
River Edge, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Berdan Court | 1965 | 176 | 96.2 | % | $ | 13,176 | $ | 1,429 | ||||||||
Wayne, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Pierre Towers (3) | 1994 | 269 | 93.8 | % | $ | 34,125 | $ | 45,173 | ||||||||
Hackensack, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Westwood Hills (2) | 2004 | 210 | 96.8 | % | $ | 16,945 | $ | 12,533 | ||||||||
Westwood , NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Boulders (4) Rockaway, NJ | 2006 | 129 | 75.0 | % | $ | 14,369 | $ | 20,886 |
(1) | Security for draws against FREIT's Credit Line. |
(2) | FREIT owns a 40% equity interest in Westwood Hills. See Investment in Affiliates. |
(3) | Pierre Towers is 100% owned by S And A Commercial Associates LP, which is 65% owned by FREIT. |
(4) | Construction completed in August 2006 on land acquired 1963 / 1964. |
Commercial Properties as of October 31, 2006:
Property and Location | Year Acquired | Leaseable Space- Approximate Sq. Ft. | Average Annual Occupancy Rate | Mortgage Balance ($000) | Depreciated Cost of Buildings and Equipment ($000) | |||||||||||
Franklin Crossing | 1966 (2 | ) | 87,041 | 95.7 | % | None (1) | $ | 9,074 | ||||||||
Franklin Lakes, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Westwood Plaza | 1988 | 173,854 | 99.7 | % | $ | 9,416 | $ | 10,940 | ||||||||
Westwood, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Westridge Square | 1992 | 256,620 | 86.8 | % | $ | 15,968 | $ | 19,692 | ||||||||
Frederick, MD | ||||||||||||||||
Pathmark Super Store | 1997 | 63,962 | 100.0 | % | $ | 6,139 | $ | 8,942 | ||||||||
Patchogue, NY | ||||||||||||||||
Glen Rock, NJ | 1962 | 4,800 | 100.0 | % | None (1) | $ | 153 | |||||||||
Preakness Center (3) | 2002 | 322,136 | 98.1 | % | $ | 31,768 | $ | 31,723 | ||||||||
Wayne, NJ | ||||||||||||||||
Damascus Center (4) | 2003 | 139,878 | 68.6 | % | None | $ | 9,998 | |||||||||
Damascus. MD | ||||||||||||||||
Rockaway, NJ | 1964/1963 | 1+/- Acre Landlease | 100.0 | % | (6) | $ | 169 | |||||||||
The Rotunda (5) | 2005 | 216,645 | 84.0 | % | $ | 22,500 | $ | 32,890 | ||||||||
Baltimore, MD | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | Security for draws against FREIT's Credit Line. |
(2) | The original 33,000 sq. ft. shopping center was replaced with a new 87,041 sq. ft. center that opened in October 1997. |
(3) | FREIT owns a 40% equity interest in WaynePSC that owns the center. |
(4) | FREIT owns a 70% equity interest in Damascus Centre, LLC that owns the center. |
(5) | FREIT owns a 60% equity interest in Grande Rotunda, LLC that owns the center. |
(6) | Security for draws against FREIT's construction loan in Rockaway, NJ, with an outstanding balance at October 31, 2006 of $14,369,000. |
Land Under Development and Vacant Land as of October 31, 2006:
Location (1) | Acquired | Current Use | Permitted Use per Local Zoning Laws | Acreage Per Parcel | ||||
Vacant Land: | ||||||||
Franklin Lakes, NJ | 1966 | None | Residential | 4.27 | ||||
Rockaway, NJ | 1964 | None | Residential | 1 | ||||
Wayne, NJ | 2002 | None | Commercial | 2.1 | ||||
So. Brunswick, NJ (2) | 1964 | Principally leased as farmland qualifying for state farmland assessment tax treatment | Industrial | 33 | ||||
(1) All of the above land is unencumbered, except as noted. | ||||||||
(2) Site plan approval has been received for the construction of a 563,000 square foot industrial building. |
FREIT believes that it has a diversified portfolio of residential and commercial properties. FREIT’s business is not materially dependent upon any single tenant or any one of its properties. The following table lists FREIT’s properties that have contributed 15% or more of FREIT’s total revenue in one (1) or more of the last three (3) fiscal years.
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, | ||||||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
Preakness Center | 14.7 | % | 16.0 | % | 17.2 | % | ||||
Pierre Towers | 14.7 | % | 16.1 | % | (1 | ) | ||||
(1) Acquired during 2004 |
Although FREIT’s general investment policy is to hold properties as long-term investments, FREIT could selectively sell certain properties if it determines that any such sale is in FREIT’s and its shareholders’ best interests. With respect to FREIT’s future acquisition and development activities, FREIT will evaluate various real estate opportunities which FREIT believes would increase FREIT’s revenues and earnings, as well as compliment and increase the overall value of FREIT’s existing investment portfolio.
Except for the Pathmark supermarket super store located in Patchogue, Long Island, all of FREIT’s and its subsidiaries commercial properties have multiple tenants.
FREIT and its subsidiaries’ commercial properties have seventeen (17) anchor / major tenants, that account for approximately 51% of the space leased. The balance of the space is leased to one hundred and eighty six (186) satellite and office tenants. The following table lists the anchor / major tenants at each center and the number of satellite tenants:
Commercial Property Shopping Center (SC) Office Building (O) | Net Leaseable Space | Anchor/Major Tenants | No. Of Satellite Tenants | |||||||
Westridge Square | 256,620 (SC | ) | Giant Supermarket | 24 | ||||||
Frederick, MD | Burlington Coat Factory | |||||||||
Franklin Crossing | 87,041 (SC | ) | Stop & Shop | 18 | ||||||
Franklin, Lakes, NJ | ||||||||||
Westwood Plaza | 173,854 (SC | ) | Kmart Corp | 20 | ||||||
Westwood, NJ | TJMaxx | |||||||||
Preakness Center (1) | 322,136 (SC | ) | Stop & Shop | 40 | ||||||
Wayne, NJ | Macy's | |||||||||
CVS | ||||||||||
Annie Sez | ||||||||||
ClearView Theaters | ||||||||||
Damascus Center (2) | 139,878 (SC | ) | Safeway Stores | 12 | ||||||
Damascus, MD | ||||||||||
The Rotunda (3) | 138,276 (O | ) | Clear Channel Broadcasting | 64 | ||||||
Baltimore, MD | US Social Security Office | |||||||||
Janus Associates | ||||||||||
78,369 (SC | ) | Giant Food of Maryland | 8 | |||||||
Rite Aid Corporation | ||||||||||
Bank of America |
(1) | FREIT has a 40% interest in this center. |
(2) | FREIT has a 70% interest in this property. |
(3) | FREIT has a 60% interest in this property. |
With respect to most of FREIT’s commercial properties, lease terms range from five (5) years to twenty-five (25) years with options which if exercised would extend the terms of such leases. The lease agreements generally contain clauses for reimbursement of real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses of the properties. During the last three (3) completed fiscal years, FREIT’s commercial properties (excluding The Rotunda, which was acquired in July 2005) averaged a 92.1% occupancy rate with respect to FREIT’s available leasable space
Leases for FREIT’s apartment buildings and complexes are usually one (1) year in duration. Even though the residential units are leased on a short-term basis, FREIT has averaged, during the last three (3) completed fiscal years, a 94.4% occupancy rate with respect to FREIT’s available apartment units.
FREIT does not believe that any seasonal factors materially affect FREIT’s business operations and the leasing of its commercial and apartment properties.
FREIT believes that its properties are covered by adequate fire and property insurance provided by reputable companies and with commercially reasonable deductibles and limits.
ITEM 3 | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which FREIT is a party or of which any of its properties is the subject. There is, however, ordinary and routine litigation involving FREIT's business including various tenancy and related matters. Notwithstanding the environmental conditions disclosed in “Item 1(c) Narative Description of Business - Impact of Governmental Laws and Regulations on Registrant’s Business; Environmental Matters,” there are no legal proceedings concerning environmental issues with respect to any property owned by FREIT.
ITEM 4 | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of FREIT's 2006 fiscal year.
PART II
ITEM 5 | MARKET FOR FREIT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Shares of Beneficial Interest
Beneficial interests in FREIT are represented by shares without par value (the “Shares”). The Shares represent FREIT’s only authorized, issued and outstanding class of equity. As of January 13, 2007, there were approximately 500 holders of record of the Shares.
The Shares are traded in the over-the-counter market through use of the OTC Bulletin Board Service (the “OTC Bulletin Board”) provided by NASD, Inc. FREIT does not believe that an active United States public trading market exists for the Shares since historically only small volumes of the Shares are traded on a sporadic basis. The following table sets forth, at the end of the periods indicated, the Bid and Asked quotations for the Shares on the OTC Bulletin Board.
Bid | Asked | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2006 | |||||||
First Quarter | $ | 32.00 | $ | 33.00 | |||
Second Quarter | $ | 33.37 | $ | 35.00 | |||
Third Quarter | $ | 25.15 | $ | 25.15 | |||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 23.50 | $ | 23.60 |
Bid | Asked | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2005 | |||||||
First Quarter | $ | 28.50 | $ | 29.25 | |||
Second Quarter | $ | 38.00 | $ | 39.00 | |||
Third Quarter | $ | 33.85 | $ | 33.75 | |||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 31.00 | $ | 32.25 |
The bid quotations set forth above for the Shares reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The source of the bid and asked quotations is Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC., members of the New York Stock Exchange and other national securities exchanges.
FREIT did not repurchase any shares of beneficial interest during the period covered by this report.
Dividends
The holders of Shares are entitled to receive distributions as may be declared by FREIT’s Board of Trustees. Dividends may be declared from time to time by the Board of Trustees and may be paid in cash, property, or Shares. The Board of Trustees’ present policy is to distribute annually at least ninety percent (90%) of FREIT’s REIT taxable income as dividends to the holders of Shares in order to qualify as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes. Distributions are made on a quarterly basis. In fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, FREIT paid or declared aggregate total dividends of $1.25 and $1.20 per share, respectively, to the holders of Shares. See “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Distributions to Shareholders.”
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
See table included in “Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”
ITEM 6 | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The selected consolidated financial data for FREIT for each of the five (5) fiscal years in the period ended October 31, 2006 are derived from financial statements herein or previously filed financial statements. This data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report and with FREIT’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report.
BALANCE SHEET DATA: | ||||||||||||||||
As At October 31, | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||
(In thousands of dollars) | ||||||||||||||||
Restated - See Note 2 | ||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 234,786 | $ | 214,998 | $ | 190,575 | $ | 155,764 | $ | 110,485 | ||||||
Mortgage Loans | $ | 180,679 | $ | 166,874 | $ | 148,244 | $ | 126,767 | $ | 83,188 | ||||||
Shareholders' Equity (a) | $ | 24,972 | $ | 26,115 | $ | 28,671 | $ | 19,783 | $ | 21,426 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 6,574 | 6,440 | 6,378 | 6,268 | 6,240 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 6,816 | 6,774 | 6,658 | 6,522 | 6,466 |
INCOME STATEMENT DATA: | ||||||||||||||||
Year Ended October 31, | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||
(In Thousands Of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue from real estate operations | $ | 38,305 | $ | 33,667 | $ | 30,356 | $ | 25,399 | $ | 19,571 | ||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Real estate operations | 15,894 | 13,671 | 11,459 | 9,133 | 6,460 | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 1,212 | 1,001 | 689 | 592 | 449 | |||||||||||
Depreciation | 4,739 | 4,265 | 3,677 | 2,839 | 2,155 | |||||||||||
Minority interest (a) | 407 | 426 | 555 | 2,254 | 300 | |||||||||||
Totals | 22,252 | 19,363 | 16,380 | 14,818 | 9,364 | |||||||||||
Operating income (a) | 16,053 | 14,304 | 13,976 | 10,581 | 10,207 | |||||||||||
Investment income | 232 | 229 | 183 | 201 | 249 | |||||||||||
Interest expense including amortization of deferred financing costs | (11,127 | ) | (10,039 | ) | (9,046 | ) | (7,838 | ) | (5,480 | ) | ||||||
Income from continuing operations (a) | 5,158 | 4,494 | 5,113 | 2,944 | 4,976 | |||||||||||
Discontinued operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of Minority Interests * | 9,958 | 741 | 809 | |||||||||||||
Net income (a) | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | $ | 3,685 | $ | 5,785 |
* Includes gain on disposal of $12,681 and $475 in fiscal years 2004 and 2002 respectively.
Basic earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations (a) | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.80 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | $ | 1.56 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 2.36 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.93 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations (a) | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.77 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | $ | 1.50 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 2.27 | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.90 | ||||||
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.86 |
(a) Amounts for 2002 through 2005 were restated from amounts previously reported to reflect minority members’ share of a capital deficit of a 40% owned subsidiary as a reduction of shareholders’ equity and to reflect as a minority interest expense, cash distributions made to minority members during such years. The minority members’ share of the subsidiaries deficit was principally attributable to the minority members’ share of net proceeds from refinancings. Accordingly, accumulated undistributed earnings through Fiscal 2005 was reduced by $2,458,000 from amounts previously stated and net income (and earnings per share) for intervening fiscal years restated as follows: 2005, increased by $38,000 ($.01); 2004, decreased by $139,000 ($.02); 2003, decreased by $1,880,000 ($.30), and 2002, increased by $104,000 ($.02).
ITEM 7 | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Cautionary Statement Identifying Important Factors That Could Cause FREIT’s Actual Results to Differ From Those Projected in Forward Looking Statements. Readers of this discussion are advised that the discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of FREIT (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Certain statements in this discussion may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect FREIT’s current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of FREIT, and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. FREIT has tried, wherever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend, “ “plan,” “ estimate,” or words of similar meaning. Although FREIT believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for rental space, the availability of prospective tenants, lease rents and the availability of financing; adverse changes in FREIT’s real estate markets, including, among other things, competition with other real estate owners, risks of real estate development and acquisitions; governmental actions and initiatives; and environmental/safety requirements. |
Overview
FREIT is an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns a portfolio of residential apartment and retail properties. Our revenues consist primarily of fixed rental income from our residential and retail properties and additional rent in the form of expense reimbursements derived from our income producing retail properties. Our properties are primarily located in northern New Jersey and Maryland. We acquire existing properties for investment, and we acquire properties, which we feel have redevelopment potential, and develop and construct properties on our vacant land. Our policy is to acquire and develop real property for long-term investment.
Almost all of FREIT’s income and cash flow is derived from the net rental income (revenues after expenses) from our properties. FREIT’s business and financial results are affected by the following fundamental factors:
· | the national and regional economic climate; |
· | occupancy rates at the properties; |
· | tenant turn-over rates; |
· | rental rates; |
· | operating expenses; |
· | tenant improvement and leasing costs; |
· | cost of and availability of capital; |
· | new acquisitions and development projects; and |
· | governmental regulations. |
A negative quality change in the above factors could potentially cause a detrimental effect in FREIT’s revenue, earnings and cash flow.
Effects of recent accounting pronouncements:
In December 2003, the FASB issued revised FIN 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No.51." (“FIN 46R"). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of an entity in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity (variable interest entities, or "VIEs"). Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership or a majority voting interest in the entity. FIN 46R is applicable for financial statements of public entities that have interests in VIEs or potential VIEs referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 31, 2003. Applications by public entities for all other types of entities are required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.
In accordance with the definition of related parties as defined in paragraph 16 of FIN 46R and the guidance in paragraph 4h, it is the belief of the management of FREIT that FIN 46R is applicable to Westwood Hills, LLC and Wayne PSC, LLC, both 40% owned by FREIT. Because of this determination, FREIT has consolidated these two entities in addition to its 65% owned subsidiary, S And A and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Damascus Centre, LLC, commencing with the quarter ended April 30, 2004, and has restated the prior periods reported in this Form 10-K. The consolidation of Wayne PSC did not have any impact on FREIT's equity, net income, or earnings per share. The impact of the consolidation of Westwood Hills on FREIT’s equity, net income and earnings per share is detailed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No.123 (R) "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." SFAS 123 (R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This Statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS 123 (R) requires that the fair value of such equity instruments be recognized as an expense in the historical financial statements as services are performed. Prior to SFAS 123 (R), only certain pro forma disclosures of fair value were required. SFAS 123 (R) was effective for FREIT as of November 1, 2005. The adoption of this new accounting pronouncement did not have any impact on FREIT's consolidated financial statements.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") disclosure guidance for "Critical Accounting Policies," the SEC defines Critical Accounting Policies as those that require the application of Management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, the preparation of which takes into account estimates based on judgments and assumptions that affect certain amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The accounting policies and estimates used, which are outlined in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements which is presented elsewhere in this Annual Report, have been applied consistently as at October 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the years ended October 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. We believe that the following accounting policies or estimates require the application of Management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments:
Revenue Recognition: Base rents, additional rents based on tenants' sales volume and reimbursement of the tenants' share of certain operating expenses are generally recognized when due from tenants. The straight-line basis is used to recognize base rents under leases if they provide for varying rents over the lease terms. Straight-line rents represent unbilled rents receivable to the extent straight-line rents exceed current rents billed in accordance with lease agreements. Before FREIT can recognize revenue, it is required to assess, among other things, its collectibility. If we incorrectly determine the collectibility of revenue, our net income and assets could be overstated.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: We periodically assess the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever we determine that events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. When FREIT determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired, the measurement of any impairment is based on a projected discounted cash flow method determined by FREIT's management. While we believe that our discounted cash flow methods are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows may significantly affect the measurement of impairment.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 requires the reporting of discontinued operations to include components of an entity that have either been disposed of or are classified as held for sale. FREIT has adopted SFAS No. 144. During 2002 and 2004, FREIT sold its Camden, NJ and its Olney, MD properties, respectively. FREIT has reclassified the net income (loss) from the operation of these properties as Discontinued Operations for all periods presented. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have an impact on net income, but only impacted the presentation of these properties within the consolidated statements of income. The results of this reclassification can be seen in "Item 6 Selected Financial Data" above and in the Consolidated Financial Statements of FREIT (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Since we consider net income from continuing operations to be the most significant element of net income, all references and comparisons refer to this item unless otherwise stated. All references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis (unless otherwise indicated), and refer to earnings per share from continuing operations and have been adjusted to reflect the one-for-one share dividends paid in October 2001 and March 2004.
Results of Operations:
Restatement:
On its consolidated balance sheet, FREIT reflected as minority interest the Westwood Hills minority members’ share of the Westwood Hills capital deficit. This deficit resulted in large measure from distributions to the minority members, of excess proceeds related to the Westwood Hills mortgage financings that were over and above the original mortgage amount. The higher mortgage amount reflected the then increased value of the Westwood Hills property. These capital distributions received by the minority members of Westwood Hills caused their capital accounts to go into deficit positions.
Although there is no economic effect or cost to FREIT, under US GAAP FREIT cannot record a negative minority interest in consolidated financial statements if the minority members have no obligation to restore their negative capital accounts. Accordingly, FREIT’s 2005 and 2004 financial statements have been restated by reducing undistributed earnings as of October 31, 2003 as previously reported by $2,358,000, representing the minority members’ capital deficit at such date. In addition, net income for the year ended October 31, 2005 has been increased by $38,000 and net income for the year ended October 31, 2004 has been decreased by $139,000 from amounts previously reported, to reflect cash distributions from Westwood Hills to minority members during such years.
Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2006 and 2005
Summary revenues and net income for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2006 (“Fiscal 2006”) and October 31, 2005 (“Fiscal 2005”) are as follows:
Year Ended | ||||||||||
October 31, | Increase | |||||||||
2006 | 2005 | (decrease) | ||||||||
(In thousands, except per share values) | ||||||||||
Commercial Revenues: | Restated - See Note 2 | |||||||||
Same properties (1) | $ | 17,835 | $ | 17,184 | $ | 651 | ||||
New properties | 4,091 | 987 | 3,104 | |||||||
21,926 | 18,171 | 3,755 | ||||||||
Residential Revenues: | ||||||||||
Same properties (1) | 15,995 | 15,496 | 499 | |||||||
New properties | 384 | 384 | ||||||||
16,379 | 15,496 | 883 | ||||||||
Total real estate revenues | 38,305 | 33,667 | 4,638 | |||||||
Investment income and other | 232 | 229 | 3 | |||||||
Total Revenues | $ | 38,537 | $ | 33,896 | $ | 4,641 | ||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||
Real estate operations | 15,894 | 13,671 | 2,223 | |||||||
General and administrative | 1,212 | 1,001 | 211 | |||||||
Depreciation | 4,739 | 4,265 | 474 | |||||||
Financing costs | 11,127 | 10,039 | 1,088 | |||||||
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries | 407 | 426 | (19 | ) | ||||||
Total Expenses | 33,379 | 29,402 | 3,977 | |||||||
Net Income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 664 | ||||
Earnings per share: | ||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.08 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.10 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||
Basic | 6,574 | 6,440 | 134 | |||||||
Diluted | 6,816 | 6,774 | 42 |
(1) | Properties operated since the beginning of fiscal 2005. |
Revenue for Fiscal 2006 increased 13.8% to $38,305,000 compared to $33,667,000 for Fiscal 2005. FREIT’s acquisition of The Rotunda in July 2005 (see Note 5-Acquisition, to the consolidated financial statements), and revenue generated from FREIT’s newly constructed property in Rockaway, NJ accounted for 10% of the increase in revenues.
Net income for Fiscal 2006 increased $664,000 (14.8%) to $5,158,000 from $4,494,000 for Fiscal 2005. The increase in net income for Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005 is attributable to improved operating results at FREIT’s Same Properties.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following table sets forth comparative operating data for FREIT’s real estate segments.
Commercial | Residential | Combined | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
October 31, | Increase (Decrease) | October 31, | Increase (Decrease) | October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006 | 2005 | $ | % | 2006 | 2005 | $ | % | 2006 | 2005* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | (In thousands) | (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental income | $ | 16,104 | $ | 13,717 | $ | 2,387 | 17.4 | % | $ | 16,180 | $ | 15,335 | $ | 845 | 5.5 | % | $ | 32,284 | $ | 29,052 | |||||||||||
Percentage rent | 160 | 39 | 121 | 310.3 | % | - | 160 | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursements | 4,669 | 4,063 | 606 | 14.9 | % | - | 4,669 | 4,063 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 161 | 23 | 138 | 600.0 | % | 199 | 161 | 38 | 23.6 | % | 360 | 184 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue | 21,094 | 17,842 | 3,252 | 18.2 | % | 16,379 | 15,496 | 883 | 5.7 | % | 37,473 | 33,338 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 8,464 | 6,615 | 1,849 | 28.0 | % | 7,430 | 7,056 | 374 | 5.3 | % | 15,894 | 13,671 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Operating Income | $ | 12,630 | $ | 11,227 | $ | 1,403 | 12.5 | % | $ | 8,949 | $ | 8,440 | $ | 509 | 6.0 | % | 21,579 | 19,667 | |||||||||||||
Average Occupancy % | 90.3 | % | 91.1 | % | -0.8 | % | 95.5 | % | 93.4 | % | 2.1 | % |
Reconciliation to consolidated net income: | |||||||
Deferred rents - straight lining | 342 | 329 | |||||
Amortization of acquired leases | 490 | ||||||
Net investment income | 232 | 229 | |||||
General and administrative expenses | (1,212 | ) | (1,001 | ) | |||
Depreciation | (4,739 | ) | (4,265 | ) | |||
Financing costs | (11,127 | ) | (10,039 | ) | |||
Minority interest | (407 | ) | (426 | ) | |||
Net income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | |||
* Restated - See Note 2 |
The above table details the comparative net operating income (“NOI”) for FREIT’s Commercial and Residential Segments, and reconciles the combined NOI to consolidated Net Income. NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), lease amortization, depreciation and financing costs. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by generally accepted accounting principles, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
The commercial segment contained nine separate properties during Fiscal 2006 and eight separate properties during Fiscal 2005 until the acquisition of The Rotunda in July 2005. FREIT’s commercial properties total approximately 1,100,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 138,000 sq. ft. of office space. Seven are multi-tenanted retail or office centers, and one is a single tenanted store. In addition, FREIT has leased land and receives rental income from a tenant who has built and operates a bank branch on land FREIT owns in Rockaway, NJ.
The occupancy percentage of our properties by same properties, newly acquired properties and properties undergoing expansion and/or renovations are as follows:
Average Occupancy % Year Ended October 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Same operating properties | 95.1% | 95.8% | |||||
Properties undergoing expansion/ renovation: | |||||||
Damascus Center | 68.6% | 71.1% | |||||
The Rotunda | 84.0% | (a) | |||||
(a) Acquired July 19, 2005 |
As indicated in the above Segment Information table, revenues and NOI from our commercial segment for Fiscal 2006 increased by $3,252,000 (18.2%) and $1,403,000 (12.5%) respectively over Fiscal 2005. The contribution made by The Rotunda (acquired July 19, 2005), to revenues and NOI during Fiscal 2006 is reflected in the following chart:
Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
October 31, 2006 | October 31, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Combined | Rotunda | Same Properties | Commercial Combined | Rotunda | Same Properties | ||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 21,094 | $ | 3,535 | $ | 17,559 | $ | 17,842 | $ | 969 | $ | 16,873 | |||||||
Expenses | 8,464 | 2,507 | 5,957 | 6,615 | 585 | 6,030 | |||||||||||||
NOI | $ | 12,630 | $ | 1,028 | $ | 11,602 | $ | 11,227 | $ | 384 | $ | 10,843 |
Revenues and NOI for same properties increased 4.1% and 7.0% respectively for Fiscal 2006 over Fiscal 2005.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
On July 19, 2005 FREIT’s 60% owned affiliate, Grande Rotunda, LLC, completed the acquisition of The Rotunda, a mixed-use property in Baltimore, Maryland. The Rotunda site is approximately 11.5 acres and is in close proximity to Johns Hopkins University. Its current configuration contains about 138,000 sq. ft. of office space, primarily in the four-story main building, and 78,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the lower level of the main building. We are planning a modernization and expansion of the retail space, as well as the development of residential apartment units as allowed by the current zoning. Final development plans, however, are subject to approval by local governmental authorities.
A modernization and expansion is planned for the Damascus Center, in Damascus, MD. Building plans for Phase I are completed and have been submitted for governmental approvals. It is anticipated that Phase I construction will begin early in 2007. Because of this expansion, current leases for certain tenants are being allowed to expire and are not being renewed. This has caused occupancy to decline, on a temporary basis, during the construction phase.
RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
During most of Fiscal 2006 FREIT operated nine (9) multi-family apartment communities totaling 986 apartment units. During the later part of June 2006, tenants began taking occupancy at completed buildings at FREIT’s 129-unit Rockaway, NJ project, The Boulders (see discussion below), that had been under construction. Since operations at The Boulders during Fiscal 2006 were immaterial, the NOI discussion below concerns FREIT’s same residential properties.
During Fiscal 2006 revenues increased $883,000 (5.7%) to $16,379,000 and NOI increased $509,000 (6.0%) to $8,949,000 over Fiscal 2005. The favorable results at FREIT’s residential segment for Fiscal 2006 was a combination of higher occupancy levels and higher rents. As a result of the continuing firming of the apartment rental markets in FREIT’s operating areas, we expect continued favorable operating results at our residential segment during fiscal 2007.
Our residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income. Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents. A 1% decline in annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents from current levels, results in an annual revenue decline of approximately $185,000 and $173,000 respectively.
Capital expenditures: During Fiscal 2006 we expended $368,000 ($513 per apartment unit) excluding The Pierre and the newly constructed Boulders. Since our apartment communities were constructed more than 25 years ago, we tend to spend more in any given year on maintenance and capital improvements than may be spent on newer properties.
At The Pierre, a major renovation program has been started. We intend to modernize, where required, all apartments and to modernize some of the building’s mechanical services. This renovation is expected to cost approximately $2 - $3 million and take, at least, several years to complete. These costs will be financed from operating cash flow and cash reserves. Through October 31, 2006, we expended approximately $1.8 million in capital improvements at The Pierre.
The Boulders, Rockaway Township, NJ
Construction started in July 2005 on 129 garden apartment units on FREIT’s property in Rockaway, NJ. Development costs estimated at $17.7 million has been financed from construction financing and funds available from our cash and cash equivalents. Construction was completed in August 2006. Certificates of Occupancy for the buildings have been received, and tenants started taking occupancy during June 2006. As of December 15, 2006 occupancy is in excess of 79%. The Boulders is expected to add to earnings, cash flow and shareholder value.
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Net investment income increased slightly to $232,000 during Fiscal 2006 from $229,000 in Fiscal 2005. Net investment income is principally derived from interest earned from our cash on deposit in institutional money market funds, and interest earned from our secured loans receivable including loans made to Hekemian employees for their equity investment in Grande Rotunda. The amount of earnings is dependent on prevailing interest rates in effect from time-to-time.
FINANCING COSTS
Financing costs are summarized as follows:
Year Ended | |||||||
October 31, | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Fixed rate Mortgages | |||||||
1st Mortgages | |||||||
Existing | $ | 8,661 | $ | 8,869 | |||
New (1) | 2,041 | 340 | |||||
2nd Mortgages | |||||||
Existing | 540 | 540 | |||||
Credit Line | 86 | ||||||
Other | 134 | 94 | |||||
Total Interest | 11,462 | 9,843 | |||||
Amortization of | |||||||
Mortgage Costs | 246 | 196 | |||||
Less Construction Period Interest Capitalized | (581 | ) | - | ||||
Financing Costs | $ | 11,127 | $ | 10,039 | |||
(1) Mortgages not in place at beginning of Fiscal 2005 |
Financing costs for Fiscal 2006 increased by $1,088,000 (10.8%) compared to Fiscal 2005. The principal reasons for the increase was the mortgage loan on FREIT’s acquisitions of The Rotunda in Fiscal 2005. The decrease in financing costs from existing mortgages is principally attributable to reduced interest costs resulting from lower mortgage balances from normal loan amortization and from the pre-payment of the $2.3 million loan on the Damascus property in January 2005.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Our general and administrative expenses increased $211,000 (21.1%) to $1,212,000 for Fiscal 2006 from $1,001,000 for Fiscal 2005. The principal reasons for this increase were the Sarbanes-Oxley Act accounting compliance costs and Trustee’s compensation.
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation expense in Fiscal 2006 increased $474,000 (11.1%) to $4,739,000 from $4,265,000 for Fiscal 2005. The principal reasons for the increase were the acquisition of The Rotunda during July of Fiscal 2005, and the completion and coming into service of the Boulders property in Rockaway, NJ.
Results of Operations:
Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2005 and 2004
Revenues for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 (“Fiscal 2005”) increased $3,357,000 or 11.0% over revenues for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004 (“Fiscal 2004”). The components of the increase are summarized in this chart:
Year Ended October 31, | Increase | |||||||||
2005 | 2004 | (Decrease) | ||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||
Commercial Revenues: | ||||||||||
Same properties (1) | $ | 17,184 | $ | 17,358 | ($ 174 | ) | ||||
New properties | 987 | 987 | ||||||||
18,171 | 17,358 | 813 | ||||||||
Residential revenues: | ||||||||||
Same properties (1) | 10,082 | 9,977 | 105 | |||||||
New properties | 5,414 | 3,021 | 2,393 | |||||||
15,496 | 12,998 | 2,498 | ||||||||
Total real estate revenues | 33,667 | 30,356 | 3,311 | |||||||
Investment income and other | 229 | 183 | 46 | |||||||
Total Revenues | $ | 33,896 | $ | 30,539 | $ | 3,357 | ||||
(1) Properties operated since the beginning of fiscal 2004. |
New Properties, specifically The Rotunda (Commercial) purchased in July 2005, and The Pierre (Residential) purchased in July 2004, generated the major increase in revenues. The Rotunda is a 217,000 sq. ft. mixed use building in Baltimore, MD, and The Pierre is a 269-apartment high-rise residential property in Hackensack, NJ.
Income from continuing operations was $4,494,000 in Fiscal 2005 compared to $5,113,000 in Fiscal 2004, a decrease of 12.1%. The decease in income results primarily from increased expenses. Funds From Operations (“FFO”) increased to $7,698,000 in fiscal 2005 from $6,662,000 in Fiscal 2004 (see below).
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following table sets forth comparative operating data for FREIT’s real estate segments.
Commercial | Residential | Combined | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
October 31, | Increase (Decrease) | October 31, | Increase (Decrease) | October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | $ | % | 2005 | 2004 | $ | % | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Restated - See Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | (In thousands) | (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental income | $ | 13,717 | $ | 12,699 | $ | 1,018 | 8.0 | % | $ | 15,335 | $ | 12,843 | $ | 2,492 | 19.4 | % | $ | 29,052 | $ | 25,542 | |||||||||||
Percentage rent | 39 | 57 | (18 | ) | -31.6 | % | - | 39 | 57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursements | 4,063 | 4,229 | (166 | ) | -3.9 | % | - | 4,063 | 4,229 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 23 | 36 | (13 | ) | -36.1 | % | 161 | 155 | 6 | 3.9 | % | 184 | 191 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue | 17,842 | 17,021 | 821 | 4.8 | % | 15,496 | 12,998 | 2,498 | 19.2 | % | 33,338 | 30,019 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 6,615 | 5,663 | 952 | 16.8 | % | 7,056 | 5,794 | 1,262 | 21.8 | % | 13,671 | 11,457 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Operating Income | $ | 11,227 | $ | 11,358 | $ | (131 | ) | -1.2 | % | $ | 8,440 | $ | 7,204 | $ | 1,236 | 17.2 | % | 19,667 | 18,562 | ||||||||||||
Average Occupancy % | 91.1 | % | 92.1 | % | -1.0 | % | 93.4 | % | 94.4 | % | -1.0 | % |
Reconciliation to consolidated net income: | |||||||
Deferred rents - straight lining | 329 | 335 | |||||
Net investment income | 229 | 183 | |||||
General and administrative expenses | (741 | ) | (689 | ) | |||
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance | (260 | ) | |||||
Depreciation | (4,265 | ) | (3,677 | ) | |||
Financing costs | (10,039 | ) | (9,046 | ) | |||
Minority interest | (426 | ) | (555 | ) | |||
Income from continuing operations | 4,494 | 5,113 | |||||
Discontinued operations | - | 9,958 | |||||
Net income | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 |
The above table details the comparative net operating income (“NOI”) for FREIT’s Commercial and Residential Segments, and reconciles the combined NOI to consolidated Net Income. NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation and financing costs. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by generally accepted accounting principles, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
During Fiscal 2005 revenues increased $821,000 (4.8%) to $17,842,000. The revenue increase is primarily attributable to the operations at The Rotunda, whose operations have been included since its acquisition on July 19, 2005. NOI for Fiscal 2005 was $11,227,000 compared to NOI for Fiscal 2004 of $11,358,000, a decrease of 1.2%. The reduction in NOI results principally from higher expenses during Fiscal 2005 and the inclusion in Fiscal 2004 of a net $300,000 tenant termination fee. Average occupancy during fiscal 2005 was 92.5%, excluding The Rotunda, which had occupancy of 83.9%.
On July 19, 2005 FREIT’s 60% owned affiliate, Grande Rotunda, LLC, completed the acquisition of The Rotunda, a mixed-use property in Baltimore, Maryland. The Rotunda site is approximately 11.5 acres and is in close proximity to Johns Hopkins University. Its current configuration contains about 138,000 sq. ft. of office space, primarily in the four-story main building, and 78,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the lower level of the main building. The acquisition cost was approximately $31 million (inclusive of transaction costs), which was financed in part from an acquisition loan in the amount of $22.5 million (see above), and the balance in cash (see Business, Fiscal Year 2005 Developments, Acquisition and Construction).
We are planning a modernization and expansion of the retail space, as well as the development of residential apartment units as allowed by the current zoning. Final development plans, however, are subject to approval by local governmental authorities.
A modernization and expansion is planned for the Damascus Center, in Damascus, MD. Building plans for Phase I are completed and have been submitted for governmental approvals. It is anticipated that Phase I construction will begin early 2007. Because of this expansion, current leases for certain tenants are being allowed to expire and are not being renewed. This has caused occupancy to decline, on a temporary basis, during the construction phase.
RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
Residential revenue increased $2,498,000 (19.2%) to $15,496,000 during Fiscal 2005 from $12,998,000 for Fiscal 2004. As indicated above, the principal amount of the increase was attributable to the operations of The Pierre, which has been included in operations for the full Fiscal 2005 year and only for six and one-half months during Fiscal 2004.
Revenues at the same properties (properties operated since the start of Fiscal 2004) increased slightly to $10,082,000 during Fiscal 2005 from $9,977,000 during Fiscal 2004. Average occupancy for the same properties decreased to 93.4% during Fiscal 2005 compared to 94.2% for Fiscal 2004. The decrease in occupancy was the result of weakened demand for rental housing in our markets. The slightly higher revenues coupled with slightly lower expenses resulted in NOI at the same properties increasing $157,000 (24.4%) to $5,880,000 for Fiscal 2005 from $5,723,000 for Fiscal 2004. However, NOI for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2005 was reflective of weakened demand, resulting in lower occupancy and concessions, and was $74,000 below NOI for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2004.
We feel the rental housing demand has firmed, as occupancies are picking up and concessions eliminated. We expect fiscal 2006 to show improved operating results in the residential sector..
While demand during Fiscal 2005 was sluggish, average monthly asking rents at our same properties increased 1.8% to $1,213, from $1,192 during Fiscal 2004. Average asking monthly rents including The Pierre were $1,759.
Our residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income. Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents. A 1% decline in annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents, results in an annual decline of $1,000 and $162,000 respectively.
During Fiscal 2005 we expended $626,000 ($873 per apartment unit), excluding The Pierre, to improve and maintain the competitiveness of our apartments. Since our apartment communities were constructed more than 25 years ago, we tend to spend more in any given year on maintenance and capital improvements than may be spent on newer properties. At The Pierre a major renovation program has been started. We intend to modernize, where required, all apartments and modernize some of the building’s mechanical services. This renovation is expected to take, at least, several years to complete and will be financed from operating cash flow and cash reserves. During fiscal 2005 we expended $676,000 in capital improvements at The Pierre.
Rockaway Township, NJ
FREIT owns approximately 20 ± acres of undeveloped land in Rockaway Township, NJ. In July 2005 construction started on 129 garden apartment units. Development costs are estimated at $13.8 million that we will finance, in part, from construction financing (see Fiscal Year 2005 Development) and, in part, from funds available from our institutional money market investments. Construction is expected to last twelve to eighteen months, with the first buildings available for occupancy in March / April 2006.
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Net investment income increased approximately 25% to $229,000 for Fiscal 2005 compared to $183,000 for Fiscal 2004. Net investment income is principally derived from interest earned from our cash on deposit in institutional money market funds, and interest earned from our secured loans receivable (loans made to Hekemian employees for their equity investment in Grande Rotunda- see Fiscal Year 2005 Developments). The amount of earnings is dependent on prevailing interest rates in effect from time-to-time.
FINANCING COSTS
Financing costs are summarized as follows:
Year Ending October 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Fixed rate Mortgages | |||||||
1st Mortgages | |||||||
Existing | $ | 7,033 | $ | 7,264 | |||
New (1) | 2,176 | 938 | |||||
2nd Mortgages | |||||||
Existing | 540 | 564 | |||||
Credit Line | 23 | ||||||
Other | 94 | 61 | |||||
9,843 | 8,850 | ||||||
Amortization of Mortgage Costs | 196 | 196 | |||||
Financing Costs | $ | 10,039 | $ | 9,046 | |||
(1) Mortgages not in place at beginning of fiscal 2004 |
Financing costs for Fiscal 2005 increased by $993,000 (11%) compared to Fiscal 2004. The principal reasons for the increase were the new first mortgage loans on FREIT’s acquisitions of The Rotunda in Fiscal 2005, and The Pierre during Fiscal 2004. The decrease in financing costs from existing mortgages is principally attributable to reduced interest costs resulting from lower mortgage balances from normal loan amortization and from the pre-payment of the $2.3 million loan on the Damascus property in January 2005.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Our General and Administrative expenses increased $312,000 (45.3%) to $1,001,000 for Fiscal 2005 from $689,000 for Fiscal 2004. The principal reasons for the increase was the Sarbanes-Oxley Act accounting compliance costs aggregating $260,000 during Fiscal 2005. We estimate an additional $50,000 will be required during Fiscal 2006 to complete the compliance requirements. While most of these costs will not be on-going, accounting costs (and related personnel costs) will be higher than experienced historically to continue compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We are trying to leverage these costs to develop more efficient operating procedures.
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation expense in fiscal 2005 increased $588,000 (16%) to $4,265,000 from $3,677,000 for Fiscal 2004. The principal reasons for the increase was the acquisition of The Rotunda during July of Fiscal 2005, and The Pierre during July of Fiscal 2004.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our financial condition remains strong. Net cash provided by operating activities was $12.1 million for Fiscal 2006 compared to $9.7 million for Fiscal 2005. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will be adequate to cover mandatory debt service payments, recurring capital improvements and dividends necessary to retain qualification as a REIT (90% of taxable income).
As at October 31, 2006, we had cash and marketable securities totaling $9.6 million compared to $5.7 million at October 31, 2005.
We are planning the rebuilding of the Damascus Shopping Center, in Damascus, MD, and an expansion and redevelopment of The Rotunda in Baltimore, MD. The total capital required for these projects, if all relevant governmental approvals are received, is estimated at $19 million, and $125 million, respectively. We expect to finance these costs, in part, from construction and mortgage financing and, in part, from funds available in our institutional money market investment. We expect these development projects to add to revenues, income, cash flow, and shareholder value.
As at October 31, 2006, FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $180.7 million. This debt bears a fixed weighted average interest rate of 6.066%. The fixed rate mortgages, which have an average life of approximately 5.8 years, are subject to repayment (amortization) schedules that are longer than the term of the mortgages. As such, balloon payments for all mortgage debt will be required as follows:
Year | $ Millions | |||
2007 | $ | 15.7 | ||
2008 | $ | 28.4 | ||
2010 | $ | 12.3 | ||
2013 | $ | 8.0 | ||
2014 | $ | 26.1 | ||
2016 | $ | 24.7 | ||
2019 | $ | 28.3 |
The following table shows the estimated fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt at October 31, 2006 and 2005:
(In Millions) | October 31, 2006 | October 31, 2005 | |||||
Fair Value | $ | 184.4 | $ | 171.9 | |||
Carrying Value | $ | 180.7 | $ | 166.9 |
Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at the end of each fiscal year and on discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates.
FREIT expects to re-finance the individual mortgages with new mortgages when their terms expire. To this extent we have exposure to interest rate risk on our fixed rate debt obligations. If interest rates, at the time any individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required, and/or re-financing proceeds may be less than the amount of mortgage debt being retired. For example, a 1% interest rate increase would reduce the fair value of our debt by $4.5 million, and a 1% decrease would increase the fair value by $5.4 million.
We believe that the values of our properties will be adequate to command re-financing proceeds equal to, or higher than, the mortgage debt to be re-financed. We continually review our debt levels to determine if additional debt can prudently be utilized for property acquisition additions to our real estate portfolio that will increase income and cash flow to shareholders.
Credit Line:
FREIT’s $14 million line of credit expired on January 21, 2004 (extended date) and has been replaced by an $18 million line of credit. The line of credit is for three years but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, at each anniversary date. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen Rock, NJ, Lakewood Apartments, Lakewood, NJ, and Grandview Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Interest rates on draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws.
As of October 31, 2006 $1.5 million has been drawn against this line, and the credit line has been utilized for the issuance of a $2 million letter of credit for the benefit of the Township of Rockaway in connection with our construction of 129 garden apartment units. As of January 11, 2007 cash draws agains the line have been repaid and there are no draws outstanding.
Interest rate swap contract: To reduce interest rate volatility, FREIT uses “pay fixed, receive floating” interest rate swaps to convert floating interest rates to fixed interest rates over the terms of certain loans. We enter into these swap contracts with a counterparty that is usually a high-quality commercial bank.
In essence, we agree to pay our counterparty a fixed rate of interest on a dollar amount of notional principal (which corresponds to our mortgage debt) over a term equal to the terms of the mortgage note. Our counterparty, in return, agrees to pay us a short-term rate of interest - generally LIBOR - on that same notional amount over the same term as our mortgage note.
FASB 133 requires us to mark-to-market fixed pay interest rate swaps. As the floating interest rate varies from time-to-time over the term of the contract, the value of the contract will change upward or downward. If the floating rate is higher than the fixed rate, the value of the contract goes up and there is a gain and an asset. If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, there is a loss and a liability. These gains or losses will not affect our income statement. Changes in the fair value of these swap contracts will be reported in other comprehensive income and appear in the equity section of our balance sheet. This gain or loss represents the economic consequence of liquidating our fixed rate swap contracts and replacing them with like-duration funding at current market rates, something we would likely never do.
FREIT had a variable interest rate mortgage securing its Patchogue, NY property. To reduce interest rate fluctuations FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract. This rate swap contract effectively converted variable interest rate payments to fixed interest rate payments. The contract was initially based on a notional amount of approximately $6,769,000 ($6,139,000 at October 31, 2006). FREIT has the following derivative-related risks with its swap contract: 1) early termination risk, and 2) counterparty credit risk.
Early Termination Risk: If FREIT wants to terminate its swap contract before maturity, it would be bought out or terminated at market value; i.e., the difference in the present value of the anticipated net cash flows from each of the swap’s parties. If current variable interest rates are significantly below FREIT’s fixed interest rate payments, this could be costly. Conversely, if interest rates rise above FREIT’s fixed interest payments and FREIT elected early termination, FREIT would realize a gain on termination. At October 31, 2006, FREIT’s swap contract was in-the-money. If FREIT had terminated its contract at that date it would have realized a gain of about $87,000. This amount has been included as an asset in FREIT’s balance sheet as at October 31, 2006, and the change (gain or loss) between reporting periods included in comprehensive income.
Counterparty Credit Risk: Each party to a swap contract bears the risk that its Counterparty will default on its obligation to make a periodic payment. FREIT reduces this risk by entering swap contracts only with major financial institutions that are experienced market makers in the derivatives market.
FREIT’s total capital commitments represent obligations under its mortgage loans as follows:
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS | ||||||||||||||||
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) | ||||||||||||||||
Within | 2 - 3 | 4 - 5 | After 5 | |||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | Total | One Year | Years | Years | Years | |||||||||||
Long-Term Debt * | ||||||||||||||||
Annual Amortization | $ | 27,952 | $ | 2,458 | $ | 4,630 | $ | 5,242 | $ | 15,622 | ||||||
Balloon Payments | 159,058 | 15,671 | 29,893 | 12,284 | 101,210 | |||||||||||
Total Capital Commitments | $ | 187,010 | $ | 18,129 | $ | 34,523 | $ | 17,526 | $ | 116,832 |
* Reflects conversion of $14,369,000 construction loan at Boulders to $20,700,000 permanent loan on January 10, 2007.
Funds From Operations (“FFO”)
Many consider FFO as the standard measurement of a REIT’s performance. We compute FFO as follows:
Funds From Operations ("FFO") | Year Ended | |||||||||
October 31, | ||||||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
(In thousands, except per share values) | ||||||||||
Restated - See Note 2 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | ||||
Depreciation | 4,739 | 4,265 | 3,677 | |||||||
Amortization of deferred mortgage costs | 246 | 196 | 177 | |||||||
Deferred rents (Straight lining) | (342 | ) | (329 | ) | (335 | ) | ||||
Amortization of acquired leases | (490 | ) | ||||||||
Capital Improvements - Apartments | (368 | ) | (626 | ) | (417 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations | (13,278 | ) | ||||||||
Minority interests: | ||||||||||
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries | 407 | 426 | 3,875 | |||||||
Distributions to minority interests | (780 | ) | (728 | ) | (2,108 | ) | ||||
FFO | $ | 8,570 | $ | 7,698 | $ | 6,662 | ||||
Per Share - Basic | $ | 1.30 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.04 | ||||
Per Share - Diluted | $ | 1.26 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 1.00 | ||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: | ||||||||||
Basic | 6,574 | 6,440 | 6,378 | |||||||
Diluted | 6,816 | 6,774 | 6,658 |
FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and therefore should not be considered a substitute for net income as a measure of results of operations or for cash flow from operations as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, the application and calculation of FFO by certain other REITs may vary materially from that of FREIT’s, and therefore FREIT’s FFO and the FFO of other REITs may not be directly comparable.
Distributions to Shareholders
Since its inception in 1961, FREIT has elected to be treated as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes. In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy a number of highly technical and complex operational requirements including that we must distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income. We anticipate making distributions to shareholders from operating cash flows, which are expected to increase from future growth in rental revenues. Although cash used to make distributions reduces amounts available for capital investment, we generally intend to distribute not less than the minimum of REIT taxable income necessary to satisfy the applicable REIT requirement as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. With respect to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, the reduction of the tax rate on dividends does not apply to FREIT dividends. Since it is FREIT’s policy to pass on at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders, FREIT’s taxable income is untaxed at the trust level. As a result, FREIT’s dividends will be taxed as ordinary income.
It has been our policy to pay fixed quarterly dividends for the first three quarters of each fiscal year, and a final fourth quarter dividend based on the fiscal year’s net income and taxable income. The Board has decided to fix the dividend for the first three quarters of fiscal 2007 at $.30 per share. The following tables list the quarterly dividends paid or declared for the three most recent fiscal years and the percent the dividends were of taxable income. Per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the one-for-one share dividend paid in March 2004
Fiscal Year ended October 31, | ||||||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.20 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.20 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.20 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.50 | ||||
Total For Year | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.10 |
($000) | Dividends | ||||||||||||
Fiscal Year | Per Share | Total Dividends | Taxable Income | as a % of Taxable Income | |||||||||
2006 | $ | 1.25 | $ | 8,313 | $ | 5,250 | 158.3 | % | |||||
2005 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 7,740 | $ | 4,778 | 162.0 | % | |||||
2004 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 7,064 | $ | 5,337 | 132.4 | % |
INFLATION
Inflation can impact the financial performance of FREIT in various ways. Our commercial tenant leases normally provide that the tenants bear all or a portion of most operating expenses, which can reduce the impact of inflationary increases on FREIT. Apartment leases are normally for a one-year term, which may allow us to seek increased rents as leases renew or when new tenants are obtained.
ITEM 7A | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Commercial and Residential Segment” above.
ITEM 8 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
The consolidated financial statements and supplementary data of FREIT are submitted as a separate section of this Annual Report. See "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page 35 of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9 | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
Effective September 13, 2006, FREIT changed its independent registered public accounting firm from J.H. Cohn, LLP to Eisner, LLP, as reported in FREIT ’s Form 8-K dated September 13, 2006. The decision to change the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was made by the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors and approved by the Company’ s board of directors. In connection with the audits of the Company ’s financial statements for each of the two fiscal years ending October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2004, and in the subsequent interim period from November 1, 2005 through and including September 8, 2006, there were no disagreements between the Company and its auditors, J.H. Cohn, on any matters of accounting principles or practices, consolidated financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope and procedures, which if not resolved to the satisfaction of J.H. Cohn, would have caused J.H. Cohn to make reference to the matter in their reports on the financial statements for such years.
ITEM 9A | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
At the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with participation of FREIT’s management, including FREIT’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There have been no significant changes in FREIT’s internal controls or in other factors, which could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date we carried out our evaluation.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — FREIT’s management, under the supervision of FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Management evaluated the effectiveness of FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 31, 2006.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2006, has been audited by Eisner LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in “Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — FREIT’s management, with the participation of FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated whether any change in FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that there has been no change in FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting.
None.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Trustees and Shareholders
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”, that First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey and Subsidiaries (“FREIT”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). FREIT’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management’s assessment that FREIT maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also in our opinion, FREIT maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2006, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of FREIT as of October 31, 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and undistributed earnings and cash flows for the year then ended, and our report dated January 10, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Eisner LLP
New York, NY
January 10, 2007
PART III
Certain information required by Part III is incorporated by reference to FREIT's definitive proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of FREIT's fiscal year covered by this Annual Report. Only those sections of the Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth in this Annual Report are incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement into this Annual Report.
ITEM 10 | DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT |
The information concerning FREIT's trustees required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections titled "Election of Trustees" and "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the SecuritiesExchange Act" in FREIT's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting to be held in April 2007.
The executive officers of FREIT as of January 30, 2007 are listed below. Brief summaries of their business experience and certain other information with respect to each of them is set forth in the following table and in the information, which follows the table.
As a result of Hekemian being responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of FREIT’s properties, the executive officers, with the exception of Mr. Robert S. Hekemian, are not required to devote a significant part of their business activities to their duties as executive officers of FREIT. See “Item 1(c) Narrative Description of Business - Management Agreement.” Except for Mr. Aiello, Secretary, and Executive Secretary of FREIT, each of the executive officers is also a Trustee of FREIT.
The executive officers of FREIT are as follows:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Robert S. Hekemian | 75 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Donald W. Barney | 66 | President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
John A. Aiello, Esq. | 57 | Secretary and Executive Secretary |
Robert S. Hekemian has been active in the real estate industry for more than fifty (50) years. Mr. Hekemian has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of FREIT since 1991, and as a Trustee since 1980. From 1981 to 1991, Mr. Hekemian was President of FREIT. Mr. Hekemian directly devotes approximately fifty to sixty percent (50% - 60%) of his time to execute his duties as an executive officer of FREIT. Mr. Hekemian is also the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hekemian. See “Item 1(c) Narrative Description of Business - Management Agreement.” Mr. Hekemian is a director of the Pascack Community Bank. Mr. Hekemian is also a director, partner and officer in numerous private real estate corporations and partnerships.
Donald W. Barney has served as President of FREIT since 1993, as a Trustee since 1981, and was elected Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer in January 2003. Mr. Barney devotes approximately fifteen percent (15%) of his time to execute his duties as an executive officer of FREIT. Mr. Barney was associated with Union Camp Corporation, a diversified manufacturer of paper, packaging products, chemicals, and wood products, from 1969 through December 31, 1998, as Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Barney was a director of Ramapo Financial Corporation until it was acquired, in May 1999 by another financial institution, and is a partner and director in several other private real estate investment companies, and a director of the Hilltop Community Bank.
John A. Aiello, Esq., an attorney, was elected to serve as the Executive Secretary of FREIT in August 2002, and as Secretary in January 2003. Mr. Aiello devotes approximately five percent (5%) of his time to execute his duties as an executive officer of FREIT. Beginning in 1974, Mr. Aiello has spent his entire career with the law firm of Giordano Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. (“GH&C”), with offices in Middletown and Trenton, NJ. Mr. Aiello is an officer and shareholder of GH&C. Mr. Aiello is Chairman of GH&C’s Corporate and Securities Department, and his practice focuses on corporate law, corporate finance, securities, mergers, and acquisitions.
ITEM 11 | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
The information pertaining to executive compensation required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled "Election of Trustees - Executive Compensation" in FREIT's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting to be held in April 2007.
ITEM 12 | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K to be included as part of this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in FREIT's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting to be held in April 2007.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The number of stock options outstanding under our equity compensation plans, the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, and the number of securities remaining available for issuance, as of October 31, 2006, were as follows:
Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |||
(a) | (b) | (c) | ||||
Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders (1) | 242,500 | $7.50 | 166,000 | |||
Equity Compensation Plans not approved by security holders | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Total | 242,500 | $7.50 | 166,000 |
(1) FREIT's equity incentive plan provides for the issuance of awards to officers, trustees, employees and consultants in the form of nonqualified options to acquire shares of beneficial interest, restricted shares and other share based awards.
ITEM 13 | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS |
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in FREIT's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting to be held in April 2007.
ITEM 14 | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The information required in response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in FREIT’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting to be held in April 2007 under the captions “Audit Fees,” “AUDIT Related Fees,” “ Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees.”
PART IV
ITEM 15: | EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES |
(a) Financial Statements: | Page |
(i) Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms of Eisner LLP and J.H. Cohn LLP. | 37/38 |
(ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2006 and 2005 | 39 |
(iii) Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, and Undistributed Earnings for the years ended October 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 | 40 |
(iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended October 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 | 41 |
(v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 42 |
(b) Exhibits: | |
See Index to Exhibits. | 60 |
(c) Financial Statement Schedule: | |
(i) XI - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation. | 57/58 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, FREIT has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey | |||
Dated: January 31, 2007 | By: /s/ Robert S. Hekemian | ||
Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | |||
By: /s/ Donald W. Barney | |||
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Trustees and Shareholders
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey and Subsidiaries (“FREIT”) as of October 31, 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and undistributed earnings and cash flows for the year then ended. Our audit also included the Financial Statement Schedule XI listed in the index at item 15(c). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of FREIT's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of FREIT as of October 31, 2006 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO) and our report dated January 10, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Eisner LLP
New York, NY
January 10, 2007
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Trustees and Shareholders
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey and Subsidiaries (“FREIT”) as of October 31, 2005 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and undistributed earnings and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of FREIT's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of FREIT as of October 31, 2005 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, FREIT has restated its consolidated financial statements as of October 31, 2005 and for each of the years in the two year period ended October 31, 2005.
Our audits referred to above included the information in Schedule XI, which presents fairly, when read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the information required to be set forth therein.
/s/ J.H. Cohn LLP
Roseland, New Jersey
January 10, 2006, except for Note 2, as to which the date is January 30, 2007
38
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
OCTOBER 31, 2006 AND 2005
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
(In Thousands of Dollars) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
(Restated - See Note 2) | |||||||
Real estate, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation | $ | 204,313 | $ | 188,416 | |||
Construction in progress | 2,995 | 4,770 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 9,616 | 5,672 | |||||
Tenants' security accounts | 2,161 | 1,908 | |||||
Sundry receivables | 3,320 | 4,460 | |||||
Secured loans receivable | 3,109 | 1,658 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 4,201 | 4,198 | |||||
Acquired over market leases and in-place lease costs | 1,395 | ||||||
Deferred charges, net | 3,589 | 3,820 | |||||
Interest rate swap contract | 87 | 96 | |||||
Totals | $ | 234,786 | $ | 214,998 | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||
Mortgages and notes payable | $ | 180,679 | $ | 166,874 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 6,097 | 5,253 | |||||
Dividends payable | 3,375 | 2,916 | |||||
Tenants' security deposits | 2,823 | 2,487 | |||||
Below market value leases and deferred revenue | 3,945 | 1,309 | |||||
Total liabilities | 196,919 | 178,839 | |||||
Minority interest | 12,895 | 10,044 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||||
Shares of beneficial interest without par value: | |||||||
8,000,000 shares authorized; 6,750,652 and 6,481,152 shares issued and outstanding | 23,150 | 21,129 | |||||
Undistributed earnings | 1,735 | 4,890 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 87 | 96 | |||||
Total shareholders' equity | 24,972 | 26,115 | |||||
Totals | $ | 234,786 | $ | 214,998 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND
UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31 2006, 2005 AND 2004
INCOME | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
(In Thousands Of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts) | ||||||||||
Revenue: | (Restated - See Note 2) | |||||||||
Rental income | $ | 33,276 | $ | 29,398 | $ | 25,937 | ||||
Reimbursements | 4,786 | 4,168 | 4,229 | |||||||
Sundry income | 243 | 101 | 190 | |||||||
Totals | 38,305 | 33,667 | 30,356 | |||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | 10,021 | 8,200 | 6,441 | |||||||
Management fees | 1,708 | 1,524 | 1,299 | |||||||
Real estate taxes | 5,377 | 4,948 | 4,408 | |||||||
Depreciation | 4,739 | 4,265 | 3,677 | |||||||
Minority interest | 407 | 426 | 555 | |||||||
Totals | 22,252 | 19,363 | 16,380 | |||||||
Operating income | 16,053 | 14,304 | 13,976 | |||||||
Investment income | 232 | 229 | 183 | |||||||
Interest expense including amortization of deferred financing costs | (11,127 | ) | (10,039 | ) | (9,046 | ) | ||||
Income from continuing operations | 5,158 | 4,494 | 5,113 | |||||||
Discontinued operations: | ||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | 597 | |||||||||
Gain on disposal | 12,681 | |||||||||
Minority interest in discontinued operations | (3,320 | ) | ||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | - | - | 9,958 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | ||||
Basic earnings per share: | ||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.80 | ||||
Discontinued operations | - | - | 1.56 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 2.36 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.77 | ||||
Discontinued operations | - | - | 1.50 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 2.27 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||
Basic | 6,574 | 6,440 | 6,378 | |||||||
Diluted | 6,816 | 6,774 | 6,658 | |||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contract | (9 | ) | 256 | 41 | ||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | 5,149 | $ | 4,750 | $ | 15,112 | ||||
UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 4,890 | $ | 8,136 | $ | 129 | ||||
Net income | 5,158 | 4,494 | 15,071 | |||||||
Less dividends declared | (8,313 | ) | (7,740 | ) | (7,064 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 1,735 | $ | 4,890 | $ | 8,136 | ||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.10 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
(In Thousands of Dollars) | ||||||||||
Operating activities: | Restated - See Note 2 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (including discontinued operations): | ||||||||||
Depreciation | 4,739 | 4,265 | 3,928 | |||||||
Amortization | 757 | 413 | 405 | |||||||
Net amortization of acquired leases and cost of in-place leases | (490 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred revenue | 66 | 27 | 6 | |||||||
Minority interest | 407 | 426 | 3,875 | |||||||
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations | (12,681 | ) (a) | ||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||
Tenants' security accounts | (253 | ) | (131 | ) | (445 | ) | ||||
Sundry receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets | 1,137 | (3,293 | ) | (725 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 234 | 3,220 | 1,464 | |||||||
Tenants' security deposits | 336 | 277 | 406 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 12,091 | 9,698 | 11,304 | |||||||
Investing activities: | ||||||||||
Capital expenditures - existing properties | (2,351 | ) | (2,047 | ) | (2,096 | ) | ||||
Construction and pre development costs | (14,463 | ) | (4,157 | ) | (313 | ) | ||||
Additions to leasing costs | (298 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations | 16,235 | (a) | ||||||||
Acquisition of real estate | (8,390 | ) (b) | (16,003 | ) (c) | ||||||
Sale of minority interest in subsidiary | 3,224 | |||||||||
Secured loans to minority interest | (1,451 | ) | (1,658 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (15,339 | ) | (16,252 | ) | (2,177 | ) | ||||
Financing activities: | ||||||||||
Repayment of mortgages | (1,989 | ) | (3,945 | ) | (1,776 | ) | ||||
Construction and other loan proceeds | 15,794 | 75 | 4,542 | |||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 2,021 | 435 | 840 | |||||||
Dividends paid | (7,854 | ) | (8,036 | ) | (6,219 | ) | ||||
Distribution to minority interest | (780 | ) | (728 | ) | (2,108 | ) | ||||
Contributions by minority interest | 5,582 | |||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | 7,192 | (6,617 | ) | (4,721 | ) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 3,944 | (13,171 | ) | 4,406 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 5,672 | 18,843 | 14,437 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 9,616 | $ | 5,672 | $ | 18,843 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data: | ||||||||||
Interest paid, including capitalized construction period interest of $581,000 in fiscal 2006 | $ | 11,462 | $ | 9,844 | $ | 9,070 | ||||
Income taxes paid | $ | 19 | $ | 36 | $ | 59 | ||||
Supplemental schedule of non cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||
Accrued capital expenditures, construction costs and pre-development costs | $ | 2,445 | ||||||||
Dividends declared but not paid | $ | 3,375 | $ | 2,916 | $ | 3,212 |
(a) In June 2004, S And A Commercial Associated LP (“S And A”), a then 75% owned subsidiary of FREIT, sold the Olney Town Center in Olney, MD for $28,125,000 that it acquired in April 2000 for approximately $15,500,000. Net proceeds of approximately $16,235,000 were received after repayment of the first mortgage on the property of approximately $11,000,000. For financial statement purposes FREIT recognized a gain of approximately $12,681,000.
(b) In July 2005, Grande Rotunda, LLC, a 60% owned affiliate of FREIT, completed the acquisition of The Rotunda, a 217,000 sq. ft. office and retail building in Baltimore, MD. The acquisition cost of approximately $30,890,000 was paid in part with the proceeds of a $22,500,000 acquisition loan.
(c) In April 2004, S And A completed the acquisition of a 269 unit high rise apartment building in Hackensack, NJ for approximately $45,586,000, in part with the proceeds of a $29,583,000 mortgage.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 - Organization and significant accounting policies:
Organization:
First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey ("FREIT") was organized November 1, 1961 as a New Jersey Business Trust. FREIT is engaged in owning residential and commercial income producing properties located primarily in New Jersey, Maryland and New York.
FREIT has elected to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the provisions of Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. Accordingly, FREIT does not pay Federal income tax on income whenever income distributed to shareholders is equal to at least 90% of real estate investment trust taxable income. Further, FREIT pays no Federal income tax on capital gains distributed to shareholders.
FREIT is subject to Federal income tax on undistributed taxable income and capital gains. FREIT may make an annual election under Section 858 of the Internal Revenue Code to apply part of the regular dividends paid in each respective subsequent year as a distribution for the immediately preceding year.
Principles of consolidation:
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued revised FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51.” (“FIN 46R”). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of certain entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity (variable interest entities, or “VIEs”). Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership of a majority voting interest in the entity. FIN 46R is applicable for financial statements of public entities that have interests in VIEs or potential VIEs referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 31, 2003. Applications by public entities for all other types of entities are required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.
In accordance with the definition of related parties as defined in paragraph 16 of FIN 46R and the guidance in paragraph 4h, it is the belief of the management of FREIT that FIN 46R is applicable to Westwood Hills, LLC and Wayne Preakness, LLC, both 40% owned by FREIT. Because of this determination, FREIT has consolidated these two entities in its consolidated financial statements beginning with the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004.
Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FREIT and its following subsidiaries:
Subsidiary | Owning Entity | % Ownership | Year Acquired | |||||||
S And A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A") | FREIT | 65% | 2000 | |||||||
Westwood Hills, LLC | FREIT | 40% | 1994 | |||||||
Damascus Centre, LLC ("Damascus") | FREIT | 70% | 2003 | |||||||
Wayne Preakness, LLC | FREIT | 40% | 2002 | |||||||
Pierre Towers, LLC | Sand A | 100% | 2004 | |||||||
Grande Rotunda, LLC | FREIT | 60% | 2005 |
The consolidated financial statements include 100% of each subsidiary’s assets, liabilities, operations and cash flows with the interests not owned by FREIT reflected as "minority interest”. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents:
Financial instruments that potentially subject FREIT to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. FREIT considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. FREIT maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank and other accounts, the balances of which, at times, may exceed Federally insured limits. At October 31, 2006 and 2005, such cash and cash equivalent balances exceeded Federally insured limits by approximately $6,388,000 and $4,602,000 respectively. Exposure to credit risk is reduced by placing such deposits with high credit quality financial institutions.
Depreciation:
Real estate and equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method by annual charges to operations calculated to absorb costs of assets over their estimated useful lives.
Impairment of long-lived assets:
FREIT has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"). Under SFAS 144, impairment losses on long-lived assets, such as real estate and equipment, are recognized when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets are less than their carrying value and, accordingly, all or a portion of such carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are then measured by comparing the fair value of assets to their carrying amounts.
Deferred charges:
Deferred charges consist of mortgage costs and leasing commissions. Deferred mortgage costs are amortized on the straight-line method by annual charges to operations over the terms of the mortgages. Amortization of such costs is included in interest expense and approximated $246,000, $196,000 and $196,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Deferred leasing commissions are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of the applicable leases.
Revenue recognition:
Income from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis regardless of when payment is due. Lease agreements between FREIT and commercial tenants generally provide for additional rentals based on such factors as percentage of tenants' sales in excess of specified volumes, increases in real estate taxes, Consumer Price Indices and common area maintenance charges. These additional rentals are generally included in income when reported to FREIT, when billed to tenants or ratably over the appropriate period.
Interest rate swap contract:
FREIT utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce interest rate risk. FREIT does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Effective November 1, 2002, FREIT adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities and amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. As required by SFAS 133, FREIT recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes in fair value of those instruments are reported in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The accounting for gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivative and the effect on the consolidated financial statements depends on its hedge designation and whether the hedge is highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value of cash flows on the assets or liabilities hedged.
Advertising:
FREIT expenses the cost of advertising and promotions as incurred. Advertising costs charged to operations amounted to approximately $115,000, $151,000 and $188,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Earnings per share:
FREIT has presented "basic" and "diluted" earnings per share in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS 128").
Stock-based compensation:
At October 31, 2006, FREIT has a stock-based employee compensation plan that was approved on September 10, 1998 by the Board of Trustees, which is described more fully in Note 10. Prior to November 1, 2005, FREIT accounted for this plan under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, (“APB 25”) and related interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123”). In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123 (R) “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS 123 (R)”) which superseded APB 25 and replaced SFAS 123. SFAS 123 (R) requires that all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in the income statement as compensation expense, based on their fair values, over the employee’s service period, which will normally be the vesting period of the option. Effective November 1, 2005, FREIT adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 (R), using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost includes a cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not vested as of November 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to November 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123 (R).
As all outstanding stock options were vested prior to November 1, 2005 and no stock options were granted during fiscal 2006, the adoption of Statement 123 (R) has no effect on FREIT’s results of operations for the year ended October 31, 2006.
In accordance with the provisions of APB 25, prior to November 1, 2005, FREIT recognized compensation cost as a result of the issuance of stock options to employees, including directors, based on the excess, if any, of the fair value of the underlying shares at the date of grant or award (or at an appropriate subsequent measurement date) over the amount the employees must pay to acquire the shares (the “intrinsic value method”). However, FREIT did not recognize compensation cost as a result of any grants to employees at an exercise price that was equal to or greater than fair value. FREIT made proforma disclosures, as required by FASB Statement No. 123 and SFAS 148, of net income or loss as if a fair value based method of accounting for stock options had been applied if such amounts differed materially from the historical amounts.
All issuances of shares of beneficial interest, options or other equity instruments to nonemployees as the consideration for goods or services received by FREIT are accounted for based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued (unless the fair value of the consideration received can be more reliably measured). The fair value of any options or similar equity instruments issued are estimated based on option pricing models and the assumption that all of the options or other equity instruments will ultimately vest. Such fair value is measured as of an appropriate date pursuant to EITF Issue 96-18 (generally, the earlier of the date the other party becomes committed to provide the goods or services or the date performance by the other party is complete) and capitalized or expensed as if FREIT had paid cash for the goods or services.
Recent accounting pronouncements:
In June 2006, The FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 will be effective for our fiscal year beginning November 1, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material impact on our financial reporting and disclosure.
Reclassifications:
Certain accounts in the 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Note 2 - Restatement:
Effective with the prior year consolidation of FREIT’s 40% owned subsidiary, Westwood Hills, LLC (“LLC”) (see Note 1), FREIT on its consolidated balance sheet reflected as minority interest the minority members’ share of LLC’s capital deficit. Such deficit resulted from distributions to the minority members, including proceeds received on refinancing the mortgage on the residential building owned by LLC. Inasmuch as the minority members are under no legal obligation to restore their share of the capital deficit, such deficit under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), should have been accounted for as a reduction of undistributed earnings. Accordingly, FREIT’s 2005 and 2004 financial statements have been restated by reducing undistributed earnings as of October 31, 2003 as previously reported by $2,358,000, representing the minority members’ capital deficit at such date. In addition, net income for the year ended October 31, 2005 has been increased by $38,000 ($.01 per share) and net income for the year ended October 31, 2004 has been decreased by $139,000 ($.02 per share) from amounts previously reported to reflect minority interest expense attributable to LLC equivalent to cash distributions made to minority members during such years. The effect of such adjustments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2005 was to decrease undistributed earnings and increase minority interest by $2,458,000 from amounts previously reported. See table below:
Year Ended October 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | ||||||
(In thousands of dollars) | |||||||
Net income previously reported | $ | 4,456 | $ | 15,210 | |||
Deduction (increase) in expense representing | |||||||
minority share of earnings of subsidiaries | 38 | (139 | ) | ||||
Restated net income | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 | |||
Undistributed earnings, beginning of year | |||||||
as previously reported | $ | 10,633 | $ | 2,487 | |||
Adjustment to prior Fiscal year's ending | |||||||
undistributed earnings | (2,497 | ) | (2,358 | ) | |||
Restated net income | 4,494 | 15,071 | |||||
Dividends | (7,740 | ) | (7,064 | ) | |||
Restated undistributed earnings end of year | $ | 4,890 | $ | 8,136 |
Note 3 - Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations:
On July 19, 2005, FREIT’s 60% owned affiliate, Grande Rotunda, LLC, completed the acquisition of The Rotunda, a mixed-use property in Baltimore, Maryland. The Rotunda site is approximately 11.5 acres and is in close proximity to Johns Hopkins University. Its current configuration contains about 138,000 sq. ft. of office space, primarily in the four-story main building, and 78,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the lower level of the main building. A Giant Supermarket anchors the retail space.
The acquisition cost was approximately $31 million (inclusive of transaction costs), which was financed in part from an acquisition loan in the amount of $22.5 million, and the balance in cash. The acquisition mortgage loan bears interest at 150 basis points over LIBOR and has an initial term of three (3) years, which makes the loan repayment date July 19, 2008. FREIT contributed 60% of the cash required, with the balance contributed by its joint venture partner, Rotunda 100, LLC, whose equity investors are principally employees of Hekemian & Co., Inc. (“Hekemian”). Hekemian is the managing agent for FREIT’s other properties. In order to incentivize the employees of Hekemian to identify and provide real estate investment opportunities for FREIT, FREIT agreed to advance, only to the employees of Hekemian, up to 50% of the amount of the equity capital required to be contributed by them to Rotunda 100, LLC, for this transaction. FREIT has advanced $1.7 million to the Hekemian employees (certain of whom are members of the family of FREIT’s Chairman of the Board), and these loans bear a floating rate of interest payable quarterly and are secured by the Hekemian employees’ membership equity interest in Rotunda 100, LLC.
The acquisition price of The Rotunda had been preliminary allocated as follows: $14.6 million (47.2%) to the building and $16.3 million (52.8%) to the land. The purchase price allocation was based on an independent appraisal of the fair value of the property components at the acquisition date, with minimal value having been assigned to the leases pending additional data.
It is FREIT’s policy that initial valuations are finalized, in accordance with the guidelines outlined in SFAS No. 141 no later than six months from the acquisition date. Accordingly, as of January 31, 2006, based on the above independent appraisal and FREIT’s evaluation of the acquired in-place leases, the purchase price was re-allocated as follows: approximately $15.8 million allocated to the building, $16.6 million to the land, $0.9 million to leases in place, $0.9 million to leases at above market rents, and approximately $3.3 million to leases at below market rents which was recorded as a liability.
The capitalized above-market lease values, classified as other assets, are being amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining term of the leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are being amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the leases, including renewal options. The value ascribed to leases in place, also classified as other assets, are being amortized over the weighted average remaining lease terms as calculated above. This reallocation did not have a material affect on FREIT’s net income for the year ended October 31, 2006.
On June 22, 2004, S And A closed on its contract for the sale of the Olney Town Center (“OTC”) in Olney, Maryland. The sale price for the property was $28.2 million. The property was acquired in April 2000 for approximately $15.5 million. The net proceeds received approximated $16.2 million after repayment of the first mortgage on the property of approximately $11 million. The operations of OTC are classified as discontinued operations. For financial statement purposes, S And A recognized a gain of approximately $12.7 million from the sale.
On April 16, 2004, S And A closed on the purchase of The Pierre apartments. The Pierre is a 269-unit luxury high-rise apartment building located in Hackensack, NJ. The contract purchase price for The Pierre was approximately $44 million. This amount, together with estimated transaction costs of approximately $2 million, resulted in total acquisition costs of approximately $46 million. The acquisition costs were financed in part by a mortgage loan in the approximate amount of $30 million and the balance of approximately $16 million in cash. FREIT provided 75% of the cash required with the balance of approximately $4 million provided by the 25% minority owners of S And A. Based on a detailed appraisal of the property, the purchase price was allocated as follows: approximately $37.5 million (82.2%) was allocated to the building and other improvements and approximately $8.1 million (17.8%) was allocated towards land. Value attributable to leases was considered immaterial due to their short-term nature.
The net proceeds from the OTC sale after the repayment of the first mortgage, repaid FREIT and the 25% minority owners for their advances made to acquire The Pierre.
S And A structured the sale of OTC and the purchase of The Pierre in a manner that would qualify as a like-kind exchange of real estate pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, and resulted in a deferral for income tax purposes of the realization of gain on the sale of OTC. Since it is the intention of FREIT to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust, deferred tax would be minimal.
The following unaudited pro forma information shows the results of operations for fiscal years ended October 31, 2005 and 2004 for FREIT and Subsidiaries as though The Pierre and The Rotunda had been acquired at the beginning of fiscal 2005 and 2004:
Year Ended October 31, | |||||||
2005 | 2004 | ||||||
(In thousands of Dollars, | |||||||
Except for Per Share Amounts) Restated - See Note 2 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 36,398 | $ | 36,877 | |||
Net expenses | (31,859 | ) | (31,835 | ) | |||
Minority Interest | (274 | ) | (394 | ) | |||
Income before discontinued operations | 4,265 | 4,648 | |||||
Discontinued Operations | 9,958 | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 4,265 | $ | 14,606 | |||
Basic Earnings Per Share: | |||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.73 | |||
Discontinued operations | - | 1.56 | |||||
Net Income | $ | 0.66 | $ | 2.29 | |||
Diluted earnings per share: | |||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.70 | |||
Discontinued operations | - | 1.50 | |||||
Net Income | $ | 0.63 | $ | 2.20 |
The unaudited pro forma results include adjustments for depreciation based on the purchase price and increased interest expense based on the mortgage placed on the property at acquisition date and reduced net investment income related to assets utilized to make the acquisitions, and obligations incurred to complete the transactions.
The unaudited pro forma results of operations set forth above are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been made at the beginning of fiscal 2004 or of future results of operations of FREIT's combined properties.
Note 4 - Real estate and equipment:
Real estate and equipment consists of the following:
Range of | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||
Estimated Useful Lives | (In Thousands of Dollars) | |||||||||
Land | $ | 68,849 | $ | 66,215 | ||||||
Unimproved land | 728 | 748 | ||||||||
Apartment buildings | 7-40 years | 77,470 | 62,187 | |||||||
Commercial buildings/shopping centers | 15-50 years | 92,644 | 91,023 | |||||||
Equipment | 3-15 years | 2,465 | 1,338 | |||||||
Construction and development costs | 2,995 | 4,770 | ||||||||
245,151 | 226,281 | |||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation | 37,843 | 33,095 | ||||||||
Totals | $ | 207,308 | $ | 193,186 |
Note 5 - Mortgages and notes payable:
Mortgages and notes payable consist of the following:
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
(In Thousands of Dollars) | |||||||
Northern Life Insurance Cos. - Frederick, MD (A) | $ | 15,968 | $ | 16,457 | |||
National Realty Funding L.C - Westwood, NJ (B) | 9,416 | 9,593 | |||||
Charter Mac - Spring Lake, NJ (C) | 3,298 | 3,362 | |||||
Bank Of America - Patchogue, NY (D) | 6,139 | 6,331 | |||||
Charter Mac - Wayne, NJ (E): | |||||||
First mortgage | 9,827 | 10,015 | |||||
Second mortgage | 3,349 | 3,433 | |||||
Charter Mac - River Edge, NJ (F): | |||||||
First mortgage | 4,796 | 4,887 | |||||
Second mortgage | 1,871 | 1,915 | |||||
Charter Mac - Maywood, NJ (G): | |||||||
First mortgage | 3,480 | 3,546 | |||||
Second mortgage | 1,328 | 1,358 | |||||
Charter Mac - Westwood, NJ (H) | |||||||
First mortgage | 13,838 | 14,102 | |||||
Second mortgage | 3,107 | 3,175 | |||||
MetLife - Wayne, NJ (I) | 31,768 | 32,000 | |||||
State Farm Life Insurance Co. - Hackensack, NJ (J) | 34,125 | 34,125 | |||||
Total fixed rate mortgage loans | 142,310 | 144,299 | |||||
Bank Of America - Baltimore, MD (K) | 22,500 | 22,500 | |||||
State Farm Bank, F.S.B. - Rockaway, NJ (L) | |||||||
Construction Loan | 14,369 | 75 | |||||
The Provident Bank (M) | |||||||
Line of Credit | 1,500 | ||||||
Total mortgages and notes payable | $ | 180,679 | $ | 166,874 |
(A) | Payable in monthly installments of $152,153 including interest at 8.31% through June 2007 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Frederick, Maryland having a net book value of approximately $19,692,000. |
(B) | Payable in monthly installments of $73,248 including interest at 7.38% through February 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Westwood, New Jersey having a net book value of approximately $10,940,000. |
(C) | Payable in monthly installments of $23,875 including interest at 6.70% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Spring Lake, New Jersey having a net book value of approximately $543,000. |
(D) | Payable in monthly installments of $17,500 plus interest at the thirty day LIBOR rate plus 200 basis points through January 2008 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Patchogue, New York having a net book value of approximately $8,942,000. |
(E) | The first mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $76,023 including interest at 7.29% through July 2010 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $20,878 including interest at 4.92% through July 2010 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in Wayne, New Jersey having a net book value of approximately $1,429,000. |
(F) | The first mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $34,862 including interest at 6.75% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $12,318 including interest at 5.53% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in River Edge, New Jersey having a net book value of approximately $1,290,000. |
(G) | The first mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $25,295 including interest at 6.75% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $8,739 including interest at 5.53% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in Maywood, New Jersey having a net book value of approximately $798,000. |
(H) | The first mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $99,946 including interest at 6.693% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $21,954 including interest at 6.18% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in Westwood, New Jersey having a net book value of approximately $12,533,000. |
(I) | Payable in monthly installments of interest only of $161,067 at the rate of 6.04% through June 2006, thereafter payable in monthly installments of $206,960 including interest until June 2016 at which time the unpaid balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a shopping center in Wayne, NJ having a net book value of approximately $31,723,000. |
(J) | Payable in monthly installments of interest only of $152,994 at the rate of 5.38% through May 2009, thereafter payable in monthly installments of $191,197 including interest until May 2019 at which time the unpaid balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Hackensack, NJ having a net book value of approximately $45,173,000. |
(K) | Payable in monthly installments of interest only at the rate of 150 basis points over LIBOR, in effect from time-to-time. The loan is due on July 19, 2008, but may be extended, under certain circumstances, for an additional one year. The loan is secured by a mixed-use property in Baltimore, MD having a net book value of approximately $32,890,000. |
(L) | This construction loan bears interest on the outstanding principal balance, which is payable monthly at the rate of 140 basis points over LIBOR in effect from time-to-time. Funding under the construction loan is based on draw requests for work in progress and can total up to $20,700,000. When construction is completed, the construction loan will convert to a permanent mortgage loan for $20,700,000. This permanent loan will bear a fixed interest rate of 5.37%, and will require fixed monthly payments of $115,850. The unpaid principal of the loan will be due in September 2021. The loan is currently secured by land and construction in progress in Rockaway, NJ having a net book value of approximately of $20,886,000. |
(M) | On February 4, 2005, FREIT replaced its expired $14 million line of credit with an $18 million line of credit. The line of credit is for three years but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, at each anniversary date. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen Rock, NJ, Lakewood Apartments, Lakewood, NJ, Palisades Manor Apartments, Palisades Park, NJ, and Grandview Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. In the aggregate, these properties have a net book value of approximately $9,497,000. Interest rates on draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws. In connection with its construction activities FREIT has drawn down $1.5 million and has utilized the credit line for the issuance of a $2 million Letter of Credit. |
The fair value of FREIT's long-term debt, which approximates $185 million and $172 million at October 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, is estimated based on the current rates offered to FREIT for debt of the similar remaining maturities.
Principal amounts (in thousands of dollars) due under the above obligations in each of the five years subsequent to October 31, 2006 are as follows:
Year Ending October 31, | Amount * | |||
2007 | $ | 18,129 | ||
2008 | 32,060 | |||
2009 | 2,463 | |||
2010 | 14,820 | |||
2011 | 2,707 |
* Reflects conversion of $14,369,000 construction loan at Boulders to $20,700,000 permanent loan on January 10, 2007.
Note 6 - Interest rate swap contract:
During November 2002, FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract to reduce the impact of interest rate fluctuations on its variable rate mortgage secured by its Patchogue, NY property. At October 31, 2006, the derivative financial instrument has a notional amount of approximately $6,139,000 and a current maturity date of January 1, 2008. The contract effectively converted the variable rate to a fixed rate of 5.95%. In accordance with SFAS 133, FREIT marks to market its fixed pay interest rate swaps, taking in to account present interest rates compared to the contracted fixed rate over the life of the contract. For fiscal years ended October 31, 2006 and 2005, FREIT recorded an asset of $87,000 and $96,000 respectively. FREIT included a loss of $9,000 in comprehensive income for fiscal 2006, and a gain of $256,000 in comprehensive income for fiscal 2005.
Note 7 - Commitments and contingencies:
Leases:
Commercial tenants:
FREIT leases commercial space having a net book value of approximately $123.6 million at October 31, 2006 to tenants for periods of up to twenty-five years. Most of the leases contain clauses for reimbursement of real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses of the properties. Minimum rental income (in thousands of dollars) to be received from non-cancelable operating leases in years subsequent to October 31, 2006 is as follows:
Year Ending October 31, | Amount | |||
2007 | $ | 13,714 | ||
2008 | 12,011 | |||
2009 | 10,445 | |||
2010 | 9,049 | |||
2011 | 8,022 | |||
Thereafter | 43,408 | |||
Total | $ | 96,649 |
The above amounts assume that all leases which expire are not renewed and, accordingly, neither minimal rentals nor rentals from replacement tenants are included.
Minimum future rentals do not include contingent rentals, which may be received under certain leases on the basis of percentage of reported tenants' sales volume or increases in Consumer Price Indices. Rental income that is contingent on future events is not included in income until the contingency is resolved. Contingent rentals included in income for each of the three years for the period ended October 31, 2006 were not material.
Residential tenants:
Lease terms for residential tenants are usually one year or less.
Environmental concerns:
In accordance with applicable regulations, FREIT reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") that a historical discharge of hazardous material was discovered in 1997 at the renovated Franklin Lakes shopping center (the "Center").
In November 1999, FREIT received a no further action letter from the NJDEP concerning the historical discharge at the Center. However, FREIT is required to continue monitoring such discharge, the cost of which will not be material.
Construction activities:
In connection with its construction and development activities in Rockaway, NJ, FREIT has issued a $2 million Letter of Credit to guaranty the completion of on-site and off-site improvements that are substantially completed. FREIT has also issued a bond of approximately $1 million to guaranty completion of off-site improvements when construction and renovation starts at its Damascus, MD shopping center site.
Note 8 - Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party:
Hekemian & Co., Inc. (“Hekemian”) currently manages all the properties owned by FREIT, except for The Rotunda, which is managed by an independent third party management company. The management agreement with Hekemian, effective November 1, 2001, requires the payment of management fees equal to a percentage of rents collected. Such fees were approximately $1,577,000, $1,524,000 and $1,372,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, inclusive of $73,000 in 2004 included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The agreement expires on October 31, 2007, and is automatically renewed for periods of two years unless either party gives notice of non-renewal. In addition, Hekemian charged FREIT development and acquisition fees and commissions in connection with the development and construction of The Boulders, Rockaway, NJ, during fiscal 2006, the acquisition of The Rotunda during fiscal 2005, and the acquisition of The Pierre and sale of the Olney Center during fiscal 2004, and various mortgage refinancing and lease acquisition fees. Such fees and commissions amounted to approximately $721,000, $961,000 and $2,110,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, of which $1,150,000 and $868,000 were unpaid at October 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
During fiscal 2005, FREIT’s Board of Trustees, to incentivize employees of Hekemian, authorized an investor group, comprised principally of Hekemian employees, to acquire a 30% equity interest in Damascus Centre, LLC that owns the Damascus Shopping Center in Damascus, Maryland. The sale price, based on the fair market value of the shopping center, reduced FREIT’s equity interest to 70%. FREIT has agreed to advance, only to employees of Hekemian, up to 50% of the amount of the equity purchase price required by them. These advances will be in the form of secured loans that will bear interest that will float at 225 basis points over LIBOR, in effect from time-to-time. The sale was completed on October 31, 2006, at a sales price of $3,224,000, of which FREIT financed approximately $1,451,000. The sale price was equivalent to the book value of the interest sold.
Note 9- Dividends and earnings per share:
FREIT declared dividends of $8,313,000 ($1.25 per share), $7,740,000 ($1.20 per share) and $7,064,000 ($1.10 per share) to shareholders of record during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
FREIT has adopted the provisions of SFAS 128, which require the presentation of "basic" earnings per share and, if appropriate, "diluted" earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares, such as those issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, were issued during the period.
In computing diluted earnings per share for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2006, the assumed exercise of all of FREIT's outstanding stock options, adjusted for application of the treasury stock method, would have increased the weighted average number of shares outstanding as shown in the table below:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 6,573,752 | 6,439,952 | 6,378,352 | |||||||
Shares arising from assumed exercise of stock options | 242,722 | 334,145 | 279,392 | |||||||
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding | 6,816,474 | 6,774,097 | 6,657,744 |
Basic and diluted earnings per share, are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period retroactively adjusted for stock splits.
Note 10- Equity incentive plan:
On September 10, 1998, the Board of Trustees approved FREIT's Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") which was ratified by FREIT's shareholders on April 7, 1999, whereby up to 920,000 of FREIT's shares of beneficial interest (adjusted for stock splits) may be granted to key personnel in the form of stock options, restricted share awards and other share-based awards. In connection therewith, the Board of Trustees approved an increase of 920,000 shares in FREIT's number of authorized shares of beneficial interest. Key personnel eligible for these awards include trustees, executive officers and other persons or entities including, without limitation, employees, consultants and employees of consultants, who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success of FREIT. Under the Plan, the exercise price of all options will be the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. The consideration to be paid for restricted share and other share-based awards shall be determined by the Board of Trustees, with the amount not to exceed the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. The maximum term of any award granted may not exceed ten years. The Board of Trustees will determine the actual terms of each award.
Upon ratification of the Plan on April 7, 1999, FREIT issued 754,000 stock options (adjusted for stock splits), which it had previously granted to key personnel on September 10, 1998. The fair value of the options on the date of grant was $7.50 per share.
In the opinion of management, if compensation cost for the stock options granted in 1999 had been determined based on the fair value of the options at the grant date under the provisions of SFAS 123 or SFAS 148 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and assuming a risk-free interest rate of 4.27%, expected option lives of ten years, expected volatility of 1.65% and expected dividends of 8.59%, FREIT's pro forma 2005 and 2004 net income and pro forma net income per share arising from such computation would not have differed materially from the corresponding historical amounts.
The following table summarizes stock option activities (adjusted for the stock split):
Years Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||
No. of Options Outstanding | Average Exercise Price | No. of Options Outstanding | Average Exercise Price | No. of Options Outstanding | Average Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||
Balance beginning of period | 512,000 | $ | 7.50 | 570,000 | $ | 7.50 | 682,000 | $ | 7.50 | ||||||||||
Grants during period | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
Options exercised | (269,500 | ) | $ | 7.50 | (58,000 | ) | $ | 7.50 | (112,000 | ) | $ | 7.50 | |||||||
Options cancelled | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at end of period | 242,500 | $ | 7.50 | 512,000 | $ | 7.50 | 570,000 | $ | 7.50 |
The impact on FREIT's consolidated shareholders' equity for the options that were exercised during fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 was to increase the number of shares outstanding by the amount of options exercised and values of beneficial interest outstanding by $2,021,000, $435,000 and $840,000, respectively, for those fiscal years. The options outstanding at October 31, 2006 are exercisable and expire in September 2008.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2006 was $4,868,000 and the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at October 31, 2006 was $3,900,000.
Note 11- Share split:
On March 4, 2004, the Board of Trustees approved a two-for-one share split in the form of a share dividend. In connection with the share dividend, the Board of Trustees also approved an increase in the authorized number of shares of beneficial interest from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000. Financial information contained herein, including the number of options, has been adjusted to retroactively reflect the impact of the split.
Note 12- Deferred fee plan:
During fiscal 2001, the Board of Trustees adopted a deferred fee plan (the "Plan") for its officers and trustees. Pursuant to the Plan, any officer or trustee may elect to defer receipt of any fees that would be due them. FREIT has agreed to pay any participant (the "Participant") in the Plan interest on any deferred fee at 9% per annum, compounded quarterly. Any such deferred fee is to be paid to the Participants at the later of: (i) the retirement age specified in the deferral election; (ii) actual retirement; or (iii) upon cessation of a Participant's duties as an officer or trustee. The Plan provides that any such deferral fee will be paid in a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not to exceed 10 years, at the election of the Participant. As of October 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, approximately $1,478,000, $1,066,000 and $738,000, respectively, of fees have been deferred together with accrued interest of approximately $335,000, $202,000 and $109,000, respectively. The deferred amounts for fiscal 2006 and 2005 are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Note 13- Segment information:
SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," established standards for reporting financial information about operating segments in interim and annual financial reports and provides for a "management approach" in identifying the reportable segments.
FREIT has determined that it has two reportable segments: commercial properties and residential properties. These reportable segments offer different types of space, have different types of tenants and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise. The commercial and residential segments contained the following number of properties during the three fiscal years ended October 31, 2006:
October 31, | |||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Commercial segment | 9 | 9 (a) | 8 |
Residential segment | 10 (b) | 9 | 9 |
(a) Rotunda, acquired July 2005. | |||
(b) Rockaway property, under construction since fiscal 2005, started coming on line during June 2006. |
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1.
The chief operating decision-making group of FREIT's commercial segment, residential segment and corporate/other is comprised of FREIT's Board of Trustees.
FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on net operating income ("NOI"). NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, financing costs and amortization of acquired lease values. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
Continuing real estate rental revenue, operating expenses, NOI and recurring capital improvements for the reportable segments are summarized below and reconciled to consolidated net income for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2006. Asset information is not reported since FREIT does not use this measure to assess performance.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
(In Thousands of Dollars) | ||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue: | Restated - See Note 2 | |||||||||
Commercial | $ | 21,094 | $ | 17,842 | $ | 17,021 | ||||
Residential | 16,379 | 15,496 | 12,998 | |||||||
Totals | 37,473 | 33,338 | 30,019 | |||||||
Real estate operating expenses: | ||||||||||
Commercial | 8,464 | 6,615 | 5,663 | |||||||
Residential | 7,430 | 7,056 | 5,794 | |||||||
Totals | 15,894 | 13,671 | 11,457 | |||||||
Net operating income: | ||||||||||
Commercial | 12,630 | 11,227 | 11,358 | |||||||
Residential | 8,949 | 8,440 | 7,204 | |||||||
Totals | $ | 21,579 | $ | 19,667 | $ | 18,562 | ||||
Recurring capital improvements- residential | $ | 368 | $ | 626 | $ | 417 | ||||
Reconciliation to consolidated net income: | ||||||||||
Segment NOI | $ | 21,579 | $ | 19,667 | $ | 18,562 | ||||
Deferred rents - straight lining | 342 | 329 | 335 | |||||||
Amortization of acquired leases | 490 | |||||||||
Net investment income | 232 | 229 | 183 | |||||||
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries | (407 | ) | (426 | ) | (555 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses * | (1,212 | ) | (1,001 | ) | (689 | ) | ||||
Depreciation | (4,739 | ) | (4,265 | ) | (3,677 | ) | ||||
Financing costs | (11,127 | ) | (10,039 | ) | (9,046 | ) | ||||
Income from continuing operations | 5,158 | 4,494 | 5,113 | |||||||
Discontinued operations | 9,958 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,158 | $ | 4,494 | $ | 15,071 |
* 2006 and 2005 includes expenses related to Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance.
Note 14- Quarterly data (unaudited):
The following summary represents the results of operations for each quarter for the years ended October 31, 2006 and 2005 giving effect to the restatement described in Note 2 (in thousands, except per share data):
Quarter Ended | |||||||||||||
January 31, | April 30, | July 31, | October 31, | ||||||||||
2006: | |||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 9,582 | $ | 9,300 | $ | 9,715 | $ | 9,940 | |||||
Expenses | 8,294 | 8,265 | 8,086 | 8,734 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,288 | $ | 1,035 | $ | 1,629 | $ | 1,206 | |||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.20 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.18 | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.17 | |||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.50 | |||||
2005 (Restated): | |||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 8,392 | $ | 7,919 | $ | 8,382 | $ | 9,203 | |||||
Expenses | 6,825 | 7,070 | 7,148 | 8,359 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,567 | $ | 849 | $ | 1,234 | $ | 844 | |||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.13 | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.12 | |||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.45 |
Note: Due to rounding, total of quarterly per share amounts may not agree to amounts reported for the full fiscal year.
Note 15- Discontinued operations:
On July 15, 2004 FREIT sold the Olney Town Center in Olney, MD for $28,125,000, and recognized a gain of approximately $12,681,000 ($9,361,000 after the minority interest’s share).
Summarized operating results included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the year ended October 31, 2004:
($000) | ||||
Revenues | $ | 1,510 | ||
Expenses | 913 | |||
Net income | $ | 597 |
* * *
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
October 31, 2006
(In Thousands of Dollars)
Column A | Column B | Column C | Column D | Column E | Column F | Column G | Column H | Column I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Initial Cost to Company | Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition | Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description | Encum- brances | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Land | Improve- ments | Carrying Costs | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Total (1) | Accumulated Depreciation | Date of Construction | Date Acquired | Life on Which De- preciation is Computed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential Properties: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grandview Apts., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | $ | 22 | $ | 180 | $ | - | $ | 295 | $ | 22 | $ | 475 | $ | 497 | $ | 372 | 1925 | 1964 | 7-40 years | |||||||||||||||||||||
Lakewood Apts., Lakewood, NJ | 11 | 396 | - | 288 | 11 | 684 | 695 | 594 | 1960 | 1962 | 7-40 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ | $ | 4,808 | 312 | 728 | 910 | 312 | 1,638 | 1,950 | 1,152 | 1949 | 1972 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Palisades Manor, Palisades Park, NJ | 12 | 81 | - | 106 | 12 | 187 | 199 | 155 | 1935/70 | 1962 | 7-40 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ | 6,667 | 364 | 1,773 | - | 1,054 | 364 | 2,827 | 3,191 | 1,901 | 1966 | 1975 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heights Manor, Spring Lake Heights, NJ | 3,298 | 109 | 974 | - | 720 | 109 | 1,694 | 1,803 | 1,260 | 1967 | 1971 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ | 13,176 | 250 | 2,206 | - | 2,795 | 250 | 5,001 | 5,251 | 3,822 | 1964 | 1965 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ | 16,945 | 3,849 | 11,546 | - | 1,523 | 3,849 | 13,069 | 16,918 | 4,385 | 1965-70 | 1994 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ | 34,125 | 8,390 | 37,486 | 4 | 1,901 | 8,394 | 39,387 | 47,781 | 2,608 | 1970 | 2004 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ (Under Construction) | 14,369 | 5,019 | - | - | 15,992 | 5,019 | 15,992 | 21,011 | 125 | 2005-2006 | 1963/1964 | 7-40 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Properties: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus. MD | - | 2,950 | 6,987 | - | 635 | 2,950 | 7,622 | 10,572 | 574 | 1960's | 2003 | 15-39 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ | 29 | 3,382 | 7,533 | 3,411 | 7,533 | 10,944 | 1,870 | 1963/75/97 | 1966 | 10-50 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Glen RocK. NJ | 12 | 36 | - | 204 | 12 | 240 | 252 | 99 | 1940 | 1962 | 10-31.5 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pathmark Super Center, Patchogue, NY | 6,139 | 2.128 | 8,818 | 1 | (21 | ) | 2,129 | 8,797 | 10,926 | 1,984 | 1997 | 1997 | 39 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD | 15,968 | 9,135 | 19,159 | 37 | 501 | 9,172 | 19,660 | 28,832 | 9,140 | 1956 | 1992 | 15-31.5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ | 9,416 | 6,889 | 6,416 | - | 2,278 | 6,889 | 8,694 | 15,583 | 4,643 | 1981 | 1988 | 15-31.5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ | 31,768 | 9,280 | 24,217 | - | 879 | 9,280 | 25,096 | 34,376 | 2,653 | 1955/89/00 | 2002 | 15-31.5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD | 22,500 | 16,263 | 14,634 | 232 | 2,267 | 16,495 | 16,901 | 33,396 | 506 | 1920 | 2005 | 40 Years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Land Leased: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rockaway, NJ | 114 | 55 | - | 169 | 169 | 1963/1964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vacant Land: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Franklin Lakes, NJ | 224 | (156 | ) | - | 68 | 68 | 1966/93 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wayne, NJ | 286 | - | 286 | 286 | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Brunswick, NJ | 80 | 371 | - | 451 | 451 | 1954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 179,179 | $ | 65,728 | $ | 135,637 | $ | 3,926 | $ | 39,860 | $ | - | $ | 69,654 | $ | 175,497 | $ | 245,151 | $ | 37,843 |
(1) | Total cost for each property is the same for Federal income tax purposes, with the exception of Pierre Towers, Preakness S/C and The Rotunda, whose cost for Federal income tax purposes is approximately $36.6 million, $30.2 million and $32 million, respectively. |
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
(In Thousands of Dollars)
Reconciliation of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
Real estate: | ||||||||||
Balance, Beginning of year | $ | 226,281 | $ | 189,189 | $ | 157,219 | ||||
Additions: | ||||||||||
Buildings and improvements | 17,424 | 37,094 | 47,759 | |||||||
Adjustments/Deletions - buildings & improvements | 1,446 | (2 | ) | (15,789 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 245,151 | $ | 226,281 | $ | 189,189 | ||||
Accumulated depreciation: | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 33,095 | $ | 28,832 | $ | 26,503 | ||||
Additions - Charged to operating expenses | 4,739 | 4,265 | 3,928 | |||||||
Adjustments/Deletions | 9 | (2 | ) | (1,599 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 37,843 | $ | 33,095 | $ | 28,832 |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert S. Hekemian his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, in the capacities, and on the dates indicated have signed this report below:
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Robert S. Hekemian | Chairman of the Board and | January 31, 2007 | ||
Robert S. Hekemian | Chief Executive Officer and Trustee (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
/s/Donald W. Barney | President, Treasurer, | January 31, 2007 | ||
Donald W. Barney | Chief Financial Officer and Trustee (Principal Financial / Accounting Officer) | |||
/s/ Herbert C. Klein | Trustee | January 31, 2007 | ||
Herbert C. Klein | ||||
/s/ Ronald J. Artinian | Trustee | January 31, 2007 | ||
Ronald J. Artinian | ||||
/s/ Alan L. Aufzien | Trustee | January 31, 2007 | ||
Alan L. Aufzien |
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY (“FREIT”)
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | ||
3 | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of FREIT, dated November 7, 1993, as amended on May 31, 1994 and on September 10, 1998. (a) | |
4 | Form of Specimen Share Certificate, Beneficial Interest in FREIT. (b) | |
10.1 | Management Agreement dated April 10, 2002, by and between FREIT and Hekemian & Co., Inc. (c) | |
10.2 | Wayne PSC, L.L.C. Operating Agreement dated March 25, 2002 between FREIT and H-TPKE, LLC ( c) | |
10.3 | Line of Credit Note in the principal amount of $14 million executed by FREIT as Borrower, and delivered to The Provident Bank, as Lender, in connection with the Credit Facility provided by The Provident Bank to FREIT. (d) | |
21 | Subsidiaries of FREIT | |
22 | Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP | |
23 | Consent of Eisner LLP | |
24 | Power of Attorney (filed with signature pages). | |
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a) - Certification of Chief Executive Officer. | |
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a) - Certification of Chief Financial Officer | |
32.1 | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer | |
32.2 | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
The following filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference: | ||
Footnote | ||
(a) | Exhibit No. 1 to FREIT’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 6, 1998. | |
(b) | FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998. | |
(c) | FREIT’s Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2002. | |
(d) | Exhibit 10 to FREIT’s Form 10-Q filed on September 13, 2002. |
60
Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of Registrant
Name | State of Formation and Organization | Trade Name | ||
S And A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership | Maryland | None | ||
Pierre Towers, LLC | New Jersey | Pierre Towers | ||
Damascus Centre, LLC | New Jersey | Damascus Center | ||
Westwood Hills, LLC | New Jersey | Westwood Hills | ||
Wayne Preakness, LLC | New Jersey | Preakness S/C | ||
Grande Rotunda, LLC | New Jersey | The Rotunda |
EXHIBIT 22
CONSENT OF REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (“FREIT”) on Form S-8 (File No. 333-79555) of our reports dated January 10, 2006 except for Note 2 as to which the date is January 30, 2007, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey and Subsidiaries as of October 31, 2005 and 2004 and for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2005 which report is included in the 2006 Annual Report of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey on Form 10-K.
/s/ J.H. COHN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey
January 30, 2007
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-79555) pertaining to the Equity Incentive Plan of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey ("FREIT") of our reports dated January 10, 2007, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule, FREIT management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of FREIT included in this Annual Report (Form 10K) for the year ended October 31, 2006.
/s/ Eisner LLP
New York, New York
January 29, 2007
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Robert S. Hekemian, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: January 31, 2007 | /s/ Robert S. Hekemian | ||
Robert S. Hekemian | |||
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Donald W. Barney, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: January 31, 2007 | /s/ Donald W. Barney | ||
Donald W. Barney | |||
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2006 (the “Report”), I, Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) | the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78m(a) or 78o(d), and, |
(2) | the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Date: January 31, 2007 | /s/ Robert S. Hekemian | ||
Robert S. Hekemian | |||
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2006 (the “Report”), I, Donald W. Barney, President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) | the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78m(a) or 78o(d), and, |
(2) | the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Date: January 31, 2007 | /s/ Donald W. Barney | ||
Donald W. Barney | |||
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
corporate information
OFF IC ERS | GENERAL INFORMATION | |
Robert S. Hekemian | Corporate Headquarters | |
Chairman of the Board/CEO | 505 Main Street | |
P.O. Box 667 | ||
Donald W. Barney | Hackensack, NJ 07602 | |
President, Treasurer/CFO | (201) 488-6400 | |
John A. Aiello | Managing Agent | |
Secretary and Executive Secretary | Hekemian & Co., Inc. | |
Hackensack, NJ | ||
TRUSTEES | ||
Market Maker | ||
Robert S. Hekemian | Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC | |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | Hackensack, NJ | |
Hekemian & Co., Inc. | ||
Auditors | ||
Donald W. Barney | Eisner LLP | |
Consultant and Investor | New York, NY | |
Herbert C. Klein, Esq.* | Transfer Agent | |
Partner | Registrar and Transfer Company | |
Nowell, Amoroso, Klein, Bierman, P.A. | Cranford, NJ | |
Ronald J. Artinian* | Symbol | |
Private Investor | FREVS | |
Alan L. Aufzien* | Annual Meeting | |
Chairman | ||
Norall Organisation | The Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. to be held at the offices of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey, 505 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ. | |
*Members of the Audit Committee |
505 Main Street
Hackensack, New Jersey 07602