Cash used in investing activities as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows decreased by approximately $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 period when compared to the comparable prior year period. This decrease in cash was primarily attributable to a net decrease of $3.6 million in cash flows attributable to our investments in affiliates. In first quarter 2008, we made a $5.0 million investment in Shadow Creek Ranch Shopping Center through a joint venture with an institutional partner. Shadow Creek Ranch Shopping Center is a 616,372 square foot grocery-anchored shopping center located in Pearland, Texas. During 2008, we sold all of that investment at cost to one of our affiliates, REITPlus. Additionally during 2008, we sold our 20% interest in Woodlake Square and Westheimer Gessner to MIG IV for $5.2 million. We made no investment in affiliates during the 2009 period. In conjunction with the acquisition of the Shadow Creek Ranch shopping center, we also purchased a $1.7 million investment in receivables in 2008. Cash flows associated with loans to our merchant development funds decreased by $892,000 during the 2009 period when compared to 2008. In 2008 we collected a net $1.0 million from the merchant development funds, compared to net collections of $157,000 in 2009. As part of our treasury management function, we have historically placed excess cash in short term bridge loans for our merchant development funds for the purpose of acquiring or developing properties. Such financing has been provided to our affiliates as a way of efficiently deploying our excess cash and earning a higher return than we would in other short term investments or overnight funds. In some cases, the funds have a construction lender in place, and we step in as the lender and provide financing on the same terms as the third-party lender. These loans are unsecured, bear a market rate of interest and are due upon demand. We are no longer providing this type of financing to our merchant development funds and are receiving payments on these notes receivable as the funds generate liquidity from property dispositions and from financings with third parties.
Cash used in financing activities as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows increased by approximately $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the 2008 period. The decrease in cash was primarily the result of an $8.1 million reduction in net proceeds from notes payable during the 2009 period when compared to the 2008 period. During 2008, we drew down on our credit facility in order to finance an investment we made in other affiliates on behalf of REITPlus. Additionally, common dividends paid increased by $2.9 million as a result of the discontinuance of the dividend reinvestment program on class C and D shares in the fourth quarter of 2008. These decreases in cash were partially offset by a $6.2 million reduction in treasury share repurchases during the periods pursuant to our approved share repurchase program. In addition, cash used for redemptions decreased by $3.0 million in 2009 compared to 2008 since we are no longer allowing redemptions of Class C and D shares.
We have an unsecured credit facility in place which is being used to provide funds for the acquisition of properties and working capital. The credit facility matures in October 2009 and provides that we may borrow up to $35 million, subject to the value of unencumbered assets. As of June 30, 2009, we are able to borrow up to $30.1 million. The credit facility contains covenants which, among other restrictions, require us to maintain a minimum net worth, a maximum leverage ratio, maximum tenant concentration ratios, specified interest coverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. As of June 30, 2009, we are in compliance with all covenants. The credit facility’s annual interest rate varies depending upon our debt to asset ratio, from LIBOR plus a spread of 2.50% to LIBOR plus a spread of 3.00%. As of June 30, 2009, the interest rate was LIBOR plus 3.00%, and we had $26.0 million outstanding on the credit facility. We have approximately $3.1 million available under our credit facility, subject to the covenants above. We have $1.0 million in letters of credit outstanding related to various properties. These letters of credit reduce our availability under our credit facility.
Our credit facility matures and will therefore become due and payable in October 2009. We are currently discussing a renewed credit facility with our lender and expect that we will have a renewed facility in place by the time the current facility expires. If we are unable to renew the facility on acceptable terms with our current lender, we believe that we will be able to obtain a similar facility with another lender. In the event that we are unable to come to terms with our current lender or another lender, we believe that we would be able to generate sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligation under the credit facility through a combination of (1) sales of non-core properties, (2) sales of certain of our investments in non-consolidated affiliates, (3) financings on a portion of our unencumbered property pool, (4) refinancing of underleveraged properties and/or (5) collections on notes receivable. However, in the event that we are unable to come to terms with our lender on a renewed facility, no assurance can be given that we would be able to generate sufficient liquidity or in a sufficient amount of time to allow for extinguishment of the obligation by the maturity date. In this event, we would be in default on the facility, and our lender would be able to exercise their rights pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement.
During the past several months, the United States has experienced an unprecedented business downturn, coupled with a substantial curtailment of available debt financing and a virtual shutdown of equity capital markets, particularly in the REIT sector. While we expect to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in 2009 to meet our contractual obligations, a significant additional deterioration in the national economy, the bankruptcy or insolvency of one or more of our large tenants or the acceleration of our unsecured credit facility due to our breach of a covenant could cause our 2009 cash resources to be insufficient to meet our obligations. In such event, we would likely suspend our dividends or elect to pay our dividends in shares of stock.
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During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we declared dividends to our shareholders of $6.3 million, compared with $6.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008. All share classes receive monthly dividends. The dividends by class are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Class A | | Class C | | Class D | |
2009 | Second Quarter | | $ | 659 | | $ | 724 | | $ | 1,783 | |
| First Quarter | | $ | 655 | | $ | 724 | | $ | 1,783 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
2008 | Fourth Quarter | | $ | 655 | | $ | 723 | | $ | 1,782 | |
| Third Quarter | | $ | 670 | | $ | 723 | | $ | 1,783 | |
| Second Quarter | | $ | 719 | | $ | 723 | | $ | 1,781 | |
| First Quarter | | $ | 773 | | $ | 723 | | $ | 1,775 | |
Until we acquire properties, we use our funds to pay down outstanding debt under the credit facility. Thereafter, any excess cash is invested in short-term investments or overnight funds. This investment strategy provides us with the liquidity to acquire properties at such time as those suitable for acquisition are located.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2009 to the three months ended June 30, 2008
Revenues
Total revenues decreased by $1.7 million, or 16%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($9.1 million in 2009 versus $10.9 million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in rental income from operating leases and real estate fee income.
Rental income from operating leases decreased by $1.1 million, or 13%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($7.3 million in 2009 versus $8.5 million in 2008). During 2008, a major tenant on one of our properties vacated their space which resulted in the accelerated amortization of their below market lease in the amount of approximately $850,000. Additionally, our occupancy has decreased during the 2009 period which has resulted in a decrease in rental income of approximately $275,000 during the three month period.
Real estate fee income decreased approximately $775,000, or 56%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($621,000 in 2009 versus $1.4 million in 2008) primarily due to a decrease in acquisition fees earned on property transactions within our merchant development funds during 2008.
Expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by $2.3 million, or 31%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($5.0 million in 2009 versus $7.3million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in general and administrative expenses, property expense, legal and professional expense, depreciation and amortization expenses and in impairment charges.
General and administrative expense decreased by $955,000, or 55%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($793,000 in 2009 versus $1.7 million in 2008). The decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in compensation expense of approximately $350,000 coupled with additional general and administrative costs savings driven by our ongoing efforts to manage our costs as part of Vision 2010.
Property expense decreased by $534,000, or 22%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.9 million in 2009 versus $2.5 million in 2008). During 2008, we recorded bad debt reserves on our tenant receivables of $470,000 versus reserves of $50,000 recorded in 2009. Additionally, during 2008, we incurred $135,000 of non-reimbursable repairs on one of our Dallas properties. No repair costs were incurred during the 2009 period.
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $775,000, or 29%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.9 million in 2009 versus $2.7 million in 2008). This decrease is mainly attributable to the accelerated depreciation recorded in the 2008 period related to a tenant that terminated their lease in 2008.
Other Income (expense)
Loss from merchant development funds and other affiliates decreased by $67,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 (a loss of $179,000 in 2009 versus a loss of $246,000 in 2008). The decrease is mainly due to 2008 losses related to our investments in AmREIT Woodlake, LP, AmREIT Westheimer Gessner, LP, and Shadow Creek Ranch holding company. We sold all of our interest in Shadow Creek Ranch and a portion of our interests in AmREIT Woodlake L.P. and AmREIT Westheimer Gessner, L.P. to our merchant development funds at each investment’s carrying cost.
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Loss from discontinued operations decreased by $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributed to impairment charges during 2008 related to four properties that represent non-core real estate assets. Additionally, the decrease is all due to our independent broker-dealer fund-raising business, which generated a net loss in 2008 and was discontinued as part of Phase I of Vision 2010 which we executed in 2008.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2009 to the six months ended June 30, 2008
Revenues
Total revenues decreased by $1.5 million, or 7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($19.5 million in 2009 versus $21.0 million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in rental income from operating leases and real estate fee income, offset by an increase in lease termination income.
Rental income from operating leases decreased by $1.2 million, or 7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($14.9 million in 2009 versus $16.1 million in 2008) primarily due to accelerated amortization of below market leases recorded in 2008 related to a tenant that terminated their lease during the quarter. Rental income also decreased as a result of a decrease in occupancy.
Real estate fee income decreased approximately $1.5 million, or 52%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.4 million in 2009 versus $2.9 million in 2008) primarily due to a decrease in acquisition fees earned on property transactions within our merchant development funds.
Lease termination income increased by $1.1 million, or 100%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.1 million in 2009 versus $0 in 2008). This increase is primarily attributable to a national tenant declaring bankruptcy and subsequently rejecting their ground lease with us. Upon rejection of that lease, ownership of the building transferred from the tenant to us as the land owner. Lease termination income for the six months ended June 30, 2009 represents the fair value of the building.
Expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by $970,000, or 7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($12.4 million in 2009 versus $13.4 million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in property expense, legal and professional, and depreciation and amortization expenses
Property expense decreased by $380,000, or 9%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($4.0 million in 2009 versus $4.4 million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable bad debt reserves on our tenant receivables of $470,000 in 2008 versus reserves of $50,000 recorded in 2009.
Legal and professional fees increase by $326,000, or 42%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same prior year period in 2008 ($1.1 million in 2009 versus $775,000 in 2008). This increase was primarily attributable to a litigation reserve recorded in the first quarter of 2009.
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $872,000, or 19%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($3.8 million in 2009 versus $4.6 million in 2008). This decrease is mainly attributable to the accelerated depreciation related to a tenant that terminated their lease during the 2008 period.
Other Income (expense)
Interest and other income decreased by $150,000, or 31%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($340,000 in 2009 versus $490,000 in 2008). This decrease is primarily attributable to related party interest income reduction as a result of a decrease in related party notes receivable.
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Loss from merchant development funds and other affiliates decreased by $121,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 (a loss of $268,000 in 2009 versus a loss of $389,000 in 2008). The decrease is mainly due to 2008 losses related to our investments in AmREIT Woodlake, LP, AmREIT Westheimer Gessner, LP, and Shadow Creek Ranch holding company. We sold all of our interest in Shadow Creek Ranch and a portion of our interests in AmREIT Woodlake L.P. and AmREIT Westheimer Gessner, L.P. to our merchant development funds at each investment’s carrying cost.
Income (loss) from discontinued operations increased by $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase is primarily attributed to the recognition of a $1.9 million deferred gain (net of taxes) resulting from the 2008 sale of an undeveloped 0.9 acre piece of property contiguous to Uptown Plaza in Dallas. Additionally, our independent broker-dealer fund-raising business, which we discontinued as part of the restructuring in 2008, generated a net loss in 2008. Additionally, during 2008, we recorded impairment charges of $1.3 million related to four properties that represent non-core real estate assets.
Funds From Operations
We consider funds from operations (“FFO”), a non-GAAP measure, to be an appropriate measure of the operating performance of an equity REIT. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines FFO as net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from sales of property held for investment, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. See Discontinued Operations discussion in footnote 1 to our accompanying financial statements for detail of discontinued operations included in FFO. In addition, NAREIT recommends that extraordinary items not be considered in arriving at FFO. We calculate our FFO in accordance with this definition. Most industry analysts and equity REITs, including us, consider FFO to be an appropriate supplemental measure of operating performance because, by excluding gains or losses on dispositions and excluding depreciation, FFO is a helpful tool that can assist in the comparison of the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods, or as compared to different companies. Management uses FFO as a supplemental measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income by itself as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Because real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes that the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that uses historical cost accounting is insufficient by itself. There can be no assurance that FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measurements under GAAP as an indicator of our operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity.
Below is the calculation of FFO and the reconciliation to net income, which we believe is the most comparable GAAP financial measure to FFO, in thousands:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Income - before discontinued operations | | $ | 1,387 | | $ | 1,069 | | $ | 2,103 | | $ | 2,460 | |
Income (loss) - from discontinued operations | | | (22 | ) | | (1,536 | ) | | 1,881 | | | (1,899 | ) |
Non-controlling interest | | | (49 | ) | | (198 | ) | | (102 | ) | | (229 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Plus depreciation of real estate assets - from operations | | | 1,869 | | | 2,653 | | | 3,695 | | | 4,598 | |
Plus depreciation of real estate assets - from discontinued operations | | | — | | | 20 | | | — | | | 39 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustments for nonconsolidated affiliates | | | 138 | | | 270 | | | 265 | | | 564 | |
Less Class C and D distributions | | | (2,507 | ) | | (2,504 | ) | | (5,014 | ) | | (5,002 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Funds From Operations available to Class A shareholders | | $ | 816 | | $ | (226 | ) | $ | 2,828 | | $ | 531 | |
| |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
Not applicable.
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| |
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of June 30, 2009. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that as of June 30, 2009 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in causing material information relating to us (including our consolidated subsidiaries) to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported by management on a timely basis and to ensure the quality and timeliness of our public disclosures with SEC disclosure obligations.
Changes in Internal Controls
There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
| |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
We are involved in various matters of litigation arising in the normal course of business. While we are unable to predict with certainty the amounts involved, our management and counsel are of the opinion that, when such litigation is resolved, any additional liability, if any, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
| |
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. |
None.
| |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
None.
| |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
On May 20, 2009, we held our annual meeting of stockholders. Two matters were submitted to the stockholders for consideration:
1. To elect the Board of Trust Managers, each to serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified; and
2. To approve a redomestication merger to change our state of domicile from Texas to Maryland.
The results of the shares voted with regard to each of these matters are as follows:
1. Elections of Board of Trust Managers:
| | | | | | | |
TRUST MANAGER | | FOR | | WITHHELD | |
| | | | | |
H. Kerr Taylor | | | 4,497,238 | | | 475,726 | |
Robert S. Cartwright, Jr. | | | 4,500,076 | | | 472,588 | |
H.L. Rush, Jr. | | | 4,497,776 | | | 474,888 | |
Philip Taggart | | | 4,495,785 | | | 476,879 | |
Total | | | 17,990,875 | | | 1,900,081 | |
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2. Approval of a redomestication merger to change our state of domicile from Texas to Maryland:
| | | | | | | |
FOR | | AGAINST | | ABSTAIN | |
3,251,402 | | | 379,490 | | | 37,934 | |
| |
Item 5. | Other Information. |
None.
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed, furnished or incorporated by reference (as stated therein) as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned there unto duly authorized.
| | | | |
| | | AmREIT | |
| | | | |
| | | /s/ H. Kerr Taylor | |
| Date: August 13, 2009 | | H. Kerr Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | |
| | | /s/ Chad C. Braun | |
| Date: August 13, 2009 | | Chad C. Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit Index
Ex 3.1 - Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (included as Exhibit 3.1 of the Exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference).
Ex. 3.2 - By-Laws, dated December 22, 2002 (included as Exhibit 3.1 of the Exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference).
Ex. 3.2.1- Amendment No. 1 to By-laws, dated May 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 3.1 of the Exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 7, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).
Ex 31.1 - Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of Chief Financial Officer dated August 13, 2009 (filed herewith).
Ex 31.2 - Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of Chief Financial Officer dated August 13, 2009 (filed herewith).
Ex 32.1 - Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
Ex 32.2 - Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
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