Cash used in investing activities as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows decreased by approximately $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 period when compared to the comparable prior year period. This decrease in cash was primarily attributable to a net decrease of $4.7 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 Woodlake Pointe to MIG IV for $5.2 million. We made no investment in affiliates during the 2009 period. In addition, cash flows associated with the sale of investment properties decreased since we did not sell any investment properties in 2009, compared to three investment properties that were sold in the third quarter 2008 which generated proceeds of $3.5 million. Cash flows associated with loans to our merchant development funds also decreased by $3.1 million during the 2009 period when compared to 2008. In 2008 we collected a net $3.4 million from the merchant development funds, compared to net collections of $279,000 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 receiving payments on these notes receivable as the funds generate liquidity from property dispositions and from financings with third parties. These decreases in cash were offset by an increase related to the purchase during 2008 of $1.7 million in receivables in conjunction with the acquisition of the Shadow Creek Ranch shopping center.
Cash used in financing activities as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows decreased by approximately $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the 2008 period. The decrease in cash used was primarily the result of a $6.8 million reduction in treasury share repurchases during the periods pursuant to our approved share repurchase program. Additionally, cash used for redemptions decreased by $4.4 million in 2009 compared to 2008 since we are no longer allowing redemptions of Class C and D shares. These increases in cash were partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in common dividends paid as a result of the discontinuance of the dividend reinvestment program on class C and D shares in the fourth quarter of 2008.
We have an unsecured credit facility in place which is available for the acquisition of properties and for working capital. We are able to borrow up to $23.3 million as of September 30, 2009. 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 September 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 September 30, 2009, the interest rate was LIBOR plus 3.00%, and we had $19.1 million outstanding on the credit facility. We have approximately $3.2 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. The facility matured in October 2009, and the lender has extended the maturity date of the facility to January 8, 2010 at substantially the same terms.
We have received a written commitment from another lender for a $25.0 million secured credit facility (the “New Facility”) to replace the existing facility and to be available for the acquisition of properties and for working capital. The New Facility’s interest rate will be LIBOR plus a spread of 3.50%, with a floor of 5.00%. The term of the New Facility will be one year with an option to convert it to a three-year amortizing loan (20-year amortization) at the end of the first year, provided that there are no existing events of default at that time. The New Facility borrowing base will be determined based on the properties that are pledged as security on the New Facility and it will contain covenants applicable to those pledged properties. We expect to close on the New Facility in December 2009, subject to normal and customary closing conditions.
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 nine months ended September 30, 2009, we declared dividends to our shareholders of $9.5 million, compared with $9.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. All share classes receive monthly dividends. The dividends by class are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Class A | | Class C | | Class D | |
2009 | Third Quarter | | $ | 663 | | $ | 724 | | $ | 1,783 | |
| 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 September 30, 2009 to the three months ended September 30, 2008
Revenues
Total revenues remained constant at $9.3 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.
Rental income from operating leases remained relatively consistent at $7.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($7.5 million in 2009 versus $7.6 million in 2008). The decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in occupancy.
Earned income from direct financing leases increased by $65,000, or 13%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($566,000 in 2009 versus $501,000 in 2008). The increase is due to earned income related to a development project which was completed during the first quarter of 2009.
Lease termination fee income from operating leases decreased by $100,000, or 100%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($0 in 2009 versus $100,000 in 2008). In 2008, we recognized a lease termination fee associated with an early lease termination, whereas we did not recognize any such fees in the three months ended September 30, 2009.
Expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by $1.4 million, or 21%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($5.3 million in 2009 versus $6.7 million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in general and administrative expenses, property expense and legal and professional expense.
General and administrative expense decreased by $212,000, or 13%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.4 million in 2009 versus $1.6 million in 2008). The decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in board of directors fees coupled with costs savings driven by our ongoing efforts to manage our costs as part of Vision 2010.
Property expense decreased by $306,000, or 14%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.9 million in 2009 versus $2.2 million in 2008). The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in bad debt reserves recorded on our tenant receivables, offset by an increase in reimbursable property expenses.
Legal and professional fee expense decreased by $842,000, or 80%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($206,000 in 2009 versus $1.0 million in 2008). This decrease is mainly attributable to $715,000 of dead deal costs recorded in the 2008 period coupled with additional costs savings driven by our ongoing efforts to manage our costs as part of Vision 2010.
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Other Income (expense)
Interest and other income decreased by $83,000 or 33% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($171,000 in 2009 versus $254,000 in 2008). This decrease is primarily attributable to related party interest income reduction as a result of a decrease in related party notes receivable.
Loss from discontinued operations decreased by $725,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributed 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. The discontinuance of this business resulted in restructuring charges of $1.5 million, net of taxes. This amount is partially offset by a $924,000 gain related to three properties that we sold in the third quarter 2008.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
Revenues
Total revenues decreased by $1.6 million, or 5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($28.7 million in 2009 versus $30.3 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 and earned income from direct financing leases.
Rental income from operating leases decreased by $1.3 million, or 5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($22.4 million in 2009 versus $23.6 million in 2008). The increase is 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 41%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($2.1 million in 2009 versus $3.6 million in 2008) primarily due to a decrease in acquisition fees earned on property transactions within our merchant development funds. We acquired three properties on behalf of our merchant development funds in the 2008 periods and have made no acquisitions during the 2009 period.
Lease termination income increased by $1.0 million, or 965%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.1 million in 2009 versus $100,000 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 nine months ended September 30, 2009 represents the fair value of the building.
Earned income from direct financing leases increased by $169,000, or 11%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($1.7 million in 2009 versus $1.5 million in 2008). The increase is due to earned income related to a development project which was completed during the first quarter of 2009.
Expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by $2.9 million, or 14%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($17.7 million in 2009 versus $20.6 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 $661,000, or 10%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($6.0 million in 2009 versus $6.6 million in 2008). The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in bad debt reserves recorded on our tenant receivables.
Legal and professional fees decreased by $511,000, or 28%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same prior year period in 2008 ($1.3 million in 2009 versus $1.8 million in 2008). This decrease was primarily attributable to dead deal costs recorded during third quarter of 2008 coupled with additional costs savings driven by our ongoing efforts to manage our costs as part of Vision 2010. The decreases were partially offset by an increase in legal costs recorded in the first quarter of 2009.
Depreciation and amortization decreased by $866,000, or 13%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($5.6 million in 2009 versus $6.5 million in 2008). This decrease is mainly attributable to the accelerated depreciation related to a tenant that terminated their lease during the 2008 period.
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Other Income (expense)
Interest and other income decreased by $232,000, or 31%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 ($511,000 in 2009 versus $743,000 in 2008). This decrease is primarily attributable to related party interest income reduction as a result of a decrease in related party notes receivable.
Loss from merchant development funds and other affiliates decreased by $123,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 (a loss of $374,000 in 2009 versus a loss of $497,000 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 $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 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 $848,000 related to three 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 consolidated 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.
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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 September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Income from continuing operatons | | $ | 1,250 | | $ | 414 | | $ | 3,360 | | $ | 2,391 | |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | | 12 | | | (713 | ) | | 1,886 | | | (2,129 | ) |
Non-controlling interest | | | (8 | ) | | (52 | ) | | (110 | ) | | (281 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Plus depreciation of real estate assets - from operations | | | 1,833 | | | 1,818 | | | 5,528 | | | 6,377 | |
Plus depreciation of real estate assets - from discontinued operations | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 39 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustments for nonconsolidated affiliates | | | 132 | | | 138 | | | 396 | | | 702 | |
Less gain on sale of real estate assets acquired for investment | | | — | | | (924 | ) | | — | | | (924 | ) |
Less Class C and D distributions | | | (2,507 | ) | | (2,507 | ) | | (7,521 | ) | | (7,508 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Funds From Operations available to Class A shareholders | | $ | 712 | | $ | (1,826 | ) | $ | 3,539 | | $ | (1,333 | ) |
| |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
Not applicable.
| |
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 September 30, 2009. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of September 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 September 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. |
None.
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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: November 13, 2009 | | H. Kerr Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | |
| | /s/ Chad C. Braun | |
Date: November 13, 2009 | | Chad C. Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit Index
Ex 3.1 - Declaration of Trust (included as Appendix A to the Company’s 2009 Proxy statement filed on April 7, 2009, 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. 10.1 Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (Included as Annex D to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on October 19, 2009, and incorporated by reference).
Ex 31.1 - Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of Chief Financial Officer dated November 13, 2009 (filed herewith).
Ex 31.2 - Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of Chief Financial Officer dated November 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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