UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________to _________
Commission file number 001-13106
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Maryland | 77-0369576 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
925 East Meadow Drive
Palo Alto, California 94303
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
(650) 494-3700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). YES [X] NO [ ]
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date:
21,017,133 shares of Common Stock as of May 1, 2003
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
| PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | Page No. |
| | |
| Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited): | 3 |
| | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 | 4 |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three
months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 | 5 |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three months
ended March 31, 2003 and the year ended December 31, 2002 | 6 |
| | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 | 7 |
| | |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 8 |
| | |
| Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 17 |
| | |
| Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 26 |
| | |
| Item 4. Control and Prodedures | 26 |
| | |
| PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | |
| | |
| Item 2. Changes in Securities and use of Proceeds | 27 |
| | |
| Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K | 27 |
| | |
| Signature | 28 |
| | |
| Certficications | 29 |
2
Part I -- Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
"Essex" or the "Company" means Essex Property Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust incorporated in the State of Maryland, or where the context otherwise requires, Essex Portfolio, L.P., a limited partnership (the "Operating Partnership") in which Essex Property Trust, Inc. is the sole general partner.
The information furnished in the accompanying consolidated unaudited balance sheets, statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements for the interim periods.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to such consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
3
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
March 31, December 31,
2003 2002
------------ ------------
Assets
Real estate:
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements $ 391,944 $ 368,712
Buildings and improvements 1,204,802 1,147,244
------------ ------------
1,596,746 1,515,956
Less accumulated depreciation (203,429) (191,821)
------------ ------------
1,393,317 1,324,135
Investments 62,780 61,212
Real estate under development 80,641 143,756
------------ ------------
1,536,738 1,529,103
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted 10,367 8,562
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted 9,928 9,265
Notes receivable from investees and related parties 26,141 24,081
Notes and other receivables 30,254 31,318
Prepaid expenses and other assets 9,442 11,133
Deferred charges, net 6,064 6,272
------------ ------------
$ 1,628,934 $ 1,619,734
============ ============
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Mortgage notes payable $ 658,896 $ 677,563
Lines of credit 153,000 126,500
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 35,131 35,791
Dividends payable 20,216 17,879
Other liabilities 8,355 8,157
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 875,598 865,890
Minority interests 264,742 262,530
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 656,682,178
authorized, 21,007,733 and 20,983,193
issued and outstanding 2 2
Cumulative redeemable preferred stock; $.0001
par value, no shares issued and outstanding:
7.875% Series B 2,000,000 shares authorized -- --
9.125% Series C 500,000 shares authorized -- --
9.30% Series D 2,000,000 shares authorized -- --
9.25% Series E 2,200,000 shares authorized -- --
Excess stock, $.0001 par value, 330,000,000 shares
authorized and no shares issued and outstanding -- --
Additional paid-in capital 538,560 535,125
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings (49,968) (43,813)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 488,594 491,314
------------ ------------
Commitments and contingencies
$ 1,628,934 $ 1,619,734
============ ============
See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.
4
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------------
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Revenues:
Rental $ 54,162 $ 42,119
Other property 1,734 1,316
----------- -----------
Total property 55,896 43,435
Interest and other 3,099 5,977
----------- -----------
Total revenues 58,995 49,412
----------- -----------
Expenses:
Property operating expenses:
Maintenance and repairs 3,873 2,809
Real estate taxes 4,376 3,150
Utilities 2,637 2,031
Administrative 5,985 3,626
Advertising 860 622
Insurance 716 343
Depreciation and amortization 11,609 8,986
----------- -----------
30,056 21,567
Interest 10,799 8,789
Amortization of deferred financing costs 174 148
General and administrative 1,838 1,700
----------- -----------
Total expenses 42,867 32,204
----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations before
minority interests and discontinued
operations 16,128 17,208
Minority interests (5,897) (6,064)
----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations 10,231 11,144
Discontinued operations (net of minority interests)-
income from real estate sold -- 152
----------- -----------
Net income $ 10,231 $ 11,296
=========== ===========
Per share data:
Basic:
Income from continuing operations available to
common stockholders $ 0.49 $ 0.60
Income from discontinued operations -- 0.01
----------- -----------
Net income $ 0.49 $ 0.61
=========== ===========
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period 20,995,908 18,500,117
=========== ===========
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to
common stockholders $ 0.48 $ 0.60
Income from discontinued operations -- 0.01
----------- -----------
Net income $ 0.48 $ 0.61
=========== ===========
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period 21,208,098 18,681,096
=========== ===========
Dividend per share $ 0.78 $ 0.77
=========== ===========
See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.
5
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and the
year ended December 31, 2002
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Distributions
Preferred stock Common stock Additional in excess of
-------------------- -------------------- paid-in accumulated
Shares Amount Shares Amount capital earnings Total
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Balances at December 31, 2001 -- $ -- 18,428 $ 2 $ 421,592 $ (39,920) $ 381,674
Shares purchased by Operating
Partnership -- -- (411) -- (19,715) -- (19,715)
Issuance of common stock under
stock-based compensation plans -- -- 246 -- 3,376 -- 3,376
Issuance of common stock -- -- 2,720 -- 136,809 -- 136,809
Reallocation of minority interest -- -- -- -- (6,937) -- (6,937)
Net income -- -- -- -- -- 52,874 52,874
Dividends declared -- -- -- -- -- (56,767) (56,767)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Balances at December 31, 2002 -- -- 20,983 2 535,125 (43,813) 491,314
Issuance of common stock under
stock-based compensation plans -- -- 25 -- 867 -- 867
Reallocation of minority interest -- -- -- -- 2,568 -- 2,568
Net income -- -- -- -- -- 10,231 10,231
Dividends declared -- -- -- -- -- (16,386) (16,386)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Balances at March 31, 2003 -- $ -- 21,008 $ 2 $ 538,560 $ (49,968) $ 488,594
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ============= =========
See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.
6
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
--------------------
2003 2002
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 29,678 $ 27,390
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to real estate:
Improvements to recent acquisitions (1,049) (750)
Redevelopment (181) (2,206)
Revenue generating capital expenditures (64) (221)
Non-revenue generating capital expenditures (1,864) (1,465)
Decrease in restricted cash (663) (1,322)
Additions to notes receivable from investees, other
related parties and other receivables (3,636) (3,452)
Repayment of notes receivable from investees, other
related parties and other receivables 529 2,705
Additions to real estate under development (6,742) (16,399)
Net distributions from (contributions to) investments in corporations
and limited partnerships (1,389) 6,223
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (15,059) (16,887)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from mortgage and other notes payable and lines of credit 27,447 17,000
Repayment of mortgage and other notes payable and lines of credit (19,614) (8,310)
Additions to deferred charges (115) (51)
Net proceeds from stock options exercised and shares issued through
dividend reinvestment plan 409 878
Contributions from minority interest partners -- (14)
Distributions to minority interest partners (5,063) (4,907)
Shares purchased by Operating Partnership -- (499)
Redemption of Operating Partnership units (542) --
Dividends paid (15,336) (14,172)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (12,814) (10,075)
--------- ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,805 428
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 8,562 6,440
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 10,367 $ 6,868
========= =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of $902 and $1,696 capitalized $ 9,155 $ 7,064
========= =========
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additional investment in limited partnership:
Investments $ -- $ 2,840
Accounts payable -- (2,840)
--------- ---------
$ -- $ --
========= =========
Issuance of Operating Partnership Units in connection with the purchase of real estate $ 5,768 $ --
========= =========
Real estate under development transferred to rental property $ 72,711 $ --
========= =========
Common stock issued pursuant to phantom stock plan $ 458 $ --
========= =========
See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.
7
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share and per unit amounts)
(1) Organization and Basis of Presentation
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are normal and recurring in nature. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 include the accounts of the Company and Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership", which holds the operating assets of the Company). The Company is the sole general partner in the Operating Partnership, with an 89.9%, 90.0% and 88.9% general partnership interest as of March 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2002, respectively.
As of March 31, 2003, the Company operates and has ownership interests in 113 multifamily properties (containing 23,969 units), five recreational vehicle parks (comprising 1,717 spaces), four office buildings (with approximately 63,540 square feet) and two manufactured housing communities (containing 607 sites), (collectively, the "Properties"). The Properties are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area), the Pacific Northwest (the Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas) and other areas (Houston, Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada and Hemet, California).
Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P. (the "Fund"), is an investment fund organized by the Company and will be, subject to specific exceptions, the Company's exclusive investment vehicle for new investments until the Fund's committed capital has been invested or committed for investments, or if earlier, December 31, 2003. An affiliate of the Company, Essex VFGP, L.P. ("VFGP"), is a 1% general partner and is a 20.4% limited partner. The Operating Partnership owns a 99% limited partnership interest in VFGP. The Fund has total capital commitments of $250 million and is expected to utilize leverage of approximately 65% of the value of the underlying real estate portfolio. The Company is committed to invest 21.4% of the aggregate capital committed to the Fund. In addition, Essex will be compensated by the Fund for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services and may receive incentive payments if the Fund exceeds certain financial return benchmarks. At March 31, 2003 the Fund has approximately $400 million of investment capacity utilizing leverage of 65%.
The Company invests in joint ventures, which generally involve single multifamily property acquisitions. For joint ventures entered into prior to January 31, 2003,the Company accounts for these investments under the equity or consolidation methods of accounting based on the voting control it exercises through its ownership interests in these affiliates. For joint ventures entered into after January 31, 2003, the Company follows the guidance provided by FASB Interpretation No 46 (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." The Company did not enter into any new joint ventures during the quarter ended March 31, 2003. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is carried at the cost of assets contributed or distributed, plus the Company's equity in undistributed earnings or losses since its initial investment. The individual assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the joint venture are not recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
8
Included in the Company's investments accounted for under the equity method investments are limited partnership interests in 17 partnerships (Down REIT entities), which collectively own ten multifamily properties, comprised of 1,831 units. These investments were made under arrangements whereby Essex Management Corporation (EMC) became the general partner, the Operating Partnership became a special minority interest limited partner, and the other limited partners were granted rights of redemption for their interests. Such partners can request to be redeemed and the Company can elect to redeem their rights for cash or by issuing shares of its common stock on a one share per unit basis. Conversion values will be based on the market value of the Company's common stock at the time of redemption multiplied by the number of units stipulated under the above arrangements. The other limited partners receive distributions based on the Company's current dividend rate times the number of redemption shares. At March 31, 2003, the maximum number of shares that could be required to meet redemption of these Down REIT entities is 1,473,198. The equity in income or loss reported by the Company under the equity method of accounting for these down REIT entities is the net income of these down REIT entities as reduced by the income allocated to the other limited partners which is equal to the distributions they received.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
During the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company's equity in income from investments accounted for using the equity method was $1,801 and $2,501 and is classified as "Interest and other income" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
9
Stock-based Compensation
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 (APB 25) and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans granted to employees and directors. Under APB 25, no compensation cost has been recognized for stock options granted to employees and directors since all such stock options were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock. For the Company's long-term incentive plan and phantom stock plan, compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 was $408 and $911, respectively. Had compensation cost for these stock options and the Company's other plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the fair value method pursuant to FAS 123, the Company's net income applicable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
--------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31,
--------------------
2003 2002
--------- ---------
Net income available to common stockholders:
As reported $ 10,231 $ 11,296
Pro forma 10,130 11,170
Basic earnings per common share:
As reported $ 0.49 $ 0.61
Pro forma 0.48 0.60
Diluted earnings per common share:
As reported $ 0.48 $ 0.61
Pro forma 0.48 0.60
Weighted-average fair value of stock
options granted during the periods
presented $ 3.21 $ 4.69
The fair value of stock options granted each period was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:
------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------------
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Risk-free interest rates 2.17% 3.08%-4.62%
Expected lives 6 years 6 years
Volatility 17.91% 18.92%
Dividend yield 6.12% 6.30%
10
(2)Significant Transactions for the Quarter ended March 31, 2003
- Debt Transactions
On January 15, 2003, the Company repaid a non-recourse mortgage that matured in the amount of $18,800, with an interest rate of 7.6%.
- Development Communities
The Company defines development communities as new apartment properties that are being constructed or are newly constructed and in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations. At March 31, 2003, the Company (including the Fund's development communities) has ownership interests in five development communities, with an aggregate of 1,248 multifamily units and an estimated total cost of $226,300 of which approximately $102,300 remains to be expended and of which approximately $40,300 is the Company's commitment.
During the first quarter, the Company reached stabilized operations at one property, The Essex on Lake Merritt, a 270-unit luxury high-rise apartment community located in Oakland, California, and continued lease-up at The San Marcos, a 312-unit apartment community located in Richmond, California. The Company projects The San Marcos is expected to reach stabilized operations during the third quarter of 2003.
- Redevelopment Communities
The Company defines redevelopment communities as existing properties owned or recently acquired which have been targeted for investment by the Company with the expectation of increased financial returns through property improvement. Redevelopment communities typically have apartment units that are not available for rent and, as a result, may have less than stabilized operations. At March 31, 2003, the Company had no communities in redevelopment.
- Equity Transactions
On June 14, 2000 the Company purchased Waterford Place, a 238-unit apartment community located in San Jose, California for a contract price of $35,000, which excluded a contingent payment to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The amount of the contingent payment was disputed, and submitted to binding arbitration. On March 19, 2003, in connection with that arbitration, the Company was directed to issue an additional 109,875 operating partnership units to the seller. As a result, the Company has increased its capitalized acquisition cost of this asset by approximately $6,200. The arbitration award has not been finalized as of the date of this report, and is not expected to be materially in excess of what was recorded to date.
- Private Equity Fund
Development Communities of the Fund
At March 31, 2003 the Fund has three development communities with an aggregate of 612 multifamily units and an estimated total cost of $122,300 of which $78,900 remains to be expended and approximately $16,900 is the Company's commitment.
Debt Transactions of the Fund
On January 30, 2003, the Fund obtained a non-recourse mortgage on a previously unencumbered property in the amount of $23,200, with a 5.16% fixed interest rate, which matures in February 2010.
11
(3)Related Party Transactions
All general and administrative expenses of the Company and Essex Management Corporation, an unconsolidated preferred stock subsidiary of the Company ("EMC"), are initially borne by the Company, with a portion subsequently allocated to EMC. Expenses allocated to EMC for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 totaled $600 and $770, respectively. The allocation is reflected as a reduction in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Interest and other income includes interest income of $79 and $446 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The majority of interest income was earned on the notes receivable from investees. Other income also includes management fee income and investment income from the Company's investees of $3,016 and $2,769 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.
Notes receivable from investees and other related party receivables as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 consist of the following:
March 31, December 31,
2003 2002
------------ ------------
Notes receivable from joint venture investees:
Note receivable from Highridge Apartments, secured, bearing
interest at 10%, due on demand $ 2,950 $ 2,950
Notes receivable from Essex Fidelity I Corp ("EFC"), secured,
bearing interest at LIBOR + 2.5%, due 2004 15,068 14,979
Note receivable from EFC, unsecured, bearing interest at 7.5%, due 2011 390 726
Receivable from Newport Beach North, LLC and Newport Beach South, LLC,
unsecured, non interest bearing, due on demand 1,125 376
Other related party receivables:
Loans to officers prior to July 31, 2002, secured, bearing interest at 8%,
due April 2006 633 633
Other related party receivables, substantially due on demand 5,975 4,417
------------ ------------
$ 26,141 $ 24,081
============ ============
The Company's officers and directors do not have substantial economic interest in these joint venture investees.
Other related party receivables consist primarily of accrued interest income on notes receivable from joint venture investees and loans to officers, advances and accrued management fees from joint venture investees and unreimbursed expenses due from EMC.
12
(4)New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2003, the FASB approved for issuance FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements" to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, to variable interest entities in which an enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. FIN 46 may be applied prospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date on which it is first applied or by restating previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first year restated. The disclosure requirements of FIN 46 are effective for all financial statements initially issued after January 31, 2003. It is reasonably possible that certain of the entities through which and with which the Company conducts business, including those described in Notes 3(b) and 5 of the Company's December 31, 2002 consolidated financial statements will be deemed to be Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) under the provisions of FIN 46. The total assets and liabilities net of intercompany balances of such entities were estimated at $78,782 and $51,853 at March 31, 2003. The Company's estimated maximum exposure to loss would be equal to its investments in these arrangements, plus the related debt guarantees, which totaled $29,235, as of March 31, 2003. The disclosures provided reflect management's understanding and analysis of FIN 46 based upon information currently available. The evaluation of the Company's various arrangements is ongoing and is subject to change in the event additional interpretive guidance is provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or others.
13
(5)Segment Information
The Company defines its reportable operating segments as the three geographical regions in which its properties are located: Southern California, Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Excluded from segment revenues are properties outside of these regions and interest and other income. Nonsegment revenues and net operating income included in the following schedule consist of revenue generated from the commercial properties, recreational vehicle parks, and manufactured housing communities. Other nonsegment assets include investments, real estate under development, cash, notes receivables, other assets and deferred charges. The revenues, net operating income, and assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the periods presented.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------------
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Revenues:
Southern California $ 26,406 $ 17,418
Northern California 15,604 15,231
Pacific Northwest 10,321 10,645
Other non-segment areas 3,565 141
----------- -----------
55,896 43,435
Interest and other income 3,099 5,977
----------- -----------
Total revenues $ 58,995 $ 49,412
=========== ===========
Net operating income:
Southern California $ 18,057 $ 11,955
Northern California 10,890 11,558
Pacific Northwest 6,730 7,308
Other non-segment areas 1,772 33
----------- -----------
Total net operating income 37,449 30,854
Interest and other income 3,099 5,977
Depreciation and amortization:
Southern California (5,243) (3,362)
Northern California (3,170) (2,752)
Pacific Northwest (2,742) (2,798)
Other non-segment areas (454) (74)
----------- -----------
(11,609) (8,986)
Interest:
Southern California (3,471) (1,838)
Northern California (2,787) (2,810)
Pacific Northwest (1,067) (1,521)
Other non-segment areas (3,474) (2,620)
----------- -----------
(10,799) (8,789)
Amortization of deferred financing costs (174) (148)
General and administrative (1,838) (1,700)
----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations before
minority interests and discontinued
operations $ 16,128 $ 17,208
=========== ===========
14
(5)Segment Information (continued)
March 31, December 31,
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Assets:
Net real estate assets:
Southern California $ 697,382 $ 700,877
Northern California 368,791 293,541
Pacific Northwest 249,075 251,252
Other non-segment areas 78,069 78,465
----------- -----------
Total net real estate assets 1,393,317 1,324,135
Other non-segment assets 235,617 295,599
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 1,628,934 $ 1,619,734
=========== ===========
15
(6)Net Income Per Share
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
March 31, 2003 March 31, 2002
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Weighted Per Weighted Per
Average Share Average Share
Income Shares Amount Income Shares Amount
--------- --------- -------- --------- --------- --------
Basic:
Income from continuing operations $ 10,231 20,996 $ 0.49 $ 11,144 18,500 $ 0.60
Income from discontinued operations -- 20,996 -- 152 18,500 0.01
--------- -------- --------- --------
10,231 $ 0.49 11,296 $ 0.61
======== ========
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Convertible limited partnership
Units(1) -- -- -- --
Stock options (2) -- 156 -- 181
Vested series Z incentive units -- 56 -- --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
-- 212 -- 181
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations 10,231 21,208 $ 0.48 11,144 18,681 $ 0.60
Income from discontinued operations -- 21,208 -- 152 18,681 0.01
--------- -------- --------- --------
$ 10,231 $ 0.48 $ 11,296 $ 0.61
========= ======== ========= ========
- Convertible limited partnership units of 2,285,953 and 2,285,582 as of March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2002, respectively, were not included because they were anti-dilutive.
- The following stock options are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the exercise price of the option was greater than the average market price of the common share for the quarter and, therefore, would be anti-dilutive:
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Number of options 72 138
Range of exercise prices $51.01-54.25 $49.25-54.2
16
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is based primarily on the consolidated unaudited financial statements of Essex Property Trust, Inc. ("Essex" or the "Company") for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated unaudited financial statements and notes thereto. These consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
Substantially all of the assets of the Company are held by, and substantially all operations are conducted through, Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"). The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of March 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2002, with an 89.9%, 90.0% and 88.9% general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, respectively. The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for federal income tax purposes.
General Background
The Company's property revenues are generated primarily from multifamily property operations, which accounted for greater than 95% of its property revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. The Company's multifamily properties (the "Properties") are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area), the Pacific Northwest (the Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas) and other areas (Houston, Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada and Hemet, California).
Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P. (the "Fund"), is an investment fund organized by the Company in 2001. The Fund will be, subject to specific exceptions, the Company's exclusive investment vehicle for new investments until the Fund's committed capital has been invested or committed for investments, or if earlier, December 31, 2003. The Fund has total capital commitments of $250 million and is expected to utilize leverage of approximately 65% of the value of the underlying real estate portfolio. The Company is committed to invest 21.4% of the aggregate capital committed to the Fund. In addition, the Company will be compensated by the Fund for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services and may receive incentive payments if the Fund exceeds certain financial return benchmarks. Since its formation, the Fund has acquired ten multifamily residential properties, representing 2,323 apartment units with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $244 million, excluding redevelopment expenses, and disposed of one multifamily residential property, consisting of 500 apartment units at a gross sales price of approximately $69.0 million resulting in a net realized gain of approximately $5.7 million. In addition, three development land parcels, where approximately 612 apartment units are planned for construction, have been purchased by the Fund with a total estimated cost for the projects of approximately $122.3 million. As of March 31, 2003, the remaining commitments to fund these projects is approximately $78.9 million of which approximately $16.9 million is the Company's commitment.
The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, commencing with the year ended December 31, 1994. The Company provides a majority of its fee based asset management and disposition services as well as third-party property management and leasing services through Essex Management Corporation ("EMC"), in order to maintain compliance with REIT tax rules. The Company owns 100% of EMC's 19,000 shares of nonvoting preferred stock. Executives of the Company own 100% of EMC's 1,000 shares of Common Stock.
17
Since the Company's initial public offering (the "IPO") in June 1994, the Company has acquired ownership interests in 100 multifamily residential properties, its headquarters building, three Southern California office buildings, five recreational vehicle parks, and two manufactured housing communities. With respect to the multifamily residential properties that the Company acquired, 14 are located in Northern California, 64 are located in Southern California, 15 are located in the Seattle Metropolitan Area, five are located in the Portland Metropolitan Area and two are located in other areas. In total, these acquisitions consist of 20,380 units with total capitalized acquisition costs of approximately $1,254.3 million. Additionally, since its IPO, the Company has developed and has ownership interests in ten multifamily properties that have reached stabilized operations. These development properties consist of 2,406 units with total capitalized development costs of $364.0 million. As part of its active portfolio management strategy, the Company has disposed of, since its IPO, twelve multifamily residential properties (six in Northern California, five in Southern California and one in the Pacific Northwest) consisting of a total of 2,014 units, six retail shopping centers in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and its former headquarters building located in Northern California at an aggregate gross sales price of approximately $259.5 million resulting in a net realized gain of approximately $53.8 million.
The Company (excluding the Fund's development communities) has ownership interests in and is developing two multifamily residential communities, with an aggregate of 636 multifamily units. In connection with these development projects, the Company has directly entered into contractual construction related commitments with unrelated third parties and the total projected estimated cost for these projects is approximately $104.0 million. As of March 31, 2003, the remaining commitment to fund these projects is approximately $23.4 million.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2002
Average financial occupancy rates of the Company's multifamily Quarterly Same Store Properties (stabilized properties consolidated by the Company for each of the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002) was 95.2% and 92.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. "Financial occupancy" is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by total possible rental revenue. Actual rental revenue represents contractual rental revenue pursuant to leases without considering delinquency and concessions. Total possible rental revenue represents the value of all apartment units, with occupied units valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant units valued at estimated market rents. We believe that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate. Financial occupancy rates disclosed by other REITs may not be comparable to our calculation of financial occupancy.
The regional breakdown of average financial occupancy for the multifamily Quarterly Same Store Properties for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------
2003 2002
--------- ---------
Southern California 95.2% 92.0%
Northern California 95.8% 95.2%
Pacific Northwest 94.5% 90.8%
18
Total Revenues increased by $9,583,000 or 19.4% to $58,995,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $49,412,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The following table sets forth a breakdown of these revenue amounts, including the revenues attributable to the Quarterly Same Store Properties.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Number of -------------------- Dollar Percentage
Properties 2003 2002 Change Change
----------- --------- --------- --------- -----------
Revenues:
Property revenues - quarterly
Quarterly Same Store Properties
Southern California 22 $ 17,470 $ 16,294 $ 1,176 7.2 %
Northern California 16 13,151 14,638 (1,487) (10.2)
Pacific Northwest 23 10,321 10,645 (324) (3.0)
----------- --------- --------- --------- -----------
Properties 61 40,942 41,577 (635) (1.5)
Property revenues - properties
acquired subsequent to
December 31, 2001 (1) 14,954 1,858 13,096 704.8
--------- --------- --------- -----------
Total property revenues 55,896 43,435 12,461 28.7
Interest and other income 3,099 5,977 (2,878) (48.2)
--------- --------- --------- -----------
Total revenues $ 58,995 $ 49,412 $ 9,583 19.4 %
========= ========= ========= ===========
(1) Also includes four office buildings, five recreational vehicle parks, two manufactured housing communities, redevelopment communities, and development communities.
As set forth in the above table, the $9,583,000 net increase in total revenues was mainly attributable to an increase of $13,096,000 attributable to multifamily properties acquired subsequent to December 31, 2001, four office buildings, five recreational vehicle parks, two manufactured housing communities, redevelopment communities and development communities, which was offset in part by a decrease in interest and other income of $2,878,000 and a decrease in quarterly same store properties of $635,000. Subsequent to December 31, 2001, the Company acquired interests in 21 multifamily properties and achieved stabilized operations in three redevelopment communities and one development community (the "Quarterly Acquisitions Properties").
Interest and other income decreased by $2,878,000 or 48.2% to $3,099,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $5,977,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The decrease primarily relates to the payoff of notes receivable resulting in the decrease in interest income on notes receivables and the sale of co-investment assets resulting in the decrease in income earned on the Company's co- investments.
Property revenues from the Quarterly Same Store Properties decreased by $635,000 or 1.5% to $40,942,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $41,577,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The majority of this decrease was attributable to the 16 Quarterly Same Store Properties located in Northern California and the 23 Quarterly Same Store Properties located in the Pacific Northwest. The property revenues of the Quarterly Same Store Properties in Northern California decreased by $1,487,000 or 10.2% to $13,151,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $14,638,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The decrease in Northern California is primarily attributable to rental rate decreases offset by an increase in financial occupancy to 95.8% in the first quarter of 2003 from 95.2% in the first quarter of 2002. The property revenues of the Quarterly Same Store Properties in the Pacific Northwest decreased by $324,000 or 3.0% to $10,321,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $10,645,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The $324,000 decrease in the Pacific Northwest is primarily attributable to rental rate decreases offset by an increase in financial occupancy to 94.5% in the first quarter of 2003 from 90.8% in the first quarter of 2002. The 22 multifamily residential properties located in Southern California offset the net decrease in total property revenues from the Quarterly Same Store Properties. The property revenues for these properties increased by $1,176,000 or 7.2% to $17,470,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $16,294,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The $1,176,000 increase is primarily attributable to rental rate increases and an increase in financial occupancy to 95.2% in the first quarter of 2003 from 92.0% in the first quarter of 2002.
19
Total Expenses increased by $10,663,000 or approximately 33.1% to $42,867,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $32,204,000 in the first quarter of 2002. This increase was mainly due to an increase in interest expense $2,010,000 or 22.9% to $10,799,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $8,789,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The increase in interest expense is due to increases in the mortgage notes payable and line of credit balances. Property operating expenses increased by $8,489,000 or 39.4% to $30,056,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $21,567,000 in the first quarter of 2002. Of such operating expense increase $7,795,000 was attributable to the Quarterly Acquisition Properties.
Discontinued operationsdecreased by $152,000 to $0 in the first quarter of 2003 from $152,000 in the first quarter in 2002. This decrease is due to the reduction of operating income from Tara Village, a 168-unit apartment community located in Tarzana, California, which was sold on June 18, 2002.
Minority interests decreased by $167,000 or 2.8% to $5,897,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $6,064,000 in the first quarter of 2002. This is primarily due to the decrease in net income of the Operating Partnership.
Net incomedecreased by $1,065,000 or 9.4% to $10,231,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from $11,296,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The decrease in net income is mainly attributable to the factors noted above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At March 31, 2003, the Company had $10,367,000 of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements by using its working capital, cash generated from operations, and amounts available under lines of credit or other financings. The Company believes that its current net cash flows will be adequate to meet operating requirements and to provide for payment of dividends by the Company in accordance with REIT qualification requirements. The Company expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements relating to property acquisitions and development (beyond the next 12 months) and balloon debt maturities by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: working capital, amounts available on lines of credit, net proceeds from public and private debt and equity issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties that may be sold from time to time. There can, however, be no assurance that the Company will have access to the debt and equity markets in a timely fashion to meet such future funding requirements or that future working capital and borrowings under the lines of credit will be available, or if available, will be sufficient to meet the Company's requirements or that the Company will be able to dispose of properties in a timely manner and under terms and conditions that the Company deems acceptable.
The Company has two outstanding unsecured lines of credit for an aggregate amount of $195,000,000. The first line, in the amount of $165,000,000, matures in May 2004, with an option to extend it for one year thereafter. Outstanding balances under this line of credit bear interest at a rate, which uses a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's corporate ratings, if any, and leverage rating, which has been priced at LIBOR plus 1.10%. At March 31, 2003 the Company had $123,000,000 outstanding on this line of credit. A second line of credit in the amount of $30,000,000 matures in December 2003. Outstanding balances, if any, on this second line bear interest based on a tiered rate structure currently at LIBOR plus 1.10%. At March 31, 2003 the Company had $30,000,000 outstanding on this line of credit. At March 31, 2003, these lines of credit bore interest rates of approximately 2.6%. The credit agreements contain debt covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and liabilities, maintenance of minimum levels of consolidated earnings before depreciation, interest and amortization and maintenance of minimum tangible net worth. In addition, the Fund, the investment fund managed by the Company, has an unsecured line of credit for an aggregate amount of $125,000,000. This line matures in December 2003. The line bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.875%. As of March 31 2003, the line had an outstanding balance of $71,260,000. The line provides for debt covenants relating to limitations on mortgage indebtedness.
In addition to the Company's unsecured lines of credit, the Company had $658,896,000 of secured indebtedness at March 31, 2003. Such indebtedness consisted of $598,527,000 in fixed rate debt with interest rates varying from 5.5% to 8.2% and maturity dates ranging from 2005 to 2026. The indebtedness also includes $60,369,000 of tax-exempt variable rate demand bonds with interest rates paid during the three months ended March 31, 2003 ranging from approximately 4.5% to 5.5% and maturity dates ranging from 2020 to 2032. The tax-exempt variable rate demand bonds are capped at interest rates ranging from 7.1% to 7.3%.
20
The Company's unrestricted cash balance increased by $1,805,000 from $8,562,000 as of December 31,2002 to $10,367,000 as of March 31, 2003. The Company generated $29,678,000 in cash from operating activities, used $15,059,000 cash in investing activities and used $12,814,000 cash in financing activities. The $15,059,000 net cash used in investing activities was primarily a result of $6,742,000 used to fund real estate under development, $3,636,000 used in additions to notes receivables from investees, other related parties and other receivables and $3,158,000 used to upgrade rental properties. The $12,814,000 net cash used in financing activities was primarily a result of $19,614,000 of repayments of mortgages and other notes payable and lines of credit, $15,336,000 of dividends paid, $5,063,000 of distributions to minority interest partners offset by $27,447,000 of proceeds from mortgages and other notes and line of credit.
Non-revenue generating capital expenditures are improvements and upgrades that extend the useful life of the property and are not related to preparing a multifamily property unit to be rented to a tenant. The Company expects to incur approximately $375 per weighted average occupancy unit in non-revenue generating capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2003. These expenditures do not include the improvements required in connection with the origination of mortgage loans, expenditures for acquisition properties' renovations and improvements, which are expected to generate additional revenue, and renovation expenditures required pursuant to tax-exempt bond financings. The Company expects that cash from operations and/or its lines of credit will fund such expenditures. However, there can be no assurance that the actual expenditures incurred during 2003 and/or the funding thereof will not be significantly different than the Company's current expectations.
The Company is currently developing five multifamily residential projects, with an aggregate of 1,248 multifamily units. Such projects involve certain risks inherent in real estate development. See "Other Matters/ Risk Factors-- Risks that Development Activities Will be Delayed or Not Completed and/or Fail to Achieve Expected Results" in Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. In connection with these development projects, the Company has directly, or in some cases through its joint venture partners entered into contractual construction related commitments with unrelated third parties and the total projected estimated cost for these projects is approximately $226,300,000. As of March 31, 2003, the remaining commitment to fund these development projects is approximately $102,300,000, of which approximately $40,300,000 is the Company's commitment. The Company expects to fund such commitments by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, net proceeds from public and private equity and debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties, if any.
Pursuant to existing shelf registration statements, the Company has the capacity to issue up to $342,000,000 of equity securities and the Operating Partnership has the capacity to issue up to $250,000,000 of debt securities.
The Company pays quarterly dividends from cash available for distribution. Until it is distributed, cash available for distribution is invested by the Company primarily in short-term investment grade securities or is used by the Company to reduce balances outstanding under its line of credit.
Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P. (the "Fund"), is an investment fund organized by the Company in 2001. The Fund will be, subject to specific exceptions, the Company's exclusive investment vehicle for new investments until the Fund's committed capital has been invested or committed for investments, or if earlier, December 31, 2003. The Fund has total capital commitments of $250 million and is expected to utilize leverage of approximately 65% of the value of the underlying real estate portfolio. The Company is committed to invest 21.4% of the aggregate capital committed to the Fund. In addition, Essex will be compensated by the Fund for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services and may receive incentive distributions if the Fund exceeds certain financial return benchmarks. The Company's remaining unfunded capital commitment as of March 31, 2003 is approximately $40.3 million.
21
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and other commitments at March 31, 2003, and the effect such obligations could have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:
Less Than 2-3 4-5 Over 5
1 Year Years Years Years Total
(In thousands) --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Mortgage notes payable $ 5,192 $ 48,094 $ 83,527 $ 522,083 $ 658,896
Lines of credit 30,000 123,000 -- -- 153,000
Development commitments(1) 40,300 -- -- -- 40,300
Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P.
capital commitment 40,295 -- -- -- 40,295
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
$ 115,787 $ 171,094 $ 83,527 $ 522,083 $ 892,491
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
(1) $32,502 of these commitments relate to hard contracts as of March 31, 2003.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2003, the FASB approved for issuance FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements" to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, to variable interest entities in which an enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. FIN 46 may be applied prospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date on which it is first applied or by restating previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first year restated. The disclosure requirements of FIN 46 are effective for all financial statements initially issued after January 31, 2003. It is reasonably possible that certain of the entities through which and with which the Company conducts business, including those described in Notes 3(b) and 5 of the Company's December 31, 2002 consolidated financial statements will be deemed to be Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) under the provisions of FIN 46. The total assets and liabilities net of intercompany balances of such entities were estimated at $78,782 and $51,853 at March 31, 2003. The Company's estimated maximum exposure to loss would be equal to its investments in these arrangements, plus the related debt guarantees, which totaled $29,235, as of March 31, 2003. The disclosures provided reflect management's understanding and analysis of FIN 46 based upon information currently available. The evaluation of the Company's various arrangements is ongoing and is subject to change in the event additional interpretive guidance is provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or others.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Forward looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations as to the timing of completion of current development projects and the stabilization dates of such projects, expectation as to the total projected costs and rental rates of current development projects, beliefs as to the adequacy of future cash flows to meet operating requirements and to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements, expectations as to the amount of capital expenditures, expectations as to the amount of non-revenue generating capital expenditures, future acquisitions and developments, the anticipated performance of the Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P., the anticipated performance of existing properties, and statements regarding the Company's financing activities. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, that the Company will fail to achieve its business objectives, that the actual completion of development projects will be subject to delays, that the stabilization dates of such projects will be delayed, that the total projected costs of current development projects will exceed expectations, that such development projects will not be completed, that development projects and acquisitions will fail to meet expectations, that estimates of future income from an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate, that future cash flows will be inadequate to meet operating requirements and/or will be insufficient to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements, that the actual non-revenue generating capital expenditures will exceed the Company's current expectations, that the Essex Apartment Value Fund will fail to perform as anticipated, that the Company's partners in this Fund fail to fund capital commitments as contractually required, that there may be a downturn in the markets in which the Company's properties are located, and that the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness, as well as those risks, special considerations, and other factors discussed under the caption "Potential Factors Affecting Operating Results" below and those discussed under the caption "Other Matters/Risk Factors" in Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and those other risk factors and special considerations set forth in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
22
Potential Factors Affecting Future Operating Results
Many factors affect the Company's actual financial performance and may cause the Company's future results to be different from past performance or trends. These factors include those factors discussed under the caption "Other Matters/Risk Factors" in Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the following:
Economic Environment and Impact on Operating Results
Both the national economy and the economies of the western states in which the Company owns, manages and develops properties have been and continue to be in an economic downturn . The impacts of such recession on operating results can include, and are not limited to, reduction in rental rates, occupancy levels, property valuations and increases in operating costs such as advertising, turnover and repair and maintenance expense.
The Company's property type and diverse geographic locations provide some degree of risk moderation but are not immune to a prolonged down cycle in the real estate markets in which the Company operates. Although the Company believes it is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead, it is possible that further reductions in occupancy and market rental rates will result in reduction of rental revenues, operating income, cash flows, and market value of the Company's shares. Prolonged recession could also affect the Company's ability to obtain financing at acceptable rates of interest and to access funds from the disposition of properties at acceptable prices.
Development and Redevelopment Activities
The Company pursues multifamily residential properties and development and redevelopment projects from time to time. Development projects generally require various government and other approvals, the receipt of which cannot be assured. The Company's development and redevelopment activities generally entail certain risks, including the following:
- funds may be expended and management's time devoted to projects that may not be completed;
- construction costs of a project may exceed original estimates possibly making the project economically unfeasible;
- projects may be delayed due to, among other things, adverse weather conditions;
- occupancy rates and rents at a completed project may be less than anticipated; and
- expenses at a completed development project may be higher than anticipated.
These risks may reduce the funds available for distribution to the Company's stockholders. Further, the development and redevelopment of properties is also subject to the general risks associated with real estate investments.
23
Interest Rate Fluctuations
The Company monitors changes in interest rates and believes that it is well positioned from both a liquidity and interest rate risk perspective. However, current interest rates are at historic lows and potentially could increase rapidly to levels more in line with recent levels. The immediate effect of significant and rapid interest rate increases would result in higher interest expense on the Company's variable interest rate debt. The effect of prolonged interest rate increases could negatively impact the Company's ability to make acquisitions and develop properties at economic returns on investment and the Company's ability to refinance existing borrowings at acceptable rates.
Inflation
Inflationary increases would likely have a negative effect on property operating results and such increases may be at greater rates of increases than property rental rates in a period of recession. The Company believes it effectively manages its property and other expenses but understands that a return to higher annual rates of inflation would result in increases to operating expense.
24
Funds from Operations
Funds from Operations, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") is generally considered by industry analysts as an appropriate measure of performance of an equity REIT. Generally, Funds from Operations adjusts the net income of equity REITS for charges such as depreciation and amortization of rental properties, gains/ losses on sales of real estate and extraordinary items. Management considers Funds from Operations to be a useful financial operating performance measurement of an equity REIT because, together with net income and cash flows, Funds from Operations provides investors with an additional basis to evaluate the performance of a REIT. Funds from Operations does not represent net income or cash flows from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and is not intended to indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. It should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the REIT's operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Funds from Operations does not measure whether cash flow is sufficient to fund all cash needs including principal amortization, capital improvements and distributions to shareholders. Funds from Operations also does not represent cash flows generated from operating, investing or financing activities as defined under GAAP. Further, Funds from Operations as disclosed by other REITs may not be comparable to the Company's calculation of Funds from Operations.
The following table sets forth the Company's calculation of Funds from Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------------
2003 2002
------------- -------------
Income from continuing operations before
minority intrusts and discontinued
operations $ 16,128,000 $ 17,208,000
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 11,609,000 8,986,000
Depreciation and amortization --
unconsolidated co-investments 2,172,000 1,830,000
Minority interests, excluding depreciation (4,611,000) (4,587,000)
Income from discontinued operations -- 152,000
Depreciation - discontinued operations -- 94,000
------------- -------------
Funds From Operations $ 25,298,000 $ 23,683,000
============= =============
Weighted average number
shares outstanding diluted (1) 23,494,051 21,006,678
============= =============
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------------
2003 2002
------------- -------------
Cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities $ 29,678,000 $ 27,390,000
Investing activities (15,059,000) (16,887,000)
Financing activities (12,814,000) (10,075,000)
(1) Assumes conversion of all outstanding operating partnership interests in the Operating Partnership. Minority interests have been adjusted to reflect such conversion.
25
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its line of credit and long-term debt used to maintain liquidity and fund capital expenditures and expansion of the Company's real estate investment portfolio and operations. The Company's interest rate risk management objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objectives the Company borrows primarily at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps and treasury locks in order to mitigate its interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. The Company does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.
The Company's interest rate risk is monitored using a variety of techniques. The table below presents the principal amounts and weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity to evaluate the expected cash flows and sensitivity to interest rate changes.
For the Years Ended 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Thereafter Total Fair value
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------
Fixed rate debt
(In thousands)
Amount $ 5,192 $ 7,091 $ 41,003 $ 20,397 $ 63,130 $ 461,714 $ 598,527 $ 576,894
Average interest rate 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.8%
Variable rate LIBOR debt
(In thousands)
Amount $ 30,000 $123,000 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 60,369 (1) $ 213,369 $ 213,369
Average interest 2.6% 2.6% -- -- -- 5.1%
(1) Capped at interest rates ranging from 7.1% to 7.3%.
The table incorporates only those exposures that exist as of March 31, 2003; it does not consider those exposures or positions that could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss, with respect to interest rate fluctuations, would depend on the exposures that arise during the period, our hedging strategies at the time, and interest rates.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting management to material information relating to the Company that is required to be included in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date we carried out our evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
26
Part II -- Other Information
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
On June 14, 2000 the Company purchased Waterford Place, a 238-unit apartment community located in San Jose, California for a contract price of $35 million, which excluded a contingent payment to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The amount of the contingent payment was disputed, and submitted to binding arbitration. On March 19, 2003, in connection with that arbitration, the Company was directed to issue an additional 109,875 operating partnership units to the seller. Such operating partnership units are exchangeable into shares of the Company's common stock, at the option of the holder. This issuance of operating partnership units was completed pursuant to the exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(2) Securities Act of 1933 as amended. The arbitration award has not been finalized as of the date of this report, and is not expected to be materially in excess of what was recorded to date.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- Exhibits
99.1 Certification of Keith R. Guericke, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.2 Certification of Michael J. Schall, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
- Reports on Form 8-K
On January 16, 2003 the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K to set forth audited consolidated statements of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, including an additional note thereto, which reflect the impact of the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 144.
On February 6, 2003 the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K to file a press release to announce fourth quarter and annual 2002 results.
On February 19, 2003 the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K/A to amend Item 7 of the Form 8-K, dated December 23, 2002, to provide the financial information required in connection with the merger of John M. Sachs, Inc., into a subsidiary of Essex.
27
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
(Registrant)
May 15, 2003
By: /s/ MARK J. MIKL
Mark J. Mikl
First Vice President and Controller
(Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
28
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Keith R. Guericke, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterlyreport on Form10-Q of Essex Property Trust, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterlyreport;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 quarterly report is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
29
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
May 15, 2003
/s/ KEITH R. GUERICKE
Keith R. Guericke
Chief Executive Officer
30
ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Michael J. Schall, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterlyreport on Form10-Q of Essex Property Trust, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterlyreport;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 quarterly report is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
31
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
May 15, 2003
/s/ MICHAEL J. SCHALL
Michael J. Schall
Chief Financial Officer
32
