Expenses
Total expenses for the third quarter of 2013 decreased by $114 thousand, or 25%, as compared to the prior year period. The net reduction in expenses was primarily due to decreases in railcar maintenance and depreciation expenses partially offset by an increase in costs reimbursed to the General Partner.
The decrease in railcar maintenance costs totaled $106 thousand and was primarily attributable to the continued decline in the number of railcars owned by the Partnership, consistent with a fund in liquidation. Depreciation expense declined by $32 thousand largely due to continued run-off and disposition of lease assets.
The aforementioned decreases in expenses were partially offset by a $17 thousand increase in costs reimbursed to the General Partner. Such increase was primarily a result of higher administrative costs incurred by the General Partner, with an appropriate portion allocated to the Fund during the current year period.
The nine months ended September 30, 2013 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2012
The Partnership had net income of $686 thousand and $887 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The results for the first nine months of 2013 reflect decreases in both total revenues and total operating expenses when compared to the prior year period.
Revenues
Total revenues for the first nine months of 2013 decreased by $449 thousand, or 20%, as compared to the prior year period. The decline in total revenues was attributable to a $401 thousand reduction in operating lease revenues and a $47 thousand decrease in gain on sales of assets.
The decrease in operating lease revenues was largely due to lower negotiated rates on certain re-marketed leases which commenced in January 2013, a decline in usage-based rental revenues and continued run-off and sales of lease assets. The decrease in gain on sales of lease assets was mainly attributable to the lower volume and change in the mix of assets sold.
Expenses
Total expenses for the first nine months of 2013 decreased by $248 thousand, or 18%, as compared to the prior year period. The net reduction in expenses was primarily due to decreases in railcar maintenance and depreciation expenses partially offset by an increase in costs reimbursed to the General Partner.
The decrease in railcar maintenance costs totaled $236 thousand and was primarily attributable to the continued decline in the number of railcars owned by the Partnership. Depreciation expense declined by $96 thousand largely due to continued run-off and disposition of lease assets.
The aforementioned decreases in expenses were partially offset by a $46 thousand increase in costs reimbursed to the General Partner. Such increase was primarily a result of higher administrative costs incurred by the General Partner, with an appropriate portion allocated to the Fund during the current year period.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.5 million and $542 thousand, respectively. The liquidity of the Partnership varies, increasing to the extent cash flows from leases and proceeds from lease asset sales exceed expenses and decreasing as distributions are made to the partners and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.
The primary source of liquidity for the Partnership has been its cash flow from leasing activities. As the initial lease terms have expired, the Partnership ventured to re-lease or sell the equipment. Future liquidity will depend on the Partnership’s success in remarketing or selling the equipment as it comes off rental.
If inflation in the general economy becomes significant, it may affect the Partnership in as much as the residual (resale) values of the Partnership’s leased assets may increase as the costs of similar assets increase. However, the Partnership’s revenues from existing leases would not increase as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases without adjustment for inflation. In addition, if interest rates increase significantly under such circumstances, the lease rates that the Partnership can obtain on future leases will be expected to increase as the cost of capital is a significant factor in the pricing of lease financing. Leases already in place, for the most part, would not be affected by changes in interest rates.