SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------ FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 ----------------------------------------------------------------- For Quarter Ended September 30, 1996 Commission File Number 0-14052 NEW ENGLAND LIFE PENSION PROPERTIES III; A REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Massachusetts 04-2847256 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 399 Boylston Street, 13th Fl. Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 578-1200 - ----------------------------------------------------------------- Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report 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 twelve (12) months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No ___ NEW ENGLAND LIFE PENSION PROPERTIES III; A REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION ---------------------- BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) September 30, 1996 December 31, 1995 ------------------ ----------------- ASSETS Real estate investments: Joint ventures $ 17,727,341 $ 18,116,002 Property, net 1,264,689 1,243,499 ------------ ------------ 18,992,030 19,359,501 Cash and cash equivalents 2,376,927 1,399,905 Short-term investments 1,138,837 2,111,608 ------------ ------------ $ 22,507,794 $ 22,871,014 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Accounts payable $ 82,443 $ 88,184 Accrued management fee 82,356 42,101 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 164,799 130,285 ------------ ------------ Partners' capital (deficit): Limited partners ($493.14 per unit; 75,000 units authorized, 68,414 units issued and outstanding) 22,390,289 22,784,048 General partners (47,294) (43,319) ------------ ------------ Total partners' capital 22,342,995 22,740,729 ------------ ------------ $ 22,507,794 $ 22,871,014 ============ ============ <FN> (See accompanying notes to financial statements) STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 September 30, 1996 September 30, 1995 September 30, 1995 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------- ------------------ INVESTMENT ACTIVITY Property rentals $ 50,686 $ 141,294 $ 59,044 $ 151,758 Property operating expenses (22,076) (88,190) (24,194) (75,295) Depreciation and amortization (24,277) (61,310) (8,462) (27,402) ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ 4,333 (8,206) 26,388 49,061 Joint venture earnings 377,008 1,196,560 320,560 1,116,267 Amortization (2,366) (7,098) (2,366) (7,098) ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ Total real estate operations 378,975 1,181,256 344,582 1,158,230 Interest on cash equivalents and short-term investments 44,653 132,156 51,422 152,262 ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ Total investment activity 423,628 1,313,412 396,004 1,310,492 ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ Portfolio Expenses General and administrative 59,103 173,364 59,970 188,970 Management fee 82,356 175,033 42,101 126,303 ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ 141,459 348,397 102,071 315,273 ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ Net Income $ 282,169 $ 965,015 $ 293,933 $ 995,219 ============ ============ ============= ============ Net income per limited partnership unit $ 4.08 $ 13.96 $ 4.25 $ 14.40 ============ ============ ============= ============ Cash distributions per limited partnership unit $ 6.78 $ 19.72 $ 6.16 $ 18.48 ============ ============ ============= ============ Number of limited partnership units outstanding during the period 68,414 68,414 68,414 68,414 ============ ============ ============= ============ <FN> (See accompanying notes to financial statements) STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL (Deficit) (Unaudited) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 September 30, 1996 September 30, 1995 September 30, 1995 ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ General Limited General Limited General Limited General Limited Partners Partners Partners Partners Partners Partners Partners Partners --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Balance at beginning of period $ (45,432) $22,574,789 $ (43,319) $22,784,048 $ (40,667) $23,046,653 $ (39,166) $23,195,240 Cash distributions (4,684) (463,847) (13,625) (1,349,124) (4,257) (421,430) (12,771) (1,264,290) Net income 2,822 279,347 9,650 955,365 2,939 290,994 9,952 985,267 --------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance at end of period $ (47,294) $22,390,289 $ (47,294) $22,390,289 $ (41,985) $22,916,217 $ (41,985) $22,916,217 ========== =========== ======== ============ ========== =========== ========== =========== <FN> (See accompanying notes to financial statements) SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, ------------------------------- 1996 1995 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities $ 1,394,121 $ 1,415,963 ----------- ------------ Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures on owned property (10,394) (84,856) Decrease (increase) in short-term investments, net 956,044 (920,683) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 945,650 (1,005,539) ------------ ------------ Cash flows from financing activity: Distributions to partners (1,362,749) (1,277,061) ------------ ------------ Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 977,022 (866,637) Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of period 1,399,905 2,423,836 ------------ ------------ End of period $ 2,376,927 $ 1,557,199 ============ ============ <FN> (See accompanying notes to financial statements) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Partnership's financial position as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and the results of its operations, its cash flows and changes in partners' capital (deficit) for the interim periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. See notes to financial statements included in the Partnership's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information relating to the Partnership's financial statements. NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - ---------------------------------- New England Life Pension Properties III; A Real Estate Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") is a Massachusetts limited partnership organized for the purpose of investing primarily in newly constructed and existing income producing real properties. It primarily serves as an investment for qualified pension and profit sharing plans and other entities intended to be exempt from federal income tax. The Partnership commenced operations in July, 1985 and acquired several investments through 1988. The Partnership intends to dispose of its investments within twelve years of their acquisition, and then liquidate; however, the managing general partner could extend the investment period if it is in the best interest of the limited partners. NOTE 2 - REAL ESTATE JOINT VENTURES - ----------------------------------- The following summarized financial information is presented in the aggregate for the joint ventures: Assets and Liabilities ---------------------- September 30, 1996 December 31, 1995 ----------------- ----------------- Assets Real property, at cost less accumulated depreciation of $4,678,149 and $4,273,114, respectively $ 15,364,068 $ 15,753,539 Other assets 594,226 660,423 ------------ ------------ 15,958,294 16,413,962 Liabilities 103,094 280,372 ------------ ------------ Net Assets $ 15,855,200 $ 16,133,590 =========== =========== Results of Operations --------------------- Nine Months Ended September 30, -------------------------------- 1996 1995 ---- ---- Revenue Rental income $ 2,402,361 $ 2,320,006 Other 3,433 10,774 ------------ ------------- 2,405,794 2,330,780 ------------ ------------- Expenses Operating expenses 804,201 795,455 Depreciation and amortization 405,033 419,058 ------------ ------------- 1,209,234 1,214,513 ------------ ------------- Net income $ 1,195,560 $ 1,116,267 ============= ============== Liabilities and expenses exclude amounts owed and attributable to the Partnership on behalf of its various financing arrangements with the joint ventures. NOTE 3 - PROPERTY - ----------------- The following is a summary of the Partnership's investment in property: September 30, 1996 December 31, 1995 ------------------ ----------------- Land $ 347,772 $ 347,772 Buildings and improvements 1,031,512 1,021,118 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (108,817) (58,041) Net operating liabilities (5,778) (67,350) ----------- ----------- $ 1,264,689 $1,243,499 =========== =========== <FN> The buildings are being depreciated over a 25 year period. NOTE 4 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT - ------------------------- Distributions of cash from operations relating to the quarter ended September 30, 1996 were made on October 24, 1996 in the aggregate amount of $468,532 ($6.78 per limited partnership unit). On that date, the Partnership made two other distributions: an additional distribution of cash from operations in the aggregate amount of $364,184 ($5.27 per limited partnership unit), which was being held in working capital reserves; and a capital distribution of $519,946 ($7.60 per limited partnership unit), representing proceeds from the sale of various properties, which were also being held in working capital reserves. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and - --------------------------------------------------------------- Results of Operations - --------------------- Liquidity and Capital Resources - ------------------------------- The Partnership completed its offering of units of limited partnership interest in December, 1985. A total of 68,414 units were sold. The Partnership received proceeds of $61,950,285, net of selling commissions and other offering costs, which were invested in real estate, used to pay related acquisition costs, or retained as working capital reserves. The Partnership made nine real estate investments, six of which were sold prior to 1994. As a result of the sales, capital of $34,676,320 has been returned to the limited partners through September 30, 1996. At September 30, 1996, the Partnership had $3,515,764 in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, of which $832,716 was used for operating cash distributions, and $519,946 for capital distributions to the partners on October 24, 1996; the remainder is being retained as working capital reserves. The operating distribution includes $364,184 attributable to a discretionary reduction of cash reserves which had previously accumulated from activities. The capital distribution amount had also been held as part of the Partnership's working capital reserves. The managing general partner will continue to evaluate reserve levels in the context of the Partnership's investment objectives. The source of future liquidity and cash distributions to partners will primarily be cash generated by the Partnership's investments and proceeds from the sale of investments. Distributions of cash from operations for the first three quarters of 1996 and 1995 were made at the annualized rate of 5.5% and 5%, respectively, on the adjusted capital contribution. The increase in the distribution rate during 1996 results from the attainment of appropriate cash reserve levels and the stabilization of property operations. The carrying value of real estate investments in the financial statements is at depreciated cost, or if the investment's carrying value is determined not to be recoverable through expected undiscounted future cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to estimated fair market value. The fair market value of such investments is further reduced by the estimated cost of sale for properties held for sale. Carrying value may be greater or less than current appraised value. At September 30, 1996, the appraised value of each real estate investment exceeded its related carrying value; the aggregate excess was approximately $5,800,000. The current appraised value of real estate investments has been estimated by the managing general partner and is generally based on a combination of traditional appraisal approaches performed by the Partnership's advisor and independent appraisers. Because of the subjectivity inherent in the valuation process, the estimated current appraised value may differ significantly from that which could be realized if the real estate were actually offered for sale in the marketplace. Results of Operations - --------------------- Form of Real Estate Investments North Cabot Industrial Park is a wholly-owned property. Bayberry Apartments and 270 Technology Center are structured as joint ventures with real estate management/development firms. Operating Factors Occupancy at North Cabot Industrial Park increased from 87% to 100% during the third quarter of 1996, with the signing of two new leases. (Occupancy was 87% at September 30, 1995 and had increased to 94% at December 31, 1995.) The rental market has been improving and the Partnership's objective is to stabilize the tenancy by offering renovated, turn-key space. Occupancy at Bayberry Apartments declined slightly to 90% during the quarter. (Occupancy was 95% at September 30, 1995.) Market conditions are competitive; however, supply and demand remain in equilibrium. Occupancy at 270 Technology Park remained at 98% during the third quarter of 1996. (Occupancy was also 98% at September 30, 1995.) Investment Activity Interest on cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased $20,000, or 13%, between the first nine months of 1995 and 1996 primarily due to lower short-term interest rates. Real estate operating results were $1,181,256 for the first nine months of 1996 as compared to $1,158,230 for the comparable period of 1995. The improvement was due to an increase in operating income at Bayberry, partially offset by lower operating results from North Cabot, where expenses increased due to tenant turnover. Operating cash flow decreased $22,000 or 2% between the first nine months of 1995 and 1996. Cash flow decreased despite the increase in real estate operations primarily as a result of the timing of cash distributions from Bayberry. Portfolio Expenses The Partnership management fee is 9% of distributable cash flow from operations after any increase or decrease in working capital reserves as determined by the managing general partner. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of real estate appraisal, printing, legal, accounting and investor servicing fees. The Partnership management fee increased between the first nine months of 1995 and 1996 due to an increase in distributable cash flow, primarily stemming from the discretionary reduction in working capital reserves. General and administrative expenses decreased by $16,000 or 8% between the respective periods. The 1995 amount includes the final payment of professional fees associated with the ownership restructuring of the North Cabot Industrial Park investment. NEW ENGLAND LIFE PENSION PROPERTIES III; A REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ------------------- Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K a. Exhibits: None. b. Reports on Form 8-K: No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended September 30, 1996. 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 thereunto duly authorized. NEW ENGLAND LIFE PENSION PROPERTIES III; A REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (Registrant) November 12, 1996 /s/ Peter P. Twining ------------------------------- Peter P. Twining. Managing Director and General Counsel of Managing General Partner, Copley Properties Company III, Inc. November 12, 1996 /s/ Daniel C. Mackowiak -------------------------------- Daniel C. Mackowiak Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Managing General Partner, Copley Properties Company III, Inc.