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 FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 [ ] 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 0-18789 ----------------------- PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) CALIFORNIA 94-3090127 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization Indentification No.) ONE MARKET, STEUART STREET TOWER, SUITE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-1301 (Address of principal (Zip Code) executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 974-1399 ----------------------- 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 such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts) March 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ------------------------------------ ASSETS Equipment held for operating leases, at cost $ 44,040 $ 45,468 Less accumulated depreciation (34,285) (34,920) ------------------------------------ Net equipment 9,755 10,548 Cash and cash equivalents 1,550 5,587 Restricted cash 147 147 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,856 in 2000 and $2,843 in 1999 235 440 Investments in unconsolidated special-purpose entities 3,409 3,415 Prepaid expenses and other assets 33 48 ------------------------------------ Total assets $ 15,129 $ 20,185 ==================================== LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 200 $ 292 Due to affiliates 196 211 Lessee deposits and reserve for repairs 322 340 ------------------------------------ Total liabilities 718 843 ------------------------------------ Partners' capital: Limited partners (8,628,420 limited partnership units as of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999) 14,411 19,342 General Partner -- -- ------------------------------------ Total partners' capital 14,411 19,342 ------------------------------------ Total liabilities and partners' capital $ 15,129 $ 20,185 ==================================== See accompanying notes to financial statements. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands of dollars, except weighted-average unit amounts) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 1999 ---------------------------- REVENUES Lease revenue $ 1,192 $ 2,462 Interest and other income 62 21 Net gain (loss) on disposition of equipment 59 (195) ---------------------------- Total revenues 1,313 2,288 EXPENSES Depreciation and amortization 589 1,228 Repairs and maintenance 249 1,102 Equipment operating expenses 48 223 Management fees to affiliate 78 139 Interest expense -- 311 General and administrative expenses to affiliates 119 143 Other general and administrative expenses 121 155 Recovery of bad debt expense (112) (2) ---------------------------- Total expenses 1,092 3,299 Equity in net income of unconsolidated special- purpose entities 297 20 ---------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 518 $ (991) ============================ PARTNERS' SHARE OF NET INCOME (LOSS) Limited partners $ 246 $ (1,036) General Partner 272 45 ---------------------------- Total $ 518 $ (991) ============================ Net income (loss) per weighted-average limited partnership unit $ 0.03 $ (0.12) ============================ Cash distribution $ 908 $ 908 Special cash distribution 4,541 -- --------------------------- Total distribution $ 5,449 908 ============================ Per weighted-average depositary unit: Cash distribution $ 0.10 $ 0.10 Special cash distribution 0.50 -- ---------------------------- Total distribution $ 0.60 $ 0.10 ============================ See accompanying notes to financial statements. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 31, 1998 TO MARCH 31,2000 (in thousands of dollars) Limited General Partners Partner Total --------------------------------------------------- Partners' capital as of December 31, 1998 $ 16,567 $ -- $ 16,567 Net income 6,226 182 6,408 Cash distribution (3,451) (182) (3,633) -------------------------------------------------- Partners' capital as of December 31, 1999 19,342 -- 19,342 Net income 246 272 518 Cash distribution (863) (45) (908) Special cash distribution (4,314) (227) (4,541) -------------------------------------------------- Partner's capital as of March 31, 2000 $ 14,411 $ - $ 14,411 ================================================== See accompanying notes to financial statements. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands of dollars) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 1999 ---------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ 518 $ (991) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 589 1,228 Net (gain) loss on disposition of equipment (59) 195 Equity in net income of unconsolidated special-purpose entities (297) (20) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 205 92 Prepaid expenses and other assets 15 (49) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (92) (268) Due to affiliates (15) (7) Lessee deposits and reserve for repairs (18) 16 --------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 846 196 ---------------------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for capitalized improvements (3) -- Proceeds from disposition of equipment 266 637 Distribution from unconsolidated special-purpose entities 303 110 ---------------------------- Net cash provided by investing activities 566 747 ---------------------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Cash distribution paid to limited partners (863) (863) Cash distribution paid to General Partner (45) (45) Special cash distribution paid to limited partners (4,314) -- Special cash distribution paid to General Partner (227) -- ---------------------------- Net cash used in financing activities (5,449) (908) ---------------------------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (4,037) 35 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 5,587 778 ---------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,550 $ 813 ============================ SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Interest paid $ -- $ 311 ============================ See accompanying notes to financial statements. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 2000 1. OPINION OF MANAGEMENT In the opinion of the management of PLM Financial Services, Inc. (FSI or the General Partner), the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, to present fairly the financial position of PLM Equipment Growth Fund IV (the Partnership) as of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999, the statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, the statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, and the statements of changes in partners' capital for the period from December 31, 1998 to March 31, 2000. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted from the accompanying financial statements. For further information, reference should be made to the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 2. SCHEDULE OF PARTNERSHIP PHASES The Partnership, in accordance with its limited partnership agreement, entered its liquidation phase on January 1, 1999, and has commenced an orderly liquidation of the Partnership's assets. The Partnership will terminate on December 31, 2009, unless terminated earlier upon the sale of all equipment or by certain other events. The General Partner may no longer reinvest cash flows and surplus funds in equipment. All future cash flows and surplus funds, if any, are to be used for distributions to partners, except to the extent used to maintain reasonable reserves. During the liquidation phase, the Partnership's assets will continue to be recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The General Partner anticipates that the liquidation of Partnership assets will be completed by the end of the year 2000. 3. RECLASSIFICATION Certain amounts in the 1999 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2000 presentation. 4. CASH DISTRIBUTIONS Cash distributions are recorded when paid and may include amounts in excess of net income that are considered to represent a return of capital. For the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, cash distributions totaled $0.9 million. In addition, a $4.5 million special distribution was paid to the partners during the three months ended March 31, 2000, from the proceeds realized on the sale of equipment and liquidating distibutions from unconsolidated special purpose entities (USPEs). No special distributions were paid in the three months ended March 31, 1999. Cash distributions to the limited partners of $4.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, were deemed to be a return of capital. Cash distributions related to the results from the first quarter of 2000, of $0.9 million, will be paid during the second quarter of 2000. 5. TRANSACTIONS WITH GENERAL PARTNER AND AFFILIATES The balance due to affiliates as of March 31, 2000 includes $49,000 due to FSI and its affiliate for management fees and $0.1 million due to affiliated USPEs. The balance due to affiliates as of December 31, 1999 includes $0.1 million due to FSI and its affiliate for management fees and $0.1 million due to affiliated USPEs. The Partnership's proportional share of management fees with PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2000 5. TRANSACTIONS WITH GENERAL PARTNER AND AFFILIATES (CONTINUED) USPE's of $26,000 and $25,000 were payable as of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively. The Partnership's proportional share of the expenses incurred by the USPEs during 2000 and 1999 is listed in the following table (in thousands of dollars): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 1999 -------------------------- Management fees $ 4 $ 16 Data processing and administrative expenses 5 3 Insurance expense -- 3 Transportation Equipment Indemnity Company, Ltd., an affiliate of the General Partner was liquidated in the first quarter of 2000, and will no longer provide certain marine insurance coverage. These services are provided by an unaffiliated third party. 6. EQUIPMENT The components of owned equipment were as follows (in thousands of dollars): March 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ---------------------------------------- Aircraft $ 20,440 $ 20,440 Railcars 13,436 13,454 Marine containers 6,698 8,073 Trailers 3,466 3,501 --------------------------------------- 44,040 45,468 Less accumulated depreciation (34,285) (34,920) ---------------------------------------- Net equipment $ 9,755 $ 10,548 ======================================== As of March 31, 2000, all equipment was either on lease or operating in PLM-affiliated short-term trailer rental facilities, except for one commercial aircraft, eight railcars, and 186 marine containers, with an aggregate net book value of $1.7 million. As of December 31, 1999, all owned equipment in the Partnership portfolio was either on lease or operating in PLM-affiliated short-term trailer rental facilities, except for one commercial aircraft, 221 marine containers, and seven railcars with a net book value of $2.1 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2000, the Partnership sold or disposed of marine containers, railcars and trailers with an aggregate net book value of $0.2 million, for aggregate proceeds of $0.3 million. During the three months ended March 31, 1999, the Partnership sold or disposed of marine containers, railcars, and trailers with an aggregate net book value of $0.9 million, for aggregate proceeds of $0.7 million. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2000 7. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED SPECIAL-PURPOSE ENTITIES The net investments in USPEs included the following jointly-owned equipment (and related assets and liabilities) (in thousands of dollars): March 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ------------------------------------ 35% interest in two Stage II commercial aircraft on a direct finance lease $ 3,447 $ 3,548 50% interest in an entity that owned a bulk-carrier (38) (133) --------------------------------- Net investments $ 3,409 $ 3,415 ================================= 8. OPERATING SEGMENTS The Partnership operates or operated in five different segments: aircraft leasing, railcar leasing, marine container leasing, marine vessel leasing, and trailer leasing. Each equipment leasing segment engages in short-term to mid-term operating leases to a variety of customers. The following tables present a summary of the operating segments (in thousands of dollars): Marine Marine Aircraft Railcar Container Vessel Trailer All For the quarter ended March 31, 2000 Leasing Leasing Leasing Leasing Leasing Other<F1>1 Total ------------------------------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- ----- REVENUES Lease revenue $ 196 $ 770 $ 15 $ -- $ 211 $ -- $ 1,192 Interest income and other 1 -- -- -- -- 61 62 Gain (loss) on disposition of -- (2) 66 -- (5) -- 59 equipment ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenues 197 768 81 -- 206 61 1,313 COSTS AND EXPENSES Operations support 23 193 2 -- 43 36 297 Depreciation 335 114 77 -- 63 -- 589 Management fees to affiliates 4 53 1 -- 20 -- 78 General and administrative expenses 30 32 -- -- 61 117 240 Provision for (recovery of) bad -- 18 -- -- (130) -- (112) debts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total costs and expenses 392 410 80 -- 57 153 1,092 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity in net income of USPEs 189 -- -- 108 -- -- 297 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ (6) $ 358 $ 1 $ 108 $ 149 $ (92) $ 518 ========================================================================= Total assets as of March 31, 2000 $ 6,426 $ 4,577 $ 921 $ (38) $ 1,513 $ 1,730 $ 15,129 ========================================================================= <FN> - ------------------------- <F1> 1 Includes interest income and costs not identifiable to a particular segment, such as certain operations support and general and administrative expenses. </FN> PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2000 8. OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONTINUED) Marine Marine Aircraft Railcar Container Vessel Trailer All For the quarter ended March 31, 1999 Leasing Leasing Leasing Leasing Leasing Other<F1>1 Total ------------------------------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- ----- REVENUES Lease revenue $ 871 $ 847 $ 105 $ 352 $ 287 $ -- $ 2,462 Interest income and other 2 -- -- -- -- 19 21 Gain (loss) on disposition of -- (163) 21 -- (53) -- (195) equipment ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenues 873 684 126 352 234 19 2,288 Costs and expenses Operations support 663 211 1 364 77 9 1,325 Depreciation and amortization 731 171 154 81 82 9 1,228 Interest expense -- -- -- -- -- 311 311 Management fees to affiliates 38 60 5 17 19 -- 139 General and administrative expenses 65 26 2 6 72 127 298 (Recovery of) provision for bad -- (6) -- -- 4 -- (2) debts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total costs and expenses 1,497 462 162 468 254 456 3,299 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity in net income (loss) of USPEs 137 -- -- (117) -- -- 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ (487) $ 222 $ (36) $ (233) $ (20) $ (437) $ (991) ========================================================================= Total assets as of March 31, 1999 $ 14,705 $ 5,159 $ 2,104 $ 3,976 $ 1,849 $ 1,299 $ 29,092 ========================================================================= <FN> - ------------------------- <F1> 1 Includes interest income and costs not identifiable to a particular segment, such as certain operations support and general and administrative expenses. </FN> 9. NET LOSS PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE PARTNERSHIP UNIT Net loss per weighted-average Partnership unit was computed by dividing net loss attributable to limited partners by the weighted-average number of Partnership units deemed outstanding during the period. The weighted-average number of Partnership units deemed outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 was 8,628,420. 10. CONTINGENCIES PLM International (the Company) and various of its wholly-owned subsidiaries are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed as a purported class action in January 1997 in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Mobile, Alabama, Case No. CV-97-251 (the Koch action). The named plaintiffs are six individuals who invested in PLM Equipment Growth Fund IV (Fund IV), PLM Equipment Growth Fund V (Fund V), PLM Equipment Growth Fund VI (Fund VI), and PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII (Fund VII) (the Funds), each a California limited partnership for which the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, FSI, acts as the general partner. The complaint asserts causes of action against all defendants for fraud and deceit, suppression, negligent misrepresentation, negligent and intentional breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conversion, and conspiracy. Plaintiffs allege that each defendant owed plaintiffs and the class certain duties due to their status as fiduciaries, financial advisors, agents, and control persons. Based on these duties, plaintiffs assert liability against defendants for improper sales and marketing practices, mismanagement of the Funds, and concealing such mismanagement from investors in the Funds. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages, and have offered to tender their limited partnership units back to the defendants. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2000 10. CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) In March 1997, the defendants removed the Koch action from the state court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Southern Division (Civil Action No. 97-0177-BH-C) (the court) based on the court's diversity jurisdiction. In December 1997, the court granted defendants motion to compel arbitration of the named plaintiffs' claims, based on an agreement to arbitrate contained in the limited partnership agreement of each Partnership. Plaintiffs appealed this decision, but in June 1998 voluntarily dismissed their appeal pending settlement of the Koch action, as discussed below. In June 1997, the Company and the affiliates who are also defendants in the Koch action were named as defendants in another purported class action filed in the San Francisco Superior Court, San Francisco, California, Case No. 987062 (the Romei action). The plaintiff is an investor in Fund V, and filed the complaint on her own behalf and on behalf of all class members similarly situated who invested in the Partnerships. The complaint alleges the same facts and the same causes of action as in the Koch action, plus additional causes of action against all of the defendants, including alleged unfair and deceptive practices and violations of state securities law. In July 1997, defendants filed a petition (the petition) in federal district court under the Federal Arbitration Act seeking to compel arbitration of plaintiff's claims. In October 1997, the district court denied the Company's petition, but in November 1997, agreed to hear the Company's motion for reconsideration. Prior to reconsidering its order, the district court dismissed the petition pending settlement of the Romei action, as discussed below. The state court action continues to be stayed pending such resolution. In February 1999 the parties to the Koch and Romei actions agreed to settle the lawsuits, with no admission of liability by any defendant, and filed a Stipulation of Settlement with the court. The settlement is divided into two parts, a monetary settlement and an equitable settlement. The monetary settlement provides for a settlement and release of all claims against defendants in exchange for payment for the benefit of the class of up to $6.6 million. The final settlement amount will depend on the number of claims filed by class members, the amount of the administrative costs incurred in connection with the settlement, and the amount of attorneys' fees awarded by the court to plaintiffs' attorneys. The Company will pay up to $0.3 million of the monetary settlement, with the remainder being funded by an insurance policy. For settlement purposes, the monetary settlement class consists of all investors, limited partners, assignees, or unit holders who purchased or received by way of transfer or assignment any units in the Partnerships between May 23, 1989 and June 29, 1999. The monetary settlement, if approved, will go forward regardless of whether the equitable settlement is approved or not. The equitable settlement provides, among other things, for: (a) the extension (until January 1, 2007) of the date by which FSI must complete liquidation of the Partnerships' equipment, (b) the extension (until December 31, 2004) of the period during which FSI can reinvest the Partnerships' funds in additional equipment, (c) an increase of up to 20% in the amount of front-end fees (including acquisition and lease negotiation fees) that FSI is entitled to earn in excess of the compensatory limitations set forth in the North American Securities Administrator's Association's Statement of Policy; (d) a one-time repurchase by each of Funds V, VI and VII of up to 10% of that partnership's outstanding units for 80% of net asset value per unit; and (e) the deferral of a portion of the management fees paid to an affiliate of FSI until, if ever, certain performance thresholds have been met by the Partnerships. Subject to final court approval, these proposed changes would be made as amendments to each Partnership's limited partnership agreement if less than 50% of the limited partners of each Partnership vote against such amendments. The limited partners will be provided the opportunity to vote against the amendments by following the instructions contained in solicitation statements that will be mailed to them after being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The equitable settlement also provides for payment of additional attorneys' fees to the PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2000 10. CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) plaintiffs' attorneys from Partnership funds in the event, if ever, that certain performance thresholds have been met by the Partnerships. The equitable settlement class consists of all investors, limited partners, assignees or unit holders who on June 29, 1999 held any units in Funds V, VI, and VII, and their assigns and successors in interest. The court preliminarily approved the monetary and equitable settlements in June 1999. The monetary settlement remains subject to certain conditions, including notice to the monetary class and final approval by the court following a final fairness hearing. The equitable settlement remains subject to certain conditions, including: (a) notice to the equitable class, (b) disapproval of the proposed amendments to the partnership agreements by less than 50% of the limited partners in one or more of Funds V, VI, and VII, and (c) judicial approval of the proposed amendments and final approval of the equitable settlement by the court following a final fairness hearing. No hearing date is currently scheduled for the final fairness hearing. The Company continues to believe that the allegations of the Koch and Romei actions are completely without merit and intends to continue to defend this matter vigorously if the monetary settlement is not consummated. The Partnership, together with affiliates, has initiated litigation in various official forums in India against each of two defaulting Indian airline lessees to repossess Partnership property and to recover damages for failure to pay rent and failure to maintain such property in accordance with relevant lease contracts. The Partnership has repossessed all of its property previously leased to such airlines, and the airlines have ceased operations. In response to the Partnership's collection efforts, the two airlines each filed counter-claims against the Partnership in excess of the Partnership's claims against the airlines. The General Partner believes that the airlines' counterclaims are completely without merit, and the General Partner will vigorously defend against such counterclaims. The General Partner believes an unfavorable outcome from the counterclaims is remote. The Partnership is involved as plaintiff or defendant in various other legal actions incident to its business. Management does not believe that any of these actions will be material to the financial condition of the Company. 11. LIQUIDATION AND SPECIAL DISTRIBUTIONS On January 1, 1999, the General Partner began the liquidation phase of the Partnership with the intent to commence an orderly liquidation of the Partnership assets. The General Partner is actively marketing the remaining equipment portfolio with the intent of maximizing sale proceeds. As sale proceeds are received the General Partner intends to periodically declare special distributions to distribute the sale proceeds to the partners. During the liquidation phase of the Partnership the equipment will continue to be leased under operating leases until sold. Operating cash flows, to the extent they exceed Partnership expenses, will continue to be distributed on a quarterly basis to partners. The amounts reflected for assets and liabilities of the Partnership have not been adjusted to reflect liquidation values. The equipment portfolio continues to be carried at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value less cost to dispose. Although the General Partner estimates that there will be distributions after liquidation of assets and liabilities, the amounts cannot be accurately determined prior to actual liquidation of the equipment. Any excess proceeds over expected Partnership obligations will be distributed to the Partners throughout the liquidation period. Upon final liquidation, the Partnership will be dissolved. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV (A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2000 11. LIQUIDATION AND SPECIAL DISTRIBUTIONS (CONTINUED) In the first quarter of 2000, the General Partner paid special distributions of $0.50 per weighted-average depositary unit. No special distibutions were paid in the first quarter of 1999. The Partnership is not permitted to reinvest proceeds from sales or liquidations of equipment. These proceeds, in excess of operational cash requirements, are periodically paid out to limited partners in the form of special distributions. The sales and liquidations occur because of certain damaged equipment, the determination by the General Partner that it is the appropriate time to maximize the return on an asset through sale of that asset, and, in some leases, the ability of the lessee to exercise purchase options. (This space intentionally left blank.) ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (I) RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COMPARISON OF THE PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV'S (THE PARTNERSHIP'S) OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (A) Owned Equipment Operations Lease revenues less direct expenses (defined as repairs and maintenance, and equipment operating expenses) on owned equipment decreased during the first quarter of 2000 compared to the same period of 1999. Gains or losses from the sale of equipment, and interest and other income and certain expenses such as depreciation and amortization and general and administrative expenses relating to the operating segments (see Note 8 to the financial statements), are not included in the owned equipment operation discussion because they are indirect in nature and not a result of operations but the result of owning a portfolio of equipment. The following table presents lease revenues less direct expenses by segment (in thousands of dollars): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 1999 ---------------------------- Railcars $ 577 $ 636 Aircraft 173 208 Trailers 168 210 Marine containers 13 104 Marine vessel -- (12) Railcars: Railcar lease revenues and direct expenses were $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2000 and 1999. The decrease in railcar contribution in the first quarter of 2000 was due to the sale or disposition of railcars in 1999 and 2000. Aircraft: Aircraft lease revenues and direct expenses were $0.2 million and $23,000, respectively, for the first quarter of 2000, compared to $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, during the same period of 1999. Lease revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2000, compared to the same period in 1999 due to the sale of aircraft in 1999. Direct expenses decreased due to costs incurred for repairs on the off-lease aircraft in 1999, which were not required in the first quarter of 2000. Trailers: Trailer lease revenues and direct expenses were $0.2 million and $43,000, respectively for the first quarter of 2000, compared to $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, during the same period of 1999. The decrease in trailer contribution in the first quarter of 2000 was due to the sale or disposition of trailers in 2000 and 1999. Marine containers: Marine container lease revenues and direct expenses were $15,000 and $2,000, respectively, for the first quarter of 2000, compared to $0.1 million and $1,000, respectively, during the same period of 1999. Marine container contributions decreased due to the disposition of containers in 2000 and 1999. Marine vessel: Marine vessel lease revenues and direct expenses were $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 1999. The Partnership's remaining wholly-owned marine vessel was sold in the fourth quarter of 1999. (B) Indirect Expenses Related to Owned Equipment Operations Total indirect expenses of $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2000 decreased from $2.0 million for the same period in 1999. Significant variances are explained as follows: (1) A $0.6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses from 1999 levels resulted from a $0.4 million decrease due to the sale of certain assets during 2000 and 1999 and a $0.2 million decrease resulting from the use of the double-declining balance depreciation method which results in greater depreciation the first years an asset is owned. (2) A $0.3 million decrease in interest expense was due to the repayment of the Partnership's outstanding debt in 1999. (3) A $0.1 million decrease in management fees to an affiliate resulted from the lower levels of lease revenues on owned equipment in the first quarter of 2000, when compared to the same period in 1999. (4) A $0.1 million decrease in administrative expenses from 1999 levels due to reduced office expenses and professional services required by the Partnership, resulting primarily from the reduced equipment portfolio. (5) The $0.1 million increase in the recovery of bad debt expenses was due to the collection of $0.1 million from unpaid invoices in the first quarter of 2000 that had previously been reserved for as bad debts. A similar recovery did not occur in 1999. (C) Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Owned Equipment The net gain on disposition of equipment for the first quarter of 2000 totaled $0.1 million, which resulted from the sale or disposal of marine containers, railcars and trailers in the first quarter of 2000 with an aggregate net book value of $0.2 million, for aggregate proceeds of $0.3 million. For the same quarter in 1999, net loss on disposition of equipment totaled $0.2 million, which resulted from the sale of railcars with a net book value of $0.7 million, for proceeds of $0.5 million. In addition, the Partnership sold or disposed of marine containers and trailers in the first quarter of 1999 with an aggregate net book value of $0.2 million, for aggregate proceeds of $0.2 million. (D) Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Special-Purpose Entities (USPEs) Net income (loss) generated from the operation of jointly-owned assets accounted for under the equity method is shown in the following table by equipment type (in thousands of dollars): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 1999 ---------------------------- Aircraft $ 189 $ 137 Marine vessel 108 (117) =========================== Equity in net income of USPEs $ 297 $ 20 =========================== Aircraft: As of March 31, 2000 and 1999, the Partnership had an interest in a trust that owns two commercial aircraft on direct finance lease. Aircraft revenues and expenses were $0.1 million and $(0.1) million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2000, compared to $0.2 million and $15,000, respectively, during the same period in 1999. Revenues decreased due to lower investment in finance lease received in the first quarter of 2000 when compared to the same period in 1999. Expenses decreased due to the collection of $0.1 million from unpaid invoices in the first quarter of 2000 that had previously been reserved for as bad debts. A similar recovery did not occur in 1999. Marine vessel: As of March 31, 1999, the Partnership owned an interest in an entity which owned a marine vessel. Marine vessel revenues and expenses were $0.1 million and $0, respectively, for the first quarter of 2000, compared to $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, during the same period in 1999. Revenues decreased $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2000 due to the sale of marine vessel in the fourth quarter of 1999. This decrease was offset by an increase in revenue due to the receipt of $0.1 million for an insurance claim in the first quarter of 2000. Expenses decreased as a result of the sale of the marine vessel. (E) Net Income (Loss) As a result of the foregoing, the Partnership's net income was $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2000, compared to net loss of $1.0 million during the same period of 1999. The Partnership's ability to operate and liquidate assets, secure leases, and re-lease those assets whose leases expire is subject to many factors, and the Partnership's performance in the quarter ended March 31, 2000 is not necessarily indicative of future periods. In the first quarter of 2000, the Partnership distributed $5.4 million to the limited partners, or $0.60 per weighted-average limited partnership unit. (II) FINANCIAL CONDITION -- CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY For the quarter ended March 31, 2000, the Partnership generated $1.1 million in operating cash (net cash provided by operating activities plus non-liquidating distributions from USPEs) to meet its operating obligations, but used undistributed available cash from prior periods and proceeds from equipment sales and liquidating distibutions from USPEs of approximately $4.3 million to make the distributions (total of $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2000) to the partners. During the three months ended March 31, 2000, the Partnership sold or disposed of marine containers, railcars and trailers with an aggregate net book value of $0.2 million, for aggregate proceeds of $0.3 million. The General Partner has not planned any expenditures, nor is it aware of any contingencies that would cause the Partnership to require any additional capital to that mentioned above. The Partnership is in its active liquidation phase. As a result, the size of the Partnership's remaining equipment portfolio and, in turn, the amount of net cash flows from operations will continue to become progressively smaller as assets are sold. Although distribution levels may be reduced, significant asset sales may result in potential special distributions to the partners. The amounts reflected for assets and liabilities of the Partnership have not been adjusted to reflect liquidation values. The equipment portfolio that is actively being marketed for sale by the General Partner continues to be carried at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value less cost of disposal. Although the General Partner estimates that there will be distributions to the partners after final disposal of assets and settlement of liabilities, the amounts cannot be accurately determined prior to actual disposal of the equipment. (III) EFFECTS OF YEAR 2000 To date, the Partnership has not experienced any material Year 2000 (Y2K) issues with either its internally developed software or purchased software. In addition, to date the Partnership has not been impacted by any Y2K problems that may have impacted our customers and suppliers. The General Partner continues to monitor its systems for any potential Y2K issues. (IV) OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE The Partnership is in its active liquidation phase. The General Partner is seeking to selectively re-lease or sell assets as the existing leases expire. Sale decisions will cause the operating performance of the Partnership to decline over the remainder of its life. The General Partner anticipates that the liquidation of Partnership assets will be completed by the scheduled termination of the Partnership at the end of the year 2000. Several factors may affect the Partnership's operating performance in 2000 and beyond, including changes in the markets for the Partnership's equipment and changes in the regulatory environment in which that equipment operates. Liquidation of the Partnership's equipment and its investment in a USPE will cause a reduction in the size of the equipment portfolio and may result in a reduction of contribution to the Partnership. Other factors affecting the Partnership's contribution in the year 2000 include: 1. One of the Partnership's aircraft has been off-lease for approximately three years. This Stage II aircraft required extensive repairs and maintenance and the Partnership has had difficulty selling the aircraft. This aircraft will remain off-lease until it is sold. 2. The cost of new marine containers has been at historic lows for the past several years which has caused downward pressure on per diem lease rates. Recently, the cost of marine containers have started to increase which, if this trend continues, should translate into rising per diem lease rates. However, some of the Partnership's refrigerated marine containers have experienced a roof delimination problem which has limited their re-lease opportunities. These marine containers are currently off lease and the General Partner plans to dispose of these containers. 3. Railcar loadings in North America have continued to be high, however a softening in the market is expected which may lead to lower utilization and lower contribution to the Partnership as existing leases expire and renewal leases are negotiated. The ability of the Partnership to realize acceptable lease rates on its equipment in the different equipment markets is contingent on many factors, such as specific market conditions and economic activity, technological obsolescence, and government or other regulations. The unpredictability of some of these factors, or of their occurrence, makes it difficult for the General Partner to clearly define trends or influences that may impact the performance of the Partnership's equipment. The General Partner continually monitors both the equipment markets and the performance of the Partnership's equipment in these markets. The General Partner may make an evaluation to reduce the Partnership's exposure to equipment markets in which it determines that it cannot operate equipment and achieve acceptable rates of return. The Partnership intends to use cash flow from operations and proceeds from disposition of equipment to satisfy its operating requirements, maintain working capital reserves, and pay cash distributions to the investors. (V) FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Except for the historical information contained herein, the discussion in this Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Partnership's plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. The cautionary statements made in this Form 10-Q should be read as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this Form 10-Q. The Partnership's actual results could differ materially from those discussed here. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The Partnership's primary market risk exposure is that of currency devaluation risk. During the first quarter of 2000, 64% of the Partnership's total lease revenues from wholly- and partially-owned equipment came from non-United States domiciled lessees. Most of the leases require payment in United States (U.S.) currency. If these lessees currency devalues against the U.S. dollar, the lessees could encounter difficulty in making the U.S. dollar denominated lease payments. PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits None. (b) Reports on Form 8-K None. 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. PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV By: PLM Financial Services, Inc. General Partner Date: May 8, 2000 By: /s/ Richard K Brock ---------------------- Richard K Brock Chief Financial Officer