UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) [XX] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 ------------------------------------------------- OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to --------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------- For Quarter Ended September 30, 1999 Commission File No. 0-20029 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, A MASSACHUSETTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 04-3127244 - ------------------------------- -------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) Identification No.) 88 BROAD STREET, BOSTON, MA 02110 - ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 854-5800 ----------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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 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 ---- ---- APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court 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 No ----- ------ AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership FORM 10-Q INDEX PAGE ------ PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Item 1. Financial Statements Statement of Financial Position at September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 3 Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 4 Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 5 Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 6 Notes to the Financial Statements 7-12 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13-18 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION: Items 1 - 6 19 2 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 (Unaudited) September 30, December 31, 1999 1998 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,069,882 $ 4,468,062 Rents receivable 361,033 301,563 Accounts receivable - affiliate 36,043 112,684 Note receivable - affiliate 938,718 938,718 Investment securities - affiliate 231,495 175,617 Equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,013,170 and $10,116,949 at September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively 6,524,630 8,461,236 ------------ ------------ Total assets $ 14,161,801 $ 14,457,880 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Notes payable $ 2,968,570 $ 3,688,947 Accrued interest 27,481 36,297 Accrued liabilities 208,223 295,500 Accrued liabilities - affiliate 17,391 17,592 Deferred rental income 47,625 48,008 Cash distributions payable to partners 235,495 235,495 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 3,504,785 4,321,839 ------------ ------------ Partners' capital (deficit): General Partner (441,499) (467,548) Limited Partnership Interests (883,829.31 Units; initial purchase price of $25 each) 11,098,515 10,603,589 ------------ ------------ Total partners' capital 10,657,016 10,136,041 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and partners' capital $ 14,161,801 $ 14,457,880 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 3 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (Unaudited) Three Months Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Income: Lease revenue $ 507,181 $ 593,566 $1,626,384 $1,842,206 Interest income 78,521 57,400 216,924 162,264 Interest income - affiliate 23,661 22,955 70,211 70,211 Gain on sale of equipment 863 101,312 509,275 167,025 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total income 610,226 775,233 2,422,794 2,241,706 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Expenses: Depreciation 234,200 333,208 713,755 1,123,096 Interest expense 55,614 78,490 182,809 266,116 Equipment management fees - affiliate 24,144 27,084 75,195 82,682 Operating expenses - affiliate 67,993 87,573 279,442 479,720 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total expenses 381,951 526,355 1,251,201 1,951,614 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income $ 228,275 $ 248,878 $1,171,593 $ 290,092 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income per limited partnership unit $ 0.25 $ 0.27 $ 1.26 $ 0.31 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash distributions declared per limited partnership unit $ 0.25 $ 0.25 $ 0.76 $ 0.76 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 4 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 (Unaudited) General Limited Partners Partner ---------------- Amount Units Amount Total ------- ----- ------ ----- Balance at December 31, 1998 $ (467,548) 883,829.31 $ 10,603,589 $ 10,136,041 Net income 58,580 -- 1,113,013 1,171,593 Unrealized gain on investment securities - affiliate 2,794 -- 53,084 55,878 ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Comprehensive income 61,374 -- 1,166,097 1,227,471 ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Cash distributions declared (35,325) -- (671,171) (706,496) ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ Balance at September 30, 1999 $ (441,499) 883,829.31 $ 11,098,515 $ 10,657,016 ============= =========== ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 5 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (Unaudited) 1999 1998 ---------------- --------------- Cash flows from (used in) operating activities: Net income $ 1,171,593 $ 290,092 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: Depreciation 713,755 1,123,096 Gain on sale of equipment (509,275) (167,025) Changes in assets and liabilities Decrease (increase) in: Rents receivable (59,470) (27,524) Accounts receivable - affiliate 76,641 736,992 Increase (decrease) in: Accrued interest (8,816) 7,148 Accrued liabilities (87,277) 269,300 Accrued liabilities - affiliate (201) (28,562) Deferred rental income (383) (55,730) ----------- ----------- Net cash from operating activities 1,296,567 2,147,787 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from equipment sales 1,732,126 254,182 ----------- ----------- Net cash from investing activities 1,732,126 254,182 ----------- ----------- Cash flows used in financing activities: Principal payments - notes payable (720,377) (840,996) Distributions paid (706,496) (706,496) ----------- ----------- Net cash used in financing activities (1,426,873) (1,547,492) ----------- ----------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,601,820 854,477 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 4,468,062 3,530,868 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 6,069,882 $ 4,385,345 =========== =========== Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 191,625 $ 258,968 =========== =========== Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: See Note 5 to the financial statements regarding the increase of the Partnership's carrying value of its investment securities - affiliate during the nine months ended September 30, 1999. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Notes to the Financial Statements September 30, 1999 (Unaudited) NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION The financial statements presented herein are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and the instructions for preparing Form 10-Q under Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission and are unaudited. As such, these financial statements do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and, accordingly, the accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the footnotes presented in the 1998 Annual Report. Except as disclosed herein, there has been no material change to the information presented in the footnotes to the 1998 Annual Report. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position at September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 have been made and are reflected. NOTE 2 - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS At September 30, 1999, American Income Fund I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") had $5,957,820 invested in federal agency discount notes, repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury Bills or interests in U.S. Government securities, or other highly liquid overnight investments. NOTE 3 - REVENUE RECOGNITION Rents are payable to the Partnership monthly, quarterly or semi-annually and no significant amounts are calculated on factors other than the passage of time. The leases are accounted for as operating leases and are noncancellable. Rents received prior to their due dates are deferred. In certain instances, the Partnership may enter renewal or re-lease agreements which expire beyond the Partnership's anticipated dissolution date. This circumstance is not expected to prevent the orderly wind-up of the Partnership's business activities as the General Partner and Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership ("EFG") would seek to sell the then-remaining equipment assets either to the lessee or to a third party, taking into consideration the amount of future noncancellable rental payments associated with the attendant lease agreements. See also Note 8 regarding the Class Action Lawsuit. Future minimum rents of $3,794,330 are due as follows: For the year ending September 30, 2000 $ 1,315,841 2001 943,892 2002 836,577 2003 600,147 2004 97,873 -------------- Total $ 3,794,330 ============== In December 1998, the Partnership and certain affiliated leasing programs owning interests in two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft entered into lease extension agreements with Finnair OY. The lease extensions, effective upon the expiration of the existing primary lease terms on April 28, 1999, extended the leases for nine months and two years, respectively. In aggregate, these lease extensions will provide additional lease revenue of approximately $573,000 to the Partnership over the terms of the leases. 7 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) NOTE 4 - EQUIPMENT The following is a summary of equipment owned by the Partnership at September 30, 1999. Remaining Lease Term (Months), as used below, represents the number of months remaining from September 30, 1999 under contracted lease terms and is presented as a range when more than one lease agreement is contained in the stated equipment category. A Remaining Lease Term equal to zero reflects equipment either held for sale or re-lease or being leased on a month-to-month basis. In the opinion of EFG, the acquisition cost of the equipment did not exceed its fair market value. Remaining Lease Term Equipment Equipment Type (Months) At Cost -------------- ---------- --------- Aircraft 3-39 $ 6,805,620 Trailers and intermodal containers 45 1,757,840 Materials handling 0-27 1,729,556 Locomotives 54 1,522,810 General purpose plant/warehouse 0-3 1,193,403 Retail store fixtures 10 687,947 Construction & mining 0 500,670 Communications 0 315,882 Photocopying 0-1 24,072 -------------- Total equipment cost 14,537,800 Accumulated depreciation (8,013,170) --------------- Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation $ 6,524,630 ============== At September 30, 1999, the Partnership's equipment portfolio included equipment having a proportionate original cost of $10,087,330, representing approximately 69% of total equipment cost. Certain of the equipment and related lease payment streams were used to secure term loans with third-party lenders. The preceding summary of equipment includes leveraged equipment having an original cost of approximately $8,328,000 and a net book value of approximately $5,725,000 at September 30, 1999 (see Note 7). The summary above includes fully-depreciated equipment held for sale or re-lease with a cost of $500,700. The General Partner is actively seeking the sale or re-lease of all other equipment not on lease. In addition, the summary above includes equipment being leased on a month-to-month basis. NOTE 5 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES - AFFILIATE / NOTE RECEIVABLE - AFFILIATE As a result of an exchange transaction in 1997, the Partnership owns 42,574 shares of Semele Group, Inc. ("Semele") common stock and holds a beneficial interest in a note from Semele (the "Semele Note") of $938,718. The Semele Note matures in April 2000 and bears an annual interest rate of 10% with mandatory principal reductions prior to maturity, if and to the extent that net proceeds are received by Semele from the sale or refinancing of its principal real estate asset consisting of an undeveloped 274-acre parcel of land near Malibu, 8 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) California ("Rancho Malibu"). The Partnership recognized interest income of $70,211 related to the Semele Note during each of the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. During the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership increased the carrying value of its investment in Semele common stock to $5.4375 per share (the quoted price on the NASDAQ SmallCap market at September 30, 1999), resulting in an unrealized gain of $55,878. This gain was reported as a component of comprehensive income included in partners' capital. NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS All operating expenses incurred by the Partnership are paid by EFG on behalf of the Partnership and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such expenditures. Fees and other costs incurred during each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, which were paid or accrued by the Partnership to EFG or its Affiliates, are as follows: 1999 1998 -------------- ------------- Equipment management fees $ 75,195 $ 82,682 Administrative charges 92,778 50,193 Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties 186,664 429,527 -------------- ------------- Total $ 354,637 $ 562,402 ============== ============= All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid directly to either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected funds in a separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Partnership. At September 30, 1999, the Partnership was owed $36,043 by EFG for such funds and the interest thereon. These funds were remitted to the Partnership in October 1999. Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section 9.4(c) of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership (the "Restated Agreement, as amended"), for persons employed by EFG who are engaged in providing administrative services to the Partnership. Administrative charges and reimbursable operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 include adjustments for 1998 actual costs of approximately $24,000 and $18,000, respectively. NOTE 7 - NOTES PAYABLE Notes payable at September 30, 1999 consisted of installment notes of $2,968,570 payable to banks and institutional lenders. The installment notes bear interest rates ranging between 8.09% and 8.65%, except for one note which bears a fluctuating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a margin (5.38% at September 30, 1999). All of the installment notes are non-recourse and are collateralized by the equipment and assignment of the related lease payments. Generally, the installment notes will be fully amortized by noncancellable rents. However, the Partnership has balloon payment obligations at the expiration of the lease terms related to aircraft leased by Reno Air, Inc. ($555,597) and Finnair OY ($326,883 and $87,154). The Finnair OY indebtedness matures in January 9 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 2000 and April 2001, respectively. The Reno Air indebtedness matures in January 2003. The carrying amount of notes payable approximates fair value at September 30, 1999. The annual maturities of the installment notes payable are as follows: For the year ending September 30, 2000 $ 1,078,230 2001 597,287 2002 439,730 2003 757,879 2004 95,444 ---------------- Total $ 2,968,570 ================ NOTE 8 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS In January 1998, certain plaintiffs (the "Plaintiffs") filed a class and derivative action, captioned LEONARD ROSENBLUM, ET AL. V. EQUIS FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, ET AL., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the "Court") on behalf of a proposed class of investors in 28 equipment leasing programs sponsored by EFG, including the Partnership (collectively, the "Nominal Defendants"), against EFG and a number of its affiliates, including the General Partner, as defendants (collectively, the "Defendants"). Certain of the Plaintiffs, on or about June 24, 1997, had filed an earlier derivative action, captioned LEONARD ROSENBLUM, ET AL. V. EQUIS FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, ET AL., in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on behalf of the Nominal Defendants against the Defendants. Both actions are referred to herein collectively as the "Class Action Lawsuit". The Plaintiffs have asserted, among other things, claims against the Defendants on behalf of the Nominal Defendants for violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, common law fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and violations of the partnership or trust agreements that govern each of the Nominal Defendants. The Defendants have denied, and continue to deny, that any of them have committed or threatened to commit any violations of law or breached any fiduciary duties to the Plaintiffs or the Nominal Defendants. On July 16, 1998, counsel for the Defendants and the Plaintiffs executed a Stipulation of Settlement setting forth terms pursuant to which a settlement of the Class Action Lawsuit is intended to be achieved and which, among other things, is expected to reduce the burdens and expenses attendant to continuing litigation. The Stipulation of Settlement was preliminarily approved by the Court on August 20, 1998 when the Court issued its "Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement, Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and Providing for Notice of, and Hearing on, the Proposed Settlement" (the "August 20 Order"). On March 12, 1999, counsel for the Plaintiffs and the Defendants entered into an amended stipulation of settlement (the "Amended Stipulation") which was filed with the Court on March 12, 1999. The Amended Stipulation was preliminarily approved by the Court by its "Modified Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement, Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and Providing For Notice of, and Hearing On, the Proposed Settlement" dated March 22, 1999 (the "March 22 Order"). The Amended Stipulation, among other things, divided the Class Action Lawsuit into two separate sub-classes that could be settled individually. On May 26, 1999, the Court issued an Order and Final Judgment approving settlement of one of the sub-classes. Settlement of the second sub-class, involving the Partnership and 10 affiliated partnerships (collectively referred to as the "Exchange Partnerships"), remains pending due, in part, to the complexity of the proposed settlement pertaining to this class. Prior to issuing a final order approving the settlement of the second sub-class involving the Partnership, the Court will hold a fairness hearing that will be open to all interested parties and permit any party to object to the 10 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) settlement. The investors of the Partnership and all other plaintiff sub-class members will receive a Notice of Settlement and other information pertinent to the settlement of their claims that will be mailed to them in advance of the fairness hearing. The settlement of the second sub-class is premised on the consolidation of the Exchange Partnerships' net assets (the "Consolidation"), subject to certain conditions, into a single successor company ("Newco"). Under the proposed Consolidation, the partners of the Exchange Partnerships would receive both common stock in Newco and a cash distribution; and thereupon the Exchange Partnerships would be dissolved. In addition, EFG would contribute certain management contracts, operations personnel, and business opportunities to Newco and cancel its current management contracts with all of the Exchange Partnerships. Newco would operate as a finance company specializing in the acquisition, financing and servicing of equipment leases for its own account and for the account of others on a contract basis. Newco also would use its best efforts to list its shares on the NASDAQ National Market or another national exchange or market as soon after the Consolidation as Newco deems that market conditions and its business operations are suitable for listing its shares and Newco has satisfied all necessary regulatory and listing requirements. The potential benefits and risks of the Consolidation will be presented in a Solicitation Statement that will be mailed to all of the partners of the Exchange Partnerships as soon as the associated regulatory review process is completed and at least 60 days prior to the fairness hearing. A preliminary Solicitation Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 1998 and remains pending. Class members will be notified of the actual fairness hearing date when it is confirmed. One of the principal objectives of the Consolidation is to create a company that would have the potential to generate more value for the benefit of existing limited partners than other alternatives, including continuing the Partnership's customary business operations until all of its assets are disposed in the ordinary course of business. To facilitate the realization of this objective, the Amended Stipulation provides, among other things, that commencing March 22, 1999, the Exchange Partnerships may collectively invest up to 40% of the total aggregate net asset values of all of the Exchange Partnerships in any investment, including additional equipment and other business activities that the general partners of the Exchange Partnerships and EFG reasonably believe to be consistent with the anticipated business interests and objectives of Newco, subject to certain limitations, including that the Exchange Partnerships retain sufficient cash balances to pay their respective shares of the cash distribution that is part of the proposed settlement and Consolidation. In the absence of the Court's authorization to enter into such activities, the Partnership's Restated Agreement, as amended, would not permit new investment activities without the approval of limited partners owning a majority of the Partnership's outstanding Units. Accordingly, to the extent that the Partnership invests in new equipment, the Manager (being EFG) will (i) defer, until the earlier of the effective date of the Consolidation or December 31, 1999, any acquisition fees resulting therefrom and (ii) limit its management fees on all such assets to 2% of rental income. In the event that the Consolidation is consummated, all such acquisition and management fees will be paid to Newco. To the extent that the Partnership invests in other business activities not consisting of equipment acquisitions, the Manager will forego any acquisition fees and management fees related to such investments. In the event that the Partnership has acquired new investments, but the Partnership does not participate in the Consolidation, Newco will acquire such new investments for an amount equal to the Partnership's net equity investment plus an annualized return thereon of 7.5%. Finally, in the event that the Partnership has acquired new investments and the Consolidation is not effected, the General Partner will use its best efforts to divest all such new investments in an orderly and timely fashion and the Manager will cancel or return to the Partnership any acquisition or management fees resulting from such new investments. To date, the General Partner has not authorized new investment activities involving the Partnership. The Amended Stipulation and previous Stipulation of Settlement prescribe certain conditions necessary to effecting a final settlement, including providing the partners of the Exchange Partnerships with the opportunity to object to the participation of their partnership in the Consolidation. Assuming the proposed settlement is effected 11 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) according to present terms, the Partnership's share of legal fees and expenses related to the Class Action Lawsuit is estimated to be approximately $116,000 all of which was accrued and expensed by the Partnership in 1998. In addition, the Partnership's share of fees and expenses related to the proposed Consolidation is estimated to be approximately $218,000, all of which also was accrued and expensed by the Partnership in 1998. While the Court's August 20 Order enjoined certain class members, including all of the partners of the Partnership, from transferring, selling, assigning, giving, pledging, hypothecating, or otherwise disposing of any Units pending the Court's final determination of whether the settlement should be approved, the March 22 Order permits the partners to transfer Units to family members or as a result of the divorce, disability or death of the partner. No other transfers are permitted pending the Court's final determination of whether the settlement should be approved. The provision of the August 20 Order which enjoined the General Partners of the Exchange Partnerships from, among other things, recording any transfers not in accordance with the Court's order remains effective. There can be no assurance that settlement of the sub-class involving the Exchange Partnerships will receive final Court approval and be effected. There also can be no assurance that all or any of the Exchange Partnerships will participate in the Consolidation because if limited partners owning more than one-third of the outstanding Units of a partnership object to the Consolidation, then that partnership will be excluded from the Consolidation. The General Partner and its affiliates, in consultation with counsel, concur that there is a reasonable basis to believe that a final settlement of the sub-class involving the Exchange Partnerships will be achieved. However, in the absence of a final settlement approved by the Court, the Defendants intend to defend vigorously against the claims asserted in the Class Action Lawsuit. Neither the General Partner nor its affiliates can predict with any degree of certainty the cost of continuing litigation to the Partnership or the ultimate outcome. In addition to the foregoing, the Partnership is a party to other lawsuits that have arisen out of the conduct of its business, principally involving disputes or disagreements with lessees over lease terms and conditions. Refer to the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 for a description of these matters. The following is an update to the Partnership's prior disclosure on Form 10-K for 1998. ACTION INVOLVING NATIONAL STEEL CORPORATION EFG, on behalf of the Partnership and certain affiliated investment programs (collectively, the "Plaintiffs"), filed an action in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Superior Court, Department of the Trial Court in and for the County of Suffolk on July 27, 1995, for damages and declaratory relief against a lessee of the Partnership, National Steel Corporation ("National Steel"). The Complaint sought reimbursement from National Steel of certain sales and/or use taxes paid to the State of Illinois in connection with equipment leased by National Steel from the Plaintiffs and other remedies provided under the Master Lease Agreement ("MLA"). On August 30, 1995, National Steel filed a Notice of Removal, which removed the case to United States District Court, District of Massachusetts. On September 7, 1995, National Steel filed its Answer to the Plaintiff's Complaint along with Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims and sought declaratory relief, alleging breach of contract, implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and specific performance. The Plaintiffs filed an Answer to National Steel's Counterclaims on September 29, 1995. The parties discussed settlement with respect to this matter for some time; however, the negotiations were unsuccessful. The Plaintiffs filed an Amended and Supplemental Complaint alleging further default under the MLA and filed a motion for Summary Judgment on all claims and Counterclaims. The Court held a hearing on the Plaintiff's motion in December 1997 and later entered a decision dismissing certain of National Steel's Counterclaims, finding in favor of the Plaintiffs on certain issues and in favor of National Steel on other issues. On May 11, 1999, the parties executed a comprehensive settlement agreement to resolve all outstanding issues, including reimbursement to the Partnership for the disputed sales tax items referenced above. This matter did not have a material effect on the Partnership's financial position or results of operations. 12 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Form 10-Q PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. Certain statements in this quarterly report of American Income Fund I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made herein. These factors include, but are not limited to, the outcome of the Class Action Lawsuit described in Note 8 to the accompanying financial statements and the remarketing of the Partnership's equipment. YEAR 2000 ISSUE The Year 2000 Issue generally refers to the capacity of computer programming logic to correctly identify the calendar year. Many companies utilize computer programs or hardware with date sensitive software or embedded chips that could interpret dates ending in "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. In certain cases, such errors could result in system failures or miscalculations that disrupt the operations of the affected businesses. The Partnership uses information systems provided by Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership (formerly American Finance Group) ("EFG") and has no information systems of its own. EFG has adopted a plan to address the Year 2000 Issue that consists of four phases: assessment, remediation, testing, and implementation and has elected to utilize principally internal resources to perform all phases. EFG has completed its Year 2000 project at an aggregate cost of less than $50,000 and at a di minimus cost to the Partnership. All costs incurred in connection with EFG's Year 2000 project have been expensed as incurred. EFG's primary information software was coded by a third party at the point of original design to use a four-digit field to identify calendar year. All of the Partnership's lease billings, cash receipts and equipment remarketing processes are performed using this proprietary software. In addition, EFG has gathered information about the Year 2000 readiness of significant vendors and third party servicers and continues to monitor developments in this area. All of EFG's peripheral computer technologies, such as its network operating system and third-party software applications, including payroll, depreciation processing, and electronic banking, have been evaluated for potential programming changes and have required only minor modifications to function properly with respect to dates in the year 2000 and thereafter. EFG understands that each of its and the Partnership's significant vendors and third-party servicers are in the process, or have completed the process, of making their systems Year 2000 compliant. Substantially all parties queried indicated that their systems would be Year 2000 compliant by the end of 1998. Presently, EFG is not aware of any outside customer with a Year 2000 Issue that would have a material effect on the Partnership's results of operations, liquidity, or financial position. The Partnership's equipment leases were structured as triple net leases, meaning that the lessees are responsible for, among other things, (i) maintaining and servicing all equipment during the lease term, (ii) ensuring that all equipment functions properly and is returned in good condition, normal wear and tear excepted, and (iii) insuring the assets against casualty and other events of loss. Non-compliance with lease terms on the part of a lessee, including failure to address Year 2000 Issues could result in lost revenues and impairment of residual values of the Partnership's equipment assets under a worst-case scenario. EFG believes that its Year 2000 compliance plan will be effective in resolving all material Year 2000 risks in a timely manner and that the Year 2000 Issue will not pose significant operational problems with respect to its computer systems or result in a system failure or disruption of its or the Partnership's business operations. However, EFG has no means of ensuring that all customers, vendors and third-party servicers will conform ultimately to Year 2000 standards. The effect of this risk to the Partnership is not determinable. 13 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Form 10-Q PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998: The Partnership was organized in 1991 as a direct-participation equipment leasing program to acquire a diversified portfolio of capital equipment subject to lease agreements with third parties. Presently, the Partnership is a Nominal Defendant in a Class Action Lawsuit, the outcome of which could significantly alter the nature of the Partnership's organization and its future business operations. See Note 8 to the accompanying financial statements. Pursuant to the Restated Agreement, as amended, the Partnership is scheduled to be dissolved by December 31, 2002. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS For the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership recognized lease revenue of $507,181 and $1,626,384, respectively, compared to $593,566 and $1,842,206 for the same periods in 1998. The decrease in lease revenue from 1998 to 1999 resulted primarily from lease term expirations and the sale of equipment. The Partnership's equipment portfolio includes certain assets in which the Partnership holds a proportionate ownership interest. In such cases, the remaining interests are owned by an affiliated equipment leasing program sponsored by EFG. Proportionate equipment ownership enabled the Partnership to further diversify its equipment portfolio at inception by participating in the ownership of selected assets, thereby reducing the general levels of risk which could have resulted from a concentration in any single equipment type, industry or lessee. The Partnership and each affiliate individually report, in proportion to their respective ownership interests, their respective shares of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses associated with the equipment. Interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 was $102,182 and $287,135, respectively, compared to $80,355 and $232,475 for the same periods in 1998. Interest income is generated principally from temporary investment of rental receipts and equipment sale proceeds in short-term instruments. Interest income in both 1999 and 1998 included $70,211 earned on a note receivable from Semele Group, Inc. ("Semele") (see Note 5 to the financial statements herein). The amount of future interest income is expected to fluctuate as a result of changing interest rates, the collection of lease revenue, and the proceeds from equipment sales, among other factors. In addition, the note receivable from Semele is scheduled to mature in April 2000. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership sold equipment having a net book value of $1,636 and $1,222,851, respectively, to existing lessees and third parties. These sales resulted in a net gain, for financial statement purposes, of $863 and $509,275, respectively, compared to a net gain for the same periods in 1998 of $101,312 and $167,025 on equipment having a net book value of $23,890 and $87,157, respectively. It cannot be determined whether future sales of equipment will result in a net gain or a net loss to the Partnership, as such transactions will be dependent upon the condition and type of equipment being sold and its marketability at the time of sale. In addition, the amount of gain or loss reported for financial statement purposes is partly a function of the amount of accumulated depreciation associated with the equipment being sold. The ultimate realization of residual value for any type of equipment is dependent upon many factors, including EFG's ability to sell and re-lease equipment. Changing market conditions, industry trends, technological advances, and many other events can converge to enhance or detract from asset values at any given time. EFG attempts to monitor these changes in order to identify opportunities which may be advantageous to the Partnership and which will maximize total cash returns for each asset. 14 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Form 10-Q PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION The total economic value realized for each asset is comprised of all primary lease term revenue generated from that asset, together with its residual value. The latter consists of cash proceeds realized upon the asset's sale in addition to all other cash receipts obtained from renting the asset on a re-lease, renewal or month-to-month basis. The Partnership classifies such residual rental payments as lease revenue. Consequently, the amount of gain or loss reported in the financial statements may not be indicative of the total residual value the Partnership achieved from leasing the equipment. Depreciation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 was $234,200 and $713,755, respectively, compared to $333,208 and $1,123,096 for the same periods in 1998. For financial reporting purposes, to the extent that an asset is held on primary lease term, the Partnership depreciates the difference between (i) the cost of the asset and (ii) the estimated residual value of the asset at the date of primary lease expiration on a straight-line basis over such term. For purposes of this policy, estimated residual values represent estimates of equipment values at the date of primary lease expiration. To the extent that equipment is held beyond its primary lease term, the Partnership continues to depreciate the remaining net book value of the asset on a straight-line basis over the asset's remaining economic life. Interest expense was $55,614 and $182,809 or 11% and 11.2% of lease revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, respectively, compared to $78,490 and $266,116 or 13.2% and 14.4% of lease revenue for the same periods in 1998. Interest expense in future periods will decline as the principal balance of notes payable is reduced through the application of rent receipts to outstanding debt. Management fees were approximately 4.8% and 4.6% of lease revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, respectively, compared to 4.6% and 4.5% of lease revenue for the same periods in 1998. Management fees are based on 5% of gross lease revenue generated by operating leases and 2% of gross lease revenue generated by full payout leases. Operating expenses were $67,993 and $279,442 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, respectively, compared to $87,573 and $479,720 for the same periods in 1998. During the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership incurred approximately $52,000 in connection with the remarketing of an aircraft in which it held an ownership interest. The Partnership sold its interest in this aircraft during the nine months ended September 30, 1999. In addition, operating expenses in 1999 include an adjustment for 1998 actual administrative charges and third party costs of approximately $42,000. During 1998, the Partnership accrued $273,000 for certain legal and Consolidation expenses related to the Class Action Lawsuit described in Note 8 to the financial statements. Other operating expenses consist principally of professional service costs, such as audit and legal fees, as well as printing, distribution and other remarketing expenses. In certain cases, equipment storage or repairs and maintenance costs may be incurred in connection with other equipment being remarketed. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DISCUSSION OF CASH FLOWS The Partnership by its nature is a limited life entity. As an equipment leasing program, the Partnership's principal operating activities derive from asset rental transactions. Accordingly, the Partnership's principal source of cash from operations is provided by the collection of periodic rents. These cash inflows are used to satisfy debt service obligations associated with leveraged leases, and to pay management fees and operating costs. Operating activities generated net cash inflows of $1,296,567 and $2,147,787 for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Future renewal, re-lease and equipment sale activities will cause a decline in the Partnership's lease revenues and corresponding sources of operating cash. Overall, expenses associated with rental activities, such as management fees, and net cash flow from operating activities also will decline as the Partnership experiences a higher frequency of remarketing events. 15 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Form 10-Q PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Cash realized from asset disposal transactions is reported under investing activities on the accompanying Statement of Cash Flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership realized $1,732,126 in equipment sale proceeds compared to $254,182 for the same period in 1998. Future inflows of cash from asset disposals will vary in timing and amount and will be influenced by many factors including, but not limited to, the frequency and timing of lease expirations, the type of equipment being sold, its condition and age, and future market conditions. At September 30, 1999, the Partnership was due aggregate future minimum lease payments of $3,794,330 from contractual lease agreements (see Note 3 to the financial statements), a portion of which will be used to amortize the principal balance of notes payable of $2,968,570 (see Note 7 to the financial statements). At the expiration of the individual primary and renewal lease terms underlying the Partnership's future minimum lease payments, the Partnership will sell the equipment or enter re-lease or renewal agreements when considered advantageous by the General Partner and EFG. Such future remarketing activities will result in the realization of additional cash inflows in the form of equipment sale proceeds or rents from renewals and re-leases, the timing and extent of which cannot be predicted with certainty. This is because the timing and extent of remarketing events often is dependent upon the needs and interests of the existing lessees. Some lessees may choose to renew their lease contracts, while others may elect to return the equipment. In the latter instances, the equipment could be re-leased to another lessee or sold to a third party. Accordingly, as the terms of the currently existing contractual lease agreements expire, the cash flows of the Partnership will become less predictable. In addition, the Partnership will need cash outflows to satisfy interest on indebtedness and to pay management fees and operating expenses. In December 1998, the Partnership and certain affiliated investment programs owning interests in two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft (collectively, the "Programs") entered into lease extension agreements with Finnair OY. The lease extensions, effective upon the expiration of the existing primary lease terms on April 28, 1999, extended the leases for nine months and two years, respectively. In aggregate, these lease extensions will provide additional lease revenue of approximately $573,000 to the Partnership over the terms of the leases. The Partnership obtained long-term financing in connection with certain equipment leases. The repayments of principal related to such indebtedness are reported as a component of financing activities. Each note payable is recourse only to the specific equipment financed and to the minimum rental payments contracted to be received during the debt amortization period (which period generally coincides with the lease rental term). As rental payments are collected, a portion or all of the rental payment is used to repay the associated indebtedness. In future years, the amount of cash used to repay debt obligations is scheduled to decline as the principal balance of notes payable is reduced through the collection and application of rents. However, the Partnership has balloon payment obligations at the expiration of the lease terms related to aircraft leased by Reno Air, Inc. ($555,597) and Finnair OY ($326,883 and $87,154). On April 29, 1999, the Programs entered into agreements with a third-party lender to extend the maturity dates of the Programs' indebtedness related to the two aircraft leased to Finnair OY. Consistent with the extension terms of the lease agreements for these aircraft, the maturity dates of the indebtedness were extended to January 2000 ($326,883) and April 2001 ($87,154), respectively. The Reno Air indebtedness matures in January 2003. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale are required to be carried at fair value. During the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership recorded an unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities of $55,878. This gain was reported as a component of comprehensive income included in partners' capital. 16 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Form 10-Q PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION There are no formal restrictions under the Restated Agreement, as amended, that materially limit the Partnership's ability to pay cash distributions, except that the General Partner may suspend or limit cash distributions to ensure that the Partnership maintains sufficient working capital reserves to cover, among other things, operating costs and potential expenditures, such as refurbishment costs to remarket equipment upon lease expiration. Liquidity is especially important as the Partnership matures and sells equipment, because the remaining equipment base consists of fewer revenue-producing assets that are available to cover prospective cash disbursements. Insufficient liquidity could inhibit the Partnership's ability to sustain its operations or maximize the realization of proceeds from remarketing its remaining assets. In particular, the Partnership must contemplate the potential liquidity risks associated with its investment in commercial jet aircraft. The management and remarketing of aircraft can involve, among other things, significant costs and lengthy remarketing initiatives. Although the Partnership's lessees are required to maintain the aircraft during the period of lease contract, repair, maintenance, and/or refurbishment costs at lease expiration can be substantial. For example, an aircraft that is returned to the Partnership meeting minimum airworthiness standards, such as flight hours or engine cycles, nonetheless may require heavy maintenance in order to bring its engines, airframe and other hardware up to standards that will permit its prospective use in commercial air transportation. Individually, these repairs can cost in excess of $1 million and, collectively; they could require the disbursement of several million dollars, depending upon the extent of refurbishment. In addition, the Partnership's equipment portfolio includes an interest in three Stage 2 aircraft having scheduled lease expiration dates of December 31, 1999. The lessee has given the Partnership notice of its intention to return the aircraft at the expiration of the lease terms. These aircraft are prohibited from operating in the United States after December 31, 1999 unless they are retro-fitted with hush-kits to meet Stage 3 noise regulations promulgated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The cost to hush-kit an aircraft, such as the Partnership's Boeing 737s, can approach $2 million. Although the Partnership is not required to retro-fit its aircraft with hush-kits, insufficient liquidity could jeopardize the re-marketing of these aircraft. Collectively, the aggregation of the Partnership's potential liquidity needs related to aircraft and other working capital requirements could be significant. Accordingly, the General Partner has maintained significant cash reserves within the Partnership in order to minimize the risk of a liquidity shortage, particularly in connection with the Partnership's aircraft interests. Finally, the Partnership is a Nominal Defendant in a Class Action Lawsuit described in Note 8 to the accompanying financial statements. A preliminary court order has allowed the Partnership to invest in new equipment or other activities, subject to certain limitations, effective March 22, 1999. To the extent that the Partnership continues to own aircraft investments that could require capital reserves, the General Partner does not anticipate that the Partnership will invest in new assets, regardless of its authority to do so. Until the Class Action Lawsuit is adjudicated, the General Partner does not expect that the level of future quarterly cash distributions paid by the Partnership will be increased above amounts paid in the third quarter of 1999. In addition, the proposed settlement, if effected, will materially change the future organizational structure and business interests of the Partnership, as well as its cash distribution policies. See Note 8 to the accompanying financial statements. Cash distributions to the General and Limited Partners are declared and generally paid within fifteen days following the end of each calendar quarter. The payment of such distributions is presented as a component of financing activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Partnership declared total cash distributions of Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales and Refinancings of $706,496. In accordance with the Restated Agreement, as amended, the Limited Partners were allocated 95% of these distributions, or $671,171 and the General Partner was allocated 5%, or $35,325. The third quarter 1999 cash distribution was paid on October 15, 1999. 17 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership Form 10-Q PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Cash distributions paid to the Limited Partners consist of both a return of and a return on capital. Cash distributions do not represent and are not indicative of yield on investment. Actual yield on investment cannot be determined with any certainty until conclusion of the Partnership and will be dependent upon the collection of all future contracted rents, the generation of renewal and/or re-lease rents, and the residual value realized for each asset at its disposal date. The Partnership's capital account balances for federal income tax and for financial reporting purposes are different primarily due to differing treatments of income and expense items for income tax purposes in comparison to financial reporting purposes (generally referred to as permanent or timing differences; see Note 7 to the financial statements presented in the Partnership's 1998 Annual Report). For instance, selling commissions and organization and offering costs pertaining to syndication of the Partnership's limited partnership units are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, but are recorded as a reduction of partners' capital for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, such differences are permanent differences between capital accounts for financial reporting and federal income tax purposes. Other differences between the bases of capital accounts for federal income tax and financial reporting purposes occur due to timing differences. Such items consist of the cumulative difference between income or loss for tax purposes and financial statement income or loss, the difference between distributions (declared vs. paid) for income tax and financial reporting purposes, and the treatment of unrealized gains or losses on investment securities, if any, for book and tax purposes. The principal component of the cumulative difference between financial statement income or loss and tax income or loss results from different depreciation policies for book and tax purposes. For financial reporting purposes, the General Partner has accumulated a capital deficit at September 30, 1999. This is the result of aggregate cash distributions to the General Partner being in excess of its capital contribution of $1,000 and its allocation of financial statement net income or loss. Ultimately, the existence of a capital deficit for the General Partner for financial reporting purposes is not indicative of any further capital obligations to the Partnership by the General Partner. The Restated Agreement, as amended, requires that upon the dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner will be required to contribute to the Partnership an amount equal to any negative balance which may exist in the General Partner's tax capital account. At December 31, 1998, the General Partner had a positive tax capital account balance. The future liquidity of the Partnership will be influenced by, among other factors, prospective market conditions, technological changes, the ability of EFG to manage and remarket the Partnership's assets, and many other events and circumstances, that could enhance or detract from individual asset yields and the collective performance of the Partnership's equipment portfolio. However, the outcome of the Class Action Lawsuit described in Note 8 to the accompanying financial statements will be the principal factor in determining the future of the Partnership's operations. 18 AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership FORM 10-Q PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings Response: Refer to Note 8 to the financial statements herein. Item 2. Changes in Securities Response: None Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities Response: None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Response: None Item 5. Other Information Response: None Item 6(a). Exhibits Response: None Item 6(b). Reports on Form 8-K Response: None 19 SIGNATURE PAGE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the date indicated. AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership By: AFG Leasing VI Incorporated, a Massachusetts corporation and the General Partner of the Registrant. By: /s/ Michael J. Butterfield --------------------------- Michael J. Butterfield Treasurer of AFG Leasing VI Incorporated (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) Date: November 12, 1999 --------------------------- By: /s/ Gary Romano --------------------------- Gary M. Romano Clerk of AFG Leasing VI Incorporated (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) Date: November 12, 1999 --------------------------- 20