EXHIBIT 99.2
Published on July 2, 2009
Exhibit
99.2
Item
7.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
Cautionary
Statements
Certain
statements made below are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange
Act. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the
safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Reform Act of 1995 and included this statement for purposes of
complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which
are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and
expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words ‘believe’,
‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘project’, or similar
expressions. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since
they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are,
in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect our actual
results, performance or achievements. Factors which may cause actual
results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not
limited to, those set forth under Item 1A – Risk Factors in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the SEC on February
27, 2009.
The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report. Historical
results and percentage relationships set forth in the consolidated statements of
operations, including trends which might appear, are not necessarily indicative
of future operations.
General
Overview
At
December 31, 2008, we had 30 wholly-owned centers in 21 states totaling 8.8
million square feet compared to 29 centers in 21 states totaling 8.4 million
square feet as of December 31, 2007. The changes in the number of
centers, square feet and states are due to the following events:
No.
of
Centers
|
Square
feet
(000’s)
|
States
|
||||
As
of December 31, 2007
|
29
|
8,398
|
21
|
|||
Center
expansion:
|
||||||
Barstow,
California
|
---
|
55
|
---
|
|||
New
development:
|
||||||
Washington,
Pennsylvania
|
1
|
371
|
---
|
|||
Other
|
---
|
(4)
|
---
|
|||
As
of December 31, 2008
|
30
|
8,820
|
21
|
Results
of Operations
2008
Compared to 2007
Base
rentals increased $12.2 million, or 8%, in the 2008 period compared to the 2007
period. Our base rental income increase was due mainly to increases
in rental rates on lease renewals and incremental rents from re-tenanting vacant
space. During the 2008 period, we executed 377 leases totaling
approximately 1.6 million square feet at an average increase of 26% in base
rental rates. This compares to our execution of 460 leases totaling
approximately 1.9 million square feet at an average increase of 23% in base
rental rates during the 2007 period. Base rentals also increased approximately
$2.1 million due to the August 2008 opening of our new outlet center in
Washington, Pennsylvania located south of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2007 and
first quarter of 2008, we added approximately 144,000 square feet of expansion
space at existing outlet centers. The 2008 period includes a full
year effect of additional base rent from these expansions.
In
addition, the amount of termination fees recognized in the 2008 period was
approximately $1.5 million higher when compared to the 2007 period due to
several tenants terminating leases early. Payments received from the
early termination of leases are recognized as revenue from the time the payment
is receivable until the tenant vacates the space.
The
values of the above and below market leases recorded as a result of our property
acquisitions are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of
below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to
rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease. For
the 2008 period, we recorded $356,000 to rental income for the net amortization
of market lease values compared with $1.1 million for the 2007
period. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual
termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any
unamortized balance of the related above or below market lease value will be
written off and could materially impact our net income positively or
negatively. At December 31, 2008, the net liability representing the
amount of unrecognized below market lease values totaled approximately
$560,000.
Percentage
rentals, which represent revenues based on a percentage of tenants' sales volume
above predetermined levels (the "breakpoint"), decreased $1.7 million or
19%. Sales were negatively impacted by the general weakness in the
U.S. economy during the 2008 period. Reported same-space sales per
square foot for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, excluding our center
in Foley, Alabama and on Highway 501 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, both of
which have been going through major renovations, were $336 per square foot, a
1.6% decrease over the prior year. Same-space sales is defined as the
weighted average sales per square foot reported in space open for the full
duration of each comparison period. In addition, percentage rentals
were negatively impacted by a significant number of tenants that renewed their
leases at much higher base rental rates and, accordingly, had increases to their
contractual breakpoint levels used in determining their percentage
rentals. This essentially transformed a variable rent component into
a fixed rent component.
Expense
reimbursements represent the contractual recovery from tenants of certain common
area maintenance, insurance, property tax, promotional, advertising and
management expenses. Accordingly, these reimbursements generally
fluctuate consistently with the related reimbursable property operating expenses
to which they relate. Expense reimbursements increased $6.0 million,
or 9%, in the 2008 period compared to the 2007 period. The 2008
period includes an increase in termination fees related to recoverable expenses
of $738,000 compared to 2007. Excluding termination fees related to
recoverable expenses and abandoned due diligence costs included in property
operating expenses, expense reimbursements, expressed as a percentage of
property operating expenses were 91% and 89% in the 2008 and 2007 periods,
respectively. This increase is due to higher caps on recoveries of
reimbursable expenses negotiated upon the renewal of leases by
tenants.
Property
operating expenses increased by $7.5 million, or 10%, in the 2008 period as
compared to the 2007 period. Of this increase, $2.2 million relates
incrementally to our Washington, PA outlet center which opened in August
2008. We also incurred a $3.9 million charge relating to due
diligence costs associated with potential development and acquisition
opportunities that we no longer deemed probable as compared to $646,000 in the
2007 period. Our common area maintenance costs increased as a result
of higher snow removal costs and higher costs related to operating our mall
offices at our outlet centers. Also, property taxes were higher at
several centers where expansions completed during the fourth quarter of 2007
were included in the 2008 period valuation. Finally, our Charleston,
SC outlet center, which opened in August 2006, was reassessed during 2008 for
the first time at its completed value.
General
and administrative expenses increased $3.3 million, or 17%, in the 2008 period
as compared to the 2007 period. As a percentage of total revenues,
general and administrative expenses were 9% and 8% in the 2008 and 2007 periods,
respectively. The increase is primarily due to the amortization of
share based compensation from restricted shares issued in late February 2008. In
addition, the bonus compensation for the 2008 period was higher compared to the
2007 period based on an increase in the eligible bonus percentage for
executives.
1
Depreciation
and amortization decreased $1.5 million in the 2008 period compared to the 2007
period. Depreciation expense was unusually high during 2007, due to
the reconfiguration of our center in Foley, Alabama. As a part of
this plan, approximately 42,000 square feet of gross leasable area was relocated
within the property. The depreciable useful lives of the buildings
demolished were shortened to coincide with their demolition dates throughout the
first three quarters of 2007 and this was accounted for as a change in
accounting estimate. Approximately 28,000 relocated square feet had
opened as of December 31, 2007 with the remaining 14,000 square feet expected to
open in the next two quarters. Accelerated depreciation recognized
related to the reconfiguration was $6.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2007. The expected decrease in expense from the 2007 period from the
acceleration was partially offset by additional depreciation from expansion
assets placed in service during the fourth quarter of 2007 at several existing
outlet centers and from the Washington, PA outlet center, which opened during
August 2008.
Interest
expense decreased $1.5 million, or 3%, in the 2008 period compared to the 2007
period. During June of 2008, we entered into a $235.0 million
unsecured three year term loan facility. After entering into interest
rate swap protection agreements, the facility bears a weighted average interest
rate of 5.25%. The proceeds from this transaction were used to repay
a $170.7 million secured mortgage bearing an effective interest rate of 5.18%
and amounts outstanding under our unsecured lines of credit. We
utilized unsecured lines of credit in February 2008 to repay our $100.0 million,
9.125% unsecured senior notes. Due to the above transactions and the
decline in LIBOR rates during the year, we incurred a lower weighted average
borrowing rate on a comparable basis between the 2008 and 2007 periods, which
more than offset the increase in average debt outstanding from our expansion and
development activities.
During
the second quarter of 2008, we settled two interest rate lock protection
agreements which were intended to fix the U.S. Treasury index at an average rate
of 4.62% for 10 years for an aggregate $200 million of new public debt which was
expected to be issued in July 2008. We originally entered into these
agreements in 2005. Upon the closing of the LIBOR based unsecured
term loan facility, we determined that we were unlikely to execute such a U.S.
Treasury based debt offering. The settlement of the interest rate
lock protection agreements, at a total cost of $8.9 million, was reflected as a
loss on settlement of U.S. treasury rate locks in our consolidated statements of
operations.
Equity in
earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $621,000, or 42%, in the
2008 period as compared to the 2007 period. During the fourth quarter
of 2008, the Tanger outlet center developed and operated by the joint venture,
Deer Park, in which we have a 33.3% ownership interest, opened. The
outlet center was approximately 78% occupied as of December 31,
2008. We recorded an equity loss of approximately $1.6 million
related to Deer Park due to start up costs of operations and grand opening
expenses. This loss was offset by increases in equity in earnings
over the 2007 period from Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 and Wisconsin
Dells. These increases were due to higher rental rates on lease
renewals at Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 as well as lower interest rates and higher
termination fees at Wisconsin Dells. The Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 and
Wisconsin Dells outlet centers were both 100% occupied at December 31,
2008.
Discontinued
operations includes the results of operations and gains on sale of real estate
of our Boaz, Alabama outlet center which was sold in 2007.
2007
Compared to 2006
Base
rentals increased $8.7 million, or 6%, in the 2007 period compared to the 2006
period. Our base rental income increased $5.5 million due to
increases in rental rates on lease renewals and incremental rents from
re-tenanting vacant space. During 2007, we executed 460 leases
totaling 1.9 million square feet at an average increase of 23%. This
compares to our execution of 479 leases totaling 1.9 million square feet at an
average increase of 14% during 2006. Base rentals also increased
approximately $3.7 million related to a full year of operations for our outlet
center in Charleston, South Carolina, which opened in August
2006. However, decreases were recognized in the net amortization of
above or below market leases totaling $317,000.
The
values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either
an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of
above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated
lease. For the 2007 period, we recorded $1.1 million to rental income
for the net amortization of market lease values compared with $1.5 million for
the 2006 period. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the
contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on
the lease, any unamortized balance of the related above or below market lease
value will be written off and could materially impact our net income positively
or negatively. At December 31, 2007, the net liability representing
the amount of unrecognized below market lease values totaled
$916,000.
Percentage
rentals, which represent revenues based on a percentage of tenants' sales volume
above predetermined levels (the "breakpoint"), increased $1.6 million or
22%. The increase is due partially to the addition of high volume
tenants during the last twelve months that have exceeded their
breakpoints. Reported same-space sales per square foot for the twelve
months ended December 31, 2007 were $342 per square foot, a 1.2% increase over
the prior year ended December 31, 2006. Same-space sales is defined
as the weighted average sales per square foot reported in space open for the
full duration of each comparison period. Our ability to attract high
volume tenants to many of our outlet centers continues to improve the average
sales per square foot throughout our portfolio.
2
Expense
reimbursements, which represent the contractual recovery from tenants of certain
common area maintenance, insurance, property tax, promotional, advertising and
management expenses generally fluctuate consistently with the related
reimbursable property operating expenses to which they
relate. Expense reimbursements increased $7.6 million, or 13%, in the
2007 period versus the 2006 period. During 2006, we incurred a $1.5
million charge when we wrote off due diligence costs related to an abandoned
potential acquisition. These costs were included in other property
operating expenses. The acquisition due diligence costs were incurred
in connection with structuring, performing due diligence and submitting a
proposal to acquire a significant portfolio from a public REIT that was
exploring its strategic alternatives. The bid was requested, but
ultimately not accepted, by the public REIT. Excluding these
abandoned acquisition costs, expense reimbursements, expressed as a percentage
of property operating expenses, were 88% and 87% respectively, in the 2007 and
2006 periods. The reimbursement percentage increase is due to
decreases during 2007 in miscellaneous non-reimbursable expenses such as state
franchise and excise taxes.
Property
operating expenses increased by $7.6 million, or 11%, in the 2007 period as
compared to the 2006 period, excluding the $1.5 million charge mentioned in the
previous paragraph. Of this increase, $2.2 million relates
incrementally to our Charleston, South Carolina outlet center which opened in
August 2006. In addition, our common area maintenance costs increased
as a result of higher snow removal costs and higher costs related to operating
our mall offices at the outlet centers in our portfolio. Further, our
fiscal 2007 property insurance premiums increased significantly upon renewal and
remained at that level for the fiscal 2008 renewal. Also, several
high performing centers experienced significant property tax increases upon
revaluation.
General
and administrative expenses increased $2.3 million, or 14%, in the 2007 period
as compared to the 2006 period. The increase is primarily due to
compensation expense related to restricted shares issued during the 2007 period
as well as an increase in bonus compensation for senior executives in the 2007
period. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses
were 8% in both the 2007 and 2006 periods.
Depreciation
and amortization increased from $57.0 million in the 2006 period to $63.8
million in the 2007 period. A full year of depreciation and
amortization related to the assets at our outlet center in Charleston, South
Carolina which opened in August 2006 accounted for $2.0 million of the
increase. Also, during the first quarter of 2007, our Board of
Directors formally approved a plan to reconfigure our center in Foley,
Alabama. As a part of this plan, approximately 42,000 square feet was
relocated within the property by September 2007. The depreciable
useful lives of the buildings demolished were shortened to coincide with their
demolition dates throughout the first three quarters of 2007 and the change in
estimated useful life was accounted for as a change in accounting estimate.
Approximately 28,000 relocated square feet had opened as of December 31, 2007
with the remaining 14,000 square feet expected to open in the next two
quarters. Accelerated depreciation recognized related to the
reconfiguration was $6.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. These
increases were offset by a decrease in lease cost amortization of approximately
$2.0 million, primarily related to the amortization of the intangibles from the
COROC acquisitions in 2003 and 2005.
Equity in
earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures increased $205,000, or 16%, in the
2007 period as compared to the 2006 period. During August 2006, we
opened a 264,900 square foot center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, which is
owned by Tanger Wisconsin Dells, in which we have a 50% ownership interest and
account for as an unconsolidated joint venture under the equity
method. This center was open for all of 2007 which resulted in the
increase in our equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint
ventures.
Discontinued
operations includes the results of operations and gains on sale of real estate
of our Boaz, Alabama; Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and North Branch,
Minnesota centers, which were sold in 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The following table summarizes the results of
operations and gains on sale of real estate for the 2007 and 2006
periods:
Summary
of discontinued operations
|
2007
|
2006
|
||
Operating
income from discontinued operations
|
$ 112
|
$ 365
|
||
Gain
on sale of real estate
|
6
|
13,833
|
||
Discontinued
operations
|
$ 118
|
$ 14,198
|
3
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Operating
Activities
Net cash
provided by operating activities was $97.0 million, $98.6 million and $88.4
million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. Property rental income represents our primary source of
net cash provided by operating activities. Rental and occupancy rates
are the primary factors that influence property rental income
levels. During the past years we have experienced a consistent
overall portfolio occupancy level between 95% and 98% with strong base rental
rate growth. Cash from operations in 2008 decreased due to the cash
settlement of the interest rate lock protection agreements, at a total cost of
$8.9 million. Excluding this cash settlement, net cash provided by
operating activities would have increased $7.3 million in the 2008 period
compared to the 2007 period.
Investing
Activities
During
the 2008 period, we completed construction of our outlet center in Washington,
PA near Pittsburgh and had several existing center reconfigurations and
renovations underway. During the 2007 period, we completed
approximately 89,000 square feet of expansion space at existing centers and
incurred significant initial construction costs at the Washington, PA
site. During the 2006 period, we completed our outlet center in
Charleston, SC and sold of our centers in Pigeon Forge, TN and North Branch,
MN. These development activities have caused net cash used in
investing activities to increase from $63.3 million in 2006, to $84.8 million in
2007 and $133.5 million in 2008. In addition in 2008, we made capital
contributions of $1.6 million to the Deer Park joint venture to complete the
development of the project which opened in October 2008. Each of the
ventures partners made equal contributions.
Financing
Activities
Long-term
debt is our primary method of financing the projects mentioned in the investing
activities section as we derive the majority of our operating cash flows from
our operating leases over an average of five years. During 2008, we
were successful in closing a $235.0 million, three year unsecured term loan
facility. We also extended and increased our unsecured lines of
credit with several major financial institutions. We now have a borrowing
capacity under our unsecured lines of credit of $325.0 million. We
repaid $100.0 million of 9.125% senior unsecured bonds and a $170.7 million
mortgage loan during 2008. The combination of these transactions
enabled us to provide $39.1 million of net cash from financing activities in the
2008 period for funding of the aforementioned development compared to using
$19.8 million in the 2007 period and $19.5 million in the 2006
period. See “Financing Arrangements” for further discussion of the
above transactions.
Current
Developments and Dispositions
We intend
to continue to grow our portfolio by developing, expanding or acquiring
additional outlet centers. In the section below, we describe the new
developments that are either currently planned, underway or recently
completed. However, you should note that any developments or
expansions that we, or a joint venture that we are involved in, have planned or
anticipated may not be started or completed as scheduled, or may not result in
accretive net income or funds from operations. In addition, we
regularly evaluate acquisition or disposition proposals and engage from time to
time in negotiations for acquisitions or dispositions of
properties. We may also enter into letters of intent for the purchase
or sale of properties. Any prospective acquisition or disposition
that is being evaluated or which is subject to a letter of intent may not be
consummated, or if consummated, may not result in an increase in net income or
funds from operations.
WHOLLY-OWNED
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS
Washington,
Pennsylvania
On August
29, 2008, we held the grand opening of our 371,000 square foot outlet center
located south of Pittsburgh in Washington, Pennsylvania. Tenants
include Nike, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Coach and others. At December 31,
2008 the outlet center was 85% leased. Based upon the response by
customers at this center’s grand opening events, we believe there is tenant
interest in the remaining available space and additional signed leases will be
completed over time. Tax incremental financing bonds have been issued
related to the Washington project of which we have received approximately $16.4
million. We receive proceeds from the tax increment financing bonds
as we incur qualifying expenditures during construction of the
center.
4
Expansions
at Existing Centers
During
the second quarter of 2008, we completed a 62,000 square foot expansion at our
center located in Barstow, California. As of December 31, 2008, the
center contained a total of approximately 171,000 square feet, including the
newly opened expansion space. The outlet center is 100%
occupied.
During
the fourth quarter of 2008, we began an expansion of approximately 23,000 square
feet at our Commerce II, Georgia center. This expansion is projected
to be open during the second quarter of 2009.
Commitments
to complete construction of the Washington, PA development, the expansion in
Commerce II, GA, along with renovations at centers in Myrtle Beach Hwy 501,
South Carolina; Lincoln City, Oregon; Park City, Utah and Foley, Alabama and
other capital expenditure requirements amounted to approximately $11.3 million
at December 31, 2008. Commitments for construction represent only
those costs contractually required to be paid by us. These projects
will be primarily funded by amounts available under our unsecured lines of
credit but could also be funded by other sources of capital such as
collateralized construction loans, public debt or equity offerings as necessary
or available.
Potential
Future Developments
We
currently have an option for a new development site located in Mebane, North
Carolina on the highly traveled Interstate 40/85 corridor, which sees over
83,000 cars daily. The site is located halfway between the Research
Triangle Park area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and the Triad area of
Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. During the option period we
will be analyzing the viability of the site and determining whether to proceed
with the development of a center at this location.
We
currently have an option for a new development site located in Irving, Texas,
which would be our third in the state. The site is strategically located west of
Dallas at the North West quadrant of busy State Highway 114 and Loop 12 and will
be the first major project planned for the Texas Stadium Redevelopment
Area. It is also adjacent to the upcoming DART light rail line (and
station stop) connecting downtown Dallas to the Las Colinas Urban Center, the
Irving Convention Center and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
At this
time, we are in the initial study period on these potential new
locations. As such, there can be no assurance that either of these
sites will ultimately be developed. These projects, if realized,
would be primarily funded by amounts available under our unsecured lines of
credit but could also be funded by other sources of capital such as
collateralized construction loans, public debt or equity offerings as necessary
or available. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we made the decision to
terminate our purchase options in Port St. Lucie, Florida and Phoenix,
Arizona. As a result, we recorded a $3.9 million charge relating to
our predevelopment costs on these and other projects deemed no longer
probable.
WHOLLY-OWNED
DISPOSITIONS
In
October 2007, we completed the sale of our property in Boaz, AL. Net
proceeds received from the sale of the property were approximately $2.0
million. We recorded a gain on sale of real estate of approximately
$6,000.
During
the first quarter of 2006, we completed the sale of two outlet centers located
in Pigeon Forge, TN and North Branch, MN. Net proceeds received from the sales
of the centers were approximately $20.2 million. We recorded gains on
sales of real estate of $13.8 million associated with these sales during the
first quarter of 2006.
Financing
Arrangements
On
February 15, 2008, our $100.0 million, 9.125% unsecured senior notes
matured. We repaid these notes with amounts available under our
unsecured lines of credit.
During
the first quarter of 2008, we increased the maximum availability under our
existing unsecured lines of credit by $125.0 million, bringing our total
availability to $325.0 million. The terms of the increases were
identical to those included within the existing unsecured lines of credit. Five
of our six lines of credit, representing $300.0 million, have maturity dates of
June 2011 or later. One line of credit, representing $25.0 million
and for which no amounts were outstanding on December 31, 2008, expires in June
2009.
During
the second quarter of 2008, we closed on a $235.0 million unsecured three year
syndicated term loan facility. Based on our current debt ratings, the
facility bears interest of LIBOR plus 160 basis points. Depending on
our investment grade debt ratings, the interest rate can vary from LIBOR plus
125 basis points to LIBOR plus 195 basis points.
5
In June
2008, proceeds from the term loan were used to pay off our mortgage loan with a
principal balance of approximately $170.7 million. A prepayment
premium, representing interest through the July payment date, of approximately
$406,000 was paid at closing. The remaining proceeds of approximately
$62.8 million, net of closing costs, were applied against amounts outstanding on
our unsecured lines of credit and to settle two interest rate lock protection
agreements.
In July
2008 and September 2008, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Branch Banking and Trust Company, or BB&T, for
notional amounts of $118.0 million and $117.0 million,
respectively. The purpose of these swaps was to fix the interest rate
on the $235.0 million outstanding under the term loan facility completed in June
2008. The swaps fixed the one month LIBOR rate at 3.605% and 3.70%,
respectively. When combined with the current spread of 160 basis
points which can vary based on changes in our debt ratings, these swap
agreements fix our interest rate on the $235.0 million of variable rate debt at
5.25% until April 1, 2011.
In
October 2008, we were upgraded by the Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services from
BBB- to BBB, making us one of only two REITs to receive a ratings upgrade in
2008. We currently have an investment grade rating with Moody’s
Investors Service of Baa3. Because of this upgrade, one of our line
of credit borrowing rates decreased to LIBOR plus 60 basis points. Of
the $161.5 million outstanding on our unsecured lines of credit as of December
31, 2008, the borrowing rates range from LIBOR plus 60 basis points to LIBOR
plus 75 basis points.
In
February 2006, we completed the sale of an additional 800,000 Class C Preferred
Shares with net proceeds of approximately $19.4 million, bringing the total
amount of Class C Preferred Shares outstanding to 3,000,000. The
proceeds were used to repay amounts outstanding on our unsecured lines of
credit. We pay annual dividends equal to $1.875 per
share.
In August
2006, the Operating Partnership issued $149.5 million of exchangeable senior
unsecured notes that mature on August 15, 2026. The notes bear
interest at a fixed coupon rate of 3.75%. The notes are exchangeable
into the Company’s common shares, at the option of the holder, at a current
exchange ratio, subject to adjustment if we change our dividend rate in the
future, of 27.6856 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (or a current
exchange price of $36.1198 per common share). The notes are senior
unsecured obligations of the Operating Partnership and are guaranteed by the
Company on a senior unsecured basis. On and after August 18, 2011,
holders may exchange their notes for cash in an amount equal to the lesser of
the exchange value and the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be
exchanged, and, at our option, Company common shares, cash or a combination
thereof for any excess. Note holders may exchange their notes prior
to August 18, 2011 only upon the occurrence of specified events. In
addition, on August 18, 2011, August 15, 2016 or August 15, 2021, note holders
may require us to repurchase the notes for an amount equal to the principal
amount of the notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding,
the repurchase date. In no event will the total number of common
shares issuable upon exchange exceed 4.9 million, subject to adjustments for
dividend rate changes. Accordingly, we have reserved those shares.
These exchangeable notes are within the scope of FSP 14-1 which was adopted as
of January 1, 2009 with retrospective application. See Note 2 for
further discussion of the effects of the adoption.
We intend
to retain the ability to raise additional capital, including public debt or
equity, to pursue attractive investment opportunities that may arise and to
otherwise act in a manner that we believe to be in our shareholders’ best
interests. We have no significant maturities of debt until
2011. We are a well known seasoned issuer with a shelf registration
that allows us to register unspecified amounts of different classes of
securities on Form S-3. We intend to update our shelf registration
during the second quarter of 2009. To generate capital to reinvest
into other attractive investment opportunities, we may also consider the use of
additional operational and developmental joint ventures, the sale or lease of
outparcels on our existing properties and the sale of certain properties that do
not meet our long-term investment criteria. Based on cash provided by
operations, existing credit facilities, ongoing negotiations with certain
financial institutions and our ability to sell debt or equity subject to market
conditions, we believe that we have access to the necessary financing to fund
the planned capital expenditures during 2009.
We
anticipate that adequate cash will be available to fund our operating and
administrative expenses, regular debt service obligations, and the payment of
dividends in accordance with REIT requirements in both the short and
long-term. Although we receive most of our rental payments on a
monthly basis, distributions to shareholders are made quarterly and interest
payments on the senior, unsecured notes are made
semi-annually. Amounts accumulated for such payments will be used in
the interim to reduce any outstanding borrowings under the existing lines of
credit or invested in short-term money market or other suitable
instruments.
We
believe our current balance sheet position is financially sound; however, due to
the current weakness in and unpredictability of the capital and credit markets,
we can give no assurance that affordable access to capital will exist between
now and 2011 when our next debt maturities occur. As a result, our
current primary focus is to strengthen our capital and liquidity position by
controlling and reducing construction and overhead costs, generating positive
cash flows from operations to cover our dividend and reducing outstanding
debt.
6
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The
following table details our contractual obligations over the next five years and
thereafter as of December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
Contractual
|
||||||||
Obligations
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
|
Debt
(1)
|
$ ---
|
$ ---
|
$
396,500
|
$ ---
|
$ ---
|
$
399,500
|
$ 796,000
|
|
Operating
leases
|
4,372
|
4,206
|
3,703
|
3,044
|
2,760
|
76,312
|
94,397
|
|
Preferred
share
|
||||||||
dividends
(2)
|
5,625
|
80,625
|
---
|
---
|
---
|
---
|
86,250
|
|
Interest
payments (3)
|
35,205
|
35,205
|
25,939
|
20,981
|
20,981
|
103,631
|
241,942
|
|
$
45,202
|
$
120,036
|
$
426,142
|
$
24,025
|
$
23,741
|
$
579,443
|
$
1,218,589
|
(1)
|
These
amounts represent total future cash payments related to debt obligations
outstanding as of December 31,
2008.
|
(2)
|
Preferred
share dividends reflect dividends on our Class C Preferred Shares on which
we pay an annual dividend of $1.875 per share on 3,000,000 outstanding
shares as of December 31, 2007. The Class C Preferred Shares
are redeemable at the option of the Company for $25.00 per share after the
respective optional redemption date. The future obligations include future
dividends on preferred shares through the optional redemption date and the
redemption amount is included on the optional redemption
date.
|
(3)
|
These
amounts represent future interest payments related to our debt obligations
based on the fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated
debt agreements. All of our variable rate debt agreements are
based on the one month LIBOR rate. For purposes of calculating
future interest amounts on variable interest rate debt, the one month
LIBOR rate as of December 31, 2008 was
used.
|
In
addition to the contractual payment obligations shown in the table above, should
we decide to exercise our purchase option in 2009 related to the Mebane, NC
property, described previously in the “Potential Future Developments” section,
we expect to spend approximately $62.9 million in 2009 and beyond on the
project. We also expect to spend approximately $3.2 million in 2009
to complete an expansion of 23,000 square feet at our Commerce II, GA center and
an additional $10.2 million to complete various renovation projects throughout
our portfolio. The timing of these expenditures may vary due to
delays in construction or acceleration of the opening date of a particular
project. These amounts would be primarily funded by amounts available
under our unsecured lines of credit but could also be funded by other sources of
capital such as collateralized construction loans, public debt or equity
offerings as necessary or available.
Our debt
agreements require the maintenance of certain ratios, including debt service
coverage and leverage, and limit the payment of dividends such that dividends
and distributions will not exceed funds from operations, as defined in the
agreements, for the prior fiscal year on an annual basis or 95% on a cumulative
basis. We have historically been and currently are in compliance with
all of our debt covenants. We expect to remain in compliance with all
our existing debt covenants; however, should circumstances arise that would
cause us to be in default, the various lenders would have the ability to
accelerate the maturity on our outstanding debt.
We
operate in a manner intended to enable us to qualify as a REIT under the
Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. A REIT which distributes at least
90% of its taxable income to its shareholders each year and which meets certain
other conditions is not taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is
distributed to its shareholders. Based on our 2008 taxable income to
shareholders, we were required to distribute approximately $16.4 million to our
common shareholders in order to maintain our REIT status as described
above. We distributed approximately $47.3 million to common
shareholders which significantly exceeds our required
distributions. If events were to occur that would cause our dividend
to be reduced, we believe we still have an adequate margin regarding required
dividend payments based on our historic dividend and taxable income levels to
maintain our REIT status.
7
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
The
following table details certain information as of December 31, 2008 about
various unconsolidated real estate joint ventures in which we have an ownership
interest:
Joint
Venture
|
Center
Location
|
Opening
Date
|
Ownership
%
|
Square
Feet
|
Carrying
Value
of
Investment (in millions) (1)
|
Total
Joint
Venture
Debt
(in
millions)
|
Myrtle
Beach Hwy 17
|
Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina
|
2002
|
50%
|
402,442
|
$(0.4)
|
$35.8
|
Wisconsin
Dells
|
Wisconsin
Dells, Wisconsin
|
2006
|
50%
|
264,929
|
$5.6
|
$25.3
|
Deer
Park
|
Deer
Park, Long Island NY
|
2008
|
33.3%
|
684,952
|
$4.3
|
$242.4
|
|
(1)
The carrying value
of our investment in Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 as of December 31, 2008 was
reduced by approximately $823,000 which represented our portion of the
fair value of the interest rate swap derivative held by this joint
venture.
|
We may
issue guarantees for the debt of a joint venture in order for the joint venture
to obtain funding or to obtain funding at a lower cost than could be obtained
otherwise. We are party to a joint and several guarantee with respect
to the construction loan obtained by the Wisconsin Dells joint venture during
the first quarter of 2006, which currently has a balance of $25.3
million. We are also party to a joint and several guarantee with
respect to the loans obtained by the Deer Park joint venture which currently
have a balance of $242.4 million. As of December 31, 2008, our
pro-rata portion of the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 mortgage secured by the center is
$17.9 million. There is no guarantee provided for the Myrtle Beach
Hwy 17 mortgage by us.
Each of
the above ventures contains provisions where a venture partner can trigger
certain provisions and force the other partners to either buy or sell their
investment in the joint venture. Should this occur, we may be
required to sell the property to the venture partner or incur a significant cash
outflow in order to maintain ownership of these outlet centers.
Myrtle
Beach Hwy 17
The
Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture, in which we had a 50% ownership interest, has
owned a Tanger Outlet Center located on Highway 17 in Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina since June 2002. The Myrtle Beach center now consists of
approximately 402,000 square feet and has over 90 name brand
tenants.
During
March 2005, Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 entered into an interest rate swap agreement
with Bank of America with a notional amount of $35 million for five
years. Under this agreement, the joint venture receives a floating
interest rate based on the 30 day LIBOR index and pays a fixed interest rate of
4.59%. This swap effectively changes the rate of interest on $35
million of variable rate mortgage debt to a fixed rate of 5.99% for the contract
period.
In April
2005, the joint venture obtained non-recourse, permanent financing to replace
the construction loan debt that was utilized to build the outlet
center. The new mortgage amount is $35.8 million with a rate of LIBOR
+ 1.40%. The note is for a term of five years with payments of
interest only. In April 2010, the joint venture has the option to extend the
maturity date of the loan two more years until 2012. All debt incurred by this
unconsolidated joint venture is collateralized by its property.
On
January 5, 2009, we purchased the remaining 50% interest in the Myrtle Beach Hwy
17 joint venture for a cash price of $32.0 million which was net of the
assumption of the existing mortgage loan of $35.8 million. The
acquisition was funded by amounts available under our unsecured lines of
credit. See Note 19, Subsequent Events, for more information
regarding the acquisition.
8
Wisconsin
Dells
In March
2005, we established the Wisconsin Dells joint venture to construct and operate
a Tanger Outlet center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The 264,900 square foot
center opened in August 2006. In February 2006, in conjunction with
the construction of the center, Wisconsin Dells entered into a three-year,
interest-only mortgage agreement with a one-year maturity extension
option. In November 2008, the joint venture exercised its option to
extend the maturity of the mortgage to February 24, 2010. The option
to extend became effective February 24, 2009. As of December 31, 2008 the loan
had a balance of $25.3 million with a floating interest rate based on the one
month LIBOR index plus 1.30%. The construction loan incurred by this
unconsolidated joint venture is collateralized by its property as well as joint
and several guarantees by us and designated guarantors of our venture
partner.
Deer
Park
In
October 2003, we, and two other members each having a 33.3% ownership interest,
established a joint venture to develop and own a shopping center in Deer Park,
New York. On October 23, 2008, we held the grand opening of the
initial phase of the project. The shopping center contains
approximately 656,000 square feet including a 32,000 square foot Neiman Marcus
Last Call store, which is the first and only one on Long Island. Other tenants
include Anne Klein, Banana Republic, BCBG, Christmas Tree Shops, Eddie Bauer,
Reebok, New York Sports Club and others. Regal Cinemas has also
leased 67,000 square feet for a 16-screen Cineplex, one of the few state of the
art cineplexes on Long Island.
In May
2007, the joint venture closed on the project financing which is structured in
two parts. The first is a $269.0 million loan collateralized by the
property as well as limited joint and several guarantees by all three venture
partners. The second is a $15.0 million mezzanine loan secured by the
pledge of the partners’ equity interests. The weighted average interest rate on
the financing is one month LIBOR plus 1.49%. Over the life of the
loans, if certain criteria are met, the weighted average interest rate can
decrease to one month LIBOR plus 1.23%. The loans had a combined
balance of $240.0 million as of December 31, 2008 and are scheduled to mature in
May 2011 with a one year extension option at that date. The joint venture
entered into two interest rate swap agreements during June 2007. The
first swap is for a notional amount of $49.0 million and the second was a
forward starting interest rate swap agreement with escalating notional amounts
that totaled $121.0 million as of December 31, 2008. The agreements
expire on June 1, 2009. These swaps effectively change the rate of
interest on up to $170.0 million of variable rate construction debt to a fixed
rate of 6.75%.
In June
2008, we, and our two other partners in the Deer Park joint venture, each having
a 33.3% ownership interest, formed a separate joint venture to acquire a 29,000
square foot warehouse adjacent to the shopping center to support the operations
of the shopping center’s tenants. This joint venture acquired the warehouse for
a purchase price of $3.3 million. The venture also closed on a
construction loan of for $2.3 million with a variable interest rate of LIBOR
plus 1.85% and a maturity of May 2011.
The table
above combines the operational and financial information of both ventures.
During 2008, we made additional capital contributions of $1.6 million to the
Deer Park joint ventures. Both of the other venture partners made equity
contributions equal to ours. After making the above contribution, the
total amount of equity contributed by each venture partner to the projects was
approximately $4.8 million.
The
original purchase of the property in 2003 was in the form of a sale-leaseback
transaction, which consisted of the sale of the property to Deer Park for $29
million, including a 900,000 square foot industrial building, which was then
leased back to the seller under an operating lease agreement. At the
end of the lease in May 2005, the tenant vacated the building. However, the
tenant had not satisfied all of the conditions necessary to terminate the
lease. Deer Park is currently in litigation to recover from the
tenant approximately $5.9 million for fourteen months of lease payments and
additional rent reimbursements related to property taxes. In
addition, Deer Park is seeking other damages and will continue to do so until
recovered.
The
following table details our share of the debt maturities of the unconsolidated
joint ventures as of December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
Joint
Venture
|
Our
Portion of Joint Venture Debt
|
Maturity
Date
|
Interest
Rate
|
Myrtle
Beach Hwy 17
|
$17,900
|
4/7/2010
|
Libor
+ 1.40%
|
Wisconsin
Dells
|
$12,625
|
2/24/2010
|
Libor
+ 1.30%
|
Deer
Park
|
$80,790
|
5/17/2011
|
Libor
+ 1.375-3.50%
|
9
Related
Party Transactions
As noted
above in “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”, we are 50% owners of the Myrtle Beach
Hwy 17 and Wisconsin Dells joint ventures and a 33.3% owner in the Deer Park
joint venture. These joint ventures pay us management, leasing,
marketing and development fees, which we believe approximate current market
rates, for services provided to the joint ventures. During 2008, 2007
and 2006, we recognized the following fees (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||
Fee:
|
||||||
Management
|
$ 1,516
|
$ 534
|
$ 410
|
|||
Leasing
|
60
|
26
|
188
|
|||
Marketing
|
185
|
108
|
86
|
|||
Development
|
---
|
---
|
304
|
|||
Total
Fees
|
$ 1,761
|
$ 668
|
$ 988
|
Tanger
Family Limited Partnership is a related party which holds a limited partnership
interest in and is the minority owner of the Operating
Partnership. Stanley K. Tanger, the Company’s Chairman of the Board,
is the sole general partner of the Tanger Family Limited
Partnership. The only material related party transaction with the
Tanger Family Limited Partnership is the payment of quarterly distributions of
earnings which aggregated $9.1 million, $8.6 million and $8.1 million for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Critical
Accounting Policies
We
believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant
judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial
statements.
Principles
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements include our accounts, our wholly-owned
subsidiaries, as well as the Operating Partnership and its
subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. Investments in real estate joint
ventures that represent noncontrolling ownership interests are accounted for
using the equity method of accounting.
In 2003,
the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued FASB Interpretation
46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (revised December 2003)—an
interpretation of ARB No. 51”, or FIN 46R, which clarifies the application of
existing accounting pronouncements to certain entities in which equity investors
do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not
have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without
additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The provisions of
FIN 46R were effective for all variable interests in variable interest entities
in 2004 and thereafter.
Acquisition
of Real Estate
In
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141
“Business Combinations”, or FAS 141, we allocate the purchase price of
acquisitions based on the fair value of land, building, tenant improvements,
debt and deferred lease costs and other intangibles, such as the value of leases
with above or below market rents, origination costs associated with the in-place
leases, and the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships, if
any. We depreciate the amount allocated to building, deferred lease
costs and other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which
generally range from three to 33 years. The values of the above
and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the
case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases)
to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease. The
values of below market leases that are considered to have renewal periods with
below market rents are amortized over the remaining term of the associated lease
plus the renewal periods. The value associated with in-place leases
is amortized over the remaining lease term and tenant relationships is amortized
over the expected term, which includes an estimated probability of the lease
renewal. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual
termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any
unamortized balance of the related deferred lease costs is written
off. The tenant improvements and origination costs are amortized as
an expense over the remaining life of the lease (or charged against earnings if
the lease is terminated prior to its contractual expiration date). We
assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize
appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market
information.
10
If we do
not allocate appropriately to the separate components of rental property,
deferred lease costs and other intangibles or if we do not estimate correctly
the total value of the property or the useful lives of the assets, our
computation of depreciation and amortization expense may be significantly
understated or overstated.
Cost
Capitalization
In
accordance with SFAS No. 91 “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs
Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of
Leases—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 13, 60, and 65 and a rescission of
FASB Statement No. 17”, we capitalize all incremental, direct fees and costs
incurred to originate operating leases, including certain general and overhead
costs, as deferred charges. The amount of general and overhead costs
we capitalize is based on our estimate of the amount of costs directly related
to executing these leases. We amortize these costs to expense over
the estimated average minimum lease term of five years.
We
capitalize all costs incurred for the construction and development of
properties, including certain general and overhead costs and interest
costs. The amount of general and overhead costs we capitalize is
based on our estimate of the amount of costs directly related to the
construction or development of these assets. Direct costs to acquire
assets are capitalized once the acquisition becomes probable.
If we
incorrectly estimate the amount of costs to capitalize, we could significantly
overstate or understate our financial condition and results of
operations.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
Rental
property held and used by us is reviewed for impairment in the event that facts
and circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. In such an event, we compare the estimated future undiscounted cash
flows associated with the asset to the asset’s carrying amount, and if less,
recognize an impairment loss in an amount by which the carrying amount exceeds
its fair value. If we do not recognize impairments at appropriate
times and in appropriate amounts, our consolidated balance sheet may overstate
the value of our long-lived assets. We believe that no impairment
existed at December 31, 2008.
On a
periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our
investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An
investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the value of the
investment is less than the carrying value of the investments, and such decline
in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent
impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the
carrying amount of the investment over the value of the
investment. Our estimates of value for each joint venture investment
are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market
uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for
tenants, changes in market rental rates and operating costs of the
property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject
to future events that may alter our assumptions, the values estimated by us in
our impairment analysis may not be realized.
Revenue
Recognition
Base
rentals are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the
lease. Substantially all leases contain provisions which provide
additional rents based on each tenants’ sales volume (“percentage rentals”) and
reimbursement of the tenants’ share of advertising and promotion, common area
maintenance, insurance and real estate tax expenses. Percentage rentals are
recognized when specified targets that trigger the contingent rent are
met. Expense reimbursements are recognized in the period the
applicable expenses are incurred. Payments received from the early
termination of leases are recognized as revenue from the time payment is
receivable until the tenant vacates the space.
11
New
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
141 (revised 2007) “Business Combinations”, or FAS 141R. FAS 141R is
effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which means
that we adopted FAS 141R on January 1, 2009. FAS 141R replaces FAS
141 “Business Combinations” and requires that the acquisition method of
accounting (which FAS 141 called the purchase method) be used for all business
combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009, as
well as for an acquirer to be identified for each business
combination. FAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how
the acquirer: (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the
identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling
interest in the acquiree; (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in
the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and (iii) determines
what information to disclose to enable users of financial statements to evaluate
the nature and financial affects of the business
combination. On January 5, 2009, we acquired the remaining 50%
interest in the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture for a cash purchase price of
$32.0 million, which was net of the assumption of the existing mortgage loan of
$35.8 million. The accounting for this acquisition of interest in a
joint venture is covered by the guidance for FAS 141R. See Note 19,
Subsequent Events, for further explanation and details of the
transaction.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
160 “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment
of ARB No. 51”, or FAS 160. FAS 160 is effective for fiscal years
beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which means that we adopted FAS 160 on
January 1, 2009. This statement amends ARB 51 to establish accounting
and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for
the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. FAS 160 clarifies
that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary should be reported as equity in
the consolidated balance sheet and the noncontrolling interest's share of
earnings is included in consolidated net income. The calculation of earnings per
share will continue to be based on income amounts attributable to the
controlling interest. FAS 160 requires retroactive adoption of the
presentation and disclosure requirements for existing noncontrolling
interests. All other requirements of FAS 160 shall be applied
prospectively. The adoption of FAS 160 caused us to reclassify the
noncontrolling interest in operating partnership on our consolidated statements
of operations and consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of FAS
160 caused us to reclassify the noncontrolling interest in operating partnership
on our consolidated balance sheet to equity which increased it by approximately
$30.7 million, $35.6 million, $41.3 million, $49.4 million and $35.6 million as
of December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. However, the
adoption of FAS 160 did not have an effect on consolidated cash flows or the
calculation of fully diluted earnings per share. See Note 2 of the
consolidated financial statements for further discussion and details of the
retrospective adoption.
In March
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”, or
FAS 161. FAS 161 requires entities that utilize derivative
instruments to provide qualitative disclosures about their objectives and
strategies for using such instruments, as well as any details of
credit-risk-related contingent features contained within
derivatives. FAS 161 also requires entities to disclose additional
information about the amounts and location of derivatives located within the
financial statements, how the provisions of FAS 133 have been applied, and the
impact that hedging activities have on an entity’s financial position, financial
performance, and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years
and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application
encouraged. We currently provide many of the disclosures required by
FAS 161 in our financial statements and therefore, we believe that upon adoption
the only impact on our financial statements will be further enhancement of our
disclosures.
12
In
April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of
the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”, or FSP 142-3. FSP 142-3 amends
the factors to be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used
to determine the useful life of an identified intangible asset under FASB
Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, and requires
expanded disclosure related to the determination of intangible asset useful
lives. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption
of FSP 142-3 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and
cash flows.
In May
2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. APB 14-1,”Accounting for Convertible
Debt Instruments that May be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion”, or FSP APB 14-1.
FSP APB 14-1 requires that the liability and equity components of convertible
debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial
cash settlement) be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects an
issuer's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. Under FSP APB 14-1 the value
assigned to the debt component must be the estimated fair value of a similar
nonconvertible debt. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not
permitted. Retrospective application to all periods presented is required except
for instruments that were not outstanding during any of the periods that will be
presented in the annual financial statements for the period of adoption but were
outstanding during an earlier period. The resulting debt discount is amortized
over the period during which the debt is expected to be outstanding (i.e.,
through the first optional redemption date) as additional non-cash interest
expense. The adoption of FSP APB 14-1 on January 1, 2009 reduced net
income by approximately $2.7 million, $2.5 million and $934,000 in each of the
years ending December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. See Note 2 of the
consolidated financial statements for further discussion and details of the
retrospective adoption.
In June
2008, the FASB issued Staff Position EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether
Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating
Securities” or FSP EITF 03-6-1. FSP EITF 03-6-1 addresses whether
instruments granted in share-based payment awards are participating securities
prior to vesting, and therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation
when computing earnings per share under the two-class method as described in
SFAS No. 128. In accordance with FSP EITF 03-6-1, unvested
share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or
dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and
shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the
two-class method. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 decrease diluted
earnings per share by approximately $.02, $.02, $.01, $.01 and $.01 per share in
each of the years ending December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. See Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for further
discussion and details of the retrospective adoption.
Funds
from Operations
Funds
from Operations, or FFO, represents income before extraordinary items and gains
(losses) on sale or disposal of depreciable operating properties, plus
depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to real estate and after
adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
FFO is
intended to exclude historical cost depreciation of real estate as required by
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, which assumes that the value
of real estate assets diminishes ratably over time. Historically,
however, real estate values have risen or fallen with market
conditions. Because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization unique
to real estate, gains and losses from property dispositions and extraordinary
items, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year,
reflects the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates,
operating costs, development activities and interest costs, providing
perspective not immediately apparent from net income.
We
present FFO because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our
operating performance and believe it is frequently used by securities analysts,
investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs, many of which
present FFO when reporting their results. FFO is widely used by us
and others in our industry to evaluate and price potential acquisition
candidates. The National Association of Real Estate Investment
Trusts, Inc., of which we are a member, has encouraged its member companies to
report their FFO as a supplemental, industry-wide standard measure of REIT
operating performance. In addition, a percentage of bonus
compensation to certain members of management is based on our FFO
performance.
FFO has
significant limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in
isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under
GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
§
|
FFO
does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for
capital expenditures or contractual
commitments;
|
§
|
FFO
does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital
needs;
|
§
|
Although
depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being
depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future,
and FFO does not reflect any cash requirements for such
replacements;
|
§
|
FFO,
which includes discontinued operations, may not be indicative of our
ongoing operations; and
|
§
|
Other
companies in our industry may calculate FFO differently than we do,
limiting its usefulness as a comparative
measure.
|
Because
of these limitations, FFO should not be considered as a measure of discretionary
cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or our dividend
paying capacity. We compensate for these limitations by relying
primarily on our GAAP results and using FFO only supplementally.
13
Below is
a reconciliation of net income to FFO for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006 as well as other data for those respective periods (in
thousands):
(As adjusted) |
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||
Funds
from Operations:
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$ 29,718
|
$ 30,556
|
$ 42,699
|
||
Adjusted
for:
|
|||||
Depreciation
and amortization attributable to discontinued operations
|
---
|
145
|
307
|
||
Depreciation
and amortization uniquely significant
|
|||||
to
real estate – consolidated
|
61,965
|
63,506
|
56,747
|
||
Depreciation
and amortization uniquely significant
|
|||||
to
real estate – unconsolidated joint ventures
|
3,165
|
2,611
|
1,825
|
||
(Gain)
loss on sale of real estate
|
---
|
(6)
|
(13,833)
|
||
Funds
from operations (1)
|
94,848
|
96,812
|
87,745
|
||
Preferred
share dividends
|
(5,625)
|
(5,625)
|
(5,433)
|
||
Allocation
to participating securities
|
(1,157)
|
(1,051)
|
(789)
|
||
Funds
from operations available to common shareholders and
unitholders
|
$ 88,066
|
$ 90,136
|
$ 81,523
|
||
Weighted
average shares outstanding (2)
|
37,287
|
37,580
|
37,023
|
||
(1) The year ended December 31,
2006 includes gains on sales of outparcels of land of $402.
(2)
Includes the dilutive effect of options and exchangeable notes and assumes the
partnership units of the Operating Partnership held by the noncontrolling
interest are converted to common shares of the Company.
14
Economic
Conditions and Outlook
The
majority of our leases contain provisions designed to mitigate the impact of
inflation. Such provisions include clauses for the escalation of base rent and
clauses enabling us to receive percentage rentals based on tenants’ gross sales
(above predetermined levels, which we believe often are lower than traditional
retail industry standards) which generally increase as prices
rise. Most of the leases require the tenant to pay their share
of property operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate
taxes, insurance and advertising and promotion, thereby reducing exposure to
increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation.
While we
believe factory outlet stores will continue to be a profitable and fundamental
distribution channel for many brand name manufacturers, some retail formats are
more successful than others. As typical in the retail industry,
certain tenants have closed, or will close, certain stores by terminating their
lease prior to its natural expiration or as a result of filing for protection
under bankruptcy laws.
We
renewed 82% of the 1,350,000 square feet that came up for renewal in 2008 with
the existing tenants at a 17% increase in the average base rental rate compared
to the expiring rate. We also re-tenanted 492,000 square feet during
2008 at a 44% increase in the average base rental rate.
During
2009, we have approximately 1,498,000 square feet, or 16%, of our wholly-owned
portfolio coming up for renewal. If we were unable to successfully
renew or release a significant amount of this space on favorable economic terms,
the loss in rent could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations.
Existing
tenants’ sales have remained stable and renewals by existing tenants have
remained strong. As of February 1, 2009, the existing tenants have
already renewed approximately 648,000, or 43%, of the square feet scheduled to
expire in 2009. In addition, we continue to attract and retain
additional tenants. Our factory outlet centers typically include
well-known, national, brand name companies. By maintaining a broad
base of creditworthy tenants and a geographically diverse portfolio of
properties located across the United States, we reduce our operating and leasing
risks. No one tenant (including affiliates) accounts for more than 6% of our
combined base and percentage rental revenues. Accordingly, we do not
expect any material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial
condition as a result of leases to be renewed or stores to be
released.
However,
in the first quarter of 2008, thirty-eight stores were vacated that were
occupied by six tenants, representing a gross leasable area of approximately
236,000 square feet. Sales for these tenants averaged only $165 per
square foot, with an average base rental rate of $16 per square
foot. Approximately 60% of this space has now been released at base
rental rates averaging 64% higher than the average rent being paid by the
previous tenants.
During
the second quarter of 2008 we had three tenants (Geoffrey Beene, Big Dog and
Pepperidge Farms) announce plans to close stores throughout their outlet
portfolios for various reasons. Within our portfolio, this represents
thirty-two stores containing approximately 93,000 square feet. These
stores represent some of the least productive stores in terms of sales per
square foot in our portfolio and have average base rental rates of approximately
$18.00 per square foot. Slightly less than half of these stores
closed before the end of 2008, and the remaining stores closed in January
2009. Approximately 31% of this space has been released at base
rental rates averaging 63% higher than the $18.00 average rent being paid by the
previous tenants.
As a
result of the current poor economic environment, we have received notice from a
number of additional tenants of their plans to close stores. These
tenants include Pfaltzgraff, S&K Menswear, Koret, Sag Harbor and KB
Toys. The combined space occupied by these tenants represents
forty-one stores totaling approximately 171,000 square feet, which representing
approximately 2.0% of our wholly-owned portfolio.
Much of
this space is being re-leased with substantial increases in base rental
rates. However, given current economic conditions it may take longer
to re-lease the remaining space and more difficult to achieve similar increases
in base rental rates. Also, there may be additional tenants that have
not informed us of their intentions and which may close stores in the coming
year. There can be no assurances that we will be able to re-lease
such space. While the timing of an economic recovery is unclear and
these conditions may not improve quickly, we believe in our business and our
long-term strategy.
As of
both December 31, 2008 and 2007, occupancy at our wholly-owned centers was 97%
and 98%, respectively. Consistent with our long-term strategy of
re-merchandising centers, we will continue to hold space off the market until an
appropriate tenant is identified. While we believe this strategy will
add value to our centers in the long-term, it may reduce our average occupancy
rates in the near term.
15
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
Market
Risk
We are
exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest
rates. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes
in market rates and prices, such as interest rates. We may
periodically enter into certain interest rate protection and interest rate swap
agreements to effectively convert floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis and
to hedge anticipated future financings. We do not enter into
derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative
purposes.
In July
2008 and September 2008, we entered into LIBOR based interest rate swap
agreements with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and BB&T for notional amounts of
$118.0 million and $117.0 million, respectively. The purpose of these
swaps was to fix the interest rate on the $235.0 million outstanding under the
term loan facility completed in June 2008. The swaps fixed the one
month LIBOR rate at 3.605% and 3.70%, respectively. When combined
with the current spread of 160 basis points which can vary based on changes in
our debt ratings, these swap agreements fix our interest rate on the $235.0
million of variable rate debt at 5.25% until April 1, 2011. The fair value of
the interest rate swap agreements represents the estimated receipts or payments
that would be made to terminate the agreement. At December 31, 2008,
the fair value of these contracts was $11.8 million. If the one month
LIBOR rate decreased 1%, the fair value would be approximately $17.2
million. The fair value is based on dealer quotes, considering
current interest rates, remaining term to maturity and our credit
standing.
As of
December 31, 2008, 20% of our outstanding debt had variable interest rates that
were not covered by an interest rate derivative agreement and was therefore
subject to market fluctuations. A change in the LIBOR rate of
100 basis points would result in an increase or decrease of approximately
$1.6 million in interest expense on an annual basis. The
information presented herein is merely an estimate and has limited predictive
value. As a result, the ultimate effect upon our operating results of
interest rate fluctuations will depend on the interest rate exposures that arise
during the period, our hedging strategies at that time and future changes in the
level of interest rates.
The
estimated fair value of our debt, consisting of senior unsecured notes,
exchangeable notes, unsecured term credit facilities and unsecured lines of
credit, at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $711.8 million and $723.3 million,
respectively, and its recorded value was $786.9 million and $695.0 million,
respectively. A 1% increase from prevailing interest rates at
December 31, 2008 and 2007 would result in a decrease in fair value of total
debt of approximately $37.4 million and $38.2 million,
respectively. Fair values were determined, based on level 2 inputs as
defined by FAS 157, using discounted cash flow analyses with an interest rate or
credit spread similar to that of current market borrowing
arrangements.
16