CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2010 June (Form 10-Q)
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 |
OR
¨ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from to |
Commission file number 000-53193
WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland | 20-3536671 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
6200 The Corners Parkway
Norcross, Georgia 30092
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(770) 449-7800
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)
Yes ¨ No ¨
[Not yet applicable to the registrant]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one).
Large accelerated filer |
¨ |
Accelerated filer ¨ | ||||
Non-accelerated filer |
x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company |
¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x
Number of shares outstanding of the registrants only
class of common stock, as of July 31, 2010: 21,874,358 shares
Table of Contents
WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No. | ||||||
PART I. |
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Item 1. |
4 | |||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009 |
5 | |||||
6 | ||||||
7 | ||||||
8 | ||||||
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) |
9 | |||||
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
22 | ||||
Item 3. |
34 | |||||
Item 4T. |
35 | |||||
PART II. |
||||||
Item 1. |
36 | |||||
Item 1A. |
36 | |||||
Item 2. |
36 | |||||
Item 3. |
37 | |||||
Item 4. |
37 | |||||
Item 5. |
37 | |||||
Item 6. |
38 |
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Wells Timberland REIT, Inc. and subsidiaries (Wells Timberland REIT, we, our, or us) other than historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). We intend for all such forward-looking statements to be covered by the applicable safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in those acts. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, and prospects and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Therefore, such statements are not intended to be a guarantee of our performance in future periods. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, intend, anticipate, estimate, believe, continue, or other similar words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We make no representations or warranties (express or implied) about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements contained in this report, and we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Any such forward-looking statements are subject to unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are based on a number of assumptions involving judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive, and market conditions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately. To the extent that our assumptions differ from actual results, our ability to meet such forward-looking statements, including our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations, make distributions to stockholders, and maintain the value of our real estate properties, may be significantly hindered. See Item 1A herein, as well as Item 1A in Wells Timberland REITs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in our forward-looking statements. The risk factors described herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 are not the only ones we face, but do represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business.
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PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
ITEM 1. | CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The information furnished in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity, and cash flows reflects all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in managements opinion, necessary for a fair and consistent presentation of the aforementioned financial statements.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the condensed notes to Wells Timberland REITs consolidated financial statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and with Wells Timberland REITs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Wells Timberland REITs results of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results expected for the full year.
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WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited) June 30, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 6,973,397 | $ | 5,636,878 | ||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
8,399,646 | 7,955,701 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
1,144,485 | 992,750 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
911,388 | 690,596 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of $120,209 and $9,873,172 as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively |
2,087,711 | 867,857 | ||||||
Timber assets, at cost: |
||||||||
Timber and timberlands, net (Note 3) |
348,091,923 | 354,761,315 | ||||||
Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization of $454,014 and $370,793 as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively |
582,839 | 666,060 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 368,191,389 | $ | 371,571,157 | ||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 2,641,377 | $ | 2,808,318 | ||||
Due to affiliates (Note 7) |
22,769,146 | 19,470,549 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
5,137,414 | 4,926,182 | ||||||
Notes payable: |
||||||||
Senior loan (Note 4) |
199,973,457 | 201,852,588 | ||||||
Mezzanine loan (Note 4) |
| 14,988,709 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
230,521,394 | 244,046,346 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5) |
||||||||
Stockholders Equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized: |
||||||||
8.5% Series A preferred stock, $1,000 liquidation preference; 32,128 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 |
39,573,597 | 38,219,379 | ||||||
8.5% Series B preferred stock, $1,000 liquidation preference; 11,500 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 |
13,205,705 | 12,720,973 | ||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 21,656,918 and 19,460,028 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively |
216,569 | 194,601 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
185,504,532 | 167,627,870 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(100,830,408 | ) | (91,238,012 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
137,669,995 | 127,524,811 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 368,191,389 | $ | 371,571,157 | ||||
See accompanying notes.
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WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, |
(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Timber sales |
$ | 9,842,724 | $ | 11,258,679 | $ | 19,607,449 | $ | 21,009,700 | ||||||||
Timberland sales |
3,000 | 144,498 | 3,000 | 5,024,208 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues |
1,014,185 | 873,231 | 2,502,330 | 1,692,995 | ||||||||||||
10,859,909 | 12,276,408 | 22,112,779 | 27,726,903 | |||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Contract logging and hauling costs |
5,164,530 | 5,526,807 | 10,305,252 | 10,127,923 | ||||||||||||
Depletion |
3,015,912 | 4,525,655 | 7,323,342 | 8,653,024 | ||||||||||||
Cost of timberland sales |
1,560 | 65,943 | 1,560 | 3,416,263 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
1,194,838 | 861,289 | 2,378,759 | 1,893,769 | ||||||||||||
Asset and forestry management fees: |
||||||||||||||||
Related-party |
992,303 | 992,407 | 1,984,607 | 1,990,119 | ||||||||||||
Other |
715,327 | 768,940 | 1,433,054 | 1,543,065 | ||||||||||||
Land rent expense |
500,629 | 568,243 | 1,072,559 | 1,163,679 | ||||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
756,184 | 743,617 | 1,395,706 | 1,253,540 | ||||||||||||
12,341,283 | 14,052,901 | 25,894,839 | 30,041,382 | |||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(1,481,374 | ) | (1,776,493 | ) | (3,782,060 | ) | (2,314,479 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
1,468 | 6,855 | 2,097 | 24,623 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(2,310,763 | ) | (2,677,038 | ) | (4,584,891 | ) | (5,806,561 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on interest rate swaps |
(960,387 | ) | (379,030 | ) | (1,227,542 | ) | (1,273,565 | ) | ||||||||
(3,269,682 | ) | (3,049,213 | ) | (5,810,336 | ) | (7,055,503 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss |
(4,751,056 | ) | (4,825,706 | ) | (9,592,396 | ) | (9,369,982 | ) | ||||||||
Dividends to preferred stockholders |
(924,555 | ) | (907,602 | ) | (1,838,950 | ) | (1,805,229 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss available to common stockholders |
$ | (5,675,611 | ) | $ | (5,733,308 | ) | $ | (11,431,346 | ) | $ | (11,175,211 | ) | ||||
Per-share informationbasic and diluted: |
||||||||||||||||
Net loss available to common stockholders |
$ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (0.36 | ) | $ | (0.56 | ) | $ | (0.75 | ) | ||||
Weighted-average common shares outstandingbasic and diluted |
21,038,887 | 15,715,827 | 20,517,432 | 14,897,626 | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
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WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009 (UNAUDITED)
Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Stockholders Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 |
19,460,028 | $ | 194,601 | 43,628 | $ | 50,940,352 | $ | 167,627,870 | $ | (91,238,012 | ) | $ | 127,524,811 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common stock |
2,224,990 | 22,249 | | | 22,210,989 | | 22,233,238 | |||||||||||||||||
Redemption of common stock |
(28,100 | ) | (281 | ) | | | (280,719 | ) | | (281,000 | ) | |||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred stock |
| | | 1,838,950 | (1,838,950 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||
Commissions and discounts on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees |
| | | | (1,951,392 | ) | | (1,951,392 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Other offering costs |
| | | | (263,266 | ) | | (263,266 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | | | (9,592,396 | ) | (9,592,396 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2010 |
21,656,918 | $ | 216,569 | 43,628 | $ | 52,779,302 | $ | 185,504,532 | $ | (100,830,408 | ) | $ | 137,669,995 | |||||||||||
Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Stockholders Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 |
13,412,781 | $ | 134,128 | 42,828 | $ | 46,499,973 | $ | 116,930,362 | $ | (71,289,755 | ) | $ | 92,274,708 | |||||||||||
Issuance of common stock |
3,187,010 | 31,870 | | | 31,838,226 | | 31,870,096 | |||||||||||||||||
Redemption of common stock |
(7,220 | ) | (72 | ) | (72,126 | ) | (72,198 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred stock |
| | | 1,805,229 | (1,805,229 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||
Commissions and discounts on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees |
| | | | (2,804,568 | ) | | (2,804,568 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Other offering costs |
| | | | (380,118 | ) | | (380,118 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | | | (9,369,982 | ) | (9,369,982 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2009 |
16,592,571 | $ | 165,926 | 42,828 | $ | 48,305,202 | $ | 143,706,547 | $ | (80,659,737 | ) | $ | 111,517,938 | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
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WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, |
||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (9,592,396 | ) | $ | (9,369,982 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depletion |
7,323,342 | 8,653,024 | ||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps |
(1,269,022 | ) | (1,299,767 | ) | ||||
Other amortization |
101,743 | 93,140 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
8,333 | | ||||||
Noncash interest expense |
988,066 | 712,991 | ||||||
Basis of timberland sold |
763 | 3,228,363 | ||||||
Basis of timber on terminated lease |
| 84,375 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Increase in accounts receivable |
(151,735 | ) | (831,292 | ) | ||||
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets |
(220,792 | ) | (13,688 | ) | ||||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(166,941 | ) | (934,578 | ) | ||||
Increase in due to affiliates |
3,219,899 | 2,722,348 | ||||||
Increase in other liabilities |
1,480,254 | 1,541,376 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
1,721,514 | 4,586,310 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
||||||||
Investment in timber, timberland, and related assets |
|
(673,235 |
) |
|
(680,844 |
) | ||
Net funds invested in escrow accounts |
(443,945 | ) | (217,198 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(1,117,180 | ) | (898,042 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Financing costs paid |
(2,207,920 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from notes payable |
211,000,000 | | ||||||
Repayments of mezzanine loan |
(14,988,709 | ) | (25,737,639 | ) | ||||
Repayments of senior loan |
(201,852,588 | ) | (6,203,984 | ) | ||||
Repayments of Mahrt loan |
(11,026,543 | ) | | |||||
Issuance of common stock |
21,988,813 | 31,676,499 | ||||||
Redemption of common stock |
(281,000 | ) | (72,198 | ) | ||||
Other offering costs paid |
(140,663 | ) | | |||||
Commissions on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees paid |
(1,759,205 | ) | (2,616,776 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
732,185 | (2,954,098 | ) | |||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
1,336,519 | 734,170 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
5,636,878 | 4,120,091 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 6,973,397 | $ | 4,854,261 | ||||
See accompanying notes.
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WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2010 (unaudited)
1. | Organization |
Wells Timberland REIT, Inc. (Wells Timberland REIT) was formed on September 27, 2005 as a Maryland corporation that has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes. Wells Timberland REIT engages in the acquisition and ownership of timberland located throughout the United States. Substantially all of Wells Timberland REITs business is conducted through Wells Timberland Operating Partnership, L.P. (Wells Timberland OP), a Delaware limited partnership formed on November 9, 2005, of which Wells Timberland REIT is the sole general partner, possesses full legal control and authority over its operations, and owns 99.99% of its common partnership units. Wells Timberland Management Organization, LLC (Wells TIMO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Capital, Inc. (Wells Capital), is the sole limited partner of Wells Timberland OP. In addition, Wells Timberland OP formed Wells Timberland TRS, Inc. (Wells Timberland TRS), a wholly owned subsidiary organized as a Delaware corporation, on January 1, 2006. Unless otherwise noted, references herein to Wells Timberland REIT shall include Wells Timberland REIT and all of its subsidiaries, including Wells Timberland OP, and the subsidiaries of Wells Timberland OP and Wells Timberland TRS. Under an agreement (the Advisory Agreement), Wells TIMO performs certain key functions on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT and Wells Timberland OP, including, among others, the investment of capital proceeds and management of day-to-day operations (see Note 7).
As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT owned approximately 223,300 acres of timberland and held long-term leasehold interests in approximately 85,000 acres of additional timberland, all of which is located on the Lower Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plains of East Central Alabama and West Central Georgia (the Mahrt Timberland). Wells Timberland REIT acquired the Mahrt Timberland on October 9, 2007. Wells Timberland REIT generates the majority of its revenues from selling the rights to access land and harvest timber to third parties pursuant to supply agreements and through open-market sales, selling higher and better use (HBU) timberland, and leasing land-use rights to third parties. Wells Timberland REIT also generates additional revenues and income from selling the rights to extract natural resources, other than timber, from its timberland.
On August 11, 2006, Wells Timberland REIT commenced its initial public offering (the Initial Public Offering) of up to 85.0 million shares of common stock, of which 75.0 million shares were offered in the primary offering for $10.00 per share and 10.0 million shares were reserved for issuance through Wells Timberland REITs distribution reinvestment plan, pursuant to a Registration Statement filed on Form S-11 under the Securities Act. Wells Timberland REIT began actively selling its common shares in May 2007. Wells Timberland REIT commenced operations after receiving and accepting subscriptions in its Initial Public Offering equal to the minimum offering amount of $2.0 million on July 11, 2007. Wells Timberland REIT stopped offering shares for sale under the Initial Public Offering on August 11, 2009. Wells Timberland REIT raised gross offering proceeds of approximately $174.9 million from the sale of approximately 17.6 million shares under the Initial Public Offering.
On August 6, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT commenced its follow-on offering (the Follow-On Offering) of up to 220.9 million shares of common stock, of which 200.0 million shares are offered in a primary offering for $10.00 per share and 20.9 million shares of common stock are reserved for issuance through Wells Timberland REITs distribution reinvestment plan for $9.55 per share, pursuant to a Registration Statement filed on Form S-11 under the Securities Act. Wells Timberland REIT began accepting subscriptions under the Follow-On Offering on August 12, 2009. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland
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REIT has raised gross offering proceeds from the sale of common stock under the Follow-On Offering of approximately $41.3 million. Unless extended, the Follow-On Offering is expected to terminate on August 6, 2011.
As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT has raised gross offering proceeds from the sale of common stock under the Initial Public Offering and the Follow-On Offering (the Public Offerings) of approximately $216.1 million. After deductions from such gross offering proceeds for payments of selling commissions and dealer-manager fees of approximately $18.0 million, other organization and offering costs of approximately $0.4 million, and common stock redemptions of approximately $0.8 million under the share redemption plan, Wells Timberland REIT had received aggregate net offering proceeds of approximately $196.9 million, which was used to partially fund the Mahrt Timberland acquisition and pay down acquisition-related debt. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT has incurred other organization and offering costs of approximately $2.6 million, approximately $2.2 million of which is deferred by the terms of Wells Timberland REITs loan agreement until after reduction of the mortgage to a 30% loan-to-collateral value ratio.
On July 11, 2008, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a master purchase agreement (the Master Purchase Agreement) with Wells TIMO, Wells-DFH Timberland Nr.88 GmbH & Co. KG, a German closed-end fund (the 2008 Fund), and Deutsche Fonds Holding AG, a corporation organized under the laws of Germany (DFH). DFH was not, and the 2008 Fund (prior to purchasing shares of common stock under the Master Purchase Agreement) was not, in any way affiliated with Wells Timberland REIT or its affiliates. On April 8, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into an amended and restated master purchase agreement (the Amended Master Purchase Agreement) with Wells TIMO, DFH, the 2008 Fund and Wells-DFH Materia Nr.88 GmbH & Co. KG, a German closed-end fund (the 2009 Fund). Pursuant to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement, Wells Timberland REIT has agreed to sell up to 53.8 million shares of its common stock that were not sold to the 2008 Fund to the 2009 Fund, at a price per share of $9.30, for an aggregate purchase price of up to $500.0 million (the German Offering). In Wells Timberland REITs Follow-On Offering, shares of Wells Timberland REITs common stock are typically sold to investors at a price per share of $10.00 and, after the application of the 7.0% sales commission and the 1.8% dealer-manager fee, Wells Timberland REIT receives net proceeds (before expenses) of $9.12 per share. In the German Offering, Wells Timberland REIT is selling shares of its common stock to the 2009 Fund at a price per share of $9.30. The 2009 Fund will not pay the sales commission or the dealer-manager fee in connection with the German Offering; however, Wells Timberland REIT will pay DFH a distribution fee of 1.0% of the gross proceeds that it receives from the German Offering. As a result, in respect of those shares of Wells Timberland REITs common stock sold in the German Offering, Wells Timberland REIT will receive net proceeds (before expenses) of $9.21 per share, which is greater than the $9.12 per share that Wells Timberland REIT receives in its Follow-On Offering after deducting the sales commission and dealer-manager fee. Wells Timberland REIT may increase, in its sole discretion, the size of the German Offering up to a maximum of approximately 107.5 million shares of its common stock to accommodate any additional German closed-end fund(s) or other investment vehicles that may become a party to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement in the future (together with the 2009 Fund, the Funds). The Funds right to purchase shares pursuant to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement will continue until the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the shares contemplated thereby or (ii) December 31, 2010. The German Offering is being conducted pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act and is separate and in addition to Wells Timberland REITs Follow-On Offering. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT had received net proceeds of $5,000 from the sale of its common stock under the German Offering.
Wells Timberland REIT has offered up to approximately 11.4 million shares of its common stock, of which approximately 10.4 million shares are offered in a primary offering to non-U.S. persons at a price per share of $9.65 and up to approximately 1.0 million shares of common stock are reserved for issuance through an unregistered distribution reinvestment plan at a price per share equal to $9.55, in a private placement pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act (the 2010 German Offering) (see Note 5). In Wells Timberland REITs Follow-On Offering, shares of Wells Timberland REITs common stock are typically
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sold to investors at a price per share of $10.00 and, after the application of the 7.0% sales commission and the 1.8% dealer manager fee, Wells Timberland REIT receives net proceeds (before expenses) of $9.12 per share. In the 2010 German Offering, Wells Timberland REIT is selling shares of its common stock at a price per share of $9.65. No sales commission or dealer manager fee is payable in connection with the 2010 German Offering; however, Wells Timberland REIT will pay a transaction fee to Viscardi AG, a corporation organized under the laws of Germany (Viscardi), of $0.25 per share purchased in the 2010 German Offering and a structuring agent fee to Wells Germany GmbH, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Germany (Wells Germany), of $0.20 per share (see Note 5 and Note 7). As a result, in respect of those shares of Wells Timberland REITs common stock sold in the 2010 German Offering, Wells Timberland REIT will receive net proceeds (before expenses) of $9.20 per share, which is greater than the $9.12 per share that Wells Timberland REIT receives in its Follow-On Offering after deducting the sales commission and dealer manager fee. In addition to the transaction fee, Wells Timberland REIT will pay an annual fee to Viscardi of $0.02 per share purchased in the 2010 German Offering (see Note 5). The 2010 German Offering will continue until the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the shares contemplated thereby or (ii) December 31, 2010. Discounts are available to certain investors. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT had not sold any common stock under the 2010 German Offering.
Wells Timberland REITs common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange. Wells Timberland REITs charter requires that in the event its common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange by August 11, 2018, Wells Timberland REIT must either (i) seek stockholder approval of an extension or amendment of this listing deadline or (ii) seek stockholder approval to begin liquidating investments and distributing the resulting proceeds to the stockholders. In the event that Wells Timberland REIT seeks stockholder approval for an extension or amendment to this listing date and does not obtain it, Wells Timberland REIT will then be required to seek stockholder approval to liquidate. In this circumstance, if Wells Timberland REIT seeks and does not obtain approval to liquidate, Wells Timberland REIT will not be required to list or liquidate and could continue to operate indefinitely as an unlisted company.
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements of Wells Timberland REIT have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the statements for these unaudited interim periods presented include all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair and consistent presentation of the results for such periods. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Wells Timberland REIT owns a controlling financial interest in Wells Timberland OP and Wells Timberland TRS and, accordingly, includes the accounts of these entities in its consolidated financial statements. The financial statements of Wells Timberland OP and Wells Timberland TRS are prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used by Wells Timberland REIT. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in Wells Timberland REITs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Wells Timberland REIT has entered into interest rate swaps agreements to hedge its exposure to changing interest rates on variable rate debt instruments. Wells Timberland REIT does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes; however, certain of its derivatives may not qualify for
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hedge accounting treatment. Wells Timberland REIT records the fair value of its interest rate swaps as either prepaid expenses and other assets or other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of interest rate swaps that are designated as hedges are recorded as other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated statement of stockholders equity. The ineffective portion of the hedge, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change in fair value. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are recorded as gain or loss on interest rate swaps in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Amounts received or paid under interest rate swaps are recorded as gain or loss on interest rate swaps as incurred.
As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT recognized the fair value of interest rate swaps of approximately $2.5 million and $3.8 million, respectively, in other liabilities. The detail of loss on interest rate swaps is provided below for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
Three Months Ended June 30, |
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Noncash gain on interest rate swaps |
$ | 291,507 | $ | 964,797 | $ | 1,269,022 | $ | 1,299,767 | ||||||||
Net payments on interest rate swaps |
(1,251,894 | ) | (1,343,827 | ) | (2,496,564 | ) | (2,573,332 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on interest rate swaps |
$ | (960,387 | ) | $ | (379,030 | ) | $ | (1,227,542 | ) | $ | (1,273,565 | ) | ||||
Income Taxes
Wells Timberland REIT has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and has operated as such beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2009. Wells Timberland REIT was taxed as a C corporation for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and, accordingly, was subject to federal income taxes for those periods. To qualify to be taxed as a REIT, Wells Timberland REIT must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to its stockholders. As a REIT, Wells Timberland REIT generally is not subject to federal income tax on taxable income it distributes to stockholders. Wells Timberland REIT is subject to certain state and local taxes related to the operations of timberland properties in certain locations, which have been provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
As of January 1, 2009, the beginning of the taxable year in which Wells Timberland REIT qualified for and elected to be taxed as a REIT, or its REIT commencement date, Wells Timberland REIT had net built-in gains on its timber assets of approximately $37.5 million. Wells Timberland REIT elected not to take such net built-in gains into income immediately prior to its REIT commencement date, but rather subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of any timber assets it holds at the REIT commencement date, if disposed of within the ten-year period beginning on the REIT commencement date. Wells Timberland REIT will be subject to tax on such net built-in gains at the highest regular corporate rate during the ten-year period beginning on the REIT commencement date on the lesser of (a) the excess of the fair market value of the timber assets disposed of as of the REIT commencement date over its basis in the timber assets as of the REIT commencement date (the built-in gain with respect to that timberland as of the REIT commencement date); (b) the amount of gain Wells Timberland REIT would otherwise recognize on the disposition; or (c) the amount of net built-in gain in its timber assets as of the REIT commencement date not already recognized during the ten-year period. At December 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $67.7 million and $60.6 million, respectively. Such net operating loss carryforwards may be utilized, subject to certain limitations, to offset future taxable income, including net built-in gains.
Wells Timberland REIT has elected to treat Wells Timberland TRS as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Wells Timberland REIT may perform certain non-customary services, including real estate or non-real-estate
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related services, through Wells Timberland TRS. Earnings from services performed through Wells Timberland TRS are subject to federal and state income taxes irrespective of the dividends paid deduction available to REITs for federal income tax purposes. In addition, for Wells Timberland REIT to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, Wells Timberland REITs investment in Wells Timberland TRS may not exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of Wells Timberland REIT.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities based on the enacted rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Deferred tax expenses or benefits are recognized in the financial statements according to the changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities between years. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets when it becomes more likely than not that such assets, or portions thereof, will not be realized.
Fair Value Measurements
Wells Timberland REIT estimates the fair value of its assets and liabilities (where currently required under GAAP) consistent with the provisions of the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures. Under this guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. While various techniques and assumptions can be used to estimate fair value depending on the nature of the asset or liability, the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures provides the following fair value technique parameters and hierarchy, depending upon availability:
Level 1 Assets or liabilities for which the identical term is traded on an active exchange, such as publicly-traded instruments or futures contracts.
Level 2 Assets and liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments.
Level 3 Assets or liabilities for which significant valuation assumptions are not readily observable in the market; instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally-developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.
Wells Timberland REIT applied the provisions of the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures in recording its interest rate swaps at fair value. The valuation of the interest rate swaps was determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities.
The following table presents information about Wells Timberland REITs assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value:
Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2010 | ||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ | 2,510,260 | $ | | $ | 2,510,260 | $ | | ||||
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2009 | ||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ | 3,779,282 | $ | | $ | 3,779,282 | $ | |
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets, which is effective for Wells Timberland REIT for the year beginning January 1, 2010. The guidance amends previously issued de-recognition guidance, including eliminating the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on Wells Timberland REITs consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance amending previously issued guidance for consolidation of variable interest entities. The new guidance is effective for Wells Timberland REIT for the year beginning January 1, 2010. The guidance changes how a reporting entity determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting rights (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a reporting entity is required to consolidate another entity is based on, among other things, the other entitys purpose and design and the reporting entitys ability to direct the activities of the other entity that most significantly impact the other entitys economic performance. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on Wells Timberland REITs consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB clarified previously issued GAAP and issued new requirements related to fair value measurements and disclosures. The clarification component includes disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques used in determining fair value, and providing fair value measurement information for each class of assets and liabilities. The new requirements relate to disclosures of transfers between the levels in the fair value hierarchy, as well as the individual components in the rollforward of the lowest level (Level 3) in the fair value hierarchy. This change in GAAP was effective for Wells Timberland REIT beginning January 1, 2010, except for the provision concerning the rollforward of activity of the Level 3 fair value measurement, which will become effective for Wells Timberland REIT on January 1, 2011. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on Wells Timberland REITs consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
3. | Timber and Timberlands |
As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, timber and timberlands consisted of the following, respectively:
As of June 30, 2010 | |||||||||
Gross | Accumulated Depletion or Amortization |
Net | |||||||
Timber |
$ | 189,953,322 | $ | 7,323,342 | $ | 182,629,980 | |||
Timberlands |
165,220,900 | | 165,220,900 | ||||||
Mainline roads |
287,187 | 46,144 | 241,043 | ||||||
Timber and Timberlands |
$ | 355,461,409 | $ | 7,369,486 | $ | 348,091,923 | |||
As of December 31, 2009 | |||||||||
Gross | Accumulated Depletion or Amortization |
Net | |||||||
Timber |
$ | 206,762,429 | $ | 17,443,684 | $ | 189,318,745 | |||
Timberlands |
165,221,663 | | 165,221,663 | ||||||
Mainline roads |
248,529 | 27,622 | 220,907 | ||||||
Timber and Timberlands |
$ | 372,232,621 | $ | 17,471,306 | $ | 354,761,315 | |||
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Wells Timberland REIT sold approximately two acres and 50 acres of HBU timberland during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, Wells Timberland sold approximately two acres and 3,010 acres of HBU timberland, respectively. In connection with approximately 2,960 acres of HBU timberland sold during the six months ended June 30, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a timber reservation agreement with the purchaser whereby Wells Timberland REIT retained the title and right to harvest certain standing timber through December 31, 2009.
4. | Notes Payable |
On March 24, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a five-year senior loan agreement for $211.0 million with CoBank, ACB (CoBank) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (Wells Fargo) serving as co-lead lenders and CoBank serving as administrative agent (the Mahrt Loan). Proceeds from the Mahrt Loan were used to refinance the outstanding balances due on the senior and mezzanine loans obtained in connection with the acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland and to fund costs associated with closing the Mahrt Loan. The Mahrt Loan bears interest at an adjustable rate based on one-, two-, or three-month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin of 250 to 400 basis points that varies based upon the ratio of the amount outstanding on the loan to the value of the Mahrt Timberland at the time of determination. Wells Timberland REIT is required to make principal reduction payments on the Mahrt Loan on September 30, 2010, March 31, 2011, September 30, 2011, and March 31, 2012, reducing the outstanding balance to an amount not greater than $198.5 million, $186.0 million, $173.5 million, and $161.0 million, respectively. On March 24, 2015, all outstanding principal, interest, and any fees or other obligations on the Mahrt Loan will be due and payable in full. The Mahrt Loan may be voluntarily prepaid at any time.
The Mahrt Loan is subject to mandatory prepayment from proceeds generated from the sale or other disposition of the Mahrt Timberland equal to the allocated cost basis of the disposed timberland. Additional repayments are required from net proceeds of Wells Timberland REITs offerings and any proceeds generated from the sales or other dispositions of timber until reduction of the Mahrt Loan to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%. The Mahrt Loan is secured by a first mortgage in the Mahrt Timberland, a first security interest in all funds raised through Wells Timberland REITs offerings, a first priority security interest in all bank accounts held by Wells Timberland REIT, and a first priority security interest on all other assets of Wells Timberland REIT, including rights under the Mahrt Timberland timber agreements (see Note 5).
The Mahrt Loan contains, among others, the following restrictive and financial covenants:
| requires a fixed-charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.05:1.00 at all times beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2010; |
| limits Wells Timberland REITs loan-to-collateral value ratio, as defined, to 50% or less beginning as of December 31, 2010; and |
| requires funding of an account under the control of CoBank equal to approximately six months of interest on the Mahrt Loan during any time the loan-to-collateral value ratio is 30% or greater. Once the loan-to-collateral value ratio is less than 30%, the required funding will decrease to an amount equal to three months of interest on the Mahrt Loan. |
As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT believes it was in compliance with the restrictive and financial covenants of the Mahrt Loan.
During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, Wells Timberland REIT made interest payments of approximately $6.1 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the estimated fair value of Wells Timberland REITs notes payable was approximately $200.0 million and $212.7 million, respectively. The fair values of outstanding
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notes payable were estimated based on discounted cash flow analyses using the current market borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The discounted cash flow method of assessing fair value results in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized.
5. Commitments and Contingencies
MeadWestvaco Timber Agreements
In connection with its acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a master stumpage agreement and a fiber supply agreement (collectively, the Timber Agreements) with a wholly owned subsidiary of MeadWestvaco Corporation (MeadWestvaco). The master stumpage agreement provides that Wells Timberland REIT will sell specified amounts of timber and make available certain portions of the Mahrt Timberland to Wells Timberland TRS for harvesting at $0.10 per ton of qualifying timber purchased by MeadWestvaco plus a portion of the gross proceeds received from MeadWestvaco under the fiber supply agreement. The fiber supply agreement provides that MeadWestvaco will purchase specified amounts of timber, including pine pulpwood, hardwood pulpwood, chip-n-saw, and pine sawlogs, from Wells Timberland TRS at specified prices per ton of timber, depending upon the type of timber. The fiber supply agreement is subject to quarterly market pricing adjustments based on an index published by Timber Mart-South, a quarterly trade publication that reports raw forest product prices in 11 southern states. The initial term of the Timber Agreements is October 9, 2007 through December 31, 2032, subject to extension and early termination provisions. The Timber Agreements ensure a long-term source of supply of wood fiber products for MeadWestvaco in order to meet its paperboard and lumber production requirements at specified mills and provide Wells Timberland REIT with a reliable consumer for the wood products from the Mahrt Timberland.
Carbon Storage Agreement
Wells Timberland REIT has entered into a carbon storage agreement (the Carbon Storage Agreement) with Carbon TreeBank LLC (CTB), which is an aggregator and facilitator of private timberland carbon offsets. The Carbon Storage Agreement provides that Wells Timberland REIT will participate in the carbon dioxide offset and mitigation program facilitated by CTB by managing up to 50,000 acres of Wells Timberland REITs timberland for the purpose of the storage of atmospheric carbon. CTB agreed to purchase carbon dioxide offset credits until December 31, 2011, subject to demand under the program, at a price based on the average monthly strike price of carbon credits traded on the Chicago Climate Exchange pursuant to the Carbon Storage Agreement. Wells Timberland REIT did not recognize revenue related to the Carbon Storage Agreement during 2010.
Placement Agent Agreement
On February 25, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a placement agent agreement (the Viscardi Placement Agent Agreement) with Wells Germany and Viscardi. Wells Real Estate Funds, Inc. (Wells REF), which is the owner of Wells Capital, Wells Timberland REITs sponsor, indirectly owns a majority interest in Wells Germany. Viscardi is not in any way affiliated with Wells Timberland REIT, Wells Germany, or any of their respective affiliates. Pursuant to the Viscardi Placement Agent Agreement, Wells Timberland REIT has engaged Viscardi to act as one of Wells Timberland REITs placement agents in connection with one or more sales by Wells Timberland REIT to potential purchasers (collectively, the Purchasers) that are identified by Viscardi (each, a Transaction and together, the Transactions) of up to approximately 10.4 million shares (the Shares) of Wells Timberland REITs common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock), at a price per share of $9.65, for an aggregate purchase price of up to approximately $100.0 million, or the 2010 German Offering.
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Pursuant to the Viscardi Placement Agent Agreement, Viscardi will serve as one of Wells Timberland REITs placement agents in connection with the Transactions identified by Viscardi and will provide ongoing account maintenance and administrative services with respect to these Purchasers. In its capacity as placement agent, Viscardi must use its reasonable efforts to identify Purchasers for the Shares and to assist Wells Timberland REIT in effecting a Transaction. In no event shall Viscardi be obligated to purchase the Shares for its own account or for the account of its affiliates or customers. In connection with the appointment as placement agent, Viscardi shall, to the extent appropriate and requested by Wells Timberland REIT: (i) assist Wells Timberland REIT with communications to be provided to prospective Purchasers; (ii) assist Wells Timberland REIT in structuring the financial aspects of the Transaction; (iii) identify and contact selected potential Purchasers of the Shares and furnish them, on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT, with copies of the private placement memorandum; (iv) conduct all sales and marketing activities with respect to the Transactions in accordance with the terms of the Viscardi Placement Agent Agreement and Regulation S under the Securities Act; and (v) with respect to the period following the consummation of a Transaction, provide ongoing account maintenance and administrative services, including, without limitation, serving as an administrator for Wells Timberland REITs unregistered distribution reinvestment plan and share redemption plan offered in connection with shares of Common Stock sold in these Transactions.
The Viscardi Placement Agent Agreement will continue until the earlier of (i) a liquidity event, which includes, among other things, the listing of the Common Stock on an exchange (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or the disposition of all or a majority of the assets or capital stock of Wells Timberland REIT (a Liquidity Event) or (ii) December 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT had incurred no fees under the Placement Agent Agreement.
Litigation
Wells Timberland REIT is from time to time a party to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Wells Timberland REIT is not currently involved in any legal proceedings of which the outcome is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of Wells Timberland REIT. Wells Timberland REIT is not aware of any such legal proceedings contemplated by governmental authorities.
6. | Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Activities |
Outlined below are significant noncash investing and financing transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
Six Months
Ended June 30, | ||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||
Other offering costs due to affiliate |
$ | 115,387 | $ | 380,118 | ||
Discounts applied to issuance of common stock |
$ | 236,092 | $ | 193,597 | ||
Dividends accrued on preferred stock |
$ | 1,838,950 | $ | 1,805,229 | ||
Issuance of stock-based compensation |
$ | 25,000 | | |||
7. | Related-Party Transactions |
Advisory Agreement
Wells Timberland REIT and Wells Timberland OP are party to the Advisory Agreement with Wells TIMO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Capital. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Wells TIMO is entitled to the following fees and reimbursements:
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| Reimbursement of organization and offering costs paid by Wells TIMO and its affiliates on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT, not to exceed 1.2% of gross offering proceeds. To the extent that organization and offering costs exceed 1.2% of gross offering proceeds, all organization and offering costs will be incurred by Wells TIMO and not by Wells Timberland REIT. |
| Monthly asset management fees equal to one-twelfth of 1.0% of the greater of (i) the gross cost of all investments made on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT or (ii) the aggregate value of such investments. Wells TIMO may engage experienced timber management companies to assist Wells TIMO with certain of its asset management responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement, including investing in timberland and selling timber on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT. Any timber asset managers would perform these services under contracts with Wells TIMO and would be compensated by Wells TIMO under the terms of such contracts. |
| Reimbursement for all costs and expenses Wells TIMO incurs in fulfilling its duties as the asset portfolio manager, including wages and salaries and other employee-related expenses of Wells TIMOs employees engaged in the management, administration, operations, and marketing functions. Employee-related expenses include taxes, insurance, and benefits relating to such employees, and legal, travel, and other out-of-pocket expenses that are directly related to the services they provide. |
| For any property sold by Wells Timberland REIT, if Wells TIMO provided a substantial amount of services in connection with the sale (as determined by Wells Timberland REITs independent directors), Wells Timberland REIT will pay Wells TIMO a fee equal to (i) for each property sold at a contract price up to $20.0 million, up to 2.0% of the sales price, and (ii) for each property sold at a contract price in excess of $20.0 million, up to 1.0% of the sales price. The precise amount of the fee within the preceding limits will be determined by Wells Timberland REITs board of directors, including a majority of the independent directors, based on the level of services provided and market norms. The real estate disposition fee may be in addition to real estate commissions paid to third parties. However, the total real estate commissions (including such disposition fee) may not exceed the lesser of (i) 6.0% of the sales price of each property or (ii) the level of real estate commissions customarily charged in light of the size, type, and location of the property. |
Effective July 11, 2010, the Advisory Agreement was renewed upon terms identical to those of the Advisory Agreement in effect through July 10, 2010. The Advisory Agreement has a one year term and may be renewed for successive one-year terms upon the mutual consent of the parties. Wells Timberland REIT may terminate the Advisory Agreement without penalty upon 60 days written notice. If Wells Timberland REIT terminates the Advisory Agreement, it will pay Wells TIMO all unpaid reimbursements of expenses and all earned but unpaid fees. In addition, if the Advisory Agreement is terminated without cause, the special units of limited partnership held by Wells TIMO will be redeemed. For further information on the special units, including redemption payments, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Wells Timberland REITs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, Wells Timberland REIT is required to reimburse Wells TIMO for certain organization and offering costs up to the lesser of actual expenses or 1.2% of gross offering proceeds raised. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT has incurred and charged to additional paid-in capital cumulative organization and offering costs of approximately $2.1 million related to the Initial Public Offering and approximately $0.5 million related to the Follow-On Offering, which represents approximately 1.2% of cumulative gross proceeds raised by Wells Timberland REIT under the Public Offerings. As of June 30, 2010, Wells TIMO and its affiliates have incurred aggregate organization and offering expenses related to Wells Timberland REITs Follow-On Offering of approximately $2.3 million.
The senior and mezzanine loans, which were obtained in connection with the acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland and were paid off on March 24, 2010, contained restrictive covenants that prohibited Wells Timberland REIT from paying monthly asset management fees, administrative expense reimbursements, and
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a substantial portion of organization and offering cost reimbursements to Wells TIMO until the mezzanine loan was repaid in full and after reduction of the senior loan to a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio. The Mahrt Loan contains restrictive covenants that prohibit Wells Timberland REIT from paying such accrued amounts until reduction of the Mahrt Loan to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 30%. These amounts are recorded as due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Dealer-Manager Agreement
Wells Timberland REIT has executed a dealer-manager agreement (the Dealer-Manager Agreement), whereby Wells Investment Securities, Inc. (WIS), an affiliate of Wells Capital, will perform the dealer-manager function for Wells Timberland REITs Public Offerings. For these services, WIS earns a commission of up to 7.0% of the gross offering proceeds from the sale of Wells Timberland REITs shares, of which substantially all is re-allowed to participating broker/dealers. Wells Timberland REIT pays no commissions on shares issued under its distribution reinvestment plan.
Additionally, WIS earns a dealer-manager fee of 1.8% of the gross offering proceeds at the time the shares are sold. A portion of the dealer-manager fee will be re-allowed to participating broker/dealers. Dealer-manager fees apply to the sale of shares in the primary offering only and do not apply to the sale of shares under Wells Timberland REITs distribution reinvestment plan.
Structuring Agent Agreement
On February 25, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a structuring agent agreement (the Structuring Agent Agreement) with Wells Germany. Pursuant to the Structuring Agent Agreement, Wells Timberland REIT has engaged Wells Germany to serve as the structuring agent in connection with the Transactions in the 2010 German Offering and to assist Wells Timberland REIT and Viscardi in (i) structuring these Transactions in compliance with German legal and tax requirements; (ii) effecting these Transactions by identifying and contacting selected potential purchasers of the Shares; (iii) preparing the private placement memorandum for use in connection with these Transactions, particularly as it relates to German legal and tax requirements; (iv) negotiating the financial aspects of these Transactions; and (v) providing such additional ongoing services contemplated by the Structuring Agent Agreement. The Structuring Agent Agreement will terminate upon the conclusion of the 2010 German Offering, provided however, that with respect to the additional ongoing services contemplated by the parties, the Structuring Agent Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) a Liquidity Event or (ii) December 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT had incurred no fees under the Structuring Agent Agreement.
Related-Party Costs
Pursuant to the terms of the agreements described above, Wells Timberland REIT incurred the following related-party costs for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
Three Months Ended June 30, |
Six Months
Ended June 30, | |||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Commissions (1)(2) |
$ | 666,966 | $ | 1,114,826 | $ | 1,342,957 | $ | 2,046,791 | ||||
Administrative reimbursements |
589,860 | 115,534 | 1,235,292 | 732,229 | ||||||||
Dealer-manager fees(1) |
192,162 | 298,255 | 372,343 | 564,181 | ||||||||
Asset management fees |
992,303 | 992,407 | 1,984,607 | 1,990,119 | ||||||||
Disposition fees |
60 | 2,890 | 60 | 100,484 | ||||||||
Other offering costs(1) |
133,916 | 200,272 | 263,266 | 380,118 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 2,575,267 | $ | 2,724,184 | $ | 5,198,525 | $ | 5,813,922 | ||||
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(1) | Commissions, dealer-manager fees, and other offering costs are charged against stockholders equity as incurred. |
(2) | Substantially all commissions have been re-allowed to participating broker/dealers through June 30, 2010. |
Due to Affiliates
The detail of amounts due to affiliates is provided below as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
June 30, 2010 |
December
31, 2009 | ||||||
Administrative reimbursements due to Wells TIMO |
$ | 8,836,501 | $ | 7,601,209 | |||
Operating expense reimbursements due to Wells TIMO |
1,067,691 | 1,067,691 | |||||
Asset management fees due to Wells TIMO |
10,637,343 | 8,652,736 | |||||
Other offering cost reimbursements due to Wells TIMO |
2,231,526 | 2,108,923 | |||||
Commissions on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees due to WIS |
(3,915 | ) | 39,990 | ||||
Total |
$ | 22,769,146 | $ | 19,470,549 | |||
Conflicts of Interest
As of June 30, 2010, Wells TIMO had 11 employees. Until such time, if ever, as Wells TIMO hires sufficient personnel of its own to perform the services under the Advisory Agreement, it will continue to rely upon employees of Wells Capital to perform many of its obligations. Wells Capital, the parent company and manager of Wells TIMO, also is a general partner or advisor of the various affiliated public real estate investment programs (Wells Real Estate Funds). As such, in connection with serving as a general partner or advisor for Wells Real Estate Funds and managing Wells TIMOs activities under the Advisory Agreement, Wells Capital may encounter conflicts of interest with regard to allocating human resources and making decisions related to investments, operations, and disposition-related activities for Wells Timberland REIT and Wells Real Estate Funds.
Additionally, one of the independent members of Wells Timberland REITs board of directors also serves on the board of another REIT sponsored by Wells Capital and, accordingly, may encounter certain conflicts of interest regarding investment and operations decisions.
Economic Dependency
Wells Timberland REIT engaged Wells TIMO and WIS to provide certain services essential to Wells Timberland REIT, including asset management services, supervision of the management of properties owned by Wells Timberland REIT, asset acquisition and disposition services, the sale of shares of Wells Timberland REITs common stock, as well as other administrative responsibilities, including accounting services, stockholder communications, and investor relations. Wells TIMO and WIS are dependent on Wells Capital to provide certain services that are essential to their operations. These agreements are terminable by either party upon 60 days written notice. As a result of these relationships, Wells Timberland REIT is dependent upon Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, and WIS.
Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, and WIS are all owned and controlled by Wells REF. The operations of Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, WIS, and Wells Management Company, Inc. (Wells Management) represent substantially all of the business of Wells REF. Accordingly, Wells Timberland REIT focuses on the financial condition of Wells REF when assessing the financial condition of Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, WIS, and Wells Management. In the event that Wells REF were to become unable to meet its obligations as they become due, Wells Timberland REIT might be required to find alternative service providers.
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Future net income generated by Wells REF will be largely dependent upon the amount of fees earned by Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, WIS, Wells Management, and their affiliates, based on, among other things, the level of real estate assets managed, the amount of investor proceeds raised and the volume of future acquisitions and dispositions of real estate assets by Wells Timberland REIT and other Wells REF-sponsored programs, as well as distribution income earned from equity interests in another REIT. As of June 30, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT has no reason to believe that Wells REF does not have access to adequate liquidity and capital resources, including cash flow generated from operations, cash on hand and other investments necessary to meet its current and future obligations as they become due.
8. | Subsequent Events |
Sale of Shares of Common Stock
From July 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010, Wells Timberland REIT raised approximately $2.2 million through the issuance of approximately 0.2 million shares of common stock under the Follow-on Offering. As of July 31, 2010, approximately 195.7 million shares remained available for sale to the public, exclusive of shares available under Wells Timberland REITs distribution reinvestment plan. No proceeds were raised from the issuance of common stock under the German Offering or the 2010 German Offering from July 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010. As of July 31, 2010, approximately 53.8 million shares remained available for sale to the Funds under the German Offering. As of July 31, 2010, approximately 10.4 million shares remained available for sale under the 2010 German Offering.
Declaration of Stock Dividend
On August 9, 2010, the board of directors of Wells Timberland REIT declared a special 2% common stock dividend on the outstanding shares of its common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on the books of Wells Timberland REIT at the close of business on August 9, 2010. The special stock dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of August 2010 as the President of Wells Timberland REIT may determine.
On August 9, 2010, the board of directors of Wells Timberland REIT declared a daily non-compounding stock dividend in the amount of 0.000054348 shares per day per share on the outstanding shares of its common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on the books of Wells Timberland REIT at the close of business on each day during the period commencing on August 10, 2010 and continuing through and including September 15, 2010. This dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of September 2010 as the President of Wells Timberland REIT may determine.
On August 9, 2010, the board of directors of Wells Timberland REIT declared a stock dividend for the fourth quarter of 2010 in the amount of 0.000054945 shares per day per share on the outstanding shares of its common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on the books of Wells Timberland REIT at the close of business on each day during the period commencing on September 16, 2010 and continuing through and including December 15, 2010. The fourth quarter dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of December 2010 as the President of Wells Timberland REIT may determine.
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ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. See also Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements preceding Part I, as well as our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Overview
We were formed on September 27, 2005 to acquire and operate a diversified portfolio of timberland properties located in the timber-producing regions of the United States and, to a limited extent, in other countries. As of June 30, 2010, we owned interests in approximately 308,300 acres of timberland located on the Lower Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plains of East Central Alabama and West Central Georgia, which we refer to as the Mahrt Timberland. We generate a substantial majority of our revenue and income by selling the rights to access land and harvest timber to third parties pursuant to supply agreements and through open-market sales, from selling HBU timberland and leasing land-use rights to third parties. We also generate additional revenues and income from selling the rights to extract natural resources from timberland other than timber. A substantial portion of our timber sales are derived from the Timber Agreements under which we sell to MeadWestvaco specified amounts of timber subject to market pricing adjustments. The initial term of the Timber Agreements is from October 9, 2007 through December 31, 2032, subject to extension and early termination provisions. We have no paid employees and are externally advised and managed by Wells TIMO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Capital.
We began receiving investor proceeds from the sale of our common stock under our Initial Public Offering in May 2007. On July 11, 2007, we raised our minimum offering of $2.0 million, and thus commenced operations. We began acquiring timber assets in October 2007. Our German Offering commenced in July 2008 and the 2010 German Offering commenced in March 2010. On August 11, 2009, we terminated our Initial Public Offering and began receiving investor proceeds from the sale or our common stock under our Follow-On Offering on August 12, 2009. We continued receiving investor proceeds under our Public Offerings, our German Offering, and the 2010 German Offering (the Offerings) through June 30, 2010. Thus, the results of our operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are indicative of an early-stage enterprise with growing revenues and expenses associated with the acquisition of timber assets, interest expense associated with debt financing on the acquisition of timber assets, and general and administrative expenses that represent a high percentage of total revenues but are expected to decrease as the enterprise grows. As of June 30, 2010, we have raised gross offering proceeds of approximately $216.1 million through the issuance of our common stock in our Public Offerings and approximately $43.6 million through the issuance of our preferred stock to Wells REF.
On March 24, 2010, we entered into a five-year senior loan agreement for $211.0 million, which we refer to as the Mahrt Loan. Proceeds from the Mahrt Loan were used to refinance outstanding balances due on the senior loan and the mezzanine loan, which were obtained in connection with the acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland, and to fund costs associated with closing the Mahrt Loan. The Mahrt Loan bears interest at an adjustable rate based on one-, two-, or three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 250 to 400 basis points that varies based on the ratio of the amount outstanding on the loan to the value of the Mahrt Timberland at the time of determination. The Mahrt Loan may be voluntarily prepaid at any time.
Our most significant risks and challenges include our ability to raise a sufficient amount of equity that will allow us to repay the Mahrt Loan and to further diversify our portfolio of timber assets. To the extent that significant funds are not raised, we may not be able to repay the Mahrt Loan or achieve sufficient diversification to guard against the general economic, industry-specific, financing, and operational risks generally associated with individual investments.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we raised proceeds under our Public Offerings, net of commissions, dealer-manager fees, other offering costs, and redemptions, of approximately $19.7 million, substantially all of which was used to fund principal and interest payments on outstanding debt. All of the proceeds raised under our Offerings of common stock, net of fees and expenses, and net cash flows generated from our operations are required to be used to service the Mahrt Loan until it is reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%. We are required to make principal reduction payments on the Mahrt Loan on September 30, 2010, March 31, 2011, September 30, 2011, and March 31, 2012, reducing the outstanding balance to an amount not greater than $198.5 million, $186.0 million, $173.5 million, and $161.0 million, respectively. On March 24, 2015, all outstanding principal, interest, and any fees or other obligations on the Mahrt Loan will be due and payable in full. As of July 31, 2010, the outstanding principal balance on the Mahrt Loan was approximately $196.7 million.
The Mahrt Loan contains restrictive covenants that prohibit us from declaring, setting aside funds for, or paying any dividend, distribution, or other payment to our stockholders other than as required to maintain our REIT qualification. Once the Mahrt Loan has been reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%, we may declare, set aside funds for, pay dividends or distributions, or make other payments to our stockholders from future operating cash flows on a discretionary basis. Future proceeds raised from the sale of our shares under our Offerings will be deemed available for investment in timberland and related assets, subject to certain restrictions, and available to fund capital expenditures, to pay down future outstanding borrowings, and to redeem preferred stock. In addition to those restrictive covenants discussed above, the Mahrt Loan requires us to maintain a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, of 1.05:1.00 beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2010. The Mahrt Loan does not, however, restrict our ability to pay stock dividends.
We anticipate that our primary sources of future capital will be derived from the sale of our common stock under our Offerings and from operations through the sale of timberland and rights to access our land and harvest our timber to MeadWestvaco and other third parties. Following the reduction of the Mahrt Loan to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%, the amount of cash available for distribution to stockholders and the level of discretionary distributions declared will depend primarily upon the amount of cash generated from our operating activities, our determination of funding needs for near-term capital, and other debt service requirements, and our expectations of future cash flows.
Short-Term Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was approximately $0.7 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we raised proceeds from the sale of common stock under our Public Offerings, net of commissions, dealer-manager fees, and other offering costs, of approximately $20.1 million, which was used to pay down the mezzanine loan and Mahrt Loan by approximately $8.8 million and $10.7 million, respectively, fund interest expense on the mezzanine loan, and fund redemptions of common stock of approximately $0.3 million. We received gross debt proceeds of $211.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010, which was used to pay off the outstanding balances of the senior loan (approximately $201.9 million) and mezzanine loan (approximately $6.2 million) and fund costs associated with closing the Mahrt Loan (approximately $2.2 million). We intend to continue to generate capital from the sale of common stock under our Offerings, which is required to be used to service the Mahrt Loan until it is reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%, at which time the covenants restricting the acquisition of additional timberland properties will be removed and we can pursue additional timberland acquisitions.
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Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was approximately $1.7 million, which is primarily comprised of receipts from timber sales and rental income from recreational leases in excess of operating costs, interest expense, asset and forestry management fees, and general and administrative expenses. As required by the terms of the Mahrt Loan, the majority of our future net cash flow from operating activities will be used to service the Mahrt Loan until it is reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%, at which time the restrictive covenants that prohibits us from declaring, setting aside funds for, or paying any dividend, distribution, or other payment to our stockholders other than as required to maintain our REIT qualification will be removed.
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.1 million, which included approximately $0.7 million invested in timber, timberland, and related assets and approximately $0.4 million of net funds invested in escrow accounts required by lenders. We expect to utilize the residual cash balance of approximately $7.0 million as of June 30, 2010 to satisfy current liabilities.
The Mahrt Loan contains, among others, the following restrictive and financial covenants:
| requires a fixed-charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.05:1.00 at all times beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2010; |
| limits our loan-to-collateral value ratio, as defined, to 50% or less beginning as of December 31, 2010; and |
| requires funding of an account under the control of CoBank equal to approximately six months of interest on the Mahrt Loan during any time the loan-to-collateral value ratio is 30% or greater. Once the loan-to-collateral value ratio is less than 30%, the required funding will decrease to an amount equal to three months of interest on the Mahrt Loan. |
As of June 30, 2010, we believe that we are in compliance with the restrictive and financial covenants of the Mahrt Loan.
Long-Term Liquidity and Capital Resources
Over the long-term, we expect our primary sources of capital to include proceeds from the sale of our common stock, proceeds from secured or unsecured financings from banks and other lenders, and net cash flows from operations. We expect our principal demands for capital to include funding future acquisitions of timberland, either directly or through investments in joint ventures; capital improvements for such timberland; offering-related costs; operating expenses, including interest expense on any outstanding indebtedness; and distributions.
In determining how and when to allocate cash resources in the future, we will initially consider the source of the cash. Once allowed under the restrictive covenants of the Mahrt Loan, we anticipate using a substantial portion of cash raised from operations, after payments of periodic operating expenses and certain capital expenditures required for our timberland, to repay amounts due to affiliates and pay distributions to stockholders. Therefore, to the extent that cash flows from operations are lower, distributions are anticipated to be lower as well. After reduction of the Mahrt Loan to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%, we anticipate using substantially all net proceeds generated from the sale of our shares under our Offerings to fund future acquisitions of timberland, to fund capital expenditures, to pay down existing and future outstanding borrowings, and to redeem preferred stock. Proceeds generated from future debt financings may also be used to fund future acquisitions of timberland and capital expenditures.
If sufficient equity or debt capital is not available, our future investments in timberland will be lower. Our charter precludes us from incurring debt in excess of 300% of our net assets, which we generally expect to approximate 75% of the cost of our timber assets before adjustment for noncash reserves, depletion, and
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amortization; however, we may temporarily exceed this limit upon the approval of a majority of our independent directors. As of June 30, 2010, our leverage ratio, or the ratio of total debt to total purchase price of timber assets plus cash and cash equivalents, was approximately 48% and our debt-to-net assets ratio, defined as our total debt as a percentage of our total gross assets (other than intangibles) less total liabilities, was approximately 107%. Our board of directors may determine that it is in our best interest to pursue highly leveraged timberland acquisitions in order to enable us to more quickly acquire a diversified portfolio of timberland properties. As a result, we are not able to anticipate with any degree of certainty what our leverage ratio will be in the near future. However, over the long-term, we expect our leverage ratio to be no more than 50%. In accordance with our charter, if our board of directors, including a majority of our independent directors, approves any borrowing in excess of our leverage limitation, we will disclose such approval to our stockholders in our next quarterly report, along with an explanation for such excess.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
All of the proceeds raised under our Offerings, net of fees and expenses, are required to be used to service the Mahrt Loan until it is reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40%. See Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2010 will become payable in the following periods:
Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations |
Total | 2010 | 2011-2012 | 2013-2014 | Thereafter | ||||||||||
Debt obligations |
$ | 199,973,457 | $ | 1,473,457 | $ | 37,500,000 | $ | | $ | 161,000,000 | |||||
Estimated interest on debt obligations(1) |
32,886,323 | 5,235,710 | 14,441,815 | 11,872,498 | 1,336,300 | ||||||||||
Operating lease obligations |
15,808,500 | 354,648 | 3,534,218 | 2,775,705 | 9,143,929 | ||||||||||
Due to affiliates(2 ) |
22,769,146 | | 22,769,146 | | | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 271,437,426 | $ | 7,063,815 | $ | 78,245,179 | $ | 14,648,203 | $ | 171,480,229 | |||||
(1) | Interest obligations are measured at the contractual rate for fixed-rate debt, or at the effectively-fixed rate for variable rate debt with interest rate swaps. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk for more information regarding our interest rate swaps. |
(2) | The Mahrt Loan contains restrictive covenants that prohibit us from paying accrued asset management fees, accrued administrative expense reimbursements, and other offering cost reimbursements to Wells TIMO until the Mahrt Loan is reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 30%, which we expect to occur in 2011. |
Results of Operations
Overview
Our results of operations are materially impacted by the fluctuating nature of timber prices, changes in the levels and composition of our harvest volumes, changes to associated depletion rates, and varying interest expense based on the amount and cost of outstanding borrowings. In the second quarter of 2010, average prices for pulpwood, sawtimber and chip-n-saw were approximately 19%, 16% and 9%, respectively, higher than the second quarter of 2009 due to wet weather experienced in late 2009 and early 2010 that affected both logging conditions and wood supply causing many mills in the South to run low on inventory. As a result, demand drove up prices for all three major timber products as compared to 2009. For the three months ended June 30, 2010, our pulpwood, sawtimber and chip-n-saw harvests decreased by approximately 20%, 25% and 48%, respectively, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2009, primarily due to wet weather, poor logging conditions, and a reduction in thinnings as compared to the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, average prices for pulpwood, sawtimber and chip-n-saw were approximately 22%, 21% and 7%, respectively, higher than for the same period in 2009 due to limited supply caused by wet
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weather and poor logging conditions. Our pulpwood, sawtimber and chip-n-saw harvests decreased by approximately 19%, 28% and 27%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009, primarily due to a significant decrease in stumpage sales caused by wet weather and poor logging conditions and reduced thinnings.
Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2009 versus the three months ended June 30, 2010
Revenue. Revenues decreased from approximately $12.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 due to decreases in revenue from timber and timberland sales of approximately $1.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, offset by an approximately $0.1 million increase in other revenues. Revenue from timber sales decreased due the decreases in harvest volumes, partially offset by increases in timber prices. Revenue from timberland sales decreased as a result of selling approximately two acres during the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to selling 50 acres during the same period in 2009. Other revenues increased due to funds received from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) sponsored by the United States Department of Agricultures Farm Service Agency. BCAP provides matching payments to agricultural and forest land owners and operators that deliver eligible biomass material to designated biomass conversion facilities for use as heat, power, bio-based products or biofuels. Total harvest volumes for 2010 are expected to decrease from the 1.8 million tons harvested during 2009 due to wet weather, poor logging conditions and a reduction in thinnings, which we concentrated on in the prior year to maintain vigorous growth rates and capture favorable pulpwood prices. As such, future revenue from timber sales related to the Mahrt Timberland is expected to decrease slightly based on lower harvest volumes, offset by improving timber prices.
Operating expenses. Contract logging and hauling costs decreased approximately 7% from approximately $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $5.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 due to an approximately 7% decrease in delivered wood volume. Depletion expense decreased approximately 33% from approximately $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $3.0 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to lower harvest volumes. Contract logging and hauling, depletion, other operating expenses, and asset and forestry management fees are expected to remain relatively stable in future periods prior to the acquisition of additional timber assets.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased from approximately $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $1.2 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to an approximately $0.6 million increase in salary expense, offset by decreased information technology costs and audit and tax fees. Salary expense increased during the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 due to an approximately $0.7 million, non-recurring reimbursement of salary expense by Wells TIMO during the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Under the Advisory Agreement, Wells TIMO has the responsibility of limiting our general and administrative expenses, as defined by our charter, to no more than the greater of 2% of average invested assets at the end of any fiscal quarter or 25% of net income for the four previous consecutive quarters then ended, unless a majority of our independent directors determines that such excess expenses are justified based on unusual and nonrecurring factors. Unless the independent directors determine that the excess expenses were justified, Wells TIMO must reimburse the excess operating expenses to us within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter. For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, Wells TIMO reimbursed us approximately $0.7 million of salary expense. General and administrative expenses are expected to remain relatively stable in future periods prior to the acquisition of additional timber assets.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased from approximately $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of lower principal balances outstanding on our debt facilities and an approximately $0.2 million decrease in amortization of deferred financing costs, offset by an increase in our weighted-average interest rate. Actual interest expense in future periods will vary based on our level of current and future borrowings, which will depend on the level of equity proceeds raised, the cost of future borrowings, and the opportunity to acquire timber assets fitting our investment objectives.
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Interest rate risk instruments. We recognized a loss on our interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment of approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a loss of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The loss was primarily due to the fact that the variable interest rate incurred on the Mahrt Loan was lower than the contractual interest rate of the related interest rate swap during the three months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in loss was primarily due to changes in market interest rates, changes in the outlook of future market interest rates and an increase in the length of time remaining under our swap contracts resulting from the interest rate swap entered into on March 24, 2010 as required by the terms of the Mahrt Loan. We expect that future gains and losses on our interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment will fluctuate primarily as a result of additional changes in market interest rates and changes in the economic outlook for future market rates.
Net loss. Our net loss of approximately $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was consistent with the net loss we incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as a result of an approximately $0.3 million decrease in operating loss, an approximately $0.4 million decrease in interest expense, offset by an increase in loss on interest rate swaps of approximately $0.6 million. We sustained a net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2010 primarily as a result of incurring interest expense of approximately $2.3 million and a loss on interest rate swaps of approximately $1.0 million in connection with borrowings used to finance the purchase of the Mahrt Timberland and incurring an operating loss of approximately $1.5 million. We opted to leverage the Mahrt Timberland acquisition with substantial short-term and medium-term borrowings as a result of sourcing this acquisition in advance of raising investor proceeds under our Offerings. Our net loss per share available to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $0.27 and $0.36, respectively. As we continue to raise equity under our Offerings and generate cash flows from the operations to repay the Mahrt Loan, we anticipate decreases in interest expense, which is expected to reduce future net losses.
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2009 versus the six months ended June 30, 2010
Revenue. Revenues decreased from approximately $27.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $22.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 due to a decrease in revenue from timberland sales of approximately $5.0 million and a decrease in revenue from timber sales of approximately $1.4 million, offset by an increase in other revenues of approximately $0.8 million. Revenue from timberland sales decreased as a result of selling approximately two acres during the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to selling approximately 3,010 acres during the same period in 2009. Revenue from timber sales decreased due to the decreases in harvest volumes, offset by increases in timber prices. Other revenues increased due to funds received from BCAP. Total harvest volumes for 2010 are expected to decrease from the 1.8 million tons harvested during 2009 due to wet weather, poor logging conditions and a reduction in thinnings, which we concentrated on in the prior year to maintain vigorous growth rates and capture favorable pulpwood prices. As such, future revenue from timber sales related to the Mahrt Timberland is expected to decrease slightly based on lower harvest volumes, offset by improving timber prices.
Operating expenses. Contract logging and hauling costs for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was consistent with that for the same period in 2009 due to stable delivered wood volumes. Depletion expense decreased by approximately $1.3 million, or 15%, primarily due to decreases in harvest volumes, offset by higher depletion rates associated with harvested timber. Cost of timberland sales decreased by approximately $3.4 million as a result of selling approximately 3,008 fewer acres during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Contract logging and hauling, depletion, other operating expenses, and asset and forestry management fees are expected to remain relatively stable in future periods prior to the acquisition of additional timber assets.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased from approximately $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $2.4 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to an approximately $0.7 million increase in salary expense, offset by decreases in information technology costs and tax fees of approximately $0.1 million each. General and administrative
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expenses are expected to remain relatively stable in future periods prior to the acquisition of additional timber assets.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased from approximately $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of lower principal balances outstanding on our debt facilities, offset by an approximately $0.3 million increase in amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the refinancing of the senior and mezzanine loans. Actual interest expense in future periods will vary based on our level of current and future borrowings, which will depend on the level of equity proceeds raised, the cost of future borrowings, and the opportunity to acquire timber assets fitting our investment objectives.
Interest rate risk instruments. We recognized a loss on our interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment of approximately $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a loss of approximately $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The loss was primarily due to the fact that the variable interest rates incurred on our senior loan and the Mahrt Loan were lower than the contractual interest rates of the related interest rate swaps during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The decrease in the loss was primarily due to decreases in the lengths of time and notional amounts remaining under the respective swap contracts, changes in market interest rates and changes in the outlook of future market interest rates. We expect that future gains and losses on our interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment will fluctuate primarily as a result of additional changes in market interest rates and changes in the economic outlook for future market rates.
Net loss. Our net loss increased from approximately $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to approximately $9.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of an approximately $1.5 million increase in operating loss, offset by a decrease in interest expense of approximately $1.2 million. We sustained a net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2010 primarily as a result of incurring interest expense of approximately $4.6 million and a loss on interest rate swaps of approximately $1.2 million in connection with borrowings used to finance the purchase of the Mahrt Timberland and incurring an operating loss of approximately $3.8 million. We opted to leverage the Mahrt Timberland acquisition with substantial short-term and medium-term borrowings as a result of sourcing this acquisition in advance of raising investor proceeds under our Offerings. Our net loss per share available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $0.56 and $0.75, respectively. As we continue to raise equity under our Offerings and generate cash flows from the operations to repay the Mahrt Loan, we anticipate decreases in interest expense, which is expected to reduce future net losses.
Adjusted EBITDA
The discussion below is presented to enhance the readers understanding of our liquidity, ability to generate cash, and ability to satisfy lender requirements. Earnings from Continuing Operations before Interest, Taxes, Depletion, and Amortization (EBITDA) is a non-GAAP measure of our operating performance and cash-generating capacity. EBITDA is defined by the SEC; however, we have excluded certain other expenses due to their noncash nature, and we refer to this measure as Adjusted EBITDA. As such, Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be viewed as an alternative to net income or cash from operations as a measurement of our operating performance, as it excludes certain expenses related to fixed-asset investments required to generate revenues. Due to our significant amount of debt, management views operating income as the most appropriate earnings measure of our underlying timber operations. Management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be an important measure of our financial condition and cash-generating ability due to the significant amount of fixed assets subject to depletion and the significant amount of financing subject to interest and amortization expense. Our credit agreement contains a minimum debt service coverage ratio based, in part, on Adjusted EBITDA since the measure is representative of adjusted income available for interest payments.
For the three months ended June 30, 2010, Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $1.6 million, an approximately $1.3 million decrease from the three months ended June 30, 2009 primarily due to a decrease
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in revenue from timber sales. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $3.6 million, an approximately $6.0 million decrease from the six months ended June 30, 2009 primarily due to decreases in revenue from timber and timberland sales. Wells Timberland REITs reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 follows:
For the Three Months
Ended June 30, |
For the Six Months
Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (4,751,056 | ) | $ | (4,825,706 | ) | $ | (9,592,396 | ) | $ | (9,369,982 | ) | ||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment |
(291,508 | ) | (964,796 | ) | (1,269,022 | ) | (1,299,767 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense(1) |
3,452,188 | 3,705,073 | 6,093,390 | 7,666,902 | ||||||||||||
Depletion |
3,015,912 | 4,525,655 | 7,323,342 | 8,653,024 | ||||||||||||
Amortization(1) |
161,727 | 362,441 | 1,089,808 | 806,131 | ||||||||||||
Basis of timberland sold |
763 | 49,862 | 763 | 3,228,363 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 1,588,026 | $ | 2,852,529 | $ | 3,645,885 | $ | 9,684,671 | ||||||||
(1) | For the purpose of the above reconciliation, amortization includes amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of intangible lease assets, and amortization of mainline road costs, which are included in either interest expense, land rent expense, or other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. |
Election as a REIT
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, and have operated as such beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2009. To qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our adjusted taxable income, as defined in the Code, to our stockholders, computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and by excluding our net capital gain. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT in any taxable year, we will then be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for that year and for the four years following the year during which qualification is lost, unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders. However, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
Inflation
In connection with the acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland, we entered into the Timber Agreements with MeadWestvaco. The Timber Agreements provide that we will sell to MeadWestvaco specified amounts of timber subject to quarterly market pricing adjustments and monthly fuel pricing adjustments, which are intended to protect us from, and mitigate the risk of, the impact of inflation. The price of timber has generally increased with increases in inflation. Because of our limited operating history, we have not noticed a significant impact from inflation on our revenues, net sales or income from continuing operations.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies have been established to conform to GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and
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liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If managements judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied or different amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses would have been recorded, thus resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements or different amounts reported in the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.
A discussion of the accounting policies that management deems critical because they may require complex judgment in their application or otherwise require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain, is provided below:
Timber Assets
Timber and timberlands, including logging roads, are stated at cost less accumulated depletion for timber harvested and accumulated amortization. We capitalize timber and timberland purchases and reforestation costs and other costs associated with the planting and growing of timber, such as site preparation; growing or purchases of seedlings; planting, fertilization, and herbicide application; and the thinning of tree stands to improve growth. Timber carrying costs, such as real estate taxes, insect control, wildlife control, leases of timberlands, and forestry management personnel salaries and fringe benefits, are expensed as incurred. Costs of major roads are capitalized and are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Costs for roads built to access a single logging site are expensed as incurred.
Depletion
Depletion, or costs attributed to timber harvested, is charged against income as trees are harvested. Fee-simple timber tracts owned for longer than one year and similarly managed are pooled together for depletion calculation purposes. Depletion rates are determined at least annually by dividing (a) the sum of (i) net carrying value of the timber, which equals the original cost of the timber less previously recorded depletion, and (ii) capitalized silviculture costs incurred and the projected silviculture costs, net of inflation, to be capitalized over the harvest cycle, by (b) the total timber volume estimated to be available over the harvest cycle. The capitalized silviculture cost is limited to the expenditures that relate to establishing stands of timber. For each fee timber tract owned less than one year, depletion rates are determined by dividing the acquisition cost attributable to its timber by the volume of timber acquired. Depletion rates for lease tracts, which are generally limited to one harvest, are calculated by dividing the acquisition cost attributable to its timber by the volume of timber acquired. Net carrying value of the timber and timberlands is used to compute the gain or loss in connection with timberland sales. No book basis is allocated to the sale of conservation easements.
Evaluation of the Recoverability of Timber Assets
We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of our timber assets may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present that suggest that the carrying amounts of timber assets may not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability of these assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Impairment losses would be recognized for (i) long-lived assets used in our operations when the carrying value of such assets exceeds the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated from the future operations of those assets, and (ii) long-lived assets held for sale when the carrying value of such assets exceeds an amount equal to their fair value less selling costs. Estimated fair values are calculated based on the following information in order of preference, dependent upon availability: (i) recently quoted market prices, (ii) market prices for comparable properties, or (iii) the present value of undiscounted cash flows, including estimated salvage
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value. We intend to use one harvest cycle for the purpose of evaluating the recoverability of timber and timberlands used in our operations. Future cash flow estimates are based on probability-weighted projections for a range of possible outcomes and are discounted at risk-free rates of interest. We consider assets to be held for sale at the point at which a sale contract is executed and the buyer has made a nonrefundable earnest money deposit against the contracted purchase price. We have determined that there has been no impairment of our long-lived assets to date.
Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets
Upon the acquisition of timberland properties, we allocate the purchase price to tangible assets, consisting of timberland, timber, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, which may include values associated with in-place leases or supply agreements, based in each case on our estimate of their fair values.
The fair values of timberland and timber are determined based on available market information and estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount factors and capitalization rates. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The values are then allocated to timberland and timber based on our determination of the relative fair value of these assets.
Intangible Lease Assets
In-place ground leases with us as the lessee have value associated with effective contractual rental rates that are below market rates. Such values are calculated based on the present value (using a discount rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place lease and (ii) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining terms of the leases. The capitalized below-market in-place lease values are recorded as intangible lease assets and are amortized as adjustments to land rent expense over the weighted-average remaining term of the respective leases.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of timber is recognized when the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, (ii) legal ownership and the risk of loss are transferred to the purchaser, (iii) price and quantity is determinable, and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured. Our primary sources of revenue are recognized as follows:
(1) | For delivered sales contracts, which include amounts sufficient to cover costs of logging and hauling of timber, revenues are recognized upon delivery to the customer. |
(2) | For pay-as-cut contracts, the purchaser acquires the right to harvest specified timber on a tract, at an agreed-upon price per unit. Payments and contract advances are recognized as revenue as the timber is harvested based on the contracted sale rate per unit. |
(3) | For lump-sum sale contracts, the purchaser generally pays the purchase price upon execution of the contract. Title to the timber and risk of loss transfers to the buyer at the time the contract is consummated. Revenues are recognized upon receipt of the purchase price. When the contract expires, ownership of the remaining standing timber reverts to us; however, adjustments are not made to the revenues previously recognized. Any extensions of time will be negotiated under a new or amended contract. |
(4) | Revenues from the sale of higher and better use timberland and nonstrategic timberlands are recognized when title passes and full payment or a minimum down payment is received and full collectibility is assured. If a down payment of less than the minimum down payment is received at closing, we will record revenue based on the installment method. |
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(5) | For recreational leases, rental income collected in advance is recorded as other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until earned over the term of the respective recreational lease and recognized as other revenue. |
Related Party Transactions and Agreements
We have engaged Wells TIMO and its affiliates to perform certain services under agreements which require us to pay fees and reimbursements to Wells TIMO or its affiliates, including asset management and disposition fees, selling commissions and dealer-manager fees, as well as subject to certain limitations, reimbursements of organization and offering costs, and certain operating costs. See Note 7 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of our related-party agreements and the related transactions, fees and reimbursements.
Assertions of Legal Actions against Related Parties
On March 12, 2007, a stockholder of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., formerly known as Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (referenced herein as Piedmont REIT) filed a putative class action and derivative complaint, presently styled In re Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. Securities Litigation, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against, among others, Piedmont REIT; Leo F. Wells, III, our President; Wells Capital, the owner of our advisor; Wells Management Company, Inc. (Wells Management); certain affiliates of Wells REF; the directors of Piedmont REIT; and certain individuals who formerly served as officers or directors of Piedmont REIT prior to the closing of an internalization transaction by Piedmont REIT on April 16, 2007. The complaint alleged, among other things, violations of the federal proxy rules and breaches of fiduciary duty arising from the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction and the related proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 26, 2007, as amended. The complaint sought, among other things, unspecified monetary damages and nullification of the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction. On April 9, 2007, the District Court denied the plaintiffs motion for an order enjoining the internalization transaction. On April 17, 2007, the Court granted the defendants motion to transfer venue to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the case was docketed in the Northern District of Georgia on April 24, 2007. On June 7, 2007, the Court granted a motion to designate the class lead plaintiff and class co-lead counsel. On June 27, 2007, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which attempted to assert class action claims on behalf of those persons who received and were entitled to vote on the Piedmont REIT proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 26, 2007, and derivative claims on behalf of Piedmont REIT. On July 9, 2007, the Court denied the plaintiffs motion for expedited discovery related to an anticipated motion for a preliminary injunction. On August 13, 2007, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On March 31, 2008, the Court granted in part the defendants motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The Court dismissed five of the seven counts of the amended complaint in their entirety. The Court dismissed the remaining two counts with the exception of allegations regarding the failure to disclose in the Piedmont REIT proxy statement details of certain expressions of interest in acquiring Piedmont REIT. On April 21, 2008, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, which alleges violations of the federal proxy rules based upon allegations that the proxy statement to obtain approval for the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction omitted details of certain expressions of interest in acquiring Piedmont REIT. The second amended complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified monetary damages, to nullify and rescind the internalization transaction, and to cancel and rescind any stock issued to the defendants as consideration for the internalization transaction. On May 12, 2008, the defendants answered and raised certain defenses to the second amended complaint. On June 23, 2008, the plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. On September 16, 2009, the Court granted the plaintiffs motion for class certification. On September 20, 2009, the defendants filed a petition for permission to appeal immediately the Courts order granting the motion for class certification with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The petition for permission to appeal was denied on October 30, 2009. On April 13, 2009, the plaintiff moved for leave to amend the second amended complaint to add additional defendants. The Court denied the plaintiffs motion for leave to amend on June 23, 2009. On December 4, 2009, the parties filed motions for summary judgment. On August 2, 2010, the Court entered an order denying the defendants motion for summary
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judgment and granting, in part, the plaintiffs motion for partial summary judgment. The Court ruled that the question of whether certain expressions of interest in acquiring Piedmont REIT constituted material information required to be disclosed in the proxy statement to obtain approval for the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction raises questions of fact that must be determined at trial. A trial date has not been set. Mr. Wells, Wells Capital, and Wells Management believe that the allegations contained in the complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend this action. Any financial loss incurred by Wells Capital or its affiliates, including our advisor, could hinder our advisors ability to successfully manage our operations and our portfolio of investments.
Commitments and Contingencies
We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies with regard to certain transactions. Refer to Note 1, Note 5, and Note 7 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further explanation. Examples of such commitments and contingencies include:
| Amended Master Purchase Agreement; |
| Placement Agent Agreement; |
| MeadWestvaco Timber Agreements; |
| Carbon Storage Agreement; |
| Advisory Agreement; |
| Dealer-Manager Agreement; and |
| Structuring Agent Agreement. |
Subsequent Events
Sale of Shares of Common Stock
From July 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010, we raised approximately $2.2 million through the issuance of approximately 0.2 million shares of our common stock under our Follow-On Offering. As of July 31, 2010, approximately 195.7 million shares remained available for sale to the public under our Follow-On Offering, exclusive of shares available under our distribution reinvestment plan. No proceeds were received from issuance of common stock under the German Offering and 2010 German Offering from July 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010. As of July 31, 2010, approximately 53.8 million shares remained available for sale to the Funds under our German Offering. As of July 31, 2010, approximately 10.4 million shares remained available for sale under our 2010 German Offering.
Declaration of Stock Dividend
On August 9, 2010, our board of directors declared a special 2% common stock dividend on the outstanding shares of our common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books at the close of business on August 9, 2010. The special stock dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of August 2010 as our President may determine.
On August 9, 2010, our board of directors declared a daily non-compounding stock dividend in the amount of 0.000054348 shares per day per share on the outstanding shares of our common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books at the close of business on each day during the period commencing on August 10, 2010 and continuing through and including September 15, 2010. This dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of September 2010 as our President may determine.
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On August 9, 2010, our board of directors declared a stock dividend for the fourth quarter of 2010 in the amount of 0.000054945 shares per day per share on the outstanding shares of common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books at the close of business on each day during the period commencing on September 16, 2010 and continuing through and including December 15, 2010. The fourth quarter dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of December 2010 as our President may determine.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK |
As a result of entering into the Mahrt Loan, we are exposed to interest rate changes. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements, and may enter into other interest rate swaps, caps, or other arrangements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes; however, our derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. All of our debt was entered into for other than trading purposes. We manage our ratio of fixed- to floating-rate debt with the objective of achieving a mix that we believe is appropriate in light of anticipated changes in interest rates. We closely monitor interest rates and will continue to consider the sources and terms of our borrowing facilities to determine whether we have appropriately guarded ourselves against the risk of increasing interest rates in future periods.
As of June 30, 2010, we had approximately $200.0 million outstanding on the Mahrt Loan, which matures on March 24, 2015 and bears interest at an adjustable rate based on one-, two-, or three-month LIBOR plus a margin that varies based upon the ratio of the amount outstanding on the loan to the value of the Mahrt Timberland at the time of determination. As of June 30, 2010, after consideration of interest rate swaps described below, only approximately $94.0 million of the Mahrt Loan bears interest at an effectively variable rate. As of June 30, 2010, the weighted-average interest rate of the Mahrt Loan, after consideration of interest rate swaps, was 6.76%.
In October 2007, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Wachovia (the Wachovia Interest Rate Swap) to hedge our exposure to changing interest rates. The Wachovia Interest Rate Swap has an effective date of October 16, 2007 and runs through September 30, 2010. From October 25, 2008 through September 30, 2010, the notional amount covered by the Wachovia Interest Rate Swap equals $106.0 million. Under the terms of the Wachovia Interest Rate Swap, from October 25, 2008 through September 30, 2010, we will pay interest at a fixed rate of 4.905% per annum and receive LIBOR-based interest payments based on a notional amount of $106.0 million. The Wachovia Interest Rate Swap effectively fixes the LIBOR rate on $106.0 million of the Mahrt Loan at 4.905%.
The terms of the Mahrt Loan agreement required us to enter into an interest rate protection agreement. As such, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Rabobank Group (the Rabobank Interest Rate Swap). The Rabobank Interest Rate Swap has an effective date of September 30, 2010 and matures on March 28, 2013. Under the terms of the Rabobank Interest Rate Swap, we will pay interest at a fixed rate of 2.085% per annum and will receive variable LIBOR-based interest payments from Rabobank Group based the following schedule:
Start Date |
End Date |
Notional Amount | ||
September 30, 2010 |
December 30, 2010 |
$ 52,500,000 | ||
December 30, 2010 |
March 30, 2011 |
$ 49,500,000 | ||
March 30, 2011 |
June 30, 2011 |
$ 46,500,000 | ||
June 30, 2011 |
September 30, 2011 |
$ 43,500,000 | ||
September 30, 2011 |
December 30, 2011 |
$ 67,500,000 | ||
December 30, 2011 |
March 30, 2012 |
$ 62,500,000 | ||
March 30, 2012 |
June 29, 2012 |
$ 57,500,000 |
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June 29, 2012 |
September 28, 2012 |
$ 50,000,000 | ||
September 28, 2012 |
December 31, 2012 |
$ 37,500,000 | ||
December 31, 2012 |
March 28, 2013 |
$ 28,500,000 |
Approximately $106.0 million of our total debt outstanding as of June 30, 2010 is subject to fixed rates when coupled with an interest rate swap. As of June 30, 2010, this balance incurred interest expense at an average rate of 8.905%. A change in the market interest rate impacts the net financial instrument position of our fixed-rate debt portfolio; however, it has no impact on interest incurred or cash flows.
As of June 30, 2010, after consideration of interest rate swaps, approximately $94.0 million of our total debt outstanding is subject to variable interest rates. As such, a 1.0% change in interest rates would result in a change in interest expense of approximately $0.9 million per year. The amount outstanding on our variable-rate debt facility in the future will be largely dependent upon the level of investor proceeds raised under our Offerings and the rate at which we are able to employ such proceeds in the acquisition of timberland properties and toward the repayment of the Mahrt Loan.
ITEM 4T. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Managements Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report in providing a reasonable level of assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods in SEC rules and forms, including providing a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
From time to time, we are party to legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently involved in any legal proceedings of which the outcome is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition, nor are we aware of any such legal proceedings contemplated by governmental authorities.
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the Risk Factors section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
(a) | All equity securities sold by us in the quarter ended June 30, 2010 were sold in an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
(c) | During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, we redeemed shares as follows: |
Period |
Total Number of Shares Redeemed |
Average Price Paid per Share |
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publically Announced Plan or Program |
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares Available That May Yet Be Redeemed Under the Program |
||||||
April 2010 |
3,850 | $ | 10.00 | 3,850 | (1 | ) | ||||
May 2010 |
10,500 | $ | 10.00 | 10,500 | (1 | ) | ||||
June 2010 |
| | | (1 | ) |
(1) | The commencement of our share redemption plan was announced on August 11, 2006. Our share redemption plan limits redemptions of our common stock as follows: the shares redeemed under the share redemption plan cannot exceed the lesser of (i) the amount redeemable from the sum of net proceeds from the sale of shares through the distribution reinvestment plan plus any additional amounts reserved for redemptions by Wells Timberland REITs board of directors, or (ii) in any calendar year, 5% of the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the preceding year. The terms of the Mahrt Loan prohibit Wells Timberland REIT from making redemptions, other than upon the death or qualifying disability of a stockholder, until this loan is reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of less than 40% (see Note 4 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements). Redemptions sought within two years of the death or qualifying disability of a stockholder do not require a one-year holding period and are subject only to the overall limitation that, during any calendar year, aggregate redemptions may not exceed 100% of the net proceeds from our distribution reinvestment plan during the calendar year and any additional amounts reserved for such purpose by our board of directors. Wells Timberland REITs board of directors has approved a monthly, non-cumulative reserve of $150,000 for death or qualifying disability redemptions of common stock. |
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ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
(a) | There have been no defaults with respect to any of our indebtedness. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
ITEM 4. | (REMOVED AND RESERVED) |
ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION |
(a) | During the second quarter of 2010, there was no information that was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K that was not disclosed in a report on Form 8-K. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
On August 9, 2010, we held our annual meeting of stockholders for the purpose of (1) electing the following individuals to our board of directors: Jess E. Jarrett, Michael P. McCollum, E. Nelson Mills, Donald S. Moss, Willis J. Potts, Jr. and George W. Sands and (2) considering and voting upon three proposals to amend certain provisions of our charter to (A) expressly permit our board of directors to authorize and us to declare and pay stock dividends to our stockholders (Proposal 2.A); (B) make revisions requested by a state securities administrator with respect to investor suitability determinations by our sponsor and SEC filings made in connection with any future asset roll-up transactions (Proposal 2.B); and (C) make certain minor corrections and clarifications (Proposal 2.C).
All of the director nominees were elected. The number of votes cast for and votes withheld for each of the director nominees were as follows:
Name |
Votes For | Votes Withheld | ||
Jess E. Jarrett |
11,045,677 | 312,083 | ||
E. Nelson Mills |
11,035,400 | 322,360 | ||
Michael P. McCollum |
11,048,227 | 309,533 | ||
Donald S. Moss |
11,027,646 | 330,113 | ||
Willis J. Potts, Jr. |
11,040,706 | 317,053 | ||
George W. Sands |
11,033,983 | 323,777 |
All three proposals to amend certain provisions of our charter were approved. The number of votes cast for, the votes cast against and votes abstaining were as follows:
Name |
Votes For | Votes Against | Abstentions | |||
Proposal 2.A (Stock Dividends) |
10,868,391 | 156,787 | 332,580 | |||
Proposal 2.B (Investor Suitability/Roll-Up) |
10,835,644 | 112,406 | 409,709 | |||
Proposal 2.C (Minor Corrections and Revisions) |
10,776,303 | 107,703 | 473,753 |
Amendment and Restatement of Our Charter
As discussed above, on August 9, 2010, at the annual meeting of our stockholders, our stockholders approved the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement to our charter. The Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement were filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on August 10, 2010, and are effective immediately. The information set forth above with respect to the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement does not purport to be complete in
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scope and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and is incorporated into this report by reference.
Amendment and Restatement of Our Bylaws
On August 9, 2010, our board of directors authorized and approved the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, which amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, adopted by our board of directors on August 5, 2009, as amended to date. Approval by our stockholders of the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement constituted approval of the deletion of the provisions of the First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which included certain provisions with respect to investor suitability determinations by our sponsor and SEC filings made in connection with any future roll-up transactions. These provisions are now included in the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as discussed above. The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws are effective immediately upon effectiveness of the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement.
The information set forth above with respect to the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete in scope and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto and are incorporated into this report by reference.
Stock Dividends
On August 9, 2010, our board of directors declared a special 2% common stock dividend on the outstanding shares of our common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books at the close of business on August 9, 2010. The special stock dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of August 2010 as our President may determine.
On August 9, 2010, our board of directors declared a daily non-compounding stock dividend in the amount of 0.000054348 shares per day per share on the outstanding shares of our common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books at the close of business on each day during the period commencing on August 10, 2010 and continuing through and including September 15, 2010. This dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of September 2010 as our President may determine.
On August 9, 2010, our board of directors declared a stock dividend for the fourth quarter of 2010 in the amount of 0.000054945 shares per day per share on the outstanding shares of common stock to the stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books at the close of business on each day during the period commencing on September 16, 2010 and continuing through and including December 15, 2010. The fourth quarter dividend is to be paid on a date during the month of December 2010 as our President may determine.
(b) | There are no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors since the filing of our Schedule 14A. |
ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
The exhibits required to be filed with this report are set forth on the Exhibit Index hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. (Registrant) | ||||
Date: August 9, 2010 |
By: |
/s/ DOUGLAS P. WILLIAMS | ||
Douglas P. Williams Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX TO
SECOND QUARTER 2010 FORM 10-Q OF
WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC.
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
3.1* | Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement | |
3.2* | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws | |
31.1* | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
31.2* | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.1* | Statement of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
* - Filed herewith