FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST INC - Quarter Report: 2007 March (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission file number 1-13102

 

 

 

 

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(312) 344-4300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer þ          Accelerated filer o          Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

Number of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of April 27, 2007: 45,390,450.

 

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

Form 10-Q

 

For the Period Ended March 31, 2007

 

INDEX

 

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) was organized in the state of Maryland on August 10, 1993. The Company is a real estate investment trust as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. The Company’s operations are conducted primarily through First Industrial, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) of which the Company is the sole general partner with an approximate 87.4% and 86.9% ownership interest at March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, respectively. Minority interest at March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 of approximately 12.6% and 13.1%, respectively, represents the aggregate partnership interest in the Operating Partnership held by the limited partners thereof.

 

As of March 31, 2007, the Company owned 959 industrial properties (inclusive of developments in process) located in 28 states in the United States and one province in Canada, containing an aggregate of approximately 76.8 million square feet of gross leaseable area (“GLA”). Of the 959 industrial properties owned by the Company, 741 are held by the Operating Partnership and limited liability companies of which the Operating Partnership is the sole member, 102 are held by limited partnerships in which the Operating Partnership is the limited partner and wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company are the general partners and 116 are held by an entity wholly-owned by the Operating Partnership.

 

The Company, through separate wholly-owned limited liability companies of which the Operating Partnership or a wholly-owned entity of the Operating Partnership is the sole member, also owns minority equity interests in, and provides various services to, five joint ventures which invest in industrial properties (the “May 2003 Joint Venture”, the “March 2005 Joint Venture” , the “September 2005 Joint Venture”, the “March 2006 Co-Investment Program” and the “July 2006 Joint Venture” together the “Joint Ventures”). The Company, through separate wholly-owned limited liability companies of which the Operating Partnership or a wholly-owned entity of the Operating Partnership is the sole member, also owns economic interests in and provided various services to a sixth joint venture, the September 1998 Joint Venture. On January 31, 2007, the Company purchased the 90% equity interest from the institutional investor in the September 1998 Joint Venture. Effective January 31, 2007, the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the September 1998 Joint Venture are consolidated with the Company since the Company effectively owns 100% of the equity interest. Prior to January 31, 2007, the September 1998 Joint Venture was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The operating data of the Joint Ventures is not consolidated with that of the Company as presented herein.

 

 

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with such financial statements and related notes. The following notes to these interim financial statements highlight significant changes to the notes included in the December 31, 2006 audited financial statements included in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K and present interim disclosures as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

In order to conform with generally accepted accounting principles, management, in preparation of the Company’s financial statements, is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each of the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and the results of its operations and comprehensive income for each of the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, and its cash flows for each of the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, and all adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Deferred Leasing Intangibles

 

Deferred Leasing Intangibles, exclusive of Deferred Leasing Intangibles held for sale, included in the Company’s total assets consist of the following:

 

 

Deferred Leasing Intangibles, exclusive of Deferred Leasing Intangibles held for sale, included in the Company’s total liabilities consist of the following:

 

 

The fair value of in-place leases, above market leases, tenant relationships and below market leases recorded due to real estate acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $9,478, $855, $5,574 and $(1,846), respectively. The fair value of in-place leases, above market leases, tenant relationships and below market leases recorded due to real estate acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $9,232, $610, $4,821 and $(3,307) respectively.

 

Amortization expense related to deferred leasing intangibles was $4,702 and $2,095 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, respectively.

 

Build-to-Suit for Sale and General Contractor Revenues and Expenses

 

During 2006, the Company entered into contracts with third parties to construct industrial properties. The build-to-suit for sale contracts require the purchase price to be paid at closing. The Company uses the percentage-of-completion contract method of accounting in accordance with SOP 81-1 “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts” (“SOP 81-1”). During the period of performance, costs are accumulated on the balance sheet in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets ($15,494 at March 31, 2007 and $10,263 at December 31, 2006) and revenues and expenses are recognized in continuing operations.

 

During 2007, the Company, through the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary (the “TRS”), acted as general contractor to construct industrial properties for the September 2005 Joint Venture. The Company uses the percentage-of-completion contract method of accounting in accordance with SOP 81-1. During the period of performance, costs are accumulated on the balance sheet in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets ($4,392 at March 31,

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

2007). The Company uses the gross method of presenting revenues and expenses in accordance with EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenues Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent.”

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 had no affect on the Company’s financial statements. As of the adoption date, the Company had approximately $1.4 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. The entire amount (with no federal effect) represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods. This entire amount relates to a single tax position regarding business loss carryforwards which the Company is currently litigating with the State of Michigan. During 2006, the Company paid the $1.4 million, representing taxes and interest in dispute in order to pursue a full recovery of the amount paid through litigation. It is anticipated that this litigation will be resolved sometime during 2007. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of January 1, 2007 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007, no interest or penalties have been accrued or incurred. The Company and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as filing various returns in states and applicable localities where it holds properties. With few exceptions, its filed income tax returns are no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2003.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” which established a common definition of fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, and expanded disclosure about such fair value measurements. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect that the implementation of this statement will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect that the implementation of this statement will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

 

At March 31, 2007, the May 2003 Joint Venture owned 11 industrial properties comprising approximately 5.1 million square feet of GLA, the March 2005 Joint Venture owned 42 industrial properties comprising approximately 4.1 million square feet of GLA and several land parcels, the September 2005 Joint Venture owned 132 industrial properties comprising approximately 9.4 million square feet of GLA and several land parcels, the March 2006 Co-Investment Program owned 13 industrial properties comprising approximately 5.9 million square feet of GLA (of which the Company has an equity interest in 12 industrial properties comprising approximately 5.0 million square feet of GLA), and the July 2006 Joint Venture owned several land parcels.

 

On January 31, 2007, the Company purchased the 90% equity interest from the institutional investor in the September 1998 Joint Venture. The Company paid $18,458 in cash and assumed $30,340 in mortgage loans payable.

 

On February 27, 2007, the Company redeemed the 85% equity interest in one property from the institutional investor in the May 2003 Joint Venture. In connection with the redemption, the Consolidated Operating Partnership assumed $8,250 in mortgage loans payable and $2,951 in other liabilities.

 

At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company has a receivable from the Joint Ventures of $11,719 and $7,967, respectively, which mainly relates to development, leasing, property management and asset management fees due to the Company from the Joint Ventures and reimbursement for development expenditures made by a

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership who is acting in the capacity of the general contractor for development projects for the March 2005 Joint Venture.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the Company invested the following amounts in its Joint Ventures as well as received distributions and recognized fees from acquisition, disposition, leasing, development, general contractor, incentive, property management and asset management services in the following amounts:

 

 

 

The following table discloses certain information regarding the Company’s mortgage loans payable, senior unsecured debt and unsecured line of credit:

 

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

During January 2007, in connection with the Company’s purchase of the 90% equity interest from the institutional investor of the September 1998 Joint Venture, the Company assumed a mortgage loan payable of $30,340. In March 2007, the Company paid off and retired $12,406 of this assumed mortgage loan payable. In February 2007, the Company assumed a mortgage loan payable of $8,250 in connection with the redemption of the 85% equity interest held by an institutional investor in a joint venture entity of the May 2003 Joint Venture that owned one property. The Company also paid down and retired this mortgage loan payable in February 2007. In connection with the retirement of the mortgage loans payable discussed above, the Company incurred prepayment penalties and a write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees totaling $146.

 

The following is a schedule of the stated maturities and scheduled principal payments of the mortgage loans, senior unsecured debt and unsecured line of credit, exclusive of premiums and discounts, for the next five years ending December 31, and thereafter:

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income:

 

In April 2006, the Company, through the Operating Partnership, entered into two interest rate protection agreements which fixed the interest rate on forecasted offerings of unsecured debt which it designated as cash flow hedges. The interest rate protection agreements each have a notional value of $72,900 and are effective from November 28, 2006 through November 28, 2016 (the “April 2006 Agreements”). The April 2006 Agreements fixed the LIBOR rate at 5.537%. Included in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2007 is $4,357 of loss related to the mark-to-market of the April 2006 Agreements (see Note 12).

 

In conjunction with certain issuances of senior unsecured debt, the Company entered into interest rate protection agreements to fix the interest rate on anticipated offerings of senior unsecured debt. In the next 12 months, the Company will amortize approximately $1,179 into net income by decreasing interest expense.

 

 

Shares of Common Stock

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, 7,950 limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“Units”) were converted into an equivalent number of shares of common stock.

 

Non-Qualified Employee Stock Options:

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, certain employees of the Company exercised 9,100 non-qualified employee stock options. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $174.

 

Restricted Stock:

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company awarded 442,008 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees and 1,598 shares of restricted common stock to certain directors. These shares of restricted common stock had a fair value of approximately $20,955 on the date of approval. The restricted common

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

stock awarded to employees generally vests over a three year period and the restricted common stock awarded to directors generally vests over a three to ten year period. Compensation expense will be charged to earnings over the respective vesting period for the shares expected to vest.

 

Dividend/Distributions:

 

The following table summarizes dividends/distributions accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company acquired 60 industrial properties comprising approximately 3.4 million square feet of GLA and several land parcels, including 41 industrial properties comprising approximately 1.3 million square feet of GLA in connection with the purchase of the 90% equity interest from the institutional investor of the September 1998 Joint Venture and one industrial property comprising 0.3 million square feet of GLA in connection with the redemption of the 85% equity interest in one property from the institutional investor in the May 2003 Joint Venture (see Note 3). The purchase price of these acquisitions totaled approximately $182,807, excluding costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition of the industrial properties and land parcels.

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company sold 35 industrial properties comprising approximately 4.0 million square feet of GLA and several land parcels. Gross proceeds from the sales of the 35 industrial properties and several land parcels were approximately $223,782. The gain on sale of real estate, net of income taxes was approximately $48,043. The 35 sold industrial properties meet the criteria established by FAS 144 to be included in discontinued operations. Therefore, in accordance with FAS 144, the results of operations and gain on sale of real estate, net of income taxes, for the 35 sold industrial properties are included in discontinued operations. The results of operations and gain on sale of real estate, net of income taxes, for the several land parcels do not meet the criteria established by FAS 144 and are included in continuing operations.

 

At March 31, 2007, the Company had 19 industrial properties comprising approximately 1.7 million square feet of GLA held for sale. In accordance with FAS 144, the results of operations of the 19 industrial properties held for sale at March 31, 2007 are included in discontinued operations. There can be no assurance that such industrial properties held for sale will be sold.

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 reflects the results of operations of the 35 industrial properties that were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2007, the results of operations of 125 industrial properties that were sold during the year ended December 31, 2006, the results of operations of the 19 industrial properties identified as held for sale at March 31, 2007 and the gain on sale of real estate relating to 24 industrial properties that were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table discloses certain information regarding the industrial properties included in discontinued operations by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006:

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The computation of basic and diluted EPS is presented below:

 

 

Unvested restricted stock shares aggregating 429,759 and 117,335 were antidilutive at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and accordingly, were excluded from dilution computations.

 

Options to purchase common stock of 372,876 and 499,456 were outstanding as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. All of the options outstanding at March 31, 2007 and 2006 were antidilutive, and accordingly, were excluded in dilution computations.

 

The $200,000 of senior unsecured debt (the “2011 Exchangeable Notes”) issued during 2006, which are convertible into common shares of the Company at the price of $50.93, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS as the Company’s average stock price did not exceed the strike price of the conversion feature.

 

Weighted average shares — diluted are the same as weighted average shares — basic for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 as the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock was excluded as its inclusion would have been anti-dilutive to the loss from continuing operations available to common stockholders, net of minority interest. The dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock excluded from the computation are 123,754 and 134,830, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 115,961 and 90,162, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $3,606 and $2,145 in compensation expense related to restricted stock awards, of which $556 and $260, respectively, was capitalized in connection with development activities. At March 31, 2007, the Company has $35,422 in unrecognized compensation related to unvested restricted stock awards. The weighted average period that the unrecognized compensation is expected to be incurred is 1.6 years. The Company has not awarded options to employees or directors of the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, and therefore no stock-based employee compensation expense related to options is included in net income available to common stockholders.

 

Stock option transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2007 are summarized as follows:

 

 

The following table summarizes currently outstanding and exercisable options as of March 31, 2007:

 

 

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in legal actions arising from the ownership of its properties. In management’s opinion, the liabilities, if any, that may ultimately result from such legal actions are not expected to have a materially adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, operations or liquidity of the Company.

 

The Company has committed to the construction of several industrial properties totaling approximately 3.6 million square feet of GLA. The estimated total construction costs are approximately $211.5 million. Of this amount, approximately $95.5 million remains to be funded. There can be no assurance the actual completion cost will not exceed the estimated completion cost stated above.

 

At March 31, 2007, the Company had 21 letters of credit outstanding in the aggregate amount of $8,270. These letters of credit expire between April 2007 and November 2010.

 

 

From April 1, 2007 to April 27, 2007, the Company acquired four industrial properties and several land parcels for a purchase price of approximately $17,295, excluding costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition of these industrial properties and several land parcels. The Company also sold seven industrial properties for approximately $32,282 of gross proceeds.

 

On April 16, 2007, the Company and the Operating Partnership paid a first quarter 2007 dividend/distribution of $.71 per common share/Unit, totaling approximately $36,867.

 

On May 1, 2007 the Company, through the Operating Partnership, priced $150,000 of senior unsecured debt with a maturity of May 15, 2017 (the “2017 Notes II”). The coupon interest rate and the issue price on the 2017

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Notes II was 5.95% and 99.730%, respectively. The offering of the 2017 Notes II is expected to close on May 7, 2007. There can be no assurance that the 2017 Notes II will close.

 

On May 1, 2007 the Company settled the April 2006 Agreements for a payment of $4,174, which will be included in other comprehensive income. The settlement amount of the April 2006 Agreements will be amortized over the life of the 2017 Notes II as an adjustment to interest expense.

 

The following discussion and analysis of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.’s (the “Company”) financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse affect on the operations and future prospects of the Company on a consolidated basis include, but are not limited to, changes in: economic conditions generally and the real estate market specifically, legislative/regulatory changes (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts), availability of financing, interest rates, competition, supply and demand for industrial properties in the Company’s current and proposed market areas, potential environmental liabilities, slippage in development or lease-up schedules, tenant credit risks, higher-than-expected costs and changes in general accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to real estate investment trusts. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Further information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included herein in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

GENERAL

 

The Company was organized in the state of Maryland on August 10, 1993. The Company is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) as defined in the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The Company’s operations are conducted primarily through First Industrial, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) of which the Company is the sole general partner with an approximate 87.4% ownership interest at March 31, 2007. Minority interest in the Company at March 31, 2007 represents the approximate 12.6% aggregate partnership interest in the Operating Partnership held by the limited partners thereof.

 

As of March 31, 2007, the Company owned 959 industrial properties (inclusive of developments in process) located in 28 states and one Province in Canada, containing an aggregate of approximately 76.8 million square feet of gross leaseable area (“GLA”). Of the 959 industrial properties owned by the Company, 741 are held by the Operating Partnership and limited liability companies of which the Operating Partnership is the sole member, 102 are held by limited partnerships in which the Operating Partnership is the limited partner and wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company are the general partners and 116 are held by an entity wholly-owned by the Operating Partnership.

 

The Company, through separate wholly-owned limited liability companies of which the Operating Partnership or an entity wholly-owned by the Operating Partnership is the sole member, also owns minority equity interests in, and provides various services to, five joint ventures which invest in industrial properties (the “May 2003 Joint Venture”, the “March 2005 Joint Venture” , the “September 2005 Joint Venture”, the “March 2006 Co-Investment Program” and the “July 2006 Joint Venture” together the “Joint Ventures”). The Company, through separate wholly-owned limited liability companies of which the Operating Partnership or an entity wholly-owned by the Operating Partnership is the sole member, also owns economic interests in and provided various services to a sixth joint venture, the September 1998 Joint Venture. On January 31, 2007, the Company purchased the 90% equity interest from the institutional investor in the September 1998 Joint Venture. Effective January 31, 2007, the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the September 1998 Joint Venture are consolidated with the Company since the Company effectively owns 100% of the equity interest. Prior to January 31, 2007, the September 1998 Joint Venture was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The operating data of the Joint Ventures is not consolidated with that of the Company as presented herein.

 

MANAGEMENT’S OVERVIEW

 

Management believes the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are, primarily, a function of the Company’s and its Joint Ventures’ performance in four key areas: leasing of industrial properties, acquisition and development of additional industrial properties, redeployment of internal capital and access to external capital.

 

The Company generates revenue primarily from rental income and tenant recoveries from long-term (generally three to six years) operating leases of its and its joint ventures’ industrial properties. Such revenue is offset by certain property specific operating expenses, such as real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, property management, utilities and insurance expenses, along with certain other costs and expenses, such as depreciation and amortization costs and general and administrative and interest expenses. The Company’s revenue growth is dependent, in part, on its ability to (i) increase rental income, through increasing either or both occupancy rates and rental rates at the Company’s and its joint ventures’ properties, (ii) maximize tenant recoveries and (iii) minimize operating and certain other expenses. Revenues generated from rental income and tenant recoveries are a significant source of funds, in addition to income generated from gains/losses on the sale of the Company’s and its joint ventures’ properties (as discussed below), for the Company’s distributions. The leasing of property, in general, and occupancy rates, rental rates, operating expenses and certain non-operating expenses, in particular, are impacted, variously, by property specific, market specific, general economic and other conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The leasing of property also entails various risks, including the risk of tenant default. If the Company were unable to maintain or increase occupancy rates and rental rates at the Company’s and its joint ventures’ properties or to maintain tenant recoveries and operating and certain other expenses consistent with historical levels and proportions, the Company’s revenue growth would be limited. Further, if a significant number of the Company’s and its joint ventures’ tenants were unable to pay rent (including tenant recoveries) or if the Company or its joint ventures were unable to rent their properties on favorable terms, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, the Company’s common stock would be adversely affected.

 

The Company’s revenue growth is also dependent, in part, on its and its joint ventures’ ability to acquire existing, and acquire and develop new, additional industrial properties on favorable terms. The Company itself and through its various joint ventures, continually seeks to acquire existing industrial properties on favorable terms, and, when conditions permit, also seeks to acquire and develop new industrial properties on favorable terms. Existing properties, as they are acquired, and acquired and developed properties, as they are leased, generate revenue from rental income, tenant recoveries and fees, income from which, as discussed above, is a source of funds for the Company’s distributions. The acquisition and development of properties is impacted, variously, by property specific, market specific, general economic and other conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The acquisition and development of properties also entails various risks, including the risk that the Company’s and its joint ventures’ investments may not perform as expected. For example, acquired existing and acquired and developed new properties may not sustain and/or achieve anticipated occupancy and rental rate levels. With respect to acquired and developed new properties, the Company may not be able to complete construction on schedule or within budget, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs and delays in leasing the properties. Also, the Company and its joint ventures face significant competition for attractive acquisition and development opportunities from other well-capitalized real estate investors, including both publicly-traded real estate investment trusts and private investors. Further, as discussed below, the Company and its joint ventures may not be able to finance the acquisition and development opportunities they identify. If the Company and its joint ventures were unable to acquire and develop sufficient additional properties on favorable terms, or if such investments did not perform as expected, the Company’s revenue growth would be limited and its financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, the Company’s common stock would be adversely affected.

 

The Company also generates income from the sale of its and its joint ventures’ properties (including existing buildings, buildings which the Company or its joint ventures have developed or re-developed on a merchant basis, and land). The Company itself and through its various joint ventures is continually engaged in, and its income growth is dependent in part on, systematically redeploying capital from properties and other assets with lower yield potential into properties and other assets with higher yield potential. As part of that process, the Company and its joint ventures sell, on an ongoing basis, select stabilized properties or land or properties offering lower potential

returns relative to their market value. The gain/loss on and fees from, the sale of such properties are included in the Company’s income and are a significant source of funds, in addition to revenues generated from rental income and tenant recoveries, for the Company’s distributions. Also, a significant portion of the Company’s proceeds from such sales is used to fund the acquisition of existing, and the acquisition and development of new, industrial properties. The sale of properties is impacted, variously, by property specific, market specific, general economic and other conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The sale of properties also entails various risks, including competition from other sellers and the availability of attractive financing for potential buyers of the Company’s and its joint ventures’ properties. Further, the Company’s ability to sell properties is limited by safe harbor rules applying to REITs under the Code which relate to the number of properties that may be disposed of in a year, their tax bases and the cost of improvements made to the properties, along with other tests which enable a REIT to avoid punitive taxation on the sale of assets. If the Company and its joint ventures were unable to sell properties on favorable terms, the Company’s income growth would be limited and its financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, the Company’s common stock would be adversely affected.

 

Currently, the Company utilizes a portion of the net sales proceeds from property sales, borrowings under its unsecured line of credit and proceeds from the issuance, when and as warranted, of additional debt and equity securities to finance acquisitions and developments and to fund its equity commitments to its joint ventures. Access to external capital on favorable terms plays a key role in the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, as it impacts the Company’s cost of capital and its ability and cost to refinance existing indebtedness as it matures and to fund acquisitions, developments and contributions to its joint ventures or through the issuance, when and as warranted, of additional equity securities. The Company’s ability to access external capital on favorable terms is dependent on various factors, including general market conditions, interest rates, credit ratings on the Company’s capital stock and debt, the market’s perception of the Company’s growth potential, the Company’s current and potential future earnings and cash distributions and the market price of the Company’s capital stock. If the Company were unable to access external capital on favorable terms, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, the Company’s common stock would be adversely affected.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

 

The Company’s net income available to common stockholders was $29.3 million and $17.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Basic and diluted net income available to common stockholders were $0.66 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and $0.39 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

The tables below summarize the Company’s revenues, property expenses and depreciation and other amortization by various categories for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006. Same store properties are properties owned prior to January 1, 2006 and held as an operating property through March 31, 2007 and developments and redevelopments that were placed in service prior to January 1, 2006 or were substantially completed for 12 months prior to January 1, 2006. Properties are placed in service as they reach stabilized occupancy (generally defined as 90% occupied). Acquired properties are properties that were acquired subsequent to December 31, 2005 and held as an operating property through March 31, 2007. Sold properties are properties that were sold subsequent to December 31, 2005. (Re)Developments and land are land parcels and developments and redevelopments that were not a) substantially complete 12 months prior to January 1, 2006 or b) placed in service prior to January 1, 2006. Other revenues are derived from the operations of the Company’s maintenance company, fees earned from the Company’s joint ventures and other miscellaneous revenues. Revenues and expenses from build to suit development for sale represent fees earned and expenses incurred for developing properties for third parties. Contractor revenues and expenses represent revenues earned and expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary (the “TRS”) acting as general contractor for several industrial properties in the September 2005 Joint Venture. Other expenses are derived from the operations of the Company’s maintenance company and other miscellaneous regional expenses.

 

The Company’s future financial condition and results of operations, including rental revenues, may be impacted by the future acquisition and sale of properties. The Company’s future revenues and expenses may vary materially from historical rates.

 

At March 31, 2007 and 2006, the occupancy rates of the Company’s same store properties were 92.2% and 88.8%, respectively.

 

 

Revenues from same store properties increased by $3.8 million due to an increase in same store property occupancy rates. Revenues from acquired properties increased $14.3 million due to the 151 industrial properties acquired subsequent to December 31, 2005 totaling approximately 13.9 million square feet of GLA. Revenues from sold properties decreased $8.8 million due to the 160 industrial properties sold subsequent to December 31, 2005 totaling approximately 21.1 million square feet of GLA. Revenues from (re)developments and land remained relatively unchanged. Other revenues increased by approximately $5.3 million due primarily to an increase in fees earned related to the Company assigning its interest in certain purchase contracts to third parties for consideration. Revenues from build to suit development for sale increased $2.5 million due to increased development activity. Contractor revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007 represent revenues earned on construction projects for which the TRS acted as general contractor.

 

 

Property expenses include real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, property management, utilities, insurance, other property related expenses, expenses from build to suit development for sale and contractor expenses. Property expenses from same store properties remained relatively unchanged. Property expenses from acquired properties increased by $2.8 million due to properties acquired subsequent to December 31, 2005. Property expenses from sold properties decreased by $2.5 million due to properties sold subsequent to December 31, 2005. Property expenses from (re)developments and land remained relatively unchanged. Other expense remained relatively unchanged. Expenses from build to suit development for sale increased $2.5 million due to increased development activity. Contractor expenses for the three months ended March 2007, represent expenses incurred on construction projects for which the TRS acted as general contractor.

 

General and administrative expense increased by approximately $5.2 million, or 29.2%, due primarily to increases in employee compensation related to compensation for new employees as well as an increase in incentive compensation.

 

 

Depreciation and other amortization for same store properties remained relatively unchanged. Depreciation and other amortization from acquired properties increased by $8.3 million due to properties acquired subsequent to

December 31, 2005. Depreciation and other amortization from sold properties decreased by $4.2 million due to properties sold subsequent to December 31, 2005. Depreciation and other amortization for (re)developments and land and other decreased by $1.6 million due primarily to accelerated depreciation recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2006 on one property in Columbus, OH which was razed during 2006.

 

Interest income decreased by approximately $0.4 million due primarily to a decrease in the average mortgage loans receivable outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

Interest expense increased by approximately $0.4 million primarily due to an increase in the weighted average debt balance outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2007 ($1,915.1 million), as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006 ($1,845.0 million), partially offset by a decrease in the weighted average interest rate for the three months ended March 31, 2007 (6.62%), as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006 (6.78%).

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs increased by approximately $0.2 million, or 32.3%, due primarily to financing fees incurred associated with the issuance of $200,000 of senior unsecured debt in September 2006.

 

In October 2005, the Company, through the TRS, entered into an interest rate protection agreement which hedged the change in value of a build to suit development project the Company was constructing. This interest rate protection agreement had a notional value of $50 million, was based on the three month LIBOR rate, had a strike rate of 4.8675%, had an effective date of December 30, 2005 and a termination date of December 30, 2010. Per Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” fair value and cash flow hedge accounting for hedges of non-financial assets and liabilities is limited to hedges of the risk of changes in the market price of the entire hedged item because changes in the price of an ingredient or component of a non-financial item generally do not have a predictable, separately measurable effect on the price of the item. Since the interest rate protection agreement is hedging a component of the change in value of the build to suit development, the interest rate protection agreement does not qualify for hedge accounting and the change in value of the interest rate protection agreement will be recognized immediately in net income as opposed to other comprehensive income. On January 5, 2006, the Company, through the TRS, settled the interest rate protection agreement for a payment of $0.2 million.

 

During 2007, the Company incurred a $0.1 million loss from early retirement of debt due to early payoffs of mortgage loans.

 

Equity in income of joint ventures increased by approximately $5.7 million due primarily to the Company’s economic share of gains and earn outs on property sales from the March 2005 Joint Venture and the September 2005 Joint Venture during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

The income tax provision (included in continuing operations, discontinued operations and gain of sale) increased by $0.7 million, in the aggregate, due primarily to an increase in joint venture fees, assignment fees and equity in income of joint ventures, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expense within the TRS.

 

The $2.8 million and $1.0 million gain on sale of real estate, net of income taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, resulted from the sale of several land parcels that do not meet the criteria established by FAS 144 for inclusion in discontinued operations.

 

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the industrial properties included in discontinued operations by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.

 

 

Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 reflects the results of operations and gain on sale of real estate, relating to 35 industrial properties that were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the results of operations of 19 properties that were identified as held for sale at March 31, 2007.

 

Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 reflects the gain on sale of real estate relating to 24 industrial properties that were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and reflects the results of operations of the 125 industrial properties that were sold during the year ended December 31, 2006, 35 industrial properties that were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 19 industrial properties identified as held for sale at March 31, 2007.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At March 31, 2007, the Company’s cash and restricted cash was approximately $2.3 and $0.3 million, respectively. Restricted cash is primarily comprised of cash held in escrow in connection with mortgage debt requirements.

 

The Company has considered its short-term (one year or less) liquidity needs and the adequacy of its estimated cash flow from operations and other expected liquidity sources to meet these needs. The Company’s 7.6% Notes due in 2007, in the aggregate principal amount of $150 million are due on May 15, 2007 (the “2007 Notes”). The Company expects to satisfy the payment obligations on the 2007 Notes with the issuance of additional debt. With the exception of the 2007 Notes, the Company believes that its principal short-term liquidity needs are to fund normal recurring expenses, debt service requirements and the minimum distribution required to maintain the Company’s REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company anticipates that these needs will be met with cash flows provided by operating activities and investment activities.

 

The Company expects to meet long-term (greater than one year) liquidity requirements such as property acquisitions, developments, scheduled debt maturities, major renovations, expansions and other nonrecurring capital improvements through the disposition of select assets, long-term unsecured indebtedness and the issuance of additional equity securities. As of March 31, 2007 and April 27, 2007, $215.4 million of common stock, preferred stock and depositary shares and $300.00 million of debt securities were registered and unissued under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On April 30, 2007 the Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering an indefinite number or amount of the same securities to be issued in the following three years. On May 1, 2007 the Operating Partnership publicly offered $150.0 million of 5.95% senior unsecured debt due in 2017. The Company also may finance the development or acquisition of additional properties through borrowings under the 2005 Unsecured Line of Credit. At March 31, 2007, borrowings under the 2005 Unsecured Line of Credit bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 6.06%. The 2005 Unsecured Line of Credit bears interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus .625%, or the Prime Rate, at the Company’s election. As of April 27, 2007

the Company had approximately $235.2 million available for additional borrowings under the 2005 Unsecured Line of Credit.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $23.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was comprised primarily of net income before minority interest of approximately $39.4 million, the net change in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $1.0 million and net distributions from joint ventures of $0.2, offset by adjustments for non-cash items of approximately $17.3 million. The adjustments for the non-cash items of approximately $17.3 million are primarily comprised of the gain on sale of real estate of approximately $58.9 million and the effect of the straight-lining of rental income of approximately $2.7 million, offset by depreciation and amortization of approximately $44.1 million and loss on early retirement of debt of approximately $0.2 million.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities of approximately $34.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was comprised primarily by the net proceeds from the sale of real estate, the repayment of notes receivable, distributions from the Company’s industrial real estate joint ventures and a decrease in restricted cash that is held by an intermediary for Section 1031 exchange purposes, partially offset by the acquisition of real estate, development of real estate, capital expenditures related to the expansion and improvement of existing real estate, contributions to, and investments in, the Company’s industrial real estate joint ventures and the funding of notes receivable.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company acquired 60 industrial properties comprising approximately 3.4 million square feet of GLA and several land parcels. The purchase price for these acquisitions totaled approximately $182.8 million, excluding costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition of the industrial properties and land parcels.

 

The Company, through a wholly-owned limited liability company in which the Operating Partnership or the TRS is the sole member, invested approximately $4.2 million and received distributions of approximately $11.0 million from the Company’s real estate joint ventures. As of March 31, 2007, the Company’s industrial real estate joint ventures owned 197 industrial properties comprising approximately 23.6 million square feet of GLA.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company sold 35 industrial properties comprising approximately 4.0 million square feet of GLA and several land parcels. Gross proceeds from the sales of the 35 industrial properties and several land parcels were approximately $223.8 million.

 

Net cash used in financing activities of approximately $71.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was derived primarily by common and preferred stock dividends and unit distributions, net repayments under the Company’s Unsecured Line of Credit, the repurchase of restricted stock from employees of the Company to pay for withholding taxes on the vesting of restricted stock, repayments on mortgage loans payable and debt issue costs and prepayment penalty, partially offset by the net proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a book overdraft.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company awarded 442,008 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees and 1,598 shares of restricted common stock to certain directors. These shares of restricted common stock had a fair value of approximately $21.0 million on the date of approval. The restricted common stock awarded to employees generally vests over a three year period and the restricted common stock awarded to directors generally vests over a five year period. Compensation expense will be charged to earnings over the respective vesting periods for those shares that are expected to vest.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, certain employees of the Company exercised 9,100 non-qualified employee stock options. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $0.2 million.

 

Market Risk

 

The following discussion about the Company’s risk-management activities includes “forward-looking statements” that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company also faces risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include credit risk and legal risk and are not represented in the following analysis.

 

At March 31, 2007, approximately $1,645.0 million (approximately 89.2% of total debt at March 31, 2007) of the Company’s debt was fixed rate debt and approximately $199.0 million (approximately 10.8% of total debt at March 31, 2007) was variable rate debt.

 

For fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair value of the debt, but not earnings or cash flows of the Company. Conversely, for variable rate debt, changes in the interest rate generally do not impact the fair value of the debt, but would affect the Company’s future earnings and cash flows. The interest rate risk and changes in fair market value of fixed rate debt generally do not have a significant impact on the Company until the Company is required to refinance such debt. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the maturity dates of the Company’s various fixed rate debt.

 

The use of derivative financial instruments allows the Company to manage risks of increases in interest rates with respect to the effect these fluctuations would have on our earnings and cash flows. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had two outstanding interest rate swaps with aggregate notional amount of $145.8 million which fix the interest rate on a forecasted offering of debt.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Refer to Footnote 2 to the March 31, 2007 Financial Statements.

 

Subsequent Events

 

From April 1, 2007 to April 27, 2007, the Company acquired four industrial properties and several land parcels for a purchase price of approximately $17.3 million, excluding costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition of these industrial properties and several land parcels. The Company also sold seven industrial properties for approximately $32.3 million of gross proceeds.

 

On April 16, 2007, the Company and the Operating Partnership paid a first quarter 2007 dividend/distribution of $.71 per common share/Unit, totaling approximately $36.9 million.

 

On May 1, 2007 the Company, through the Operating Partnership, priced $150.0 million of senior unsecured debt with a maturity of May 15, 2017 (the “2017 Notes II”). The coupon interest rate and the issue price on the 2017 Notes II was 5.95% and 99.730%, respectively. The offering of the 2017 Notes II is expected to close on May 7, 2007. There can be no assurance that the 2017 Notes II will close.

 

On May 1, 2007 the Company settled the April 2006 Agreements for a payment of $4.2 million, which will be included in other comprehensive income. The settlement amount of the April 2006 Agreements will be amortized over the life of the 2017 Notes II as an adjustment to interest expense.

 

Response to this item is included in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” above.

 

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b), have concluded that as of the end of such period the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

None.

 

If the IRS were to disagree with our characterization of certain arrangements entered into by the Company as reimbursements or the timing of certain assignments of contracts by the Company, the Company could be subject to a penalty tax or fail to remain qualified as a REIT.

 

The Company believes that it has operated and intends to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. Although the Company believes that it is organized and has operated in a manner so as to qualify as a REIT, qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements, some of which must be met on a recurring basis. These requirements are established under highly technical and complex Code provisions of which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations and involve the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within the Company’s control.

 

The Company (through one of its subsidiary partnerships) entered into certain development agreements in 2000 through 2003, the performance of which has been completed. Under these agreements, the Company provided services to unrelated third parties and certain payments were made by the unrelated third parties for services provided by certain contractors hired by the Company. The Company believes that these payments were properly characterized by it as reimbursements for costs incurred by it on behalf of the third parties and do not constitute gross income and did not prevent the Company from satisfying the gross income requirements of the REIT provisions (the “gross income tests”). The Company brought this matter to the attention of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). The IRS did not challenge or express any interest in challenging the Company’s view on this matter.

 

Employees of the First Industrial, L.P., a subsidiary partnership of the Company (the “Service Employees”), were providing certain acquisition and disposition services since 2004 and certain leasing and property management services since 1997 to one of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (the “TRS”), and have also been providing certain of these services (or similar services) to joint ventures in which First Industrial, L.P. owns a minority interest or to unrelated parties. In determining whether it satisfied the gross income tests for certain years, the Company has taken and intends to take the position that the costs of the Service Employees should be shared between the Operating Partnership and the TRS and that no fee income should be imputed to the Company as a result of such arrangement. However, because certain of these services (or similar services) have also been performed for the joint ventures or unrelated parties described above, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not successfully challenge this position. First Industrial, L.P. believes that it has taken appropriate steps to address this issue going forward, but there can be no assurance that such steps will adequately resolve this issue.

 

During 2006, the Company determined that the Operating Partnership’s fee income to be derived in 2006 and subsequent years from joint ventures with third parties (“joint venture fee income”) might materially exceed joint venture fee income in prior years. If steps were not taken, this increased fee income might have caused the Company to violate the gross income tests in 2006 and subsequent years. The Company decided to address this issue by transferring employees providing the services, and assigning the service contracts giving rise to the fee income, from the Operating Partnership to the TRS. The Company believes that these transfers were completed early enough in 2006 to have avoided this potential gross income issue for 2006. The employees were transferred promptly to the TRS. However, the documentation for the assignment of the service contracts was completed later because changes were required to the transaction documentation for each of the joint ventures involved and, in some cases, consent of the respective joint venture partner was needed. It is therefore possible that the IRS could raise an issue as to when the service activity generating the joint venture fee income shifted to the TRS for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In light of this possibility, the Company presently intends to seek clarification from the IRS in the form of a private letter ruling or closing agreement. The Company intends to ask the IRS to confirm that (i) the transfers were made early enough in 2006 to have avoided any potential violation of the gross income tests or alternatively, that (ii) if the transfers occurred later in 2006 than the Company intended, the gross income tests were satisfied in any event.

If the IRS were to challenge either of the positions described in the second and third paragraphs and were successful, or the IRS were unwilling to provide the clarification described in the fourth paragraph, the Company could be found not to have satisfied the gross income tests in one or more of its taxable years. If the Company were found not to have satisfied the gross income tests, it could be subject to a penalty tax as a result of any such violations, but the Company does not believe that any such penalty tax would be material. However, such noncompliance should not adversely affect the Company’s qualification as a REIT as long as such noncompliance was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and certain other requirements were met. The Company believes that, in all three situations, any such noncompliance was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and that such other requirements will have been met

 

If the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it would be subject to federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at corporate rates. This could result in a discontinuation or substantial reduction in dividends to stockholders and in cash to pay interest and principal on debt securities that the Company issues. Unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the Company would be disqualified from electing treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which it failed to qualify as a REIT.

 

None

 

None.

 

None.

 

Not Applicable.

 

a) Exhibits:

 

 

 

The Company maintains a website at www.firstindustrial.com. Information on this website shall not constitute part of this Form 10-Q. Copies of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports are available without charge on the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. In addition, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter, along with supplemental financial and operating information prepared by the Company, are all available without charge on the Company’s website or upon request to the Company. Amendments to, or waivers from, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that apply to the Company’s executive officers or directors shall be posted to the Company’s website at www.firstindustrial.com. Please direct requests as follows:

 

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
311 S. Wacker, Suite 4000
Chicago, IL 60606
Attention: Investor Relations

 

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.

 

FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.

 

Scott A. Musil

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Date: May 3, 2007