FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY - Quarter Report: 2010 January (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the Quarterly Period Ended January 31, 2010
or
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
|
For
the transition period from __________________ to
____________________
|
Commission
File No. 000-25043
FIRST
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
|
||
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
||
New
Jersey
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22-1697095
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(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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505
Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey
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07601
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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201-488-6400
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
(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 website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes No
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
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Accelerated
Filer x
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Non-Accelerated
Filer
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Smaller
Reporting Company
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No x
As of
March 12, 2010, the number of shares of beneficial interest outstanding was
6,942,143
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
INDEX
Page
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4
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5
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6
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7
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11
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21
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21
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21
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21
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21
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22
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Part
I: Financial Information
Item
1: Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
January
31,
|
October
31,
|
|||||||
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
(In
Thousands of Dollars)
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Real
estate, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation
|
$ | 213,719 | $ | 214,283 | ||||
Construction
in progress
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9,760 | 9,694 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
6,252 | 6,751 | ||||||
Investments
in US Treasury Bills at amortized cost,
|
||||||||
which
approximates fair value
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4,549 | 4,549 | ||||||
Tenants'
security accounts
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2,121 | 2,147 | ||||||
Sundry
receivables
|
4,552 | 4,440 | ||||||
Secured
loans receivable
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3,326 | 3,326 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
2,661 | 3,198 | ||||||
Acquired
over market leases and in-place lease costs
|
630 | 670 | ||||||
Deferred
charges, net
|
2,711 | 2,793 | ||||||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 250,281 | $ | 251,851 | ||||
LIABILITIES &
EQUITY
|
||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Mortgages
payable
|
$ | 201,596 | $ | 202,260 | ||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
7,625 | 7,496 | ||||||
Dividends
payable
|
2,083 | 2,083 | ||||||
Tenants'
security deposits
|
2,762 | 2,847 | ||||||
Acquired
below market value leases and deferred revenue
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3,077 | 3,049 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
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217,143 | 217,735 | ||||||
Commitments
and contingencies
|
||||||||
Equity:
|
||||||||
Common
equity:
|
||||||||
Shares
of beneficial interest without par value:
|
||||||||
8,000,000
shares authorized; 6,993,152 shares issued
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24,969 | 24,969 | ||||||
Treasury
stock, at cost: 51,009 shares
|
(1,135 | ) | (1,135 | ) | ||||
Dividends
in excess of net income
|
(4,023 | ) | (3,112 | ) | ||||
Total
common equity
|
19,811 | 20,722 | ||||||
Noncontrolling
interests in subsidiaries
|
13,327 | 13,394 | ||||||
Total
equity
|
33,138 | 34,116 | ||||||
Total
Liabilities & Equity
|
$ | 250,281 | $ | 251,851 | ||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
FIRST
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
||||||
THREE
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2010 AND 2009
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
January
31,
|
||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
(In
Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share
Amounts) |
||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||
Rental
income
|
$ | 9,334 | $ | 9,192 | ||||
Reimbursements
|
1,434 | 1,405 | ||||||
Sundry
income
|
81 | 152 | ||||||
Totals
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10,849 | 10,749 | ||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||
Operating
expenses
|
2,924 | 2,700 | ||||||
Management
fees
|
469 | 463 | ||||||
Real
estate taxes
|
1,656 | 1,592 | ||||||
Depreciation
|
1,521 | 1,474 | ||||||
Totals
|
6,570 | 6,229 | ||||||
Operating
income
|
4,279 | 4,520 | ||||||
Investment
income
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36 | 79 | ||||||
Interest
expense including amortization
|
||||||||
of
deferred financing costs
|
(2,862 | ) | (2,715 | ) | ||||
Net
income
|
1,453 | 1,884 | ||||||
Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interests in
subsidiaries
|
(281 | ) | (363 | ) | ||||
Net
income attributable to common equity
|
$ | 1,172 | $ | 1,521 | ||||
Earnings
per share (attributable to common equity):
|
||||||||
Basic
|
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.22 | ||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.22 | ||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding:
|
||||||||
Basic
|
6,942 | 6,946 | ||||||
Diluted
|
6,942 | 6,946 | ||||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
|
|||||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||||
Common
Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
of
Beneficial Interest |
Treasury
Shares at Cost |
Dividends
in
Excess of Net Income |
Total
Common Equity |
Noncontrolling
Interests |
Total
Equity
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(In
Thousands of Dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at October 31, 2009
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$ | 24,969 | $ | (1,135 | ) | $ | (3,112 | ) | $ | 20,722 | $ | 13,394 | $ | 34,116 | ||||||||||
Distributions
to noncontrolling interests
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(348 | ) | (348 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
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1,172 | 1,172 | 281 | 1,453 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends
declared
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(2,083 | ) | (2,083 | ) | (2,083 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at January 31, 2010
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$ | 24,969 | $ | (1,135 | ) | $ | (4,023 | ) | $ | 19,811 | $ | 13,327 | $ | 33,138 | ||||||||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
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CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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|||||||
THREE
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2010 AND 2009
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(Unaudited)
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|||||||
Three
Months Ended
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||||||||
January
31,
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||||||||
2010
|
2009
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|||||||
(In
Thousands of Dollars)
|
||||||||
Operating
activities:
|
||||||||
Net
income
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$ | 1,453 | $ | 1,884 | ||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
|
||||||||
operating
activities:
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||||||||
Depreciation
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1,521 | 1,474 | ||||||
Amortization
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121 | 118 | ||||||
Net
amortization of acquired leases
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8 | 9 | ||||||
Deferred
revenue
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47 | (29 | ) | |||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Tenants'
security accounts
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26 | 62 | ||||||
Sundry
receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets
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381 | 30 | ||||||
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
69 | (35 | ) | |||||
Tenants'
security deposits
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(85 | ) | (57 | ) | ||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
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3,541 | 3,456 | ||||||
Investing
activities:
|
||||||||
Capital
improvements - existing properties
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(341 | ) | (815 | ) | ||||
Construction
and pre - development costs
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(615 | ) | (547 | ) | ||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
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(956 | ) | (1,362 | ) | ||||
Financing
activities:
|
||||||||
Repayment
of mortgages
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(704 | ) | (576 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from mortgages and construction loans
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40 | 516 | ||||||
Deferred
financing costs
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11 | 6 | ||||||
Dividends
paid
|
(2,083 | ) | (2,084 | ) | ||||
Distributions
to noncontrolling interests
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(348 | ) | (120 | ) | ||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
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(3,084 | ) | (2,258 | ) | ||||
Net
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
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(499 | ) | (164 | ) | ||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
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6,751 | 8,192 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
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$ | 6,252 | $ | 8,028 | ||||
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow data:
|
||||||||
Interest
paid, including capitalized construction period interest
|
||||||||
of
$40 and $55 in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively.
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$ | 2,720 | $ | 2,591 | ||||
Supplemental
schedule of non cash activities:
|
||||||||
Investing
activities:
|
||||||||
Accrued
capital expenditures, construction costs, pre-development costs and
interest
|
$ | 59 | $ | 278 | ||||
Financing
activities:
|
||||||||
Dividends
declared but not paid
|
$ | 2,083 | $ | 2,084 | ||||
See
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND
SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 -
Basis of presentation:
The
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared
without audit, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and
pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete
financial statements have been omitted. It is the opinion of management that all
adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, and
that all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
The
consolidated results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2010
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes
included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009
of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (“FREIT”).
Note 2 –
Adopted and recently issued accounting standards:
On
December 4, 2007, the FASB issued two new accounting standards, SFAS No. 141R,
“Business Combinations” (ASC 805-10), and SFAS No. 160, “Non-Controlling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51”
(ASC 810-10). The standards are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption was prohibited.
|
·
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The
objective of ASC 805 is to improve the relevance, representational
faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity
provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its
effects. To accomplish that, this Statement establishes principles and
requirements for how the acquirer:
|
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a.)
|
Recognizes
and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired,
the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the
acquiree;
|
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b.)
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Recognizes
and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain
from a bargain purchase;
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c.)
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Determines
what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements
to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business
combination.
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The
effect of the adoption of ASC 805 will be dependent upon future acquisition
activity, if any, of the Company.
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·
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The
objective of ASC 810 is to improve the relevance, comparability and
transparency of financial information provided to investors by: (i)
requiring entities to report non-controlling interests (minority
interests) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate
from the parent’s equity; (ii) requiring that the amount of net income
attributable to the parent and non-controlling interest be clearly
identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of
income; and (iii) expanding the disclosure requirements with respect to
the parent and its non-controlling interests. The Company adopted ASC 810
effective November 1, 2009, and as required, has retrospectively applied
the presentation and disclosure requirements to prior periods presented in
this 10-Q.
|
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a.)
|
Prior
to the adoption of ASC 810, FREIT could not record a negative minority
interest in its consolidated financial statements if the minority members
had no obligation to restore their negative capital accounts. As a result,
FREIT was accounting for the minority members’ capital deficit of its
Westwood Hills subsidiary as a charge to income and a reduction to
undistributed earnings. As of November 1, 2009, the amount of the minority
members’ capital deficit that was booked as a reduction to FREIT’s
undistributed earnings was approximately $2.3
million.
|
|
b.)
|
In
accordance with the provisions of ASC 810, FREIT is required to disclose
the pro forma impact on its consolidated net income and earnings per
share, had the requirements of ASC 810 not been applied for the current
quarter. As such, FREIT’s pro forma consolidated net income attributable
to common equity for the first quarter ended January 31, 2010 would have
been $1,243,000 ($0.18 per share
diluted).
|
In June
2009, The FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No.
46(R)” (ASC topic 810), which changes guidance for variable interest entities
that are insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through voting or similar
rights. SFAS No.167 amends FIN 46(R) to require that a variable interest entity
(“VIE”) be consolidated by the company that has both the power to direct the
activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the
obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could
potentially be significant to the VIE. The new standard will be effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, or January 1, 2010 for calendar
year companies. The adoption of SFAS 167 is not expected to have a material
impact on our financial statements.
Note 3 -
Earnings per share:
Basic
earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during each period (denominator). The calculation
of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share,
except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional
shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares, such
as those issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, were issued
during the period.
Since
FREIT does not have any outstanding stock options, the diluted earnings per
share for the three month period ended January 31, 2010 and 2009, is the same as
basic earnings per share.
Basic and
diluted earnings per share, based on the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during each period, are comprised of ordinary income for the three
month period ended January 31, 2010 and the prior year’s comparable
period.
Note 4 -
Share repurchase program:
On April
9, 2008, FREIT’s Board of Trustees authorized up to $2 million for the
repurchase of FREIT shares. The share repurchase plan provided for the
repurchase of FREIT shares on or before March 31, 2009. Share repurchases under
this program were made from time to time in the open market or through privately
negotiated transactions. As of March 31, 2009, FREIT repurchased 50,920 shares
of common stock at a cost of $1,133,545.
On March
31, 2009, FREIT announced the adoption of a new share repurchase plan to replace
the repurchase plan that expired on March 31, 2009. The new plan complied with
Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and provided for
the repurchase of up to $1,000,000 in value of FREIT’s shares for the period
beginning April 14, 2009 through June 30, 2009, subject to certain price
limitations and other conditions established under the Plan. Share repurchases
under the new plan could have been made, from time to time, through privately
negotiated transactions or in the open market. The new plan could have been
terminated at any time and without prior notice. Rule 10b5-1 permits the
implementation of a written plan for repurchasing shares of company stock
through a repurchasing agent at times when the issuer is not in possession of
material, nonpublic information and allows issuers adopting such plans to
repurchase shares on a regular basis, regardless of any subsequent material,
nonpublic information it receives. UBS Financial Services, Inc. was engaged as
FREIT’s repurchasing agent, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in
the share repurchase plan.
The new
share repurchase plan expired on June 30, 2009. Through June 30, 2009, FREIT
repurchased a total of 51,009 shares of common stock under both repurchase plans
at a cost of $1,135,026, which is reflected in the Equity section of FREIT’s
condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Note 5 -
Segment information:
FREIT has
determined that it has two reportable segments: commercial properties and
residential properties. These reportable segments offer different types of
space, have different types of tenants, and are managed separately because each
requires different operating strategies and management expertise. The commercial
segment contains ten (10) separate properties and the residential segment
contains nine (9) properties. The accounting policies of the segments are the
same as those described in Note 1 in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended October 31, 2009.
The chief
operating and decision-making group of FREIT's commercial segment, residential
segment and corporate/other is comprised of FREIT’s Board of
Trustees.
FREIT
assesses and measures segment operating results based on net operating income
("NOI"). NOI, a standard used by real estate professionals, is based on
operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the
real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), lease
amortization, depreciation, financing costs and other non-operating activity.
NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating
activities as measured by GAAP, and is not necessarily indicative of cash
available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash
flows as a measure of liquidity.
Real
estate rental revenue, operating expenses, NOI and recurring capital
improvements for the reportable segments are summarized below and reconciled to
condensed consolidated net income for the three months ended January 31, 2010
and 2009. Asset information is not reported since FREIT does not use this
measure to assess performance.
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
January
31,
|
||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
(In
Thousands of Dollars)
|
||||||||
Real
estate rental revenue:
|
||||||||
Commercial
|
$ | 6,096 | $ | 5,816 | ||||
Residential
|
4,708 | 4,891 | ||||||
Totals
|
10,804 | 10,707 | ||||||
Real
estate operating expenses:
|
||||||||
Commercial
|
2,375 | 2,307 | ||||||
Residential
|
2,246 | 2,034 | ||||||
Totals
|
4,621 | 4,341 | ||||||
Net
operating income:
|
||||||||
Commercial
|
3,721 | 3,509 | ||||||
Residential
|
2,462 | 2,857 | ||||||
Totals
|
$ | 6,183 | $ | 6,366 | ||||
Recurring
capital improvements-residential
|
$ | 85 | $ | 129 | ||||
. | ||||||||
Reconciliation
to consolidated net income:
|
||||||||
Segment
NOI
|
$ | 6,183 | $ | 6,366 | ||||
Deferred
rents - straight lining
|
53 | 51 | ||||||
Amortization
of acquired leases
|
(8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Investment
income
|
36 | 79 | ||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
(428 | ) | (414 | ) | ||||
Depreciation
|
(1,521 | ) | (1,474 | ) | ||||
Financing
costs
|
(2,862 | ) | (2,715 | ) | ||||
Net
income
|
1,453 | 1,884 | ||||||
Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
(281 | ) | (363 | ) | ||||
Net
income attributable to common equity
|
$ | 1,172 | $ | 1,521 |
Note 6 -
Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party:
Hekemian
& Co., Inc. (“Hekemian”) currently manages all the properties owned by
FREIT, except for The Rotunda, a mixed-use office and retail facility located in
Baltimore, Maryland, which is managed by an independent third party management
company. The management agreement with Hekemian, effective November 1, 2001,
requires the payment of management fees equal to a percentage of rents
collected. Such fees were approximately $434,000 and $427,000 for the three
months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and have been included in
the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. In addition, the
management agreement provides for the payment to Hekemian of leasing
commissions, as well as the reimbursement of operating expenses incurred on
behalf of FREIT. Such fees amounted to approximately $85,000 and $147,000 for
the three months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The management
agreement expires on October 31, 2011, and is automatically renewed for periods
of two years unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.
FREIT
also uses the resources of the Hekemian insurance department to secure various
insurance coverages for its properties and subsidiaries. Hekemian is paid a
commission for these services. Such commissions amounted to approximately
$30,000 and $30,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009,
respectively.
From time
to time, FREIT engages Hekemian to provide certain additional services, such as
consulting services related to development and financing activities of FREIT.
Separate fee arrangements are negotiated between Hekemian and FREIT with respect
to such additional services. No such fees were paid to Hekemian for the three
months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009.
Mr.
Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee
of FREIT, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hekemian.
Mr. Robert S. Hekemian, Jr, a Trustee of FREIT, is the President of
Hekemian.
Note 7 –
Subsequent events:
On
February 1, 2010, Grande Rotunda, LLC, a 60% owned affiliate of FREIT,
restructured and extended the due date of the acquisition loan used to acquire
the Rotunda property in Baltimore, Maryland, that became due on February 1,
2010. The original loan amount of $22.5 million was reduced to $19.5 million and
the due date extended until February 1, 2013. Under the restructured terms, the
interest rate is now 350 basis points above the BBA LIBOR rate with a floor of
4%, and monthly principal payments of $10,000 are required. An additional
principal payment may be required on February 1, 2012 in an amount necessary to
reduce the loan to achieve a certain debt service coverage ratio.
On August
6, 2009, a complaint was filed against Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus Centre”),
Hekemian, and others (the “Defendants”) in the Circuit Court of Montgomery
County, Maryland (the “Court”). The plaintiffs leased commercial
office space at the Damascus Shopping Center located in Damascus, Maryland and
owned by Damascus Centre (the ”Damascus Center”). The complaint
alleged a number of causes of action in connection with alleged interference
with plaintiffs’ business allegedly caused by Damascus Centre’s development
activities at the Damascus Center. The complaint sought compensatory damages of
$500,000 for the alleged interference with the plaintiffs’ business and
$5,000,000 in punitive damages. In addition, the plaintiffs sought to enjoin the
demolition of the shopping center. FREIT received notice of the lawsuit on
September 2, 2009. On February 19, 2010, a voluntary stipulation of dismissal of
the complaint, with prejudice, was filed with the Court. This stipulation with
prejudice has the same effect as a final adjudication on the merits of the
complaint favorable to the Defendants, and relieves the Defendants of any
liability to the plaintiffs based on the relevant facts set forth in the
complaint. The stipulation also bars the plaintiffs from pursuing any subsequent
action based on any relevant facts in the complaint.
Item
2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
Cautionary
Statement Identifying Important Factors That Could Cause FREIT’s Actual
Results to Differ From Those Projected in Forward Looking
Statements.
|
Readers
of this discussion are advised that the discussion should be read in
conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
of FREIT (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this
Form 10-Q, and the consolidated financial statements included in FREIT’s
most recently filed Form 10-K. Certain statements in this discussion may
constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
reflect FREIT’s current expectations regarding future results of
operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of
FREIT, and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. FREIT
has tried, wherever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements
by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning.
|
Although
FREIT believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results to
differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not
limited to the following: general economic and business conditions, which
will, among other things, affect demand for rental space, the availability
of prospective tenants, lease rents, the financial condition of tenants
and the default rate on leases, operating and administrative expenses and
the availability of financing; adverse changes in FREIT’s real estate
markets, including, among other things, competition with other real estate
owners, competition confronted by tenants at FREIT’s commercial
properties; governmental actions and initiatives; environmental/safety
requirements; and risks of real estate development and acquisitions. The
risks with respect to the development of real estate include: increased
construction costs, inability to obtain construction financing, or
unfavorable terms of financing that may be available, unforeseen
construction delays and the failure to complete construction within
budget.
|
OVERVIEW
FREIT is
an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns a portfolio of
residential apartment and commercial properties. Our revenues consist primarily
of fixed rental income from our residential and commercial properties and
additional rent in the form of expense reimbursements derived from our income
producing commercial properties. Our properties are primarily located in
northern New Jersey and Maryland. We acquire existing properties for investment.
We also acquire properties, which we feel have redevelopment potential, and make
changes and capital improvements to these properties. We develop and construct
properties on our vacant land. Our policy is to acquire and develop real
property for long-term investment.
The
global economic and financial crisis: The U. S. economy has been showing
signs of recovery from the recession, and continued economic recovery is
expected throughout 2010. However, job growth remains sluggish, and sustained
high unemployment can hinder the economic growth. While bank earnings
and liquidity are on the rebound, the potential of significant future credit
losses cloud the lending outlook. Credit availability still lags pre-recession
levels hampering business expansion and new development activities.
Residential
Properties: Occupancy and rental rates in our areas of operation are
showing signs of being on the up-swing reversing a year-long downward movement.
We expect the recovery of rental rates to lag occupancy rates. The speed of
recovery at our residential properties will likely mirror job growth and reduced
unemployment in our areas of operation.
Commercial
Properties: The retail outlook is brightening for 2010 as
consumer confidence increases and retail sales are expected to increase modestly
although consumers remain frugal with their discretionary spending. Tenant
fall-out and rent reductions are expected to abate. However, releasing of space
vacated during the recession will be challenging and at rates below
pre-recession levels.
Development
Projects and Capital Expenditures: We are concentrating only
on those capital expenditures that are absolutely necessary. We continue to
pursue the completion of the development and construction activities started at
the Damascus Center. Because of reduced demand from residential rental tenants
and buyers, curtailed business expansion, and the current state of the credit
markets, no date has been determined for the commencement of construction at our
Rotunda and South Brunswick projects.
Debt
Financing Availability: The dislocations in the credit markets have
caused significant price volatility and liquidity disruptions. High pricing
spreads and very conservative debt service ratio requirements have made certain
financing unattractive and, in certain instances, unavailable. Additionally,
construction financing for large, mixed use projects is virtually unavailable,
or too costly. As a result of this difficult financing environment and reduced
end user demand (see above), FREIT has not determined a date for the
commencement of construction at its Rotunda Project.
The $22.5
million mortgage loan entered into by Grande Rotunda, LLC, a 60% owned affiliate
of FREIT (“Grande Rotunda”), for the acquisition of the Rotunda was scheduled to
come due on July 19, 2009, and was extended by the bank until February 1, 2010.
The original loan amount of $22.5 million was reduced to $19.5 million and the
due date extended until February 1, 2013. Under the restructured terms, the
interest rate is now 350 basis points above the BBA LIBOR rate with a floor of
4%, and monthly principal payments of $10,000 are required. An additional
principal payment may be required on February 1, 2012 in an amount necessary to
reduce the loan to achieve a certain debt service coverage ratio.
Operating
Cash Flow and Dividend Distributions: FREIT’s cash position remains
strong. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will be adequate to
cover mandatory debt service payments, necessary capital improvements and
dividends necessary to retain qualification as a REIT. It is FREIT’s intention
to maintain its quarterly dividend at $.30 per share until the economic climate
indicates a change is appropriate, but not less than the level required to
maintain its REIT status for Federal income tax purposes.
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Pursuant
to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") disclosure guidance for
"Critical Accounting Policies," the SEC defines Critical Accounting Policies as
those that require the application of management's most difficult, subjective,
or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the
effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent
periods.
Our
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are
based upon our consolidated financial statements, the preparation of which takes
into account estimates based on judgments and assumptions that affect certain
amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these
estimates. The accounting policies and estimates used, which are outlined in
Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009, have been applied
consistently as at January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, and for the three
months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009. We believe that the following accounting
policies or estimates require the application of management's most difficult,
subjective, or complex judgments:
Revenue
Recognition: Base rents, additional rents based on tenants' sales volume and
reimbursement of the tenants' share of certain operating expenses are generally
recognized when due from tenants. The straight-line basis is used to recognize
base rents under leases if they provide for varying rents over the lease terms.
Straight-line rents represent unbilled rents receivable to the extent
straight-line rents exceed current rents billed in accordance with lease
agreements. Before FREIT can recognize revenue, it is required to assess, among
other things, its collectibility. If we incorrectly determine the collectibility
of revenue, our net income and assets could be overstated.
Valuation
of Long-Lived Assets: We periodically assess the carrying value of long-lived
assets whenever we determine that events or changes in circumstances indicate
that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. When FREIT determines that
the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired, the measurement of any
impairment is based on a projected discounted cash flow method determined by
FREIT's management. While we believe that our discounted cash flow methods are
reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows may significantly
affect the measurement of impairment.
Adopted
and recently issued accounting standards:
On
December 4, 2007, the FASB issued two new accounting standards, SFAS No. 141R,
“Business Combinations” (ASC 805-10), and SFAS No. 160, “Non-Controlling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51”
(ASC 810-10). The standards are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption was prohibited.
|
·
|
The
objective of ASC 805 is to improve the relevance, representational
faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity
provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its
effects. To accomplish that, this Statement establishes principles and
requirements for how the acquirer:
|
|
a.)
|
Recognizes
and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired,
the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the
acquiree;
|
|
b.)
|
Recognizes
and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain
from a bargain purchase;
|
|
c.)
|
Determines
what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements
to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business
combination.
|
The
effect of the adoption of ASC 805 will be dependent upon future acquisition
activity, if any, of the Company.
|
·
|
The
objective of ASC 810 is to improve the relevance, comparability and
transparency of financial information provided to investors by: (i)
requiring entities to report non-controlling interests (minority
interests) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate
from the parent’s equity; (ii) requiring that the amount of net income
attributable to the parent and non-controlling interest be clearly
identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of
income; and (iii) expanding the disclosure requirements with respect to
the parent and its non-controlling interests. The Company adopted ASC 810
effective November 1, 2009, and as required, has retrospectively applied
the presentation and disclosure requirements to prior periods presented in
this 10-Q.
|
In June
2009, The FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No.
46(R)” (ASC topic 810), which changes guidance for variable interest entities
that are insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through voting or similar
rights. SFAS No.167 amends FIN 46(R) to require that a variable interest entity
(“VIE”) be consolidated by the company that has both the power to direct the
activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the
obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could
potentially be significant to the VIE. The new standard will be effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, or January 1, 2010 for calendar
year companies. The adoption of SFAS 167 is not expected to have a material
impact on our financial statements.
All
references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis unless otherwise
indicated.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Real
Estate revenue for the three months ended January 31, 2010 (“Current Quarter”)
increased 0.9% to $10,849,000 compared to $10,749,000 for the three months ended
January 31, 2009 (“Prior Year’s Quarter”). The increase in real
estate revenues for the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to higher
base rental income at FREIT’s commercial operations. Net income attributable to
common equity (“Net Income”) for the Current Quarter was $1,172,000 ($0.17 per
share diluted) compared to $1,521,000 ($0.22 per share diluted) for the Prior
Year’s Quarter. The schedule below provides a detailed analysis of the major
changes that impacted Net Income for the three months ended January 31, 2010 and
2009:
NET
INCOME COMPONENTS
|
||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
January
31,
|
||||||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
Change
|
||||||||||
(thousands
of dollars)
|
||||||||||||
Income
from real estate operations:
|
||||||||||||
Commercial
properties
|
$ | 3,766 | $ | 3,551 | $ | 215 | ||||||
Residential
properties
|
2,462 | 2,857 | (395 | ) | ||||||||
Total
income from real estate operations
|
6,228 | 6,408 | (180 | ) | ||||||||
Financing
costs:
|
||||||||||||
Fixed
rate mortgages
|
(2,665 | ) | (2,582 | ) | (83 | ) | ||||||
Floating
rate - Rotunda
|
(197 | ) | (133 | ) | (64 | ) | ||||||
Total
financing costs
|
(2,862 | ) | (2,715 | ) | (147 | ) | ||||||
Investment
income
|
36 | 79 | (43 | ) | ||||||||
General
& administrative expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Accounting
fees
|
(166 | ) | (100 | ) | (66 | ) | ||||||
Legal
& professional fees
|
(17 | ) | (50 | ) | 33 | |||||||
Trustee
fees
|
(130 | ) | (124 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
(115 | ) | (140 | ) | 25 | |||||||
Total
general & administrative expenses
|
(428 | ) | (414 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation:
|
||||||||||||
Same properties
(1)
|
(1,469 | ) | (1,474 | ) | 5 | |||||||
Damascus
center - Safeway portion of Phase II becoming operational in Sept
2009.
|
(52 | ) | - | (52 | ) | |||||||
Total
depreciation
|
(1,521 | ) | (1,474 | ) | (47 | ) | ||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,453 | $ | 1,884 | $ | (431 | ) | |||||
Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interests in
subsidiaries
|
(281 | ) | (363 | ) | 82 | |||||||
Net
Income attributable to common equity
|
$ | 1,172 | $ | 1,521 | $ | (349 | ) | |||||
(1)
Properties operated since the beginning of Fiscal 2009.
|
The
consolidated results of operations for the Current Quarter are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
SEGMENT
INFORMATION
The
following table sets forth comparative net operating income ("NOI") data for
FREIT’s real estate segments and reconciles the NOI to consolidated net income
for the Current Quarter, as compared to the Prior Year’s Quarter:
Commercial
|
Residential
|
Combined
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January
31,
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
January
31,
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
January
31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
$
|
%
|
2010
|
2009
|
$
|
%
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental
income
|
$ | 4,638 | $ | 4,360 | $ | 278 | 6.4 | % | $ | 4,651 | $ | 4,790 | $ | (139 | ) | -2.9 | % | $ | 9,289 | $ | 9,150 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursements
|
1,434 | 1,405 | 29 | 2.1 | % | - | - | - | 1,434 | 1,405 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
|
24 | 51 | (27 | ) | -52.9 | % | 57 | 101 | (44 | ) | -43.6 | % | 81 | 152 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
6,096 | 5,816 | 280 | 4.8 | % | 4,708 | 4,891 | (183 | ) | -3.7 | % | 10,804 | 10,707 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
expenses
|
2,375 | 2,307 | 68 | 2.9 | % | 2,246 | 2,034 | 212 | 10.4 | % | 4,621 | 4,341 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
operating income
|
$ | 3,721 | $ | 3,509 | $ | 212 | 6.0 | % | $ | 2,462 | $ | 2,857 | $ | (395 | ) | -13.8 | % | 6,183 | 6,366 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Average
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupancy
%
|
90.5 | % | 89.2 | % | 1.3 | % | 93.2 | % | 93.8 | % | -0.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation
to consolidated net income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred
rents - straight lining
|
53 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization
of acquired leases
|
(8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment
income
|
36 | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
(428 | ) | (414 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
(1,521 | ) | (1,474 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financing
costs
|
(2,862 | ) | (2,715 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
1,453 | 1,884 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
(281 | ) | (363 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income attributable to common equity
|
$ | 1,172 | $ | 1,521 |
NOI is
based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations
of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining),
lease amortization, depreciation, financing costs and other non-operating
activity. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI.
NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by generally
accepted accounting principles, and is not necessarily indicative of cash
available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash
flows as a measure of liquidity.
COMMERCIAL
SEGMENT
The
commercial segment contains ten (10) separate properties during Fiscal 2010 and
Fiscal 2009. Seven are multi-tenanted retail or office centers, and one is a
single tenanted store. In addition, FREIT owns land in Rockaway, NJ and Rochelle
Park, NJ from which it receives monthly rental income, from tenants who have
built and operate bank branches on the land.
As
indicated in the table above under the caption Segment Information, total
revenue and NOI from FREIT’s commercial segment for the Current Quarter
increased by 4.8% and 6.0%, respectively, over the Prior Year’s Quarter. The
primary reasons for the increase in both revenue and NOI for the Current Quarter
were higher base rental income and higher occupancy levels, primarily at the
Damascus Center. The average occupancy rate for the Damascus Center increased to
56.5% for the Current Quarter, as compared to 41.4% for the Prior Year’s
Quarter. This improvement was primarily attributable to the Safeway supermarket
occupying its new space as part of the Phase II redevelopment.
The
economic recovery in the U.S. has resulted in modest increases in retail sales,
although among the retailers results have been mixed. This gives us a modicum of
guarded optimism. Average
occupancy rates for FREIT’s commercial segment (exclusive of the Damascus
Center) for the Current Quarter was at 95.0% compared to 95.2% for the Prior
Year’s Quarter. For the Current Quarter, tenant fall-out has been minor as
evidenced by average occupancy (exclusive of the Damascus Center) declining only
0.2%. However, we may experience additional fall-out if the economic recovery is
slow.
DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES
A
modernization and expansion is underway at our Damascus Center in Damascus, MD
(owned by our 70% owned affiliate, Damascus Centre). Total construction costs
are expected to approximate $21.9 million. The building plans incorporate an
expansion of retail space from its current configuration of approximately
140,000 sq. ft. to approximately 150,000 sq. ft., which will be anchored by a
modern 58,000 sq. ft. Safeway supermarket. Construction on Phase I began in June
2007, and was completed in June 2008. Phase I construction costs were
approximately $6.2 million, of which $1.1 million related to tenant
improvements. Phase II, which comprises a new 58,000 sq. ft. Safeway
supermarket, was started in December 2008. The new Safeway supermarket was
completed and the tenant opened for business in September 2009. The remainder of
the Phase II construction should be completed in 2010. As of January 31, 2010,
construction and other costs for Phase II approximated $9.8 million. The Phase III construction is expected
to begin in mid-2010. Total construction costs will be funded from a
$27.3 million construction loan entered into on February 12, 2008. The
construction loan is secured by the shopping center owned by Damascus
Centre. This loan will be drawn upon as needed to fund already
expended and future construction costs at the Damascus Center. As of January 31,
2010, $9.9 million of this loan was drawn down to cover construction costs. (See
“Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding this
loan.) Because of this expansion, leases for certain tenants have been allowed
to expire, which has caused occupancy to decline, on a temporary basis, during
the construction phase. However, with the completion of the Phase I and Phase II
(Safeway) construction, certain tenant leases have been renewed and occupancy is
beginning to increase.
Development
plans and studies for the expansion and renovation of our Rotunda property in
Baltimore, MD (owned by our 60% owned affiliate Grande Rotunda) were completed
during the 2008 fiscal year. The Rotunda property, on an 11.5-acre site,
currently consists of an office building containing 138,000 sq. ft. of office
space and 78,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the lower floor of the main
building. The building plans incorporate an expansion of approximately 180,500
sq. ft. of retail space, approximately 302 residential rental apartments, 56
condominium units and 120 hotel rooms, and structured parking. Development costs
for this project are expected to approximate $200 million. City Planning Board
approval has been received. As of January 31, 2010, we have expended
approximately $7.5 million for planning and feasibility studies. Due to the
adverse economic and credit conditions, the start date for the construction has
not yet been determined.
RESIDENTIAL
SEGMENT
FREIT
operates nine (9) multi-family apartment communities totaling 1,075 apartment
units. As indicated in the table above under the caption Segment Information,
total revenue and NOI from FREIT’s residential segment for the Current Quarter
decreased by 3.7% and 13.8%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s
Quarter. The Current Quarter’s poorer operating results reflect the culmination
of the downward spiral of occupancy and rents over the past year. The effect of
lower revenues was exacerbated by higher operating costs, particularly utility
costs caused by the colder winter this year. The revenue declines are
attributable to higher than normal unemployment in our areas of operation.
However, it should be noted that over the last several months, occupancy is
showing signs of improvement.
Our
residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income.
Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents.
Monthly average residential rents at the end of the Current Quarter and the
Prior Year’s Quarter were $1,544 and $1,562, respectively. A 1% decline in
annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents from current levels,
results in an annual revenue decline of approximately $199,000 and $186,000,
respectively.
Capital
expenditures: Since all of our apartment communities, with the exception of The
Boulders, were constructed more than 25 years ago, we tend to spend more in any
given year on maintenance and capital improvements than may be spent on newer
properties. A major renovation program is ongoing at The Pierre Towers apartment
complex (“The Pierre”). We have substantially completed modernizing, where
required, all apartments and some of the buildings’ mechanical services. This
renovation was expected to cost approximately $4 - $6 million, and apartments
were renovated as they became temporarily vacant. It is anticipated
that this renovation will be completed within the next 12 months. These costs
are being financed from operating cash flow and cash reserves. Through January
31, 2010, we expended approximately $3.9 million in capital improvements at The
Pierre.
INVESTMENT
INCOME
Investment
income for the Current Quarter decreased 54% to $36,000, as compared to the
Prior Year’s Quarter. Investment income is principally derived from interest
earned from cash on deposit in institutional money market funds and interest
earned from secured loans receivable (loans made to employees of Hekemian,
including certain members of the immediate family of Robert S. Hekemian, FREIT
CEO and Chairman of the Board, and Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., a trustee of FREIT,
for their equity investment in Grande Rotunda, a limited liability company in
which FREIT owns a 60% equity interest, and Damascus Centre, a limited liability
company in which FREIT owns a 70% equity interest). The decrease in investment
income was primarily attributable to lower interest income on FREIT’s
investments in cash and cash equivalents, and lower interest income relative to
secured loans made to Hekemian employees in connection with the sale of equity
interests in the Rotunda and the Damascus Center, due in part to lower interest
rates.
To
protect our cash deposits due to the current banking crisis, we have
repositioned our bank deposits to fall within the insured limits of the FDIC and
the U.S. Treasury Guarantee Program. This necessitated transferring significant
balances from interest bearing deposit accounts to non-interest bearing deposit
accounts, which resulted in reduced earnings from interest income for the
current fiscal period and for the foreseeable future.
FINANCING
COSTS
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
January
31,
|
||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
($
in thousands)
|
||||||||
Fixed
rate mortgages:
|
||||||||
1st
Mortgages
|
||||||||
Existing
|
$ | 2,134 | $ | 2,338 | ||||
New
(1)
|
304 | - | ||||||
2nd
Mortgages
|
||||||||
Existing
|
85 | 126 | ||||||
Variable
rate mortgages:
|
||||||||
Acquisition
loan-Rotunda
|
197 | 175 | ||||||
Construction
loan-Damascus
|
40 | 48 | ||||||
Other
|
89 | 72 | ||||||
2,849 | 2,759 | |||||||
Amortization
of Mortgage Costs
|
53 | 59 | ||||||
Total
Financing Costs
|
2,902 | 2,818 | ||||||
Less
amount capitalized
|
(40 | ) | (103 | ) | ||||
Financing
costs expensed
|
$ | 2,862 | $ | 2,715 | ||||
(1)
Mortgages not in place at beginning of Fiscal 2009.
|
Financing
costs before capitalized amounts for the Current Quarter increased 3.0% compared
to the Prior Year’s Quarter.
Our
acquisition loan for The Rotunda property of $22.5 million, which was reduced to
$19.5 million on February 1, 2010, bears a floating interest rate. An increase
in interest rates over the course of the Current Quarter increased the level of
interest expense (inclusive of capitalized interest) for The Rotunda to $197,000
for the Current Quarter, as compared to $175,000 for the Prior Year’s
Quarter.
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (“G & A”)
During
the Current Quarter, G&A was $428,000, as compared to $414,000 for the Prior
Year’s Quarter. The primary components of G&A are accounting fees, legal
& professional fees and Trustees’ fees amounting in the aggregate to
$313,000 for the Current Quarter and $274,000 for the Prior Year’s
Quarter.
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation
expense from operations for the Current Quarter was $1,521,000, as compared to
$1,474,000 for the Prior Year’s Quarter. The increase was primarily attributable
to the current construction project at the Damascus Center becoming
operational.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our
financial condition remains strong. Net cash provided by operating activities
was $3.5 million for both the Current Quarter and the Prior Year’s Quarter. We
expect that cash provided by operating activities will be adequate to cover
mandatory debt service payments, recurring capital improvements and dividends
necessary to retain qualification as a REIT (90% of taxable
income).
As at
January 31, 2010, FREIT had cash and marketable securities totaling $10.8
million, compared to $11.3 million at October 31, 2009.
Credit
Line: FREIT has an $18 million line of credit provided by the Provident Bank.
The line of credit is for a two year term ending in January 2012, but can be
cancelled by the bank, at its will, within 60 days before or after each
anniversary date. The credit line will automatically be extended at the
termination date of the current term and each subsequent term for an additional
period of 24 months, provided there is no default and the credit line has not
been cancelled. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate
purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of
credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s
Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen
Rock, NJ, Palisades Manor Apartments, Palisades Park, NJ, and Grandview
Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Interest rates on draws will be set at the
time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the
prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the
time of the draws. The interest rate on the line of credit has a floor of
4%.
As of
January 31, 2010, approximately $18 million was available under the line of
credit.
We are in
the process of rebuilding the Damascus Center. The total capital required for
this project is estimated at $21.9 million. On February 12, 2008, Damascus
Centre closed on a $27.3 million construction loan that is available to fund
already expended and future construction costs. This loan has a term of
forty-eight (48) months, with one twelve (12) month extension option. FREIT has
guaranteed 30% of the loan, and the minority interests, who have a 30%
investment in Damascus Centre, have agreed to indemnify FREIT for their share of
the guarantee. Draws against this loan bear interest at the BBA LIBOR daily
floating rate plus 135 basis points. As of January 31, 2010, Damascus Centre
drew down $9.9 million of this loan to cover construction costs. We expect this
development project to add to revenues, income, cash flow, and shareholder
value.
We are
planning a major expansion at The Rotunda in Baltimore, MD that will require
capital estimated at $200 million. We expect financing for the Rotunda expansion
will be, for the most part, from mortgage financing. During the 2008 fiscal
year, we substantially completed the planning and feasibility studies and
expended approximately $7.5 million during this phase, which adds to the value
of the property. Due to the adverse economic and credit conditions, no date for
the commencement of construction has been determined.
At
January 31, 2010, FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $201.6 million
and bears a weighted average interest rate of 5.06%, and an average life of
approximately 5.5 years. These fixed rate mortgages are subject to amortization
schedules that are longer than the term of the mortgages. As such, balloon
payments (unpaid principal amounts at mortgage due date) for all mortgage debt
will be required as follows:
Fiscal
Year
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2022
|
($
in millions)
|
||||||||
Mortgage
"Balloon" Payments
|
$9.9
|
$27.5
*
|
$25.9
|
$24.5
|
$22.0
|
$5.0
|
$45.0
|
$14.4
|
*
Includes $19.5 million balloon payment related to Grande Rotunda loan, which was
extended on February 1, 2010.
The
following table shows the estimated fair value and carrying value of our
long-term debt at January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009:
January
31,
|
October
31,
|
|||||||
($
in Millions)
|
2010
|
2009
|
||||||
Fair
Value
|
$ | 195.5 | $ | 198.1 | ||||
Carrying
Value
|
$ | 201.6 | $ | 202.3 |
Fair
values are estimated based on market interest rates at January 31, 2010 and
October 31, 2009 and on discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or
estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value
estimates.
FREIT
expects to refinance the individual mortgages with new mortgages when their
terms expire. To this extent we have exposure to interest rate risk. If interest
rates, at the time any individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the
current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required, and/or
refinancing proceeds may be less than the amount of mortgage debt being retired.
For example, at January 31, 2010, a 1% interest rate increase would reduce the
fair value of our debt by $8.7 million, and a 1% decrease would increase the
fair value by $9.3 million.
The $22.5
million mortgage loan entered into by Grande Rotunda for the acquisition of the
Rotunda was scheduled to come due on July 19, 2009, and was extended by the bank
until February 1, 2010. On February 1, 2010, the original loan amount of $22.5
million was reduced to $19.5 million and the due date extended until February 1,
2013. Under the restricting terms, the interest rate is now 350 basis points
above the BBA LIBOR rate with a floor of 4%, and monthly principal payments of
$10,000 are required. An additional principal payment may be required on
February 1, 2012 in an amount necessary to reduce the loan to achieve a certain
debt service coverage ratio.
FREIT
also has interest rate exposure on its floating rate loans. Currently, FREIT has
$29.4 million in floating rate loans outstanding, of which $19.5 million relates
to the acquisition loan for The Rotunda and $9.9 million relates to the
construction loans for the Damascus Centre redevelopment project. A 1% rate
fluctuation would impact FREIT’s annual interest cost by approximately
$294,000.
We
believe that the values of our properties will be adequate to command
refinancing proceeds equal to or higher than the mortgage debt to be refinanced.
We continually review our debt levels to determine if additional debt can
prudently be utilized for property acquisition additions to our real estate
portfolio that will increase income and cash flow to our
shareholders.
FUNDS
FROM OPERATIONS (“FFO”):
Many
consider FFO as the standard measurement of a REIT’s performance. We compute FFO
as follows:
Three
Months Ended
|
|||||||||
January
31,
|
|||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
||||||||
($
in thousands)
|
|||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,453 | $ | 1,884 | |||||
Depreciation
|
1,521 | 1,474 | |||||||
Amortization
of deferred mortgage costs
|
53 | 59 | |||||||
Deferred
rents (Straight lining)
|
(53 | ) | (51 | ) | |||||
Amortization
of acquired leases
|
8 | 9 | |||||||
Capital
Improvements - Apartments
|
(85 | ) | (129 | ) | |||||
Distributions
to noncontrolling interests
|
(348 | ) | (120 | ) | |||||
FFO
|
$ | 2,549 | $ | 3,126 | |||||
Per
Share - Basic
|
$ | 0.37 | $ | 0.45 | |||||
Per
Share - Diluted
|
$ | 0.37 | $ | 0.45 | |||||
Weighted
Average Shares Outstanding:
|
|||||||||
Basic
|
6,942 | 6,946 | |||||||
Diluted
|
6,942 | 6,946 |
FFO does
not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and
therefore should not be considered a substitute for net income as a measure of
results of operations or for cash flow from operations as a measure of
liquidity. Additionally, the application and calculation of FFO by certain other
REITs may vary materially from that of FREIT’s, and therefore FREIT’s FFO and
the FFO of other REITs may not be directly
comparable.
INFLATION
Inflation
can impact the financial performance of FREIT in various ways. Our commercial
tenant leases normally provide that the tenants bear all or a portion of most
operating expenses, which can reduce the impact of inflationary increases on
FREIT. Apartment leases are normally for a one-year term, which may allow us to
seek increased rents as leases renew or when new tenants are obtained, subject
to prevailing market conditions.
Item
3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
See
“Commercial Segment”, “Residential Segment” and “Liquidity and Capital
Resources” under Item 2 above for a detailed discussion of FREIT’s quantitative
and qualitative market risk disclosures.
Item
4: Controls and Procedures
At the
end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of FREIT’s disclosure controls and
procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with
participation of FREIT’s management, including FREIT’s Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that FREIT’s
disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There has been no change in
FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting during the first three months
of fiscal 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, FREIT’s internal control over financial
reporting.
Disclosure
controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed or
submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and
reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and
procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in
FREIT’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to
management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Part
II: Other Information
Item
1: Legal Proceedings
On August
6, 2009, a complaint was filed against Damascus Centre, Hekemian, (FREIT’s
managing agent), and others (the “Defendants”) in the Circuit Court of
Montgomery County, Maryland (the “Court”). The plaintiffs leased
commercial office space at the Damascus Center. The complaint alleged
a number of causes of action in connection with alleged interference with
plaintiffs’ business allegedly caused by Damascus Centre’s development
activities at the Damascus Center. The complaint sought compensatory damages of
$500,000 for the alleged interference with the plaintiffs’ business and
$5,000,000 in punitive damages. In addition, the plaintiffs sought to enjoin the
demolition of the shopping center. FREIT received notice of the lawsuit on
September 2, 2009. On February 19, 2010, a voluntary stipulation of dismissal of
the complaint, with prejudice, was filed with the Court. This stipulation with
prejudice has the same effect as a final adjudication on the merits of the
complaint favorable to the Defendants, and relieves the Defendants of any
liability to the plaintiffs based on the relevant facts set forth in the
complaint. The stipulation also bars the plaintiffs from pursuing any subsequent
action based on any relevant facts in the complaint.
Item
1A: Risk Factors
There
were no material changes in any risk factors previously disclosed in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009, that
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14,
2010.
Item
6: Exhibits
Reference
is made to the Exhibit index below.
|
|||
Exhibit Index
|
|||
Page
|
|||
Exhibit
31.1 - Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive
Officer
|
23
|
||
Exhibit
31.2 - Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial
Officer
|
24
|
||
Exhibit
32.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350
|
25
|
||
Exhibit
32.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350
|
26
|
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.
FIRST
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
|
||
TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
|
||
(Registrant)
|
||
Date:
March 12, 2010
|
||
/s/
Robert S. Hekemian
|
||
(Signature)
|
||
Robert
S. Hekemian
|
||
Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
||
/s/
Donald W. Barney
|
||
(Signature)
|
||
Donald
W. Barney
|
||
President,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
|
||
(Principal
Financial/Accounting Officer)
|
||
Page 22