SAUL CENTERS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
| FORM | 10-Q | ||||
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-12254
| SAUL CENTERS, INC. | ||
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
| Maryland | 52-1833074 | ||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (301) 986-6200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class: | Trading symbol: | Name of exchange on which registered: | ||||||
| Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share | BFS | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Depositary Shares each representing 1/100th of a share of 6.125% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share | BFS/PRD | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Depositary Shares each representing 1/100th of a share of 6.000% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share | BFS/PRE | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
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 requirement for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ 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 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | ||||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share outstanding as of April 28, 2023: 23,927,240.
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SAUL CENTERS, INC.
Table of Contents
| Page | |||||
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Real estate investments | |||||||||||
| Land | $ | 511,529 | $ | 511,529 | |||||||
| Buildings and equipment | 1,583,705 | 1,576,924 | |||||||||
| Construction in progress | 365,612 | 319,683 | |||||||||
| 2,460,846 | 2,408,136 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (698,597) | (688,475) | |||||||||
| 1,762,249 | 1,719,661 | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 11,812 | 13,279 | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable and accrued income, net | 52,614 | 56,323 | |||||||||
| Deferred leasing costs, net | 22,855 | 22,388 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 18,475 | 21,651 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,868,005 | $ | 1,833,302 | |||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Notes payable, net | $ | 959,395 | $ | 961,577 | |||||||
| Revolving credit facility payable, net | 192,134 | 161,941 | |||||||||
| Term loan facility payable, net | 99,419 | 99,382 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 55,790 | 42,978 | |||||||||
| Deferred income | 22,970 | 23,169 | |||||||||
| Dividends and distributions payable | 22,462 | 22,453 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,352,170 | 1,311,500 | |||||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized: | |||||||||||
Series D Cumulative Redeemable, 30,000 shares issued and outstanding | 75,000 | 75,000 | |||||||||
Series E Cumulative Redeemable, 44,000 shares issued and outstanding | 110,000 | 110,000 | |||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 24,029,935 and 24,016,009 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | 240 | 240 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 447,134 | 446,301 | |||||||||
| Partnership units in escrow | 39,650 | 39,650 | |||||||||
| Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings | (277,020) | (273,559) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,402 | 2,852 | |||||||||
| Total Saul Centers, Inc. equity | 396,406 | 400,484 | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | 119,429 | 121,318 | |||||||||
| Total equity | 515,835 | 521,802 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 1,868,005 | $ | 1,833,302 | |||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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Saul Centers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Revenue | |||||||||||
| Rental revenue | $ | 61,829 | $ | 60,680 | |||||||
| Other | 1,220 | 1,464 | |||||||||
| Total revenue | 63,049 | 62,144 | |||||||||
| Expenses | |||||||||||
| Property operating expenses | 8,785 | 9,538 | |||||||||
| Real estate taxes | 7,495 | 7,418 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | 11,821 | 10,602 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs | 12,017 | 12,327 | |||||||||
| General and administrative | 5,268 | 4,768 | |||||||||
| Total expenses | 45,386 | 44,653 | |||||||||
| Net Income | 17,663 | 17,491 | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (4,161) | (4,126) | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to Saul Centers, Inc. | 13,502 | 13,365 | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (2,798) | (2,798) | |||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 10,704 | $ | 10,567 | |||||||
| Per share net income available to common stockholders | |||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.44 | |||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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Saul Centers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 17,663 | $ | 17,491 | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge | (2,014) | — | |||||||||
| Total comprehensive income | 15,649 | 17,491 | |||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (3,597) | (4,126) | |||||||||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to Saul Centers, Inc. | 12,052 | 13,365 | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (2,798) | (2,798) | |||||||||
| Total comprehensive income available to common stockholders | $ | 9,254 | $ | 10,567 | |||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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Saul Centers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Partnership Units in Escrow | Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Total Saul Centers, Inc. | Noncontrolling Interests | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2023 | $ | 185,000 | $ | 240 | $ | 446,301 | $ | 39,650 | $ | (273,559) | $ | 2,852 | $ | 400,484 | $ | 121,318 | $ | 521,802 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares of common stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13,227 shares pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan | — | — | 543 | — | — | — | 543 | — | 543 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
699 shares due to exercise of stock options and issuance of directors’ deferred stock | — | — | 290 | — | — | — | 290 | — | 290 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | 13,502 | — | 13,502 | 4,161 | 17,663 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedge | — | — | — | — | — | (1,450) | (1,450) | (564) | (2,014) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions payable preferred stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series D, $38.28 per share | — | — | — | — | (1,148) | — | (1,148) | — | (1,148) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series E, $37.50 per share | — | — | — | — | (1,650) | — | (1,650) | — | (1,650) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions payable common stock ($0.59/share) and distributions payable partnership units ($0.59/unit) | — | — | — | — | (14,165) | — | (14,165) | (5,486) | (19,651) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2023 | $ | 185,000 | $ | 240 | $ | 447,134 | $ | 39,650 | $ | (277,020) | $ | 1,402 | $ | 396,406 | $ | 119,429 | $ | 515,835 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2022 | $ | 185,000 | $ | 238 | $ | 436,609 | $ | 39,650 | $ | (256,448) | $ | — | $ | 405,049 | $ | 125,438 | $ | 530,487 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares of common stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61,861 shares pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan | — | 1 | 2,948 | — | — | — | 2,949 | — | 2,949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8,007 shares due to exercise of stock options and issuance of directors’ deferred stock | — | — | 594 | — | — | — | 594 | — | 594 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of 13,704 partnership units pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 653 | 653 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | 13,365 | — | 13,365 | 4,126 | 17,491 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions payable preferred stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series D, $38.28 per share | — | — | — | — | (1,148) | — | (1,148) | — | (1,148) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series E, $37.50 per share | — | — | — | — | (1,650) | — | (1,650) | — | (1,650) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions payable common stock ($0.57/share) and distributions payable partnership units ($0.57/unit) | — | — | — | — | (13,625) | — | (13,625) | (5,292) | (18,917) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2022 | $ | 185,000 | $ | 239 | $ | 440,151 | $ | 39,650 | $ | (259,506) | $ | — | $ | 405,534 | $ | 124,925 | $ | 530,459 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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Saul Centers, Inc.
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 17,663 | $ | 17,491 | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs | 12,017 | 12,327 | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred debt costs | 559 | 477 | |||||||||
| Compensation costs of stock and option grants | 290 | 286 | |||||||||
| Credit losses (recoveries) on operating lease receivables, net | (96) | 25 | |||||||||
| Decrease in accounts receivable and accrued income | 3,805 | 2,277 | |||||||||
| Additions to deferred leasing costs | (1,519) | (496) | |||||||||
| Decrease in other assets | 1,083 | 2,519 | |||||||||
| Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 2,495 | 6,386 | |||||||||
| Decrease in deferred income | (199) | (1,321) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 36,098 | 39,971 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Additions to real estate investments | (5,019) | (2,653) | |||||||||
| Additions to development and redevelopment projects | (38,137) | (14,176) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (43,156) | (16,829) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from notes payable | 15,300 | — | |||||||||
| Repayments on notes payable | (17,419) | (36,473) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from revolving credit facility | 41,000 | 40,000 | |||||||||
| Repayments on revolving credit facility | (11,000) | (8,000) | |||||||||
| Additions to deferred debt costs | (378) | (3,194) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of: | |||||||||||
| Common stock | 543 | 3,257 | |||||||||
| Partnership units | — | 653 | |||||||||
| Distributions to: | |||||||||||
| Series D preferred stockholders | (1,148) | (1,149) | |||||||||
| Series E preferred stockholders | (1,650) | (1,650) | |||||||||
| Common stockholders | (14,171) | (13,583) | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | (5,486) | (5,284) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 5,591 | (25,423) | |||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (1,467) | (2,281) | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 13,279 | 14,594 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 11,812 | $ | 12,313 | |||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | 11,002 | $ | 9,737 | |||||||
| Accrued capital expenditures included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities | $ | 29,323 | $ | 12,135 | |||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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1. Organization, Basis of Presentation
Saul Centers, Inc. (“Saul Centers”) was incorporated under the Maryland General Corporation Law on June 10, 1993, and operates as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company is required to annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to its stockholders and meet certain organizational and other requirements. Saul Centers has made and intends to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to its stockholders. Saul Centers, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the limited partnerships of which Saul Centers or one of its subsidiaries is the sole general partner, are referred to collectively as the “Company.” B. Francis Saul II serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Saul Centers.
The Company, which conducts all of its activities through its subsidiaries, Saul Holdings Limited Partnership, a Maryland limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and two subsidiary limited partnerships (the “Subsidiary Partnerships,” and, collectively with the Operating Partnership, the “Partnerships”), engages in the ownership, operation, management, leasing, acquisition, renovation, expansion, development and financing of community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties, primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area.
As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s properties (the “Current Portfolio Properties”) consisted of 50 shopping center properties (the “Shopping Centers”), seven mixed-use properties, which are comprised of office, retail and multi-family residential uses (the “Mixed-Use Properties”) and four (non-operating) development properties.
Because the properties are located primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company is subject to a concentration of credit risk related to these properties. The Shopping Centers, a majority of which are anchored by one or more major tenants and 33 of which are anchored by a grocery store, offer primarily day-to-day necessities and services. Giant Food, a tenant at 11 Shopping Centers, individually accounted for 4.9% of the Company's total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023. No other tenant individually accounted for 2.5% or more of the Company’s total revenue, excluding lease termination fees, for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Saul Centers and its subsidiaries, including the Partnerships, which are majority owned by Saul Centers. Substantially all assets and liabilities of the Company as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, are comprised of the assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. Debt arrangements subject to recourse are described in Note 5. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Operating Partnership is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) because the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the Operating Partnership because it has the power to direct its activities and the rights to absorb 72.0% of its net income. Because the Operating Partnership is consolidated into the financial statements of the Company, classification of it as a VIE has no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the Company for the interim periods have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to those instructions. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.
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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 have not changed significantly in number or composition.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to collectability of operating lease receivables and impairment of real estate properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are primarily comprised of rental and reimbursement billings due from tenants, and straight-line rent receivables representing the cumulative amount of adjustments necessary to present rental income on a straight-line basis. Individual leases are assessed for collectability and, upon the determination that the collection of rents is not probable, accrued rent and accounts receivable are charged off, and the charge off is reflected as an adjustment to rental revenue. Revenue from leases where collection is not probable is recorded on a cash basis until collectability is determined to be probable. Further, we assess whether operating lease receivables, at the portfolio level, are appropriately valued based upon an analysis of balances outstanding, historical bad debt levels and current economic trends. As of March 31, 2023, of the $9.4 million of rents previously deferred, $0.3 million has been written off and $0.7 million has not yet come due. The amount that has not yet come due is included in Accounts receivable and accrued income, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the presentation used as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
3. Real Estate
Construction In Progress
Construction in progress includes land, preconstruction and development costs of active projects. Preconstruction costs include legal, zoning and permitting costs and other project carrying costs incurred prior to the commencement of construction. Development costs include direct construction costs and indirect costs incurred subsequent to the start of construction such as architectural, engineering, construction management and carrying costs consisting of interest, real estate taxes and insurance.
Construction in progress as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, is composed of the following:
| (In thousands) | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Twinbrook Quarter | $ | 263,903 | $ | 227,672 | ||||||||||
| Hampden House | 92,431 | 80,704 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 9,278 | 11,307 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 365,612 | $ | 319,683 | ||||||||||
Leases
We lease Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use Properties to lessees in exchange for monthly payments that cover rent, and, where applicable, reimbursement for property taxes, insurance, and certain property operating expenses. Our leases have been determined to be operating leases and generally range in term from to 15 years.
Some of our leases have termination options and/or extension options. Termination options allow the lessee and/or lessor to terminate the lease prior to the end of the lease term, provided certain conditions are met. Termination options generally require advance notification from the lessee and/or lessor and payment of a termination fee. Termination fees are recognized as revenue over the modified lease term. Extension options are subject to terms and conditions stated in the lease.
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An operating lease right of use asset and corresponding lease liability related to our headquarters sublease are reflected in other assets and other liabilities, respectively. The sublease expires on February 28, 2027. The right of use asset and corresponding lease liability totaled $3.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2023.
Due to the business disruptions and challenges affecting the global economy caused by the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, many lessees requested rent relief, including rent deferrals and other lease concessions. The lease modification guidance in Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Accounting for Leases” does not contemplate the rapid execution of concessions for multiple tenants in response to sudden liquidity constraints of lessees. In April 2020, the staff of the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a question and answer document that provided guidance allowing the Company to elect to either apply the lease modification accounting framework or not, with such election applied consistently to leases with similar characteristics and similar circumstances. The Company elected to apply such relief, which, in the case of rent deferrals, results in the accrual of rent due from tenants. The Company will continue to monitor the collectability of rent receivables.
Deferred Leasing Costs
Deferred leasing costs primarily consist of initial direct costs incurred in connection with successful property leasing and amounts attributed to in-place leases associated with acquired properties. Such amounts are capitalized and amortized, using the straight-line method, over the term of the lease or the remaining term of an acquired lease. Initial direct costs primarily consist of leasing commissions, which are costs paid to third-party brokers and lease commissions paid to certain employees that are incremental to obtaining a lease and would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. Unamortized deferred costs are charged to expense if the applicable lease is terminated prior to expiration of the initial lease term. Collectively, deferred leasing costs totaled $22.9 million and $22.4 million, net of accumulated amortization of $52.1 million and $51.3 million, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Amortization expense, included in depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaled $1.0 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Real Estate Investment Properties
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method and estimated useful lives of generally between 35 and 50 years for base buildings, or a shorter period if management determines that the building has a shorter useful life, and up to 20 years for certain other improvements that extend the useful lives. Leasehold improvement expenditures are capitalized when certain criteria are met, including when the Company supervises construction and will own the improvements. Tenant improvements are amortized, over the shorter of the lives of the related leases or the useful life of the improvements, using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations totaled $11.0 million and $11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Repairs and maintenance expense totaled $3.3 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included in property operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of March 31, 2023, we have not identified any impairment triggering events, including the impact of COVID-19 and corresponding tenant requests for rent relief. Therefore, under applicable GAAP guidance, no impairment charges were recorded.
4. Noncontrolling Interests - Holders of Convertible Limited Partnership Units in the Operating Partnership
As of March 31, 2023, the B. F. Saul Company and certain other affiliated entities, each of which is controlled by B. Francis Saul II and his family members, (collectively, the “Saul Organization”) held an aggregate 26.6% limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership represented by approximately 8.8 million convertible limited partnership units. These units are convertible into shares of Saul Centers’ common stock, at the option of the unit holder, on a one-for-one basis provided that, in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the rights may not be exercised at any time that the Saul Organization beneficially owns or will own after the exercise, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate more than 39.9% of the value of the outstanding common stock and preferred stock of Saul Centers (the “Equity Securities”). As of March 31, 2023, approximately 700,000 units could be converted into shares of Saul Centers common stock.
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As of March 31, 2023, a third party investor holds a 1.4% limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership represented by 469,740 convertible limited partnership units. At the option of the unit holder, these units are convertible into shares of Saul Centers’ common stock on a one-for-one basis; provided that, in lieu of the delivery of Saul Centers’ common stock, Saul Centers may, in its sole discretion, deliver cash in an amount equal to the value of such Saul Centers’ common stock.
The impact of the aggregate 28.0% limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership held by parties other than Saul Centers is reflected as Noncontrolling Interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Weighted average fully diluted partnership units and common stock outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, was approximately 34.0 million and 33.9 million, respectively.
The Company previously issued 708,035 limited partnership units related to the contribution of Twinbrook Quarter that are held in escrow and will be released on October 18, 2023. Until such time as the units are released from escrow, they are not eligible to receive distributions from the Operating Partnership.
5. Notes Payable, Bank Credit Facility, Interest and Amortization of Deferred Debt Costs
At March 31, 2023, the Company had a $525.0 million senior unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) comprised of a $425.0 million revolving credit facility and a $100.0 million term loan. The revolving credit facility matures on August 29, 2025, which may be extended by the Company for one additional year, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The term loan matures on February 26, 2027, and may not be extended. Through October 2, 2022, interest accrued at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable spread, which was determined by certain leverage tests. Effective October 3, 2022, in conjunction with the execution of the First Amendment to the Credit Facility, interest accrues at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 10 basis points plus an applicable spread, which is determined by certain leverage tests. As of March 31, 2023, the applicable spread for borrowings was 140 basis points related to the revolving credit facility and 135 basis points related to the term loan. Letters of credit may be issued under the Credit Facility. On March 31, 2023, based on the value of the Company’s unencumbered properties, approximately $188.6 million was available under the Credit Facility, $294.0 million was outstanding and approximately $185,000 was committed for letters of credit.
On August 23, 2022, the Company entered into two floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk associated with $100.0 million of its variable-rate debt. The effective date of each swap agreement is October 3, 2022 and each has a $50.0 million notional amount. One agreement terminates on October 1, 2027 and effectively fixes SOFR at 2.96%. The other agreement terminates on October 1, 2030 and effectively fixes SOFR at 2.91%. Because the interest-rate swaps effectively fix SOFR for $100.0 million of variable-rate debt, unless otherwise indicated, $100.0 million of variable-rate debt is being treated as fixed-rate debt for disclosure purposes beginning September 30, 2022. The Company has designated the agreements as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.
As of March 31, 2023, the fair value of the interest-rate swaps totaled approximately $1.9 million, which is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The increase in value from inception of the swaps is reflected in Other Comprehensive Income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
On March 8, 2023, the Company closed on a 10-year, non-recourse, $15.3 million mortgage secured by BJ’s Wholesale Club in Alexandria, Virgnia. The loan matures in 2033, bears interest at a fixed-rate of 6.07%, requires monthly principal and interest payments of $99,200 based on a 25-year amortization schedule and requires a final principal payment of $11.7 million at maturity. Proceeds were used to repay the remaining balance of approximately $9.3 million on the existing mortgage and reduce the outstanding balance of the Credit Facility.
Saul Centers and certain consolidated subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership have guaranteed the payment obligations of the Operating Partnership under the Credit Facility. The Operating Partnership is the guarantor of (a) a portion of the Broadlands mortgage (approximately $3.6 million of the $28.6 million outstanding balance at March 31, 2023), (b) a portion of the Avenel Business Park mortgage (approximately $6.3 million of the $22.6 million outstanding balance at March 31, 2023), (c) a portion of The Waycroft mortgage (approximately $23.6 million of the $151.8 million outstanding balance at March 31, 2023), (d) the Ashbrook Marketplace mortgage (totaling $20.7 million at March 31, 2023), and (e) the mortgage secured by Kentlands Place, Kentlands Square I and Kentlands Pad (totaling $28.0 million at March 31, 2023). All other notes payable are non-recourse.
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The principal amount of the Company’s outstanding debt totaled approximately $1.27 billion at March 31, 2023, of which approximately $1.07 billion was fixed-rate debt and approximately $194.0 million was variable rate debt outstanding under the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of the properties collateralizing the notes payable totaled approximately $1.04 billion as of March 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2022, the principal amount of the Company’s outstanding debt totaled approximately $1.24 billion, of which $1.07 billion was fixed rate debt and $164.0 million was variable rate debt outstanding under the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of the properties collateralizing the notes payable totaled approximately $1.04 billion as of December 31, 2022.
At March 31, 2023, the future principal payments of debt, including scheduled maturities and amortization, for years ending December 31, were as follows:
| (In thousands) | Principal Payments | ||||||||||
| April 1 through December 31, 2023 | $ | 24,931 | |||||||||
| 2024 | 83,966 | ||||||||||
| 2025 | 246,086 | (a) | |||||||||
| 2026 | 162,468 | ||||||||||
| 2027 | 123,792 | (b) | |||||||||
| 2028 | 41,863 | ||||||||||
| Thereafter | 583,457 | ||||||||||
| Principal amount | 1,266,563 | ||||||||||
| Unamortized deferred debt costs | 15,615 | ||||||||||
| Net | $ | 1,250,948 | |||||||||
(a) Includes $194.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.
(b) Includes $100.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.
Deferred debt costs consist of fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing, construction financing and the Credit Facility. These fees and costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective loans or agreements, which approximates the effective interest method. Deferred debt costs totaled $15.6 million and $15.8 million, net of accumulated amortization of $8.3 million and $7.9 million, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and are reflected as a reduction of the related debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2023, deferred debt costs totaling $2.6 million and $2.9 million, related to the Twinbrook Quarter and Hampden House construction-to-permanent loans, respectively, which have no outstanding balance, are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, were as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Interest incurred | $ | 15,513 | $ | 12,313 | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred debt costs | 559 | 477 | |||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (4,142) | (2,187) | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 11,930 | 10,603 | |||||||||
| Less: Interest income | 109 | 1 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | $ | 11,821 | $ | 10,602 | |||||||
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6. Equity
The consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, reflect noncontrolling interests of $4.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, representing income attributable to limited partnership units not held by Saul Centers.
At March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding 3.0 million depositary shares, each representing 1/100th of a share of 6.125% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Stock”). The depositary shares are redeemable at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at the $25.00 liquidation preference, plus accrued but unpaid dividends to but not including the redemption date. The depositary shares pay an annual dividend of $1.53125 per share, equivalent to 6.125% of the $25.00 liquidation preference. The Series D Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and is not convertible into any other securities of the Company except in connection with certain changes in control or delisting events. Investors in the depositary shares generally have no voting rights, but will have limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarters (whether or not declared or consecutive) and in certain other events.
At March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding 4.4 million depositary shares, each representing 1/100th of a share of 6.000% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series E Stock”). The depositary shares may be redeemed at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on or after September 17, 2024, at the $25.00 liquidation preference, plus accrued but unpaid dividends to but not including the redemption date. The depositary shares pay an annual dividend of $1.50 per share, equivalent to 6.000% of the $25.00 liquidation preference. The Series E Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and is not convertible into any other securities of the Company except in connection with certain changes in control or delisting events. Investors in the depositary shares generally have no voting rights, but will have limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarters (whether or not declared or consecutive) and in certain other events.
Per Share Data
Per share data for net income (basic and diluted) is computed using weighted average shares of common stock. Convertible limited partnership units and employee stock options are the Company’s potentially dilutive securities. For all periods presented, the convertible limited partnership units are non-dilutive. The following table sets forth, for the indicated periods, weighted averages of the number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted, the effect of dilutive options and the number of options which are not dilutive because the average price of the Company’s common stock was less than the exercise prices. The treasury stock method was used to measure the effect of the dilution.
| Average Shares/Options Outstanding | |||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Weighted average common stock outstanding-Basic | 24,026 | 23,884 | |||||||||
| Effect of dilutive options | — | 14 | |||||||||
| Weighted average common stock outstanding-Diluted | 24,026 | 23,898 | |||||||||
| Non-dilutive options | 1,768 | 1,231 | |||||||||
| Years non-dilutive options were issued | 2013 through 2022 | 2015 through 2020 | |||||||||
7. Related Party Transactions
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the President and Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Vice President-Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and the Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Company are also officers of various members of the Saul Organization and their management time is shared with the Saul Organization. Their annual compensation is fixed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer whose share of annual compensation allocated to the Company is determined by the shared services agreement (described below).
The Company participates in a multiemployer 401K plan with entities in the Saul Organization which covers those full-time employees who meet the requirements as specified in the plan. Company contributions, which are included in general and administrative expense or property operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, at the discretionary
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amount of up to 6% of the employee’s cash compensation, subject to certain limits, were $111,800 and $112,200 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. All amounts contributed by employees and the Company are fully vested.
The Company also participates in a multiemployer nonqualified deferred compensation plan with entities in the Saul Organization which covers those full-time employees who meet the requirements as specified in the plan. According to the plan, which can be modified or discontinued at any time, participating employees defer 2% of their compensation in excess of a specified amount. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company credited to employee accounts $63,000 and $46,800, respectively, which is the sum of accrued earnings and up to three times the amount deferred by employees and is included in general and administrative expense. All amounts contributed by employees and credited by the Company are fully vested. The cumulative unfunded liability under this plan was $2.9 million and $3.0 million, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company and the Saul Organization are parties to a shared services agreement (the “Agreement”) that provides for the sharing of certain personnel and ancillary functions such as computer hardware, software, and support services and certain direct and indirect administrative personnel. The method for determining the cost of the shared services is provided for in the Agreement and is based upon head count, estimates of usage or estimates of time incurred, as applicable. The terms of the Agreement and the payments made thereunder are deemed reasonable by management and are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists entirely of independent directors. Net billings by the Saul Organization for the Company’s share of these ancillary costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, which included rental expense for the Company’s headquarters sublease, totaled approximately $2.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The amounts are generally expensed as incurred and are primarily reported as general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities included approximately $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, representing amounts due to the Saul Organization for the Company’s share of these ancillary costs and expenses.
The Company subleases its corporate headquarters space from a member of the Saul Organization. The sublease commenced in March 2002, expires in 2027, and provides for base rent increases of 3% per year, with payment of a pro-rata share of operating expenses over a base year amount. The Agreement requires each party to pay an allocation of total rental payments based on a percentage proportionate to the number of employees employed by each party. The Company’s rent expense for its headquarters location was $219,400 and $192,900 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense.
The B. F. Saul Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of the B. F. Saul Company and a member of the Saul Organization, is a general insurance agency that receives commissions and fees in connection with the Company’s insurance program. Such commissions and fees amounted to $222,100 and $70,700 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
8. Stock-based Employee Compensation, Stock Option Plans, and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
In 2004, the Company established a stock incentive plan (the “Plan”), as amended. Under the Plan, options are granted at an exercise price not less than the market value of the common stock on the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. Officer options vest ratably over four years following the grant and are charged to expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Director options vest immediately and are charged to expense as of the date of grant.
The Company uses the fair value method to value and account for employee stock options. The fair value of options granted is determined at the time of the grant using the Black-Scholes model, a widely used method for valuing stock-based employee compensation, and the following assumptions: (1) Expected Volatility determined using the most recent trading history of the Company’s common stock (month-end closing prices) corresponding to the average expected term of the options; (2) Average Expected Term of the options based on prior exercise history, scheduled vesting and the expiration date; (3) Expected Dividend Yield determined by management after considering the Company’s current and historic dividend yield, the Company’s yield in relation to other retail REITs and the Company’s market yield at the grant date; and (4) a Risk-free Interest Rate based upon the market yields of US Treasury obligations with maturities corresponding to the average expected term of the options at the grant date. The Company amortizes the value of options granted ratably over the vesting period and includes the amounts as compensation expense in general and administrative expenses.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Compensation Committee established a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors for the benefit of the Company’s directors and their beneficiaries, which replaced a previous Deferred Compensation and Stock Plan for Directors. Annually, directors are given the ability to make an election to defer all or part of their fees and have the option to
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have their fees paid in cash, in shares of common stock or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock upon separation from the Board. If a director elects to have their fees paid in stock, fees earned during a calendar quarter are aggregated and divided by the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the first trading day of the following quarter to determine the number of shares to be credited to the director. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 2,347 shares were credited to director’s deferred fee accounts and 6,865 shares were issued. As of March 31, 2023, the director's deferred fee accounts comprise 116,306 shares.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, stock option expense totaling $0.3 million was included in general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2023, the estimated future expense related to unvested stock options was $1.9 million.
The table below summarizes the option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price per share | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at January 1 | 1,768,375 | $ | 51.28 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Granted | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Expired/Forfeited | (24,375) | 47.70 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at March 31 | 1,744,000 | 51.33 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at March 31 | 1,237,250 | 52.76 | — | |||||||||||||||||
The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding or exercisable measures the price difference between the options’ exercise price and the closing share price quoted by the New York Stock Exchange as of the date of measurement. There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was calculated by using the transaction price on the date of exercise and totaled $43,548. At March 31, 2023, the final trading day of the 2023 first quarter, the closing share price of $39.00 was lower than the exercise price of all 1.8 million outstanding options granted in 2013 through 2022. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the Company’s outstanding and exercisable options is 5.5 years and 4.5 years, respectively.
9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of their fair value. The aggregate fair value of the notes payable with fixed-rate payment terms was determined using Level 2 data in a discounted cash flow approach, which is based upon management’s estimate of borrowing rates and loan terms currently available to the Company for fixed-rate financing, would be approximately $935.1 million and $919.2 million, respectively, compared to the principal balance of $1.07 billion and $1.07 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. A change in any of the significant inputs may lead to a change in the Company’s fair value measurement of its debt.
10. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, the Company primarily uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount
The change in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with certain variable-rate debt.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that approximately $1.6 million will be reclassified from other comprehensive income and reflected as a decrease to interest expense.
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The Company carries its interest-rate swaps at fair value. The Company has determined the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy with the exception of the impact of counter-party risk, which was determined using Level 3 inputs and is not significant. Derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because their values are determined using third-party pricing models that contain inputs that are derived from observable market data. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit spreads, measure of volatility, and correlations of such inputs. As of March 31, 2023, the fair value of the interest-rate swaps was approximately $1.9 million and is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in value during the period is reflected in Other Comprehensive Income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The table below details the fair value and location of the interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
| (In thousands) | Fair Values of Derivative Instruments | |||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Instrument | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | Other Assets | $ | 1,948 | Other Assets | $ | 3,962 | ||||||||||||||
The table below details the location in the financial statements of the gain or loss recognized on interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
| (In thousands) | The Effect of Hedge Accounting on Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI | Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income | Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from OCI into Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Instrument | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | $ | (1,618) | $— | Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | N/A | $ | (396) | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Neither the Company nor the Current Portfolio Properties are subject to any material litigation, nor, to management’s knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against the Company, other than routine litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that these items, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the Company or the Current Portfolio Properties.
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12. Business Segments
The Company has two reportable business segments: Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use Properties. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2). The Company evaluates performance based upon income and cash flows from real estate of the combined properties in each segment. All of our properties within each segment generate similar types of revenues and expenses related to tenant rent, reimbursements and operating expenses. Although services are provided to a variety of tenants, the types of services provided to them are similar within each segment. The properties in each portfolio have similar economic characteristics and the nature of the products and services provided to our tenants and the method to distribute such services are consistent throughout the portfolio. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year information to conform to the 2023 presentation.
| Financial Information By Segment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use Properties | Corporate and Other | Consolidated Totals | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate rental operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 44,225 | $ | 18,824 | $ | — | $ | 63,049 | |||||||||||||||
| Expenses | (9,260) | (7,020) | — | (16,280) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income from real estate | 34,965 | 11,804 | — | 46,769 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | — | — | (11,821) | (11,821) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs | (7,128) | (4,889) | — | (12,017) | |||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | — | — | (5,268) | (5,268) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 27,837 | $ | 6,915 | $ | (17,089) | $ | 17,663 | |||||||||||||||
| Capital investment | $ | 1,667 | $ | 41,489 | $ | — | $ | 43,156 | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 716,710 | $ | 1,133,155 | $ | 18,140 | $ | 1,868,005 | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate rental operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 44,099 | $ | 18,045 | $ | — | $ | 62,144 | |||||||||||||||
| Expenses | (10,092) | (6,864) | — | (16,956) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income from real estate | 34,007 | 11,181 | — | 45,188 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | — | — | (10,602) | (10,602) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs | (7,141) | (5,186) | — | (12,327) | |||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | — | — | (4,768) | (4,768) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 26,866 | $ | 5,995 | $ | (15,370) | $ | 17,491 | |||||||||||||||
| Capital investment | $ | 1,500 | $ | 15,329 | $ | — | $ | 16,829 | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 940,049 | $ | 794,682 | $ | 20,821 | $ | 1,755,552 | |||||||||||||||
13. Subsequent Events
The Company has reviewed operating activities for the period subsequent to March 31, 2023, and determined there are no subsequent events required to be disclosed.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the accompanying notes in “Item 1. Financial Statements” of this report and the more detailed information contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Historical results and percentage relationships set forth in Item 1 and this section should not be taken as indicative of future operations of the Company. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this section have the meanings given to them in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Our future results, financial condition and business may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes” or similar expressions in this Form 10-Q. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon present expectations and reasonable assumptions, our actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, unless required by law. The following are some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all risks and uncertainties, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those presented in our forward-looking statements:
•challenging domestic and global credit markets and their effect on discretionary spending;
•the ability of our tenants to pay rent;
•our reliance on shopping center “anchor” tenants and other significant tenants;
•our substantial relationships with members of the Saul Organization;
•risks of financing, such as increases in interest rates, restrictions imposed by our debt, our ability to meet existing financial covenants and our ability to consummate planned and additional financings on acceptable terms;
•our development activities;
•our access to additional capital;
•our ability to successfully complete additional acquisitions, developments or redevelopments, or if they are completed, whether such acquisitions, developments or redevelopments perform as expected;
•risks generally incident to the ownership of real property, including adverse changes in economic conditions, changes in the investment climate for real estate, changes in real estate taxes and other operating expenses, adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies, the relative illiquidity of real estate and environmental risks;
•risks related to our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, such as the existence of complex regulations relating to our status as a REIT, the effect of future changes to REIT requirements as a result of new legislation and the adverse consequences of the failure to qualify as a REIT; and
•an epidemic or pandemic (such as the outbreak and worldwide spread of COVID-19), and the measures that international, federal, state and local governments, agencies, law enforcement and/or health authorities implement to address it, which may (as with COVID-19) precipitate or exacerbate one or more of the above-mentioned and/or other risks, and significantly disrupt or prevent us from operating our business in the ordinary course for an extended period.
Additional information related to these risks and uncertainties are included in “Risk Factors” (Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022), “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” (Part I, Item 3 of this Form 10-Q and Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022), and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” (Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q).
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Impact of COVID-19
In February 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services declared that the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 would end on May 11, 2023. On April 10, 2023, President Biden signed legislation ending the COVID-19 National Emergency. If the residual effects of COVID-19 result in deterioration of economic and market conditions, including supply chain issues, or if the Company’s expected holding period for assets changes, subsequent tests for impairment could result in impairment charges in the future. The Company can provide no assurance that material impairment charges with respect to the Company’s investment properties will not occur during future periods. As of March 31, 2023, we have not identified any impairment triggering events, including the impact of COVID-19 and corresponding tenant requests for rent relief. Therefore, under applicable GAAP guidance, no impairment charges have been recorded. However, we have yet to see the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the extent to which it may impact our tenants in the future. Indications of a tenant’s inability to continue as a going concern, changes in our view or strategy relative to a tenant’s business or industry as a result of COVID-19, or changes in our long-term hold strategies, could be indicative of an impairment triggering event. Accordingly, the Company will continue to monitor circumstances and events in future periods to determine whether impairment charges are warranted.
As of April 30, 2023, payments by tenants of contractual base rent and operating expense and real estate tax recoveries that were due during the 2023 first quarter totaled approximately 99%.
The Company is and will continue to be actively engaged in collection efforts related to uncollected rent, and the Company will continue to work with certain tenants who request rent deferrals, however, the Company can provide no assurance that such efforts or our efforts in future periods will be successful.
Deferral agreements executed with certain tenants as a result of business disruption that occurred at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic generally deferred 30 to 90 days of rent, operating expense and real estate tax recovery payments until a later time in the lease term with repayment typically occurring over a 12-month period generally commencing in 2021. We continued to accrue rental revenue during the deferral period.
The following is a summary of the Company’s executed rent deferral agreements and repayments as of April 30, 2023, with the exception of amounts due, which are as of March 31, 2023.
| Rent Deferral Agreements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collection Percentage (based on payments currently due) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Deferred Rent | Amount Due | Amount Written Off | Amount Unpaid | Amount Collected | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 9,366 | $ | 8,624 | $ | 349 | $ | 41 | $ | 8,234 | 95 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
The extent of the effects of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and growth prospects is highly uncertain and will ultimately depend on future developments, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. See Item 1A. Risk Factors. We anticipate that some tenants eventually will not be able to pay amounts due and we will incur losses against our rent receivables. The extent and timing of the recognition of such losses will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Management considers reserves established as of March 31, 2023, against such potential losses to be reasonable and adequate. Rent collections during the first quarter and rent relief requests to-date may not be indicative of collections or requests in any future period.
General
The following discussion is based primarily on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Overview
The Company’s primary strategy is to continue to focus on diversification of its assets through development of transit-oriented, residential mixed-use projects in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The Company’s operating strategy also includes improvement of the operating performance of its assets, internal growth of its Shopping Centers through the addition of pad sites, and supplementing its development pipeline with selective redevelopment and renovations of its core Shopping Centers. The Company has a pipeline of entitled sites in its portfolio, some of which are currently shopping center operating properties, for development of up to 3,700 apartment units and 975,000 square feet of retail and office space. All such sites are located adjacent to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority red line Metro stations in Montgomery County, Maryland.
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The Company intends to selectively add free-standing pad site buildings within its Shopping Center portfolio and replace underperforming tenants with tenants that generate strong traffic, including anchor stores such as supermarkets and drug stores. The Company has executed leases or leases are under negotiation for seven future pad sites.
In recent years, there has been a limited amount of quality properties for sale and pricing of those properties has escalated. Accordingly, management believes acquisition opportunities for investment in existing and new shopping center and mixed-use properties in the near future is uncertain. Nevertheless, because of the Company’s conservative capital structure, including its cash and capacity under its revolving credit facility, management believes that the Company is positioned to take advantage of additional investment opportunities as attractive properties are identified and market conditions improve. (See “Item 1. Business - Capital Policies”.) It is management’s view that several of the sub-markets in which the Company operates have, or are expected to have in the future, attractive supply/demand characteristics. The Company will continue to evaluate acquisition, development and redevelopment as integral parts of its overall business plan.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic conditions within the local Washington, DC metropolitan area were relatively stable. Issues facing the Federal government relating to taxation, spending and interest rate policy will likely continue to impact the office, retail and residential real estate markets over the coming years. Because the majority of the Company’s property operating income is produced by our Shopping Centers, we continually monitor the implications of government policy changes, as well as shifts in consumer demand between on-line and in-store shopping, on future shopping center construction and retailer store expansion or closure plans. Based on our observations, we continue to adapt our marketing and merchandising strategies in ways to maximize our future performance. The Company’s Commercial leasing percentage, on a same property basis, which excludes the impact of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods, increased to 93.9% as of March 31, 2023, from 92.5% as of March 31, 2022.
The Company maintains a ratio of total debt to total asset value of under 50%, which allows the Company to obtain additional secured borrowings if necessary. As of March 31, 2023, including the $100.0 million hedged variable-rate debt,
total fixed-rate debt with staggered maturities from 2024 to 2041 represented approximately 84.7% of the Company’s notes payable, thus mitigating refinancing risk. The Company’s unhedged variable-rate debt consists of $194.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has availability of approximately $188.6 million under its Credit Facility.
total fixed-rate debt with staggered maturities from 2024 to 2041 represented approximately 84.7% of the Company’s notes payable, thus mitigating refinancing risk. The Company’s unhedged variable-rate debt consists of $194.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has availability of approximately $188.6 million under its Credit Facility.
Although it is management’s present intention to concentrate future acquisition and development activities on
transit-centric, residential mixed-use properties and grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company may, in the future, also acquire other types of real estate in other areas of the country as opportunities present themselves. The Company plans to continue to diversify in terms of property types, locations, size and market, and it does not set any limit on the amount or percentage of assets that may be invested in any one property or any one geographic area.
transit-centric, residential mixed-use properties and grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company may, in the future, also acquire other types of real estate in other areas of the country as opportunities present themselves. The Company plans to continue to diversify in terms of property types, locations, size and market, and it does not set any limit on the amount or percentage of assets that may be invested in any one property or any one geographic area.
The following table sets forth average annualized base rent per square foot and average annualized effective rent per square foot for the Company’s Commercial properties (all properties except for the apartments within The Waycroft, Clarendon Center and Park Van Ness properties). For purposes of this table, annualized effective rent is annualized base rent minus amortized tenant improvements and amortized leasing commissions.
| Commercial Rents per Square Foot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2022 to 2023 Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base rent | $ | 20.65 | $ | 20.62 | $ | 0.03 | 0.15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Effective rent | $ | 19.08 | $ | 18.97 | $ | 0.11 | 0.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Recent Developments
The Company is developing Twinbrook Quarter Phase I (“Phase I”) located in Rockville, Maryland. Phase I includes an 80,000 square foot Wegmans, approximately 25,000 square feet of small shop space, 450 apartments and a 230,000 square foot office building. The office tower portion of Phase I is not being constructed at this time. In connection with the development of the residential and retail portions of Phase I, we must also invest in infrastructure and other items that will support both Phase I and other portions of the development of Twinbrook Quarter. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $331.5 million, of which $271.4 million is related to the development of the residential and retail portions of Phase I and $60.1 million is related to infrastructure and other items. A portion of the project will be financed by a $145.0 million construction-to-permanent loan. Concrete work is substantially complete and pre-cast façade panels, masonry and windows are being installed. Initial delivery of Phase I is anticipated in late 2024. The development potential of all phases
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of the entire 18.4 acre Twinbrook Quarter site totals 1,865 residential units, 473,000 square feet of retail space, and 431,000 square feet of office space.
The Company is developing Hampden House, a project located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland that will include up to 366 apartment units and 10,100 square feet of retail space. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $246.4 million, a portion of which will be financed by a $133.0 million construction-to-permanent loan. Excavation is complete and below grade construction of the parking garage is in progress. Construction is expected to be completed during 2025.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reporting of financial position and results of operations. If judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements. The Company has identified the following policies that, due to estimates and assumptions inherent in these policies, involve a relatively high degree of judgment and complexity.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investment properties are stated at historic cost less depreciation. Although the Company intends to own its real estate investment properties over a long term, from time to time it will evaluate its market position, market conditions, and other factors and may elect to sell properties that do not conform to the Company’s investment profile. Management believes that the Company’s real estate assets have generally appreciated in value since their acquisition or development and, accordingly, the aggregate current value exceeds their aggregate net book value and also exceeds the value of the Company’s liabilities as reported in the financial statements. Because the financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, they do not report the current value of the Company’s real estate investment properties.
If there is an event or change in circumstance that indicates a potential impairment in the value of a real estate investment property, the Company prepares an analysis to determine whether the carrying amount of the real estate investment property exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company considers both quantitative and qualitative factors when identifying impairment indicators including recurring operating losses, significant decreases in occupancy, and significant adverse changes in market conditions, legal factors and business climate. If impairment indicators are present, the Company compares the projected cash flows of the property over its remaining useful life, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying amount of that property. The Company assesses its undiscounted projected cash flows based upon estimated capitalization rates, historic operating results and market conditions that may affect the property. If the carrying amount is greater than the undiscounted projected cash flows, the Company would recognize an impairment loss equivalent to an amount required to adjust the carrying amount to its then estimated fair value. The fair value of any property is sensitive to the actual results of any of the aforementioned estimated factors, either individually or taken as a whole. Should the actual results differ from management’s projections, the valuation could be negatively or positively affected.
Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income, and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable primarily represent amounts currently due from tenants in accordance with the terms of their respective leases. Individual leases are assessed for collectability and, upon the determination that the collection of rents is not probable, accrued rent and accounts receivable are charged off, and the charge off is reflected as an adjustment to rental revenue. Revenue from leases where collection is not probable is recorded on a cash basis until collectability is determined to be probable. We also assess whether operating lease receivables, at the portfolio level, are appropriately valued based upon an analysis of balances outstanding, effects of tenant bankruptcies, historical levels of bad debt and current economic trends. Additionally, because of the uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our assessment also takes into consideration the types of business conducted by tenants and current discussions with the tenants, as well as recent rent collection experience. Evaluating and estimating uncollectable lease payments and related receivables requires a significant amount of judgment by management and is based on the best information available to management at the time of evaluation. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
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Legal Contingencies
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, which are generally covered by insurance. While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes the final outcome of current matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or the results of operations. Upon determination that a loss is probable to occur, the estimated amount of the loss is recorded in the financial statements. Both the amount of the loss and the point at which its occurrence is considered probable can be difficult to determine.
Results of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2023 (the “2023 Quarter”) compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 (the “2022 Quarter”)
Net income for the 2023 Quarter increased to $17.7 million from $17.5 million for the 2022 Quarter. Significant changes in revenue and expenses are discussed below.
Revenue
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2022 to 2023 Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | Amount | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base rent | $ | 51,448 | $ | 49,815 | $ | 1,633 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Expense recoveries | 8,912 | 9,724 | (812) | (8.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage rent | 903 | 679 | 224 | 33.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other property revenue | 470 | 487 | (17) | (3.5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit (losses) recoveries on operating lease receivables, net | 96 | (25) | 121 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rental revenue | 61,829 | 60,680 | 1,149 | 1.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 1,220 | 1,464 | (244) | (16.7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 63,049 | $ | 62,144 | $ | 905 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
NM = Not Meaningful
Total revenue increased 1.5% in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter, as described below.
Base rent. The $1.6 million increase in base rent in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to (a) higher base rent at The Waycroft of $0.8 million and (b) higher base rent across the portfolio, exclusive of The Waycroft, of $0.8 million.
Expense recoveries. The $0.8 million decrease in expense recoveries in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to a decrease in recoverable property operating expenses.
Percentage rent. The $0.2 million increase in percentage rent in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to higher sales reported by tenants within the Shopping Center portfolio.
Other revenue. The $0.2 million decrease in other revenue in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to lower termination fees of $0.3 million, partially offset by higher parking revenue of $0.1 million.
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Expenses
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2022 to 2023 Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property operating expenses | $ | 8,785 | $ | 9,538 | $ | (753) | (7.9) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Real estate taxes | 7,495 | 7,418 | 77 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | 11,821 | 10,602 | 1,219 | 11.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs | 12,017 | 12,327 | (310) | (2.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 5,268 | 4,768 | 500 | 10.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | $ | 45,386 | $ | 44,653 | $ | 733 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total expenses increased 1.6% in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter, as described below.
Property operating expenses. The $0.8 million decrease in property operating expenses in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to (a) lower repairs and maintenance expenses across the portfolio of $1.2 million, primarily due to lower snow removal costs, partially offset by (b) increased insurance premiums of $0.1 million and (c) increased legal expenses of $0.1 million.
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs. The $1.2 million increase in interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to (a) higher interest incurred of $2.0 million due to a higher weighted average interest rate over the period and (b) higher interest incurred of $1.1 million due to higher average outstanding debt balances over the period, partially offset by (c) higher capitalization of interest of $2.0 million related to Twinbrook Quarter and Hampden House.
Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs. The $0.3 million decrease in depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to lower depreciation expense of $0.3 million.
General and Administrative. The $0.5 million increase in general and administrative expenses in the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter is primarily attributable to higher salaries and benefits expense of $0.4 million.
Same property revenue and same property operating income
Same property revenue and same property operating income are non-GAAP financial measures of performance and improve the comparability of these measures by excluding the results of properties which were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods.
We define same property revenue as total revenue minus the revenue of properties not in operation for the entirety of the comparable reporting periods, and we define same property operating income as net income plus (a) interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs, (b) depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs, (c) general and administrative expenses, (d) change in fair value of derivatives, and (e) loss on the early extinguishment of debt minus (f) gains on property dispositions and (g) the operating income of properties that were not in operation for the entirety of the comparable periods.
Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating same property revenue and same property operating income. Accordingly, our same property revenue and same property operating income may not be comparable to those of other REITs.
Same property revenue and same property operating income are used by management to evaluate and compare the operating performance of our properties, and to determine trends in earnings, because these measures are not affected by the cost of our funding, the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses from the acquisition and sale of operating real estate assets, general and administrative expenses or other gains and losses that relate to ownership of our properties. We believe the exclusion of these items from property revenue and property operating income is useful because the resulting measures capture the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred by operating our properties.
Same property revenue and same property operating income are measures of the operating performance of our properties but do not measure our performance as a whole. Such measures are therefore not substitutes for total revenue, net income or operating income as computed in accordance with GAAP.
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The tables below provide reconciliations of total property revenue and property operating income under GAAP to same property revenue and operating income for the indicated periods. No properties were excluded from same property results.
Same property revenue
| (in thousands) | Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 63,049 | $ | 62,144 | ||||||||||
| Less: Acquisitions, dispositions and development properties | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total same property revenue | $ | 63,049 | $ | 62,144 | ||||||||||
| Shopping Centers | $ | 44,225 | $ | 44,099 | ||||||||||
| Mixed-Use properties | 18,824 | 18,045 | ||||||||||||
| Total same property revenue | $ | 63,049 | $ | 62,144 | ||||||||||
| Total Shopping Center revenue | $ | 44,225 | $ | 44,099 | ||||||||||
| Less: Shopping Center acquisitions, dispositions and development properties | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total same Shopping Center revenue | $ | 44,225 | $ | 44,099 | ||||||||||
| Total Mixed-Use property revenue | $ | 18,824 | $ | 18,045 | ||||||||||
| Less: Mixed-Use acquisitions, dispositions and development properties | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total same Mixed-Use revenue | $ | 18,824 | $ | 18,045 | ||||||||||
The $0.9 million increase in same property revenue for the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter was primarily due to (a) higher base rent at The Waycroft of $0.8 million and (b) higher base rent across the portfolio, exclusive of The Waycroft, of $0.8 million, partially offset by (c) lower expense recoveries of $0.8 million.
Mixed-Use same property revenue is composed of the following:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Office mixed-use properties (1) | $ | 9,145 | $ | 9,488 | ||||||||||
| Residential mixed-use properties (retail activity) (2) | 1,147 | 963 | ||||||||||||
| Residential mixed-use properties (residential activity) (3) | 8,532 | 7,594 | ||||||||||||
| Total Mixed-Use same property revenue | $ | 18,824 | $ | 18,045 | ||||||||||
(1)Includes Avenel Business Park, Clarendon Center – North and South Blocks, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Square
(2)Includes The Waycroft and Park Van Ness
(3)Includes Clarendon South Block, The Waycroft and Park Van Ness
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Same property operating income
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 17,663 | $ | 17,491 | ||||||||||
| Add: Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs | 11,821 | 10,602 | ||||||||||||
| Add: Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs | 12,017 | 12,327 | ||||||||||||
| Add: General and administrative | 5,268 | 4,768 | ||||||||||||
| Property operating income | 46,769 | 45,188 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Acquisitions, dispositions and development properties | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total same property operating income | $ | 46,769 | $ | 45,188 | ||||||||||
| Shopping Centers | $ | 34,965 | $ | 34,007 | ||||||||||
| Mixed-Use properties | 11,804 | 11,181 | ||||||||||||
| Total same property operating income | $ | 46,769 | $ | 45,188 | ||||||||||
| Shopping Center operating income | $ | 34,965 | $ | 34,007 | ||||||||||
| Less: Shopping Center acquisitions, dispositions and development properties | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total same Shopping Center operating income | $ | 34,965 | $ | 34,007 | ||||||||||
| Mixed-Use property operating income | $ | 11,804 | $ | 11,181 | ||||||||||
| Less: Mixed-Use acquisitions, dispositions and development properties | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total same Mixed-Use property operating income | $ | 11,804 | $ | 11,181 | ||||||||||
Same property operating income increased $1.6 million, or 3.5%, for the 2023 Quarter compared to the 2022 Quarter. Shopping Center same property operating income for the 2023 Quarter totaled $35.0 million, a $1.0 million increase from the 2022 Quarter. Mixed-Use same property operating income totaled $11.8 million, a $0.6 million increase from the 2022 Quarter. Same property operating income increased primarily due to (a) higher base rent at The Waycroft of $0.8 million and (b) higher base rent across the portfolio, exclusive of The Waycroft, of $0.8 million.
Mixed-Use same property operating income is composed of the following:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Office mixed-use properties (1) | $ | 5,708 | $ | 6,053 | ||||||||||
| Residential mixed-use properties (retail activity) (2) | 807 | 692 | ||||||||||||
| Residential mixed-use properties (residential activity) (3) | 5,289 | 4,436 | ||||||||||||
| Total Mixed-Use same property operating income | $ | 11,804 | $ | 11,181 | ||||||||||
(1)Includes Avenel Business Park, Clarendon Center – North and South Blocks, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Square
(2)Includes The Waycroft and Park Van Ness
(3)Includes Clarendon South Block, The Waycroft and Park Van Ness
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $11.8 million and $12.3 million at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions and, from time to time, those balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such deposits and actively monitors its banking relationships to mitigate its exposure to significant credit risk on those deposits. The Company’s cash flow is affected by its operating, investing and financing activities, as described below.
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 36,098 | $ | 39,971 | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (43,156) | (16,829) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 5,591 | (25,423) | |||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (1,467) | $ | (2,281) | |||||||
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities represents cash received primarily from rental revenue, plus other revenue, less property operating expenses, leasing costs, normal recurring general and administrative expenses and interest payments on debt outstanding.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities includes property acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, tenant improvements and other property capital expenditures. The $26.3 million increase in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to (a) increased development expenditures of $24.0 million and (b) increased additions to real estate investments throughout the portfolio of $2.4 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities represents (a) cash used to repay and curtail loans, redeem preferred stock and pay dividends and distributions to holders of common stock, preferred stock and limited partnership units minus (b) cash received from loan proceeds and issuance of common stock, preferred stock and limited partnership units. See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of financing activity.
Liquidity Requirements
Short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of normal recurring operating expenses and capital expenditures, debt service requirements (including debt service relating to additional and replacement debt), distributions to common and preferred stockholders, distributions to unit holders, and amounts required for expansion and renovation of the Current Portfolio Properties and selective acquisition and development of additional properties. In order to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, the Company must distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its “real estate investment trust taxable income,” as defined in the Code. The Company expects to meet these short-term liquidity requirements (other than amounts required for additional property acquisitions and developments) through cash provided from operations, available cash and its existing line of credit.
The Company is developing Twinbrook Quarter Phase I located in Rockville, Maryland. Phase I includes an 80,000 square foot Wegmans, approximately 25,000 square feet of small shop space, 450 apartments and a 230,000 square foot office building. The office tower portion of Phase I is not being constructed at this time. In connection with the development of the residential and retail portions of Phase I, we must also invest in infrastructure and other items that will support both Phase I and other portions of the development of Twinbrook Quarter. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $331.5 million, of which $271.4 million is related to the development of the residential and retail portions of Phase I and $60.1 million is related to infrastructure and other items. A portion of the project will be financed by a $145.0 million construction-to-permanent loan. Concrete work is substantially complete and pre-cast façade panels, masonry and windows are being installed. Initial delivery of Phase I is anticipated in late 2024. The development potential of all phases of the entire 18.4 acre Twinbrook Quarter site totals 1,865 residential units, 473,000 square feet of retail space, and 431,000 square feet of office space.
The Company is developing Hampden House, a project located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland that will include up to 366 apartment units and 10,100 square feet of retail space. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $246.4 million, a portion of which will be financed by a $133.0 million construction-to-permanent loan. Excavation is complete and below grade construction of the parking garage is in progress. Construction is expected to be completed during 2025.
Long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of obligations under our long-term debt and dividends paid to our preferred shareholders. The Company anticipates that long-term liquidity requirements will also include amounts required for property acquisitions and developments.
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The Company may also redevelop certain of the Current Portfolio Properties and may develop additional freestanding outparcels or expansions within certain of the Shopping Centers. Acquisition and development of properties are undertaken only after careful analysis and review, and management’s determination that such properties are expected to provide long-term earnings and cash flow growth. During the remainder of the year, developments, expansions or acquisitions (if any) are expected to be funded with available cash, bank borrowings from the Company’s Credit Facility, construction and permanent financing, proceeds from the operation of the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) or other external debt or equity capital resources available to the Company. Any future borrowings may be at the Saul Centers, Operating Partnership or Subsidiary Partnership level. The availability and terms of any such financing will depend upon market and other conditions.
Dividend Reinvestments
The Company has a DRIP that allows its common stockholders and holders of limited partnership interests an opportunity to buy additional shares of common stock by reinvesting all or a portion of their dividends or distributions. The DRIP provides for investing in newly issued shares of common stock at a 3% discount from market price without payment of any brokerage commissions, service charges or other expenses. All expenses of the DRIP are paid by the Company. The Company issued 11,579 and 60,495 shares pursuant to the DRIP at a weighted average discounted price of $41.06 and $47.66 per share, during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company did not issue any limited partnership units pursuant to the DRIP during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company issued 13,704 limited partnership units pursuant to the DRIP at a weighted average price of $48.16 per unit during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company also credited 1,648 and 1,366 shares to directors pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends specified by the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan at a weighted average discounted price of $41.06 and $47.66 per share, during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Capital Strategy and Financing Activity
As a general policy, the Company intends to maintain a ratio of its total debt to total asset value of 50% or less and to actively manage the Company’s leverage and debt expense on an ongoing basis in order to maintain prudent coverage of fixed charges. Asset value is the aggregate fair market value of the Current Portfolio Properties and any subsequently acquired properties as reasonably determined by management by reference to the properties’ aggregate cash flow. Given the Company’s current debt level, it is management’s belief that the ratio of the Company’s debt to total asset value was below 50% as of March 31, 2023.
The organizational documents of the Company do not limit the absolute amount or percentage of indebtedness that it may incur. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, reevaluate the Company’s debt/capitalization strategy in light of current economic conditions, relative costs of capital, market values of the Company’s property portfolio, opportunities for acquisition, development or expansion, and such other factors as the Board of Directors then deems relevant. The Board of Directors may modify the Company’s debt/capitalization policy based on such a reevaluation without shareholder approval and consequently, may increase or decrease the Company’s debt to total asset ratio above or below 50% or may waive the policy for certain periods of time. The Company selectively continues to refinance or renegotiate the terms of its outstanding debt in order to achieve longer maturities, and obtain generally more favorable loan terms, whenever management determines the financing environment is favorable.
At March 31, 2023, the Company had a $525.0 million Credit Facility comprised of a $425.0 million revolving credit facility and a $100.0 million term loan. The revolving credit facility matures on August 29, 2025, which may be extended by the Company for one additional year, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The term loan matures on February 26, 2027, and may not be extended. Through October 2, 2022, interest accrued at a rate of LIBOR plus an applicable spread, which was determined by certain leverage tests. Effective October 3, 2022, in conjunction with the execution of the First Amendment to the Credit Facility, interest accrues at a rate of SOFR plus 10 basis points plus an applicable spread, which is determined by certain leverage tests. As of March 31, 2023, the applicable spread for borrowings was 140 basis points related to the revolving credit facility and 135 basis points related to the term loan. Letters of credit may be issued under the Credit Facility. On March 31, 2023, based on the value of the Company’s unencumbered properties, approximately $188.6 million was available under the Credit Facility, $294.0 million was outstanding and approximately $185,000 was committed for letters of credit.
The Credit Facility requires the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain compliance with certain financial covenants. The material covenants require the Company, on a consolidated basis, to:
•limit the amount of debt as a percentage of gross asset value, as defined in the loan agreement, to less than 60% (leverage ratio);
•limit the amount of debt so that interest coverage will exceed 2.0x on a trailing four-quarter basis (interest expense coverage); and
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•limit the amount of debt so that interest, scheduled principal amortization and preferred dividend coverage exceeds 1.4x on a trailing four-quarter basis (fixed charge coverage).
As of March 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of all financing activity.
On August 23, 2022, the Company entered into two floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk associated with $100.0 million of its variable-rate debt. The effective date of each swap agreement is October 3, 2022 and each has a $50.0 million notional amount. One agreement terminates on October 1, 2027 and effectively fixes SOFR at 2.96%. The other agreement terminates on October 1, 2030 and effectively fixes SOFR at 2.91%. Because the interest-rate swaps effectively fix SOFR for $100.0 million of variable-rate debt, unless otherwise indicated, $100.0 million of variable-rate debt is being treated as fixed-rate debt for disclosure purposes beginning September 30, 2022. The Company has designated the agreements as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.
On March 8, 2023, the Company closed on a 10-year, non-recourse, $15.3 million mortgage secured by BJ’s Wholesale Club in Alexandria, Virginia. The loan matures in 2033, bears interest at a fixed-rate of 6.07%, requires monthly principal and interest payments of $99,200 based on a 25-year amortization schedule and requires a final principal payment of $11.7 million at maturity. Proceeds were used to repay the remaining balance of approximately $9.3 million on the existing mortgage and reduce the outstanding balance of the Credit Facility.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Funds From Operations
Funds From Operations (FFO)1 available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests for the 2023 Quarter totaled $26.9 million, a decrease of 0.5% compared to the 2022 Quarter. FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests decreased primarily due to (a) higher interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs of $1.2 million, (b) higher general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million, partially offset by (c) higher base rent at The Waycroft of $0.8 million and (d) higher base rent across the portfolio, exclusive of The Waycroft, of $0.8 million.
The following table presents a reconciliation from net income to FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 17,663 | $ | 17,491 | |||||||
| Add: | |||||||||||
| Real estate depreciation and amortization | 12,017 | 12,327 | |||||||||
| FFO | 29,680 | 29,818 | |||||||||
| Subtract: | |||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (2,798) | (2,798) | |||||||||
| FFO available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests | $ | 26,882 | $ | 27,020 | |||||||
| Weighted average shares and units: | |||||||||||
| Basic | 33,323 | 33,164 | |||||||||
Diluted (2) | 34,031 | 33,886 | |||||||||
| Basic FFO per share available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests | $ | 0.81 | $ | 0.81 | |||||||
| Diluted FFO per share available to common stockholders and noncontrolling interests | $ | 0.79 | $ | 0.80 | |||||||
1 The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”) developed FFO as a relative non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT in order to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined under GAAP. FFO is defined by Nareit as net income,
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computed in accordance with GAAP, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and excluding impairment charges on real estate assets and gains or losses from real estate dispositions. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, which is disclosed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the applicable periods. There are no material legal or functional restrictions on the use of FFO. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income, its most directly comparable GAAP measure, as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Management considers FFO a meaningful supplemental measure of operating performance because it primarily excludes the assumption that the value of the real estate assets diminishes predictably over time (i.e. depreciation), which is contrary to what the Company believes occurs with its assets, and because industry analysts have accepted it as a performance measure. FFO may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other REITs.
2 Beginning March 5, 2021, fully diluted shares and units includes 1,416,071 limited partnership units held in escrow related to the contribution of Twinbrook Quarter. Half of the units held in escrow were released on October 18, 2021. The remaining units held in escrow are scheduled to be released on October 18, 2023.
Acquisitions and Redevelopments
The Company may redevelop certain of the Current Portfolio Properties and may develop additional freestanding outparcels or expansions within certain of the Shopping Centers. Acquisition and development of properties are undertaken only after careful analysis and review, and management’s determination that such properties are expected to provide long-term earnings and cash flow growth. During the remainder of the year, any developments, expansions or acquisitions are expected to be funded with bank borrowings from the Company’s Credit Facility, construction financing, proceeds from the operation of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan or other external capital resources available to the Company.
The Company has been selectively involved in acquisition, development, redevelopment and renovation activities. It continues to evaluate the acquisition of land parcels for retail and mixed-use development and acquisitions of operating properties for opportunities to enhance operating income and cash flow growth. The Company also continues to analyze redevelopment, renovation and expansion opportunities within the portfolio.
Portfolio Leasing Status
The following chart sets forth certain information regarding Commercial leases at our properties.
| Total Properties | Total Square Footage | Percent Leased | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | 50 | 7 | 7,876,330 | 1,136,885 | 95.2 | % | 84.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2022 | 50 | 7 | 7,874,130 | 1,136,885 | 93.9 | % | 83.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2023, 93.9% of the Commercial portfolio was leased, compared to 92.5% as of March 31, 2022. On a same property basis, 93.9% of the Commercial portfolio was leased as of March 31, 2023 compared to 92.5% as of March 31, 2022. Included in the 93.9% of space leased as of March 31, 2023, is approximately 258,000 square feet of space, representing 2.9% of total Commercial square footage, that has not been occupied by the tenant. Collectively, these leases are expected to produce approximately $6.3 million of additional annualized base rent, an average of $24.53 per square foot, upon tenant occupancy and following any contractual rent concessions.
The Mixed-Use Commercial leasing percentage is composed of Commercial leases at office mixed-use properties and residential mixed-use properties. The leasing percentage at office mixed-use properties increased to 84.1% as of March 31, 2023 from 82.3% as of March 31, 2022. The retail leasing percentage at residential mixed-use properties decreased to 91.2% as of March 31, 2023 from 100.0% as of March 31, 2022.
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The following table shows selected data for leases executed in the indicated periods. The information is based on executed leases without adjustment for the timing of occupancy, tenant defaults, or landlord concessions. The base rent for an expiring lease is the annualized contractual base rent, on a cash basis, as of the expiration date of the lease. The base rent for a new or renewed lease is the annualized contractual base rent, on a cash basis, as of the expected rent commencement date. Because tenants that execute leases may not ultimately take possession of their space or pay all of their contractual rent, the changes presented in the table provide information only about trends in market rental rates. The actual changes in rental income received by the Company may be different.
| Commercial Property Leasing Activity | Average Base Rent per Square Foot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Square Feet | Number of Leases | New/Renewed Leases | Expiring Leases | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | Shopping Centers | Mixed-Use | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 366,354 | 76,180 | 85 | 9 | $ | 20.84 | $ | 31.30 | $ | 19.41 | $ | 33.66 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 258,469 | 21,804 | 67 | 5 | 21.35 | 39.01 | 21.26 | 42.71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional information about the leasing activity during the three months ended March 31, 2023 is set forth below. The below information includes leases for space which had not been previously leased during the period of the Company’s ownership, either a result of acquisition or development.
| Commercial Property Leasing Activity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| New Leases | First Generation/Development Leases | Renewed Leases | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of leases | 33 | — | 61 | |||||||||||||||||
| Square feet | 118,944 | — | 323,590 | |||||||||||||||||
| Per square foot average annualized: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Base rent | $ | 28.94 | $ | — | $ | 20.32 | ||||||||||||||
| Tenant improvements | (6.51) | — | (1.00) | |||||||||||||||||
| Leasing costs | (1.15) | — | (0.11) | |||||||||||||||||
| Rent concessions | (1.10) | — | (0.04) | |||||||||||||||||
| Effective rents | $ | 20.18 | $ | — | $ | 19.17 | ||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2022, 1,026,830 square feet of Commercial space was subject to leases scheduled to expire in 2023. Of those leases, as of March 31, 2023, leases representing 788,417 square feet of Commercial space (a) are on a month-to-month basis or (b) have not yet renewed and are scheduled to expire over the next nine months. Below is information about existing and estimated market base rents per square foot for that space.
| Expiring Commercial Property Leases | Total | |||||||
| Square feet | 788,417 | |||||||
| Average base rent per square foot | $ | 17.36 | ||||||
| Estimated market base rent per square foot | $ | 17.53 | ||||||
As of March 31, 2023, the Residential portfolio was 98.2% leased compared to 96.8% as of March 31, 2022.
| Residential Property Leasing Activity | Average Rent per Square Foot | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Number of leases | New/Renewed Leases | Expiring Leases | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 138 | $ | 3.45 | $ | 3.38 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 179 | 3.23 | 3.13 | |||||||||||||||||
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to certain financial market risks, the most predominant being fluctuations in interest rates and inflation. Interest rate fluctuations are monitored by management as an integral part of the Company’s overall risk management program, which recognizes the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company is exposed to interest rate fluctuations that will affect the amount of interest expense of its variable-rate debt and the fair value of its fixed-rate debt. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had unhedged variable rate indebtedness totaling $194.0 million. If the interest rates on the Company’s unhedged variable rate debt instruments outstanding at March 31, 2023 had been one percentage point higher or lower, our annual interest expense relating to these debt instruments would have increased or decreased by $1.9 million based on those balances. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had fixed-rate indebtedness totaling $1.07 billion with a weighted average interest rate of 4.77%. If interest rates on the Company’s fixed-rate debt instruments at March 31, 2023 had been one percentage point higher, the fair value of those debt instruments on that date would have decreased by $56.4 million. If interest rates on the Company’s fixed-rate debt instruments at March 31, 2023 had been one percentage point lower, the fair value of those debt instruments on that date would have increased by $61.8 million.
Inflation may impact the Company's results of operations by (a) increasing costs unreimbursed by tenants faster than rents increase and (b) adversely impacting consumer demand at our retail shopping centers, which, in turn, may results in (i) lower percentage rent and/or (ii) the inability of tenants to pay their rent. Inflation may also negatively impact the cost of development projects. While the Company has not been significantly impacted by any of these items in the current year, no assurances can be provided that inflationary pressures will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business in the future.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, its Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer, and its Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, its Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer, and its Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, its Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and its Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2023.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The Company has no material updates to the risk factors presented in Item 1A. Risk Factors in the 2022 Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
B. Francis Saul II, the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, his spouse and entities affiliated with Mr. Saul II, through participation in the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan for the January 31, 2023 dividend distribution acquired 3,226 shares of common stock at a price of $41.06 per share.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable
Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits
| 31. | ||||||||||||||
| 32. | ||||||||||||||
| 99. | (a) | |||||||||||||
| 101. | The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (“Inline XBRL”): (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operations, (iii) consolidated statements of equity and comprehensive income, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, and (v) the notes to the consolidated financial statements. | |||||||||||||
| 104. | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the Cover Page Interactive Data File is embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101). | |||||||||||||
* In accordance with Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K, this Exhibit is not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Such certifications will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| SAUL CENTERS, INC. (Registrant) | |||||
| Date: May 4, 2023 | /s/ D. Todd Pearson | ||||
| D. Todd Pearson President and Chief Operating Officer | |||||
| Date: May 4, 2023 | /s/ Carlos L. Heard | ||||
| Carlos L. Heard Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) | |||||
| Date: May 4, 2023 | /s/ Joel A. Friedman | ||||
| Joel A. Friedman Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer (principal accounting officer) | |||||
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