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URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC - Quarter Report: 2008 January (Form 10-Q)

form10q1stquarter2008.htm


 
United States
Securities And Exchange Commission
Washington, DC  20549

Form 10-Q

[Missing Graphic Reference] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2008

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 1-12803

 
 
Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant in its Charter)

Maryland
04-2458042
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
321 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, CT
06830
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (203) 863-8200

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x   No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No  x
 
As of March 1, 2008, the number of shares of the Registrant's classes of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock was:  7,954,908 Common Shares, par value $.01 per share and 18,560,746 Class A Common Shares, par value $.01 per share



 
1

 


Index
 
 
Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc.
 
 
 
Part I.                      Financial Information
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets – January 31, 2008 (Unaudited) and October 31, 2007.
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) – Three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007.
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007.
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) – Three months ended January 31, 2008.
   
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
   
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
   
   
Part II.                      Other Information
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
   
Signatures

 
2

 

URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
 
   
January 31,
   
October 31,
 
ASSETS
 
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Real Estate Investments:
           
Core properties – at cost
  $ 529,424     $ 521,476  
Non-core properties – at cost
    1,383       1,383  
      530,807       522,859  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation
    (88,887 )     (85,555 )
      441,920       437,304  
Mortgage note receivable
    1,290       1,305  
      443,210       438,609  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
    4,063       4,218  
Restricted cash
    759       589  
Marketable securities
    1,637       1,740  
Tenant receivables
    16,888       16,588  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    8,575       5,445  
Deferred charges, net of accumulated amortization
    4,473       4,581  
Total Assets
  $ 479,605     $ 471,770  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
Liabilities:
               
Secured revolving credit line
  $ 23,200     $ 12,200  
Mortgage notes payable
    95,797       96,282  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    3,625       3,970  
Deferred compensation – officers
    1,062       1,191  
Other liabilities
    7,503       7,438  
Total Liabilities
    131,187       121,081  
                 
Minority interests
    3,739       3,739  
                 
Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share;
               
8.99% Series B Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock, (liquidation preference of $100 pershare); 150,000 shares issued and outstanding
    14,341       14,341  
8.50% Series C Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock, (liquidation preference of $100 pershare); 400,000 shares issued and outstanding
    38,406       38,406  
Total Preferred Stock
    52,747       52,747  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
7.5% Series D Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock (liquidation preference of $25 per share);
2,450,000 shares issued and outstanding
    61,250       61,250  
Excess Stock, par value $.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
               
7,954,908 and 7,773,618 shares issued and outstanding
    79       77  
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized;
               
18,722,446 and 18,836,778 shares issued and outstanding
    187       188  
Additional paid in capital
    262,844       264,585  
Cumulative distributions in excess of net income
    (32,763 )     (31,077 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    335       480  
Officer note receivable
    -       (1,300 )
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    291,932       294,203  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 479,605     $ 471,770  
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
3

 
 
URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues
           
Base rents
  $ 14,742     $ 14,486  
Recoveries from tenants
    4,465       4,610  
Lease termination income
    58       -  
Mortgage interest and other
    166       36  
Total Revenues
    19,431       19,132  
                 
Operating Expenses
               
Property operating
    3,063       2,999  
Property taxes
    2,825       2,591  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,493       3,265  
General and administrative
    1,484       1,280  
Directors' fees and expenses
    75       72  
Total Operating Expenses
    10,940       10,207  
                 
Operating Income
    8,491       8,925  
Non-Operating Income (Expense):
               
Interest expense
    (1,749 )     (1,955 )
Interest, dividends and other investment income
    95       110  
Minority interests
    (9 )     (47 )
Income from Continuing Operations before Discontinued Operations
    6,828       7,033  
                 
Income from Discontinued Operations
    -       116  
                 
Net Income
    6,828       7,149  
Preferred stock dividends
    (2,336 )     (2,336 )
                 
Net Income Applicable to Common and Class A Common Stockholders
  $ 4,492     $ 4,813  
                 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
               
Per Common Share:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ .16     $ .18  
Income from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -  
Net Income Applicable to Common Stockholders
  $ .16     $ .18  
Per Class A Common Share:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ .18     $ .20  
Income from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -  
Net Income Applicable to Class A Common Stockholders
  $ .18     $ .20  
                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
               
Per Common Share:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ .16     $ .17  
Income from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -  
Net Income Applicable to Common Stockholders
  $ .16     $ .17  
                 
Per Class A Common Share:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ .18     $ .19  
Income from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -  
Net Income Applicable to Class A Common Stockholders
  $ .18     $ .19  
Dividends Per Share:
               
Common
  $ .2150     $ .2075  
Class A Common
  $ .2375     $ .2300  
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 
4

 

URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net income
  $ 6,828     $ 7,149  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
               
by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    3,493       3,265  
Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations
    -       43  
Straight-line rent adjustment
    (29 )     (352 )
Restricted stock compensation expense
    521       520  
Deferred compensation arrangement
    (128 )     7  
Minority interests
    9       47  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Restricted cash
    (170 )     3  
Tenant receivables
    (271 )     (640 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (343 )     172  
Other assets and other liabilities, net
    (3,302 )     (1,925 )
                 
Net Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities
    6,608       8,289  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Acquisition of real estate investments
    (5,929 )     (3,825 )
Deposits on acquisition of real estate investments
    (228 )     -  
Improvements to properties and deferred charges
    (1,652 )     (1,199 )
Distributions to limited partner of joint venture
    (9 )     (47 )
Payments received on mortgage notes receivable
    15       -  
                 
Net Cash Flow (Used in) Investing Activities
    (7,803 )     (5,071 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Proceeds from secured revolving credit line borrowings
    11,000       5,000  
Dividends paid -- Common and Class A Common Stock
    (6,178 )     (5,947 )
Dividends paid -- Preferred Stock
    (2,336 )     (2,336 )
Principal repayments on mortgage notes payable
    (485 )     (623 )
Sales of additional shares of Common and Class A Common Stock
    214       197  
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock
    (2,475 )     -  
Repayment of officer note receivable
    1,300       -  
                 
Net Cash Flow Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
    1,040       (3,709 )
                 
Net Decrease In Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (155 )     (491 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    4,218       2,800  
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 4,063     $ 2,309  
                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
               
Interest Paid
  $ 1,677     $ 1,935  

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 
5

 

URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

                                             
Cumulative
   
 
             
   
7.5% Series D
                     
Additional
   
Distributions In
   
Accumulated
Other
   
Officer
   
Total
 
   
Preferred Stock
   
Common Stock
   
Class A Common Stock
   
Paid In
   
Excess of
   
Comprehensive
   
Note
   
Stockholders’
 
   
Issued
   
Amount
   
Issued
   
Amount
   
Issued
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Net Income
   
Income
   
Receivable
   
Equity
 
Balances – October 31, 2007
    2,450,000     $ 61,250       7,773,618     $ 77       18,836,778     $ 188     $ 264,585     $ (31,077 )   $ 480     $ (1,300 )   $ 294,203  
Comprehensive Income:
                                                                                       
Net income applicable to Common
                                                                                       
and Class A common stockholders
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       4,492       -       -       4,492  
Change in unrealized gains in marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (145 )     -       (145 )
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -     $ 4,347  
Cash dividends paid :
                                                                                       
Common stock ($.2150 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,708 )     -       -       (1,708 )
Class A common stock ($.2375 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (4,470 )     -       -       (4,470 )
Issuance of shares under dividend reinvestment plan
    -       -       10,390       -       3,968       -       214       -       -       -       214  
Shares issued under restricted stock plan
    -       -       170,900       2       59,900       1       (3 )     -       -       -       -  
Restricted stock compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       -       521       -       -       -       521  
Repurchases of Class A common stock
    -       -       -       -       (171,700 )     (2 )     (2,473 )     -       -       -       (2,475 )
Forfeiture of restricted stock
    -       -       -       -       (6,500 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
Repayment of officer’s note receivable
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,300       1,300  
Balances – January 31, 2008
    2,450,000     $ 61,250       7,954,908     $ 79       18,722,446     $ 187     $ 262,844     $ (32,763 )   $ 335     $ -     $ 291,932  

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 
6

 


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business
Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (“Company”), a real estate investment trust (REIT), is engaged in the acquisition, ownership and management of commercial real estate, primarily neighborhood and community shopping centers in the northeastern part of the United States.  Non-core properties include two distribution service facilities.  The Company's major tenants include supermarket chains and other retailers who sell basic necessities.  At January 31, 2008, the Company owned or had interests in 40 properties containing a total of 3.7 million square feet of Gross Leasable Area (“GLA”).

Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and joint ventures in which the Company meets certain criteria of a sole general partner in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights.”  The Company has determined that such joint ventures should be consolidated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Results of operations for the three month period ended January 31, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending October 31, 2008.  It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007.

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods covered by the financial statements.  The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the valuation of real estate, depreciable lives, revenue recognition and the collectibility of tenant and mortgage notes receivables.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  The balance sheet at October 31, 2007 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date.

Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified (including the presentation of discontinued operations) to conform to the current year presentation.

Federal Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).  Under those sections, a REIT that, among other things, distributes at least 90% of real estate trust taxable income and meets certain other qualifications prescribed by the Code will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income that is distributed.  The Company believes it qualifies as a REIT and intends to distribute all of its taxable income for fiscal 2008 in accordance with the provisions of the Code.  Accordingly, no provision has been made for Federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of SFAS No. 109” (“FIN No. 48”), that defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The Company adopted FIN No. 48 as of November 1, 2007.  Based on its evaluation, the Company determined that it has no uncertain tax positions and no unrecognized tax benefits as of the adoption date or as of January 31, 2008.   As such, the adoption of FIN 48 did not have any effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.  The Company records interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as interest expense.  As of January 31, 2008, the tax years 2004 through and including 2007 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.  There are currently no federal tax examinations in progress.

Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, mortgage notes receivable and tenant receivables.  The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in excess of insured amounts with high quality financial institutions.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its tenants and may require certain tenants to provide security deposits or letters of credit.  Though these security deposits and letters of credit are insufficient to meet the terminal value of a tenant’s lease obligation, they are a measure of good faith and a source of funds to offset the economic costs associated with lost rent and the costs associated with retenanting the space.  There is no dependence upon any single tenant.


 
7

 


Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of short-term investments and marketable equity securities.  Short-term investments (consisting of investments with original maturities of greater than three months when purchased) and marketable equity securities are carried at fair value.  The Company has classified marketable securities as available for sale.  Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities are recorded as other comprehensive income in Stockholders’ Equity.   There were no sales of marketable securities during the three month periods ended January 31, 2008 and 2007.

Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items that are otherwise recorded directly in stockholders’ equity, such as unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities.  At January 31, 2008, other comprehensive income consisted of net unrealized gains on marketable securities of approximately $335,000.  Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings as gains are realized.

Earnings Per Share
The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes the impact of dilutive shares and is computed by dividing net income applicable to Common and Class A Common stockholders by the weighted number of Common shares and Class A Common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue Common shares or Class A Common shares were exercised or converted into Common shares or Class A Common shares and then shared in the earnings of the Company.  Since the cash dividends declared on the Company’s Class A Common stock are higher than the dividends declared on the Common Stock, basic and diluted EPS have been calculated using the “two-class” method.  The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to the weighted average of the dividends declared, outstanding shares per class and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation between basic and diluted EPS (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Numerator
           
Net income applicable to common stockholders – basic
  $ 1,146     $ 1,197  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Stock awards and operating partnership units
    24       67  
Net income applicable to common stockholders – diluted
  $ 1,170     $ 1,264  
                 
Denominator
               
Denominator for basic EPS weighted average common shares
    6,972       6,725  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Restricted stock and other awards
    255       536  
Operating partnership units
    -       55  
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average common equivalent shares
    7,227       7,316  
                 
Numerator
               
Net income applicable to Class A common stockholders-basic
  $ 3,346     $ 3,616  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Stock awards and operating partnership units
    (24 )     (20 )
Net income applicable to Class A common stockholders – diluted
  $ 3,322     $ 3,596  
                 
Denominator
               
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average Class A common shares
    18,431       18,319  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Restricted stock and other awards
    154       345  
Operating partnership units
    -       55  
Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average Class A common equivalent shares
    18,585       18,719  

Segment Reporting
The Company operates in one industry segment, ownership of commercial real estate properties which are located principally in the northeastern United States.  The Company does not distinguish its property operations for purposes of measuring performance.  Accordingly, the Company believes it has a single reportable segment for disclosure purposes.


 
8

 

Stock-Based Compensation
Prior to fiscal 2005, the Company accounted for its stock-based compensation plans under the Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”), and related Interpretations.  Effective November 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), using the modified-prospective-transition method.  Under that transition method, compensation expense is recognized for all share-based payments granted subsequent to November 1, 2005, based on the fair value of the stock awards less estimated forfeitures.  The fair value of stock awards is equal to the fair value of the Company’s stock on the grant date.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” which, among other things, provides guidance and establishes amended accounting and reporting standards for a parent company’s noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the statement, which is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations,” (“SFAS No. 141R”) which replaces SFAS No. 141 Business Combinations.  SFAS No. 141R, among other things, establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer entity recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed (including intangibles) and any noncontrolling interests in the acquired entity.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the statement, which is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

(2)  CORE PROPERTIES

In December 2007, the Company acquired a 20,000 square retail property located in Waldwick, New Jersey for $6.3 million including closing costs.  The property is net-leased to a single tenant under a long term lease arrangement.

Upon the acquisition of real estate properties, the fair value of the real estate purchased is allocated to the acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, buildings and building improvements), and identified intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of above-market and below-market leases and in-place leases), in accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations”.  The Company utilizes methods similar to those used by independent appraisers in estimating the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities.  The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property “as-if-vacant”.  The fair value reflects the depreciated replacement cost of the asset.  In allocating purchase price to identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, the value of above-market and below-market leases are estimated based on the differences between (i) contractual rentals and the estimated market rents over the applicable lease term discounted back to the date of acquisition utilizing a discount rate adjusted for the credit risk associated with the respective tenants and (ii) the estimated cost of acquiring such leases giving effect to the Company’s history of providing tenant improvements and paying leasing commissions, offset by a vacancy period during which such space would be leased.  The aggregate value of in-place leases is measured by the excess of (i) the purchase price paid for a property after adjusting existing in-place leases to market rental rates over (ii) the estimated fair value of the property “as-if-vacant,” determined as set forth above.

The Company is currently in the process of analyzing the fair value of in-place lease for the Waldwick, New Jersey property.  Consequently, no value has yet been assigned to the lease.  Accordingly, the purchase price allocation is preliminary and may be subject to change.

For the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 the net amortization of above-market and below-market leases was approximately $54,000 and $62,000 respectively, which amounts are included in base rents in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

The Company is the general partner in a consolidated limited partnership which owns a shopping center.  The limited partnership has a defined termination date of December 31, 2097.  Upon liquidation of the partnership, proceeds from the sale of partnership assets are to be distributed in accordance with the respective partnership interests.  If termination of the partnership occurred on January 31, 2008 the amount payable to the limited partners is estimated to be $3,500,000.  The limited partner interests are reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as Minority Interests.

(3)  MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE AND BANK LINE OF CREDIT

At January 31, 2008, the Company had a secured revolving credit facility with a commercial bank (the “Secured Credit Facility”) which provides for borrowings of up to $30 million.  The Secured Credit Facility expires in April 2008 and is collateralized by first mortgage liens on two of the Company’s properties.  Interest on outstanding borrowings is at prime plus ½% or LIBOR plus 1.5%.  The Secured Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain debt service coverage ratios during its term.  The Company pays an annual fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the Secured Credit Facility.  The Secured Credit Facility is available to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures, mortgage repayments, working capital and other general corporate purposes.  At January 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding borrowings under the Secured Credit Facility totaling $23,200,000 at a weighted average annual interest rate of 6.27%.  In February 2008 outstanding borrowings of $23,200,000 were repaid from a new Unsecured Credit Line Facility (See Note 8).


 
9

 

(4)  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In fiscal 2007, the Company sold a non-core retail property.  In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets” (SFAS No. 144) the operating results of the property for the three month period ended January 31, 2007 have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the accompanying 2007 consolidated statement of income.  The following table summarizes revenues and expenses for the Company’s discontinued operations (amounts in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
January 31, 2007
 
       
Revenues
  $ 178  
Property operating expense
    (19 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (43 )
Income from discontinued operations
  $ 116  
         
 

(5)  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

The 8.99% Series B Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and 8.50% Series C Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) have no stated maturity, are not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and are not convertible into other securities or property of the Company.  Commencing January 2008 (Series B Preferred Stock) and May 2013 (Series C Preferred Stock), the Company, at its option, may redeem the preferred stock issues, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $100 per share, plus all accrued dividends.  Upon a change in control of the Company (as defined), each holder of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock has the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s stock for cash at a repurchase price of $100 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

The Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock contain covenants, that require the Company to maintain certain financial coverages relating to fixed charge and capitalization ratios.  Shares of both Preferred Stock series are non-voting; however, under certain circumstances (relating to non-payment of dividends or failure to comply with the financial covenants) the preferred stockholders will be entitled to elect two directors.  The Company was in compliance with such covenants at January 31, 2008.

As the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock only have a contingent right to require the Company to repurchase all or part of such holders shares upon a change of control of the Company (as defined), the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock are classified as redeemable equity instruments as a change in control is not certain to occur.

The Company is authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.  At January 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007 the Company had issued and outstanding 150,000 shares of Series B Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock, 400,000 shares of Series C Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock and 2,450,000 shares of Series D Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock (See note 6).

(6)  STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Restricted Stock Plan
The Company has a restricted stock plan for key employees and directors of the Company.  The restricted stock plan (“Plan”) provides for the grant of up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common equity consisting of 350,000 Common shares, 350,000 Class A Common shares and 1,300,000 shares, which at the discretion of the Company’s compensation committee, may be awarded in any combination of Class A Common shares or Common shares.  On March 6, 2008, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment of the Plan to provide for grants of up to 2,350,000 shares of the Company’s common equity (See Note 8).

Prior to November 1, 2005, the grant date fair value of nonvested restricted stock awards was expensed over the explicit stock award vesting periods.  Such awards provided for continued vesting after retirement.  Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company changed its policy for recognizing compensation expense for restricted stock awards to the earlier of the explicit vesting period or the date a participant first becomes eligible for retirement.  For nonvested restricted stock awards granted prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company continues to recognize compensation expense over the explicit vesting periods and accelerates any remaining unrecognized compensation cost when a participant actually retires.

Had compensation expense for nonvested restricted stock awards issued prior to the adoption of FAS 123R been determined based on the date a participant first becomes eligible for retirement, restricted stock compensation would have decreased in the three months ended January 31, 2008 and  2007 by approximately $106,000 in each period.

In January 2008, the Company awarded 170,900 shares of Common Stock and 59,900 shares of Class A Common Stock to participants in the plan.  The grant date fair value of restricted stock grants awarded to participants in 2008 was approximately $3.4 million.


 
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A summary of the status of the Company’s non vested Common and Class A Common shares as of January 31, 2008, and changes during the three months ended January 31, 2008 are presented below:

   
Common Shares
   
Class A Common Shares
 
Non vested Shares
 
Shares
   
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Non vested at November 1, 2007
    897,400     $ 14.16       423,350     $ 13.90  
Granted
    170,900     $ 14.77       59,900     $ 15.20  
Vested
    (105,750 )   $ 11.70       (75,250 )   $ 10.69  
Forfeited
    -       -       (6,500 )   $ 16.02  
Non vested at January 31, 2008
    962,550     $ 14.54       401,500     $ 14.66  

As of January 31, 2008, there was $13.5 million of unamortized restricted stock compensation related to nonvested restricted stock grants awarded under the Plan.  The remaining unamortized expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 6.35 years.  For the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 amounts charged to compensation expense totaled $521,000 and $520,000, respectively.

Stock Option Plan
Prior to fiscal 2007, the Company had a stock option plan for key employees and directors of the Company.  In fiscal 2007, the plan was terminated.  In connection with the exercise of stock options by an officer of the Company in a prior year, the officer executed a full recourse promissory note equal to the purchase price of the shares. The note receivable in the amount of $1,300,000 matures in 2012. In December 2007, the note receivable was repaid in full.

Share Repurchase Program
In October 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program ("Program") for the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock and Class A common stock in the aggregate.  At January 31, 2008, the Company had repurchased 3,600 shares of Common Stock and 234,300 shares of Class A Common Stock, (including 171,700 shares of Class A Common Stock that were repurchased at an average price of $14.38 during the three month period ended January 31, 2008).  On March 6, 2008, the Board of Directors amended the Program to allow the Company to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of Common and Class A Common stock in the aggregate.  (See Note 8)
 
Preferred Stock
The Series D Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock has no maturity and is not convertible into any other security of the Company.  The Series D Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock is redeemable at the Company’s option on or after April 12, 2010 at a price of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

(7)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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

At January 31, 2008, the Company had commitments of approximately $3,115,000 for tenant related obligations.

(8)  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 6, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company declared cash dividends of $.2150 for each share of Common Stock and $.2375 for each share of Class A Common Stock.  The dividends are payable on April 18, 2008.
 
On March 6, 2008, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company’s restricted stock plan (the “Plan”) to provide for the grant of up to 2,350,000 shares of the Company’s common equity consisting of 350,000 Common shares, 350,000 Class A Common shares and 1,650,000 shares, which at the discretion of the Company’s compensation committee, may be awarded in any combination of Class A Common shares or Common shares.
 
On March 6, 2008, the Board of Directors amended the Company’s share repurchase program to allow the Company to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of Common and Class A Common stock in the aggregate, including shares already repurchased under the program.
 
In February 2008, the Company acquired two retail properties, containing approximately 5,500 square feet of GLA in Westchester County, New York for a cash purchase price of $2.3 million.  The acquisitions were funded from available cash and borrowings from the Company’s secured credit line.

In February 2008, the Company entered into a new $50 Million Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement (“The Facility”) with The Bank of New York Mellon and Wells Fargo Bank N.A..  The agreement, gives the Company the option under certain conditions, to increase the Facility’s borrowing capacity up to $100 million.  The maturity date of the Facility is February 11, 2011 with two one year extensions at the Company’s option.  Borrowings under the Facility can be used for, among other things, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of other indebtedness and the issuance of letters of credit (up to $10 million).  Borrowings will bear interest at the Company’s option of LIBOR plus 0.85% or The Bank of New York Mellon’s prime lending rate plus 0.50%.  The Company will pay an annual fee on the unused commitment amount of up to 0.175% based on outstanding borrowings during the year. The Facility contains certain representations, financial and other covenants typical for this type of facility.  The Company’s ability to borrow under the Facility is subject to its compliance with the covenants and other restrictions on an ongoing basis.  The principal financial covenants limit the Company’s level of secured and unsecured indebtedness and additionally require the Company to maintain certain debt coverage ratios.

In February 2008 outstanding borrowings on the Secured Credit Facility of $23.2 million were satisfied by transfer to the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility.  Interest on outstanding borrowings is currently accruing at approximately 4.0% per annum.

In February 2008, the Company repurchased 161,700 shares of Class A common stock at an average price of $14.68 per share.


 
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Item 2.                      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.

Forward Looking Statements
This Item 2 contains certain forward-looking statements that within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Item 7 that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such matters as future capital expenditures, dividends and acquisitions (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategies, expansion and growth of the Company’s operations and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, general economic and business conditions, the business opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by the Company, changes in laws or regulations and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. For a discussion of some of these factors, see the risk factors set forth in “Item 1A Risk Factors” of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007.  Any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

Executive Summary
The Company, a REIT, is a fully integrated, self-administered real estate company, engaged in the acquisition, ownership and management of commercial real estate, primarily neighborhood and community shopping centers in the northeastern part of the United States. Other real estate assets include office and industrial properties. The Company’s major tenants include supermarket chains and other retailers who sell basic necessities. At January 31, 2008, the Company owned or had interests in 40 properties containing a total of 3.7 million square feet of GLA of which approximately 96% was leased.

The Company derives substantially all of its revenues from rents and operating expense reimbursements received pursuant to long-term leases and focuses its investment activities on community and neighborhood shopping centers, anchored principally by regional supermarket chains.  The Company believes, because of the need of consumers to purchase food and other staple goods and services generally available at supermarket-anchored shopping centers, that the nature of its investments provide for relatively stable revenue flows even during difficult economic times.  Primarily as a result of recent property acquisitions, the Company’s financial data shows increases in total revenues and expenses from period to period.

The Company focuses on increasing cash flow, and consequently the value of its properties, and seeks continued growth through strategic re-leasing, renovations and expansion of its existing properties and selective acquisition of income producing properties, primarily neighborhood and community shopping centers in the northeastern part of the United States.

Key elements of the Company’s growth strategies and operating policies are to:

§  
Acquire neighborhood and community shopping centers in the northeastern part of the United States with a concentration in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York and Bergen County, New Jersey
§  
Hold core properties for long-term investment and enhance their value through regular maintenance, periodic renovation and capital improvement
§  
Selectively dispose of non-core and underperforming properties and re-deploy the proceeds into properties located in the  northeast region
§  
Increase property values by aggressively marketing available GLA and renewing existing leases
§  
Renovate, reconfigure or expand existing properties to meet the needs of existing or new tenants
§  
Negotiate and sign leases which provide for regular or fixed contractual increases to minimum rents
§  
Control property operating and administrative costs

Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, complex or subjective judgments.   Set forth below is a summary of the accounting policies that management believes are critical to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.  This summary should be read in conjunction with the more complete discussion of the Company’s accounting policies included in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended October 31, 2007 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for year ended October 31, 2007.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from operating leases include revenues from core properties and non-core properties.  Rental income is generally recognized based on the terms of leases entered into with tenants.  In those instances in which the Company funds tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by the Company, revenue recognition will commence when the improvements are substantially completed and possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant.  When the Company determines that the tenant allowances are lease incentives, the Company commences revenue recognition when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant for tenant work to begin.

 
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The Company records base rents on a straight-line basis over the term of each lease. The excess of rents recognized over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases is included in tenant receivables on the accompanying balance sheets. Most leases contain provisions that require tenants to reimburse a pro-rata share of real estate taxes and certain common area expenses.   Adjustments are also made throughout the year to tenant receivables and the related cost recovery income based upon the Company’s best estimate of the final amounts to be billed and collected.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is established based on a quarterly analysis of the risk of loss on specific accounts. The analysis places particular emphasis on past-due accounts and considers information such as the nature and age of the receivables, the payment history of the tenants or other debtors, the financial condition of the tenants and any guarantors and management’s assessment of their ability to meet their lease obligations, the basis for any disputes and the status of related negotiations, among other things. Management’s estimates of the required allowance is subject to revision as these factors change and is sensitive to the effects of economic and market conditions on tenants, particularly those at retail properties.  Estimates are used to establish reimbursements from tenants for common area maintenance, real estate tax and insurance costs.  The Company analyzes the balance of its estimated accounts receivable for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance for each of its properties by comparing actual recoveries versus actual expenses and any actual write-offs.  Based on its analysis, the Company may record an additional amount in its allowance for doubtful accounts related to these items.  For the three months periods ended January 31, 2008 the Company increased its allowance for doubtful accounts by $47,000.  It is also the Company’s policy to maintain an allowance of approximately 10% of the deferred straight-line rents receivable balance for future tenant credit losses.

Real Estate

Land, buildings, property improvements, furniture/fixtures and tenant improvements are recorded at cost.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  Renovations and/or replacements, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

The amounts to be capitalized as a result of an acquisition and the periods over which the assets are depreciated or amortized are determined based on estimates as to fair value and the allocation of various costs to the individual assets.  The Company allocates the cost of an acquisition based upon the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired.  The Company also estimates the fair value of intangibles related to its acquisitions.  The valuation of the fair value of intangibles involves estimates related to market conditions, probability of lease renewals and the current market value of in-place leases.  This market value is determined by considering factors such as the tenant’s industry, location within the property and competition in the specific region in which the property operates.  Differences in the amount attributed to the intangible assets can be significant based upon the assumptions made in calculating these estimates.

The Company is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful life of its properties for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation.  These assessments have a direct impact on the Company’s net income.

Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Buildings
30-40 years
Property Improvements
10-20 years
Furniture/Fixtures
3-10 years
Tenant Improvements
Shorter of lease term or their useful life

Asset Impairment

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the real estate properties may be impaired.  A property value is considered impaired when management’s estimate of current and projected operating cash flows (undiscounted and without interest) of the property over its remaining useful life is less than the net carrying value of the property.  Such cash flow projections consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other factors.  To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss is measured as the excess of the net carrying amount of the property over the fair value of the asset.  Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in the Company’s plans or market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses which could be substantial.  Management does not believe that the value of any of its rental properties is impaired at January 31, 2008.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
At January 31, 2008, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $4.1 million compared to $4.2 million at October 31, 2007.  The Company's sources of liquidity and capital resources include its cash and cash equivalents, proceeds from bank borrowings and long-term mortgage debt, capital financings and sales of real estate investments. Payments of expenses related to real estate operations, debt service, management and professional fees, and dividend requirements place demands on the Company's short-term liquidity.


 
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Cash Flows

The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements primarily by generating net cash from the operations of its properties.  The Company believes that its net cash provided by operations will be sufficient to fund its short-term liquidity requirements for the balance of fiscal 2008 and to meet its dividend requirements necessary to maintain its REIT status.

The Company expects to continue paying regular dividends to its stockholders.  These dividends will be paid from operating cash flows which are expected to increase due to property acquisitions and growth in operating income in the existing portfolio and from other sources. The Company derives substantially all of its revenues from base rents under existing leases at its properties. The Company’s operating cash flow therefore depends on the rents that it is able to charge to its tenants, and the ability of its tenants to make rental payments. The Company believes that the nature of the properties in which it typically invests ― primarily grocery-anchored neighborhood and community shopping centers ― provides a more stable revenue flow in uncertain economic times, in that consumers still need to purchase basic staples and convenience items. However, even in the geographic areas in which the Company owns properties, general economic downturns may adversely impact the ability of the Company’s tenants to make lease payments and the Company’s ability to re-lease space as leases expire. In either of these cases, the Company’s cash flow could be adversely affected.

Net Cash Flows from:

Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities amounted to $6.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2008, compared to $8.3 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2007. The changes in operating cash flows were primarily the result of the prepayment of real estate taxes in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $7.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2008 compared to $5.1 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2007.  The net cash flows during both periods were principally due to the acquisition of properties consistent with the Company’s strategic plan to acquire properties in the northeast.  The Company acquired one property in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and two properties in fiscal 2007.  The Company incurred $1.7 million and $1.2 million for improvements to properties and deferred charges for the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The Company also placed deposits on two properties totaling $228,000 in the three months ended January 31, 2008.  The Company invests in its properties and regularly pays for capital expenditures for property improvements, tenants costs and leasing commissions.

Financing Activities

The Company generated cash from financing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2008 and 2007 by borrowing $11.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively on its secured line of credit.  The Company also received payment of a $1.3 million note receivable from an officer in connection with stock options exercised in a prior year.  Net cash used in both periods to pay dividends to stockholders amounted to $8.5 million in the first three months of fiscal 2008 as compared with $8.3 million in the comparable period of 2007.  Cash used in the first three months of fiscal 2008 to repurchase Class A Common stock amounted to $2.5 million.  Net cash used in both periods to make required principal payments on mortgages was $485,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2008 as compared with $623,000 in the same period of fiscal 2007.

Capital Resources

The Company expects to fund its long-term liquidity requirements such as property acquisitions, repayment of indebtedness and capital expenditures through other long-term indebtedness (including indebtedness assumed in acquisitions), proceeds from sales of properties and/or the issuance of equity securities. The Company believes that these sources of capital will continue to be available to it in the future to fund its long-term capital needs; however, there are certain factors that may have a material adverse effect on its access to capital sources. The Company’s ability to incur additional debt is dependent upon its existing leverage, the value of its unencumbered assets and borrowing limitations imposed by existing lenders. The Company’s ability to raise funds through sales of equity securities is dependent on, among other things, general market conditions for REITs, market perceptions about the Company and its stock price in the market. The Company’s ability to sell properties in the future to raise cash will be dependent upon market conditions at the time of sale.


 
14

 

Financings and Debt

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily through its borrowing activities. There is inherent rollover risk for borrowings as they mature and are renewed at current market rates. The extent of this risk is not quantifiable or predictable because of the variability of future interest rates and the Company’s future financing requirements.  Mortgage notes payable of $95.8 million consist of fixed rate mortgage loan indebtedness with a weighted average interest rate of 6.1% at January 31, 2008. The mortgage loans are secured by 14 properties with a net book value of $169 million and have fixed rates of interest ranging from 5.52% to 7.78%.  The Company made principal payments of $485,000 in the three months ended January 31, 2008 compared to $623,000 in the comparable period of fiscal 2007.  The Company may refinance its mortgage loans, at or prior to scheduled maturity, through replacement mortgage loans.  The ability to do so, however, is dependent upon various factors, including the income level of the properties, interest rates and credit conditions within the commercial real estate market. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such refinancings can be achieved.

At January 31, 2008, the Company had a secured revolving credit facility with a commercial bank (the “Secured Credit Facility”) which provides for borrowings of up to $30 million.  The Secured Credit Facility expires in April 2008 and is collateralized by first mortgage liens on two of the Company’s properties. Interest on outstanding borrowings is at prime plus 1/2% or LIBOR plus 1.5%.  The Secured Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain debt service coverage ratios during its term. The Company pays an annual fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the Secured Credit Facility.  The Secured Credit Facility is available to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures, mortgage repayments, working capital and other general corporate purposes.  During the three months ended January 31, 2008, the Company borrowed $11.0 million and had outstanding variable rate borrowings of $23.2 million at January 31, 2008 at an average annual interest rate of 6.27%.

In February 2008, the Company entered into a new $50 Million Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement (“The Facility”) with The Bank of New York Mellon and Wells Fargo Bank N.A..  The agreement, gives the Company the option under certain conditions, to increase the Facility’s borrowing capacity up to $100 million.  The maturity date of the Facility is February 11, 2011 with two one year extensions at the Company’s option.  Borrowings under the Facility can be used for, among other things, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of other indebtedness and the issuance of letters of credit (up to $10 million).  Borrowings will bear interest at the Company’s option of LIBOR plus 0.85% or The Bank of New York Mellon’s prime lending rate plus 0.50%.  The Company will pay an annual fee on the unused commitment amount of up to 0.175% based on outstanding borrowings during the year. The Facility contains certain representations, financial and other covenants typical for this type of facility.  The Company’s ability to borrow under the Facility is subject to its compliance with the covenants and other restrictions on an ongoing basis.  The principal financial covenants limit the Company’s level of secured and unsecured indebtedness and additionally require the Company to maintain certain debt coverage ratios.

In February 2008 outstanding borrowings on the Secured Credit Facility of $23.2 million were satisfied by transfer to the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility.  Interest on outstanding borrowings is currently accruing at approximately 4.0% per annum.

Contractual Obligations

The Company’s contractual payment obligations as of January 31, 2008 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Payments Due by Period
 
                                           
   
Total
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
Thereafter
 
Mortgage notes payable
  $ 95,797     $ 12,579     $ 18,542     $ 6,290     $ 5,084     $ 4,800     $ 48,502  
Tenant obligations*
    3,115       3,115       -       -       -       -       -  
Total Contractual Obligations
  $ 98,912     $ 15,694     $ 18,542     $ 6,290     $ 5,084     $ 4,800     $ 48,502  


*Committed tenant-related obligations based on executed leases as of January 31, 2008.

The Company has various standing or renewable service contracts with vendors related to its property management. In addition, the Company also has certain other utility contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business which may extend beyond one year, which vary based on usage.  These contracts include terms that provide for cancellation with insignificant or no cancellation penalties.  Contract terms are generally one year or less.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the three month periods ended January 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.


 
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Capital Expenditures

The Company invests in its existing properties and regularly incurs capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business to maintain its properties. The Company believes that such expenditures enhance the competitiveness of its properties. In the three months ended January 31, 2008, the Company paid approximately $1.7 million for property improvements, tenant improvement and leasing commission costs. The amounts of these expenditures can vary significantly depending on tenant negotiations, market conditions and rental rates.  The Company expects to incur approximately $3.1 million for anticipated capital improvements and leasing costs in fiscal 2008. These expenditures are expected to be funded from operating cash flows or bank borrowings.

Acquisitions and Significant Property Transactions

The Company seeks to acquire properties which are primarily shopping centers located in the northeastern part of the United States with a concentration in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York and Bergen County, New Jersey.

In December 2007, the Company acquired a 20,000 square retail property located in Waldwick, New Jersey for $6.3 million including closing costs.  The purchase was financed from available cash and borrowings under the Company’s secured line of credit.  The Company is currently in the process of analyzing the fair value of in-place leases for the Waldwick, New Jersey property.  Consequently, no value has yet been assigned to the leases.  Accordingly, the purchase price allocation is preliminary and may be subject to change.

In February 2008, the Company acquired two retail properties, containing approximately 5,500 square feet of GLA in Westchester County, New York for a cash purchase price of $2.3 million.  The acquisitions were funded from available cash and borrowings from the Company’s secured credit line.

Non-Core Properties
In a prior year, the Company's Board of Directors expanded and refined the strategic objectives of the Company to refocus its real estate portfolio into one of self-managed retail properties located in the northeast and authorized the sale of the Company’s non-core properties in the normal course of business over a period of several years.  The non-core properties consist of two distribution service facilities (both of which are located outside of the northeast region of the United States).

The Company intends to sell its remaining non-core properties as opportunities become available.  The Company’s ability to generate cash from asset sales is dependent upon market conditions and will be limited if market conditions make such sales unattractive.  At January 31, 2008, the two remaining non-core properties have a net book value of approximately $700,000.

Funds from Operations
The Company considers Funds from Operations (“FFO”) to be an additional measure of an equity REIT’s operating performance.  The Company reports FFO in addition to its net income applicable to common stockholders and net cash provided by operating activities.  Management has adopted the definition suggested by The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and defines FFO to mean net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)) excluding gains or losses from sales of property, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization and after adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures.

Management considers FFO a meaningful, additional measure of operating performance because it primarily excludes the assumption that the value of its real estate assets diminishes predictably over time and industry analysts have accepted it as a performance measure.  FFO is presented to assist investors in analyzing the performance of the Company.  It is helpful as it excludes various items included in net income that are not indicative of the Company’s operating performance, such as gains (or losses) from sales of property and deprecation and amortization.


 
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However, FFO:

§  
does not represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP (which, unlike FFO, generally reflects all cash effects of transactions and other events in the determination of net income); and

§  
should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of the Company’s performance.

FFO as defined by us may not be comparable to similarly titled items reported by other real estate investment trusts due to possible differences in the application of the NAREIT definition used by such REITs.  The table below provides a reconciliation of net income applicable to Common and Class A Common Stockholders in accordance with GAAP to FFO for each of the three months in the periods ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 (amounts in thousands).


   
Three Months Ended January 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Net Income Applicable to Common and Class A Common Stockholders
  $ 4,492     $ 4,813  
                 
Plus:  Real property depreciation
    2,677       2,583  
Amortization of tenant improvements and allowances
    655       518  
Amortization of deferred leasing costs
    142       141  
Depreciation and amortization on discontinued operations
    -       43  
                 
Funds from Operations Applicable to Common and Class A Common Stockholders
  $ 7,966     $ 8,098  
                 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in):
               
Operating Activities
  $ 6,608     $ 8,289  
Investing Activities
  $ (7,803 )   $ (5,071 )
Financing Activities
  $ 1,040     $ (3,709 )

FFO amounted to $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $8.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.  The change in FFO is attributable, among other things, to: a) a slight decrease in same property operating income as a result of lower real estate tax recoveries at some of the Company’s core properties, b) an increase in general and administrative expenses offset by; c) an increase in other income and d) a decrease in interest expense principally from the mortgage refinancing of one of the Company’s properties at a lower interest rate.



 
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Results of Operations

The following information summarizes the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 (amounts in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
                         
   
January 31,
               
Change Attributable to:
 
Revenues
 
2008
   
2007
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Change
   
Property
Acquisitions
   
Properties Held In Both Periods
 
Base rents
  $ 14,742     $ 14,486     $ 256       1.8     $ 389     $ (133 )
Recoveries from tenants
    4,465       4,610       (145 )     (3.1 )     94       (239 )
Mortgage interest and other
    166       36       130       361.1       -       130  
                                                 
Operating Expenses
                                               
Property operating
    3,063       2,999       64       2.1       108       (44 )
Property taxes
    2,825       2,591       234       9.0       80       154  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,493       3,265       228       7.0       128       100  
General and administrative
    1,484       1,280       204       15.9       n/a       n/a  
                                                 
Non-Operating Income/Expense
                                               
Interest expense
    1,749       1,955       (206 )     (10.5 )     n/a       n/a  
Interest, dividends, and other investment income
    95       110       (15 )     (13.6 )     n/a       n/a  

Revenues
Base rents increased by 1.8% to $14.7 million for the first three months of fiscal 2008 as compared with $14.5 million in the comparable period of 2007.  The increase in base rentals was attributable to:

Property Acquisitions:

In fiscal 2008 the Company acquired one property totaling 20,000 square feet of GLA (two retail properties totaling 104,000 square feet in fiscal 2007).  These three properties accounted for all of the revenue and expense changes attributable to property acquisitions during the three month period ended January 31, 2008.

Properties Held in Both Periods:

The decrease in base rents for properties held during the three month periods ended January 31, 2008 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007, reflects an increase in vacancies occurring in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2007 at several of the Company’s core properties offset by an increase in rental rates for in place leases over the period.  For the first three months of fiscal 2008, the Company leased or renewed approximately 23,000 square feet (or approximately 0.6% of total property leasable area).  At January 31, 2008 the Company’s core properties were approximately 95.8% leased.  Overall core property occupancy increased to 94.2% at January 31, 2008 from 93.2% at January 31, 2007.

In the three month period ended January 31, 2008, recoveries from tenants for properties owned in both periods (which represents reimbursements from tenants for operating expenses and property taxes) decreased by a net $239,000 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007.  This net decrease was a result of: a) lower real estate tax expense recovery rates at certain properties caused by tenant vacancies in fiscal 2007 that reduced this component of expense recoveries by $354,000 in 2008 and b) an increase in operating expense recoveries in properties held in both periods of $127,000 in the first quarter of the fiscal 2008.

Interest, dividends and other investment income decreased by $15,000 in the three month period ended January 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.  This decrease is a result of the use of available cash in 2008 that was used for property acquisitions as well as the repurchase of Class A Common Stock under the Company’s Stock Repurchase Plan.

Expenses
Operating expenses for properties held in both periods decreased $44,000 in the three months ended January 31, 2008, compared to the same period a year ago primarily as a result of increased snow removal and security costs.

 
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Property taxes for properties held in both periods increased 5.9% during the three month period ended January 31, 2008 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of increased assessments and municipal tax rates on certain properties.

Interest expense decreased $206,000 in the three months ended January 31, 2008 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007 as a result of scheduled principal payments on mortgage notes, $266,000 in reduced interest expense as a result of the refinancing of the mortgage at the Company’s Ridgeway property in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and the repayments of mortgage notes of $1,579,000 and $4,975,000 during 2007.

Depreciation and amortization expense from properties held in both periods increased $100,000 during the three month period ended January 31, 2008 compared to the same period a year ago as a result of a full quarter of depreciation for the $8.1 million in property improvements in fiscal 2007.

General and administrative expenses increased by 15.9% for three month period ended January 31, 2008 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007, primarily due to an increase in employee bonus compensation during the first three month period of fiscal 2008 when compared to the same period in fiscal 2007 and an increase in employment placement costs in the amount of $42,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2008 compared with the fees paid in the same period in fiscal 2007.

Discontinued Operations
During the second quarter of fiscal 2007 the Company sold its non core retail property in Tempe, Arizona.  In accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets” the results of operations of the property that was sold has been reclassified as discontinued operations for the three month period ended January 31, 2007.

Inflation
The Company’s long-term leases contain provisions to mitigate the adverse impact of inflation on its operating results. Such provisions include clauses entitling the Company to receive (a) scheduled base rent increases and (b) percentage rents based upon tenants’ gross sales, which generally increase as prices rise. In addition, many of the Company’s non-anchor leases are for terms of less than ten years, which permits the Company to seek increases in rents upon renewal at then current market rates if rents provided in the expiring leases are below then existing market rates. Most of the Company’s leases require tenants to pay a share of operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and utilities, thereby reducing the Company’s exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation.

Environmental Matters
Based upon management’s ongoing review of its properties, management is not aware of any environmental condition with respect to any of the Company’s properties that would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that (a) the discovery of environmental conditions, which were previously unknown, (b) changes in law, (c) the conduct of tenants or (d) activities relating to properties in the vicinity of the Company’s properties, will not expose the Company to material liability in the future. Changes in laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise adversely affect the operations of the Company’s tenants, which would adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.


Item 3.                                Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices.  The primary market risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk, which is sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily through its borrowing activities.  There is inherent rollover risk for borrowings as they mature and are renewed at current market rates.  The extent of this risk is not quantifiable or predictable because of the variability of future interest rates and the Company’s future financing requirements.

As of January 31, 2008, the Company had $23.2 million in outstanding variable rate debt.  The Company does not enter into any derivative financial instrument transactions for speculative or trading purposes.  The Company believes that its weighted average interest rate of 6.11% on its fixed rate debt is not materially different from current fair market interest rates for debt instruments with similar risks and maturities.


 
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Item 4.                                Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13 a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

During the quarter ended January 31, 2008, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



Part II – Other Information

Item 1.                                Legal Proceedings

The Company is not involved in any litigation, nor to its knowledge is any litigation threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries, that in management’s opinion, would result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s ownership, management or operation of its properties, or which is not covered by the Company’s liability insurance.

Item 2.                      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In October 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (“Program”) of up to 500,000 shares, in the aggregate, of the Company’s Common and Class A Common Stock.  The Program does not have a specific expiration date and may be discontinued at any time.  On March 6, 2008, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the Program of up to an additional 500,000 shares in the aggregate, of the Company’s Common and Class A Common stock.

The following table sets forth the Class A common shares repurchased by the Company during the three months ended January 31, 2008:

Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average Price
Per Share
Purchased
Total Number
 of Shares Re-
purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plan or
Program
Maximum
Number of
Common and Class A Common Shares 
That May be
Purchased
Under the Plan
or Program
January 3 – January 16, 2008
171,700
$14.38
171,700
262,100 (1)

There is no assurance that the Company will repurchase the full amount of shares authorized.  Any combination of Common or Class A Common shares may be repurchased under the program.  
 
(1) Represents an aggregate number of Common and Class A Common stock that could be purchased under the Program at January 31, 2008 prior to an increase in the Program.

 
Item 6.                       Exhibits

Exhibits

10.1 Unsecured Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2008, by and among the Company, the Lenders party thereto, and The Bank of New York as Administrative Agent

31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.




 
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S I G N A T U R E S



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.

 
Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc.
 
 (Registrant)
   
 
By /s/ Charles J. Urstadt
 
Charles J. Urstadt
 
Chairman and
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
 
By /s/ James R. Moore
 
James R. Moore
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer and
Dated:  March 7, 2008
Principal Accounting Officer)

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.

10.1
Unsecured Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2008, by and among the Company, the Lenders party thereto, and The Bank of New York as Administrative Agent
   
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
32
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002