URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC - Quarter Report: 2023 January (Form 10-Q)

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

Business

Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (“Company”), a Maryland corporation, is a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), engaged in the acquisition, ownership and management of commercial real estate, primarily neighborhood and community shopping centers in the metropolitan tri-state area outside of the City of New York.  The Company's major tenants include supermarket chains and other retailers who sell basic necessities.  At January 31, 2023, the Company owned or had equity interests in 77 properties containing a total of 5.3 million square feet of Gross Leasable Area (“GLA”).

COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) was declared a pandemic (“COVID-19 pandemic”) by the World Health Organization as the disease spread throughout the world.  During March 2020, measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were initiated, with federal, state and local government agencies issuing regulatory orders enforcing social distancing and limiting certain business operations and group gatherings in order to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.  While these regulatory orders vary by state and have changed over time, as of January 31, 2023 most of our tenants’ businesses are operating normally. We have seen foot traffic, retail activity and general business conditions for most of our tenants essentially return to pre-pandemic levels.

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 in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation”. The Company has determined that such joint ventures should be consolidated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company. In accordance with ASC Topic 970-323 “Real Estate-General-Equity Method and Joint Ventures,” joint ventures that the Company does not control but otherwise exercises significant influence over, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See Note 5 for further discussion of the unconsolidated joint ventures. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 U.S. GAAP 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 months ended January 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending October 31, 2023. These financial statements should 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, 2022.

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, fair value estimates, and the collectability of tenant receivables and other assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  The consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2022 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date.

Federal Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT 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 2023 in accordance with the provisions of the Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for Federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company follows the provisions of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” that, among other things, 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. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  Based on its evaluation, the Company determined that it has no uncertain tax positions and no unrecognized tax benefits as of January 31, 2023. As of January 31, 2023, the fiscal tax years 2019 through and including 2022 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 and tenant receivables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions and the balances at times could exceed federally insured limits. 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 re-tenanting the space. The Company has no dependency upon any single tenant.

Marketable Securities

Marketable equity securities are carried at fair value based upon quoted market prices in active markets with changes in fair value recognized in net income.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company occasionally utilizes derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments must be effective in reducing the Company’s interest rate risk exposure in order to qualify for hedge accounting. When the terms of an underlying transaction are modified, or when the underlying hedged item ceases to exist, all changes in the fair value of the instrument are marked-to-market with changes in value included in net income for each period until the derivative instrument matures or is settled. Any derivative instrument used for risk management that does not meet the hedging criteria is marked-to-market with the changes in value included in net income. The Company has not entered into, and does not plan to enter into, derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Additionally, the Company has a policy of entering into derivative contracts only with major financial institutions.

As of January 31, 2023, the Company believes it has no significant risk associated with non-performance of the financial institutions that are the counterparties to its derivative contracts.  At January 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $154.8 million in secured mortgage financings subject to interest rate swaps. Such interest rate swaps converted the LIBOR or Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”)-based variable rates on the mortgage financings to a fixed annual rate of 3.74% per annum. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the Company had deferred assets of  $11.5 million and $15.9 million, respectively (included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets), relating to the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps applicable to secured mortgages.

Charges and/or credits relating to the changes in fair values of such interest rate swaps are made to other comprehensive income/(loss) as the swaps are deemed effective and are classified as a cash flow hedge.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income applicable to Common and Class A Common stockholders and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items that are otherwise recorded directly in stockholders’ equity, such as unrealized gains and losses on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, including the Company's share from entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting. At January 31, 2023, accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of net unrealized gains on interest rate swap agreements of $12.1 million, inclusive of the Company's share of accumulated comprehensive income from joint ventures accounted for by the equity method of accounting.  At October 31, 2022, accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of net unrealized gains on interest rate swap agreements of approximately $17.2 million, inclusive of the Company's share of accumulated comprehensive income from joint ventures accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income/(loss) will be reclassified into earnings as gains and losses are realized.

Asset Impairment

Acquisitions of Real Estate Investments, Capitalization Policy and Depreciation

The Company evaluates each acquisition of real estate or in-substance real estate (including equity interests in entities that predominantly hold real estate assets) to determine if the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meet the definition of a business and need to be accounted for as a business combination. If either of the following criteria is met, the integrated set of assets and activities acquired would not qualify as a business:

An acquired process is considered substantive if:

Generally, the Company expects that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e. land, buildings, and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay.

Acquisitions of real estate and in-substance real estate that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. The accounting model for asset acquisitions is similar to the accounting model for business combinations except that the acquisition consideration (including acquisition costs) is allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis. As a result, asset acquisitions do not result in the recognition of goodwill or a bargain purchase gain. The relative fair values used to allocate the cost of an asset acquisition are determined using the same methodologies and assumptions as the Company utilizes to determine fair value in a business combination.

The value of tangible assets acquired is based upon our estimation of value on an “as if vacant” basis. The value of acquired in-place leases includes the estimated costs during the hypothetical lease-up period and other costs that would have been incurred in the execution of similar leases under the market conditions at the acquisition date of the acquired in-place lease. We assess the fair value of tangible and intangible assets based on numerous factors, including estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property.

The values of acquired above and below-market leases, which are included in prepaid expenses and other assets and other liabilities, respectively, are amortized over the terms of the related leases and recognized as either an increase (for below-market leases) or a decrease (for above-market leases) to rental revenue. The values of acquired in-place leases are classified in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized over the remaining terms of the related leases.

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 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:

Sale of Investment Property and Property Held for Sale

The Company reports properties that are either disposed of or are classified as held for sale in continuing operations in the consolidated statement of income if the removal, or anticipated removal, of the asset(s) from the reporting entity does not represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when disposed of.

In September 2021, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell its property located in Chester, NJ (the "Chester Property"), to an unrelated third party for a sale price of $1.96 million as that property no longer met its investment objectives.  In accordance with ASC Topic 360-10-45, the property met all the criteria to be classified as held for sale in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, and accordingly the Company recorded a loss on property held for sale of $342,000, which loss was included in continuing operations in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended October 31, 2021. The amount of the loss represented the net carrying amount of the property over the fair value of the asset less estimated cost to sell.  The net book value of the Chester Property was insignificant to financial statement presentation and as a result the Company did not include the asset as held for sale on its consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2021.  In December 2021, the Chester Property sale was completed and the Company realized an additional loss on sale of property of $8,000, which loss is included in operations in the consolidated statement of income for the three months ended January 31, 2022.

The operating results of the Chester Property, which is included in operations is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Lease Income, Revenue Recognition and Tenant Receivables

The Company accounts for lease income in accordance with ASC Topic 842 "Leases".

The Company's existing leases are generally classified as operating leases. However, certain longer-term leases (both lessee and lessor leases) may be classified as direct financing or sales type leases, which may result in selling profit and an accelerated pattern of earnings recognition.

The Company leases space to tenants under agreements with varying terms that generally provide for fixed payments of base rent, with designated increases over the term of the lease. Some of the lease agreements contain provisions that provide for additional rents based on tenants' sales volume ("percentage rent"). Percentage rents are recognized when the tenants achieve the specified targets as defined in their lease agreements. Additionally, most all lease agreements contain provisions for reimbursement of the tenants' share of actual real estate taxes, insurance and Common Area Maintenance ("CAM") costs (collectively, "Recoverable Costs") incurred.

Lease terms generally range from 1 to 5 years for tenant spaces under 10,000 square feet (“Shop Space”) and in excess of 5 years for spaces greater than 10,000 square feet (“Anchor Spaces”). Many leases also provide the option for the tenants to extend their lease beyond the initial term of the lease. If the tenants do not exercise renewal options and the leases mature, the tenants must relinquish their space so it can be leased to a new tenant, which generally involves some level of cost to prepare the space for re-leasing. These costs are capitalized and depreciated over the shorter of the life of the subsequent lease or the life of the improvement.

CAM is a non-lease component of the lease contract under ASC Topic 842, and therefore would be accounted for under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and presented separate from lease income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, based on an allocation of the overall contract price, which is not necessarily the amount that would be billable to the tenants for CAM reimbursements per the terms of the lease contract. As the timing and pattern of providing the CAM service to the tenant is the same as the timing and pattern of the tenants' use of the underlying lease asset, the Company, in accordance with ASC Topic 842, combines CAM with the remaining lease components, along with tenants' reimbursement of real estate taxes and insurance, and recognizes them together as lease income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Lease income for operating leases with fixed payment terms is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease for all leases for which collectability is considered probable at the commencement date. At lease commencement, the Company expects that collectability is probable for all of its leases due to the Company’s credit checks on tenants and other creditworthiness analysis undertaken before entering into a new lease; therefore, income from all operating leases is initially recognized on a straight-line basis.  Lease income each period is reduced by amounts considered uncollectable on a lease-by-lease basis, with any changes in collectability assessments recognized as a current period adjustment to lease income. For operating leases in which collectability of lease income is not considered probable, lease income is recognized on a cash basis and all previously recognized uncollected lease income, including straight-line rental income, is reversed in the period in which the lease income is determined not to be probable of collection.

The Company, as a lessor, may only defer as initial direct costs the incremental costs of a tenant operating lease that would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. These costs generally include third party broker payments, which are capitalized to deferred costs in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized over the expected term of the lease to depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

In those instances in which the Company funds tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by the Company, revenue recognition on operating leases 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.

Lease termination amounts are recognized in operating revenues when there is a signed termination agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, the tenant is no longer occupying the property and the termination consideration is probable of collection. Lease termination amounts are paid by tenants who want to terminate their lease obligations before the end of the contractual term of the lease by agreement with the Company. There is no way of predicting or forecasting the timing or amounts of future lease termination fees. Interest income is recognized as it is earned. Gains or losses on disposition of properties are recorded when the criteria for recognizing such gains or losses under U.S. GAAP have been met.

Percentage rent is recognized when a specific tenant’s sales breakpoint is achieved.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the actions taken by federal, state and local governments to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, (i) initially by ordering closures of non-essential businesses and ordering residents to generally stay at home, and (ii) subsequently by phasing re-openings resulted in many of our tenants temporarily, or even permanently, closing their businesses, and for some, their ability to pay rent was impacted.

As a result, in accordance with ASC Topic 842, we revised our collectability assumptions for many of our tenants that were most significantly impacted by COVID-19. This amount includes changes in our collectability assessments for certain tenants in our portfolio from probable to not probable, which requires that revenue recognition for those tenants be converted to cash-basis accounting, with previously uncollected billed rents reversed in the current period.  From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic through the end of our second quarter of fiscal 2021, we converted 89 tenants to cash-basis accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 842.

We did not convert any additional tenants to cash-basis accounting in the second half of fiscal 2021, fiscal 2022 or the three months ended January 31, 2023.  As of January 31, 2023, 36 of the 89 tenants are no longer tenants in the Company's properties.

As of January 31, 2023, the Company is recording lease income on a cash basis for approximately 3.3% of our tenants in accordance with ASC Topic 842.

At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, $20,315,000 and $19,895,000, respectively, have been recognized as straight-line rents receivable (representing the current cumulative rents recognized prior to when billed and collectable, as provided by the terms of the leases), all of which is included in tenant receivables in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant receivables that is estimated to be uncollectable. Such allowances are reviewed periodically. At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, tenant receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are shown net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $6,382,000 and $6,213,600, respectively. Included in the aforementioned allowance for doubtful accounts is an amount for future tenant credit losses of approximately 10% of the deferred straight-line rents receivable, which is estimated to be uncollectable.

Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 260, “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 average 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):

Segment Reporting

The Company's primary business is the ownership, management, and redevelopment of retail properties. The Company reviews operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and therefore, each property represents an individual operating segment. The Company evaluates financial performance using property operating income, which consists of base rental income and tenant reimbursement income, less rental expenses and real estate taxes. Only one of the Company’s properties, located in Stamford, CT (“Ridgeway”), is considered significant as its revenue is in excess of 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues and accordingly is a reportable segment. The Company has aggregated the remainder of its properties as they share similar long-term economic characteristics and have other similarities including the fact that they are operated using consistent business strategies, are typically located in the same major metropolitan area, and have similar tenant mixes.

Ridgeway is located in Stamford, Connecticut and was developed in the 1950’s and redeveloped in the mid 1990’s. The property contains approximately 374,000 square feet of GLA.  It is the dominant grocery-anchored center and the largest non-mall shopping center located in the City of Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Segment information about Ridgeway as required by ASC Topic 280 is included below:

Note 1 - Ridgeway did not have any significant expenditures for additions to long lived assets in the three months ended January 31, 2023 or the year ended October 31, 2022.

Note 2 - No other tenant accounts for more than 10% of Ridgeway’s annual base rents in any of the periods presented. Percentages are calculated as a ratio of the tenants' base rent divided by total base rent of Ridgeway.

Note 3 - Bed Bath and Beyond's lease expired on January 31, 2023 and that tenant has vacated the property. The Company is in the process of negotiating a lease for a large portion of this space with a national retailer.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans under the provisions of ASC Topic 718, “Stock Compensation”, which requires that compensation expense be recognized, 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.  The Company recognizes compensation expense for its stock awards by amortizing the fair value of stock awards over the requisite service periods of such awards.  In certain cases, as defined in the participant agreements, the vesting of stock awards can be accelerated, which will result in the Company charging to compensation expense the remaining unamortized restricted stock compensation related to those stock awards.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

New Accounting Standards

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848).” ASU No. 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate-reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU No. 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. During the three months ended April 30, 2020, the Company elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur.

The Company has evaluated all other new ASUs issued by FASB, and has concluded that these updates do not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2023.

(2) UNSECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

The Company has a $125 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of three banks led by The Bank of New York Mellon, as administrative agent.  The syndicate also includes Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Bank of Montreal (co-syndication agents).  The Facility gives the Company the option, under certain conditions, to increase the Facility's borrowing capacity to $175 million (subject to lender approval).  The maturity date of the Facility is March 29, 2024, with a one year extension at the Company's option.  Borrowings under the Facility can be used for general corporate purposes and the issuance of letters of credit (up to $10 million).  Borrowings will bear interest at the Company's option of the Secured Overnight Finance Rate ("SOFR") plus 1.55% to 2.30% or The Bank of New York Mellon's prime lending rate plus 0.45% to 1.20% based on consolidated total indebtedness, as defined.  The Company pays a quarterly commitment fee on the unused commitment amount of 0.15% to 0.25% based on outstanding borrowings during the year. 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, including preferred stock, and additionally require the Company to maintain certain debt coverage ratios. The Company was in compliance with such covenants at January 31, 2023. 

(3) CONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Company has an investment in four joint ventures, UB Orangeburg, LLC ("Orangeburg"), McLean Plaza Associates, LLC ("McLean") and UB Dumont I, LLC ("Dumont"), each of which owns a commercial retail property, and UB High Ridge, LLC ("High Ridge"), which owns three commercial real estate properties.  The Company has evaluated its investment in these four joint ventures and has concluded that these joint ventures are fully controlled by the Company and that the presumption of control is not offset by any rights of any of the limited partners or non-controlling members in these ventures and that the joint ventures should be consolidated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company in accordance with ASC Topic 810 "Consolidation".  The Company’s investment in these consolidated joint ventures is more fully described below:

The Company is the managing member and owns a 43.8% interest in Orangeburg, which owns a CVS-anchored shopping center. The other member (non-managing) of Orangeburg is the prior owner of the contributed property, which, in exchange for contributing the net assets of the property, received units of Orangeburg equal to the value of the contributed property less the value of the assigned first mortgage payable. The Orangeburg operating agreement provides for the non-managing member to receive a quarterly cash distribution equal to the regular quarterly cash distribution declared by the Company for one share of the Company’s Class A Common stock, which amount is attributable to each unit of Orangeburg ownership. The quarterly cash distribution is paid from available cash, as defined, of Orangeburg. The balance of available cash, if any, is fully distributable to the Company. Upon liquidation, proceeds from the sale of Orangeburg assets are to be distributed in accordance with the operating agreement. The non-managing member is not obligated to make any additional capital contributions to the partnership. Orangeburg has a defined termination date of December 31, 2097.  Since acquiring its initial interest in Orangeburg, the Company has made additional investments in the amount of $6.5 million in Orangeburg, and as a result, as of January 31, 2023 the Company's ownership percentage had increased to 43.8% from approximately 2.92% at inception.

The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, is the managing member and owns a 53% interest in McLean, which owns an Acme grocery-anchored shopping center. The McLean operating agreement provides for the non-managing members to receive a fixed annual cash distribution equal to 5.05% of their invested capital.  The annual cash distribution is paid from available cash, as defined, of McLean. The balance of available cash, if any, is fully distributable to the Company. Upon liquidation, proceeds from the sale of McLean assets are to be distributed in accordance with the operating agreement. The non-managing members are not obligated to make any additional capital contributions to the entity.

The Company is the managing member and owns a 30.3% interest in High Ridge.  The Company's initial investment was $5.5 million, and the Company has acquired additional interests from non-managing members totaling $11.7 million and has contributed $1.5 million in additional equity to the venture through January 31, 2023.  High Ridge, either directly or through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns three commercial real estate properties, High Ridge Shopping Center, a Trader Joe's grocery-anchored shopping center ("High Ridge Center"), and two single tenant commercial retail properties, one leased to JP Morgan Chase and one leased to CVS.  Two properties are located in Stamford, CT and one property is located in Greenwich, CT. The properties were contributed to the new entities by the former owners who received units of ownership of High Ridge equal to the value of properties contributed less liabilities assumed.  The High Ridge operating agreement provides for the non-managing members to receive an annual cash distribution, currently equal to 5.22% of their invested capital. High Ridge has a defined termination date of December 31, 2099.

The Company is the managing member and owns a 43.1% interest in Dumont.  The Company's initial investment was $3.9 million, and the Company has acquired additional interests from non-managing members totaling $1.5 million through January 31, 2023.  Dumont owns a retail and residential real estate property, the retail portion of which is anchored by a Stop & Shop grocery store.  The property is located in Dumont, NJ.  The property was contributed to the new entity by the former owners who received units of ownership of Dumont equal to the value of contributed property less liabilities assumed.   The Dumont operating agreement provides for the non-managing members to receive an annual cash distribution, currently equal to 5.0% of their invested capital.

The Company accounts for noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” Because the limited partners or noncontrolling members in Orangeburg, McLean, High Ridge and Dumont have the right to require the Company to redeem all or a part of their limited partnership or limited liability company units for cash, or at the option of the Company, shares of its Class A Common stock at prices as defined in the governing agreements, the Company reports the noncontrolling interests in the consolidated joint ventures in the mezzanine section, outside of permanent equity, of the consolidated balance sheets at redemption value which approximates fair value. The value of the Orangeburg, McLean, and a portion of the High Ridge and Dumont redemptions are based solely on the price of the Company’s Class A Common stock on the date of redemption.   For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company increased/(decreased) the carrying value of the noncontrolling interests by $1.0 million and $536,000, respectively, with the corresponding adjustment recorded in stockholders’ equity.

The following table sets forth the details of the Company's redeemable non-controlling interests for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 (amounts in thousands):

(4) INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES

At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures consisted of the following (with the Company’s ownership percentage in parentheses) (amounts in thousands):

The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns a 50% undivided tenancy-in-common interest in the 76,000 square foot Chestnut Ridge Shopping Center located in Montvale, New Jersey (“Chestnut”), which is anchored by a Fresh Market grocery store.

The Company, through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns a 50% undivided tenancy-in-common interest in each of Gateway Plaza Shopping Center ("Gateway") and Applebee's Plaza ("Applebee's").  Both properties are located in Riverhead, New York. Gateway, a 198,500 square foot shopping center, is anchored by a 168,000 square foot Walmart, which also has 27,000 square feet of in-line space and a 3,500 square foot outparcel that is leased.  Applebee's has a 5,400 square foot free-standing Applebee's restaurant and a 7,200 square foot pad site.

Gateway is subject to a non-recourse first mortgage in the amount of $14.0 million. The mortgage loan matures on July 1, 2032 and requires payments of interest only for the first 7 years at a rate equal to the SOFR plus 1.75% and then requires payments of principal and interest for the duration of the loan.  Concurrent with entering into the mortgage, Gateway entered into an interest rate swap agreement, which converts the variable rate based on SOFR to a fixed interest rate of 4.07% per annum for the term of the mortgage note.

The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns an 11.79% equity interest in Midway Shopping Center L.P. (“Midway”), which owns a 247,000 square foot ShopRite-anchored shopping center in Scarsdale, New York. Although the Company has less than a 12% equity interest in Midway, it controls 25% of the voting power of Midway and as such, has determined that it exercises significant influence over the financial and operating decisions of Midway and accounts for its investment in Midway under the equity method of accounting.

The Company has allocated the $7.4 million excess of the carrying amount of its investment in and advances to Midway over the Company’s share of Midway’s net book value to real property and is amortizing the difference over the property’s estimated useful life of 39 years.

Midway is subject to a non-recourse first mortgage in the amount of $23.4 million.  The loan requires payments of principal and interest at the rate of 4.80% per annum and will mature in 2027.

The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns a 66.67% (noncontrolling) undivided tenancy-in-common interest in the 189,000 square foot Tops-anchored Putnam Plaza Shopping Center (“Putnam Plaza”) located in Carmel, New York.

Putnam Plaza is subject to a non-recourse first mortgage payable in the amount of $17.6 million.  The mortgage requires monthly payments of principal and interest at a fixed rate of 4.81% and will mature in 2028.

The Company’s other investment in an unconsolidated joint venture is a 20% interest in a retail and office building in Bronxville, New York.

The Company accounts for the above investments under the equity method of accounting since it exercises significant influence, but does not control the joint ventures.  The other venturers in the joint ventures have substantial participation rights in the financial decisions and operation of the ventures or properties, which preclude the Company from consolidating the investments. The Company has evaluated its investment in the joint ventures and has concluded that the joint ventures are not Variable Interest Entities ("VIE's"). Under the equity method of accounting, the initial investment is recorded at cost as an investment in unconsolidated joint venture, and subsequently adjusted for equity in net income (loss) and cash contributions and distributions from the venture. Any difference between the carrying amount of the investment on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets of the venture is evaluated for impairment periodically.

(5) LEASES

The Company's Lease income is comprised of both fixed and variable income, as follows:

Fixed lease income includes stated amounts per the lease contract, which are primarily related to base rent. Income for these amounts is recognized on a straight line basis.

Variable lease income includes recoveries from tenants, which represents amounts that tenants are contractually obligated to reimburse the Company for the tenants’ portion of Recoverable Costs.  Generally, the Company’s leases provide for the tenants to reimburse the Company for Recoverable Costs based on the tenants’ share of the actual costs incurred in proportion to the tenants’ share of leased space in the property.

The following table provides a disaggregation of lease income recognized during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, under ASC Topic 842, Leases, as either fixed or variable lease income based on the criteria specified in ASC Topic 842 (In thousands):

Future minimum rents under non-cancelable operating leases for the next five years and thereafter, excluding variable lease payments, are as follows (In thousands):

(a) The future minimum rental income for fiscal 2023 includes amounts due between February 2023 through October 31, 2023.

(6)  STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Authorized Stock

The Company's Charter authorizes 200,000,000 shares of stock.  The total number of shares of authorized stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, and 20,000,000 shares of Excess Stock.

Restricted Stock Plan

The Company has a Restricted Stock Plan, as amended (the "Plan") that provides a form of equity compensation for employees of the Company.  The Plan, which is administered by the Company's compensation committee, authorizes grants of up to an aggregate of 5,500,000 shares of the Company’s common equity consisting of 350,000 Common shares, 350,000 Class A Common shares and 4,800,000 shares, which at the discretion of the compensation committee, may be awarded in any combination of Class A Common shares or Common shares.

During the three months ended January 31, 2023, the Company awarded 109,800 shares of Common Stock and 151,750 shares of Class A Common Stock to participants in the Plan.  The grant date fair value of restricted stock grants awarded to participants in 2023 was approximately $4.9 million.

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested Common and Class A Common shares as of January 31, 2023, and changes during the three months ended January 31, 2023 is presented below:

As of January 31, 2023, there was $16.2 million of unamortized restricted stock compensation related to non-vested restricted stock grants awarded under the Plan.  The remaining unamortized expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.6 years. For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, amounts charged to compensation expense totaled $926,000 and $617,000, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a share repurchase program (“Current Repurchase Program”) for the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 shares, in the aggregate, of Common stock and Class A Common stock in open market transactions.

For the three month period ended January 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 116,016 shares of Class A Common Stock at an average price per Class A Common share of $18.39 and 287 shares of Common Stock at an average price per Common Share of $18.40.  The Company has repurchased 602,014 shares of Class A Common Stock and 7,127 shares of Common Stock under the Current Repurchase Program.  From the inception of all repurchase programs, the Company has repurchased 2,268,093 shares of Class A Common Stock and 53,758 shares of Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

The 6.25% Series H Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series H Preferred Stock") is non-voting, has no stated maturity and is redeemable for cash at $25.00 per share at the Company's option on or after September 18, 2022. The holders of our Series H Preferred Stock have general preference rights with respect to liquidation and quarterly distributions. Except under certain conditions, holders of the Series H Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote on most matters. In the event of a cumulative arrearage equal to six quarterly dividends, holders of Series H Preferred Stock, together with all of the Company's other series of preferred stock (voting as a single class without regard to series) will have the right to elect two additional members to serve on the Company's Board of Directors until the arrearage has been cured. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, as defined in the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock will have the right to convert all or part of the shares of Series H Preferred Stock held by such holders on the applicable conversion date into a number of the Company's shares of Class A common stock. Underwriting commissions and costs incurred in connection with the sale of the Series H Preferred Stock are reflected as a reduction of additional paid in capital.

The 5.875% Series K Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series K Preferred Stock") is non-voting, has no stated maturity and is redeemable for cash at $25.00 per share at the Company's option on or after October 1, 2024. The holders of our Series K Preferred Stock have general preference rights with respect to liquidation and quarterly distributions. Except under certain conditions, holders of the Series K Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote on most matters. In the event of a cumulative arrearage equal to six quarterly dividends, holders of Series K Preferred Stock, together with all of the Company's other series of preferred stock (voting as a single class without regard to series) will have the right to elect two additional members to serve on the Company's Board of Directors until the arrearage has been cured. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, as defined in the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the holders of the Series K Preferred Stock will have the right to convert all or part of the shares of Series K Preferred Stock held by such holders on the applicable conversion date into a number of the Company's shares of Class A common stock. Underwriting commissions and costs incurred in connection with the sale of the Series K Preferred Stock are reflected as a reduction of additional paid in capital.

(7) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants.

ASC Topic 820’s valuation techniques are based on observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant value drivers are observable

The Company calculates the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests based on either quoted market prices on national exchanges for those interests based on the Company's Class A Common stock (level 1), contractual redemption prices per share as stated in governing agreements (level 2) or unobservable inputs considering the assumptions that market participants would make in pricing the obligations (level 3). The level 3 inputs used include an estimate of the fair value of the cash flow generated by the limited partnership or limited liability company in which the investor owns the joint venture units capitalized at prevailing market rates for properties with similar characteristics or located in similar areas.

The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The analysis reflects the contractual terms of the swaps, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves (“significant other observable inputs”). The fair value calculation also includes an amount for risk of non-performance using “significant unobservable inputs” such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. The Company has concluded, as of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2023, that the fair value associated with the “significant unobservable inputs” relating to the Company’s risk of non-performance was insignificant to the overall fair value of the interest rate swap agreements and, as a result, the Company has determined that the relevant inputs for purposes of calculating the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements, in their entirety, were based upon “significant other observable inputs”.

The Company measures its redeemable noncontrolling interests and interest rate swap derivatives at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of these financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs (amount in thousands):

(8) 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, 2023, the Company had commitments of approximately $11.2 million for capital improvements to its properties and tenant-related obligations.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (the "Company") contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  Such statements can generally be identified by such words as “anticipate”, “believe”, “can”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “seek”, “should”, “will” or variations of such words or other similar expressions and the negatives of such words.  All statements included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate 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 our operations and other such matters, are forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate.  Such statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated.  Future events and actual results, performance or achievements, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  We caution not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Important factors that we think could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected results are summarized below.

Impact of COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic.  During the early part of the pandemic, the U.S. market came under severe pressure due to numerous factors, including preventive measures taken by local, state and federal authorities to alleviate the public health crisis, such as mandatory business closures, quarantines and restrictions on travel.  These measures, as implemented by the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, generally permitted businesses designated as “essential” to remain open, but limited the operations of other categories of our tenants to varying degrees.  These restrictions have been long since lifted, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be much improved, with most tenant businesses operating at pre-pandemic levels.  For certain categories of our tenants, such as dry cleaners and some small format fitness tenants, however, the negative impact of COVID-19 was more severe and the recovery is still in progress.

The following information is intended to provide certain information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our portfolio and our tenants:

As a result, in accordance with ASC Topic 842, we revised our collectability assumptions for many of our tenants that were most significantly impacted by COVID-19. This amount includes changes in our collectability assessments for certain tenants in our portfolio from probable to not probable, which requires that revenue recognition for those tenants be converted to cash basis accounting, with previously uncollected billed rents reversed in the current period.  From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic through the end of our second quarter of fiscal 2021, we converted 89 tenants to cash basis accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 842.  We have not converted any additional tenants to cash basis accounting since our second quarter of fiscal 2021. As of January 31, 2023, 36 of the 89 tenants are no longer tenants in the Company's properties.  In addition, when one of the Company’s tenants is converted to cash basis accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 842, all previously recorded straight-line rent receivables need to be reversed in the period, in which the tenant is converted to cash basis revenue recognition.

During the three months ended January 31, 2022, we recognized collectability adjustments totaling $176,000.  We did not have any significant collectability adjustments in the three months ended January 31, 2023. 

As of January 31, 2023, the revenue from approximately 3.3% of our tenants (based on total commercial leases) is being recognized on a cash basis.

Each reporting period, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s real estate investments may be impaired, and management has concluded that none of the Company’s investment properties are impaired at January 31, 2023. We will continue to monitor the economic, financial, and social conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and assess our real estate asset portfolio for any impairment indicators as required under GAAP. If we determine that any of our real estate assets are impaired, we will be required to take impairment charges, and such amounts could be material.  See Footnote 1 to the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding our policies on impairment charges.

Strategy, Challenges and Outlook

We have a conservative capital structure, which includes permanent equity sources of Common Stock, Class A Common Stock and two series of perpetual preferred stock, which are only redeemable at our option.  In addition, we have mortgage debt secured by some of our properties and a $125 million Facility.  We do not have any significant secured debt maturing until August of 2024.

We believe our strategy of focusing on community and neighborhood shopping centers, anchored principally by regional supermarkets, pharmacy chains or wholesale clubs, has been validated during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We believe the nature of our properties makes them less susceptible to economic downturns than other retail properties whose anchor tenants do not supply basic necessities.   During normal conditions, we believe that consumers generally prefer to purchase food and other staple goods and services in person, and even during the COVID-19 pandemic our supermarkets, pharmacies and wholesale clubs have been posting strong in-person sales.  Moreover, most of our grocery stores implemented or expanded curbside pick-up or partnered with delivery services to cater to the needs of their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We recognize, however, that the pandemic may have accelerated a movement towards e-commerce that may be challenging for weaker tenants that lack an omni-channel sales or micro-fulfillment strategy.  We launched a program designating dedicated parking spots for curbside pick-up and are assisting tenants in many other ways.  Many tenants have adapted to the new business environment through use of our curbside pick-up program, and early industry data seems to indicate that micro-fulfillment from retailers with physical locations may be a new competitive alternative to e-commerce. 

We have seen significant improvement in general business conditions, but the public health situation is difficult to predict.  Moreover, challenges presented by inflation, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and uncertainties in the U.S. economy could present continued or new challenges for our tenants. We will continue to accrue rental revenue during the deferral period, except for tenants for which revenue recognition was converted to cash basis accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 842.

Overview

With the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic largely behind us and most tenant businesses operating at pre-pandemic levels, we have observed a marked increase in leasing activity, including interest from potential new tenants and tenants interested in renewing their leases. However, challenges presented by inflation, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and uncertainties in the U.S. economy could present continued or new challenges for our tenants.   

The Facility contains representations and financial and other affirmative and negative covenants usual and customary for this type of agreement.  So long as any amounts remain outstanding or unpaid under the Facility, we must satisfy certain financial covenants: 

For purposes of these covenants, eligible real estate value is calculated as the sum of the Company's properties annualized net operating income for the prior four fiscal quarters capitalized at 6.75% and the purchase price of any eligible real estate asset acquired during the prior four fiscal quarters.  Gross asset value is calculated as the sum of eligible real estate value, the Company's pro rata share of eligible real estate value of eligible joint venture assets, cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, the book value of the Company's construction projects and the Company's pro rata share of the book value of construction projects owned by unconsolidated joint ventures, and eligible mortgages and trade receivables, as defined in the agreement.