ITEM
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements provide our current
expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, intentions,
plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not
historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by their use of forward-looking words, such as “may,”
“will,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,”
“should,” “seek” or comparable terms, or the negative use of those words, but the absence of these words
does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The
forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account
all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. These beliefs, assumptions
and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Some of these factors
are described below and are described under the above heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations” above and the headings “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those included in any forward-looking statements we make. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the
date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or
how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from our expectations include, among others:
|
●
|
the
ability of our tenants to make payments under their respective leases;
|
|
●
|
our
reliance on certain major tenants;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to re-lease properties that are currently vacant or that become vacant;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to obtain suitable tenants for our properties;
|
|
●
|
changes
in real estate market conditions, economic conditions in the industrial sector, the markets
in which our properties are located and general economic conditions;
|
|
●
|
the
inherent risks associated with owning real estate, including local real estate market
conditions, governing laws and regulations and illiquidity of real estate investments;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to acquire, finance and sell properties on attractive terms;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to repay debt financing obligations;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to refinance amounts outstanding under our debt obligations at maturity on terms
favorable to us, or at all;
|
|
●
|
the
loss of any member of our management team;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to comply with debt covenants;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to integrate acquired properties and operations into existing operations;
|
|
●
|
continued
availability of proceeds from issuances of our debt or equity securities;
|
|
●
|
the
availability of other debt and equity financing alternatives;
|
|
●
|
changes
in interest rates, including the replacement of the LIBOR reference rate, under our current
credit facility and under any additional variable rate debt arrangements that we may
enter into in the future;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to successfully implement our selective acquisition strategy;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to maintain internal controls and procedures to ensure all transactions are accounted
for properly, all relevant disclosures and filings are timely made in accordance with
all rules and regulations, and any potential fraud or embezzlement is thwarted or detected;
|
|
●
|
changes
in federal or state tax rules or regulations that could have adverse tax consequences;
|
|
●
|
declines
in the market prices of our investment securities;
|
|
●
|
the
effect of COVID-19 on our business and general economic conditions;
|
|
●
|
our
ability to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;
|
|
●
|
potential
adverse effects on our business as a result of a publicly announced proxy contest for
the election of directors at our annual meeting or other shareholder activism;
|
|
●
|
inability
to complete the proposed transaction with Equity Commonwealth because, among other reasons, one or more conditions to the closing of
the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or waived;
|
|
●
|
uncertainty
as to the timing of completion of the proposed transaction;
|
|
●
|
potential
adverse effects or changes to relationships with Equity Commonwealth’s or Monmouth’s respective tenants, employees, service
providers or other parties resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction;
|
|
●
|
the
outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others related to the merger agreement;
|
|
●
|
possible
disruptions from the proposed transaction that could harm Equity Commonwealth’s or Monmouth’s respective business, including
current plans and operations;
|
|
●
|
unexpected
costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; and
|
|
●
|
uncertainty
of the expected financial performance of Equity Commonwealth following completion of the proposed transaction, including the possibility
that the benefits anticipated from the proposed transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time
period.
|
You
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as events described or implied in such statements may not occur.
Although we have entered into the merger agreement with Equity Commonwealth, there can be no assurance that the merger and other transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement will be completed.
Merger with Equity Commonwealth
As previously announced, in
January 2021, our Board of Directors unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Following a
comprehensive strategic alternatives process, on May 4, 2021, we entered into a definitive merger agreement with Equity Commonwealth
under which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, the Company will merge with and into a new
wholly-owned subsidiary of Equity Commonwealth, resulting in Equity Commonwealth acquiring the Company in an all-stock transaction. The
merger agreement provides that, upon closing of the merger, our common stockholders will receive 0.67 shares of Equity Commonwealth stock
for every share of our common stock they own. We plan to continue to pay our regular quarterly common stock dividend and our Series C
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock dividend until closing of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close during the second
half of calendar 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by common stockholders of both Equity Commonwealth
and the Company.
This proposed merger is the
culmination of the comprehensive strategic alternatives review conducted by our Board. As part of the review, our Board of Directors,
working with the Company’s legal and financial advisors, carefully considered a full range of strategic alternatives. The Company
and its advisors engaged with and solicited proposals from a broad range of highly reputable strategic and financial counterparties,
all with significant access to capital, comprising approximately 100 different potential buyers, including industrial, triple-net and
other REITs, private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds, among other domestic and international investors. At
the conclusion of this process, the Board unanimously concluded that the merger with Equity Commonwealth is the best outcome to maximize
long-term value for the Company’s stockholders.
Overview
and Recent Activity
The
following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction
with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto provided elsewhere herein and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
We
operate as a real estate investment trust (REIT). We seek to invest in well-located, modern single-tenant industrial buildings
leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net-leases. We were founded in 1968 and are one
of the oldest public equity REITs in the world.
During
the six months ended March 31, 2021, we purchased two new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties, located in the Columbus,
OH, and Atlanta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet, for $170.0 million.
The two properties are net-leased for terms of 15 and 20 years, respectively resulting in a weighted average lease term of 17.9
years and are expected to generate annualized rental income over the life of their leases of $10.1 million. In connection with
the two properties acquired during the six months ended March 31, 2021, we obtained a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan
and a 17 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan, respectively. The two mortgage loans originally totaled $104.0 million with a weighted
average maturity of 16.1 years and a weighted average fixed interest rate of 3.11%. As of March 31, 2021, we owned 121 properties
with total square footage of 24.6 million. These properties are located in 31 states. Subsequent to quarter end, on April 15,
2021, we sold our 60,400 square foot building located in Carlstadt (New York, NY), NJ. As of the quarter ended March 31, 2021,
our weighted average lease term was 7.4 years, our occupancy rate was 99.7%, and our annualized average base rent per occupied
square foot was $6.51. As of March 31, 2021, the weighted average building age, based on the square footage of our buildings,
was 9.9 years. In addition, total gross real estate investments, excluding marketable REIT securities investments of $131.7 million,
were $2.2 billion as of March 31, 2021.
See
PART I, Item 1 – Business in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 for a more complete
discussion of the economic and industry-wide factors relevant to us and the opportunities, challenges, and risks on which we are
focused.
The
future effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic are uncertain, however, at this time COVID-19 has not had a material adverse effect on our financial
condition. We invest in modern single-tenant, industrial buildings, leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries
on long-term net-leases. Our investments are exclusively situated in the continental United States, and are primarily located in strategic
locations that are mission-critical to our tenants’ needs. In many cases our buildings are highly automated in order to better
serve the omni-channel distribution networks that have become essential today. Approximately 83% of our revenue is derived from
investment-grade tenants, or their subsidiaries as defined by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s
(www.moodys.com). The references in this report to S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s are not intended to and do not include,
or incorporate by reference into this report, the information of S&P Global Ratings or Moody’s on such websites.
For
many years, ecommerce demand has increased, and it has now become an integral part of the retail landscape. The COVID-19 Pandemic
has created an even greater move towards on-line shopping. As a result of state and local government-mandated shutdowns, public
health guidance and changing consumer demand, ecommerce sales as a percentage of total retail sales has substantially increased
during the past year. The COVID-19 Pandemic has also created a need for supply chain reconfiguration. It is estimated that ecommerce
sales require three times the warehouse space relative to brick and mortar retail sales. Increased inventory stocking is currently
taking place across many industries and it appears that this trend will continue in order to accommodate surges in demand.
Our
portfolio of modern, net-leased industrial properties, continues to provide shareholders with reliable and predictable income
streams. Our resilient occupancy rates and rent collection results during these challenging times, highlight the mission-critical
nature of our assets and underscore the essential need for our tenants’ operations. Furthermore, because our weighted average
lease term is 7.4 years and our weighted average fixed rate mortgage debt maturity is 11.3 years, we expect our cash flow to remain
resilient over long periods of time.
Our
overall occupancy rate and our base rent collections have remained strong throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our base rent collections
have averaged 99.9% throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and we expect future months to be consistent with this trend. Our overall
occupancy rate and our base rent collections during the COVID-19 Pandemic were as follows:
Month
|
|
Occupancy
|
|
|
Percentage of Base Rent Collected
|
|
March 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
April 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
May 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
June 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
July 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
August 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.7
|
%
|
September 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
October 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
November 2020
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
December 2020
|
|
|
99.7
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
January 2021
|
|
|
99.7
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
February 2021
|
|
|
99.7
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
March 2021
|
|
|
99.7
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
April 2021
|
|
|
99.7
|
%
|
|
|
99.9
|
%
|
We
evaluate our financial performance using Net Operating Income (NOI) from property operations, which we believe is a useful indicator
of our operating performance. NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
plus Preferred Dividend Expense, General and Administrative Expenses, Non-recurring Severance Expense, Depreciation, Amortization
of Capitalized Lease Costs and Intangible Assets, Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, Unrealized Holding
(Gains) Losses Arising During the Periods, less Dividend Income and Lease Termination Income. The components of NOI are recurring
Rental and Reimbursement Revenue, less Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses, such as insurance, utilities, and repairs and
maintenance. Other REITs may use different methodologies to calculate NOI and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to all
other REITs.
The
following is a reconciliation of our Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders to our NOI for the three and six months ended
March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders
|
|
$
|
25,913
|
|
|
$
|
(75,078
|
)
|
|
$
|
51,659
|
|
|
$
|
(71,551
|
)
|
Plus: Preferred Dividend Expense
|
|
|
8,416
|
|
|
|
6,764
|
|
|
|
16,587
|
|
|
|
12,862
|
|
Plus: General & Administrative Expenses
|
|
|
2,091
|
|
|
|
2,396
|
|
|
|
4,117
|
|
|
|
4,660
|
|
Plus: Non-recurring Strategic Alternative & Proxy Costs
|
|
|
1,993
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
2,239
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Plus: Non-recurring Severance Expense
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
786
|
|
Plus: Depreciation
|
|
|
13,064
|
|
|
|
11,475
|
|
|
|
25,141
|
|
|
|
22,907
|
|
Plus: Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and
Intangible Assets
|
|
|
879
|
|
|
|
767
|
|
|
|
1,687
|
|
|
|
1,521
|
|
Plus: Interest Expense, including Amortization of
Financing Costs
|
|
|
9,387
|
|
|
|
9,050
|
|
|
|
18,546
|
|
|
|
18,259
|
|
Less/Plus: Unrealized Holding (Gains) Losses Arising
During the Periods
|
|
|
(19,186
|
)
|
|
|
83,075
|
|
|
|
(38,906
|
)
|
|
|
86,710
|
|
Less: Dividend Income
|
|
|
(1,587
|
)
|
|
|
(3,404
|
)
|
|
|
(3,195
|
)
|
|
|
(6,642
|
)
|
Less: Gain on Sale of Securities Transactions
|
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Less: Lease Termination Income
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
(377
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Net Operating Income- NOI
|
|
$
|
38,722
|
|
|
$
|
35,045
|
|
|
$
|
75,250
|
|
|
$
|
69,512
|
|
The
components of our NOI for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
Rental Revenue
|
|
$
|
39,246
|
|
|
$
|
35,114
|
|
|
$
|
76,091
|
|
|
$
|
69,983
|
|
Reimbursement Revenue
|
|
|
7,119
|
|
|
|
6,594
|
|
|
|
13,856
|
|
|
|
13,424
|
|
Total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue
|
|
|
46,365
|
|
|
|
41,708
|
|
|
|
89,947
|
|
|
|
83,407
|
|
Real Estate Taxes
|
|
|
(5,604
|
)
|
|
|
(5,029
|
)
|
|
|
(10,922
|
)
|
|
|
(10,064
|
)
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
(2,039
|
)
|
|
|
(1,634
|
)
|
|
|
(3,775
|
)
|
|
|
(3,831
|
)
|
Net Operating Income- NOI
|
|
$
|
38,722
|
|
|
$
|
35,045
|
|
|
$
|
75,250
|
|
|
$
|
69,512
|
|
NOI
from property operations increased $3.7 million, or 10%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months
ended March 31, 2020. NOI from property operations increased $5.7 million, or 8%, for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared
to the six months ended March 31, 2020. This increase was due to the acquisition of two new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial
properties, located in the Columbus, OH and Atlanta, GA MSAs totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet purchased during the
six-month period ended March 31, 2021 and the fiscal 2020 acquisitions consisting of five new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial
properties, located in the Indianapolis, IN, Columbus, OH, Greensboro, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and Oklahoma City, OK MSAs totaling
approximately 1.2 million square feet.
Acquisitions
On
December 17, 2020, we purchased a newly constructed 488,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 99.0 acres, located in
the Columbus, OH MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. for 15 years through September 2035.
The purchase price was $73.3 million. We obtained a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan of $47.0 million at a fixed interest
rate of 2.95%. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $4.6 million.
On
December 24, 2020, we purchased a newly constructed 658,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 129.9 acres, located
in the Atlanta, GA MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. for 20 years through November 2040. The purchase
price was $96.7 million. We obtained a 17 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan of $57.0 million at a fixed interest rate of 3.25%.
Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $5.5 million.
FedEx
Ground Package System, Inc.’s ultimate parent, FedEx Corporation and Home Depot U.S.A., Inc’s ultimate parent, Home
Depot, Inc. are publicly-listed companies and financial information related to these entities are available at the SEC’s
website, www.sec.gov. The references in this report to the SEC’s website are not intended to and do not include,
or incorporate by reference into this report, the information on the www.sec.gov website.
Expansions
During
the six months ended March 31, 2021, we completed the first phase of a two-phase parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package
System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS. The first phase of this parking expansion project was completed
for a total cost of $3.4 million, which resulted in a $340,000 increase in annualized rent effective November 5, 2020 increasing
the annualized rent from $2.2 million to $2.6 million. We will soon be starting the second phase of this parking expansion project
at this location, which will increase the rental rate further and extend the lease term.
Commitments
We
have entered into agreements to purchase six new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Alabama
(2), Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont. These six future acquisitions total 1.8 million square feet, with net-leased terms
ranging from 10 to 15 years, resulting in a weighted average lease term of 13.5 years. The aggregate purchase price for these
six properties is $238.1 million. Five of these six properties, consisting of approximately 1.3 million square feet, or 70%, are
leased for 15 years to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., with the remaining property, consisting of approximately 530,000 square
feet or 30%, leased for 10 years to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. All properties are leased to companies, or subsidiaries
of companies, that are considered Investment Grade by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s
(www.moodys.com). Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate
closing three of these transactions during fiscal 2021, two in the first half of fiscal 2022 and one in the second half of fiscal
2022. In connection with five of the six properties, we have entered into commitments to obtain five, 15 year, fully-amortizing
mortgage loans, totaling $128.1 million with fixed interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 3.05%, resulting in a weighted average
fixed interest rate of 2.74%.
We
have several FedEx Ground parking expansion projects in progress with more under discussion. Currently there are eight parking
expansion projects underway which we expect to cost approximately $31.4 million. These parking expansion projects will enable
us to capture additional rent while lengthening the terms of these leases. We are also in discussions to expand the parking at
nine additional locations bringing the total recently completed and potential parking lot expansion projects to 18 currently.
Significant
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements,
which have been prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).
The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
On
a regular basis, we evaluate our assumptions, judgments and estimates. We believe that there have been no material changes to
the items that we disclosed as our significant accounting policies and estimates under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended
September 30, 2020.
Changes
in Results of Operations
As
of March 31, 2021, we owned 121 properties with total square footage of 24.6 million, as compared to 116 properties with total
square footage of 23.0 million, as of March 31, 2020, representing an increase in square footage of 7.0%. Subsequent to quarter
end, on April 15, 2021, we sold our 60,400 square foot building located in Carlstadt (New York, NY), NJ. At quarter end, the Company’s
weighted average lease term was approximately 7.4 years, as compared to 7.4 years at the end of the prior year period. Our occupancy
rate was 99.7% as of March 31, 2021, as compared to 99.4% as of March 31, 2020, representing an increase of 30 basis points. Our
weighted average building age was 9.9 years as of March 31, 2021, as compared to 9.4 years as of March 31, 2020.
Fiscal
2021 Renewals
In
fiscal 2021, approximately 5% of our gross leasable area, representing ten leases totaling 1.2 million square feet, is set to
expire. Eight of these ten leases have been renewed thus far, for a weighted average term of 4.1 years, at a rental rate increase
of 7.2% on a GAAP basis and an increase of 0.4% on a cash basis. These eight lease renewals represent 1.1 million square feet,
or 91% of the expiring square footage for fiscal 2021.
We
have incurred or we expect to incur leasing commission costs of $536,000 in connection with four of these lease renewals and we
have incurred or we expect to incur tenant improvement costs of $436,000 in connection with three of these lease
renewals. The table below summarizes the lease term of the leases that were renewed. In addition, the table below includes both
the tenant improvement costs and the leasing commission costs, which are presented on a per square foot (PSF) basis averaged annually
over the renewal terms.
Property
|
|
Tenant
|
|
Square
Feet
|
|
|
Former
U.S.
GAAP Straight- Line Rent
PSF
|
|
|
Former
Cash
Rent
PSF
|
|
|
Former
Lease
Expiration
|
|
Renewal
U.S
GAAP Straight- Line Rent
PSF
|
|
|
Renewal
Initial
Cash Rent
PSF
|
|
|
Renewal
Lease
Expiration
|
|
Renewal
Term
(years)
|
|
|
Tenant
Improvement
Cost
PSF over
Renewal
Term (1)
|
|
|
Leasing
Commission
Cost
PSF over
Renewal
Term (1)
|
|
Griffin (Atlanta), GA
|
|
Rinnai America Corporation
|
|
|
218,120
|
|
|
$
|
3.81
|
|
|
$
|
3.93
|
|
|
12/31/20
|
|
$
|
4.22
|
|
|
$
|
4.22
|
|
|
12/31/22
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
Fayetteville, NC
|
|
Victory Packaging, L.P.
|
|
|
148,000
|
|
|
|
3.33
|
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
2/28/21
|
|
|
3.40
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
2/28/25
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
Winston-Salem, NC
|
|
Style Crest, Inc.
|
|
|
106,507
|
|
|
|
3.39
|
|
|
|
3.77
|
|
|
3/31/21
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
|
|
3/31/26
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Augusta, GA
|
|
FedEx Ground
|
|
|
59,358
|
|
|
|
8.64
|
|
|
|
8.64
|
|
|
6/30/21
|
|
|
8.64
|
|
|
|
8.64
|
|
|
6/30/23
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
O’Fallon, MO
|
|
Pittsburgh Glass Works, LLC
|
|
|
102,135
|
|
|
|
4.37
|
|
|
|
4.44
|
|
|
6/30/21
|
|
|
5.05
|
|
|
|
4.88
|
|
|
6/30/26
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Corpus Christi, TX
|
|
FedEx Ground
|
|
|
46,253
|
|
|
|
9.03
|
|
|
|
9.42
|
|
|
8/31/21
|
|
|
9.89
|
|
|
|
9.89
|
|
|
8/31/26
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Kansas City, MO
|
|
Bunzl Distribution
|
|
|
158,417
|
|
|
|
4.65
|
|
|
|
4.86
|
|
|
9/30/21
|
|
|
4.44
|
|
|
|
4.26
|
|
|
9/30/26
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
St. Joseph, MO
|
|
Woodstream Corporation
|
|
|
256,000
|
|
|
|
3.57
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
9/30/21
|
|
|
3.89
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
9/30/26
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,094,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.30
|
|
|
$
|
4.47
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.61
|
|
|
$
|
4.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amount
calculated based on the total cost divided by the square feet, divided by the renewal
term.
|
These
eight lease renewals have a U.S. GAAP straight-line lease rate of $4.61 per square foot. The renewed initial cash rent per square
foot is $4.49. This compares to the former rent of $4.30 per square foot on a U.S. GAAP straight-line basis and the former cash
rent of $4.47 per square foot, resulting in an increase of 7.2% on a U.S. GAAP straight-line basis and an increase of 0.4% on
a cash basis.
Effective
October 1, 2020, we entered into a lease termination agreement with RGH Enterprises, Inc. (Cardinal Health) for our 75,000 square
foot facility located in Halfmoon (Albany), NY whereby we received a termination fee in the amount of $377,000 representing approximately
50% of the then remaining rent due under the lease, which was set to expire in 1.2 years on November 30, 2021. We simultaneously
entered into a 10.4 year lease agreement with United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) which became effective November 1, 2020. The lease
agreement with UPS provides for five months of free rent, after which, on April 1, 2021, initial annual rent of $510,000, representing
$6.80 per square foot, will commence, with 2.0% annual increases thereafter, resulting in a straight-line annualized rent of $541,000,
representing $7.21 per square foot over the life of the lease, which expires March 31, 2031. This compares to the former U.S GAAP
straight-line rent of $574,000, representing $7.65 per square foot and former cash rent of $8.19 per square foot, resulting in
a decrease of $33,000, representing a 5.8% decrease on a U.S GAAP straight-line basis and a decrease of 17.0% on a cash basis.
The new 10.4 year lease agreement with UPS provides for an additional 9.3 years of lease term versus the old lease with Cardinal
Health.
Effective
December 15, 2020, we entered into a 10.3 year lease with Hartford HealthCare Corporation for our previously vacant 55,000 square
foot facility located in Newington (Hartford), CT, thereby increasing our current overall occupancy rate to 99.7%. The new lease
has free rent for the first four months, after which initial annual rent will be $288,000, representing $5.25 per square foot
with 2.0% annual increases thereafter, resulting in a U.S. GAAP straight-line annualized rent of $307,000, representing $5.60
per square foot over the life of the lease. Hartford HealthCare Corporation is rated “investment-grade” as defined
by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s (www.moodys.com).
Rental
Revenue increased $4.1 million, or 12%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March
31, 2020. Rental Revenue increased $6.1 million, or 9%, for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the six months
ended March 31, 2020. These increases were due to the acquisition of two new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties
located in the Columbus, OH and Atlanta, GA MSAs totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet during the six months ended March
31, 2021 and the increase was due to the fiscal 2020 acquisitions of five new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties,
located in the Indianapolis, IN, Columbus, OH, Greensboro, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and Oklahoma City, OK MSAs totaling approximately
1.2 million square feet.
Our
single-tenant properties are subject to net-leases, which require the tenants to reimburse us for the cost of Real Estate Taxes
as well as certain Operating Expenses such as insurance and the majority of repairs and maintenance. Reimbursement Revenue increased
$525,000, or 8%, Real Estate Tax Expense increased $575,000, or 11%, and Operating Expenses increased $405,000, or 25% for the
three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. For the six months ended March 31, 2021,
Reimbursement Revenue increased $432,000, or 3%, Real Estate Tax Expense increased $858,000, or 9%, and Operating Expenses decreased
$56,000, or 1% as compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020. Reimbursement Revenue as a percentage of Real Estate Taxes
and Operating Expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 93% compared to 99% for the three months ended March 31,
2020. Reimbursement Revenue as a percentage of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2021
was 94% compared to 97% for the six months ended March 31, 2020.
General
and Administrative Expenses decreased $305,000, or 13%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months
ended March 31, 2020. General and Administrative Expenses decreased $543,000, or 12%, for the six months ended March 31, 2021
as compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020. General and Administrative Expenses, as a percentage of gross revenue (which
includes Rental Revenue, Reimbursement Revenue and Dividend Income) was 4.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared
to 5.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and was 4.4% for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 5.2% for
the six months ended March 31, 2020. Annualized General and Administrative Expenses, as a percentage of undepreciated assets (which
is our total assets excluding accumulated depreciation) was 34 basis points for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared
to 43 basis points for the six months ended March 31, 2020.
During
the six months ended March 31, 2021, we have incurred Non-recurring Strategic Alternative & Proxy Costs of $2.2 million related to
the evaluation of strategic alternatives approved by our Board of Directors and the related proxy process.
On
December 23, 2019, our former General Counsel, Allison Nagelberg, announced her retirement effective December 31, 2019. In accordance
with her severance package, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we incurred a one-time, Non-recurring Severance Expense of
$786,000.
Depreciation
increased $1.6 million, or 14%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Depreciation increased $2.2 million, or 10%, for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the six months ended March
31, 2020. Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and Intangible Assets increased $112,000, or 15%, for the three months ended
March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and Intangible Assets
increased $166,000, or 11%, for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020. These
increases were primarily due to the acquisition of two industrial properties purchased during the first half of fiscal 2021 and
five industrial properties purchased during fiscal 2020. In addition, the increases in depreciation and amortization expenses
were also the result of the capital improvements and leasing costs incurred over the last four quarters.
The
recognition of Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During the Periods was due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, “Financial
Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which became effective
at the beginning of the prior fiscal year. With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses
are recognized through net income. Therefore, the implementation of this accounting rule has resulted in increased volatility
in our reported earnings and some of our key performance metrics. Unrealized Holding Gains arising during the three and six months
ended March 31, 2021 were $19.2 million and $38.9 million, respectively and Unrealized Holding Losses arising during the three
and six months ended March 31, 2020 were $83.1 million and $86.7 million, respectively. The components of the Unrealized Holding
Gains (Losses) Arising During the Periods included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses)
|
|
$
|
21,434
|
|
|
$
|
(83,075
|
)
|
|
$
|
41,154
|
|
|
$
|
(86,710
|
)
|
Reclassification Adjustment for Net (Gains) Realized in Income
|
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During the Period
|
|
$
|
19,186
|
|
|
$
|
(83,075
|
)
|
|
$
|
38,906
|
|
|
$
|
(86,710
|
)
|
We
recognized dividend income on our investments in securities of $1.6 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended March
31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, representing a $1.8 million decrease. We recognized dividend income on our investments in securities
of $3.2 million and $6.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, representing a $3.4 million decrease.
This decrease is due to reduced dividends from our REIT securities portfolio. The REIT securities portfolio’s weighted average
yield for the six months ended March 31, 2021 was approximately 4.9% as compared to 8.9% for the six months ended March 31, 2020.
We held $131.7 million in marketable REIT securities as of March 31, 2021, representing 5.4% of our undepreciated assets.
Interest
Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, increased by $337,000, or 4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as
compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, increased by $287,000,
or 2%, for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020. We had a decrease of 17 basis
points in the weighted average interest rate of the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable, which decreased from 4.04% at March 31,
2020 to 3.87% at March 31, 2021. The decrease in Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, was partially offset
by an increase in the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable balance, which increased by $86.6 million from March 31, 2020 to March
31, 2021.
Preferred
Dividend Expense increased $1.7 million, or 24%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended
March 31, 2020 and increased $3.7 million, or 29% for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the six months ended
March 31, 2020. These increases were due to the additional $120.4 million of 6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
issued between March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
Changes
in Financial Condition
We
generated Net Cash from Operating Activities of $54.4 million and $47.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
Real
Estate Investments increased by $143.8 million from September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021. This increase was mainly due to the
purchase of two net-leased industrial properties, located in the Columbus, OH MSA and the Atlanta, GA MSA, totaling approximately
1.1 million square feet, for $170.0 million. The increase was partially offset by Depreciation Expense on Real Estate Investments
for the six months ended March 31, 2021 of $25.1 million.
Securities
Available for Sale increased by $22.8 million from September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an
Unrealized Holding Gain of $38.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021. There were also sales and redemptions of securities
during the six month period totaling $18.8 million which resulted in a realized gain of $2.2 million.
Fixed
Rate Mortgage Notes Payable, net of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs (Mortgage Notes Payable), increased by $66.7 million from
September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The increase was mostly due to the origination of two fully-amortizing mortgage loans for
$104.0 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.11%, obtained in connection with the two industrial properties purchased
during the first half of fiscal 2021. Details on these two fixed rate mortgages are as follows:
Property
(MSA)
|
|
Mortgage
amount
(in thousands)
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
|
Interest
Rate
|
|
Columbus, OH
|
|
$
|
47,000
|
|
|
1/1/2036
|
|
|
2.95
|
%
|
Atlanta, GA
|
|
$
|
57,000
|
|
|
1/1/2038
|
|
|
3.25
|
%
|
The
increase in Mortgage Notes Payable was also partially due to the amortization of financing costs associated with the Mortgage
Notes Payable of approximately $482,000. This increase was partially offset by scheduled payments of principal of $37.2 million
and we fully prepaid two Mortgage loans. One mortgage loan was a $6.2 million mortgage loan for our property located in Kansas
City, MO that was originally set to mature on December 1, 2021 and had an interest rate of 5.18%. The second mortgage loan was
a $159,000 mortgage loan for our property located in Topeka, KS that was originally set to mature on August 10, 2021 and had an
interest rate of 6.50%. In addition, the increase in Mortgage Notes Payable was partially offset by the addition of deferred financing
costs of approximately $569,000, which is associated with two mortgages obtained in connection with two industrial properties
purchased during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Excluding
Debt Issuance Costs, the weighted average interest rate on the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable decreased by 17 basis points
from the prior year quarter, from 4.04% at March 31, 2020 to 3.87% at March 31, 2021.
We
are scheduled to repay a total of $73.6 million in mortgage principal payments over the next 12 months. We may make these principal
payments from the cash on hand, funds generated from Cash from Operations, the DRIP, the At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program (Preferred
Stock ATM Program), the Equity Distribution Agreement (Common Stock ATM Program), and draws from the unsecured line of credit facility.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $54.4 million and $47.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Dividends paid on common stock for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $34.4 million and $33.1 million, respectively
(of which $1.0 million and $5.6 million, respectively, were reinvested). We pay dividends from cash generated from operations.
As
of March 31, 2021, we held $131.7 million in marketable REIT securities, representing 5.4% of our undepreciated assets, which
we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. Total assets excluding accumulated depreciation were $2.4 billion
as of March 31, 2021. In general, we may borrow up to 50% of the value of the marketable securities. The interest rate charged
on the margin loan is the bank’s margin rate and was 0.75% as of March 31, 2021. At March 31, 2021, there was no amount
drawn down under the margin loan. As of March 31, 2021, we had net Unrealized Holding Losses on our portfolio of $87.9 million
as compared to net Unrealized Holding Losses of $126.8 million as of September 30, 2020, representing an Unrealized Holding Gain
of $38.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021. There have been no open market purchases of securities during the six
months ended March 31, 2021. We recognized dividend income on our investments in securities of $1.6 million and $3.2 million for
the three and six months ended March 31, 2021. During the six months ended March 31, 2021, UMH Properties, Inc. (UMH), a related
REIT, redeemed all of its outstanding 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock at a cash redemption price of $25.00
per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, of which we owned 100,000 shares at a total cost of $2.5 million. In addition
to the $2.5 million of UMH 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock that was redeemed during the six months ended
March 31, 2021, we also sold marketable REIT securities for gross proceeds totaling $16.3 million with an original cost basis
of $14.1 million, resulting in a realized gain of $2.2 million.
On
November 15, 2020, we entered into a new line of credit facility (the “New Facility”) consisting of a $225.0 million
unsecured line of credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a new $75.0 million unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”),
resulting in the total potential availability under both the Revolver and the Term Loan of $300.0 million, which is an additional
$100.0 million over the former line of credit facility. In addition, the Revolver includes an accordion feature that will allow
the total potential availability under the New Facility to further increase to $400.0 million, under certain conditions. The $225.0
million Revolver matures in January 2024 with two options to extend for additional six-month periods. Availability under the New
Facility is limited to 60% of the value of the borrowing base properties. The value of the borrowing base properties is determined
by applying a capitalization rate to the NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties. Under the New
Facility, the capitalization rate applied to our NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties was lowered
from 6.5% under the former line of credit facility to 6.25%, thus increasing the value of the borrowing base properties under
the terms of the New Facility. In addition, the interest rate for borrowings under the Revolver was lowered by a range of 5 basis
points to 35 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, and will, at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 135
basis points to 205 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at Bank of Montreal’s (BMO) prime
lending rate plus 35 basis points to 105 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. Currently, our borrowings bear interest
under the Revolver at LIBOR plus 145 basis points, which results in an interest rate of 1.56%. As of the quarter end and currently,
we do not have any amount drawn down under our Revolver, resulting in the full $225.0 million being currently available. The $75.0
million Term Loan matures January 2025. The interest rate for borrowings under the Term Loan will at our election, either i) bear
interest at LIBOR plus 130 basis points to 200 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at BMO’s
prime lending rate plus 30 basis points to 100 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. To reduce floating interest rate
exposure under the Term Loan, we also entered into an interest rate swap agreement to fix LIBOR on the entire $75.0 million for
the full duration of the Term Loan resulting in an all-in rate of 2.92%.
As
of March 31, 2021, we owned 121 properties, of which 62 carried mortgage loans with outstanding principal balances totaling $874.2
million. Subsequent to quarter end, on April 15, 2021, we sold our 60,400 square foot building located in Carlstadt (New York,
NY), NJ and we paid off the mortgage in the amount of $1.1 million. The 59 unencumbered properties could be refinanced to raise
additional funds, although covenants in our New Facility limit the amount of unencumbered properties that can be mortgaged. As
of March 31, 2021, Loans Payable represented $75.0 million outstanding under our Term Loan.
As
of March 31, 2021, we had total assets of $2.1 billion and liabilities of $972.3 million. Our net debt (net of unamortized debt
issuance costs and net of cash and cash equivalents) to total market capitalization as of March 31, 2021 was approximately 29%
and our net debt, less marketable securities (net of unamortized debt issuance costs, net of cash and cash equivalents and net
of marketable securities) to total market capitalization as of March 31, 2021 was approximately 24%. Our debt consists of 92%
amortizing fixed rate debt with a weighted average interest rate of 3.87% and a weighted average loan maturity of 11.3 years.
We believe that we have the ability to meet our obligations and to generate funds for new investments.
On January 14, 2021, our
Board of Directors unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Following a comprehensive
strategic alternatives process, we entered into a definitive merger agreement by which Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) will acquire
Monmouth in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Monmouth shareholders will receive 0.67 shares of
Equity Commonwealth stock for every share of Monmouth stock they own. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Monmouth plans to
continue to pay its regular quarterly common stock dividend and its Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock dividend between
signing and closing of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of calendar 2021, subject to
customary closing conditions, including the approval of both Equity Commonwealth and Monmouth stockholders.
On
February 6, 2020, we entered into a Common Stock ATM Program with BMO Capital Markets Corp., B. Riley FBR, Inc., D.A. Davidson
& Co., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC (together the “Distribution
Agents”) under which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, having an aggregate sales
price of up to $150.0 million from time to time through the Distribution Agents. Sales of the shares of Common Stock under the
Agreement, if any, will be in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including,
without limitation, sales made directly on or through the NYSE, or on any other existing trading market for the Common Stock,
or to or through a market maker or any other method permitted by law, including, without limitation, negotiated transactions and
block trades. We implemented the Common Stock ATM program for the flexibility that it provides to opportunistically access the
capital markets and to best time our equity capital needs as we close on acquisitions. To date, we have elected to not raise any
equity though our Common Stock Equity Program.
On
June 29, 2017, we entered into a Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program with B. Riley FBR, Inc., or B. Riley (formerly
FBR Capital Markets & Co.), that provided for the offer and sale of shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, having
an aggregate sales price of up to $100.0 million.
On
August 2, 2018, we replaced this program with a new Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program that provides for the
offer and sale from time to time of $125.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $96.5 million,
with $28.5 million being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on June 29,
2017.
On
December 4, 2019, we replaced the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on August 2, 2018 with another
Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program that provides for the offer and sale from time to time of $125.0 million
of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $101.0 million, with $24.0 million being carried over from
the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on August 2, 2018.
On
November 25, 2020, we replaced the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on December 4, 2019 with
another new Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program (Preferred Stock ATM Program) that provides for the offer and
sale from time to time of up to $150.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $149.3 million,
with $747,000 being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on December 4, 2019.
Sales
of shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock under the Preferred Stock ATM Program are in “at the market offerings”
as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, sales made directly on or through the NYSE, or
on any other existing trading market for the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, or to or through a market maker, or any other method
permitted by law, including, without limitation, negotiated transactions and block trades. We began selling shares through these
programs on July 3, 2017. Since inception through March 31, 2021, we sold 13.6 million shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred
Stock under these programs at a weighted average price of $24.91 per share, and generated net proceeds, after offering expenses,
of $332.4 million, of which 3.1 million shares were sold during the six months ended March 31, 2021 at a weighted average price
of $24.88 per share, generating net proceeds after offering expenses of $76.0 million. As of March 31, 2021, there is $108.3 million
remaining that may be sold under the Preferred Stock ATM Program. No shares have been sold pursuant to the Preferred Stock ATM
Program since December 2020.
As
of March 31, 2021, 22.0 million shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock were outstanding.
We
raised $1.3 million (including dividend reinvestments of $1.0 million) from the issuance of 87,000 shares of common stock under
our DRIP during the six months ended March 31, 2021. Of this amount, UMH made total purchases of 13,000 common shares under our
DRIP for a total cost of $205,000, or a weighted average cost of $15.68 per share.
During
the six months ended March 31, 2021, we paid $34.4 million in total cash dividends, or $0.35 per share to common shareholders,
of which $1.0 million was reinvested in the DRIP.
On
January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a 5.9% increase in our quarterly common stock dividend, raising it to $0.18
per share from $0.17 per share. This represents a 5.9% increase in our quarterly common stock dividend, raising it to $0.18 per
share from $0.17 per share and represents an annualized dividend rate of $0.72 per share. This increase is the third dividend
increase in the past five years, representing a total increase of 20%. We have maintained or increased our common stock cash dividend
for 30 consecutive years. We are one of the few REITs that maintained our dividend throughout the Global Financial Crisis. We
are also one of the few REITs that is paying out a higher per share dividend today than prior to the Global Financial Crisis.
On April 1, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.18 per common share to be paid on June 15, 2021 to common shareholders
of record as of the close of business on May 17, 2021.
During
the six months ended March 31, 2021, we paid $16.2 million in Preferred Dividends, or $0.765625 per share, on our outstanding
6.125% Series C Preferred Stock for the period September 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, we had accrued
Preferred Dividends of $2.8 million covering the period March 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Dividends on the 6.125% Series C Preferred
Stock are cumulative and payable quarterly at an annual rate of $1.53125 per share.
On
April 1, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.3828125 per share to be paid June 15, 2021 to the 6.125% Series
C Preferred shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 17, 2021.
We
have used a variety of sources to fund our cash needs in addition to cash generated from operations. In the past, we considered
selling marketable securities from our investment portfolio, borrowing on our unsecured line of credit facility or securities
margin loans, finance or refinance debt, or raising capital through the DRIP, the Preferred Stock ATM Program, the Common Stock
ATM Program or capital markets.
We
have been raising capital through our DRIP, the Preferred Stock ATM Program, mortgage loans, draws on our unsecured line of credit, sale
of marketable securities and funds generated from our investments in net-leased industrial properties. We may also raise capital
through registered direct placements, public offerings of common and preferred stock and through our Common Stock ATM Program.
We
have a concentration of properties leased to FedEx Corporation (FDX) and FDX subsidiaries, consisting of 63 separate stand-alone
leases covering 11.2 million square feet as of March 31, 2021 and 60 separate stand-alone leases covering 10.4 million square
feet as of March 31, 2020. FDX is experiencing record demand due to the continued strong growth in ecommerce. Additionally, in
periods of unprecedented turbulence, the services of FedEx are essential in keeping supply chains moving and in delivering critically
needed supplies throughout the world. As of March 31, 2021, the 63 separate stand-alone leases that are leased to FDX and FDX
subsidiaries are located in 26 different states and have a weighted average lease maturity of 7.8 years. The percentage of FDX
and its subsidiaries leased square footage to the total of our rental space was 46% (5% to FDX and 41% to FDX subsidiaries) as
of March 31, 2021 and 45% (5% to FDX and 40% to FDX subsidiaries) as of March 31, 2020.
As
of March 31, 2021, the only tenants, other than FDX and its subsidiaries, that leased 5% or more of our total square footage were
subsidiaries of Amazon.com, Inc (Amazon), which consists of five separate stand-alone leases for properties located in four different
states, containing 1.5 million total square feet, comprising 6% of our total leasable square feet. None of our properties are
subject to a master lease or any cross-collateralization agreements.
Annualized
Rental and Reimbursement Revenue from FDX and its subsidiaries is estimated to be approximately 55% (5% to FDX and 50% to FDX
subsidiaries) of total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2021, and was 58% (5% to FDX and 53% to FDX subsidiaries) of
total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2020. The only tenants, other than FDX and its subsidiaries, that we estimate
will comprise 5% or more of our total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2021 are subsidiaries of Amazon, which is estimated
to be 7% of our Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2021 and was 6% for of our Annualized Rental and Reimbursement
Revenue for fiscal 2020. For the six months ended March 31, 2021, no other tenant accounted for 5% or more of our total Rental
and Reimbursement Revenue.
FDX
and Amazon are publicly-listed companies and financial information related to these entities are available at the SEC’s
website, www.sec.gov. FDX and Amazon are rated “BBB” and “AA-”, respectively by S&P Global
Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and are rated “Baa2” and “A2”, respectively by Moody’s
(www.moodys.com), which are both considered “Investment Grade” ratings.
During
the six months ended March 31, 2021, we completed the first phase of a two-phase parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package
System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS. The first phase of this parking expansion project was completed
for a total cost of $3.4 million which resulted in a $340,000 increase in annualized rent effective November 5, 2020 increasing
the annualized rent from $2.2 million to $2.6 million. We will soon be starting the second phase of this parking expansion project
at this location, which will increase the rental rate further and extend the lease term.
We
have entered into agreements to purchase six new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Alabama
(2), Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont. These six future acquisitions total 1.8 million square feet, with net-leased terms
ranging from 10 to 15 years, resulting in a weighted average lease term of 13.5 years. The aggregate purchase price for these
six properties is $238.1 million. Five of these six properties, consisting of approximately 1.3 million square feet, or 70%, are
leased for 15 years to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., with the remaining property, consisting of approximately 530,000 square
feet or 30%, leased for 10 years to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. All properties are leased to companies, or subsidiaries
of companies, that are considered Investment Grade by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s
(www.moodys.com). Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate
closing three of these transactions during fiscal 2021, two in the first half of fiscal 2022 and one in the second half of fiscal
2022. In connection with five of the six properties, we have entered into commitments to obtain five, 15 year, fully-amortizing
mortgage loans, totaling $128.1 million with fixed interest rates ranging from 2.50% to 3.05%, resulting in a weighted average
fixed interest rate of 2.74%.
We
have several FedEx Ground parking expansion projects in progress with more under discussion. Currently there are eight parking
expansion projects underway which we expect to cost approximately $31.4 million. In addition, the first phase of a parking expansion
project was completed during the prior quarter at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS for a total project cost of
$3.4 million. This first phase of the expansion resulted in a $340,000 increase in annualized rent effective November 5, 2020
increasing the annualized rent from $2.2 million to $2.6 million. We will soon be starting the second phase of this parking expansion
project at this location, which will increase the rental rate further and extend the lease term. These parking expansion projects
will enable us to capture additional rent while lengthening the terms of these leases. We are also in discussions to expand the
parking at nine additional locations bringing the total recently completed and potential parking lot expansion projects to 18
currently.
We
intend to acquire additional net-leased industrial properties on long-term leases, primarily to investment grade tenants or their
subsidiaries, and, when needed, expand our current properties. To the extent that funds or appropriate properties are not available,
fewer acquisitions will be made.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
Funds
From Operations and Adjusted Funds From Operations
We
assess and measure our overall operating results based upon an industry performance measure referred to as Funds From Operations
(FFO), which we believe is a useful indicator of our operating performance. FFO is used by industry analysts and investors as
a supplemental operating performance measure of a REIT. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment
Trusts (Nareit), represents net income attributable to common shareholders, as defined by accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), excluding extraordinary items, as defined under U.S. GAAP, gains or losses from sales
of previously depreciated real estate assets, impairment charges related to depreciable real estate assets, plus certain non-cash
items such as real estate asset depreciation and amortization. Included in the Nareit FFO White Paper - 2018 Restatement, is an
option pertaining to assets incidental to our main business in the calculation of Nareit FFO to make an election to include or
exclude mark-to-market changes in the value recognized on these marketable equity securities. In conjunction with the adoption
of the FFO White Paper - 2018 Restatement, for all periods presented, we have elected to exclude unrealized gains and losses from
our investments in marketable equity securities from our FFO calculation. Nareit created FFO as a non-GAAP supplemental measure
of REIT operating performance. We define Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO) as FFO, excluding stock based compensation expense,
depreciation of corporate office tenant improvements, amortization of deferred financing costs, lease termination income, non-recurring
strategic alternative & proxy costs, non-recurring severance expense, effect of non-cash U.S. GAAP straight-line rent adjustments
and subtracting recurring capital expenditures. We define recurring capital expenditures as all capital expenditures that are
recurring in nature, excluding capital expenditures related to expansions at our current locations or capital expenditures that
are incurred in conjunction with obtaining a new lease or a lease renewal. We believe that, as widely recognized measures of performance
used by other REITs, FFO and AFFO may be considered by investors as supplemental measures to compare our operating performance
to those of other REITs. FFO and AFFO exclude historical cost depreciation as an expense and may facilitate the comparison of
REITs which have a different cost basis. However, other REITs may use different methodologies to calculate FFO and AFFO and, accordingly,
our FFO and AFFO may not be comparable to all other REITs. The items excluded from FFO and AFFO are significant components in
understanding our financial performance.
FFO
and AFFO are non-GAAP performance measures and (i) do not represent Cash Flow from Operations as defined by U.S. GAAP; (ii) should
not be considered as an alternative to Net Income or Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders as a measure of operating
performance or to Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities; and (iii) are not an alternative to Cash Flows
from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities as a measure of liquidity. FFO and AFFO, as calculated by us, may not be comparable
to similarly titled measures reported by other REITs.
The
following is a reconciliation of our U.S. GAAP Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders to our FFO and AFFO for the
three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders
|
|
$
|
25,913
|
|
|
$
|
(75,078
|
)
|
|
$
|
51,659
|
|
|
$
|
(71,551
|
)
|
Less/Plus: Unrealized Holding (Gains) Losses Arising During the Periods
|
|
|
(19,186
|
)
|
|
|
83,075
|
|
|
|
(38,906
|
)
|
|
|
86,710
|
|
Plus: Depreciation Expense (excluding Corporate Office
Capitalized Costs)
|
|
|
13,007
|
|
|
|
11,409
|
|
|
|
25,026
|
|
|
|
22,788
|
|
Plus: Amortization of Intangible Assets
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
508
|
|
|
|
1,132
|
|
|
|
1,016
|
|
Plus: Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs
|
|
|
305
|
|
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
606
|
|
|
|
557
|
|
FFO Attributable to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
20,639
|
|
|
|
20,199
|
|
|
|
39,517
|
|
|
|
39,520
|
|
Plus: Depreciation of Corporate Office Capitalized Costs
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
Plus: Stock Compensation Expense
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
|
134
|
|
|
|
270
|
|
Plus: Amortization of Financing Costs
|
|
|
346
|
|
|
|
322
|
|
|
|
676
|
|
|
|
758
|
|
Plus: Non-recurring Strategic Alternative & Proxy Costs
|
|
|
1,993
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
2,239
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Plus: Non-recurring Severance Expense
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
786
|
|
Less: Gain on Sale of Securities Transactions
|
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
(2,248
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Less: Lease Termination Income
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
(377
|
)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Less: Recurring Capital Expenditures
|
|
|
(403
|
)
|
|
|
(717
|
)
|
|
|
(563
|
)
|
|
|
(936
|
)
|
Less: Effect of Non-cash U.S. GAAP Straight-line Rent Adjustment
|
|
|
(1,043
|
)
|
|
|
(632
|
)
|
|
|
(1,661
|
)
|
|
|
(1,232
|
)
|
AFFO Attributable to Common Shareholders
|
|
$
|
19,418
|
|
|
$
|
19,352
|
|
|
$
|
37,833
|
|
|
$
|
39,284
|
|
The
following are the Cash Flows provided (used) by Operating, Investing and Financing Activities for the six months ended March 31,
2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
3/31/2021
|
|
|
3/31/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Activities
|
|
$
|
54,426
|
|
|
$
|
47,854
|
|
Investing Activities
|
|
|
(153,511
|
)
|
|
|
(101,388
|
)
|
Financing Activities
|
|
|
94,951
|
|
|
|
69,268
|
|