UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2007

oo TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____________ TO _______________

COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-12494


CBL & ASSOCIATES PROPERTIES, INC.

(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE 62-1545718

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2030 Hamilton Place Blvd., Suite 500, Chattanooga, TN 37421-6000

(Address of principal executive office, including zip code)

423.855.0001

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

As of May 7, 2007, there were 65,633,160 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

 


1

 

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

3

ITEM 1: Financial Statements

 

3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

5

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

ITEM 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

15

ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

28

ITEM 4: Controls and Procedures

 

29

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

30

ITEM 1: Legal Proceedings

30

 

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

30

 

 

ITEM 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

39

 

 

ITEM 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities

39

 

 

ITEM 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

39

 

 

ITEM 5: Other Information

39

 

 

ITEM 6: Exhibits

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

40

 

 

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1:

Financial Statements

 

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

787,466

 

$

779,727

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

6,080,290

 

 

5,944,476

 

 

 

 

6,867,756

 

 

6,724,203

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(972,530

)

 

(924,297

)

 

 

 

5,895,226

 

 

5,799,906

 

Developments in progress

 

 

239,066

 

 

294,345

 

Net investment in real estate assets

 

 

6,134,292

 

 

6,094,251

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

46,811

 

 

28,700

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenant, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,091 in

2007 and $1,128 in 2006

 

 

64,751

 

 

71,573

 

Other

 

 

8,916

 

 

9,656

 

Mortgage and other notes receivable

 

 

33,834

 

 

21,559

 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

95,425

 

 

78,826

 

Intangible lease assets and other assets

 

 

235,319

 

 

214,245

 

 

 

$

6,619,348

 

$

6,518,810

 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage and other notes payable

 

$

4,714,442

 

$

4,564,535

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

299,631

 

 

309,969

 

Total liabilities

 

 

5,014,073

 

 

4,874,504

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 3 and 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

 

535,663

 

 

559,450

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized:

8.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock,

2,000,000 shares outstanding in 2007 and 2006

 

 

20

 

 

20

 

7.75% Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock,

460,000 shares outstanding in 2007 and 2006

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

7.375% Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock,

700,000 shares outstanding in 2007 and 2006

 

 

7

 

 

7

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 180,000,000 shares authorized,

65,609,014 and 65,421,311 shares issued and outstanding

in 2007 and 2006, respectively

 

 

656

 

 

654

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,074,404

 

 

1,074,450

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

550

 

 

19

 

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

 

 

(6,030

)

 

9,701

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

1,069,612

 

 

1,084,856

 

 

 

$

6,619,348

 

$

6,518,810

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.

 

3

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum rents

 

$

155,316

 

$

152,152

 

Percentage rents

 

 

6,482

 

 

6,353

 

Other rents

 

 

4,429

 

 

3,880

 

Tenant reimbursements

 

 

78,084

 

 

75,992

 

Management, development and leasing fees

 

 

1,221

 

 

1,076

 

Other

 

 

5,009

 

 

5,866

 

Total revenues

 

 

250,541

 

 

245,319

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property operating

 

 

43,471

 

 

40,737

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

57,068

 

 

54,766

 

Real estate taxes

 

 

20,791

 

 

19,265

 

Maintenance and repairs

 

 

15,433

 

 

12,693

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,197

 

 

9,587

 

Other

 

 

3,639

 

 

4,168

 

Total expenses

 

 

150,599

 

 

141,216

 

Income from operations

 

 

99,942

 

 

104,103

 

Interest income

 

 

2,745

 

 

1,731

 

Interest expense

 

 

(66,127

)

 

(63,929

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(227

)

 

 

Gain on sales of real estate assets

 

 

3,530

 

 

900

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

598

 

 

2,068

 

Income tax provision

 

 

(803

)

 

 

Minority interest in earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating partnership

 

 

(13,563

)

 

(18,129

)

Shopping center properties

 

 

(730

)

 

(588

)

Income before discontinued operations

 

 

25,365

 

 

26,156

 

Operating (loss) income from discontinued operations

 

 

(267

)

 

2,099

 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

 

 

(55

)

 

 

Net income

 

 

25,043

 

 

28,255

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

(7,642

)

 

(7,642

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

17,401

 

$

20,613

 

Basic per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before discontinued operations, net of preferred dividends

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.30

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

0.03

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.33

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

65,109

 

 

62,655

 

Diluted per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before discontinued operations, net of preferred dividends

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.29

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

(0.01

)

 

0.03

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.32

 

Weighted average common and potential dilutive common shares outstanding

 

 

65,886

 

 

64,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.5050

 

$

0.4575

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

4

 

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

25,043

 

$

28,255

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

37,302

 

 

39,026

 

Amortization

 

 

21,348

 

 

18,032

 

Amortization of debt premiums

 

 

(1,902

)

 

(1,842

)

Net amortization of above and below market leases

 

 

(2,930

)

 

(2,602

)

Gain on sales of real estate assets

 

 

(3,530

)

 

(900

)

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

 

 

55

 

 

 

Abandoned development projects

 

 

48

 

 

(5

)

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

2,126

 

 

2,195

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

227

 

 

 

Income tax benefit from stock options

 

 

1,139

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(598

)

 

(2,068

)

Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

891

 

 

2,269

 

Minority interest in earnings

 

 

14,293

 

 

18,717

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenant and other receivables

 

 

7,442

 

 

(5,709

)

Other assets

 

 

(5,188

)

 

(3,556

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

2,548

 

 

(23,830

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

98,314

 

 

67,982

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to real estate assets

 

 

(114,881

)

 

(50,044

)

Acquisitions of real estate assets and other assets

 

 

(7,545

)

 

 

Capitalized interest

 

 

(3,180

)

 

 

Changes in other assets

 

 

4,707

 

 

4,805

 

Proceeds from sales of real estate assets

 

 

11,581

 

 

1,541

 

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

 

 

(18,652

)

 

 

Additions to mortgage notes receivable

 

 

(2,085

)

 

 

Payments received on mortgage notes receivable

 

 

73

 

 

40

 

Additional investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(18,097

)

 

(2,964

)

Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

1,205

 

 

5,459

 

Purchases of minority interests

 

 

(16,516

)

 

(1,112

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(163,390

)

 

(42,275

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from mortgage and other notes payable

 

 

572,994

 

 

72,328

 

Principal payments on mortgage and other notes payable

 

 

(421,185

)

 

(13,453

)

Additions to deferred financing costs

 

 

(1,307

)

 

(2,460

)

Proceeds from issuances of common stock

 

 

81

 

 

155

 

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

 

 

2,139

 

 

2,395

 

Income tax benefit from stock options

 

 

(1,139

)

 

 

Prepayment fees on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(227

)

 

 

Distributions to minority interests

 

 

(27,489

)

 

(30,057

)

Dividends paid to holders of preferred stock

 

 

(7,642

)

 

(7,642

)

Dividends paid to common shareholders

 

 

(33,038

)

 

(34,321

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

83,187

 

 

(13,055

)

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

18,111

 

 

12,652

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

 

 

28,700

 

 

28,838

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

 

$

46,811

 

$

41,490

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

68,087

 

$

59,298

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.         

5

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Note 1 – Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (“CBL”), a Delaware corporation, is a self-managed, self-administered, fully integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that is engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition, leasing, management and operation of regional shopping malls, open-air centers and community centers. CBL’s shopping center properties are located in 27 states, but primarily in the southeastern and midwestern United States.

 

CBL conducts substantially all of its business through CBL & Associates Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).  At March 31, 2007, the Operating Partnership owned controlling interests in 72 regional malls/open-air centers, 28 associated centers (each adjacent to a regional shopping mall), four community centers and CBL’s corporate office building. The Operating Partnership consolidates the financial statements of all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest or where it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The Operating Partnership owned non-controlling interests in seven regional malls, four associated centers and one community center. Because one or more of the other partners have substantive participating rights, the Operating Partnership does not control these partnerships and, accordingly, accounts for these investments using the equity method. The Operating Partnership had five mall expansions, two associated/lifestyle centers, one mixed-use center, three community centers (one of which is owned in a joint venture) and an office building under construction at March 31, 2007. The Operating Partnership also holds options to acquire certain development properties owned by third parties.

 

CBL is the 100% owner of two qualified REIT subsidiaries, CBL Holdings I, Inc. and CBL Holdings II, Inc. At March 31, 2007, CBL Holdings I, Inc., the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, owned a 1.6% general partner interest in the Operating Partnership and CBL Holdings II, Inc. owned a 54.8% limited partner interest for a combined interest held by CBL of 56.4%.

 

The minority interest in the Operating Partnership is held primarily by CBL & Associates, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively “CBL’s Predecessor”) and by affiliates of The Richard E. Jacobs Group, Inc. (“Jacobs”). CBL’s Predecessor contributed their interests in certain real estate properties and joint ventures to the Operating Partnership in exchange for a limited partner interest when the Operating Partnership was formed in November 1993. Jacobs contributed their interests in certain real estate properties and joint ventures to the Operating Partnership in exchange for limited partner interests when the Operating Partnership acquired the majority of Jacobs’ interests in 23 properties in January 2001 and the balance of such interests in February 2002. At March 31, 2007, CBL’s Predecessor owned a 15.0% limited partner interest, Jacobs owned a 19.7% limited partner interest and third parties owned an 8.8% limited partner interest in the Operating Partnership. CBL’s Predecessor also owned 6.3 million shares of CBL’s common stock at March 31, 2007, for a total combined effective interest of 20.4% in the Operating Partnership.

 

The Operating Partnership conducts CBL’s property management and development activities through CBL & Associates Management, Inc. (the “Management Company”) to comply with certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Operating Partnership owns 100% of the Management Company’s preferred stock and common stock.

 

CBL, the Operating Partnership and the Management Company are collectively referred to herein as “the Company”.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, they have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and

 

6

Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for these interim periods have been included. The results for the interim periods ended March 31, 2007, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for the full fiscal year.

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with CBL’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Note 2 – Joint Ventures

 

Equity Method Investments

 

At March 31, 2007, the Company had investments in the following 13 partnerships and joint ventures, which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting:

 


Joint Venture

 

Property Owned

 

Company’s

Interest

 

Governor’s Square IB

 

Governor’s Plaza

 

50.0

%

Governor’s Square Company

 

Governor’s Square

 

47.5

%

High Pointe Commons, LP

 

High Pointe Commons

 

50.0

%

Imperial Valley Mall L.P.

 

Imperial Valley Mall

 

60.0

%

Imperial Valley Peripheral L.P.

 

Imperial Valley Mall(vacant land)

 

60.0

%

Imperial Valley Commons L.P.

 

Imperial Valley Commons

 

60.0

%

Kentucky Oaks Mall Company

 

Kentucky Oaks Mall

 

50.0

%

Mall of South Carolina L.P.

 

Coastal Grand—Myrtle Beach

 

50.0

%

Mall of South Outparcel L.P.

 

Coastal Grand—Myrtle Beach (vacant land)

 

50.0

%

Mall Shopping Center Company

 

Plaza del Sol

 

50.6

%

Parkway Place L.P.

 

Parkway Place

 

45.0

%

Triangle Town Member LLC

 

Triangle Town Center, Triangle Town Commons and Triangle Town Place

 

50.0

%

York Town Center, LP

 

York Town Center

 

50.0

%

 

 

Condensed combined financial statement information for the unconsolidated affiliates is as follows:

 

 

 

Total for the Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

Company’s Share for the
Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

23,562

 

$

24,879

 

$

11,898

 

$

12,506

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

(6,896

)

 

(6,476

)

 

(3,504

)

 

(3,278

)

Interest expense

 

 

(8,317

)

 

(8,665

)

 

(4,192

)

 

(4,394

)

Other operating expenses

 

 

(7,656

)

 

(6,879

)

 

(3,873

)

 

(3,499

)

Gain on sales of real estate assets

 

 

538

 

 

1,406

 

 

269

 

 

733

 

Net income

 

$

1,231

 

$

4,265

 

$

598

 

$

2,068

 

 

 

7

Cost Method Investments

 

In February 2007, the Company acquired a 6.2% minority interest in subsidiaries of Jinsheng Group (“Jinsheng”), an established mall operating and real estate development company located in Nanjing, China, for $10,125. As of March 31, 2007, Jinsheng owns controlling interests in four home decoration shopping centers and two general retail shopping centers.

 

Jinsheng also issued to the Company a secured convertible promissory note in exchange for cash of $4,875. The secured note is non-interest bearing and matures upon the earlier to occur of (i) January 22, 2012, (ii) the closing of the sale, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of Jinsheng’s assets, (iii) the closing of a merger or consolidation of Jinsheng or (iv) an event of default, as defined in the secured note. In lieu of the Company’s right to demand payment on the maturity date, at any time commencing upon the earlier to occur of January 22, 2010 or the occurrence of a Final Trigger Event, as defined in the secured note, the Company may, at its sole option, convert the outstanding amount of the secured note into 16,565,534 Series A-2 Preferred Shares of Jinsheng (which equates to a 2.275% ownership interest). The secured note is secured by 16,565,534 Series 2 Ordinary Shares of Jinsheng.

 

Jinsheng also granted the Company a warrant to acquire 5,461,165 Series A-3 Preferred Shares for $1,875. The warrant expires upon the earlier of January 22, 2010 or the date that Jinsheng distributes, as a dividend, shares of Jinsheng’s successor should Jinsheng complete an initial public offering.

 

The Company accounts for its minority interest in Jinsheng using the cost method because the Company does not exercise significant influence over Jinsheng and there is no readily determinable market value of Jinsheng’s shares since they are not publicly traded. The Company recorded the secured note at its estimated fair value of $4,513, which reflects a discount of $362 due to the fact that it is non-interest bearing. The discount is amortized to interest income over the term of the secured note using the effective interest method. The minority interest and the secured note are reflected as investment in unconsolidated affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

The Company recorded the warrant at its estimated fair value of $362, which is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

In October 2006, the Company entered into a loan agreement with a third party under which the Company will loan the third party up to $7,300 to fund land acquisition costs and certain predevelopment expenses for the purpose of developing a shopping center. The loan agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the Company may convert the loan to a 25% ownership interest in the third party. As of December 31, 2006, the Company determined that its loan to the third party was a variable interest in a variable interest entity and that the Company was the primary beneficiary. As a result, the Company consolidated this entity as of December 31, 2006.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company reconsidered its status as the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity and determined that it no longer was the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company ceased consolidating this variable interest entity and has recorded the loan as a mortgage note receivable. The loan bears interest at 9.0% and matures on October 31, 2007.

 

8

Note 3 – Mortgage and Other Notes Payable

 

Mortgage and other notes payable consisted of the following at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively:

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average Interest
Rate(1)

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average Interest
Rate(1)

 

Fixed-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-recourse loans on operating properties

 

$

3,877,689

 

5.94

%

$

3,517,710

 

5.99

%

Variable-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recourse term loans on operating properties

 

 

154,818

 

6.53

%

 

101,464

 

6.48

%

Construction loans

 

 

34,003

 

6.57

%

 

114,429

 

6.61

%

Lines of credit

 

 

647,932

 

6.12

%

 

830,932

 

6.19

%

Total variable-rate debt

 

 

836,753

 

6.21

%

 

1,046,825

 

6.26

%

Total

 

$

4,714,442

 

5.99

%

$

4,564,535

 

6.06

%

 

(1) Weighted-average interest rate including the effect of debt premiums, but excluding amortization of deferred financing costs.

 

In March 2007, the Company obtained six separate ten-year, non-recourse loans totaling $417,040 that bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.67% to 5.68%, with a weighted average of 5.67%. The loans are secured by Mall of Acadiana, Citadel Mall, The Plaza at Fayette Mall, Layton Hills Mall and its associated center, Hamilton Corner and The Shoppes at St. Clair Square. The proceeds were used to retire $92,050 of mortgage notes payable that were scheduled to mature during the next twelve months and to pay outstanding balances on the Company’s credit facilities. The mortgage notes payable that were retired consisted of two variable rate term loans totaling $51,825 and three fixed rate loans totaling $40,225. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $227 in the three months ended March 31, 2007, related to prepayment fees and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the loans that were retired.

 

Unsecured Line of Credit

 

The Company has one unsecured credit facility with total availability of $560,000 that bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.20% based on the Company’s leverage, as defined in the agreement. The credit facility matures in August 2008 and has three one-year extension options, which are at the Company’s election. At March 31, 2007, the outstanding borrowings of $99,000 under the unsecured credit facility had a weighted average interest rate of 6.07%. Additionally, the Company pays an annual fee of 0.1% of the amount of total availability under the unsecured credit facility.

 

Secured Lines of Credit

 

The Company has four secured lines of credit that are used for construction, acquisition, and working capital purposes, as well as issuances of letters of credit. Each of these lines is secured by mortgages on certain of the Company’s operating properties. Borrowings under the secured lines of credit had a weighted average interest rate of 6.13% at March 31, 2007. The Company also pays a fee based on the amount of unused availability under its largest secured credit facility at a rate of 0.125% or 0.250%, depending on the level of unused availability. The following summarizes certain information about the secured lines of credit as of March 31, 2007:

 

9

 

Total
Available

 

Total
Outstanding

 

Maturity
Date

 

$

476,000

 

$

475,232

 

February 2009

 

 

100,000

 

 

36,500

 

June 2008

 

 

20,000

 

 

20,000

 

March 2010

 

 

17,200

 

 

17,200

 

April 2008

 

$

613,200

 

$

548,932

 

 

 

 

In addition to the borrowings outstanding on the secured lines of credit, there were letters of credit totaling $1,249 that were also outstanding as of March 31, 2007.

 

Letters of Credit

 

At March 31, 2007, the Company had additional secured and unsecured lines of credit with a total commitment of $37,345 that can only be used for issuing letters of credit. The letters of credit outstanding under these lines of credit totaled $12,819 at March 31, 2007.

 

Covenants and Restrictions

 

Thirty-eight malls, eight associated centers, three community centers and the corporate office building are owned by special purpose entities that are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The sole business purpose of the special purpose entities is to own and operate these properties, each of which is encumbered by a commercial-mortgage-backed-securities loan. The real estate and other assets owned by these special purpose entities are restricted under the loan agreements in that they are not available to settle other debts of the Company. However, so long as the loans are not under an event of default, as defined in the loan agreements, the cash flows from these properties, after payments of debt service, operating expenses and reserves, are available for distribution to the Company.

 

Maturities

 

The weighted average remaining term of the Company’s consolidated debt was 4.9 years at March 31, 2007 and 4.8 years at December 31, 2006. The Company has two loans totaling $93,026 that are scheduled to mature before March 31, 2008. The Company expects to retire or refinance these loans.

 

Note 4 – Shareholders’ Equity And Minority Interests

 

In January 2007, holders of 195,936 special common units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership exercised their conversion rights. The Company elected to pay cash of $8,507 in exchange for the special common units.

 

Note 5 – Segment Information

 

The Company measures performance and allocates resources according to property type, which is determined based on certain criteria such as type of tenants, capital requirements, economic risks, leasing terms, and short and long-term returns on capital. Rental income and tenant reimbursements from tenant leases provide the majority of revenues from all segments. Information on the Company’s reportable segments is presented as follows:

 

10

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

Malls

 

Associated Centers

 

Community Centers

 


All Other

 


Total

 

 

Revenues

 

$

231,974

 

$

10,557

 

$

2,145

 

$

5,865

 

$

250,541

 

Property operating expenses (1)

 

 

(83,185

)

 

(2,606

)

 

(798

)

 

6,894

 

 

(79,695

)

Interest expense

 

 

(54,107

)

 

(1,546

)

 

(993

)

 

(9,171

)

 

(66,127

)

Other expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,639

)

 

(3,639

)

Gain (loss) on sales of real estate assets

 

 

(93

)

 

(10

)

 

(9

)

 

3,642

 

 

3,530

 

Segment profit and loss

 

$

94,589

 

$

6,085

 

$

345

 

$

3,591

 

 

104,610

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57,068

)

General and administrative expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,197

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(227

)

Interest and other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,745

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

598

 

Income tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(803

)

Minority interest in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,293

)

Income before discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

25,365

 

Total assets

 

$

5,844,095

 

$

318,566

 

$

60,046

 

$

396,641

 

$

6,619,348

 

Capital expenditures (2)

 

$

62,531

 

$

9,992

 

$

7,985

 

$

33,979

 

$

114,487

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

 


Malls

 

Associated Centers

 

Community Centers

 


All Other

 


Total

 

Revenues

 

$

227,828

 

$

9,152

 

$

1,904

 

$

6,435

 

$

245,319

 

Property operating expenses (1)

 

 

(75,542

)

 

(2,224

)

 

(693

)

 

5,764

 

 

(72,695

)

Interest expense

 

 

(54,310

)

 

(1,154

)

 

(700

)

 

(7,765

)

 

(63,929

)

Other expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,168

)

 

(4,168

)

Gain on sales of real estate assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

53

 

 

847

 

 

900

 

Segment profit and loss

 

$

97,976

 

$

5,774

 

$

564

 

$

1,113

 

 

105,427

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(54,766

)

General and administrative expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,587

)

Interest and other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,731

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,068

 

Minority interest in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,717

)

Income before discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

26,156

 

Total assets

 

$

5,721,502

 

$

273,772

 

$

151,635

 

$

211,143

 

$

6,358,052

 

Capital expenditures (2)

 

$

32,920

 

$

10,222

 

$

315

 

$

12,706

 

$

56,163

 

 

(1)

Property operating expenses include property operating expenses, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs.

(2)

Amounts include acquisitions of real estate assets and investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Developments in progress are included in the All Other category.

 

Note 6 – Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of unrestricted common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS assumes the issuance of common stock for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding. The limited partners’ rights to convert their minority interest in the Operating Partnership into shares of common stock are not dilutive. The following summarizes the impact of potential dilutive common shares on the denominator used to compute earnings per share:

 

11

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

65,562

 

63,042

 

Effect of nonvested stock awards

 

(453

)

(387

)

Denominator – basic earnings per share

 

65,109

 

62,655

 

Dilutive effect of:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

583

 

1,421

 

Nonvested stock awards

 

157

 

183

 

Deemed shares related to deferred compensation arrangements

 

37

 

64

 

Denominator – diluted earnings per share

 

65,886

 

64,323

 

 

Note 7 – Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income includes all changes in shareholders’ equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by and distributions to shareholders . Comprehensive income includes other comprehensive income of $531 and $807 in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Other comprehensive income in all periods presented represents unrealized gain on marketable securities that are classified as available for sale. Comprehensive income was $25,574 and $29,062 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Note 8 – Contingencies

 

The Company is currently involved in certain litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business. It is management’s opinion that the pending litigation will not materially affect the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

 

The Company has guaranteed 50% of the debt of Parkway Place L.P., an unconsolidated affiliate in which the Company owns a 45% interest, which owns Parkway Place in Huntsville, AL. The total amount outstanding at March 31, 2007, was $53,200 of which the Company has guaranteed $26,600. The guaranty will expire when the related debt matures in June 2008. The Company has not recorded an obligation for this guaranty because it has determined that the fair value of the guaranty is not material.

 

The Company has guaranteed the performance of York Town Center, LP (“YTC”), an unconsolidated affiliate in which the Company owns a 50% interest, under the terms of an agreement with a third party that will own property adjacent to the shopping center property YTC is currently developing. Under the terms of that agreement, YTC is obligated to cause performance of the third party’s obligations as landlord under its lease with its sole tenant, including, but not limited to, provisions such as co-tenancy and exclusivity requirements. Should YTC fail to cause performance, then the tenant under the third party landlord’s lease may pursue certain remedies ranging from rights to terminate its lease to receiving reductions in rent. The Company has guaranteed YTC’s performance under this agreement up to a maximum of $22,000, which decreases by $800 annually until the guaranteed amount is reduced to $10,000. The maximum guaranteed obligation was $22,000 as of March 31, 2007. The Company has entered into an agreement with its joint venture partner under which the joint venture partner has agreed to reimburse the Company 50% of any amounts the Company is obligated to fund under the guaranty. The Company has not recorded an obligation for this guaranty because it has determined that the fair value of the guaranty is not material.

 

The Company has issued various bonds that it would have to satisfy in the event of non-performance. At March 31, 2007, the total amount outstanding on these bonds was $18,242.

 

12

Note 9 – Share-Based Compensation

 

The compensation cost that was charged against income was $1,263 and $2,253 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. Compensation cost capitalized as part of real estate assets was $187 and $106 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

The Company’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2007 is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2007

 

1,502,720

 

 

 

$

14.40

 

Exercised

 

(165,994

)

 

 

 

12.89

 

Cancelled

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

18.27

 

Expired

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

12.38

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2007

 

1,334,726

 

 

 

 

14.59

 

Vested or expected to vest at March 31, 2007

 

1,334,726

 

 

 

 

14.59

 

Options exercisable at March 31, 2007

 

1,190,926

 

 

 

 

14.15

 

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock awards as of March 31, 2007, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2007, is presented below:

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

Nonvested at January 1, 2007

 

457,344

 

 

 

$

34.35

 

Granted

 

22,467

 

 

 

 

44.65

 

Vested

 

(25,627

)

 

 

 

44.47

 

Forfeited

 

(2,580

)

 

 

 

36.13

 

Nonvested at March 31, 2007

 

451,604

 

 

 

 

34.62

 

 

As of March 31, 2007, there was $10,930 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and stock awards granted under the plan, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.6 years.

 

Note 10 – Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

 

The Company’s noncash investing and financing activities were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Additions to real estate assets accrued but not yet paid

 

$

27,113

 

$

17,670

 

Conversion of minority interest into common stock

 

 

 

 

16,486

 

Reclassification of developments in progress to mortgage notes receivable

 

 

6,528

 

 

 

Note receivable received on sale of land

 

 

3,735

 

 

 

Minority interest issued in acquisition of real estate assets

 

 

330

 

 

 

Payable for marketable securities acquired

 

 

5,672

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Note 11 – Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected taxable REIT subsidiary status for some of its subsidiaries. This enables the Company to receive income and provide services that would otherwise be impermissible for REITs. For these entities, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided if the Company believes all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance resulting from changes in circumstances that may affect the realizability of the related deferred tax asset is included in income.

 

The Company recorded an income tax provision of $803 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The income tax provision in 2007 consisted of a current income tax provision of $1,139 and a deferred income tax benefit of $336.

 

The Company had a net deferred tax asset of $4,627 at March 31, 2007 and $4,291 at December 31, 2006. The net deferred tax asset at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 primarily consisted of operating expense accruals and differences between book and tax depreciation.

 

The Company reports any income tax penalties attributable to its properties as property operating expenses and any corporate-related income tax penalties as general and administrative expenses in its statement of operations. In addition, any interest incurred on tax assessments are reported as interest expense. The Company reported nominal interest and penalty amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Note 12 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No.109, Accounting for Income Taxes, by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

 

The Company adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007 and has analyzed its various federal and state filing positions. Based on this evaluation, the Company believes that its accruals for income tax liabilities are adequate and, therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded pursuant to FIN 48. Additionally, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of FIN 48.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The transition adjustment, which is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of those financial instruments at the date SFAS No. 157 is initially applied, should be recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the fiscal year in which SFAS No. 157 is initially applied. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157 on its financial position and results of operations.

 

14

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, although early application is allowed. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 159 on its financial position and results of operations.

 

ITEM 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that are included in this Form 10-Q. In this discussion, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, and the “Company” refer to CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

Certain statements made in this section or elsewhere in this report may be deemed “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained, and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. In addition to the risk factors described in Part II, Item 1A. of this report, such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, general industry, economic and business conditions, interest rate fluctuations, costs of capital and capital requirements, availability of real estate properties, inability to consummate acquisition opportunities, competition from other companies and retail formats, changes in retail rental rates in the Company’s markets, shifts in customer demands, tenant bankruptcies or store closings, changes in vacancy rates at our properties, changes in operating expenses, changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations, the ability to obtain suitable equity and/or debt financing and the continued availability of financing in the amounts and on the terms necessary to support our future business. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.

 

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

 

We are a self-managed, self-administered, fully integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that is engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition, leasing, management and operation of regional shopping malls, open-air centers and community centers. Our shopping center properties are located in 27 states, but primarily in the southeastern and midwestern United States.

 

As of March 31, 2007, we owned controlling interests in 72 regional malls/open-air centers, 28 associated centers (each adjacent to a regional shopping mall), four community centers and our corporate office building. We consolidate the financial statements of all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest or where we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. As of March 31, 2007, we owned non-controlling interests in seven regional malls, four associated centers and one community center. Because one or more of the other partners have substantive participating rights we do not control these partnerships and joint ventures and, accordingly, account for these investments using the equity method. We had five mall expansions, two associated/lifestyle centers, one mixed-use center, three community centers (one of which is owned in a joint venture) and an office building under construction at March 31, 2007. We also hold options to acquire certain development properties owned by third parties.

 

15

The majority of our revenues is derived from leases with retail tenants and generally includes base minimum rents, percentage rents based on tenants’ sales volumes and reimbursements from tenants for expenditures, including property operating expenses, real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs, as well as certain capital expenditures. We also generate revenues from sales of outparcel land at the properties and from sales of operating real estate assets when it is determined that we can realize the maximum value of the assets. Proceeds from such sales are generally used to reduce borrowings on our credit facilities.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following significant transactions impact the comparison of the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to the results of operations for the comparable periods ended March 31, 2006:

 

 

We have opened two associated centers and three community centers since January 1, 2006 (collectively referred to as the “New Properties”). We do not consider a property to be one of the Comparable Properties (defined below) until the property has been owned or open for one complete calendar year. The New Properties are as follows:

 

Property

 

Location

 

Date Opened

The Plaza at Fayette Mall

 

Lexington, KY

 

October 2006

High Pointe Commons (50/50 joint venture)

 

Harrisburg, PA

 

October 2006

Lakeview Pointe

 

Stillwater, OK

 

October 2006

The Shops at Pineda Ridge

 

Melbourne, FL

 

November 2006

The Shoppes at St. Clair Square

 

Fairview Heights, IL

 

March 2007

 

 

Properties that were in operation as of January 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007 are referred to as the “Comparable Properties.”

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

 

Revenues

 

The $5.2 million increase in revenues resulted from an increase of $4.0 million attributable to the revenues from the Comparable Properties, an increase of $1.8 million in revenues from the New Properties, and an increase in management, development and leasing fees of $0.1 million, which were partially offset by a decrease in other revenues of $0.7 million due to lower revenues from our subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services to third parties.

 

Our cost recovery ratio declined to 98% compared to 104.5% for the prior year period. The decline is partially due to a $1.2 million increase in snow removal costs. A portion of this expense is recoverable; however, as we continue to convert more and more tenants to fixed common area maintenance arrangements, fluctuations in tenant reimbursements will not correlate as closely with fluctuations in the corresponding expenses as they do with pro rata common area maintenance charges. As a result, there may be more volatility in our cost recovery ratio from period to period. In addition to the increase in snow removal costs, increases in bad debt expense and in franchise tax expenses, as discussed below, also negatively impacted our cost recovery ratio as compared to the prior year period.

 

16

Expenses

 

The $7.0 million increase in property operating expenses, including real estate taxes and maintenance and repairs, resulted from increases of $6.7 million from the Comparable Properties and $0.3 million attributable to the New Properties. The increase in property operating expenses of the Comparable properties included a $1.5 million increase in bad debt expense that resulted from bad debt expense of $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to a net recovery of $1.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2006. The increase from the Comparable Properties also included a $1.2 million increase in snow removal costs and a $0.4 million increase in franchise taxes due to the enactment of new state tax laws.

 

The $2.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted from increases of $1.8 million from the Comparable Properties and $0.5 million from the New Properties. The increase in depreciation and amortization of the Comparable Properties is due to ongoing capital expenditures for renovations, expansions, tenant allowances and deferred maintenance.

 

General and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million due to annual increases in salaries and benefits of existing personnel and the addition of new personnel to support our growth.

 

Other expense decreased $0.5 million due to a reduction in the operating expenses of our subsidiary that provides security and maintenance services to third parties. This reduction corresponds to the decrease in other revenues that is related to this subsidiary.

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

Interest expense increased by $2.2 million due to the additional debt associated with the New Properties and an increase in the weighted average interest rate of our variable-rate debt as compared to the comparable period of the prior year.

 

We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million as a result of prepayment fees related to a loan that we retired prior to its scheduled maturity date.

 

Gain on Sales

 

Gain on sales of real estate assets of $3.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 relates to the sale of six parcels of land. Gain on sales of real estate assets of $0.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2006 relates to the sale of one parcel of land.

 

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates decreased $1.5 million primarily due to a lower level of outparcel sales at certain unconsolidated affiliates as compared to the prior year period.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

The income tax provision of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, relates to the earnings of our taxable REIT subsidiary and consists of a provision for current income taxes payable of $1.1 million, which is offset by a deferred income tax benefit of $0.3 million. We have cumulative stock-based compensation deductions that may be used to offset the current income tax payable of $1.1 million; therefore, we reduced the payable for current period income taxes to zero by recognizing the benefit of the cumulative stock-based compensation deductions.

 

17

Discontinued Operations

 

We recognized a loss on discontinued operations of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, which represents a decline of $2.4 million from the $2.1 million of income from discontinued operations that we recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2006. Discontinued operations in the three months ended March 31, 2007 reflect the true up of estimated expenses to actual amounts for properties sold during previous periods. Discontinued operations in the three months ended March 31, 2006 reflects the results of operations of five community centers that were classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2006 and that were subsequently sold in May 2006.

 

Operational Review

 

The shopping center business is, to some extent, seasonal in nature with tenants achieving the highest levels of sales during the fourth quarter because of the holiday season. Additionally, the malls earn most of their “temporary” rents (rents from short-term tenants), during the holiday period. Thus, occupancy levels and revenue production are generally the highest in the fourth quarter of each year. Results of operations realized in any one quarter may not be indicative of the results likely to be experienced over the course of the fiscal year.

 

We classify our regional malls into two categories – malls that have completed their initial lease-up are referred to as stabilized malls and malls that are in their initial lease-up phase and have not been open for three calendar years are referred to as non-stabilized malls. The non-stabilized malls currently include Coastal Grand-Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC, which opened in March 2004; Imperial Valley Mall in El Centro, CA, which opened in March 2005; Southaven Towne Center in Southaven, MS, which opened in October 2005; and Gulf Coast Town Center - Phase I in Ft. Myers, FL, which opened in November 2005.

 

We derive a significant amount of our revenues from the mall properties. The sources of our revenues by property type were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Malls

 

92.6

%

92.9

%

Associated centers

 

4.2

%

3.7

%

Community centers

 

0.7

%

0.8

%

Mortgages, office building and other

 

2.5

%

2.6

%

 

 

Sales and Occupancy Costs

 

Mall store sales (for those tenants who occupy 10,000 square feet or less and have reported sales) increased by 5.4% on a comparable per square foot basis for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Mall store sales for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2007 on a comparable per square foot basis were $345 per square foot.

 

Occupancy costs as a percentage of sales for the stabilized malls were 13.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to 13.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

18

Occupancy

 

The occupancy of the portfolio was as follows:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Total portfolio occupancy

 

91.0

%

91.3

%

Total mall portfolio

 

91.2

%

91.1

%

Stabilized malls

 

91.5

%

91.3

%

Non-stabilized malls

 

84.7

%

88.2

%

Associated centers

 

92.0

%

92.0

%

Community centers

 

80.7

%

91.9

%

 

 

Timing delays at some of the New Properties impacted total occupancy in the quarter. At High Pointe Commons, the anchors have opened but many of the stores are still in the process of taking occupancy. At Gulf Coast Town Center, the project is 97% leased and committed; however many stores are still completing improvements to their spaces. Excluding High Pointe Commons and Gulf Coast Town Center, total occupancy would have been the same as in the prior year and mall occupancy would have increased 30 basis points from the prior year.

 

Leasing

 

 

Average annual base rents per square foot were as follows for each property type:

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Stabilized malls

 

$

26.98

 

$

26.71

 

Non-stabilized malls

 

 

27.62

 

 

27.11

 

Associated centers

 

 

11.83

 

 

10.85

 

Community centers

 

 

14.71

 

 

9.44

 

Office

 

 

19.53

 

 

19.33

 

 

 

The following table presents the results we achieved in new and renewal leasing during the three months ended March 31, 2007 for small shop spaces less than 20,000 square feet that were previously occupied, excluding junior anchors:

 

 

 

Square Feet

 

Base Rent
Per
Square Foot
Prior Lease (1)

 

Initial Base
Rent Per Square Foot
New Lease (2)

 

% Change
Initial

 

Average Base
Rent Per
Square Foot
New Lease (3)

 

% Change
Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Property Types

 

813,041

 

$

24.39

 

$

25.25

 

3.5

%

$

26.05

 

6.8

%

Stabilized malls

 

770,881

 

 

24.87

 

 

25.77

 

3.6

%

 

26.59

 

6.9

%

New leases

 

289,837

 

 

23.81

 

 

29.97

 

25.9

%

 

31.51

 

32.3

%

Renewal leases

 

481,044

 

 

25.51

 

 

23.24

 

-8.9

%

 

23.63

 

-7.4

%

 

 

(1)

Represents the rent that was in place at the end of the lease term.

 

(2)

Represents the rent in place at beginning of the lease term.

 

(3)

Average base rent over the term of the new lease.

 

19

Our renewal leasing spreads were significantly impacted by two leases where we renewed the tenant at a lower rent than they were previously paying for a short term. We renewed these tenants at lower rents because we believe we can maximize the return on the space by maintaining the income stream from these tenants while we work to identify replacement tenants that will sign longer term leases at higher rents. As shown in the table above, we have been successful in obtaining higher rents on new leases.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

There was $46.8 million of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2007, an increase of $18.1 million from December 31, 2006. Cash flows from operations are used to fund short-term liquidity and capital needs such as tenant construction allowances, capital expenditures and payments of dividends and distributions. For longer-term liquidity needs such as acquisitions, new developments, renovations and expansions, we typically rely on property specific mortgages (which are generally non-recourse), construction and term loans, revolving lines of credit, common stock, preferred stock, joint venture investments and a minority interest in the Operating Partnership.

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2007, increased by $30.3 million to $98.3 million from $68.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006. This increase is primarily due to the timing of amounts that were included in accounts payable at December 31, 2005 and paid during the three months ended March 31, 2006. Therefore, cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was higher because the corresponding amounts were less than those paid in the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

Debt

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we borrowed $573.0 million under mortgage and other notes payable and paid $421.2 million to reduce outstanding borrowings under mortgage and other notes payable. We paid $1.3 million of costs directly related to borrowings and our credit facilities, as well as $0.2 million in prepayment fees related to the retirement of a loan before its scheduled maturity date.

 

The following tables summarize debt based on our pro rata ownership share (including our pro rata share of unconsolidated affiliates and excluding minority investors’ share of shopping center properties) because we believe this provides investors a clearer understanding of our total debt obligations and liquidity (in thousands):

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

Minority Interests

 

Unconsolidated Affiliates

 

Total

 

Weighted
Average
Interest Rate(1)

 

March 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-recourse loans on operating properties

 

$

3,877,689

 

$

(24,703

)

$

208,730

 

$

4,061,716

 

5.93

%

Variable-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recourse term loans on operating properties

 

 

154,818

 

 

 

 

29,902

 

 

184,720

 

6.51

%

Construction loans

 

 

34,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,003

 

6.57

%

Lines of credit

 

 

647,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

647,932

 

6.12

%

Total variable-rate debt

 

 

836,753

 

 

 

 

29,902

 

 

866,655

 

6.22

%

Total

 

$

4,714,442

 

$

(24,703

)

$

238,632

 

$

4,928,371

 

5.98

%

 

 

20


 

Consolidated

 

Minority Interests

 

Unconsolidated Affiliates

 

Total

 

Weighted Average
Interest Rate(1)

 

December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-recourse loans on operating properties

 

$

3,517,710

 

$

(56,612

)

$

218,203

 

$

3,679,301

 

5.97

%

Variable-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recourse term loans on operating properties

 

 

101,464

 

 

 

 

27,816

 

 

129,280

 

6.46

%

Construction loans

 

 

114,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

114,429

 

6.61

%

Lines of credit

 

 

830,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

830,932

 

6.19

%

Total variable-rate debt

 

 

1,046,825

 

 

 

 

27,816

 

 

1,074,641

 

6.27

%

Total

 

$

4,564,535

 

$

(56,612

)

$

246,019

 

$

4,753,942

 

6.03

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average interest rate including the effect of debt premiums, but excluding amortization of deferred financing costs.

 

We have four secured credit facilities with total availability of $613.2 million, of which $548.9 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2007. The secured credit facilities bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.80% to 0.90%. Borrowings under the secured lines of credit had a weighted average interest rate of 6.13% at March 31, 2007. We also pay a fee based on the amount of unused availability under our largest secured credit facility that has total availability of $476.0 million at a rate of 0.125% or 0.250%, depending on the level of unused availability.

 

We have an unsecured credit facility with total availability of $560.0 million, of which $99.0 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2007. The unsecured credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.20% based on our leverage. The credit facility matures in August 2008 and has three one-year extension options, which are at our election. At March 31, 2007, the outstanding borrowings under the unsecured credit facility had a weighted average interest rate of 6.07%. Additionally, the Company pays an annual fee of 0.1% of the amount of total availability under the unsecured credit facility.

 

We also have secured and unsecured lines of credit with total availability of $37.3 million that can only be used to issue letters of credit. There was $12.8 million outstanding under these lines at March 31, 2007.

 

In March 2007, we obtained six separate ten-year, non-recourse loans totaling $417.0 million that bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.67% to 5.68%, with a weighted average of 5.67%. The loans are secured by Mall of Acadiana, Citadel Mall, The Plaza at Fayette Mall, Layton Hills Mall and its associated center, Hamilton Corner and The Shoppes at St. Clair Square. The proceeds were used to retire $92.1 million of mortgage notes payable that were scheduled to mature during the next twelve months and to pay outstanding balances on our credit facilities. The mortgage notes payable that were retired consisted of two variable rate term loans totaling $51.8 million and three fixed rate loans totaling $40.3 million. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007, related to prepayment fees and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the loans that were retired.

 

The refinancings described in the preceding paragraph enabled us to significantly reduce our exposure to variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2007, our share of consolidated and unconsolidated variable-rate debt represented 17.6% of our total share of debt, which was down from 22.6% as of December 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2007, our share of consolidated and unconsolidated variable-rate debt represented 8.2% of our total market capitalization (see below) as compared to 10.6% as of December 31, 2006.

 

21

The secured and unsecured credit facilities contain, among other restrictions, certain financial covenants including the maintenance of certain coverage ratios, minimum net worth requirements, and limitations on cash flow distributions. We were in compliance with all financial covenants and restrictions under our credit facilities at March 31, 2007.

 

We expect to refinance the majority of mortgage and other notes payable maturing over the next five years with replacement loans. Based on our pro rata share of total debt, there are two loans totaling $93.0 million that are scheduled to mature before March 31, 2008. We expect to retire or refinance these loans.

 

Equity

 

In January 2007, holders of 195,936 special common units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership exercised their conversion rights and we elected to pay cash of $8.5 million in exchange for the special common units. 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we received $2.2 million in proceeds from issuances of common stock related to exercises of employee stock options and from our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we paid dividends of $40.7 million to holders of our common stock and our preferred stock, as well as $27.5 million in distributions to the minority interest investors in our Operating Partnership and certain shopping center properties.

 

As a publicly traded company, we have access to capital through both the public equity and debt markets. We currently have a shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission authorizing us to publicly issue shares of preferred stock, common stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock. There is no limit to the offering price or number of shares that we may issue under this shelf registration statement.

 

We anticipate that the combination of equity and debt sources will, for the foreseeable future, provide adequate liquidity to continue our capital programs substantially as in the past and make distributions to our shareholders in accordance with the requirements applicable to real estate investment trusts.

 

Our strategy is to maintain a conservative debt-to-total-market capitalization ratio in order to enhance our access to the broadest range of capital markets, both public and private. Based on our share of total consolidated and unconsolidated debt and the market value of equity, our debt-to-total-market capitalization (debt plus market value equity) ratio was as follows at March 31, 2007 (in thousands, except stock prices):

 

 

 

Shares
Outstanding

 

 

 

Stock Price (1)

 

 

 

Value

 

Common stock and operating partnership units

 

116,272

 

 

 

$

44.84

 

 

 

$

5,213,636

 

8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

50.00

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

7.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

460

 

 

 

 

250.00

 

 

 

 

115,000

 

7.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

700

 

 

 

 

250.00

 

 

 

 

175,000

 

Total market equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,603,636

 

Company’s share of total debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,928,371

 

Total market capitalization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,532,007

 

Debt-to-total-market capitalization ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46.8

%

 

(1)

Stock price for common stock and operating partnership units equals the closing price of the common stock on March 30, 2007. The stock price for the preferred stock represents the liquidation preference of each respective series of preferred stock.

 

22

Capital Expenditures

 

We expect to continue to have access to the capital resources necessary to expand and develop our business. Future development and acquisition activities will be undertaken as suitable opportunities arise. We do not expect to pursue these opportunities unless adequate sources of funding are available and a satisfactory budget with targeted returns on investment has been internally approved.

 

An annual capital expenditures budget is prepared for each property that is intended to provide for all necessary recurring and non-recurring capital expenditures. We believe that property operating cash flows, which include reimbursements from tenants for certain expenses, will provide the necessary funding for these expenditures.

 

The following tables summarize our development projects as of March 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

Properties Opened Year-to-date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBL’s Share of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

 

 

 

Location

 

 

 

Total Project

Square Feet

 

 

 

Total Cost

 

 

 

Cost To
Date

 

 

 

Date
Opened

 

 

 

Initial

Yield (d)

 

Mall Expansion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brookfield Square - Mitchell’s Fish Market

 

 

 

Brookfield, WI

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

$

3,044

 

 

 

$

1,839

 

 

 

April-07

 

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open-Air Center Expansion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf Coast Town Center –

Phase II-shops/Costco (a)

 

 

 

Ft. Myers, FL

 

 

 

595,990

 

 

 

 

80,797

 

(

b)

 

80,797

 

 

 

Spring-07

 

 

 

9.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associated Center:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Shoppes at St. Clair Square

 

 

 

Fairview Heights, IL

 

 

 

84,080

 

 

 

 

27,487

 

 

 

 

27,257

 

 

 

March-07

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

Announced Property Renovations and Redevelopments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBL’s Share of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

 

 

 

Location

 

 

 

Total Project
Square Feet

 

 

 

Total Cost

 

 

 

Cost To
Date

 

 

 

Opening
Date

 

 

 

Initial

Yield (d)

 

Mall Renovations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brookfield Square

 

 

 

Brookfield, WI

 

 

 

1,132,984

 

 

 

$

13,500

 

 

 

$

1,542

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

NA

 

Georgia Square

 

 

 

Athens, GA

 

 

 

674,738

 

 

 

 

13,200

 

 

 

 

487

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

NA

 

Mall del Norte

 

 

 

Laredo, TX

 

 

 

1,207,687

 

 

 

 

18,400

 

 

 

 

3,425

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

NA

 

Honey Creek Mall

 

 

 

Terre Haute, IN

 

 

 

678,763

 

 

 

 

4,600

 

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associated Center Renovation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madison Plaza

 

 

 

Huntsville, AL

 

 

 

153,085

 

 

 

 

1,200

 

 

 

 

689

 

 

 

July-07

 

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redevelopments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parkdale Mall - Former Dillards

 

 

 

Beaumont, TX

 

 

 

50,720

 

 

 

 

14,720

 

 

 

 

466

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

4.0

%

Northpark Mall - Former Wards

 

 

 

Joplin, MO

 

 

 

90,688

 

 

 

 

11,543

 

 

 

 

399

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

6.6

%

Mall del Norte - Theater

 

 

 

Laredo, TX

 

 

 

81,150

 

 

 

 

14,929

 

 

 

 

5,634

 

 

 

Spring-07

 

 

 

6.9

%

Columbia Place - Former JCPenney

 

 

 

Columbia, SC

 

 

 

124,819

 

 

 

 

15,051

 

 

 

 

4,627

 

 

 

August-07/

February-08

 

 

 

5.5

%

Westgate Mall - Former Proffits

 

 

 

Spartanburg, SC

 

 

 

153,000

 

 

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

NA

 

 

 

August-07

 

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,347,634

 

 

 

$

107,143

 

 

 

$

17,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

Properties Under Development at March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBL’s Share of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

 

 

 

Location

 

 

 

Total Project
Square Feet

 

 

 

Total Cost

 

 

 

Cost To
Date

 

 

 

Opening
Date

 

 

 

Initial

Yield (d)

 

Mall Expansions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The District at Valley View - shops

 

 

 

Roanoke, VA

 

 

 

61,200

 

 

 

$

18,026

 

 

 

$

12,446

 

 

 

June-07

 

 

 

7.6

%

Brookfield Square - Claim Jumpers

 

 

 

Brookfield, WI

 

 

 

12,000

 

 

 

 

3,430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall-08

 

 

 

8.6

%

The District at CherryVale

 

 

 

Rockford, IL

 

 

 

84,541

 

 

 

 

21,099

 

 

 

 

4,446

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

7.4

%

Harford Mall - lifestyle expansion

 

 

 

Bel Air, MD

 

 

 

39,222

 

(

b)

 

9,736

 

 

 

 

3,539

 

 

 

September-07

 

 

 

6.1

%

Southpark Mall - Regal Cinema

 

 

 

Colonial Heights, VA

 

 

 

85,392

 

 

 

 

15,510

 

 

 

 

7,914

 

 

 

Fall-07

 

 

 

8.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associated/Lifestyle Centers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milford Marketplace

 

 

 

Milford, CT

 

 

 

107,226

 

 

 

 

25,215

 

 

 

 

8,372

 

 

 

October-07

 

 

 

8.1

%

Brookfield Square –

Corner Shops & Fresh Market

 

 

 

Brookfield, WI

 

 

 

57,511

 

 

 

 

13,332

 

 

 

 

8,403

 

 

 

Spring/Fall-07

 

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBL Center II

 

 

 

Chattanooga, TN

 

 

 

74,598

 

 

 

 

17,120

 

 

 

 

958

 

 

 

January-08

 

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed -Use Center:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pearland Town Center

 

 

 

Pearland, TX

 

 

 

719,388