Alexandria Real Estate Equities - 10-Q quarterly report FY2012 Q2

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

OR

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number 1-12993

ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

385 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 299, Pasadena, California 91101

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(626) 578-0777

(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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x   No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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 August 7, 2012, 62,775,477 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

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

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

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

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1.                 Background

As used in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, references to the “Company,” “Alexandria,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”), is the largest and leading investment-grade REIT focused principally on owning, operating, redeveloping, developing, and acquiring high-quality, sustainable real estate for the broad and diverse life science industry.  Founded in 1994, Alexandria was the first REIT to identify and pursue the laboratory niche and has since had the first-mover advantage in every core life science cluster location including Greater Boston, San Francisco Bay, San Diego, New York City, Seattle, Suburban Washington, D.C., and Research Triangle Park. Alexandria’s high-credit client tenants span the life science industry, including renowned academic and medical institutions, multinational pharmaceutical companies, public and private biotechnology entities, United States government research agencies, medical device companies, clean technology companies, venture capital firms, and life science product and service companies. As the recognized real estate partner of the life science industry, Alexandria has a superior track record in driving client tenant productivity and innovation through its best-in-class laboratory and office space, collaborative locations adjacent to leading academic and medical institutions, unparalleled life science real estate expertise and services, and longstanding and expansive network in the life science community, which we believe result in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns, and greater long-term asset value. For additional information on Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., please visit www.are.com.

2.                 Basis of presentation

We have prepared the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  In our opinion, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect all adjustments that are necessary to fairly present the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

We hold interests, together with certain third parties, in companies that we consolidate in our financial statements.  We consolidate the companies because we exercise significant control over major decisions of these entities, such as investing activity and changes in financing.

Use of estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

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

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2.                 Basis of presentation (continued)

Investments in real estate, net, and discontinued operations

We recognize assets acquired (including the intangible value of above or below market leases, acquired in-place leases, tenant relationships, and other intangible assets or liabilities), liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquired entity at their fair value as of the acquisition date.  The value of tangible assets acquired is based upon our estimation of value on an “as if vacant” basis.  The value of acquired in-place leases includes the estimated carrying costs during the hypothetical lease-up period and other costs that would have been incurred to execute similar leases, considering market conditions at the acquisition date of the acquired in-place lease.  We assess the fair value of tangible and intangible assets based on numerous factors, including estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information.  Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property.  We also recognize the fair values of assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in acquisitions of less than a 100% interest when the acquisition constitutes a change in control of the acquired entity.  Acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs are expensed as incurred.

The values allocated to land improvements, tenant improvements, equipment, buildings, and building improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life of 20 years for land improvements, the respective lease term for tenant improvements, the estimated useful life for equipment, and the shorter of the term of the respective ground lease and up to 40 years for buildings and building improvements.  The values of acquired above and below market leases are amortized over the lives of the related leases and recorded as either an increase (for below market leases) or a decrease (for above market leases) to rental income.  The values of acquired in-place leases are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, and amortized over the remaining terms of the related leases.

We are required to capitalize direct construction and development costs, including predevelopment costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, and other costs directly related and essential to the acquisition, development, redevelopment, or construction of a project.  Capitalization of development, redevelopment, and construction costs is required while activities are ongoing to prepare an asset for its intended use.  Fluctuations in our development, redevelopment, and construction activities could result in significant changes to total expenses and net income.  Costs incurred after a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use are expensed as incurred.  Should development, redevelopment, or construction activity cease, interest, property taxes, insurance, and certain other costs would no longer be eligible for capitalization and would be expensed as incurred. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

A property is classified as “held for sale” when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the property; (2) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell have been initiated; (4) the sale of the property is probable and is expected to be completed within one year; (5) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions necessary to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.  When all of these criteria have been met, the property is classified as “held for sale”; its operations, including any interest expense directly attributable to it, are classified as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of income; and amounts for all prior periods presented are reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued operations.  Depreciation of assets ceases upon designation of a property as “held for sale.”

Long-lived assets to be held and used, including our rental properties, land held for future development, construction in progress, and intangibles, are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable.  The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held and used is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.  Impairment indicators for long-lived assets to be held and used, including our rental properties, land held for future development, and construction in progress, are assessed by project and include, but are not limited to, significant fluctuations in estimated net operating income, occupancy changes, construction costs, estimated completion dates, rental rates, and other market factors.  We assess the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, construction costs, available market information, historical operating results, known trends, market/economic conditions that may affect the property, and our assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration.  Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recorded to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value.  If an impairment loss is not required to be recorded, the recognition of depreciation is adjusted prospectively, as necessary, to reduce the carrying amount of the real estate to its estimated disposition value over the remaining period that the real estate is expected to be held and used. We may adjust depreciation of properties that are expected to be disposed of or redeveloped prior to the end of their useful lives.

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2.               Basis of presentation (continued)

We use a “held for sale” impairment model for our properties classified as “held for sale.”  The “held for sale” impairment model is different from the held and used impairment model.  Under the “held for sale” impairment model, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset classified as “held for sale” exceeds its fair value less cost to sell.

Investments

We hold equity investments in certain publicly traded companies and privately held entities primarily involved in the life science industry.  All of our investments in publicly traded companies are considered “available for sale” and are recorded at fair value.  Fair value has been determined based upon the closing price as of each balance sheet date, with unrealized gains and losses shown as a separate component of comprehensive income.  The classification of each investment is determined at the time each investment is made, and such determination is reevaluated at each balance sheet date.  The cost of each investment sold is determined by the specific identification method, with net realized gains or losses included in other income.  Investments in privately held entities are generally accounted for under the cost method when our interest in the entity is so minor that we have virtually no influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies.  Additionally, we limit our ownership percentage in the voting stock of each individual entity to less than 10%.  As of June 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, our ownership percentage in the voting stock of each individual entity was less than 10%.

Individual investments are evaluated for impairment when changes in conditions may indicate an impairment exists.  The factors that we consider in making these assessments include, but are not limited to, market prices, market conditions, available financing, prospects for favorable or unfavorable clinical trial results, new product initiatives, and new collaborative agreements.  If there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that would have an adverse effect on our cost method investments, we do not estimate the investment’s fair value.  For all of our investments, if a decline in the fair value of an investment below the carrying value is determined to be other than temporary, such investment is written down to its estimated fair value with a non-cash charge to current earnings.  For a description of the methodology we use to determine the fair value of privately held entities, refer to Note 7,  Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

Income taxes

We are organized and qualify as a REIT pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  Under the Code, a REIT that distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income as a dividend to its shareholders each year and that meets certain other conditions is not subject to federal income taxes, but is subject to certain state and local taxes.  We generally distribute 100% or more of our taxable income.  Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.  We file tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state, and local jurisdictions, including jurisdictions located in the United States, Canada, China, India, and other international locations.  Our tax returns are subject to examination in various jurisdictions for the calendar years 2007 through 2011.

We recognize tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained, based solely on its technical merits, with the taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information.  The measurement of a tax benefit for an uncertain tax position that meets the “more likely than not” threshold is based on a cumulative probability model under which the largest amount of tax benefit recognized is the amount with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority having full knowledge of all the relevant information.  As of June 30, 2012, there were no unrecognized tax benefits.  We do not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

Interest expense and penalties, if any, would be recognized in the first period the interest or penalty would begin accruing, according to the provisions of the relevant tax law at the applicable statutory rate of interest.  We did not incur any tax-related interest expense or penalties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

Interest income

Interest income was approximately $0.8 million, and less than $10,000, during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Interest income was approximately $1.4 million and $0.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Interest income is classified in other income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

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3.     Investments in real estate (continued)

Real estate asset sales

The following table summarizes our real estate asset disposition activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

Sale of land parcel

In March 2012, we contributed our 55% ownership interest in a land parcel supporting a future 414,000 rentable square feet building in the Longwood Medical Area of the Greater Boston market to a newly formed joint venture (the “Restated JV”) with National Development and Charles River Realty Investors, and admitted as a 50% member, Clarion Partners, LLC, resulting in a reduction of our ownership interest from 55% to 27.5%.  The transfer of one-half of our 55% ownership interest in this real estate venture to Clarion Partners, LLC, was accounted for as an in-substance partial sale of an interest in the underlying real estate.  In connection with the sale of one-half of our 55% ownership interest in the land parcel, we received a special distribution of approximately $22.3 million, which included the recognition of a $1.9 million gain on sale of land and approximately $5.4 million from our share of loan refinancing proceeds.  The land parcel we sold in March 2012 did not meet the criteria for discontinued operations since the parcel did not have any significant operations prior to disposition. Pursuant to the presentation and disclosure literature on gains/losses on sales or disposals by REITs required by the SEC, gains or losses on sales or disposals by a REIT that do not qualify as discontinued operations are classified below income from discontinued operations in the income statement.  Accordingly, we classified the $1.9 million gain on sale of land below income from discontinued operations, net, in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  Our 27.5% share of the land was sold at approximately $31 million (including closing costs), or approximately $275 per rentable square foot.  Upon formation of the Restated JV, the existing $38.4 million secured loan was refinanced with a seven-year (including two one-year extension options) non-recourse $213 million secured construction loan with initial loan proceeds of $50 million.  As of June 30, 2012, the outstanding balance on the construction loan was $51.1 million.  We do not expect our share of capital contributions through the completion of the project to exceed the approximate $22.3 million in net proceeds received in this transaction.  Construction of this $350 million project commenced in April 2012, with an initial occupancy date in the fourth quarter of 2014, and the project is 37% pre-leased to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.  In addition, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. has an option to an additional two floors approximating 99,000 rentable square feet, or 24% of the total rentable square feet of the project.  We expect to earn development and other fees of approximately $3.5 million through 2015, and recurring annual property management fees thereafter.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we recognized approximately $0.2 million of development fees.  These fees are classified in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

We do not qualify as the primary beneficiary of the Restated JV since we do not have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impacts its economic performance.  The decisions that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance require both our consent and that of our partners, for all major operating, investing, and financing decisions, as well as decisions involving major expenditures.  As of June 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, our investment in the unconsolidated real estate entity of approximately $26.9 million and $42.3 million, respectively, was classified as an investment in real estate in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Our investment in the unconsolidated real estate entity is adjusted for additional contributions and distributions, the proportionate share of the net earnings or losses, and other comprehensive income or loss.  Distributions, profits, and losses related to this entity are allocated in accordance with the operating agreement.  When circumstances indicate that there may have been a reduction in value of an equity investment, we evaluate the equity investment and any advances made for impairment by estimating our ability to recover our investment from future expected cash flows.  If we determine the loss in value is other than temporary, we recognize an impairment charge to reflect the equity investment and any advances made at fair value.

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5.      Secured and unsecured senior debt (continued)

Unsecured senior line of credit and unsecured senior bank term loans

In April 2012, we amended our $1.5 billion unsecured senior line of credit, with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as joint lead arrangers, and certain lenders, to extend the maturity date of our unsecured senior line of credit, provide an accordion option for up to an additional $500 million, and reduce the interest rate for outstanding borrowings. The maturity date of the unsecured senior line of credit was extended to April 2017, assuming we exercise our sole right to extend the maturity date twice by an additional six months after each exercise. Borrowings under the unsecured senior line of credit bear interest at LIBOR or the base rate specified in the amended unsecured senior line of credit and unsecured senior bank term loan agreements, plus in either case a specified margin (the “Applicable Margin”). The Applicable Margin for LIBOR borrowings under the unsecured senior line of credit was set at 1.20%, down from 2.40% in effect immediately prior to the modification. In addition to the Applicable Margin, our unsecured senior line of credit is subject to an annual facility fee of 0.25%.  In connection with the modification of our unsecured senior line of credit in April 2012, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $1.6 million related to the write-off of a portion of unamortized loan fees.

In April 2012, we amended our 2016 unsecured senior bank term loan (“2016 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan”) and 2017 unsecured senior bank term loan (“2017 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan”), conforming the financial covenants contained in our unsecured senior bank term loan agreements to those contained in our amended $1.5 billion unsecured senior line of credit.

In February 2012, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.6 million related to the write-off of unamortized loan fees as a result of the early repayment of $250 million of our 2012 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan.  In June 2011, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $1.2 million related to the write-off of unamortized loan fees as a result of the early repayment of $500 million of our 2012 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan.

The requirements of the key financial covenants under our unsecured senior line of credit and unsecured senior bank term loans as of June 30, 2012, are as follows:

In addition, the terms of the unsecured senior line of credit and unsecured senior bank term loan agreements, among other things, limit the ability of the Company, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P., and the Company’s subsidiaries to (1) consummate a merger, or consolidate or sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, and (2) incur certain secured or unsecured indebtedness.

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5.      Secured and unsecured senior debt (continued)

Unsecured senior convertible notes

The following tables summarize the balances, significant terms, and components of interest cost recognized (excluding amortization of loan fees and before the impact of capitalized interest) on our unsecured senior convertible notes (dollars in thousands):

(1)          Our 3.70% unsecured senior convertible notes (“3.70% Unsecured Senior Convertible Notes”) require that upon conversion, the entire principal amount is to be settled in cash, and any excess value above the principal amount, if applicable, is to be settled in shares of our common stock.  Based on the December 31, 2011, closing price of our common stock of $68.97, and the conversion price of our 3.70% Unsecured Senior Convertible Notes of $117.36 as of December 31, 2011, the if-converted value of the notes did not exceed the principal amount as of December 31, 2011, and accordingly, no shares of our common stock would have been issued if the notes had been settled on December 31, 2011.

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5.      Secured and unsecured senior debt (continued)

3.70% unsecured senior convertible notes

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized an aggregate loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.5 million related to the repurchase, in privately negotiated transactions, of approximately $96.1 million of certain of our 3.70% Unsecured Senior Convertible Notes.

During January 2012, we repurchased approximately $83.8 million in principal amount of our 3.70% Unsecured Senior Convertible Notes at par, pursuant to options exercised by holders thereof under the indenture governing the notes.  During April 2012, we repurchased the remaining outstanding $1.0 million in principal amount of the notes.  We did not recognize a gain or loss as a result of either repurchase during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

The following table outlines our interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

(1)          Includes interest expense related to and classified in income from discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

6.      Interest rate swap agreements

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, our interest rate swap agreements were used primarily to hedge the variable cash flows associated with certain of our existing LIBOR-based variable rate debt, including our unsecured senior line of credit and unsecured senior bank term loans.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is required to be recognized directly in earnings.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, our interest rate swap agreements were 100% effective; because of this, no hedge ineffectiveness was recognized in earnings.  The effective portion of changes in the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements that are designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is classified in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The following table reflects the effective portion of the unrealized loss recognized in other comprehensive loss for our interest rate swaps related to the change in fair value for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

Losses are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged forecasted transactions affect earnings.  During the next 12 months, we expect to reclassify approximately $17.7 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense as an increase to interest expense.  The following table indicates the classification in the condensed consolidated statements of income and the effective portion of the loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings for our cash flow hedge contracts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):