Table of Contents
UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, DC 20549
(Mark one)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
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 1-14023
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
23-2947217
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
6711 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, MD
21046
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (443) 285-5400
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.
x Yes o No
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). oYes oNo
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.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) o Yes x No
As of April 16, 2010, 58,929,245 of the Companys Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value, were issued and outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORM 10-Q
PAGE
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1:
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (unaudited)
3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
4
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
7
Item 2:
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
Item 3:
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
35
Item 4:
Controls and Procedures
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
36
Item 1A:
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Removed and Reserved
Item 5:
Other Information
Item 6:
Exhibits
37
SIGNATURES
38
2
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
March 31,
December 31,
2010
2009
Assets
Properties, net:
Operating properties, net
$
2,493,891
2,510,277
Properties held for sale, net
18,546
18,533
Projects under construction or development
552,525
501,090
Total properties, net
3,064,962
3,029,900
Cash and cash equivalents
10,180
8,262
Restricted cash and marketable securities
18,981
16,549
Accounts receivable, net
13,982
17,459
Deferred rent receivable
74,113
71,805
Intangible assets on real estate acquisitions, net
94,925
100,671
Deferred charges, net
52,797
53,421
Prepaid expenses and other assets
68,412
81,955
Total assets
3,398,352
3,380,022
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Mortgage and other loans payable, net
1,950,070
1,897,694
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes, net
157,061
156,147
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
86,650
116,455
Rents received in advance and security deposits
32,575
32,177
Dividends and distributions payable
28,556
28,440
Deferred revenue associated with operating leases
13,827
14,938
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture
5,238
5,088
Other liabilities
13,836
8,451
Total liabilities
2,287,813
2,259,390
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Equity:
Corporate Office Properties Trusts shareholders equity:
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest with an aggregate liquidation preference of $216,333 ($0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized and 8,121,667 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009)
81
Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding of 58,927,117 at March 31, 2010 and 58,342,673 at December 31, 2009)
589
583
Additional paid-in capital
1,244,046
1,238,704
Cumulative distributions in excess of net income
(227,189
)
(209,941
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(3,278
(1,907
Total Corporate Office Properties Trusts shareholders equity
1,014,249
1,027,520
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries:
Common units in the Operating Partnership
68,113
73,892
Preferred units in the Operating Partnership
8,800
Other consolidated real estate joint ventures
19,377
10,420
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
96,290
93,112
Total equity
1,110,539
1,120,632
Total liabilities and equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
Revenues
Rental revenue
91,010
88,845
Tenant recoveries and other real estate operations revenue
21,218
17,263
Construction contract and other service revenues
37,365
74,889
Total revenues
149,593
180,997
Expenses
Property operating expenses
48,135
38,964
Depreciation and amortization associated with real estate operations
27,596
26,277
Construction contract and other service expenses
36,399
73,323
General and administrative expenses
5,900
5,543
Business development expenses
155
646
Total operating expenses
118,185
144,753
Operating income
31,408
36,244
Interest expense
(22,638
(19,363
Interest and other income
1,302
1,078
Income from continuing operations before equity in loss of unconsolidated entities and income taxes
10,072
17,959
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities
(205
(115
Income tax expense
(41
(70
Income from continuing operations
9,826
17,774
Discontinued operations
832
392
Income before gain on sales of real estate
10,658
18,166
Gain on sales of real estate, net of income taxes
17
Net income
10,675
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests:
(527
(1,804
(165
Other
(45
(50
Net income attributable to Corporate Office Properties Trust
9,938
16,147
Preferred share dividends
(4,025
Net income attributable to Corporate Office Properties Trust common shareholders
5,913
12,122
Net income attributable to Corporate Office Properties Trust:
9,174
15,804
Discontinued operations, net
764
343
Basic earnings per common share (1)
0.08
0.22
0.02
0.01
Net income attributable to COPT common shareholders
0.10
0.23
Diluted earnings per common share (1)
(1) Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated based on amounts attributable to common shareholders of Corporate Office Properties Trust.
Consolidated Statements of Equity
PreferredShares
CommonShares
AdditionalPaid-inCapital
CumulativeDistributions inExcess of NetIncome
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss
NoncontrollingInterests
Total
Balance at December 31, 2009 (58,342,673 common shares outstanding)
Conversion of common units to common shares (309,497 shares)
4,512
(4,515
Costs associated with common shares issued to the public
(18
Exercise of share options (128,461 shares)
1
2,055
2,056
Share-based compensation
2,609
2,611
Restricted common share redemptions (96,970 shares)
(3,610
Adjustments to noncontrolling interests resulting from changes in ownership of Operating Partnership by COPT
(180
180
Adjustments related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
(1,371
(103
(1,474
737
Dividends
(27,186
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units in the Operating Partnership
(2,032
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in other consolidated real estate joint ventures
9,247
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated real estate joint ventures
(26
(336
(362
Balance at March 31, 2010 (58,927,117 common shares outstanding)
Balance at December 31, 2008 (51,790,442 common shares outstanding)
518
1,112,734
(162,572
(4,749
136,411
1,082,423
Conversion of common units to common shares (2,310,000 shares)
23
53,785
(53,808
(14
Exercise of share options (12,300 common shares)
125
126
2,743
2,745
Restricted common share redemptions (69,455 shares)
(1,696
(19,101
19,101
1,493
(575
918
Decrease in tax benefit from share-based compensation
(152
2,019
(24,289
(2,250
649
Balance at March 31, 2009 (54,370,547 common shares outstanding)
544
1,148,424
(170,714
(3,256
101,547
1,076,626
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months EndedMarch 31,
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and other amortization
28,253
27,030
Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,126
1,024
Amortization of above or below market leases
(607
(380
Amortization of net debt discounts
917
827
Gain on sales of real estate
(325
(329
(743
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in deferred rent receivable
(2,555
(1,215
Decrease in accounts receivable
3,274
947
Decrease in restricted cash and marketable securities and prepaid and other assets
16,870
4,672
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
(24,575
13,977
Increase in rents received in advance and security deposits
398
1,060
Net cash provided by operating activities
35,733
68,110
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of and additions to properties
(49,738
(43,036
Proceeds from sales of properties
2,952
Mortgage loan receivable funded
(321
Leasing costs paid
(3,038
(1,833
Investment in unconsolidated entity
(4,500
(707
(847
Net cash used in investing activities
(55,352
(45,716
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from debt
135,892
136,536
Repayments of debt
Balloon payments
(80,050
(122,635
Scheduled principal amortization
(3,469
(2,847
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares
2,038
112
Dividends paid
(26,948
(23,331
Distributions paid
(2,154
(3,111
Restricted share redemptions
(162
505
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
21,537
(16,467
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
1,918
5,927
Beginning of period
6,775
End of period
12,702
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) and subsidiaries (collectively, the Company, we or us) is a fully-integrated and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses primarily on strategic customer relationships and specialized tenant requirements in the United States Government, defense information technology and data sectors. We acquire, develop, manage and lease properties that are typically concentrated in large office parks primarily located adjacent to government demand drivers and/or in demographically strong markets possessing growth opportunities. As of March 31, 2010, our investments in real estate included the following:
· 248 wholly owned operating properties totaling 18.9 million square feet;
· 22 wholly owned properties under construction, development or redevelopment that we estimate will total approximately 2.8 million square feet upon completion;
· wholly owned land parcels totaling 1,503 acres that we believe are potentially developable into approximately 13.3 million square feet; and
· partial ownership interests in a number of other real estate projects in operations, under development or held for future development.
We conduct almost all of our operations through our operating partnership, Corporate Office Properties, L.P. (the Operating Partnership), for which we are the managing general partner. The Operating Partnership owns real estate both directly and through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs). A summary of our Operating Partnerships forms of ownership and the percentage of those ownership forms owned by COPT as of March 31, 2010 follows:
Common Units
92
%
Series G Preferred Units
100
Series H Preferred Units
Series I Preferred Units
0
Series J Preferred Units
Series K Preferred Units
Three of our trustees also controlled, either directly or through ownership by other entities or family members, an additional 6% of the Operating Partnerships common units.
In addition to owning interests in real estate, the Operating Partnership also owns entities that provide real estate services such as property management, construction and development and heating and air conditioning services primarily for our properties but also for third parties.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPT, the Operating Partnership, their subsidiaries and other entities in which we have a majority voting interest and control. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (variable interest entities or VIEs) if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. We eliminate all significant intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation. We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity and can exert significant influence over the entitys operations but cannot control the entitys operations. We use the cost method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity and cannot exert significant influence over its operations.
These interim financial statements should be read together with the financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly present our financial position and results of operations. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accounting policies described in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K except for the implementation of recent accounting pronouncements as discussed below.
We reclassified certain amounts from the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation of our Consolidated Financial Statements with no effect on previously reported net income or equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We adopted amended guidance issued by the FASB effective January 1, 2010 related to the accounting and disclosure requirements for the consolidation of entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (variable interest entities or VIEs). This guidance requires an enterprise to perform a qualitative analysis when determining whether or not it must consolidate a VIE based primarily on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The guidance also requires an enterprise to continuously reassess whether it must consolidate a VIE. Additionally, the standard requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprises involvement with VIEs and any significant change in risk exposure due to that involvement, as well as how its involvement with VIEs impacts the enterprises financial statements. As discussed further in Note 5, the adoption of this guidance did not affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting standards define fair value as the exit price, or the amount that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The standards also establish a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy of these inputs is broken down into three levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs include (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and (3) inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The assets held in connection with our non-qualified elective deferred compensation plan (comprised primarily of mutual funds and equity securities) and the corresponding liability to the participants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheet using quoted market prices. The assets are treated as trading securities for accounting purposes and included in the line entitled restricted cash and marketable securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The offsetting liability is adjusted to fair value at the end of each accounting period based on the fair value of the plan assets and reported in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The assets and corresponding liability of our non-qualified elective deferred compensation plan are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The valuation of our interest rate derivatives is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate market data and implied volatilities in such interest rates. While we determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our interest rate derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our interest rate derivatives also utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. However, as of March 31, 2010, we assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our interest
8
rate derivatives and determined that these adjustments are not significant. As a result, we determined that our interest rate derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010:
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Significant Other
Significant
Identical Assets
Observable Inputs
Unobservable Inputs
Description
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan assets (1)
7,417
Deferred compensation plan liability (2)
Interest rate derivatives (2)
3,227
Liabilities
10,644
(1) Included in the line entitled restricted cash and marketable securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(2) Included in the line entitled other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets (excluding mortgage loans receivable) and accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. We estimated the fair values of our mortgage loans receivable by using discounted cash flow analyses based on an appropriate market rate for a similar type of instrument. We estimated fair values of our debt based on quoted market prices for publicly-traded debt and on the discounted estimated future cash payments to be made for other debt; the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans, or groups of loans, with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated future payments include scheduled principal and interest payments. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Settlement of such fair value amounts may not be possible and may not be a prudent management decision.
For additional fair value information, please refer to Note 6 for mortgage loans receivable, Note 7 for debt and Note 8 for derivatives.
We present both basic and diluted EPS. We compute basic EPS by dividing net income available to common shareholders allocable to unrestricted common shares under the two-class method by the weighted average number of unrestricted common shares of beneficial interest (common shares) outstanding during the period. Our computation of diluted EPS is similar except that:
· the denominator is increased to include: (1) the weighted average number of potential additional common shares that would have been outstanding if securities that are convertible into our common shares were converted; and (2) the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period attributable to share-based compensation using the treasury stock method; and
· the numerator is adjusted to add back any changes in income or loss that would result from the assumed conversion into common shares that we added to the denominator.
9
Summaries of the numerator and denominator for purposes of basic and diluted EPS calculations are set forth below (in thousands, except per share data):
Numerator:
Add: Gain on sales of real estate, net
Less: Preferred share dividends
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
(669
(1,970
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to restricted shares
(290
(268
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to COPT common shareholders
4,859
11,511
Add: Discontinued operations, net
Less: Discontinued operations, net attributable to noncontrolling interests
(68
(49
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS on net income attributable to COPT common shareholders
5,623
11,854
Denominator (all weighted averages):
Denominator for basic EPS (common shares)
57,844
51,930
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards
364
498
Denominator for diluted EPS
58,208
52,428
Basic EPS:
Income from continuing operations attributable to COPT common shareholders
Discontinued operations attributable to COPT common shareholders
Diluted EPS:
Our diluted EPS computations do not include the effects of the following securities since the conversions of such securities would increase diluted EPS for the respective periods:
Weighted Average Shares
Excluded from Denominator
Conversion of common units
5,017
7,253
Conversion of convertible preferred units
176
Conversion of convertible preferred shares
434
The following share-based compensation securities were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because their effect was antidilutive (in thousands):
· weighted average restricted shares for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 of 661 and 606, respectively;
· weighted average options to purchase common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 of 662 and 976, respectively; and
· performance share units issued in 2010 described further in Note 12.
In addition, the 3.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes, which have an exchange settlement feature, did not affect our diluted EPS reported above since the weighted average closing price of our common shares during each of the periods was less than the exchange price per common share applicable for such periods.
10
Operating properties, net consisted of the following:
Land
478,555
479,545
Buildings and improvements
2,451,013
2,445,775
2,929,568
2,925,320
Less: accumulated depreciation
(435,677
(415,043
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, 431 and 437 Ridge Road, two office properties located in Dayton, New Jersey that we were under contract to sell along with a contiguous land parcel for $23,920, were classified as held for sale. The components associated with these properties included the following:
Land, operating properties
3,498
Land, development
512
21,509
Construction in progress
596
26,115
26,102
(7,569
Projects we had under construction or development consisted of the following:
235,838
231,297
316,687
269,793
2010 Construction, Development and Redevelopment Activities
As of March 31, 2010, we had construction underway on 11 new buildings totaling 1.3 million square feet (four in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor, three in San Antonio, Texas, two in Colorado Springs, Colorado and two in Greater Baltimore) (including 98,000 square feet in partially operational properties placed into service). We also had development activities underway on 11 new buildings totaling 1.2 million square feet, including two through a consolidated joint venture (four in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor, two in Greater Baltimore, two in San Antonio, two in Huntsville, Alabama and one in St. Marys & King George Counties). In addition, we had redevelopment underway on two properties totaling 567,000 square feet (one in Greater Philadelphia and one in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor).
11
5. Real Estate Joint Ventures
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we had an investment in one unconsolidated real estate joint venture accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Information pertaining to this joint venture investment is set forth below:
Investment Balance at
Maximum
Date
Nature of
Exposure
Acquired
Ownership
Activity
to Loss (1)
(5,238
)(2)
(5,088
9/29/2005
20
Operates 16 buildings
(1) Derived from the sum of our investment balance and maximum additional unilateral capital contributions or loans required from us. Not reported above are additional amounts that we and our partner are required to fund when needed by this joint venture; these funding requirements are proportional to our respective ownership percentages. Also not reported above are additional unilateral contributions or loans from us, the amounts of which are uncertain, that we would be required to make if certain contingent events occur (see Note 15).
(2) The carrying amount of our investment in this joint venture was lower than our share of the equity in the joint venture by $5,196 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 due to our deferral of gain on the contribution by us of real estate into the joint venture upon its formation. A difference will continue to exist to the extent the nature of our continuing involvement in the joint venture remains the same.
The following table sets forth condensed balance sheets for this unconsolidated joint venture:
Properties, net
62,566
62,990
Other assets
4,784
5,148
67,350
68,138
Liabilities (primarily debt)
67,576
67,611
Owners equity
(226
527
Total liabilities and owners equity
The following table sets forth condensed statements of operations for this unconsolidated joint venture:
For the Three MonthsEnded March 31,
2,100
2,420
(994
(835
(981
Depreciation and amortization expense
(878
(799
Net loss
(753
(195
12
The table below sets forth information pertaining to our investments in consolidated joint ventures at March 31, 2010:
March 31, 2010 (1)
% at
Pledged
3/31/2010
M Square Associates, LLC
6/26/2007
45.0
Developing and operating buildings (2)
51,749
4,289
Arundel Preserve #5, LLC
7/2/2007
50.0
Operates one building (3)
29,698
29,221
16,859
LW Redstone Company, LLC
3/23/2010
85.0
Developing land parcel (4)
11,406
COPT-FD Indian Head, LLC
10/23/2006
75.0
Developing land parcel (5)
7,383
MOR Forbes 2 LLC
12/24/2002
Operates one building (6)
3,923
99
104,159
21,249
(1) Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation.
(2) This joint venture is developing and operating properties located in College Park, Maryland.
(3) This joint ventures property is located in Hanover, Maryland (located in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor).
(4) This joint ventures property is located in Huntsville, Alabama.
(5) This joint ventures property is located in Charles County, Maryland (located in our Other business segment).
(6) This joint ventures property is located in Lanham, Maryland (located in the Suburban Maryland region).
We determined that all of our joint ventures were VIEs under applicable accounting standards. As discussed in Note 2, we adopted amended guidance issued by the FASB effective January 1, 2010 related to the accounting and disclosure requirements for the consolidation of VIEs. Upon adoption of this standard on January 1, 2010, we re-evaluated our existing:
· unconsolidated joint venture and determined that we should continue to account for our investment using the equity method of accounting primarily because our partner has: (1) the power to direct the matters that most significantly impact the activities of the joint venture, including the management and operations of the properties and disposal rights with respect to such properties; and (2) the right to receive benefits and absorb losses that could be significant to the VIE through its proportionately larger investment; and
· consolidated joint ventures and determined that we should continue to consolidate each of them because we have: (1) the power to direct the matters that most significantly impact the activities of the joint ventures, including development, leasing and management of the properties constructed by the VIEs; and (2) both the obligation to fund the activities of the ventures to the extent that third-party financing is not obtained and the right to receive returns on our fundings, which could be potentially significant to the VIEs.
Therefore, the adoption of this guidance did not affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In March 2010, we completed the formation of LW Redstone Company, LLC (Redstone), a joint venture created to develop Redstone Gateway, a 468-acre land parcel adjacent to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The land is owned by the U.S. Government and is under a long term master lease to the joint venture. Through this master lease, the joint venture will create a business park that we expect will total approximately 4.6 million square feet of office and retail space when completed, including approximately 4.4 million square feet of Class A office space. In addition, the business park will include hotel and other amenities.
We anticipate funding certain infrastructure costs that we expect will be reimbursed by the city of Huntsville. We also expect to fund additional development and construction costs through equity contributions to the extent that third party financing is not obtained. Our partner is not required to make any future contributions to the joint venture. Net cash flow distributions to the partners of Redstone vary depending on the source of the funds distributed and the nature of the capital fundings outstanding at the time of distribution. In the case of all distribution sources, we are first entitled to repayment of operating deficits funded by us and preferred returns on such fundings. We are also generally entitled to repayment of infrastructure and vertical construction costs funded by us and preferred returns on such fundings before our partner is entitled to receive repayment of its equity contribution of $9,000. In addition, we will be entitled to 85% of distributable cash in excess of preferred returns.
We determined that Redstone is a VIE under applicable accounting standards and that we should consolidate it because: (1) we control the activities that are most significant to the VIE (we hold two of three positions on the joint ventures management committee, and we will be responsible for the development, construction, leasing and management of the office properties to be constructed by the VIE); and (2) we have both the obligation to provide significant funding for the project, as noted above, and the right to receive returns on our funding.
13
At December 31, 2009, we had a 92.5% ownership interest in COPT Opportunity Invest I, LLC, an entity which is redeveloping a property in Hanover, Maryland. In February 2010, we acquired the remaining 7.5% ownership interest in this entity.
Our commitments and contingencies pertaining to our real estate joint ventures are disclosed in Note 15.
Prepaid expenses and other assets consisted of the following:
Prepaid expenses
14,791
19,769
Equity method investment in unconsolidated entity
14,605
9,461
Mortgage loans receivable (1)
13,453
12,773
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net
12,362
12,633
7,659
7,763
Construction contract costs incurred in excess of billings
5,542
19,556
(1) The fair value of our mortgage loans receivable totaled $15,525 at March 31, 2010 and $15,126 at December 31, 2009.
Our debt consisted of the following:
Scheduled
Carrying Value at
Maturity
Availability at
Stated Interest Rates
Dates at
March 31, 2010
at March 31, 2010
Mortgage and other loans payable:
Revolving Credit Facility
600,000
397,000
365,000
LIBOR + 0.75% to 1.25% (1)
September 30, 2011 (2)
Mortgage and Other Secured Loans
Fixed rate mortgage loans (3)
N/A
1,163,072
1,166,443
5.20% - 7.94% (4)
2010 - 2034 (5)
Revolving Construction Facility
225,000
100,225
76,333
LIBOR + 1.60% to 2.00% (6)
May 2, 2011 (2)
Other variable rate secured loans
271,019
271,146
LIBOR + 2.25% to 3.00% (7)
2012-2014 (2)
Other construction loan facilities
23,400
16,753
LIBOR + 2.75% (8)
2011 (2)
Total mortgage and other secured loans
1,551,069
1,530,675
Unsecured notes payable (9)
2,001
0.00%
2026
Total mortgage and other loans payable
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes
3.50%
September 2026 (10)
Total debt
2,107,131
2,053,841
(1) The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 1.03% at March 31, 2010.
(2) Includes loans that may be extended for a one-year period at our option, subject to certain conditions.
(3) Several of the fixed rate mortgages carry interest rates that were above or below market rates upon assumption and therefore were recorded at their fair value based on applicable effective interest rates. The carrying values of these loans reflect unamortized premiums totaling $342 at March 31, 2010 and $371 at December 31, 2009.
(4) The weighted average interest rate on these loans was 6.0% at March 31, 2010.
(5) A loan with a balance of $4,637 at March 31, 2010 that matures in 2034 may be repaid in March 2014, subject to certain conditions.
(6) The weighted average interest rate on this loan was 1.83% at March 31, 2010.
(7) The loans in this category at March 31, 2010 are subject to floor interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 5.5%.
(8) The interest rate on this loan was 3.0% at March 31, 2010.
(9) The carrying value of these notes reflects unamortized discount totaling $1,210 at March 31, 2010 and $1,242 at December 31, 2009.
14
(10) As described further in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the notes have an exchange settlement feature that provides that they may, under certain circumstances, be exchangeable for cash (up to the principal amount of the notes) and, with respect to any excess exchange value, may be exchangeable into (at our option) cash, our common shares or a combination of cash and our common shares at an exchange rate (subject to adjustment) of 18.9937 shares per one thousand dollar principal amount of the notes (exchange rate is as of March 31, 2010 and is equivalent to an exchange price of $52.65 per common share). The carrying value of these notes included a principal amount of $162,500 and an unamortized discount totaling $5,439 at March 31, 2010 and $6,353 at December 31, 2009. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of the issuance costs, was 5.97%. The table below sets forth interest expense recognized on these notes before deductions for amounts capitalized:
Interest expense at stated interest rate
1,422
Interest expense associated with amortization of discount
913
860
2,335
2,282
We capitalized interest costs of $3,936 in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $4,499 in the three months ended March 31, 2009.
The following table sets forth information pertaining to the fair value of our debt:
December 31, 2009
Carrying
Estimated
Amount
Fair Value
Fixed-rate debt
1,322,134
1,256,906
1,324,609
1,252,126
Variable-rate debt
784,997
761,565
729,232
704,508
2,018,471
1,956,634
On April 7, 2010, the Operating Partnership issued a $240,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2030. Interest on the notes is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The notes have an exchange settlement feature that provides that the notes may, under certain circumstances, be exchangeable for cash and, at the Operating Partnerships discretion, our common shares at an exchange rate (subject to adjustment) of 20.7658 shares per one thousand dollar principal amount of the notes (exchange rate is as of April 7, 2010 and is equivalent to an exchange price of $48.16 per common share, a 20% premium over the closing price on the NYSE on the transaction pricing date). On or after April 20, 2015, the Operating Partnership may redeem the notes in cash in whole or in part. The holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase the notes in cash in whole or in part on each of April 15, 2015, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2025, or in the event of a fundamental change, as defined under the terms of the notes, for a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to April 20, 2015, subject to certain exceptions, if (1) a fundamental change occurs as a result of certain forms of transactions or series of transactions and (2) a holder elects to exchange its notes in connection with such fundamental change, we will increase the applicable exchange rate for the notes surrendered for exchange by a number of additional shares of our common shares as a make whole premium. The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership and rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnerships obligations under the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. The initial liability component of this debt issuance is approximately $221,000 and the equity component is approximately $19,000. The effective interest rate on the liability component, including amortization of the issuance costs, is approximately 6.5%.
15
8. Interest Rate Derivatives
The following table sets forth the key terms and fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, all of which are interest rate swaps:
Fair Value at
Notional
One-Month
Effective
Expiration
LIBOR base
100,000
1.9750
1/1/2010
5/1/2012
(1,711
(1,068
120,000
1.7600
1/2/2009
(1,516
(3,227
(1,737
Each of these interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. The table below sets forth the fair value of our interest rate derivatives as well as their classification on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
Derivatives Designated as
Hedging Instruments
Balance Sheet Location
Interest rate swaps
The table below presents the effect of our interest rate derivatives on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
Amount of loss recognized in AOCL (effective portion)
(2,385
(1,381
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCL into interest expense (effective portion)
(911
(2,299
Amount of loss recognized in interest expense (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing)
(279
Over the next 12 months, we estimate that approximately $3,077 will be reclassified from AOCL as an increase to interest expense.
We have agreements with each of our interest rate derivative counterparties that contain provisions under which if we default or are capable of being declared in default on any of our indebtedness, we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. These agreements also incorporate the loan covenant provisions of our indebtedness with a lender affiliate of the derivative counterparties. Failure to comply with the loan covenant provisions would result in our being in default on any derivative instrument obligations covered by the agreements. As of March 31, 2010, the fair value of interest rate derivatives in a liability position related to these agreements was $3,227, excluding the effects of accrued interest. As of March 31, 2010, we had not posted any collateral related to these agreements. We are not in default with any of these provisions. If we breached any of these provisions, we would be required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $3,580.
Common Shares
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we converted 309,497 common units in our Operating Partnership into common shares on the basis of one common share for each common unit.
See Note 12 for disclosure of common share activity pertaining to our share-based compensation plans.
We declared dividends per common share of $0.3925 in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $0.3725 in the three months ended March 31, 2009.
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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The table below sets forth activity in the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of shareholders equity:
Beginning balance
Amount of loss recognized in AOCL
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCL to income
911
2,299
Adjustment to AOCL attributable to noncontrolling interests
103
575
Ending balance
The table below sets forth total comprehensive income and total comprehensive income attributable to COPT:
Total comprehensive income
9,201
19,084
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(737
(2,019
Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
121
(116
Total comprehensive income attributable to COPT
8,585
16,949
For the Three Months Ended
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
(Decrease) increase in accrued capital improvements, leasing and other investing activity costs
(1,313
3,622
Increase in property and noncontrolling interests in connection with property contribution to joint venture
9,000
Increase in fair value of derivatives applied to AOCL and noncontrolling interests
1,490
885
Dividends/distribution payable
25,891
Decrease in noncontrolling interests and increase in shareholders equity in connection with the conversion of common units into common shares
4,515
53,808
As of March 31, 2010, we had eight primary office property segments: Baltimore/Washington Corridor; Northern Virginia; Greater Baltimore; Colorado Springs; Suburban Maryland; San Antonio; Greater Philadelphia; and St. Marys and King George Counties.
The table below reports segment financial information for our real estate operations. Our segment entitled Other includes assets and operations not specifically associated with the other defined segments, including corporate assets and investments in unconsolidated entities. We measure the performance of our segments through a measure we define as net operating income from real estate operations (NOI from real estate operations), which is derived by subtracting property expenses from revenues from real estate operations. We believe that NOI from real estate operations is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REITs operating real estate because it provides a measure of the core operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing and general and administrative expenses; this measure is particularly useful in our opinion in evaluating the performance of geographic segments, same-office property groupings and individual properties.
Baltimore/WashingtonCorridor
NorthernVirginia
GreaterBaltimore
ColoradoSprings
SuburbanMaryland
San Antonio
GreaterPhiladelphia
St. Marys &King GeorgeCounties
IntersegmentElimination
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
Revenues from real estate operations
52,058
18,659
17,865
6,332
5,829
3,938
1,202
3,589
3,524
112,996
22,155
7,313
9,010
2,309
2,701
1,629
763
1,107
1,309
48,296
NOI from real estate operations
29,903
11,346
8,855
4,023
3,128
439
2,482
2,215
64,700
Additions to properties, net
15,959
4,910
7,240
813
1,541
4,939
10,058
411
12,476
58,347
Segment assets at March 31, 2010
1,339,080
452,105
568,361
269,338
172,971
139,977
115,023
94,033
247,551
(87
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
49,004
22,099
13,771
4,877
5,023
2,945
2,506
3,399
3,220
106,844
18,619
7,796
6,771
1,323
2,054
836
886
667
39,033
30,385
14,303
7,000
3,554
2,969
2,109
2,425
2,513
2,553
67,811
19,179
69
3,311
5,197
4,609
7,379
2,313
347
7,757
(7
50,154
Segment assets at March 31, 2009
1,270,539
458,934
436,862
253,764
155,712
104,284
96,267
94,809
267,108
(989
3,137,290
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The following table reconciles our segment revenues to total revenues as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Segment revenues from real estate operations
Less: Revenues from discontinued operations (Note 14)
(768
(736
The following table reconciles our segment property operating expenses to property operating expenses as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Segment property operating expenses
Less: Property operating expenses from discontinued operations (Note 14)
(161
(69
Total property operating expenses
As previously discussed, we provide real estate services such as property management, construction and development and heating and air conditioning services primarily for our properties but also for third parties. The primary manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our service activities is through a measure we define as net operating income from service operations (NOI from service operations), which is based on the net of revenues and expenses from these activities. Construction contract and other service revenues and expenses consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by the customer along with a management fee. The operating margins from these activities are small relative to the revenue. As a result, we believe NOI from service operations is a useful measure in assessing both our level of activity and our profitability in conducting such operations. The table below sets forth the computation of our NOI from service operations:
(36,399
(73,323
NOI from service operations
966
1,566
19
The following table reconciles our NOI from real estate operations for reportable segments and NOI from service operations to income from continuing operations as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Other adjustments:
Depreciation and other amortization associated with real estate operations
(27,596
(26,277
(5,900
(5,543
(155
(646
Interest expense on continuing operations
NOI from discontinued operations
(667
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used to prepare our consolidated financial statements, except that discontinued operations are not presented separately for segment purposes. We did not allocate interest expense, amortization of deferred financing costs and depreciation and amortization to our real estate segments since they are not included in the measure of segment profit reviewed by management. We also did not allocate general and administrative expenses, business development expenses, interest and other income, equity in loss of unconsolidated entities, income taxes and noncontrolling interests because these items represent general corporate items not attributable to segments.
Restricted Shares
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, certain employees were granted a total of 243,906 restricted shares with a weighted average grant date fair value of $37.56 per share; these shares are subject to forfeiture restrictions that lapse in equal increments annually over periods of three to five years, beginning on or about the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the employees remain employed by us. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, forfeiture restrictions lapsed on 253,874 common shares previously issued to employees; these shares had a weighted average grant date fair value of $31.80 per share, and the total intrinsic value of the shares on the vesting dates was $9,445.
Performance Share Units (PSUs)
On March 4, 2010, our Board of Trustees granted 100,645 PSUs to executives. The PSUs have a performance period beginning on the grant date and concluding the earlier of three years from the grant date or the date of: (1) termination by the Company without cause, death or disability of the executive or constructive discharge of the executive (collectively, qualified termination); or (2) a sale event. The number of PSUs earned (earned PSUs) at the end of the performance period will be determined based on the percentile rank of the Companys total shareholder return relative to a peer group of companies, as set forth in the following schedule:
Percentile Rank
Earned PSUs Payout %
75th or greater
200% of PSUs granted
50th or greater
100% of PSUs granted
25th
50% of PSUs granted
Below 25th
0% of PSUs granted
If the percentile rank exceeds the 25th percentile and is between two of the percentile ranks set forth in the table above, then the percentage of the earned PSUs will be interpolated between the ranges set forth in the table above to reflect any performance between the listed percentiles. At the end of the performance period, we, in settlement of the award, will issue a number of fully-vested common shares equal to the sum of:
· the number of earned PSUs in settlement of the award plan; plus
· the aggregate dividends that would have been paid with respect to the common shares issued in settlement of the earned PSUs through the date of settlement had such shares been issued on the grant date, divided by the share price on such settlement date, as defined under the terms of the agreement.
If a performance period ends due to a sale event or qualified termination, the number of earned PSUs is prorated based on the portion of the three-year performance period that has elapsed. If employment is terminated by the employee or by the Company for cause, all PSUs are forfeited. PSUs do not carry voting rights.
We computed a grant date fair value of $53.31 per PSU using a Monte Carlo model, which included assumptions of, among other things, the following: baseline common share value of $37.84; expected volatility for our common shares of 62.2%; and risk-free interest rate of 1.38%. We are recognizing the grant date fair value in connection with these PSU awards over a three-year period that commenced on March 4, 2010.
Options
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, 128,461 options to purchase common shares (options) were exercised. The weighted average exercise price of these options was $16.00 per share, and the total intrinsic value of the options exercised was $2,804.
21
We own a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS) that is subject to Federal and state income taxes. Our TRS provision for income tax consisted of the following:
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Deferred
Federal
54
State
66
Current
40
49
Total income tax expense
52
70
Reported on line entitled income tax expense
41
Reported on line entitled gain on sale of real estate, net
Items in our TRS contributing to temporary differences that lead to deferred taxes include depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, certain accrued compensation, compensation paid in the form of contributions to a deferred nonqualified compensation plan and net operating losses that are not deductible until future periods.
Our TRS combined Federal and state effective tax rate was 39% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
Income from discontinued operations primarily includes revenues and expenses associated with the following:
· 431 and 437 Ridge Road properties and a contiguous parcel of land that were reclassified as held for sale in 2009; and
· 11101 McCormick Road property that was sold on February 1, 2010.
Certain reclassifications have been made in prior periods to reflect discontinued operations consistent with the current presentation. The table below sets forth the components of discontinued operations reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
22
Revenue from real estate operations
768
736
Expenses from real estate operations:
161
Depreciation and amortization
214
65
61
Expenses from real estate operations
233
344
Discontinued operations before gain on sales of real estate
535
297
In the normal course of business, we are involved in legal actions arising from our ownership and administration of properties. We establish reserves for specific legal proceedings when we determine that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not anticipate that any liabilities that may result from such proceedings will have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, operations or liquidity. Our assessment of the potential outcomes of these matters involves significant judgment and is subject to change based on future developments.
We are subject to various Federal, state and local environmental regulations related to our property ownership and operation. We have performed environmental assessments of our properties, the results of which have not revealed any environmental liability that we believe would have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, operations or liquidity.
Joint Ventures
In connection with our 2005 contribution of properties to an unconsolidated partnership in which we hold a limited partnership interest, we entered into standard nonrecourse loan guarantees (environmental indemnifications and guarantees against fraud and misrepresentation, including springing guarantees of partnership debt in the event of a voluntary bankruptcy of the partnership). The maximum amount we could be required to pay under the guarantees is approximately $67 million. We are entitled to recover 20% of any amounts paid under the guarantees from an affiliate of the general partner pursuant to an indemnity agreement so long as we continue to manage the properties. In the event that we no longer manage the properties, the percentage that we are entitled to recover is increased to 80%. Management estimates that the aggregate fair value of the guarantees is not material and would not exceed the amounts included in distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture reported on the consolidated balance sheets.
We are party to a contribution agreement that formed a joint venture relationship with a limited partnership to develop up to 1.8 million square feet of office space on 63 acres of land located in Hanover, Maryland. Under the contribution agreement, we agreed to fund up to $2,200 in pre-construction costs associated with the property. As we and the joint venture partner agree to proceed with the construction of buildings in the future, our joint venture partner would contribute land into newly-formed entities and we would make additional cash capital contributions into such entities to fund development and construction activities for which financing is not obtained. We owned a 50% interest in one such joint venture as of March 31, 2010.
We may be required to make our pro rata share of additional investments in our real estate joint ventures (generally based on our percentage ownership) in the event that additional funds are needed. In the event that the other members of these joint ventures do not pay their share of investments when
additional funds are needed, we may then deem it appropriate to make even larger investments in these joint ventures.
Environmental Indemnity Agreement
We agreed to provide certain environmental indemnifications in connection with a lease of three New Jersey properties. The prior owner of the properties, a Fortune 100 company that is responsible for groundwater contamination at such properties, previously agreed to indemnify us for (1) direct losses incurred in connection with the contamination and (2) its failure to perform remediation activities required by the State of New Jersey, up to the point that the state declares the remediation to be complete. Under the lease agreement, we agreed to the following:
· to indemnify the tenant against losses covered under the prior owners indemnity agreement if the prior owner fails to indemnify the tenant for such losses. This indemnification is capped at $5,000 in perpetuity after the State of New Jersey declares the remediation to be complete;
· to indemnify the tenant for consequential damages (e.g., business interruption) at one of the buildings in perpetuity and another of the buildings for 15 years after the tenants acquisition of the property from us. This indemnification is capped at $12,500; and
· to pay 50% of additional costs related to construction and environmental regulatory activities incurred by the tenant as a result of the indemnified environmental condition of the properties. This indemnification is capped at $300 annually and $1,500 in the aggregate.
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Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We are a specialty office real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses primarily on strategic customer relationships and specialized tenant requirements in the United States Government, defense information technology and data sectors. We acquire, develop, manage and lease properties that are typically concentrated in large office parks primarily located adjacent to government demand drivers and/or in demographically strong markets possessing growth opportunities. As of March 31, 2010, our investments in real estate included the following:
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we:
· had a decrease in net income attributable to common shareholders of $6.2 million, or 51.2%, from the three months ended March 31, 2009, significant drivers of which included a decrease in operating income from our operating properties and an increase in interest expense resulting primarily from having higher debt levels in the current period;
· had a decrease of $5.2 million, or 8.1%, from the three months ended March 31, 2009 in our NOI from continuing real estate operations (defined below) attributable to properties that were owned and 100% operational throughout the two periods (properties that we refer to collectively as Same-Office Properties);
· finished the period with occupancy of our wholly owned portfolio of properties at 89.6%; and
· completed the formation of LW Redstone Company, LLC, a joint venture created to develop Redstone Gateway, a 468-acre land parcel adjacent to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
In this section, we discuss our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010. This section includes discussions on, among other things:
· our results of operations and why various components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations changed for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009;
· our cash flows;
· how we expect to generate cash for short and long-term capital needs;
· our commitments and contingencies at March 31, 2010; and
· the computation of our Funds from Operations.
You should refer to our Consolidated Financial Statements as you read this section.
This section contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition and operations of our business. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, should, could, expect, estimate or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations, estimates and projections reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that these expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Future events and actual
results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these expectations, estimates and projections include, but are not limited to:
· our ability to borrow on favorable terms;
· general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect office property demand and rents, tenant creditworthiness, interest rates and financing availability;
· adverse changes in the real estate markets, including, among other things, increased competition with other companies;
· risks of real estate acquisition and development activities, including, among other things, risks that development projects may not be completed on schedule, that tenants may not take occupancy or pay rent or that development and operating costs may be greater than anticipated;
· risks of investing through joint venture structures, including risks that our joint venture partners may not fulfill their financial obligations as investors or may take actions that are inconsistent with our objectives;
· our ability to satisfy and operate effectively under Federal income tax rules relating to real estate investment trusts and partnerships;
· governmental actions and initiatives; and
· environmental requirements.
We undertake no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements.
Occupancy and Leasing
The table below sets forth leasing information pertaining to our portfolio of wholly owned operating properties:
Occupancy rates
89.6
90.7
Baltimore/Washington Corridor
89.4
91.6
Northern Virginia
96.4
96.6
Greater Baltimore
81.3
80.3
Colorado Springs
86.3
85.8
Suburban Maryland
86.2
91.9
St. Marys and King George Counties
94.5
97.8
Greater Philadelphia
100.0
99.2
99.6
Average contractual annual rental rate per square foot at period end (1)
24.64
24.63
(1) Includes estimated expense reimbursements.
As discussed in greater detail in our 2009 Annual Report Form 10-K, we expect that the leasing environment will continue to be under stress from the lagging effects of the global downturn in the economy throughout 2010 and perhaps beyond. We believe that our continuing exposure to the challenging leasing environment is cushioned to a certain extent by the generally long-term nature of our leases and the staggered timing of our future lease expirations.
The table below sets forth occupancy information pertaining to operating properties in which we have a partial ownership interest:
26
Occupancy Rates at
Geographic Region
Interest
Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (1)
20.0
76.4
79.0
Suburban Maryland (2)
(2
84.1
Baltimore/Washington Corridor (3)
6.0
(1) Includes 16 properties totaling 671,000 square feet.
(2) Includes three properties totaling 298,000 operational square feet at (we had a 45% ownership interest in 242,000 square feet and a 50% ownership interest in 56,000 square feet).
(3) Includes one property with 144,000 operational square feet.
Results of Operations
One manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our properties is through a measure we define as NOI from real estate operations, which is derived by subtracting property operating expenses from revenues from real estate operations. We believe that NOI from real estate operations is an important supplemental measure of performance for a REITs operating real estate because it provides a measure of the core operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing and general and administrative expenses; this measure is particularly useful in our opinion in evaluating the performance of geographic segments, same-office property groupings and individual properties. The amount of NOI from real estate operations included in income from continuing operations is referred to herein as NOI from continuing real estate operations. We view our NOI from continuing real estate as being comprised of the following primary categories:
· operating properties owned and 100% operational throughout the two periods being compared. We define these as changes from Same-Office Properties;
· constructed properties placed into service that were not 100% operational throughout the two periods being compared; and
· operating properties acquired during, or in between, the two periods being compared.
The primary manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our construction contract and other service activities is through a measure we define as NOI from service operations, which is based on the net of the revenues and expenses from these activities. The revenues and expenses from these activities consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by customers along with a management fee. The operating margins from these activities are small relative to the revenue. As a result, we believe NOI from service operations is a useful measure in assessing both our level of activity and our profitability in conducting such operations.
We believe that operating income, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, is the most directly comparable GAAP measure for both NOI from continuing real estate operations and NOI from service operations. Since both of these measures exclude certain items includable in operating income, reliance on these measures has limitations; management compensates for these limitations by using the measures simply as supplemental measures that are considered alongside other GAAP and non-GAAP measures.
The table below reconciles NOI from continuing real estate operations and NOI from service operations to operating income reported on our Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands):
27
NOI from continuing real estate operations
64,093
67,144
General and administrative expense
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
Variance
% Change
112,228
106,108
6,120
5.8
(37,524
(50.1
)%
(31,404
(17.4
9,171
23.5
1,319
5.0
(36,924
(50.4
357
6.4
(491
(76.0
(26,568
(18.4
(4,836
(13.3
(3,275
16.9
224
20.8
(90
78.3
29
(41.4
(7,948
(44.7
440
112.2
(7,491
(41.2
1,282
(63.5
0.0
(6,209
(51.2
28
NOI from Continuing Real Estate Operations
Same office properties
99,852
100,691
(839
(0.8
Constructed properties placed in service
4,139
676
3,463
512.3
Acquired properties
5,417
2,820
4,741
(1,921
(40.5
41,067
36,749
4,318
11.7
1,766
462
1,304
282.3
2,119
3,183
1,753
1,430
81.6
58,785
63,942
(5,157
(8.1
2,373
2,159
1008.9
3,298
(363
2,988
(3,351
112.1
(3,051
(4.5
As the table above indicates, much of our change in NOI from continuing real estate operations was attributable to the additions of properties through construction and acquisition activities. In addition, the lines in the table entitled Other include the effects of vacancies at four properties that we expect to redevelop, including approximately 500,000 square feet at three properties in Greater Philadelphia; we recognized a $2.8 million decrease in NOI from real estate operations attributable to these properties.
With regard to changes in NOI from continuing real estate operations attributable to Same-Office Properties:
· the decrease in revenues included the following:
· a $2.8 million decrease in net revenue from the early termination of leases, most of which was due to the early termination of one lease at a property in Northern Virginia in the prior period; and
· a $988,000 decrease in rental revenue attributable primarily to changes in rental rates and occupancy between the two periods (average occupancy of same office properties was 90.1% in the current period versus 92.5% in the prior period); offset in part by
· a $3.0 million increase in tenant recoveries and other revenue due primarily to the increase in property operating expenses described below. While we have some lease structures under which tenants pay for 100% of properties operating expenses, our most prevalent lease structure is for tenants to pay for a portion of property operating expenses to the extent that such expenses exceed amounts established in their respective leases that are based on historical expense levels. As a result, while there is an inherent direct relationship between our tenant recoveries and property operating expenses, this relationship does not result in a dollar for dollar increase in tenant recoveries as property operating expenses increase.
· the increase in property operating expenses was attributable primarily to a $4.5 million increase in snow removal expenses due primarily to increased snow and ice in most of our regions.
NOI from Service Operations
(600
(38.3
NOI from service operations decreased due primarily to a lower volume of construction activity in connection with one large construction contract.
Interest expense increased primarily as a result of higher levels of borrowings outstanding in the current period.
Funds From Operations
Funds from operations (FFO) is defined as net income computed using GAAP, excluding gains on sales of operating properties, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization. Gains from sales of newly-developed properties less accumulated depreciation, if any, required under GAAP are included in FFO on the basis that development services are the primary revenue generating activity; we believe that inclusion of these development gains is in accordance with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) definition of FFO, although others may interpret the definition differently. We believe that FFO is useful to management and investors as a supplemental measure of operating performance because, by excluding gains related to sales of previously depreciated operating real estate properties and excluding real estate-related depreciation and amortization, FFO can help one compare our operating performance between periods. In addition, since most equity REITs provide FFO information to the investment community, we believe that FFO is useful to investors as a supplemental measure for comparing our results to those of other equity REITs. We believe that net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to FFO.
Since FFO excludes certain items includable in net income, reliance on the measure has limitations; management compensates for these limitations by using the measure simply as a supplemental measure that is weighed in the balance with other GAAP and non GAAP measures. FFO is not necessarily an indication of our cash flow available to fund cash needs. Additionally, it should not be used as an alternative to net income when evaluating our financial performance or to cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities when evaluating our liquidity or ability to make cash distributions or pay debt service. The FFO we present may not be comparable to the FFO presented by other REITs since they may interpret the current NAREIT definition of FFO differently or they may not use the current NAREIT definition of FFO.
Basic FFO available to common share and common unit holders (Basic FFO) is FFO adjusted to subtract (1) preferred share dividends, (2) income attributable to noncontrolling interests through ownership of preferred units in the Operating Partnership or interests in other consolidated entities not owned by us, (3) depreciation and amortization allocable to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities and (4) Basic FFO allocable to restricted shares. With these adjustments, Basic FFO represents FFO available to common shareholders and common unitholders. Common units in the Operating Partnership are substantially similar to our common shares and are exchangeable into common shares, subject to certain conditions. We believe that Basic FFO is useful to investors due to the close correlation of common units to common shares. We believe that net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Basic FFO. Basic FFO has essentially the same limitations as FFO; management compensates for these limitations in essentially the same manner as described above for FFO.
Diluted FFO available to common share and common unit holders (Diluted FFO) is Basic FFO adjusted to add back any changes in Basic FFO that would result from the assumed conversion of securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common shares. We believe that Diluted FFO is useful to
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investors because it is the numerator used to compute Diluted FFO per share, discussed below. We believe that the numerator for diluted EPS is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Diluted FFO. Since Diluted FFO excludes certain items includable in the numerator to diluted EPS, reliance on the measure has limitations; management compensates for these limitations by using the measure simply as a supplemental measure that is weighed in the balance with other GAAP and non-GAAP measures. Diluted FFO is not necessarily an indication of our cash flow available to fund cash needs. Additionally, it should not be used as an alternative to net income when evaluating our financial performance or to cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities when evaluating our liquidity or ability to make cash distributions or pay debt service. The Diluted FFO that we present may not be comparable to the Diluted FFO presented by other REITs.
Diluted FFO per share is (1) Diluted FFO divided by (2) the sum of the (a) weighted average common shares outstanding during a period, (b) weighted average common units outstanding during a period and (c) weighted average number of potential additional common shares that would have been outstanding during a period if other securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common shares were converted or exchanged. We believe that Diluted FFO per share is useful to investors because it provides investors with a further context for evaluating our FFO results in the same manner that investors use earnings per share (EPS) in evaluating net income available to common shareholders. In addition, since most equity REITs provide Diluted FFO per share information to the investment community, we believe that Diluted FFO per share is a useful supplemental measure for comparing us to other equity REITs. We believe that diluted EPS is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Diluted FFO per share. Diluted FFO per share has most of the same limitations as Diluted FFO (described above); management compensates for these limitations in essentially the same manner as described above for Diluted FFO.
The computations for all of the above measures on a diluted basis assume the conversion of common units in our Operating Partnership but do not assume the conversion of other securities that are convertible into common shares if the conversion of those securities would increase per share measures in a given period. The table below sets forth the computation of the above stated measures for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and provides reconciliations to the GAAP measures associated with such measures (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
31
Add: Real estate-related depreciation and amortization
27,603
26,491
Add: Depreciation and amortization on unconsolidated real estate entities
175
160
Less: Gain on sales of operating properties, net of income taxes
(297
FFO
38,156
44,817
Less: Noncontrolling interests-preferred units in the Operating Partnership
Less: Noncontrolling interests-other consolidated entities
Less: Depreciation and amortization allocable to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities
(282
(53
Less: Basic and diluted FFO allocable to restricted shares
(379
(453
Basic and Diluted FFO
33,260
40,071
Weighted average common shares
Conversion of weighted average common units
Weighted average common shares/units - Basic FFO
62,861
59,183
Weighted average common shares/units - Diluted FFO
63,225
59,681
Diluted FFO per share
0.53
0.67
Numerator for diluted EPS
Add: Income allocable to noncontrolling interests-common units in the Operating Partnership
1,804
Add: Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated real estate entities
Add: Numerator for diluted EPS allocable to restricted shares
290
268
Weighted average common units
Denominator for Diluted FFO per share
Investing and Financing Activities During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
In March 2010, we completed the formation of LW Redstone Company, LLC, a joint venture created to develop Redstone Gateway, a 468-acre land parcel adjacent to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The land is owned by the U.S. Government and is under a long term master lease to the joint venture. Through this master lease, the joint venture will create a business park that we expect will total approximately 4.6 million square feet of office and retail space when completed, including approximately 4.4 million square feet of Class A office space. In addition, the business park will include hotel and other amenities. Development and construction of the business park is expected to take place over a 20 year period. Our joint venture partner does not have any funding obligations under the terms of the joint venture agreement.
The table below sets forth the major components of our additions to the line entitled Total Properties, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (in thousands):
32
Construction, development and redevelopment
48,869
Acquisitions
4,835
Tenant improvements on operating properties
3,773
(1)
Capital improvements on operating properties
870
(1) Tenant improvement costs incurred on newly-constructed properties are classified in this table as construction, development and redevelopment.
Construction development and redevelopment activities underway at March 31, 2010 included the following:
Square
Expected Year
Number of
Feet
Remaining Costs
For Costs to be
Properties
(in thousands)
(in millions)
Incurred Through
Construction of new properties
1,331
99.3
2012
Development of new properties
1,191
230.6
2013
Redevelopment of existing properties
567
20.4
2011
Investing and Financing Activity Subsequent to March 31, 2010
On April 7, 2010, the Operating Partnership issued a $240.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2030. Interest on the notes is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The notes have an exchange settlement feature that provides that the notes may, under certain circumstances, be exchangeable for cash and, at the Operating Partnerships discretion, our common shares at an exchange rate (subject to adjustment) of 20.7658 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes (exchange rate is as of April 7, 2010 and is equivalent to an exchange price of $48.16 per common share, a 20% premium over the closing price on the NYSE on the transaction pricing date). On or after April 20, 2015, the Operating Partnership may redeem the notes in cash in whole or in part. The holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase the notes in cash in whole or in part on each of April 15, 2015, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2025, or in the event of a fundamental change, as defined under the terms of the notes, for a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to April 20, 2015, subject to certain exceptions, if (1) a fundamental change occurs as a result of certain forms of transactions or series of transactions and (2) a holder elects to exchange its notes in connection with such fundamental change, we will increase the applicable exchange rate for the notes surrendered for exchange by a number of additional shares of our common shares as a make whole premium. The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership and rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnerships obligations under the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. We used the $234.3 million in net proceeds available after transaction costs from this issuance for general corporate purposes, including the application of $224.0 million to pay down borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary cash requirements are for operating expenses, debt service, development of new properties, improvements to existing properties and acquisitions. While we may experience increasing challenges discussed elsewhere herein and in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K due to the current economic environment, we believe that our liquidity and capital resources are adequate for our near-term and longer-term requirements. We maintain sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet our operating cash requirements and short term investing and financing cash requirements. When we determine that the amount of cash and cash equivalents on hand is more than we need to meet such requirements, we may pay down our Revolving Credit Facility (defined below) or forgo borrowing under construction loan credit facilities to fund development activities.
33
We rely primarily on fixed-rate, non-recourse mortgage loans from banks and institutional lenders to finance most of our operating properties. We have also made use of the public equity and debt markets to meet our capital needs, principally to repay or refinance corporate and property secured debt and to provide funds for property development and acquisition.
We have an unsecured revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) with a group of lenders that provides for borrowings of up to $600.0 million, $202.5 million of which was available at March 31, 2010; this facility is available through September 2011 and may be extended for one year at our option, subject to certain conditions. In addition, we have a Revolving Construction Facility, which provides for borrowings of up to $225.0 million, $124.8 million of which was available at March 31, 2010 to fund construction costs; this facility is available until May 2011 and may be extended for one year at our option, subject to certain conditions.
We believe that we have sufficient capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility and Revolving Construction Facility to satisfy our 2010 debt maturities and to fund construction of properties that were under construction at period end or expected to be started during the remainder of 2010. In April 2010, we increased the borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility by $100.0 million, from $600.0 million to $700.0 million. We expect to pursue new long- and medium-term debt during the remainder of 2010, the proceeds of which we expect to use to pay down our Revolving Credit Facility and Revolving Construction Facility to create additional borrowing capacity. We expect to make use of any such additional borrowing capacity to fund future investment opportunities and repay debt maturities.
Selective dispositions of operating and other properties may also provide capital resources during the remainder of 2010 and in future years. We are continually evaluating sources of capital and believe that there are satisfactory sources available to meet our capital requirements without necessitating property sales.
Certain of our debt instruments require that we comply with a number of restrictive financial covenants, including maximum leverage ratio, unencumbered leverage ratio, minimum net worth, minimum fixed charge coverage, minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratio, minimum debt service and maximum secured indebtedness ratio. As of March 31, 2010, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.
Cash Flows
Our cash flow from operations decreased $32.4 million, or 47.5%, when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 due primarily to the timing of cash flow associated with third-party construction projects. We expect to continue to use cash flow provided by operations as the primary source to meeting our short-term capital needs, including all property operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, scheduled principal amortization of debt, dividends to our shareholders, distributions to our noncontrolling interest holders of preferred and common units in the Operating Partnership and capital improvements and leasing costs.
Our cash flow provided by financing activities increased $38.0 million when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 due primarily to higher debt repayments associated with a maturing loan in the prior year.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no significant changes in our off-balance sheet arrangements from those described in the section entitled Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Inflation
Most of our tenants are obligated to pay their share of a buildings operating expenses to the extent such expenses exceed amounts established in their leases, based on historical expense levels. Some of our
34
tenants are obligated to pay their full share of a buildings operating expenses. These arrangements somewhat reduce our exposure to increases in such costs resulting from inflation. In addition, since our average lease life is approximately five years, we generally expect to be able to compensate for increased operating expenses through increased rental rates upon lease renewal or expiration.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to certain market risks, the most predominant of which is change in interest rates. Increases in interest rates can result in increased interest expense under our Revolving Credit Facility and other variable rate debt. Increases in interest rates can also result in increased interest expense when our fixed rate debt matures and needs to be refinanced. Our capital strategy favors long-term, fixed-rate, secured debt over variable-rate debt to minimize the risk of short-term increases in interest rates.
The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2010 our debt and weighted average interest rates for fixed rate debt by expected maturity date (dollars in thousands):
For the Periods Ending December 31,
2011 (1)
2014
Thereafter
Long term debt:
Fixed rate debt (2)
62,424
276,936
47,153
143,027
96,786
702,115
1,328,441
Weighted average interest rate
5.84
4.35
6.39
5.63
7.11
5.96
5.68
Variable rate debt
399
514,542
222,005
47,402
(1) Includes amounts outstanding at March 31, 2010 of $397.0 million under our Revolving Credit Facility, $100.2 million under our Revolving Construction Facility and $16.8 million under another construction loan facility that may be extended for a one-year period, subject to certain conditions.
(2) Represents principal maturities only and therefore excludes net discounts of $6.3 million.
The fair market value of our debt was $2.0 billion at March 31, 2010. If interest rates on our fixed-rate debt had been 1% lower, the fair value of this debt would have increased by $59.9 million at March 31, 2010.
The following table sets forth information pertaining to interest rate swap contracts in place as of March 31, 2010, and their respective fair values (dollars in thousands):
Based on our variable-rate debt balances, including the effect of interest rate swaps, our interest expense would have increased by $729,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2010 if short-term interest rates were 1% higher.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2010. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010 were
functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are not aware of any material developments during the most recent fiscal quarter regarding the litigation described in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We are not currently involved in any other material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against the Company (other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, substantially all of which is expected to be covered by liability insurance).
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) During the three months ended March 31, 2010, 309,497 of the Operating Partnerships common units were exchanged for 309,497 common shares in accordance with the Operating Partnerships Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, as amended. The issuance of these common shares was effected in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) Not applicable
(c) Not applicable
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
(a) Not applicable
Item 4. Removed and Reserved
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable
(a) Exhibits:
EXHIBITNO.
DESCRIPTION
10.1
Twenty-Sixth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Corporate Office Properties, L.P., dated March 4, 2010 (filed with the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 10, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Furnished herewith.)
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Furnished herewith.)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CORPORATE OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST
Date: April 30, 2010
By:
/s/ Randall M. Griffin
Randall M. Griffin
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Stephen E. Riffee
Stephen E. Riffee
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer