NNN REIT - 10-K annual report 2016

Washington, D. C. 20549

Orlando, Florida 32801

None

PART I

Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the documents that are incorporated by reference, that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Also, when NNN uses any of the words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” or similar expressions, NNN is making forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon present expectations and reasonable assumptions, NNN’s actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Certain factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those NNN anticipates or projects are described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any document incorporated herein by reference. NNN undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

NNN, a Maryland corporation, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in 1984. NNN's assets are primarily real estate assets. NNN's consolidated financial statements are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Real Estate Assets

Competition

NNN generally competes with numerous other REITs, commercial developers, real estate limited partnerships and other investors including but not limited to insurance companies, pension funds and financial institutions that own, manage, finance or develop retail and net leased properties.

Employees

Other Information

The following is a discussion of NNN’s operating strategy and certain of its investment, financing and other policies. These strategies and policies have been set by management and the Board of Directors and, in general, may be amended or revised from time to time by management and the Board of Directors without a vote of NNN’s stockholders.

Operating Strategies

NNN’s strategy is to invest primarily in retail real estate that is typically well located within each local market for its tenants’ retail lines of trade. Management believes that these types of properties, generally leased pursuant to triple-net leases, provide attractive opportunities for stable current returns and the potential for increased returns and capital appreciation. Triple-net leases typically require the tenant to pay property operating expenses such as insurance, utilities, repairs, maintenance, capital expenditures and real estate taxes and assessments. Initial lease terms are generally 10 to 20 years.

NNN holds real estate assets until it determines that the sale of such an asset is advantageous in view of NNN’s investment objectives. In deciding whether to sell a real estate asset, NNN may consider factors such as potential capital appreciation, net cash flow, tenant credit quality, tenant's line of trade, portfolio composition, market lease rates, local market conditions, potential use of sale proceeds and federal income tax considerations.

NNN’s management team focuses on certain key indicators to evaluate the financial condition and operating performance of NNN. These key indicators include the composition of the Property Portfolio (such as tenant, geographic and line of trade diversification), the occupancy rate of the Property Portfolio, certain financial performance ratios and profitability measures, and industry trends and performance compared to NNN.

Investment in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate

NNN’s management believes that single tenant, freestanding net lease retail properties will continue to provide attractive investment opportunities and that NNN is well suited to take advantage of these opportunities because of its experience in accessing capital markets, and its ability to source, underwrite and acquire properties.

In evaluating a particular acquisition, management may consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

NNN intends to engage in future investment activities in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of its status as a

REIT for federal income tax purposes. Additionally, NNN does not intend to engage in activities that will make NNN an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Investments in Real Estate Mortgages and Securities of or Interests in Persons Engaged in Real Estate Activities

While NNN’s primary business objectives emphasize retail properties, NNN may invest in (i) a wide variety of property and tenant types, (ii) leases, mortgages and other types of real estate interests, (iii) loans secured by personal property, (iv) loans secured by partnership or membership interests in partnerships or limited liability companies, respectively, or (v) securities of other REITs, or other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities.

Financing Strategy

NNN’s financing objective is to manage its capital structure effectively in order to provide sufficient capital to execute its operating strategies while servicing its debt requirements and providing value to its stockholders. NNN generally utilizes debt and equity security offerings, bank borrowings, the sale of properties, and to a lesser extent, internally generated funds to meet its capital needs.

NNN anticipates it will be able to obtain additional financing for short-term and long-term liquidity requirements as further described in "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity." However, there can be no assurance that additional financing or capital will be available, or that the terms will be acceptable or advantageous to NNN.

The organizational documents of NNN do not limit the absolute amount or percentage of indebtedness that NNN may incur. Additionally, NNN may change its financing strategy at any time.

Strategies and Policy Changes

Any of NNN’s strategies or policies described above may be changed at any time by NNN without notice to or a vote of NNN’s stockholders.

Leases

Generally, NNN's leases provide the tenant with one or more multi-year renewal options subject to generally the same terms and conditions provided under the initial lease term. Some of the leases also provide that in the event NNN wishes to sell the Property subject to that lease, NNN first must offer the lessee the right to purchase the Property on the same terms and conditions as any offer which NNN intends to accept for the sale of the Property.

Carefully consider the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. If any of the events or developments described below were actually to occur, NNN’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

Financial and economic conditions may have an adverse impact on NNN, its tenants, and commercial real estate in general.

Financial and economic conditions continue to be challenging and volatile and any worsening of such conditions, including any disruption in the capital markets, could adversely affect NNN’s business and results of operations. Such conditions could also affect the financial condition of NNN’s tenants, developers, borrowers, lenders or the institutions that hold NNN’s cash balances and short-term investments, which may expose NNN to increased risks of default by these parties.

There can be no assurance that actions of the United States Government, the Federal Reserve or other government and regulatory bodies intended to stabilize the economy or financial markets will achieve their intended effect. Additionally, some of these actions may adversely affect financial institutions, capital providers, retailers, consumers, NNN’s financial condition, NNN's results of operations or the trading price of NNN’s shares.

Potential consequences of challenging and volatile financial and economic conditions include:

NNN may be unable to obtain capital on favorable terms, if at all, to further its business objectives or meet its existing obligations. Nearly all of NNN’s debt, including the Credit Facility, is subject to balloon principal payments due at maturity. These maturities range between 2017 and 2026. NNN's ability to make these scheduled principal payments may be adversely impacted by NNN’s inability to extend or refinance the Credit Facility, the inability to dispose of assets at an attractive price or the inability to obtain additional debt or equity capital. Capital that may be available may be materially more expensive or available under terms that are materially more restrictive which would have an adverse impact on NNN’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Loss of rent from tenants would reduce NNN’s cash flow.

NNN's tenants encounter significant macroeconomic, governmental and competitive forces. Adverse changes in consumer spending or consumer preferences for particular goods, services or store based retailing could severely impact their ability to pay rent. Shifts from in-store to online shopping could increase due to changing consumer shopping patterns as well as the increase in consumer adoption and use of mobile electronic devices. This expansion of e-commerce could have an adverse impact on NNN's tenants' ongoing viability. The default, financial distress, bankruptcy or liquidation of one or more of NNN’s tenants could cause substantial vacancies in the Property Portfolio. Vacancies reduce NNN’s revenues, increase property expenses and could decrease the value of each such vacant Property. Upon the expiration of a lease, the tenant may choose not to renew the lease and NNN may not be able to re-lease the vacant Property at a comparable lease rate. Furthermore, NNN may incur additional expenditures in connection with such renewal or re-leasing.

A significant portion of the Property Portfolio annual base rent is concentrated in specific industry classifications, tenants and geographic locations.

Any financial hardship and/or economic changes in these lines of trade, tenants or states could have an adverse effect on NNN’s results of operations.

Owning real estate and indirect interests in real estate carries inherent risks.

NNN’s economic performance and the value of its real estate assets are subject to the risk that if the Properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet its operating expenses, including debt service, NNN’s cash flow and ability to pay distributions to its stockholders will be adversely affected. As a real estate company, NNN is susceptible to the following real estate industry risks, which are beyond its control:

NNN’s real estate investments are illiquid.

Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, NNN’s ability to adjust the portfolio promptly in response to economic or other conditions is limited. Certain significant expenditures generally do not change in response to economic or other conditions, including: (i) debt service (if any), (ii) real estate taxes, and (iii) operating and maintenance costs. This combination of variable revenue and relatively fixed expenditures may result, under certain market conditions, in reduced earnings and could have an adverse effect on NNN’s financial condition.

Costs of complying with changes in governmental laws and regulations may adversely affect NNN’s results of operations.

NNN cannot predict what laws or regulations will be enacted in the future, how future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted, or how future laws or regulations will affect NNN or its Properties, including, but not limited to environmental laws and regulations. Compliance with new laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may require NNN, its retail tenants, or consumers to incur significant expenditures, impose significant liability, restrict or prohibit business activities and could cause a material adverse effect on NNN’s results of operation.

NNN may be subject to known or unknown environmental liabilities and hazardous materials on Properties owned by NNN.

There may be known or unknown environmental liabilities associated with properties owned or acquired in the future by NNN. Certain particular uses of some properties may also have a heightened risk of environmental liability because of the hazardous materials used in performing services on those properties, such as convenience stores with underground petroleum storage tanks or auto parts and auto service businesses using petroleum products, paint and machine solvents. Some of the Properties may contain asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, or may contain or may develop mold or other bio-contaminants. Asbestos-containing materials must be handled, managed and removed in accordance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. Mold and other bio-contaminants can produce airborne toxins, may cause a variety of health issues in individuals and must be remediated in accordance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.

As part of its due diligence process, NNN generally obtains an environmental site assessment for each property it acquires. In cases where NNN intends to acquire real estate where evidence of some level of known contamination may exist, NNN generally requires the seller or tenant to (i) remediate the contamination in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, (ii) indemnify NNN for environmental liabilities, and/or (iii) agree to other arrangements deemed appropriate by NNN, including, under certain circumstances, the purchase of environmental insurance. Although sellers or tenants may be contractually responsible for remediating hazardous materials on a property and may be responsible for indemnifying NNN for any liability resulting from the use of a property and for any failure to comply with any applicable environmental laws, rules or regulations, NNN has no assurance that sellers or tenants shall be able to meet their remediation and indemnity obligations to NNN. A tenant or seller may not have the financial ability to meet its remediation and indemnity obligations to NNN when required. Furthermore, NNN may have strict liability to governmental agencies or third parties as a result of the existence of hazardous materials on Properties, whether or not NNN knew about or caused such hazardous materials to exist.

If NNN is responsible for hazardous materials located on its Properties, NNN’s liability may include investigation and remediation costs, property damage to third parties, personal injury to third parties, and governmental fines and penalties. Furthermore, the presence of hazardous materials on a Property may adversely impact the Property value or NNN’s ability to sell the Property. Significant environmental liability could impact NNN’s results of operations, ability to make distributions to stockholders, and its ability to meet its debt obligations.

In order to mitigate exposure to environmental liability, NNN maintains an environmental insurance policy which provides some coverage for substantially all of its Properties. That policy expires in August 2018. However, the policy is subject to exclusions and limitations and does not cover all of the Properties owned by NNN. For those Properties covered under the policy, insurance may not fully compensate NNN for any environmental liability. NNN has no assurance that the insurer on its environmental insurance policy will be able to meet its obligations under the policy. NNN may not desire to renew the environmental insurance policy in place upon expiration or a replacement policy may not be available at a reasonable cost, if at all.

NNN may not be able to successfully execute its acquisition or development strategies.

NNN may not be able to implement its investment strategies successfully. Additionally, NNN cannot assure that its Property Portfolio will expand at all, or if it will expand at any specified rate or to any specified size. In addition, investment in additional real estate assets is subject to a number of risks. Because NNN expects to invest in markets other than the ones in which its current Properties are located or properties which may be leased to tenants other than those to which NNN has historically leased properties, NNN will also be subject to the risks associated with investment in new markets or with new tenants that may be relatively unfamiliar to NNN’s management team.

NNN’s development activities are subject to, without limitation, risks relating to the availability and timely receipt of zoning and other regulatory approvals, the cost and timely completion of construction (including risks from factors beyond NNN’s control, such as weather or labor conditions or material shortages), the risk of finding tenants for the properties and the ability to obtain both construction and permanent financing on favorable terms. These risks could result in substantial unanticipated delays or expenses and, under certain circumstances, could prevent completion of development activities once undertaken or provide a tenant the opportunity to reduce rent or terminate a lease. Any of these situations may delay or eliminate proceeds or cash flows NNN expects from these projects, which could have an adverse effect on NNN’s financial condition.

NNN may not be able to dispose of properties consistent with its operating strategy.

NNN may be unable to sell properties targeted for disposition due to adverse market conditions. This may adversely affect, among other things, NNN’s ability to sell under favorable terms, execute its operating strategy, achieve target earnings or returns, retire or repay debt or pay dividends.

NNN may suffer a loss in the event of a default of or bankruptcy of a borrower or a tenant.

Certain provisions of NNN’s leases or loan agreements may be unenforceable.

NNN’s rights and obligations with respect to its leases, mortgage loans or other loans are governed by written agreements. A court could determine that one or more provisions of such an agreement are unenforceable, such as a particular remedy, a master lease covenant, a loan prepayment provision or a provision governing NNN’s security interest in the underlying collateral of a borrower or lessee. NNN could be adversely impacted if this were to happen with respect to an asset or group of assets.

Property ownership through joint ventures and partnerships could limit NNN’s control of those investments.

Joint ventures or partnerships involve risks not otherwise present for direct investments by NNN. It is possible that NNN’s co-venturers or partners may have different interests or goals than NNN at any time and they may take actions contrary to NNN’s requests, policies or objectives, including NNN’s policy with respect to maintaining its qualification as a REIT. Other risks of joint venture or partnership investments include impasses on decisions because in some instances no single co-venturer or partner has full control over the joint venture or partnership, respectively, or the co-venturer or partner may become insolvent, bankrupt or otherwise unable to contribute to the joint venture or partnership, respectively. Further, disputes may develop with a co-venturer or partner over decisions affecting the property, joint venture or partnership that may result in litigation, arbitration or some other form of dispute resolution.

Competition from numerous other REITs, commercial developers, real estate limited partnerships and other investors may impede NNN’s ability to grow.

NNN may not complete suitable property acquisitions or developments on advantageous terms, if at all, due to competition for such properties with others engaged in real estate investment activities or lack of properties for sale on terms deemed acceptable to NNN. NNN’s inability to successfully acquire or develop new properties may affect NNN’s ability to achieve anticipated return on investment or realize its investment strategy, which could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.

Uninsured losses may adversely affect NNN’s operating results and asset values.

The Properties are generally covered by comprehensive liability, fire, and extended insurance coverage. NNN believes that the insurance carried on its Properties is adequate and in accordance with industry standards. There are, however, types of losses (such as from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or other types of natural disasters or wars or other acts of violence) which may be uninsurable, self-insured by tenants, or the cost of insuring against these losses may not be economically justifiable in the opinion of tenants or NNN. If an uninsured loss occurs or a loss exceeds policy limits, NNN could lose both its invested capital and anticipated revenues from the property, thereby reducing NNN’s cash flow and asset value.

Acts of violence, terrorist attacks or war may affect the markets in which NNN operates and NNN’s results of operations.

Terrorist attacks or other acts of violence may negatively affect NNN’s operations. There can be no assurance that there will not be terrorist attacks against businesses within the United States. These attacks may directly or indirectly impact NNN’s physical facilities or the businesses or the financial condition of its tenants, developers, borrowers, lenders or financial institutions with which NNN has a relationship. The United States is engaged in armed conflict, which could have an impact on these parties. The consequences of armed conflict are unpredictable, and NNN may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on its business or be insured for such.

More generally, any of these events or threats of these events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result in increased volatility in the United States and worldwide financial markets and economies. They also could result in, or

cause a deepening of, economic recession in the United States or abroad. Any of these occurrences could have an adverse impact on NNN’s financial condition or results of operations.

Vacant properties or bankrupt tenants or borrowers could adversely affect NNN’s business or financial condition.

The amount of debt NNN has and the restrictions imposed by that debt could adversely affect NNN’s business and financial condition.

The amount of debt outstanding at any time could have important consequences to NNN’s stockholders. For example, it could:

NNN’s ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest on its debt, or to retire or refinance such debt will depend primarily on its future performance, which to a certain extent is subject to the creditworthiness of its tenants, competition, and economic, financial, and other factors beyond its control. There can be no assurance that NNN’s business will continue to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service its debt or meet its other cash needs. If NNN is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from its business, it may be required to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt, sell assets or obtain additional financing to meet its debt obligations and other cash needs.

NNN cannot assure stockholders that any such refinancing, sale of assets or additional financing would be possible or, if possible, on terms and conditions, including but not limited to the interest rate, which NNN would find acceptable or would not result in a material decline in earnings.

NNN is obligated to comply with financial and other covenants in its debt instruments that could restrict its operating activities, and the failure to comply with such covenants could result in defaults that accelerate the payment of such debt.

NNN’s secured debt instruments generally contain customary covenants, including, among others, provisions:

In addition, NNN’s debt instruments may contain cross-default provisions, in which case a default of NNN under one debt instrument will be a default of NNN under multiple or all debt instruments of NNN.

NNN’s ability to meet some of its debt covenants, including covenants related to the condition of the property or payment of real estate taxes, may be dependent on the performance by NNN’s tenants under their leases.

In addition, certain covenants in NNN’s debt instruments, including its Credit Facility, require NNN, among other things, to:

NNN’s failure to comply with certain of its debt covenants could result in defaults that accelerate the payment under such debt and limit the dividends paid to NNN’s common and preferred stockholders which would likely have a material adverse impact on NNN’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, these defaults could impair its access to the debt and equity markets.

The market value of NNN’s equity and debt securities is subject to various factors that may cause significant fluctuations or volatility.

As with other publicly traded securities, the market price of NNN’s equity and debt securities depends on various factors, which may change from time-to-time and/or may be unrelated to NNN’s financial condition, operating performance or prospects that may cause significant fluctuations or volatility in such prices. These factors, among others, include:

NNN’s failure to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes could result in significant tax liability.

NNN intends to operate in a manner that will allow NNN to continue to qualify as a REIT. NNN believes it has been organized as, and its past and present operations qualify NNN as a REIT. However, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could successfully assert that NNN is not qualified as such. In addition, NNN may not remain qualified as a REIT in the future. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within NNN’s control. Furthermore, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for NNN to qualify as a REIT or avoid significant tax liability.

If NNN fails to qualify as a REIT, it would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to stockholders in computing taxable income and would become subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates. In this event, NNN could be subject to potentially significant tax liabilities and penalties. Unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, NNN would also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which the qualification was lost.

Even if NNN remains qualified as a REIT, NNN faces other tax liabilities that reduce operating results and cash flow.

Even if NNN remains qualified for taxation as a REIT, NNN is subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on its income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. Any of these taxes would decrease earnings and cash available for distribution to stockholders. In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, NNN has owned some of its assets in the TRS.

Adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes could reduce NNN’s earnings and cash flow and the market value of NNN’s securities.

At any time, the federal and state income tax laws or the administrative interpretations of those laws may change. Any such changes may have current and retroactive effects, and could adversely affect NNN or its stockholders. Legislation could cause shares in non-REIT corporations to be a more attractive investment to individual investors than shares in REITs, and could have an adverse effect on the value of NNN’s securities.

Compliance with REIT requirements, including distribution requirements, may limit NNN’s flexibility and may negatively affect NNN’s operating decisions.

Changes in accounting pronouncements could adversely impact NNN’s or NNN’s tenants’ reported financial performance.

Accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how NNN records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. From time to time the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the Commission, who create and interpret appropriate accounting standards, may change the financial accounting and reporting standards or their interpretation and application of these standards that govern the preparation of NNN’s financial statements. These changes could have a material impact on NNN’s reported financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, NNN could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in restating prior period financial statements. Similarly, these changes could have a material impact on NNN’s tenants’ reported financial condition or results of operations and affect their preferences regarding leasing real estate.

NNN’s failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and the market value of NNN's securities.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. If NNN fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting, as such standards may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, NNN may not be able to ensure that it can

conclude on an ongoing basis that it has effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Moreover, effective internal control over financial reporting, particularly those related to revenue recognition, are necessary for NNN to produce reliable financial reports and to maintain its qualification as a REIT and are important in helping to prevent financial fraud. If NNN cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, its business and operating results could be harmed, REIT qualification could be jeopardized, investors could lose confidence in the Company’s reported financial information, the company's access to capital could be impaired, and the trading price of NNN’s shares could drop significantly.

NNN’s ability to pay dividends in the future is subject to many factors.

NNN’s ability to pay dividends may be impaired if any of the risks described in this section were to occur. In addition, payment of NNN’s dividends depends upon NNN’s earnings, financial condition, maintenance of NNN’s REIT status and other factors as NNN’s Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents could adversely affect NNN's business, disrupt operations and expose NNN to liabilities to tenants, employees, capital providers, and other third parties.

If NNN expands its operating strategy to include investment in international markets, NNN could face additional risks, including foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, operational risks due to local economic and political conditions and laws and policies of the U.S. affecting foreign investment.

None.

Please refer to Item 1. “Business.”

In the ordinary course of its business, NNN is a party to various legal actions that management believes are routine in nature and incidental to the operation of the business of NNN. Management does not believe that any of these proceedings are material.

PART II

For each calendar quarter and year indicated, the following table reflects respective high, low and closing sales prices for the common stock as quoted by the NYSE and the dividends paid per share in each such period.

NNN intends to pay regular quarterly dividends to its stockholders, although all future distributions will be declared and paid at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon cash generated by operating activities, NNN’s financial condition, capital requirements, annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

On January 31, 2017, there were 1,800 stockholders of record of NNN's common stock.

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

held for sale as of December 31, 2013, as discontinued operations prospectively. Therefore, the revenues and expenses related to these properties are presented as discontinued operations as of December 31, 2014. The Company has not classified any additional properties as discontinued operations subsequent to December 31, 2013.

FFO is generally considered by industry analysts to be an appropriate measure of operating performance of real estate companies. FFO does not necessarily represent cash provided by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of NNN’s operating performance or to cash flow as a measure of liquidity or ability to make distributions. Management considers FFO an appropriate measure of operating performance of an equity REIT because it primarily excludes the assumption that the value of the real estate assets diminishes

The following table reconciles FFO to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net earnings for the years ended December 31:

For a discussion of material events affecting the comparability of the information reflected in the selected financial data, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with "Item 6. Selected Financial Data," and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the forward-looking disclaimer language in italics before "Item 1. Business."

The term "NNN" or the "Company" refers to National Retail Properties, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries. NNN may elect to treat certain subsidiaries as taxable real estate investment trust subsidiaries. These subsidiaries and their majority owned and controlled subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "TRS." At the close of business on December 31, 2015, NNN elected to revoke its election to classify the TRS as taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS Revocation Election").

Overview

NNN, a Maryland corporation, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust ("REIT") formed in 1984. NNN's assets include: real estate assets and mortgages and notes receivable. NNN acquires, owns, invests in and develops properties that are leased primarily to retail tenants under long-term net leases and primarily held for investment ("Properties," "Property Portfolio," or individually a "Property").

NNN’s management team focuses on certain key indicators to evaluate the financial condition and operating performance of NNN. The key indicators for NNN include items such as: the composition of the Property Portfolio (such as tenant, geographic and line of trade diversification), the occupancy rate of the Property Portfolio, certain financial performance ratios and profitability measures, and industry trends and performance compared to that of NNN.

NNN evaluates the creditworthiness of its current and prospective tenants. This evaluation includes reviewing available financial statements, store level financial performance, press releases, public credit ratings from major credit rating agencies, industry news publications and financial market data (debt and equity pricing). NNN also evaluates the tenant's business and operations, including periodically meeting with senior management of certain tenants.

NNN continues to maintain its diversification by tenant, geography and tenant’s line of trade. NNN’s largest lines of trade concentrations are the convenience store and restaurant (including full and limited service) sectors. These sectors represent a large part of the freestanding retail property marketplace and NNN’s management believes these sectors present attractive investment opportunities. The Property Portfolio is geographically concentrated in the south and southeast United States, which are regions of historically above-average population growth. Given these concentrations, any financial hardship within these sectors or geographic regions, respectively, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and operating performance of NNN.

The preparation of NNN’s consolidated financial statements in conformance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as other disclosures in the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions; however, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions, which in turn could have a material impact on NNN’s financial statements. A summary of NNN’s accounting policies and procedures are included in Note 1 of NNN’s consolidated financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of NNN’s consolidated financial statements.

NNN's real estate is generally leased to tenants on a net lease basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for all operating expenses relating to the Property, generally including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, repairs and capital expenditures. The leases are accounted for using either the operating or the direct financing method. Such methods are described below:

Property Analysis

The following table summarizes the diversification of the Property Portfolio based on the top 10 lines of trade:

NNN typically funds Property acquisitions either through borrowings under NNN's unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") or by issuing its debt or equity securities in the capital markets.

NNN typically uses the proceeds from a Property disposition to either pay down the Credit Facility or reinvest in real estate.

Analysis of Revenue from Continuing Operations

The following summarizes NNN’s revenues from continuing operations (dollars in thousands):

Comparison of Revenues from Continuing Operations – 2016 versus 2015

Comparison of Revenues from Continuing Operations – 2015 versus 2014

Analysis of Expenses from Continuing Operations