SITE Centers - 10-K annual report 2016

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

OR

For the transition period from                to               

Commission file number 1-11690

DDR Corp.  

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122

(Address of Principal Executive Offices — Zip Code)

(216) 755-5500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☑     No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ☐     No ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☑     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).  Yes ☑     No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

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.  (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐     No ☑

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2016, was $5.6 billion.  

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  

366,541,648 common shares outstanding as of February 10, 2017

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant incorporates by reference in Part III hereof portions of its definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I

General Development of Business

DDR Corp., an Ohio corporation (the “Company” or “DDR”), a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”), is in the business of acquiring, owning, developing, redeveloping, expanding, leasing, financing and managing shopping centers.  Unless otherwise provided, references herein to the Company or DDR include DDR Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures.  

The Company is self-administered and self-managed and, therefore, has not engaged, nor does it expect to retain, any REIT advisor.  The Company manages all of the Portfolio Properties as defined herein.  At December 31, 2016, the Company owned and managed approximately 106 million total square feet of gross leasable area (“GLA”).  

The primary source of the Company’s income is generated from the rental of the Company’s Portfolio Properties to tenants.  In addition, the Company generates revenue from its management contracts for the unconsolidated joint venture assets, as well as interest income from notes receivable.  

Financial Information About Industry Segments

See the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain information regarding the Company’s reportable segments, which is incorporated herein by reference to such information.  

Narrative Description of Business

The Company’s portfolio as of February 10, 2017, consisted of 317 shopping centers (including 152 centers owned through joint ventures) and more than 650 acres of undeveloped land (of which approximately 100 acres are owned through unconsolidated joint ventures).  The shopping centers are located in 35 states as well as Puerto Rico (14 assets).  The shopping centers and land are collectively referred to as the “Portfolio Properties.” From January 1, 2014, to February 10, 2017, the Company sold 170 shopping centers (including 70 properties owned through unconsolidated joint ventures) aggregating 25.1 million square feet of Company-owned GLA for an aggregate sales price of $2.9 billion.  From January 1, 2014, to February 10, 2017, the Company acquired 96 shopping centers (including 76 that were acquired by two unconsolidated joint ventures and nine that were acquired from unconsolidated joint ventures) aggregating 17.4 million square feet of Company-owned GLA for an aggregate purchase price of $3.3 billion.  In 2014, the Company sold its entire investment in 10 assets in Brazil for an aggregate sales price of $343.6 million.  

The following tables present the operating statistics affecting base and percentage rental revenues summarized by the following portfolios: combined shopping center portfolio, wholly-owned shopping center portfolio and joint venture shopping center portfolio.  

Strategy and Philosophy

The Company’s mission is to provide the most compelling shopping experience for its retail partners by owning the highest-quality portfolio of open-air shopping centers.  The Company strives to deliver attractive total shareholder return through earnings growth, a sustainable dividend and a strong balance sheet that is well-positioned through all cycles.  

The overall investment, operating and financing policies of the Company, which govern a variety of activities, such as capital allocations, dividends and status as a REIT, are determined by management and the Board of Directors.  Although management and the Board of Directors have no present intention to materially amend or revise its policies, the Board of Directors may do so from time to time without a vote of the Company’s shareholders.  

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Certain of the Company’s key strategies are summarized as follows:

Recent Developments

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for information on certain recent developments of the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference to such information.  

Tenants and Competition

As one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of open-air shopping centers (measured by total GLA), the Company has established close relationships with a large number of major national and regional retailers.  The Company’s management is associated with, and actively participates in, many shopping center and REIT industry organizations.  

Notwithstanding these relationships, numerous developers and real estate companies, private and public, compete with the Company in leasing space in shopping centers to tenants.  The Company competes with other real estate companies and developers in terms of rental rate, property location, availability of other space, management services and maintenance.  

The Company’s five largest tenants based on the Company’s aggregate annualized base rental revenues, including its proportionate share of joint venture aggregate annualized base rental revenues, are TJX Companies, Bed Bath & Beyond, PetSmart, Walmart and Kohl's, representing 3.8%, 3.4%, 2.9%, 2.7% and 2.4%, respectively, of the Company’s aggregate annualized base rental revenues at December 31, 2016.  For more information on the Company’s tenants, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the caption Company Fundamentals.  

Qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust

As of December 31, 2016, the Company met the qualification requirements of a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  As a result, the Company, with the exception of its taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it meets certain requirements of the Code.  

Employees

As of January 31, 2017, the Company had 540 full-time employees.  The Company considers its relations with its personnel to be good.  

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The section below provides information regarding the Company’s executive officers as of February 10, 2017:

Thomas F. August, age 68, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2016 and a Director of the Company in May 2016.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. August served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Office Property Trust (“EOP”) from July 2010 until the end of 2015.  EOP is a REIT controlled by The Blackstone Group and one of the largest owners and managers of office properties in the United States.  Mr. August currently serves as Chairman of the Board of DCT Industrial, an industrial REIT, and has been a board member since 2006.

William T. Ross, age 52, was appointed Chief Operating Officer in January 2017.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ross served as Executive Vice President of Asset Management at Forest City Realty Trust, Inc., a REIT that owns commercial and residential real estate, from 2006 to December 2016.  

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Christa A. Vesy, age 46, was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in July 2016 and Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in March 2012.  Ms. Vesy joined the Company in November 2006 and served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from November 2006 to March 2012.

Vincent A. Corno, age 53, was appointed Executive Vice President of Leasing & Development in July 2016.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Corno served as Senior Vice President – Real Estate for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., a full-line sporting goods retailer, from February 2014 to June 2016, and previously as Senior Vice President of Real Estate with Saks Incorporated, a luxury retailer, from February 2008 to January 2014.

Corporate Headquarters

The Company is an Ohio corporation and was incorporated in 1992.  The Company’s executive offices are located at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, and its telephone number is (216) 755-5500.  The Company’s website is http://www.ddr.com.  The Company uses the Investors section of its website as a channel for routine distribution of important information, including news releases, analyst presentations and financial information.  The Company posts filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, including the Company’s annual, quarterly and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, the Company’s proxy statements and any amendments to those reports or statements.  All such postings and filings are available on the Company’s website free of charge.  In addition, this website allows investors and other interested persons to sign up to automatically receive e-mail alerts when the Company posts news releases and financial information on its website.  The SEC also maintains a website (https://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The content on, or accessible through, any website referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, is not incorporated by reference into, and shall not be deemed part of, this Form 10-K unless expressly noted.  

The risks described below could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows.  These risks are not the only risks the Company faces.  The Company’s business operations could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to it or that the Company currently considers to be immaterial to its operations.  

The Economic Performance and Value of the Company’s Shopping Centers Depend on Many Factors, Each of Which Could Have an Adverse Impact on the Company’s Cash Flows and Operating Results

The economic performance and value of the Company’s real estate holdings can be affected by many factors, including the following:

Because the Company’s properties consist of retail shopping centers, the Company’s performance is linked to general economic conditions in the retail market, including conditions that affect consumers’ purchasing behaviors and disposable income.  The market for retail space has been and may continue to be adversely affected by weakness in the national, regional and local economies, the adverse financial condition of some large retailing companies, the ongoing consolidation in the retail sector, increases in consumer Internet purchases and the excess amount of retail space in a number of markets.  The Company’s performance is affected by its tenants’ results of operations which are impacted by macroeconomic factors that affect consumers’ ability to purchase goods and services.  If the price of the goods and services offered by its tenants materially increases, including as a result of increases in taxes or tariffs resulting from, among other things, potential changes in the Code, the operating results and the financial condition of the Company' tenants and demand for retail space could be adversely affected.  To the extent that any of these conditions occur, they are likely to affect market rents for retail space.  In addition, the Company may face challenges in the management and maintenance of its properties or incur increased operating costs, such as real estate taxes, insurance and utilities, that may make its properties unattractive

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to tenants.  The loss of rental revenues from a number of the Company’s tenants and its inability to replace such tenants may adversely affect the Company’s profitability and ability to meet its debt and other financial obligations and make distributions to shareholders.  

The Company Relies on Major Tenants, Making It Vulnerable to Changes in the Business and Financial Condition of, or Demand for Its Space by, Such Tenants

As of December 31, 2016, the annualized base rental revenues of the Company’s tenants that are equal to or exceed 1.5% of the Company’s aggregate annualized shopping center base rental revenues, including its proportionate share of joint venture aggregate annualized shopping center base rental revenues, are as follows:

The retail shopping sector has been affected by economic conditions as well as the competitive nature of the retail business and the competition for market share where stronger retailers have out-positioned some of the weaker retailers.  These shifts have forced some market share away from weaker retailers and required them, in some cases, to declare bankruptcy and/or close stores.  

As information becomes available regarding the status of the Company’s leases with tenants in financial distress or as the future plans for their spaces change, the Company may be required to write off and/or accelerate depreciation and amortization expense associated with a significant portion of the tenant-related deferred charges in future periods.  The Company’s income and ability to meet its financial obligations could also be adversely affected in the event of the bankruptcy, insolvency or significant downturn in the business of one of these tenants or any of the Company’s other major tenants.  In addition, the Company’s results could be adversely affected if any of these tenants do not renew their leases as they expire on terms favorable to the Company or at all.  

The Company’s Dependence on Rental Income May Adversely Affect Its Ability to Meet Its Debt Obligations and Make Distributions to Shareholders

Substantially all of the Company’s income is derived from rental income from real property.  As a result, the Company’s performance depends on its ability to collect rent from tenants.  The Company’s income and funds for distribution would be negatively affected if a significant number of its tenants, or any of its major tenants, were to do the following:

Any of these actions could result in the termination of tenants’ leases and the loss of rental income attributable to the terminated leases.  Lease terminations by an anchor tenant or a failure by that anchor tenant to occupy the premises could also result in lease terminations or reductions in rent by other tenants in the same shopping centers under the terms of some leases.  In addition, the Company cannot be certain that any tenant whose lease expires will renew that lease or that it will be able to re-lease space on economically advantageous terms.  The loss of rental revenues from a number of the Company’s major tenants and its inability to replace such tenants may adversely affect the Company’s profitability and its ability to meet debt and other financial obligations and make distributions to shareholders.  

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The Company’s Ability to Increase Its Debt Could Adversely Affect Its Cash Flow

At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding debt of $4.5 billion (excluding its proportionate share of unconsolidated joint venture mortgage debt aggregating $412.9 million as of December 31, 2016). The Company intends to maintain a conservative ratio of debt to total market capitalization (the sum of the aggregate market value of the Company’s common shares and operating partnership units, the liquidation preference on any preferred shares outstanding and its total consolidated indebtedness).  The Company is subject to limitations under its credit facilities and indentures relating to its ability to incur additional debt; however, the Company’s organizational documents do not contain any limitation on the amount or percentage of indebtedness it may incur.  If the Company were to become more highly leveraged, its cash needs to fund debt service would increase accordingly.  Under such circumstances, the Company’s risk of decreases in cash flow due to fluctuations in the real estate market, reliance on its major tenants, acquisition and development costs and the other factors discussed in these risk factors, could subject the Company to an even greater adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, increased leverage could increase the risk of default on the Company’s debt obligations, which could further reduce its cash available for distribution and adversely affect its ability to dispose of its portfolio on favorable terms, which could cause the Company to incur losses and reduce its cash flows.  

Disruptions in the Financial Markets Could Affect the Company’s Ability to Obtain Financing on Reasonable Terms and Have Other Adverse Effects on the Company and the Market Price of the Company’s Common Shares

The U.S. and global equity and credit markets have experienced significant price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions in the past, which have caused market prices of many stocks to fluctuate substantially and the spreads on prospective debt financings to widen considerably.  These circumstances materially affected liquidity in the financial markets, making terms for certain financings less attractive and, in certain cases, resulting in the unavailability of certain types of financing.  Uncertainty in the equity and credit markets may negatively affect the Company’s ability to access additional financing at reasonable terms or at all, which may negatively affect the Company’s ability to refinance its debt, obtain new financing or make acquisitions.  These circumstances may also adversely affect the Company’s tenants, including their ability to enter into new leases, pay their rents when due and renew their leases at rates at least as favorable as their current rates.  

A prolonged downturn in the equity or credit markets may cause the Company to seek alternative sources of potentially less attractive financing and may require it to adjust its business plan accordingly.  In addition, these factors may make it more difficult for the Company to sell properties or may adversely affect the price it receives for properties that it does sell, as prospective buyers may experience increased costs of financing or difficulties in obtaining financing.  These events in the equity and credit markets may make it more difficult or costly for the Company to raise capital through the issuance of its equity or debt securities.  These disruptions in the financial markets also may have a material adverse effect on the market value of the Company’s common shares and other adverse effects on the Company or the economy in general.  There can be no assurances that government responses to the disruptions in the financial markets will restore consumer confidence, stabilize the markets or increase liquidity and the availability of equity or credit financing.  

Changes in the Company’s Credit Ratings or the Debt Markets, as well as Market Conditions in the Credit Markets, Could Adversely Affect the Company’s Publicly Traded Debt and Revolving Credit Facilities

The market value for the Company’s publicly traded debt depends on many factors, including the following:

The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future.  The U.S. credit markets and the sub-prime residential mortgage market have experienced severe dislocations and liquidity disruptions in the past.  Furthermore, uncertain market conditions can be exacerbated by leverage.  The occurrence of these circumstances in the credit markets and/or additional fluctuations in the financial markets and prevailing interest rates could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to access capital and its cost of capital.  

In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies they follow, including the Company.  The credit rating agencies also evaluate the real estate industry as a whole and may change their credit rating for the Company based on their overall view of the industry.  Any rating organization that rates the Company’s publicly traded debt may lower the rating or decide, at its sole discretion, not to rate the publicly traded debt.  The ratings of the Company’s publicly traded debt are based primarily on the rating organization’s assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of interest when due and the payment of

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principal on the maturity date.  A negative change in the Company’s rating could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revolving credit facilities and market price of the Company’s publicly traded debt as well as the Company’s ability to access capital and its cost of capital.  

The Company’s Cash Flows and Operating Results Could Be Adversely Affected by Required Payments of Debt or Related Interest and Other Risks of Its Debt Financing

The Company is generally subject to the risks associated with debt financing.  These risks include the following:

If a property is mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and the Company cannot or does not make the mortgage payments, it may have to surrender the property to the lender with a consequent loss of any prospective income and equity value from such property, which may also adversely affect the Company’s credit ratings.  Any of these risks can place strains on the Company’s cash flows, reduce its ability to grow and adversely affect its results of operations.  

The Company’s Financial Condition Could Be Adversely Affected by Financial Covenants

The Company’s credit facilities and the indentures under which its senior and subordinated unsecured indebtedness is, or may be, issued contain certain financial and operating covenants, including, among other things, leverage ratios and certain coverage ratios, as well as limitations on the Company’s ability to incur secured and unsecured indebtedness, sell all or substantially all of its assets and engage in mergers and certain acquisitions.  These credit facilities and indentures also contain customary default provisions including the failure to pay principal and interest issued thereunder in a timely manner, the failure to comply with the Company’s financial and operating covenants, the occurrence of a material adverse effect on the Company and the failure of the Company or its majority-owned subsidiaries (i.e., entities in which the Company has a greater than 50% interest) to pay when due certain indebtedness in excess of certain thresholds beyond applicable grace and cure periods.  These covenants could limit the Company’s ability to obtain additional funds needed to address cash shortfalls or pursue growth opportunities or transactions that would provide substantial return to its shareholders.  In addition, a breach of these covenants could cause a default or accelerate some or all of the Company’s indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.  

The Company Has Variable-Rate Debt and Is Subject to Interest Rate Risk

The Company has indebtedness with interest rates that vary depending upon the market index.  In addition, the Company has revolving credit facilities that bear interest at a variable rate on any amounts drawn on the facilities.  The Company may incur additional variable-rate debt in the future.  Increases in interest rates on variable-rate debt would increase the Company’s interest expense, which would negatively affect net earnings and cash available for payment of its debt obligations and distributions to its shareholders.  

Property Ownership Through Partnerships and Joint Ventures Could Limit the Company’s Control of Those Investments and Reduce Its Expected Return

Partnership or joint venture investments may involve risks not otherwise present for investments made solely by the Company, including the possibility that the Company’s partner or co-venturer might become bankrupt, that its partner or co-venturer might at any time have different interests or goals than the Company and that its partner or co-venturer may take action contrary to the Company’s instructions, requests, policies or objectives, including the Company’s policy with respect to maintaining its qualification as a REIT.  In addition, the Company’s partner or co-venturer could have different investment criteria that would impact the assets held by the joint venture or its interest in the joint venture.  These situations could have an impact on the Company’s revenues from its joint ventures.  Other risks of joint venture investments include impasse on decisions, such as a sale, because neither the Company’s partner or co-venturer nor the Company would have full control over the partnership or joint venture.  These factors could limit the return that the Company receives from such investments, cause its cash flows to be lower than its estimates or lead to business conflicts or

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litigation.  There is no limitation under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, or its Code of Regulations, as to the amount of funds that the Company may invest in partnerships or joint ventures.  In addition, a partner or co-venturer may not have access to sufficient capital to satisfy its funding obligations to the joint venture.  Furthermore, if credit conditions in the capital markets deteriorate, the Company could be required to reduce the carrying value of its equity method investments if a loss in the carrying value of the investment is considered an other than temporary decline.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $454.1 million of investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures holding 151 shopping centers.  

The Company’s Real Estate Assets May Be Subject to Impairment Charges

On a periodic basis, the Company assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of its real estate assets and other investments may be impaired.  A property’s value is impaired only if the estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property are less than the carrying value of the property.  In the Company’s estimate of cash flows, it considers factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, the effects of demand, competition and other factors.  If the Company is evaluating the potential sale of an asset or development alternatives, the undiscounted future cash flow considerations include the most likely course of action at the balance sheet date based on current plans, intended holding periods and available market information.  The Company is required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the value of its real estate assets and other investments.  These assessments have a direct impact on the Company’s earnings because recording an impairment charge results in an immediate negative adjustment to earnings.  For example, in 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges at 20 operating shopping centers aggregating $110.9 million.  There can be no assurance that the Company will not take additional charges in the future related to the impairment of its assets.  Any future impairment could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the charge is taken.  

The Company’s Acquisition Activities May Not Produce the Cash Flows That It Expects and May Be Limited by Competitive Pressures or Other Factors

The Company intends to acquire retail properties only to the extent that suitable acquisitions can be made on advantageous terms.  Acquisitions of commercial properties entail risks such as the following:

In addition, the Company may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on advantageous terms due to competition for such properties with others engaged in real estate investment, some of which may have greater financial resources than the Company.  The Company’s inability to successfully acquire new properties may affect the Company’s ability to achieve its anticipated return on investment, which could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.  

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Real Estate Property Investments Are Illiquid; Therefore, the Company May Not Be Able to Dispose of Properties When Desired or on Favorable Terms

Real estate investments generally cannot be disposed of quickly.  In addition, the Code imposes restrictions, which are not applicable to other types of real estate companies, on the ability of a REIT to dispose of properties.  Therefore, the Company may not be able to diversify its portfolio in response to economic or other conditions promptly or on favorable terms, which could cause the Company to incur losses and reduce its cash flows and adversely affect distributions to shareholders.  

The Company’s Development, Redevelopment and Construction Activities Could Affect Its Operating Results

The Company intends to continue the selective development, redevelopment and construction of retail properties in accordance with its development underwriting policies as opportunities arise.  The Company’s development, redevelopment and construction activities include the following risks:

Additionally, the time frame required for development, construction and lease-up of these properties means that the Company may wait several years for a significant cash return.  If any of the above events occur, the development of properties may hinder the Company’s growth and have an adverse effect on its results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, new development activities, regardless of whether they are ultimately successful, typically require substantial time and attention from management.  

If the Company Fails to Qualify as a REIT in Any Taxable Year, It Will Be Subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax as a Regular Corporation and Could Have Significant Tax Liability

The Company intends to operate in a manner that allows it to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  However, REIT qualification requires that the Company satisfy numerous requirements (some on an annual or quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex provisions of the Code, for which there are a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations.  The Company’s status as a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that are not entirely within its control.  Accordingly, the Company’s ability to qualify and remain qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not certain.  Even a technical or inadvertent violation of the REIT requirements could jeopardize the Company’s REIT qualification.  Furthermore, Congress or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) might change the tax laws or regulations and the courts could issue new rulings, in each case potentially having a retroactive effect that could make it more difficult or impossible for the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT.  If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, the following would result:

Even if the Company remains qualified as a REIT, it may face other tax liabilities that reduce its cash flow.  The Company’s TRS is subject to taxation, and any changes in the laws affecting the Company’s TRS may increase the Company’s tax expenses.  The

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Company may also be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on its income and property either directly or at the level of its subsidiaries.  Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for debt service obligations and distribution to the Company’s shareholders.  

Compliance with REIT Requirements May Negatively Affect the Company’s Operating Decisions

To maintain its status as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company must meet certain requirements on an ongoing basis, including requirements regarding its sources of income, the nature and diversification of its assets, the amounts the Company distributes to its shareholders and the ownership of its shares.  The Company may also be required to make distributions to its shareholders when it does not have funds readily available for distribution or at times when the Company’s funds are otherwise needed to fund capital expenditures or debt service obligations.  

As a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its annual net taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to its shareholders.  To the extent that the Company satisfies this distribution requirement, but distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its undistributed taxable income.  In addition, the Company will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise tax if the actual amount paid to its shareholders in a calendar year is less than the minimum amount specified under U.S. federal tax laws.  From time to time, the Company may generate taxable income greater than its income for financial reporting purposes, or its net taxable income may be greater than its cash flow available for distribution to its shareholders.  If the Company does not have other funds available in these situations, it could be required to borrow funds, sell its securities or a portion of its properties at unfavorable prices or find other sources of funds in order to meet the REIT distribution requirements and avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax.  

In addition, the REIT provisions of the Code impose a 100% tax on income from “prohibited transactions.”  Prohibited transactions generally include sales of assets, other than foreclosure property, that constitute inventory or other property held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.  This 100% tax could affect the Company’s decisions to sell property if it believes such sales could be treated as a prohibited transaction.  However, the Company would not be subject to this tax if it were to sell assets through its TRS.  The Company will also be subject to a 100% tax on certain amounts if the economic arrangements between the Company and its TRS are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.  

Proposed and potential future proposed reforms of the Code, if enacted, could adversely affect existing REITs.  Such proposals could result in REITs having fewer tax advantages, and could adversely affect REIT shareholders.  It is impossible for the Company to predict the nature of or extent of any new tax legislation on the real estate industry in general and REITs in particular.  In addition, some proposals under consideration may adversely affect our tenants operating results, financial condition and/or future business planning, which could adversely affect the Company and consequently, to our stockholders.

Dividends Paid by REITs Generally Do Not Qualify for Reduced Tax Rates

In general, the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for dividends paid to individual U.S. shareholders is 20%.  Due to its REIT status, the Company’s distributions to individual shareholders generally are not eligible for the reduced rates.  

The Company Is Subject to Litigation That Could Adversely Affect Its Results of Operations

The Company is a defendant from time to time in lawsuits and regulatory proceedings relating to its business.  Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, the Company cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such litigation or proceedings.  An unfavorable outcome could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.  Any such litigation could also lead to increased volatility of the trading price of the Company’s common shares.  For a further discussion of litigation risks, see “Legal Matters” in Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

The Company’s Real Estate Investments May Contain Environmental Risks That Could Adversely Affect Its Results of Operations

The acquisition of properties may subject the Company to liabilities, including environmental liabilities.  The Company’s operating expenses could be higher than anticipated due to the cost of complying with existing or future environmental laws and regulations.  In addition, under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, the Company may be considered an owner or operator of real property or to have arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances.  As a result, the Company may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in its properties.  The Company may also be liable for other potential costs that could relate to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property).  The Company may incur such liability whether or not it knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances.  Such liability could be of substantial magnitude and divert management’s attention from other aspects of the Company’s business and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and financial condition, as well as its ability to make distributions to shareholders.  

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An Uninsured Loss on the Company’s Properties or a Loss That Exceeds the Limits of the Company’s Insurance Policies Could Subject the Company to Lost Capital or Revenue on Those Properties

Under the terms and conditions of the leases currently in effect on the Company’s properties, tenants generally are required to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from liabilities resulting from injury to persons, air, water, land or property, on or off the premises, due to activities conducted on the properties, except for claims arising from the negligence or intentional misconduct of the Company or its agents.  Additionally, tenants are generally required, at the tenant’s expense, to obtain and keep in full force during the term of the lease liability and full replacement value property damage insurance policies.  The Company has obtained comprehensive liability, casualty, flood, terrorism and rental loss insurance policies on its properties.  All of these policies may involve substantial deductibles and certain exclusions.  Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company may be able to renew or secure additional insurance policies on commercially reasonable terms or at all.  In addition, tenants could fail to properly maintain their insurance policies or be unable to pay the deductibles.  Should a loss occur that is uninsured or is in an amount exceeding the combined aggregate limits for the policies noted above, or in the event of a loss that is subject to a substantial deductible under an insurance policy, the Company could lose all or part of its capital invested in, and anticipated revenue from, one or more of the properties, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and financial condition, as well as its ability to make distributions to shareholders.  

The Company’s Properties Could Be Subject to Damage from Weather-Related Factors

The Company’s properties are open-air shopping centers.  Extreme weather conditions may impact the profitability of the Company’s tenants by decreasing traffic at or hindering access to the Company’s properties, which may decrease the amount of rent the Company collects.  Furthermore, a number of the Company’s properties are located in areas that are subject to natural disasters.  Certain of the Company’s properties are located in California and in other areas with higher risk of earthquakes.  In addition, many of the Company’s properties are located in coastal regions, including 14 properties located on the island of Puerto Rico as of February 10, 2017, and would therefore be affected by any future increases in sea levels or in the frequency or severity of hurricanes and tropical storms, whether such increases are caused by global climate changes or other factors.  

The Company’s Investments in Real Estate Assets Outside the Continental United States May Be Subject to Additional Risks

Investments and operations outside the continental United States generally are subject to various political and other risks that are different from and in addition to risks inherent in the investment in real estate generally discussed in these risk factors and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The Company currently has investments in consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures with real estate assets outside the continental United States, including Puerto Rico, and may increase its investment in real estate in jurisdictions outside the continental United States in the future.  The Company may not realize the intended benefits of these investments due to the uncertainty of foreign or novel laws and markets including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in the regulatory requirements such as the enactment of laws prohibiting or restricting the Company’s ability to own property, political and economic instability in certain geographic locations, labor disruptions, difficulties in managing international operations, potentially adverse tax consequences, including unexpected or unfavorable changes in tax structure, laws restricting the Company’s ability to transfer profits between jurisdictions or to repatriate profits to the United States, additional accounting and control expenses and the administrative burden associated with complying with laws from a variety of jurisdictions.  

In addition, financing may not be available at acceptable rates outside, and equity requirements may be different from the Company’s strategy in, the continental United States.  Each of these factors may adversely affect the Company’s ability to achieve anticipated return on investment, which could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.  

The Company Could Be Subject to Risks Relating to the Puerto Rican Economy and Government

In recent years, the economy in Puerto Rico has experienced a sustained downturn and the territorial government of Puerto Rico has operated at substantial spending deficits.  These economic conditions have adversely affected the territorial government’s current and expected cash flows and resulted in credit downgrades that triggered acceleration clauses in certain outstanding municipal bonds and other bonds.  As a result, the territorial government of Puerto Rico and certain utility companies, both of which are obligors on issued bonds, have defaulted on certain of their outstanding debt obligations and announced that they expect to be unable to meet their existing debt obligations.  If the territorial government and certain utilities are not able to restructure their debt obligations or obtain forbearance on debt service payments, they may be unable to provide various services (including utilities) relied upon in the operation of businesses in Puerto Rico.  Furthermore, inaccessibility of utilities and other government services or providing those services at a significantly higher cost, along with a continued economic downturn and increases in taxes in Puerto Rico, may result in continued or increased migration of residents of Puerto Rico to mainland United States and elsewhere, which could decrease the territory’s tax base, exacerbating the territorial government’s cash flow issues, and decrease the number of consumers in Puerto Rico. In turn, consumers who remain in Puerto Rico could have less disposable income, which may result in declining merchant sales and merchant inability to expand or lease new space or pay rent or pay other expenses for new or existing operations, or result in a general decline in prevailing rental rates. As of December 31, 2016, the Company owned 14 assets in Puerto Rico, aggregating 4.8 million square feet of Company-owned GLA.  These assets represent 12.2% of the Company’s total consolidated revenue and 13.6% of the Company’s

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consolidated property revenue less property expenses (i.e., property net operating income) for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Additionally, these assets account for 6.3% of Company-owned GLA, including unconsolidated joint ventures, at December 31, 2016.  The persistence or further deterioration of economic conditions in Puerto Rico could have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Compliance with Certain Laws and Governmental Rules and Regulations May Require the Company to Make Unplanned Expenditures That Adversely Affect the Company’s Cash Flows

The Company is required to operate its properties in compliance with certain laws and governmental rules and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use regulations, as currently in effect or as they may be enacted or adopted and become applicable to the properties, from time to time.  The Company may be required to make substantial capital expenditures to make upgrades at its properties or otherwise comply with those requirements, and these expenditures could have a material adverse effect on its ability to meet its financial obligations and make distributions to shareholders.  

The Company May Be Unable to Retain and Attract Key Management Personnel

The Company may be unable to retain and attract talented executives.  In the event of the loss of key management personnel to competitors, or upon unexpected death, disability or retirement, the Company may not be able to find replacements with comparable skill, ability and industry expertise.  The Company’s operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected until suitable replacements are identified and retained, if at all.  

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation Contain Limitations on Acquisitions and Changes in Control

In order to maintain the Company’s status as a REIT, its Articles of Incorporation prohibit any person, except for certain shareholders as set forth in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, from owning more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common shares.  This restriction is likely to discourage third parties from acquiring control of the Company without consent of its Board of Directors even if a change in control were in the best interests of shareholders.  

The Company Has Significant Shareholders Who May Exert Influence on the Company as a Result of Their Considerable Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s Common Shares, and Their Interests May Differ from the Interests of Other Shareholders

The Company has shareholders, including Mr. Alexander Otto who is a member of the Board of Directors, who, because of their considerable beneficial ownership of the Company’s common shares, are in a position to exert significant influence over the Company.  These shareholders may exert influence with respect to matters that are brought to a vote of the Company’s Board of Directors and/or the holders of the Company’s common shares.  Among others, these matters include the election of the Company’s Board of Directors, corporate finance transactions and joint venture activity, merger, acquisition and disposition activity, and amendments to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations.  In the context of major corporate events, the interests of the Company’s significant shareholders may differ from the interests of other shareholders.  For example, if a significant shareholder does not support a merger, tender offer, sale of assets or other business combination because the shareholder judges it to be inconsistent with the shareholder’s investment strategy, the Company may be unable to enter into or consummate a transaction that would enable other shareholders to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market prices for common shares.  Furthermore, if the Company’s significant shareholders sell substantial amounts of the Company’s common shares in the public market to enhance the shareholders’ liquidity positions, fund alternative investments or for other reasons, the trading price of the Company’s common shares could decline significantly and other shareholders may be unable to sell their common shares at favorable prices.  The Company cannot predict or control how the Company’s significant shareholders may use the influence they have as a result of their common share holdings.

Changes in Market Conditions Could Adversely Affect the Market Price of the Company’s Publicly Traded Securities

As with other publicly traded securities, the market price of the Company’s publicly traded securities depends on various market conditions, which may change from time to time.  Among the market conditions that may affect the market price of the Company’s publicly traded securities are the following:

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The Company May Issue Additional Securities Without Shareholder Approval

The Company can issue preferred shares and common shares without shareholder approval subject to certain limitations in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation.  Holders of preferred shares have priority over holders of common shares, and the issuance of additional shares reduces the interest of existing holders in the Company.  

The Company Faces Risks Relating to Cybersecurity Attacks and Other Data Breaches

The Company’s business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity intrusions and other data security breaches. Such attacks could range from individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems, to more sophisticated and coordinated security threats such as social engineering.  While the Company maintains some of its own critical information technology systems, it also depends on third parties to provide important information technology services relating to several key business functions, such as payroll, human resources, electronic communications and certain finance functions. Although the Company and such third parties employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, including password protection, firewalls, backup servers, threat monitoring and periodic penetration testing, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a data breach. Furthermore, the security measures employed by third-party service providers may prove to be ineffective at preventing breaches of their systems. Data breach incidents could compromise the confidential information of the Company’s tenants, employees and third-party vendors and disrupt the Company’s business operations.

None.

At December 31, 2016, the Portfolio Properties included 319 shopping centers (including 152 centers owned through joint ventures).  At December 31, 2016, the Portfolio Properties also included more than 650 acres of undeveloped land including parcels located adjacent to certain of the shopping centers.  At December 31, 2016, the Portfolio Properties aggregated 75.8 million square feet of Company-owned GLA (105.7 million square feet of total GLA) located in 35 states, plus Puerto Rico.  These centers are principally in the Southeast and Midwest, with significant concentrations in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and North Carolina, as well as Puerto Rico.  The 14 assets owned in Puerto Rico aggregate 4.8 million square feet of Company-owned GLA (5.1 million square feet of total GLA).  At December 31, 2016, the Company also owned an interest in two land parcels in Canada.  

At December 31, 2016, the average annualized base rent per square foot of Company-owned GLA of the Company’s 167 wholly-owned shopping centers was $15.54.  For the 152 shopping centers owned through joint ventures, average annualized base rent per square foot was $14.17 at December 31, 2016.  The Company’s average annualized base rent per square foot does not consider tenant expense reimbursements.  The Company generally does not enter into significant tenant concessions on a lease-by-lease basis.  

The Company’s shopping centers are typically anchored by two or more national tenant anchors (such as Walmart or Target) and are designed to provide a highly-compelling shopping experience and merchandise mix for retail partners and consumers.  The tenants of the shopping centers typically cater to the consumer’s desire for value and convenience and offer day-to-day necessities rather than high-priced luxury items.  The properties often include discounters, warehouse clubs, specialty grocers, pet supply stores, beauty supply retailers and dollar stores as additional anchors or tenants.  As one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of open-air shopping centers (measured by total GLA), the Company has established close relationships with a large number of major national and regional retailers, many of which occupy space in its shopping centers.  

Information as to the Company’s 10 largest tenants based on total annualized rental revenues and Company-owned GLA at December 31, 2016, is set forth in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the caption Company Fundamentals of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  For additional details related to property encumbrances for the Company’s wholly-owned assets, see “Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation” (Schedule III) herein.  At December 31, 2016, the Company owned an investment in 151 properties owned through unconsolidated joint ventures, which served as collateral for joint venture mortgage debt aggregating approximately $3.0 billion (of which the Company’s proportionate share is $412.9 million) and which is not reflected in the consolidated indebtedness.  The Company’s properties range in size from approximately 10,000 square feet to approximately 1,500,000 square feet of total GLA (with 141 properties exceeding 300,000 square

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feet of total GLA) and 219 of these properties include a grocery component.  The Company’s properties were 93.3% occupied as of December 31, 2016, and occupancy was between 91.5% and 93.5% over the five-year period ended December 31, 2016.

Tenant Lease Expirations and Renewals

The following table shows the impact of tenant lease expirations through 2026 at the Company’s 167 wholly-owned shopping centers, assuming that none of the tenants exercise any of their renewal options:

The following table shows the impact of tenant lease expirations at the joint venture level through 2026 at the Company’s 152 shopping centers owned through joint ventures, assuming that none of the tenants exercise any of their renewal options:

The rental payments under certain of these leases will remain constant until the expiration of their base terms, regardless of inflationary increases.  There can be no assurance that any of these leases will be renewed or that any replacement tenants will be obtained if not renewed.  

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DDR Corp.

Shopping Center Property List at December 31, 2016

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DDR Corp.

Shopping Center Property List at December 31, 2016

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DDR Corp.

Shopping Center Property List at December 31, 2016

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DDR Corp.

Shopping Center Property List at December 31, 2016