UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from...................................to................................................Commission file number 1-13274
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
11 Commerce Drive, Cranford, New Jersey 07016-3501(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(908) 272-8000 (Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve (12) months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) YES X NO and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days. YES X NO .
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES X NO .
As of April 30, 2004, there were 60,562,395 shares of $0.01 par value common stock outstanding.
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The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, of changes in stockholders equity, and of cash flows and related notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments, which are in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation for the interim periods.
The aforementioned financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the aforementioned financial statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and notes thereto included in Mack-Cali Realty Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
The results of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year or any other period.
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ORGANIZATIONMack-Cali Realty Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its subsidiaries (the Company), is a fully-integrated, self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) providing leasing, management, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its properties. As of March 31, 2004, the Company owned or had interests in 263 properties plus developable land (collectively, the Properties). The Properties aggregate approximately 28.3 million square feet, which are comprised of 154 office buildings and 97 office/flex buildings, totaling approximately 27.8 million square feet (which include four office buildings and one office/flex building aggregating 1.2 million square feet owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has investment interests), six industrial/warehouse buildings totaling approximately 387,400 square feet, three retail properties totaling approximately 118,040 square feet (which includes a mixed-use retail property totaling approximately 100,740 square feet owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which the Company has an investment interest), one hotel (which is owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which the Company has an investment interest) and two parcels of land leased to others. The Properties are located in eight states, primarily in the Northeast, plus the District of Columbia.
BASIS OF PRESENTATIONThe accompanying consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company, its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, which consist principally of Mack-Cali Realty, L.P. (Operating Partnership). See Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures in Note 2 for the Companys treatment of unconsolidated joint venture interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Rental PropertyRental properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs directly related to the acquisition, development and construction of rental properties are capitalized. Capitalized development and construction costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development and construction costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, salaries and other project costs incurred during the period of development. Included in total rental property is construction and development in-progress of $88,588 and $84,105 (including land of $50,156 and $49,045) as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Fully-depreciated assets are removed from the accounts.
The Company considers a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the completion of tenant improvements, but no later than one year from cessation of major construction activity (as distinguished from activities such as routine maintenance and cleanup). If portions of a rental project are substantially completed and occupied by tenants, or held available for occupancy, and other portions have not yet reached that stage, the substantially completed portions are accounted for as a separate project. The Company allocates costs incurred between the portions under construction and the portions substantially completed and held available for occupancy, and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portion under construction.
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Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Upon acquisition of rental property, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities generally consisting of the fair value of (i) above and below market leases, (ii) in-place leases and (iii) tenant relationships. The Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. In estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired, the Company considers information obtained about each property as a result of its due diligence and marketing and leasing activities, and utilizes various valuation methods, such as estimated cash flow projections utilizing appropriate discount and capitalization rates, estimates of replacement costs net of depreciation, and available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.
Above-market and below-market lease values for acquired properties are recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) managements estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.
Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values and tenant relationship values which are based on managements evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenants lease and the Companys overall relationship with the respective tenant. Factors to be considered by management in its analysis of in-place lease values include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, management considers leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. Characteristics considered by management in valuing tenant relationships include the nature and extent of the Companys existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenants credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. The value of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. The value of tenant relationship intangibles are amortized to expense over the anticipated life of the relationships.
On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Companys real estate properties may be impaired. A propertys value is impaired only if managements estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property over the fair value of the property. The Companys estimates of aggregate future cash flows expected to be generated by each property are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and costs to operate each property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter managements assumptions, the future cash flows estimated by management in its impairment analyses may not be achieved. Management does not believe that the value of any of the Companys rental properties is impaired.
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Rental Property Held for Sale and Discontinued OperationsWhen assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of selling costs, of such assets. If, in managements opinion, the net sales price of the assets which have been identified as held for sale is less than the net book value of the assets, a valuation allowance is established.
If circumstances arise that previously were considered unlikely and, as a result, the Company decides not to sell a property previously classified as held for sale, the property is reclassified as held and used. A property that is reclassified is measured and recorded individually at the lower of (a) its carrying amount before the property was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation (amortization) expense that would have been recognized had the property been continuously classified as held and used, or (b) the fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.
Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FASB) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which supercedes FASB No. 121. FASB No. 144 requires that long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lower of book value or fair value less cost to sell. FASB No. 144 retains the requirements of FASB No. 121 regarding impairment loss recognition and measurement. In addition, it requires that one accounting model be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions. Properties identified as held for sale and/or sold from January 1, 2002 forward are presented in discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 6.
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, NetOn January 17, 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46), the primary objective of which is to provide guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights (variable interest entities or VIEs) and to determine when and which business enterprise should consolidate the VIE (the primary beneficiary). In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised FIN 46 which modifies and clarifies various aspects of the original Interpretation. FIN 46 applies when either (1) the equity investors (if any) lack one or more of the essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest, (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entitys activities without additional subordinated financial support or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests, and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest. In addition, FIN 46 requires additional disclosures.
FIN 46 is effective immediately for VIEs created after January 31, 2003, and to VIEs in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. For variable interests in a VIE created or obtained prior to February 1, 2003, FIN 46 is effective for periods ending after March 15, 2004. As of March 31, 2004, the Company has evaluated its joint ventures with regards to FIN 46. The Company has identified its Meadowlands Xanadu joint venture with the Mills Corporation as a VIE, but is not consolidating such venture as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Disclosure about this VIE is included in Note 4 - Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures.
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The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (for which FIN 46 does not apply) under the equity method of accounting as the Company exercises significant influence, but does not control these entities. These investments are recorded initially at cost, as Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, and subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions.
On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Companys investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if managements estimate of the value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the value of the investment. Management does not believe that the value of any of the Companys investments in unconsolidated joint ventures is impaired. See Note 4.
Cash and Cash EquivalentsAll highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents.
Deferred CostsCosts incurred in obtaining financing are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method, over the term of the related indebtedness. Amortization of such costs is included in interest expense and was $1,105 and $1,251 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Deferred Leasing CostsCosts incurred in connection with leases are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases and included in depreciation and amortization. Unamortized deferred leasing costs are charged to amortization expense upon early termination of the lease. Certain employees of the Company are compensated for providing leasing services to the Properties. The portion of such compensation, which is capitalized and amortized, approximated $1,475 and $762 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Derivative InstrumentsThe Company measures derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, at fair value and records them as an asset or liability, depending on the Companys rights or obligations under the applicable derivative contract. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income (OCI) and are subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging and ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the affected period.
Revenue RecognitionBase rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Unbilled rents receivable represents the amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with the lease agreements. Above-market and below-market lease values for acquired properties are recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) managements estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases. The capitalized above-market lease values for acquired properties are amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases. Parking and other revenue includes income from parking spaces leased to tenants, income from tenants for additional services provided by the Company, income from tenants for early lease terminations and income from managing and/or leasing properties for third parties. Escalations and recoveries are received from tenants for certain costs as provided in the lease agreements. These costs generally include real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance and other recoverable costs. See Note 13.
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Allowance for Doubtful AccountsManagement periodically performs a detailed review of amounts due from tenants to determine if accounts receivable balances are impaired based on factors affecting the collectibility of those balances. Managements estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts requires management to exercise significant judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of collection losses, which affects the allowance and net income.
Income and Other TaxesThe Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to corporate federal income tax (including alternative minimum tax) on net income that it currently distributes to its shareholders, provided that the Company satisfies certain organizational and operational requirements including the requirement to distribute at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. The Company has elected to treat certain of its corporate subsidiaries as a Taxable REIT Subsidiary (TRS). In general, a TRS of the Company may perform additional services for tenants of the Company and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business (except for the operation or management of health care facilities or lodging facilities or the providing to any person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated). A TRS is subject to corporate federal income tax. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. The Company is subject to certain state and local taxes.
Earnings Per ShareThe Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS). Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, where such exercise or conversion would result in a lower EPS amount.
Dividends and Distributions PayableThe dividends and distributions payable at March 31, 2004 represents dividends payable to preferred shareholders (10,000 shares), common shareholders (60,533,315 shares), distributions payable to minority interest common unitholders (7,789,498 common units) and preferred distributions payable to preferred unitholders (215,018 preferred units) for all such holders of record as of April 5, 2004 with respect to the first quarter 2004. The first quarter 2004 preferred stock dividends of $50.00 per share, common stock dividends and common unit distributions of $0.63 per common share and unit, as well as the first quarter preferred unit distributions of $18.1818 per preferred unit, were approved by the Board of Directors on March 23, 2004. The preferred stock dividends payable were paid on April 15, 2004. The common stock dividends and common and preferred unit distributions payable were paid on April 19, 2004.
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The dividends and distributions payable at December 31, 2003 represents dividends payable to preferred shareholders (10,000 shares), common shareholders (59,606,504 shares), distributions payable to minority interest common unitholders (7,795,498 common units) and preferred distributions payable to preferred unitholders (215,018 preferred units) for all such holders of record as of January 6, 2004 with respect to the fourth quarter 2003. The fourth quarter 2003 preferred stock dividends of $50.00 per share, common stock dividends and common unit distributions of $0.63 per common share and unit, as well as the fourth quarter preferred unit distributions of $18.1818 per preferred unit, were approved by the Board of Directors on December 17, 2003. The preferred stock dividends payable were paid on January 15, 2004. The common stock dividends and common and preferred unit distributions payable were paid on January 16, 2004.
Costs Incurred For Preferred Stock IssuancesCosts incurred in connection with the Companys preferred stock issuances are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
Stock CompensationThe Company accounts for stock options and restricted stock awards granted prior to 2002 using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations (APB No. 25). Under APB No. 25, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Companys stock at the date of grant over the exercise price of the option granted. Compensation cost for stock options is recognized ratably over the vesting period. The Companys policy is to grant options with an exercise price equal to the quoted closing market price of the Companys stock on the business day preceding the grant date. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized under the Companys stock option plans for the granting of stock options made prior to 2002. Restricted stock awards granted prior to 2002 are valued at the vesting dates of such awards, with compensation cost for such awards recognized ratably over the vesting period.
In 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB No. 123, which requires, on a prospective basis, that the estimated fair value of restricted stock and stock options at the grant date be amortized ratably into expense over the appropriate vesting period. For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded restricted stock and stock options expense of $771 and $417, respectively, for restricted stock and stock options granted or modified in 2003 and 2004. FASB No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure, was issued in December 2002 and amends FASB No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation. FASB No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock based compensation. In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of FASB No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. FASB No. 148 disclosure requirements are presented as follows:
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The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested stock awards in each period:
ReclassificationsCertain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation.
PROPERTY ACQUISITIONOn April 14, 2004, the Company acquired 5 Wood Hollow Road, located in Parsippany, New Jersey. The 317,040 square-foot class A office building was acquired for approximately $34,000.
The debt of the Companys unconsolidated joint ventures aggregating $106,459 as of March 31, 2004 is non-recourse to the Company, except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions and material misrepresentations, and except as otherwise indicated below.
MEADOWLANDS XANADUOn November 25, 2003, the Company and affiliates of The Mills Corporation (Mills) entered into a joint venture to form Meadowlands Mills/Mack-Cali Limited Partnership (Meadowlands Venture) for the purpose of developing a $1.3 billion family entertainment and recreation complex with an office and hotel component to be built at the Meadowlands sports complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Meadowlands Xanadu). Meadowlands Xanadus approximately 4.76 million-square-foot complex is expected to feature a family entertainment destination comprising three themed zones: sports/recreation, childrens activities and fashion, in addition to four office buildings, aggregating approximately 1.8 million square feet, and a 520-room hotel.
On December 3, 2003, the Meadowlands Venture entered into a redevelopment agreement (the Redevelopment Agreement) with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for the redevelopment of the area surrounding the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey and the construction of the Meadowlands Xanadu project. The Redevelopment Agreement provides for a 75-year ground lease, which requires the joint venture to pay the NJSEA a $160,000 development rights fee at the start of construction of the entertainment phase, when all permits and approvals are obtained, and the payment of fixed rent over the term. Fixed rent will be in the amount of $1 per year for the first 15 years, increasing to $7,500 from the 16th to the 18th year, increasing to $8,447 in the 19th year, increasing to $8,700 in the 20th year, increasing to $8,961 in the 21st year, then to $9,200 in the 23rd to 26th year, with additional increases over the remainder of the term, as set forth in the ground lease. The ground lease also allows for the potential for participation rent payments by the venture, as described in the ground lease agreement.
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The Company and Mills own a 20 percent and 80 percent interest, respectively, in the Meadowlands Venture. These interests were subject to certain participation rights by The New York Giants, which were subsequently terminated in April 2004. The joint venture agreement requires the Company to make an equity contribution up to a maximum of $32,500. As part of the Redevelopment Agreement, Mills is required to contribute certain vacant land, known as the Empire Tract, to the State of New Jersey to be used as a wetlands mitigation bank, for which Mills has received subordinated capital credit in the venture of approximately $118,000. The joint venture agreement requires Mills to contribute the balance of the capital required to complete the entertainment phase, subject to certain limitations. The Company will receive a nine percent preferred return on its equity investment, only after Mills receives a nine percent preferred return on its equity investment. Residual returns, subject to participation by other parties, will be in proportion to each partners respective percentage interest.
Mills will develop, lease and operate the entertainment phase of the Meadowlands Xanadu project. The joint venture agreement provides the Company an option to cause the Meadowlands Venture to form component ventures for the future development of the office and hotel phases, for which the Company will develop, lease and operate such phases. The Company will own an 80 percent interest and Mills will own a 20 percent interest in such component ventures. The agreement provides for the first office or hotel component ventures to be formed no later than four years after the grand opening of the entertainment phase, and requires that all component ventures for the office and hotel phases be formed no later than 10 years from such date, but does not require that any or all components be developed. However, under the Meadowlands Venture agreement, Mills has the ability to accelerate such formation schedule, subject to certain conditions. Should the Company fail to meet the time schedule described above for the formation of the component ventures, the Company will forfeit its rights to cause the Meadowlands Venture to form additional component ventures. If this occurs, Mills will have the ability to develop the additional phases, subject to the Companys right to participate, or to cause the Meadowlands Venture to sell such components to a third party, subject to a sales price limitation of 95 percent of the value that would have been the amount necessary to form such component ventures.
On March 27, 2003, Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. (Hartz) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, for Bergen County, seeking to enjoin the NJSEA from entering into a contract with Mills and the Company for the redevelopment of the Continental Airlines Arena site. The case was dismissed by the trial court but Hartz appealed. Hartz also appealed the NJSEAs final decision which denied Hartzs bid protest on October 23, 2003. Westfield America, Inc., has also protested the NJSEA decision, and has appealed the NJSEAs denial of its protest. In January 2004, Hartz and Westfield also appealed the NJSEAs approval and execution of the final Redevelopment Agreement. Four citizens, Elliot Braha, Richard DeLauro, George Perry and Carol Coronato, have also filed lawsuits challenging the NJSEA award to Mills and the Company. All of these cases are now pending unresolved in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. The Company believes that its proposal fully complied with applicable laws and the request for proposals, and it plans to vigorously enforce its rights concerning this project.
HPMCOn April 23, 1998, the Company entered into a joint venture with HCG Development, L.L.C. and Summit Partners I, L.L.C. to form HPMC Development Partners, L.P. and, on July 21, 1998, entered into a second joint venture, HPMC Development Partners II, L.P. (formerly known as HPMC Lava Ridge Partners, L.P.), with these same parties. HPMC Development Partners, L.P.s efforts focused on two development projects, commonly referred to as Continental Grand II and Summit Ridge. HPMC Development Partners II, L.P.s efforts have focused on three development projects, commonly referred to as Lava Ridge, Pacific Plaza I & II and Stadium Gateway.
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The Company has a 50 percent ownership interest and HCG Development, L.L.C. and Summit Partners I, L.L.C. (both of which are not affiliated with the Company) collectively have a 50 percent ownership interest in HPMC Development Partners, L.P. and HPMC Development Partners II, L.P. (the HPMC Joint Ventures). Significant terms of the applicable partnership agreements, among other things, call for the Company to provide 80 percent and HCG Development, L.L.C. and Summit Partners I, L.L.C. to collectively provide 20 percent of the development equity capital to the HPMC Joint Ventures. As the Company has agreed to fund development equity capital disproportionate to its ownership interest, it was granted a preferred return of 10 percent on its invested capital as a priority. Profits and losses of each of the HPMC Joint Ventures are allocated to the partners based upon the priority of distributions specified in the respective agreements and entitle the Company to a preferred return, as well as 50 percent of each of the HPMC Joint Ventures residual profits above the preferred returns. Equity in earnings recognized by the Company consists of preferred returns and the Companys equity in the HPMC Joint Ventures earnings (loss) after giving effect to the HPMC Joint Ventures payment of such preferred returns.
G&G MARTCO (Convention Plaza)The Company holds a 50 percent interest in G&G Martco, which owns Convention Plaza, a 305,618 square-foot office building, located in San Francisco, California. The venture has a mortgage loan with a $41,229 balance at March 31, 2004 collateralized by its office property. The loan also provides the venture the ability to increase the balance of the loan up to an additional $6,720 for the funding of qualified leasing costs. The loan bears interest at a rate of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (1.09 percent at March 31, 2004) plus 162.5 basis points and matures in August 2006. The Company performs management and leasing services for the property owned by the joint venture and recognized $36 and $61 in fees for such services in the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL EXCHANGE L.L.C./PLAZA VIII AND IX ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.On May 20, 1998, the Company entered into a joint venture with Columbia Development Company, L.L.C. (Columbia) to form American Financial Exchange L.L.C. The venture was formed to acquire land for future development, located on the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City, New Jersey, adjacent to the Companys Harborside Financial Center office complex. Among other things, the partnership agreement provides for a preferred return on the Companys invested capital in the venture, in addition to the Companys proportionate share of the ventures profit, as defined in the agreement. The joint venture acquired land on which it initially constructed a parking facility, a portion of which is currently licensed to a parking operator. Such parking facility serves a ferry service between the Companys Harborside property and Manhattan. In the fourth quarter 2000, the joint venture started construction of Plaza 10, a 577,575 square-foot office building, which was 100 percent pre-leased to Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (Schwab) for a 15-year term, on certain of the land owned by the venture. The lease agreement with Schwab obligated the venture, among other things, to deliver space to the tenant by required timelines and offers expansion options, at the tenants election.
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Such options may have obligated the venture to construct an additional building or, at the Companys option, to make space available in any of its existing Harborside properties. Had the venture been unable to, or chosen not to, provide such expansion space, the venture would have been liable to Schwab for its actual damages, in no event to exceed $15,000. The amount of Schwabs actual damages, up to $15,000, had been guaranteed by the Company. As described below, the Company no longer has any remaining obligations to Schwab following the sale of the Company's interests in the venture. AFE has an agreement with the City of Jersey City, New Jersey, in which it is required to make payments in lieu of property taxes (PILOT). The agreement is for a term of 20 years. The PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project Costs, as defined, with periodic increases, as defined. Total Project Costs, per the agreement, are the greater of $78,821 or actual Total Project Costs, as defined.
The Company performed management, leasing and development services for the Plaza 10 property owned by the venture and recognized $0 and $225 in fees for such services in the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
On September 29, 2003, the Company sold its interest in AFE, in which it held a 50 percent interest, and received approximately $162,145 in net sales proceeds from the transaction, which the Company used primarily to repay outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The Company recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $23,952, which is recorded in gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated joint venture for the year ended December 31, 2003. Following completion of the sale of its interest, the Company no longer has any remaining obligations to Schwab.
In advance of the transaction, AFE distributed its interests in Plaza VIII and IX Associates, L.L.C., which owned the undeveloped land currently used as a parking facility, to its then partners, the Company and Columbia. The Company and Columbia subsequently entered into a new joint venture to own and manage the undeveloped land and related parking operations through Plaza VIII and IX Associates, L.L.C. The Company and Columbia each hold a 50 percent interest in the new venture.
RAMLAND REALTY ASSOCIATES L.L.C. (One Ramland Road)On August 20, 1998, the Company entered into a joint venture with S.B. New York Realty Corp. to form Ramland Realty Associates L.L.C. The venture was formed to own, manage and operate One Ramland Road, a 232,000 square-foot office/flex building and adjacent developable land, located in Orangeburg, New York. In August 1999, the joint venture completed redevelopment of the property and placed the office/flex building in service. The Company holds a 50 percent interest in the joint venture. The venture has a mortgage loan with a $14,936 balance at March 31, 2004 secured by its office/flex property. The mortgage bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 175 basis points and matures in January 2005. The venture is currently in discussions with the current lender regarding a long-term extension of the mortgage loan. In the event the lender does not provide an extension of the mortgage loan, the venture intends to pursue alternative financing strategies.
In 2001, the propertys then principal tenant, Superior Bank was closed by the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named receiver. The tenant continued to meet its rental payment obligations through June 2002. In July 2002, the tenant vacated the premises and the FDIC notified the joint venture that it was rejecting the lease as of July 16, 2002. As a result of the uncertainty regarding the tenants ability to meet its obligations through the remainder of the term of its lease, the joint venture wrote off unbilled rents receivable of $1,573 and deferred lease costs of $705, which was included in the Companys equity in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2002. Subsequently, the ventures management determined it was unlikely a prospective tenant would retain tenant improvements previously made to Superior Banks space and, accordingly, the venture accelerated amortization of those tenant improvements and recorded a charge of $3,586, which is included in the Companys equity in earnings in the three months ended March 31, 2003. The Company performs management, leasing and other services for the property owned by the joint venture and recognized $3 and $6 in fees for such services in the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
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ASHFORD LOOP ASSOCIATES L.P. (1001 South Dairy Ashford/2100 West Loop South)On September 18, 1998, the Company entered into a joint venture with Prudential to form Ashford Loop Associates L.P. The venture was formed to own, manage and operate 1001 South Dairy Ashford, a 130,000 square-foot office building acquired on September 18, 1998, and 2100 West Loop South, a 168,000 square-foot office building acquired on November 25, 1998, both located in Houston, Texas. The Company holds a 20 percent interest in the joint venture. The Company performed management and leasing services through March 2002 for the properties owned by the joint venture and recognized $45 in fees for such services in the three months ended March 31, 2002. Under certain circumstances, Prudential has the right to convert its interest in the venture into common stock of the Company at a discount to the stocks fair market value, based on the underlying fair value of Prudentials interest in the venture at the time of conversion. The Company, at its option, can elect to exchange cash in lieu of stock in an amount equal to the fair value of Prudentials interest.
SOUTH PIER AT HARBORSIDE HOTEL DEVELOPMENTOn November 17, 1999, the Company entered into a joint venture with Hyatt Corporation (Hyatt) to develop a 350-room hotel on the South Pier at Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, New Jersey, which was completed and commenced initial operations in July 2002. The Company owns a 50 percent interest in the venture. The venture had a mortgage loan with a commercial bank with a $62,902 balance at December 31, 2003 collateralized by its hotel property. The debt bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 275 basis points and was scheduled to mature in December 2003, and was extended through January 29, 2004. On that date the venture repaid the mortgage loan using the proceeds from a new $40,000 mortgage loan, collateralized by the hotel property, as well as capital contributions from the Company and Hyatt of $10,750 each. The new loan carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points and matures in February 2006. The loan provides for three one-year extension options subject to certain conditions. The final two one-year extension options require payment of a fee. Additionally, the venture has an $8,000 loan with the City of Jersey City, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The loan currently bears interest at fixed rates ranging from 6.09 percent to 6.62 percent and matures in August 2020. The Company has posted an $8,000 letter of credit in support of this loan, $4,000 of which is indemnified by Hyatt.
NORTH PIER AT HARBORSIDE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTOn April 3, 2001, the Company sold its North Pier at Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, New Jersey to an entity which planned on developing residential housing on the site. At the time, the Company received net sales proceeds of approximately $3,357 (which included a note receivable of $2,027 subsequently repaid in 2002), and recognized a gain of $439 (before minority interest) from the transaction. On March 31, 2004, the Company received an additional $720 as additional contingent purchase consideration resulting from the achievement of certain conditions at the property subsequent to the initial sale, for which the Company recorded a gain of $637 (net of minority interest of $83) in gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2004.
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SUMMARIES OF UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURESThe following is a summary of the financial position of the unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company had investment interests as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003:
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SUMMARIES OF UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURESThe following is a summary of the results of operations of the unconsolidated joint ventures for the period in which the Company had investment interests during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:
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Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which supercedes FASB No. 121. FASB No. 144 requires that long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lower of book value or fair value less cost to sell. FASB No. 144 retains the requirements of FASB No. 121 regarding impairment loss recognition and measurement. In addition, it requires that one accounting model be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions. As the Company sold 1770 St. James Place, Houston, Texas; 111 Soledad, San Antonio, Texas; and land in Hamilton Township, New Jersey during the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company has presented these assets as discontinued operations in its statements of operations for the periods presented.
The following tables summarize income from discontinued operations (net of minority interest) and the related realized gain on sale of rental property (net of minority interest) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:
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A summary of the Companys senior unsecured notes as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 is as follows:
On March 22, 2004, the Company issued $100,000 face amount of 5.125 percent senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2014 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. The total proceeds from the issuance (including premium and net of selling commissions) of approximately $103,137 were used primarily to reduce outstanding borrowings under the Companys unsecured facility.
On March 15, 2004, the Company retired $300,000 face amount of 7.00 percent senior unsecured notes due on that date. Funds used for the retirement were obtained from proceeds from the February 2004 $100,000 senior unsecured notes offering, borrowings under the unsecured facility and available cash.
On February 9, 2004, the Company issued $100,000 face amount of 5.125 percent senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2014 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. The total proceeds from the issuance (net of selling commissions and discount) of approximately $98,538 were held until March 15, 2004, when the Company used the net proceeds from the sale, together with borrowings under the unsecured facility and available cash, to repay the $300 million 7.00 percent notes due March 15, 2004.
In 2002, the Company obtained an unsecured revolving credit facility with a current borrowing capacity of $600,000 from a group of 15 lenders. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the unsecured facility is currently LIBOR plus 70 basis points. The Company may instead elect an interest rate representing the higher of the lenders prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points. The unsecured facility also requires a 20 basis point facility fee on the current borrowing capacity payable quarterly in arrears. The unsecured facility matures in September 2005, with an extension option of one year, which would require upon exercise a payment of 25 basis points of the then borrowing capacity of the credit line.
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In the event of a change in the Operating Partnerships unsecured debt rating, the interest and facility fee rates will be adjusted in accordance with the following table:
The terms of the unsecured facility include certain restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things, the payment of dividends (as discussed below), the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the disposition of assets, and which require compliance with financial ratios relating to the maximum leverage ratio, the maximum amount of secured indebtedness, the minimum amount of tangible net worth, the minimum amount of debt service coverage, the minimum amount of fixed charge coverage, the maximum amount of unsecured indebtedness, the minimum amount of unencumbered property debt service coverage and certain investment limitations. The dividend restriction referred to above provides that, except to enable the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, the Company will not during any four consecutive fiscal quarters make distributions with respect to common stock or other common equity interests in an aggregate amount in excess of 90 percent of funds from operations (as defined) for such period, subject to certain other adjustments.
The lending group for the unsecured facility consists of: JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent; Fleet National Bank, as syndication agent; Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents; Commerzbank AG, as co-syndication agent; The Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank One, N.A., Citicorp North America, Inc., and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as managing agents, PNC Bank, National Association, and SunTrust Bank, as co-agents; Bayerische Landesbank, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B. and Israel Discount Bank of New York, as syndicate members.
SUMMARYAs of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $30,000 and $0, respectively, under the unsecured facility (with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $600,000).
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The Company has mortgages and loans payable which consist of various loans collateralized by certain of the Companys rental properties. Payments on mortgages and loans payable are generally due in monthly installments of principal and interest, or interest only.
A summary of the Companys mortgages and loans payable as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 is as follows:
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST AND INTEREST CAPITALIZEDCash paid for interest for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $40,464 and $46,418, respectively. Interest capitalized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $914 and $2,328, respectively.
SUMMARY OF INDEBTEDNESSAs of March 31, 2004, the Companys total indebtedness of $1,559,769 (weighted average interest rate of 6.71 percent) was comprised of $62,178 of variable rate mortgage debt (weighted average rate of 1.81 percent) and fixed rate debt of $1,497,591 (weighted average rate of 6.91 percent).
As of December 31, 2003, the Companys total indebtedness of $1,628,584 (weighted average interest rate of 7.10 percent) was comprised of $32,178 of variable rate mortgage debt (weighted average rate of 1.84 percent) and fixed rate debt of $1,596,406 (weighted average rate of 7.21 percent).
Minority interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relate to preferred units (Preferred Units) and common units in the Operating Partnership, held by parties other than the Company.
PREFERRED UNITSThe Operating Partnership has two classes of Preferred Units Series B and Series C, which are described as follows:
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Series BThe Series B Preferred Units have a stated value of $1,000 per unit and are preferred as to assets over any class of common units or other class of preferred units of the Company, based on circumstances per the applicable unit certificates. The quarterly distribution on each Series B Preferred Unit is an amount equal to the greater of (i) $16.875 (representing 6.75 percent of the Preferred Unit stated value of an annualized basis) or (ii) the quarterly distribution attributable to a Series B Preferred Unit determined as if such unit had been converted into common units, subject to adjustment for customary anti-dilution rights. Each of the Series B Preferred Units may be converted at any time into common units at a conversion price of $34.65 per unit. Common units received pursuant to such conversion may be redeemed for an equal number of shares of common stock. At any time after June 11, 2005, the Company may cause the mandatory conversion of the Series B Preferred Units into common units at the conversion price of $34.65 per unit if, for at least 20 of the prior consecutive 30 days, the closing price of the Companys common stock equals or exceeds $34.65. The Company is prohibited from taking certain actions that would adversely affect the rights of the holders of Series B Preferred Units without the consent of at least 66 2/3 percent of the outstanding Series B Preferred Units, including authorizing, creating or issuing any additional preferred units ranking senior to or equal with the Series B Preferred Units; provided, however, that such consent is not required if the Company issues preferred units ranking equal (but not senior) to the Series B Preferred Units in an aggregate amount up to the greater of (a) $200,000 in stated value or (b) 10 percent of the sum of (1) the combined market capitalization of the Companys common stock and the Operating Partnerships common units and Series B Preferred Units, as if converted into common stock, and (2) the aggregate liquidation preference on any of the Companys non-convertible preferred stock or the Operating Partnerships non-convertible preferred units. As of March 31, 2004, the calculation in the above clause (b) was $336,614.
Series CIn connection with the Companys issuance of $25,000 of Series C cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock, the Company acquired from the Operating Partnership $25,000 of Series C Preferred Units (the Series C Preferred Units), which have terms essentially identical to the Series C preferred stock and rank equal with the Series B Preferred Units. See Note 14: Stockholders Equity Preferred Stock.
COMMON UNITSCertain individuals and entities own common units in the Operating Partnership. A common unit and a share of common stock of the Company have substantially the same economic characteristics in as much as they effectively share equally in the net income or loss of the Operating Partnership. Common units are redeemable by the common unitholders at their option, subject to certain restrictions, on the basis of one common unit for either one share of common stock or cash equal to the fair market value of a share at the time of the redemption. The Company has the option to deliver shares of common stock in exchange for all or any portion of the cash requested. The common unitholders may not put the units for cash to the Company or the Operating Partnership. When a unitholder redeems a common unit, minority interest in the Operating Partnership is reduced and the Companys investment in the Operating Partnership is increased.
UNIT TRANSACTIONS The following table sets forth the changes in minority interest which relate to the Series B Preferred Units and common units in the Operating Partnership for the three months ended March 31, 2004:
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MINORITY INTEREST OWNERSHIPAs of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the minority interest common unitholders owned 11.4 percent (18.8 percent, including the effect of the conversion of Series B Preferred Units into common units) and 11.6 percent (19.1 percent including the effect of the conversion of Series B Preferred Units into common units) of the Operating Partnership, respectively.
All employees of the Company who meet certain minimum age and period of service requirements are eligible to participate in a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the 401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan allows eligible employees to defer up to 15 percent of their annual compensation, subject to certain limitations imposed by federal law. The amounts contributed by employees are immediately vested and non-forfeitable. The Company, at managements discretion, may match employee contributions and/or make discretionary contributions. Total expense recognized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $100 and $100, respectively.
Pursuant to an agreement with the City of Jersey City, New Jersey, the Company is required to make payments in lieu of property taxes (PILOT) on its Harborside Plaza 2, 3, 4-A and 5 properties. The Plaza 2 and 3 agreement, which commenced in 1990, is for a term of 15 years. Such PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project Costs, as defined, in year one and increases by $75 per annum through year 15. Total Project Costs, as defined, are $145,644. The PILOT totaled $972 and $953 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The Plaza 4-A agreement, which commenced in 2000, is for a term of 20 years. The PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project costs, as defined, and increases by 10 percent in years 7, 10 and 13 and by 50 percent in year 16. Total Project costs, as defined, are $45,497. The PILOT totaled $227 and $227 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The Plaza 5 agreement, which commenced in 2002 upon substantial completion of the property, as defined, is for a term of 20 years. The PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project Costs, as defined, and increases by 10 percent in years 7, 10 and 13, and by 50 percent in year 16. Total Project Costs, as defined are $159,625. The PILOT totaled $798 and $661 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
LITIGATIONOn May 8, 2003, an adversary proceeding arising out of the bankruptcy of Broadband Office, Inc. (BBO) was commenced by BBO and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of BBO (Plaintiffs) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. On August 25, 2003, the Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. As amended, the Complaint names as defendants Mack-Cali Realty, L.P., the chief executive officer of the Company, and certain alleged affiliates of the Company (the Mack-Cali Defendants). Also named as defendants are seven other real estate investment trusts or partnerships (REITs) that invested in BBO and the eight individuals designated by the REITs to serve on the Board of Directors of BBO. Plaintiffs assert, among other things, that the Mack-Cali Defendants breached fiduciary duties to BBO, its minority shareholders (other than the REITs) and its creditors by approving a spin-off of BBOs assets to a newly created entity, and approving the sale of BBOs remaining assets to Yipes, Inc., both for allegedly inadequate consideration. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages in connection with their fiduciary duty claims. In addition, Plaintiffs seek to avoid all payments and other transfers made to the Mack-Cali Defendants within one year of BBOs bankruptcy filing under various provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, and to obtain turnover of certain property under Section 542(b) of the Code. On July 8, 2003, the district court withdrew the reference of this proceeding to the bankruptcy court, and the action is now pending in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The Mack-Cali Defendants have denied the claims asserted in the Amended Complaint, and believe they have substantial defenses to the claims asserted against them. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition taken as a whole.
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The Company is a defendant in other litigation arising in the normal course of business activities. Management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a materially adverse effect upon the Company.
GROUND LEASE AGREEMENTSFuture minimum rental payments under the terms of all non-cancelable ground leases under which the Company is the lessee, as of March 31, 2004, are as follows:
Ground lease expense incurred by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 amounted to $258 and $232, respectively.
OTHERThe Company may not dispose of or distribute certain of its properties, currently comprising 140 properties with an aggregate net book value of approximately $1,799,345, which were originally contributed by members of either the Mack Group (which includes William L. Mack, Chairman of the Companys Board of Directors; David S. Mack, director; Earle I. Mack, a former director; and Mitchell E. Hersh, chief executive officer and director), the Robert Martin Group (which includes Martin W. Berger, director; Robert F. Weinberg, a former director; and Timothy M. Jones, president) or the Cali Group (which includes John R. Cali, director and John J. Cali, a former director) without the express written consent of a representative of the Mack Group, the Robert Martin Group or the Cali Group, as applicable, except in a manner which does not result in recognition of any built-in-gain (which may result in an income tax liability) or which reimburses the appropriate Mack Group, Robert Martin Group or Cali Group members for the tax consequences of the recognition of such built-in-gains (collectively, the Property Lock-Ups). The aforementioned restrictions do not apply in the event that the Company sells all of its properties or in connection with a sale transaction which the Companys Board of Directors determines is reasonably necessary to satisfy a material monetary default on any unsecured debt, judgment or liability of the Company or to cure any material monetary default on any mortgage secured by a property. The Property Lock-Ups expire periodically through 2008. Upon the expiration of the Property Lock-Ups, the Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any sale, transfer or other disposition of the subject properties from resulting in the recognition of built-in gain to the appropriate Mack Group, Robert Martin Group or Cali Group members.
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The Properties are leased to tenants under operating leases with various expiration dates through 2020. Substantially all of the leases provide for annual base rents plus recoveries and escalation charges based upon the tenants proportionate share of and/or increases in real estate taxes and certain operating costs, as defined, and the pass through of charges for electrical usage.
Future minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable operating leases at March 31, 2004 are as follows:
To maintain its qualification as a REIT, not more than 50 percent in value of the outstanding shares of the Company may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of any taxable year of the Company, other than its initial taxable year (defined to include certain entities), applying certain constructive ownership rules. To help ensure that the Company will not fail this test, the Companys Articles of Incorporation provide for, among other things, certain restrictions on the transfer of common stock to prevent further concentration of stock ownership. Moreover, to evidence compliance with these requirements, the Company must maintain records that disclose the actual ownership of its outstanding common stock and demands written statements each year from the holders of record of designated percentages of its common stock requesting the disclosure of the beneficial owners of such common stock.
PREFERRED STOCKOn March 14, 2003, in a publicly registered transaction with a single institutional buyer, the Company completed the sale and issuance of 10,000 shares of eight-percent Series C cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock (Series C Preferred Stock) in the form of 1,000,000 depositary shares ($25 stated value per depositary share). Each depositary share represents 1/100th of a share of Series C Preferred Stock. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $24,836 from the sale. See Note 10: Minority Interest Preferred Units.
The Series C Preferred Stock has preference rights with respect to liquidation and distributions over the common stock. Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, except under certain limited conditions, will not be entitled to vote on any matters. In the event of a cumulative arrearage equal to six quarterly dividends, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will have the right to elect two additional members to serve on the Companys Board of Directors until dividends have been paid in full. At March 31, 2004, there were no dividends in arrears. The Company may issue unlimited additional preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock but may not issue any preferred stock senior to the Series C Preferred Stock without the consent of two-thirds of its holders. The Series C Preferred Stock is essentially on an equivalent basis in priority with the Preferred Units.
Except under certain conditions relating to the Companys qualification as a REIT, the Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to March 14, 2008. On and after such date, the Series C Preferred Stock will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at $25 per depositary share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
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SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMOn September 13, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to the Companys repurchase program under which the Company was permitted to purchase up to an additional $150,000 of the Companys outstanding common stock (Repurchase Program). From that date through its last purchases on January 10, 2003, the Company purchased and retired, under the Repurchase Program, 3,746,400 shares of its outstanding common stock for an aggregate cost of approximately $104,512. The Company has a remaining authorization to repurchase up to an additional $45,488 of its outstanding common stock, which it may repurchase from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing prices or through privately negotiated transactions.
STOCK OPTION PLANSIn September 2000, the Company established the 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan (2000 Employee Plan) and the 2000 Director Stock Option Plan (2000 Director Plan). In May 2002, shareholders of the Company approved amendments to both plans to increase the total shares reserved for issuance under both plans from 2,700,000 to 4,350,000 shares (subject to adjustment) of the Companys common stock (from 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 shares under the 2000 Employee Plan and from 200,000 to 350,000 shares under the 2000 Director Plan). In 1994, and as subsequently amended, the Company established the Mack-Cali Employee Stock Option Plan (Employee Plan) and the Mack-Cali Director Stock Option Plan (Director Plan) under which a total of 5,380,188 shares (subject to adjustment) of the Companys common stock have been reserved for issuance (4,980,188 shares under the Employee Plan and 400,000 shares under the Director Plan). Stock options granted under the Employee Plan in 1994 and 1995 became exercisable over a three-year period. Stock options granted under the 2000 Employee Plan and those options granted subsequent to 1995 under the Employee Plan become exercisable over a five-year period. All stock options granted under both the 2000 Director Plan and Director Plan become exercisable in one year. All options were granted at the fair market value at the dates of grant and have terms of ten years. As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the stock options outstanding had a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 7.0 and 6.9 years, respectively.
Information regarding the Companys stock option plans is summarized below:
The Company recognized stock options expense of $49 and $38 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
STOCK WARRANTSInformation regarding the Companys stock warrants (Stock Warrants), which enable the holders to purchase an equal number of shares of the Companys common stock at the respective exercise price, is summarized below:
STOCK COMPENSATIONThe Company has granted stock awards to officers, certain other employees, and non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company (collectively, Restricted Stock Awards), which allow the holders to each receive a certain amount of shares of the Companys common stock generally over a one to five-year vesting period. Certain Restricted Stock Awards are contingent upon the Company meeting certain performance and/or stock price appreciation objectives. All Restricted Stock Awards provided to the officers and certain other employees were granted under the 2000 Employee Plan and Employee Plan. Restricted Stock Awards granted to directors were granted under the 2000 Director Plan.
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Information regarding the Restricted Stock Awards is summarized below:
DEFERRED STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORSThe Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, which commenced January 1, 1999, allows non-employee directors of the Company to elect to defer up to 100 percent of their annual retainer fee into deferred stock units. The deferred stock units are convertible into an equal number of shares of common stock upon the directors termination of service from the Board of Directors or a change in control of the Company, as defined in the plan. Deferred stock units are credited to each director quarterly using the closing price of the Companys common stock on the applicable dividend record date for the respective quarter. Each participating directors account is also credited for an equivalent amount of deferred stock units based on the dividend rate for each quarter.
During the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, 1,537 and 1,784 deferred stock units were earned, respectively. As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, there were 24,570 and 23,131 director stock units outstanding, respectively.
EARNINGS PER SHAREBasic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
The following information presents the Companys results for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 in accordance with FASB No. 128:
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The following schedule reconciles the shares used in the basic EPS calculation to the shares used in the diluted EPS calculation:
Not included in the computations of diluted EPS were 0 and 2,418,353 stock options; 0 and 642,476 Stock Warrants; and 6,205,425 and 6,230,707 Series B Preferred Units, as such securities were anti-dilutive during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Unvested restricted stock outstanding as of March 31, 2004 and 2003 were 226,272 and 264,369, respectively.
The Company operates in one business segment real estate. The Company provides leasing, management, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its portfolio. The Company does not have any foreign operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2, excluding straight-line rent adjustments and depreciation and amortization.
The Company evaluates performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties in the segment.
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Selected results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 and selected asset information as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 regarding the Companys operating segment are as follows:
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FASB No. 150In May 2003, the FASB issued FASB No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristic of both Liabilities and Equity. FASB No. 150 establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). In particular, it requires that mandatorily redeemable financial instruments be classified as liabilities and reported at fair value and that changes in their fair values be reported as interest cost. Except as explained below, FASB No. 150 was effective for the Company as of July 1, 2003.
On November 7, 2003, the FASB indefinitely deferred the classification and measurement provisions of SFAS No. 150 as they apply to certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests. This deferral is expected to remain in effect while these provisions are further evaluated by the FASB. As of March 31, 2004, the deferral of certain provisions of FASB No. 150 is not expected to have a material impact on the Companys financial statements.
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GENERALThe following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and the notes thereto (collectively, the Financial Statements). Certain defined terms used herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Financial Statements.
Executive Overview
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (the Company) is one of the largest real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the United States with a total market capitalization of $4.9 billion at March 31, 2004. The Company has been involved in all aspects of commercial real estate development, management and ownership for over 50 years and has been a publicly-traded REIT since 1994. The Company owns or has interests in 263 properties (collectively, the Properties), primarily class A office and office/flex buildings, totaling approximately 28.3 million square feet, leased to approximately 2,100 tenants. The properties are located primarily in suburban markets of the Northeast, some with adjacent, Company-controlled developable land sites able to accommodate up to 8.3 million square feet of additional commercial space.
The Companys strategy is to be a significant real estate owner and operator in its core, high-barriers-to-entry markets, primarily in the Northeast.
As an owner of real estate, almost all of the Companys earnings and cash flow is derived from rental revenue received pursuant to leased office space at the Properties. Key factors that affect the Companys business and financial results include the following:
Any negative effects of the above key factors could potentially cause a deterioration in the Companys revenue and/or earnings. Such negative effects could include: (1) failure to renew or execute new leases as current leases expire; (2) failure to renew or execute new leases with rental terms at or above the terms of in-place leases; and (3) tenant defaults.
A failure to renew or execute new leases as current leases expire or to execute new leases with rental terms at or above the terms of in-place leases is dependent on factors such as: (1) the local economic climate, which may be adversely impacted by business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, changing demographics and other factors; and (2) local real estate conditions, such as oversupply of office and office/flex space or competition within the market.
As a result of the economic climate since 2001, substantially all of the real estate markets the Company operates in materially softened. Demand for office space declined significantly and vacancy rates increased in each of the Companys core markets over the period. Through April 30, 2004, the Companys core markets continued to be weak. The percentage leased in the Companys consolidated portfolio of stabilized operating properties decreased to 91.1 percent at March 31, 2004, as compared to 91.5 percent at December 31, 2003 and 92.4 percent at March 31, 2003. Percentage leased includes all leases in effect as of the period end date, some of which have commencement dates in the future and leases that expire at the period end date. Leases that expired as of March 31, 2004, December, 2003, and March 31, 2003 aggregate 31,291, 143,059 and 87,315 square feet, respectively, or 0.01, 0.5 and 0.3 percentage of the net rentable square footage, respectively. Market rental rates have declined in most markets from peak levels in late 2000 and early 2001. Rental rates on the Companys space that was re-leased (based on first rents payable) during the three months ended March 31, 2004 decreased an average of 10.2 percent compared to rates that were in effect under expiring leases, as compared to a 7.4 percent decrease for the same period in 2003. The Company believes that vacancy rates may continue to increase in most of its markets for the remainder of 2004. As a result, the Companys future earnings and cash flow may be negatively impacted.
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The remaining portion of this Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should help the reader understand:
Property Transactions in 2004
Thus far in 2004, the Company completed the following property transaction:
On April 14, 2004, the Company acquired 5 Wood Hollow Road, located in Parsippany, New Jersey. The 317,040 square-foot class A office building was acquired for approximately $34.0 million.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of the Financial Statements require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. These estimates and assumptions are based on managements historical experience that are believed to be reasonable at the time. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. The Companys critical accounting policies are those which require assumptions to be made about matters that are highly uncertain. Different estimates could have a material effect on the Companys financial results. Judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies and estimates may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions and circumstances.
Rental properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs directly related to the acquisition, development and construction of rental properties are capitalized. Capitalized development and construction costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development and construction costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, salaries and other project costs incurred during the period of development. Interest capitalized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $0.9 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Fully-depreciated assets are removed from the accounts.
The Company considers a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the completion of tenant improvements, but no later than one year from cessation of major construction activity (as distinguished from activities such as routine maintenance and cleanup). If portions of a rental project are substantially completed and occupied by tenants, or held available for occupancy, and other portions have not yet reached that stage, the substantially completed portions are accounted for as a separate project. The Company allocates costs incurred between the portions under construction and the portions substantially completed and held available for occupancy and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portion under construction.
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Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values and tenant relationship values which are based on managements evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenants lease and the Companys overall relationship with the respective tenant. Factors to be considered by management in its analysis of in-place lease values include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, management considers leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. Characteristics considered by management in valuing tenant relationships include the nature and extent of the Companys existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenants credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. The value of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. The value of tenant relationship intangibles will be amortized to expense over the anticipated life of the relationships.
On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Companys rental properties may be impaired. A propertys value is impaired only if managements estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property over the fair value of the property. The Companys estimates of aggregate future cash flows expected to be generated by each property are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and costs to operate each property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter managements assumptions, the future cash flows estimated by management in its impairment analyses may not be achieved. Management does not believe that the value of any of the Companys rental properties is impaired.
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Rental Property Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations:When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of selling costs, of such assets. If, in managements opinion, the net sales price of the assets which have been identified as held for sale is less than the net book value of the assets, a valuation allowance is established.
Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which supercedes FASB No. 121. FASB No. 144 requires that long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lower of book value or fair value less cost to sell. FASB No. 144 retains the requirements of FASB No. 121 regarding impairment loss recognition and measurement. In addition, it requires that one accounting model be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions. Properties identified as held for sale and/or sold from January 1, 2002 forward are presented in discontinued operations for all periods presented.
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Revenue Recognition:Base rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Unbilled rents receivable represents the amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with the lease agreements. Above-market and below-market lease values for acquired properties are recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) managements estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining term of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases. Parking and other revenue includes income from parking spaces leased to tenants, income from tenants for additional services provided by the Company, income from tenants for early lease terminations and income from managing and/or leasing properties for third parties. Escalations and recoveries are received from tenants for certain costs as provided in the lease agreements. These costs generally include real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance and other recoverable costs.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:Management periodically performs a detailed review of amounts due from tenants to determine if accounts receivable balances are impaired based on factors affecting the collectibility of those balances. Managements estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts requires management to exercise significant judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of collection losses, which affects the allowance and net income.
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The following comparisons for the three months ended March 31, 2004 (2004), as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003 (2003), make reference to the following: (i) the effect of the Same-Store Properties, which represents all in-service properties owned by the Company at December 31, 2002, excluding Dispositions as defined below; (ii) the effect of the Acquired Properties, which represents all properties acquired by the Company or commencing initial operations from January 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004 and; (iii) the effect of the Dispositions, which represents results for each period for those rental properties sold by the Company for the period from January 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
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The following is a summary of the changes in revenue from rental operations and property expenses divided into Same-Store Properties, Acquired Properties and Dispositions (dollars in thousands):
Base rents for the Same-Store Properties increased $0.3 million, or 0.2 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003, due primarily to increased rents of $0.7 million at Harborside Plaza 5, which was placed in service late in 2002, which was partially offset by decreases in space leased and rental rates at the properties in 2004 from 2003. Escalations and recoveries from tenants for the Same-Store Properties decreased $0.2 million, or 1.4 percent, for 2004 over 2003, due primarily to a decreased amount of total property expenses in 2004. Parking and other income for the Same-Store Properties decreased $2.2 million, or 37.3 percent, due primarily to a decrease in lease termination fees in 2004.
Real estate taxes on the Same-Store Properties increased $0.9 million, or 5.7 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003, due primarily to property tax rate increases in certain municipalities in 2004, partially offset by lower assessments on certain properties in 2004. Utilities for the Same-Store Properties increased $0.6 million, or 5.5 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003, due primarily to increased electric rates in 2004. Operating services for the Same-Store Properties decreased $2.1 million, or 10.2 percent, due primarily to decreased snow removal costs in 2004 from 2003.
General and administrative decreased by $0.3 million, or 4.6 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in professional fees and state taxes of $0.9 million, partially offset by an increase in salaries and related expenses of $0.5 million in 2004 from 2003.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $2.1 million, or 7.2 percent, for 2004 over 2003. Of this increase, $1.9 million, or 6.4 percent, is attributable to the Same-Store Properties, and $0.2 million, or 0.8 percent, is due to the Acquired Properties.
Interest expense decreased $0.3 million, or 1.1 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003. This decrease was due primarily to lower average debt balances and interest rates in 2004 over 2003.
Interest income increased $0.4 million, or 120.2 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003. This increase was due primarily to higher average cash balances in 2004.
Loss on early retirement of debt, net, amounted to $1.4 million in 2003, which was due to costs incurred with the exchange in 2003 of $25.0 million face amount of 7.18 percent senior unsecured notes due December 31, 2003 for $26.1 million face amount of 5.82 percent senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2013, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears.
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Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures (net of minority interest) decreased $1.9 million, or 92.5 percent, for 2004 as compared to 2003. The decrease was due primarily to the sale of the Companys interest in the American Financial Exchange in late 2003 resulting in a reduction of $4.2 million in 2004, partially offset by an increase from operations of the Hyatt hotel at Harborside South Pier of $1.1 million for 2004, as compared to 2003 and an increase in 2004 from Ramland Realty due to the write-off of a tenant receivable of $1.6 million in 2003.
Income from continuing operations before minority interest and equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures decreased to $33.3 million in 2004 from $34.2 million in 2003. The decrease of approximately $0.9 million is due to the factors discussed above.
Net income available to common shareholders decreased by $3.7 million, from $30.0 million in 2003 to $26.3 million in 2004. This decrease was the result of a decrease in equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures of $1.9 million, a decrease in income from continuing operations before minority interest and equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures of approximately $0.9 million, preferred stock dividends of $0.5 million in 2004, a decrease in realized gain on disposition of rental property of $1.2 million, and income from discontinued operations of $0.1 million in 2003. These were partially offset by a gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures of $0.6 million (resulting from the receipt of additional contingent purchase consideration from the Harborside North Pier sale) and a decrease in minority interest in the Operating Partnership of $0.3 million.
Liquidity
Overview:Historically, rental revenue has been the principal source of funds to pay operating expenses, debt service, capital expenditures and dividends, excluding non-recurring capital expenditures. To the extent that the Companys cash flow from operating activities is insufficient to finance its non-recurring capital expenditures such as property acquisitions, development and construction costs and other capital expenditures, the Company has and expects to continue to finance such activities through borrowings under its revolving credit facility and other debt and equity financings.
The Company believes that with the general downturn in the economy in recent years, and the softening of the Companys markets specifically, it is reasonably likely that vacancy rates may continue to increase, effective rental rates on new and renewed leases may continue to decrease and tenant installation costs, including concessions, may continue to increase in most or all of its markets in 2004. As a result of the potential negative effects on the Companys revenue from the overall reduced demand for office space, the Companys cash flow could be insufficient to cover increased tenant installation costs over the short-term. If this situation were to occur, the Company expects that it would finance any shortfalls through borrowings under its revolving credit facility and other debt and equity financings.
The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements generally through its working capital, net cash provided by operating activities and from its revolving credit facility. The Company frequently examines potential property acquisitions and development projects and, at any given time, one or more of such acquisitions or development projects may be under consideration. Accordingly, the ability to fund property acquisitions and development projects is a major part of the Companys financing requirements. The Company expects to meet its financing requirements through funds generated from operating activities, proceeds from property sales, long-term and short-term borrowings (including draws on the Companys revolving credit facility) and the issuance of additional debt and/or equity securities.
REIT Restrictions:To maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must make annual distributions to its stockholders of at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains. Moreover, the Company intends to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to its common stockholders which, based upon current policy, in the aggregate would equal approximately $152.6 million on an annualized basis. However, any such distribution, whether for federal income tax purposes or otherwise, would only be paid out of available cash, including borrowings and other sources, after meeting operating requirements, preferred stock and unit dividends and distributions, and scheduled debt service on the Companys debt.
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Property Lock-Ups:The Company may not dispose of or distribute certain of its properties, currently comprising 140 properties with an aggregate net book value of approximately $1.8 billion, which were originally contributed by members of either the Mack Group (which includes William L. Mack, Chairman of the Companys Board of Directors; David S. Mack, director, Earle I. Mack, a former director; and Mitchell E. Hersh, chief executive officer and director), the Robert Martin Group (which includes Robert F. Weinberg, a former director; Martin S. Berger, director; and Timothy M. Jones, president), or the Cali Group (which includes John J. Cali, a former director and John R. Cali, director) without the express written consent of a representative of the Mack Group, the Robert Martin Group or the Cali Group, as applicable, except in a manner which does not result in recognition of any built-in-gain (which may result in an income tax liability) or which reimburses the appropriate Mack Group, Robert Martin Group or Cali Group members for the tax consequences of the recognition of such built-in-gains (collectively, the Property Lock-Ups). The aforementioned restrictions do not apply in the event that the Company sells all of its properties or in connection with a sale transaction which the Companys Board of Directors determines is reasonably necessary to satisfy a material monetary default on any unsecured debt, judgment or liability of the Company or to cure any material monetary default on any mortgage secured by a property. The Property Lock-Ups expire periodically through 2008. Upon the expiration of the Property Lock-Ups, the Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any sale, transfer or other disposition of the subject properties from resulting in the recognition of built-in gain to the appropriate Mack Group, Robert Martin Group or Cali Group members.
Unencumbered Properties:As of March 31, 2004, the Company had 233 unencumbered properties, totaling 21.1 million square feet, representing 78.2 percent of the Companys total portfolio on a square footage basis.
Credit Ratings:The Company has three investment grade credit ratings. Standard & Poors Rating Services (S&P) and Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) have each assigned their BBB rating to existing and prospective senior unsecured debt of the Operating Partnership. S&P and Fitch have also assigned their BBB- rating to existing and prospective preferred stock offerings of the Company. Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) has assigned its Baa2 rating to existing and prospective senior unsecured debt of the Operating Partnership and its Baa3 rating to its existing and prospective preferred stock offerings of the Company.
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $67.4 million to $11.0 million at March 31, 2004, compared to $78.4 million at December 31, 2003. This decrease was the net result of $50.5 million provided by operating activities, which was offset by: (1) $31.3 million used in investing activities (consisting primarily of $16.0 million used for additions to rental property, $13.3 million for investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, and $4.6 million for the funding of a note receivable); and (2) approximately $86.7 million used for financing activities (consisting primarily of $300.0 million used for the repayment of senior unsecured notes, $124.0 million for the repayment of borrowings under the Companys unsecured credit facility, and $46.9 million for the payment of dividends and distributions, partially offset by $202.4 million in proceeds from the sale of senior unsecured notes, $154.0 million from borrowings under the unsecured credit facility, and $31.1 million in proceeds received from stock options and warrants exercised.)
Debt Financing
Recent Debt Activity:On March 22, 2004, the Company issued $100.0 million face amount of 5.125 percent senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2014 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. The total proceeds from the issuance (including premium and net of selling commissions) of approximately $103.1 million was used primarily to reduce outstanding borrowings under the unsecured facility.
On March 15, 2004, the Company retired $300.0 million face amount of 7.00 percent senior unsecured notes due on that date. Funds used for the retirement were obtained from the proceeds from the February 2004 $100.0 million senior unsecured notes offering (described below), borrowings under the unsecured facility and available cash.
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On February 9, 2004, the Company issued $100.0 million face amount of 5.125 percent senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2014 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. The total proceeds from the issuance (net of selling commissions and discount) of approximately $98.5 million were held until March 15, 2004, when the Company used the net proceeds from the sale, together with borrowings under the unsecured facility and available cash, to repay the $300 million 7.00 percent notes due March 15, 2004.
Summary of Debt:The following is a breakdown of the Companys debt between fixed and floating-rate financing:
Debt Maturities:Scheduled principal payments and related weighted average annual interest rates for the Companys debt as of March 31, 2004 are as follows:
Senior Unsecured Notes:The terms of the Companys senior unsecured notes (which totaled approximately $1.0 billion as of March 31, 2004), include certain restrictions and covenants which require compliance with financial ratios relating to the maximum amount of debt leverage, the maximum amount of secured indebtedness, the minimum amount of debt service coverage and the maximum amount of unsecured debt as a percent of unsecured assets.
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility:On September 27, 2002, the Company obtained an unsecured revolving credit facility with a current borrowing capacity of $600.0 million from a group of 15 lenders. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had $30.0 million of outstanding borrowings under its unsecured revolving credit facility.
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The interest rate on any outstanding borrowings under the unsecured facility is currently LIBOR plus 70 basis points. The Company may instead elect an interest rate representing the higher of the lenders prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points. The unsecured facility also currently requires a 20 basis point facility fee on the current borrowing capacity payable quarterly in arrears.
The unsecured facility matures in September 2005, with an extension option of one year, which would require a payment of 25 basis points of the then borrowing capacity of the facility upon exercise. The Company believes that the unsecured facility is sufficient to meet its revolving credit facility needs.
The terms of the unsecured facility include certain restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things, the payment of dividends (as discussed below), the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the disposition of real estate properties (to the extent that: (i) such property dispositions cause the Company to default on any of the financial ratios of the facility described below, or (ii) the property dispositions are completed while the Company is under an event of default under the facility, unless, under certain circumstances, such disposition is being carried out to cure such default), and which require compliance with financial ratios relating to the maximum leverage ratio, the maximum amount of secured indebtedness, the minimum amount of tangible net worth, the minimum amount of debt service coverage, the minimum amount of fixed charge coverage, the maximum amount of unsecured indebtedness, the minimum amount of unencumbered property debt service coverage and certain investment limitations. The dividend restriction referred to above provides that, except to enable the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, the Company will not during any four consecutive fiscal quarters make distributions with respect to common stock or other common equity interests in an aggregate amount in excess of 90 percent of funds from operations (as defined in the facility agreement) for such period, subject to certain other adjustments.
Mortgages and Loans Payable:The Company has mortgages and loans payable which consist of various loans collateralized by certain of the Companys rental properties. Payments on mortgages and loans payable are generally due in monthly installments of principal and interest, or interest only.
Debt Strategy:The Company does not intend to reserve funds to retire the Companys senior unsecured notes or its mortgages and loans payable upon maturity. Instead, the Company will seek to refinance such debt at maturity or retire such debt through the issuance of additional equity or debt securities on or before the applicable maturity dates. If it cannot raise sufficient proceeds to retire the maturing debt, the Company may draw on its revolving credit facility to retire the maturing indebtedness, which would reduce the future availability of funds under such facility. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had $30 million of outstanding borrowings under its $600 million unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company is reviewing various refinancing options, including the purchase of its senior unsecured notes in privately-negotiated transactions, the issuance of additional, or exchange of current, unsecured debt, preferred stock, and/or obtaining additional mortgage debt, some or all of which may be completed during 2004. The Company anticipates that its available cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operating activities, together with cash available from borrowings and other sources, will be adequate to meet the Companys capital and liquidity needs both in the short and long-term. However, if these sources of funds are insufficient or unavailable, the Companys ability to make the expected distributions discussed below may be adversely affected.
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Equity Financing and Registration Statements
Equity Activity:The following table presents the changes in the Companys issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and the Operating Partnerships common units and preferred units (as converted) since December 31, 2003:
(a) Assumes the conversion of 215,018 Series B preferred units into 6,205,425 common units.
Share Repurchase Program:On September 13, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to the Companys repurchase program under which the Company was permitted to purchase up to an additional $150.0 million of the Companys outstanding common stock (Repurchase Program). From that date through its last purchases on January 10, 2003, the Company purchased and retired, under the Repurchase Program, 3.7 million shares of its outstanding common stock for an aggregate cost of approximately $104.5 million. The Company has a remaining authorization to repurchase up to an additional $45.5 million of its outstanding common stock, which it may repurchase from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing prices or through privately negotiated transactions.
Shelf Registration Statements:The Company has an effective shelf registration statement with the SEC for an aggregate amount of $2.0 billion in equity securities of the Company, under which no securities have been issued. The Company and Operating Partnership also have an effective shelf registration statement with the SEC for an aggregate of $2.0 billion in debt securities, preferred stock and preferred stock represented by depositary shares, under which the Company has issued $25 million of preferred stock and the Operating Partnership has issued an aggregate of $1.4 billion of senior unsecured notes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Unconsolidated Joint Venture Debt:The debt of the Companys unconsolidated joint ventures aggregating $106.5 million is non-recourse to the Company except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions and material misrepresentations. The Company has posted an $8.0 million letter of credit in support of the Harborside South Pier joint venture, $4.0 million of which is indemnified by Hyatt.
The Companys off-balance sheet arrangements are further discussed in Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures to the Financial Statements.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table outlines the timing of payment requirements related to the Companys debt, PILOT agreements, and ground lease agreements (dollars in thousands):
Other Commitments and Contingencies
Development Activity:On November 25, 2003, the Company and affiliates of The Mills Corporation (Mills) entered into a joint venture to form Meadowlands Mills/Mack-Cali Limited Partnership (Meadowlands Venture) for the purpose of developing a $1.3 billion family entertainment and recreation complex with an office and hotel component to be built at the Meadowlands sports complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Meadowlands Xanadu). Meadowlands Xanadus approximately 4.76 million-square-foot complex is expected to feature a family entertainment destination comprising three themed zones: sports/recreation, childrens activities and fashion, in addition to four office buildings, aggregating approximately 1.8 million square feet, and a 520-room hotel.
On December 3, 2003, the Meadowlands Venture entered into a redevelopment agreement (the Redevelopment Agreement) with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for the redevelopment of the area surrounding the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey and the construction of the Meadowlands Xanadu project. The Redevelopment Agreement provides for a 75-year ground lease, which requires the joint venture to pay the NJSEA a $160.0 million development rights fee at the start of construction of the entertainment phase, when all permits and approvals are obtained, and the payment of fixed rent over the term. Fixed rent will be in the amount of $1,000 per year for the first 15 years, increasing to $7.5 million from the 16th to the 18th year, increasing to $8.4 million in the 19th year, increasing to $8.7 million in the 20th year, increasing to $9.0 million in the 21st year, then to $9.2 million in the 23rd to 26th year, with additional increases over the remainder of the term, as set forth in the ground lease. The ground lease also allows for the potential for participation rent payments by the venture, as described in the ground lease agreement.
The Company and Mills own a 20 percent and 80 percent interest, respectively, in the Meadowlands Venture, subject to certain participation rights by The New York Giants. The joint venture agreement requires the Company to make an equity contribution up to a maximum of $32.5 million. As part of the Redevelopment Agreement, Mills is required to contribute certain vacant land, known as the Empire Tract, to the State of New Jersey to be used as a wetlands mitigation bank, for which Mills has received subordinated capital credit in the venture of approximately $118.0 million. The joint venture agreement requires Mills to contribute the balance of the capital required to complete the entertainment phase, subject to certain limitations. The Company will receive a nine percent preferred return on its equity investment, only after Mills receives a nine percent preferred return on its equity investment. Residual returns, subject to participation by other parties, will be in proportion to each partners respective percentage interest.
Mills will develop, lease and operate the entertainment phase of the Meadowlands Xanadu project. The joint venture agreement provides the Company an option to cause the Meadowlands Venture to form component ventures for the future development of the office and hotel phases, for which the Company will develop, lease and operate such phases. The Company will own an 80 percent interest and Mills will own a 20 percent interest in such entities. The agreement provides for the first office or hotel component ventures to be formed no later than four years after the grand opening of the entertainment phase, and requires that all component ventures for the office and hotel phases be formed no later than 10 years from such date, but does not require that any or all components be developed. However, under the Meadowlands Venture agreement, Mills has the ability to accelerate such formation schedule, subject to certain conditions. Should the Company fail to meet the time schedule described above for the formation of the component ventures, the Company will forfeit its rights to cause the Meadowlands Venture to form additional component ventures. If this occurs, Mills will have the ability to develop the additional phases, subject to the Companys right to participate, or to cause the Meadowlands Venture to sell such components to a third party, subject to a sales price limitation of 95 percent of the value that would have been the amount necessary to form such component ventures.
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Legal Proceedings:On March 27, 2003, Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. (Hartz) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, for Bergen County, seeking to enjoin the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) from entering into a contract with The Mills Corporation and the Company for the redevelopment of the Continental Airlines Arena site. The case was dismissed by the trial court but Hartz appealed. Hartz also appealed the NJSEAs final decision which denied Hartzs bid protest on October 23, 2003. Westfield America, Inc., has also protested the NJSEA decision, and has appealed the NJSEAs denial of its protest. In January 2004, Hartz and Westfield also appealed the NJSEAs approval and execution of the final Redevelopment Agreement. Four citizens, Elliot Braha, Richard DeLauro, George Perry and Carol Coronato, have also filed lawsuits challenging the NJSEA award to Mills and the Company. All of these cases are now pending and unresolved in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. The Company believes that its proposal fully complied with applicable laws and the request for proposals, and plans to vigorously enforce its rights concerning this project. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition taken as a whole.
On May 8, 2003, an adversary proceeding arising out of the bankruptcy of Broadband Office, Inc. (BBO) was commenced by BBO and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of BBO (Plaintiffs) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. On August 25, 2003, the Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. As amended, the Complaint names as defendants Mack-Cali Realty, L.P., the chief executive officer of the Company, and certain alleged affiliates of the Company (the Mack-Cali Defendants). Also named as defendants are seven other real estate investment trusts or partnerships (REITs) that invested in BBO and the eight individuals designated by the REITs to serve on the Board of Directors of BBO. Plaintiffs assert, among other things, that the Mack-Cali Defendants breached fiduciary duties to BBO, its minority shareholders (other than the REITs) and its creditors by approving a spin-off of BBOs assets to a newly created entity, and approving the sale of BBOs remaining assets to Yipes, Inc., both for allegedly inadequate consideration. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages in connection with their fiduciary duty claims. In addition, Plaintiffs seek to avoid all payments and other transfers made to the Mack-Cali Defendants within one year of BBOs bankruptcy filing under various provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, and to obtain turnover of certain property under Section 542(b) of the Code. On July 8, 2003, the district court withdrew the reference of this proceeding to the bankruptcy court, and the action is now pending in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The Mack-Cali Defendants have denied the claims asserted in the Amended Complaint, and believe they have substantial defenses to the claims asserted against them. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition taken as a whole.
Inflation
The Companys leases with the majority of its tenants provide for recoveries and escalation charges based upon the tenants proportionate share of, and/or increases in, real estate taxes and certain operating costs, which reduce the Companys exposure to increases in operating costs resulting from inflation.
The Company considers portions of the information presented herein to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such forward-looking statements relate to, without limitation, the Companys future economic
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performance, plans and objectives for future operations and projections of revenue and other financial items. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, continue or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Among the factors about which the Company has made assumptions are changes in the general economic climate; conditions, including those affecting industries in which the Companys principal tenants compete; any failure of the general economy to recover from the current economic downturn; the extent of any tenant bankruptcies; the Companys ability to lease or re-lease space at current or anticipated rents; changes in the supply of and demand for office, office/flex and industrial/warehouse properties; changes in interest rate levels; changes in operating costs; the Companys ability to obtain adequate insurance, including coverage for terrorist acts; the availability of financing; and other risks associated with the development and acquisition of properties, including risks that the development may not be completed on schedule, that the tenants will not take occupancy or pay rent, or that development or operating costs may be greater than anticipated. For further information on factors which could impact the Company and the statements contained herein, see the Risk Factors section. The Company assumes no obligation to update and supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
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Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. In pursuing its business plan, the primary market risk to which the Company is exposed is interest rate risk. Changes in the general level of interest rates prevailing in the financial markets may affect the spread between the Companys yield on invested assets and cost of funds and, in turn, its ability to make distributions or payments to its investors.
Approximately $1.5 billion of the Companys long-term debt bears interest at fixed rates and therefore the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. The following table presents principal cash flows (in thousands) based upon maturity dates of the debt obligations and the related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates for the fixed rate debt. The interest rates on the variable rate debt as of March 31, 2004 was LIBOR plus 65 to 70 basis points.
While the Company has not experienced any significant credit losses, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, defaults could increase and result in losses to the Company which could adversely affect its operating results and liquidity.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Companys management, with the participation of the Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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On March 27, 2003, Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. (Hartz) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, for Bergen County, seeking to enjoin the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) from entering into a contract with The Mills Corporation (Mills) and the Company for the redevelopment of the Continental Airlines Arena site. The case was dismissed by the trial court but Hartz appealed. Hartz also appealed the NJSEAs final decision which denied Hartzs bid protest on October 23, 2003. Westfield America, Inc., has also protested the NJSEA decision, and has appealed the NJSEAs denial of its protest. In January 2004, Hartz and Westfield also appealed the NJSEAs approval and execution of the final Redevelopment Agreement. Four citizens, Elliot Braha, Richard DeLauro, George Perry and Carol Coronato, have also filed lawsuits challenging the NJSEA award to Mills and the Company. All of these cases are now pending and unresolved in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. The Company believes that its proposal fully complied with applicable laws and the request for proposals, and plans to vigorously enforce its rights concerning this project. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition taken as a whole.
There are no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, to which the Company is a party or to which any of the Properties is subject.
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(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) WARRANTS
(d) Not Applicable.
(e) None.
Not Applicable.
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(a) Exhibits
The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
During the first quarter of 2004, the Company filed or furnished the following reports on Form 8-K:
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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*filed herewith
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