UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

 

Commission file number 1-10093

 

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

248-350-9900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

 

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

 

Larger Accelerated Filer  o     Accelerated Filer  þ     Non-Accelerated Filer  o     

 

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

 

Number of common shares of beneficial interest ($0.01 par value) of the registrant outstanding as of November 1, 2007: 18,469,456

 

 

INDEX

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust (the “Company”) is a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) organized on October 2, 1997. The Company is a publicly-traded REIT which, through its subsidiaries, owns, develops, acquires, manages and leases community shopping centers (including power centers and single tenant retail properties) and one regional mall. At September 30, 2007, the Company had a portfolio of 86 shopping centers, with approximately 19.2 million square feet of gross leasable area (“GLA”), located in the Midwestern, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Including centers owned by joint ventures in which the Company has an equity interest, the Company owned approximately 15.3 million square feet of such GLA, with the remaining portion owned by various anchor stores. The Company’s centers are usually anchored by discount department stores or supermarkets and the tenant base consists primarily of national and regional retail chains and local retailers.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods and dates presented. Interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiary, Ramco-Gershenson Properties, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership,” 86.4% and 85.0% owned by the Company at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively), and all wholly owned subsidiaries, including bankruptcy remote single purpose entities, and all majority owned joint ventures over which the Company has control. Investments in real estate joint ventures which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over, but for which the Company does not have financial or operating control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the earnings of these joint ventures is included in consolidated net income. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The Operating Partnership owns 100% of the non-voting and voting common stock of Ramco-Gershenson, Inc. (“Ramco”), which provides property management services to the Company and to other entities, and therefore Ramco is included in the consolidated financial statements. Ramco has elected to be a taxable REIT subsidiary for federal income tax purposes.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of the January 1, 2007 adoption date or as of September 30, 2007. The Company expects no significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits due to changes in tax positions within one year of September 30, 2007. The Company has no interest or penalties relating to income taxes recognized in the statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 or in the balance sheet as of September 30, 2007. It is the Company’s accounting policy to classify interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and tax expense, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, returns for the calendar years 2004 through 2006 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and various state and local tax jurisdictions. As of September 30, 2007, certain returns for calendar year 2003 also remain subject to examination by various state and local tax jurisdictions.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The Statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. Statement No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, although early application is allowed. The Company is currently evaluating the application of this Statement and its effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies to accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, except for share-based payments transactions under FASB Statement No. 123 (Revised) “Share-Based Payment.” This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. As Statement No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements or remeasurements of previously computed fair values, the Company does not believe adoption of this Statement will have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications of 2006 amounts have been made to conform to the 2007 presentation.

 

 

On January 23, 2006, the Company sold seven of its shopping centers held for sale for $47,000 in aggregate, resulting in a gain of approximately $954, net of the minority interest in the Operating Partnership. The shopping centers, which were sold as a portfolio to an unrelated third party, include: Cox Creek Plaza in Florence, Alabama; Crestview Corners in Crestview, Florida; Cumberland Gallery in New Tazewell, Tennessee; Holly Springs Plaza in Franklin, North Carolina; Indian Hills in Calhoun, Georgia; Edgewood Square in North Augusta, South Carolina; and Tellico Plaza in Lenoir City, Tennessee. The proceeds from the sale were used to pay down the Company’s unsecured revolving credit facility. The operations of these seven shopping centers have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Total revenue for the seven properties was $550 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

3.  Accounts Receivable, Net

 

The Company’s policy is to record a periodic provision for doubtful accounts based on a percentage of minimum rents. The Company monitors the collectibility of its accounts receivable (billed, unbilled and straight-line) from specific tenants, and analyzes historical bad debts, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in tenant payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for bad debts. When tenants

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

are in bankruptcy, the Company makes estimates of the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims. The ultimate resolution of these claims can exceed one year. Accounts receivable in the accompanying balance sheet is shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,414 and $2,913 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

 

Accounts receivable includes $16,603 and $14,687 of unbilled straight-line rent receivables at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

 

Accounts receivable at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 include $2,192 and $2,886, respectively, due from Atlantic Realty Trust (“Atlantic”) for reimbursement of state and local tax deficiencies and interest and professional fees related to the IRS examination of the Company’s taxable years ended December 31, 1991 through 1995. According to the terms of a tax agreement that the Company entered into with Atlantic (the “Tax Agreement”), Atlantic assumed all of the Company’s liability for tax and interest arising out of that IRS examination. See Note 10.

 

 

Investment in real estate, net consists of the following:

 

 

 

Other assets, net consist of the following:

 

 

Intangible assets at September 30, 2007 include $6,132 of lease origination costs and $2,636 of favorable leases related to the allocation of the purchase price for acquisitions made since 2002. These assets are being amortized over the lives of the applicable leases as reductions or additions to minimum rent revenue, as appropriate,

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The average amortization period for intangible assets attributable to lease origination costs and for favorable leases is 7.4 years.

 

The Company recorded amortization of deferred financing costs of $902 and $795, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. This amortization has been recorded as interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

The following table represents estimated future amortization expense as of September 30, 2007:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2007, the Company had investments in the following unconsolidated entities:

 

 

The Company’s investments in S-12 Associates, Ramco/West Acres LLC, and Ramco/Shenandoah LLC are not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations for the periods covered by the accompanying consolidated financial statements. A discussion of the Company’s more significant investments in unconsolidated entities follows.

 

Ramco Jacksonville LLC

 

On April 16, 2007, the Company acquired the remaining 80% interest in Ramco Jacksonville LLC (“Ramco Jacksonville”) for $5,100 in cash and the assumption of a $75,000 mortgage note payable due April 2017. The share on net income for the period January 1, 2007 through April 15, 2007 which relates to the Company’s 20% interest is included in earnings from unconsolidated entities in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Ramco/Lion Venture LP

 

In December 2004, the Company formed Ramco/Lion Venture LP with affiliates of Clarion Lion Properties Fund (“Clarion”), a private equity real estate fund sponsored by ING Clarion Partners. The Company owns 30% of the equity in the joint venture and Clarion owns 70%. The joint venture plans to acquire up to $450,000 of stable, well-located community shopping centers located in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.

 

In February 2007, the joint venture acquired Cocoa Commons shopping center located in Cocoa, Florida and purchased land and building adjacent to the joint venture’s Troy Marketplace located in Troy, Michigan at a combined cost of $38,000.

 

In March 2007, the joint venture acquired Cypress Point shopping center located in Clearwater, Florida at a cost of $24,500 plus the assumption of $14,500 of mortgage indebtedness in connection with the acquisition.

 

In August 2007, the joint venture acquired Old Orchard shopping center located in West Bloomfield, Michigan and purchased additional land adjacent to the joint venture’s Troy Marketplace located in Troy, Michigan at a combined cost of $14,150. These acquisitions were funded with cash.

 

On a cumulative basis, the joint venture has acquired 16 shopping centers with a total aggregate purchase price of $443,900.

 

Ramco 450 LLC

 

In December 2006, the Company formed Ramco 450 LLC, a joint venture with an investor advised by Heitman LLC. The joint venture will acquire up to $450,000 of core and core-plus community shopping centers located in the Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The Company owns 20% of the equity in the joint venture and its joint venture partner owns 80%. The leverage on the acquired assets is expected to be 65%. In December 2006, the Company sold its Merchants’ Square shopping center in Carmel, Indiana and its Crofton Centre shopping center in Crofton, Maryland to the joint venture. The Company recognized 80% of the gain on the sale of these two centers to the joint venture, representing the gain attributable to the joint venture partner’s 80% ownership interest. The remaining 20% of the gain on the sale of these two centers has been deferred and recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities.

 

In February 2007, the joint venture acquired Peachtree Hill shopping center in Duluth, Georgia at a cost of $24,100. The joint venture financed the acquisition of this shopping center through a short-term loan from a bank in the amount of $24,800. Subsequent to the acquisition of this shopping center, the joint venture paid down the loan to $16,300 as of September 30, 2007.

 

In March 2007, the Company sold its Chester Springs shopping center in Chester, New Jersey to the joint venture. The joint venture assumed debt of $23,841 in connection with the purchase of this center. The Company recognized a gain of $21,831, net of taxes of $3,153, on the sale of this center to the joint venture, representing the gain attributable to the joint venture partner’s 80% ownership interest. The remaining 20% of the gain on the sale of this center has been deferred and recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities.

 

Ramco 191 LLC

 

In November 2006, the Company formed Ramco 191 LLC, a joint venture with Heitman Value Partners Investments LLC, to acquire $75,000 of neighborhood, community or power shopping centers with significant value-added opportunities in infill locations in metropolitan trade areas. The Company owns 20% of the joint venture and its joint venture partner owns 80%. In November 2006, the Company sold its Collins Pointe Plaza shopping center in Cartersville, Georgia to the joint venture. The Company recognized 80% of the gain on the sale of this center to the joint venture, representing the gain attributable to the joint venture partner’s 80% ownership

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

interest. The remaining 20% of the gain on the sale of this center has been deferred and recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities.

 

In July 2007, the Company sold its Paulding Pavilion shopping center in Hiram, Georgia to the joint venture. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $216,000, net of taxes of $60,000, on the sale of this center to the joint venture, representing the gain attributable to the joint venture partner’s 80% ownership interest. The remaining 20% of the gain on the sale of this center has been deferred and recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities.

 

Ramco Highland Disposition LLC

 

In June 2007, the Company formed Ramco Highland Disposition LLC, a joint venture with Hartland Realty Partners LLC to develop Hartland Towne Center, a 550,000 square foot traditional community center in Hartland, Michigan. The Company owns 20% of the joint venture and its joint venture partner owns 80%. In addition to its equity investment of $150 in the joint venture, the Company has made advances of $2,487 to the joint venture for a total equity investment in and advance to the joint venture of $2,637. The joint venture is currently negotiating a construction loan and mezzanine financing with various commercial lenders.

 

Ramco HHF KL LLC

 

In June 2007, the Company also formed Ramco HHF KL LLC, a joint venture with a discretionary fund managed by Heitman LLC that invests in core assets. The Company owns 7% of the joint venture and its joint venture partner owns 93%. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company sold two of its shopping centers, Shoppes of Lakeland in Lakeland, Florida and Kissimmee West in Kissimmee, Florida, to the joint venture. The Company recognized a gain of $8,097, net of taxes of $1,463, on the sale of these centers to the joint venture, representing the gain attributable to the joint venture partner’s 93% ownership interest. The remaining 7% of the gain on the sale of this center has been deferred and recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities.

 

Ramco HHF NP LLC

 

In July 2007, the Company formed Ramco HHF NP LLC, a joint venture with a discretionary fund managed by Heitman LLC that invests in core assets. The Company owns 7% of the joint venture and its joint venture partner owns 93%. In August 2007, the joint venture acquired Nora Plaza located in Indianapolis, Indiana at a cost of $27,750. The acquisition was funded with cash.

 

Ramco Jacksonville North Industrial LLC

 

In September 2007, the Company formed Ramco Jacksonville North Industrial LLC, a joint venture with NIO Jacksonville LLC. The Company owns 5% of the joint venture and its joint venture partner owns 95%. Ramco River City, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold 2.5 acres of land to Ramco Jacksonville North Industrial LLC valued at $1,127. The Company recognized a gain of $434, net of taxes of $262, representing the gain attributable to the joint venture partner’s 95% ownership interest. The remaining 5% of the gain on this sale has been deferred and recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s equity investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities.

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Debt

 

The Company’s unconsolidated entities had the following debt outstanding at September 30, 2007:

 

 

 

 

Fees and Management Income

 

Under the terms of agreements with certain joint ventures, Ramco is the manager of the joint ventures and their properties, earning fees for acquisitions, development, management, leasing, and financing. The fees earned by Ramco, which are reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as fees and management income, are summarized as follows:

 

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Combined Condensed Financial Information

 

Combined condensed financial information for the Company’s unconsolidated entities is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Mortgages and notes payable consist of the following:

 

 

The mortgage notes of approximately $494,000 are secured by mortgages on properties that have an approximate net book value of $560,653 as of September 30, 2007.

 

With respect to the various fixed rate mortgages and floating rate mortgages due in 2007, it is the Company’s intent to refinance these mortgages and notes payable.

 

In March 2007, Ramco Jacksonville closed on a permanent mortgage loan with a third party lender. The total mortgage loan commitment was $110,000, of which $75,000 was funded as of March 31, 2007. An additional advance of $35,000 occurred on April 25, 2007, after the acquisition of the remaining 80% interest in the joint venture from the Company’s joint venture partner. The mortgage loan is an interest only loan for ten years with an interest rate of 5.4% and matures on April 1, 2017.

 

The Company has a $250,000 unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) consisting of a $100,000 unsecured term loan credit facility and a $150,000 unsecured revolving credit facility. The Credit Facility provides that the unsecured revolving credit facility may be increased by up to $100,000 at the Company’s request, for a total unsecured revolving credit facility commitment of $250,000. The unsecured term loan credit facility matures in December 2010 and bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 130 to 165 basis points, depending on certain debt ratios. The unsecured revolving credit facility matures in December 2008 and bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 115 to 150 basis points, depending on certain debt ratios. The Company has the option to extend the maturity date of the unsecured revolving credit facility to December 2010. It is anticipated that funds borrowed under the unsecured revolving credit facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, the repayment of indebtedness or other corporate activities.

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

At September 30, 2007, outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility, not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet, total approximately $1,910. At September 30, 2007, the Company also had other outstanding letters of credit, not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet, of approximately $12,291, related to the completion of the River City Marketplace development.

 

The Credit Facility and the secured term loan contain financial covenants relating to total leverage, fixed charge coverage, loan to asset value, tangible net worth and various other calculations. As of September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with the covenant terms.

 

The mortgage loans encumbering the Company’s properties, including properties held by its unconsolidated joint ventures, are generally non-recourse, subject to certain exceptions for which the Company would be liable for any resulting losses incurred by the lender. These exceptions vary from loan to loan but generally include fraud or a material misrepresentation, misstatement or omission by the borrower, intentional or grossly negligent conduct by the borrower that harms the property or results in a loss to the lender, filing of a bankruptcy petition by the borrower, either directly or indirectly, and certain environmental liabilities. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain of such events, such as fraud or filing of a bankruptcy petition by the borrower, the Company would be liable for the entire outstanding balance of the loan, all interest accrued thereon and certain other costs, penalties and expenses.

 

Under terms of various debt agreements, the Company may be required to maintain interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on its floating rate debt. The Company has interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $80,000 at September 30, 2007. Based on rates in effect at September 30, 2007, the agreements provide for fixed rates ranging from 6.2% to 6.6% and expire December 2008 through March 2009.

 

The following table presents scheduled principal payments on mortgages and notes payable as of September 30, 2007:

 

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company’s Series C Preferred Shares were dilutive and therefore the Series C Preferred Shares were included in the calculation of diluted EPS. However, for all other periods presented, the Series C Preferred Shares were antidilutive and therefore the Series C Preferred Shares were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS. Operating partnership units were antidilutive for all periods presented and therefore not included in the calculations of diluted EPS. See Note 12.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Approximate future minimum revenues from rentals under noncancelable operating leases in effect at September 30, 2007, assuming no new or renegotiated leases, option extensions or early lease terminations on lease agreements, are as follows:

 

 

The Company leases certain office facilities, including its corporate office, under leases that expire through 2014. The Company’s corporate office lease has an option to renew for two consecutive periods of five years each.

 

Approximate future minimum rental payments under the Company’s noncancelable office leases in effect at September 30, 2007, assuming no options extensions or early lease terminations, and a capital ground lease at one of its shopping centers, are as follows:

 

 

 

Construction Costs

 

In connection with the development and expansion of various shopping centers, the Company has entered into agreements for construction costs of approximately $11,923 as of September 30, 2007. These costs include approximately $2,897 for costs related to the development of River City Marketplace in Jacksonville, Florida and $7,242 for costs related to the redevelopment of Aquia Towne Center in Stafford, Virginia.

 

Internal Revenue Service Examinations

 

IRS Audit Resolution for Years 1991 to 1995

 

RPS Realty Trust (“RPS”), a Massachusetts business trust, was formed on September 21, 1988 to be a diversified growth-oriented REIT. From its inception, RPS was primarily engaged in the business of owning and managing a participating mortgage loan portfolio. From May 1, 1991 through April 30, 1996, RPS acquired ten real

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

estate properties by receipt of deed in-lieu of foreclosure. Such properties were held and operated by RPS through wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

In May 1996, RPS acquired, through a reverse merger, substantially all the shopping centers and retail properties as well as the management company and business operations of Ramco-Gershenson, Inc. and certain of its affiliates. The resulting trust changed its name to Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust and Ramco-Gershenson, Inc.’s officers assumed management responsibility for the Company. The trust also changed its operations from a mortgage REIT to an equity REIT and contributed certain mortgage loans and real estate properties to Atlantic Realty Trust (“Atlantic”), an independent, newly formed liquidating real estate investment trust. The shares of Atlantic were immediately distributed to the shareholders of Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust.

 

The terms “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” refers to Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust and/or its predecessors.

 

On October 2, 1997, with approval from our shareholders, we changed our state of organization from Massachusetts to Maryland by merging into a newly formed Maryland real estate investment trust thereby terminating the Massachusetts trust.

 

We were the subject of an IRS examination of our taxable years ended December 31, 1991 through 1995. We refer to this examination as the IRS Audit. On December 4, 2003, we reached an agreement with the IRS with respect to the IRS Audit. We refer to this agreement as the Closing Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Closing Agreement we agreed to pay “deficiency dividends” (that is, our declaration and payment of a distribution that is permitted to relate back to the year for which the IRS determines a deficiency in order to satisfy the requirement for REIT qualification that we distribute a certain minimum amount of our “REIT taxable income” for such year) in amounts not less than $1,400 and $809 for our 1992 and 1993 taxable years, respectively. We also consented to the assessment and collection of $770 in tax deficiencies and to the assessment and collection of interest on such tax deficiencies and on the deficiency dividends referred to above.

 

In connection with the incorporation, and distribution of all of the shares, of Atlantic in May 1996, we entered into the Tax Agreement with Atlantic under which Atlantic assumed all of our tax liabilities arising out of the IRS’ then ongoing examinations (which included, but is not otherwise limited to, the IRS Audit), excluding any tax liability relating to any actions or events occurring, or any tax return position taken, after May 10, 1996, but including liabilities for additions to tax, interest, penalties and costs relating to covered taxes. In addition, the Tax Agreement provides that, to the extent any tax which Atlantic is obligated to pay under the Tax Agreement can be avoided through the declaration of a deficiency dividend, we would make, and Atlantic would reimburse us for the amount of, such deficiency dividend.

 

On December 15, 2003, our Board of Trustees declared a cash “deficiency dividend” in the amount of $2,200, which was paid on January 20, 2004, to common shareholders of record on December 31, 2003. On January 21, 2004, pursuant to the Tax Agreement, Atlantic reimbursed us $2,200 in recognition of our payment of the deficiency dividend. Atlantic has also paid all other amounts (including the tax deficiencies and interest referred to above), on behalf of the Company, assessed by the IRS to date.

 

Pursuant to the Closing Agreement we agreed to an adjustment to our taxable income for each of our taxable years ended December 31, 1991 through 1995. The Company has advised the relevant taxing authorities for the state and local jurisdictions where it conducted business during those years of such adjustments and the terms of the Closing Agreement. We believe that our exposure to state and local tax, penalties, interest and other miscellaneous expenses will not exceed $1,332 as of September 30, 2007. It is management’s belief that any liability for state and local tax, penalties, interest, and other miscellaneous expenses that may exist in relation to the IRS Audit will be covered under the Tax Agreement.

 

Effective March 31, 2006, Atlantic was merged into (acquired by) SI 1339, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kimco Realty Corporation (“Kimco”), with SI 1339, Inc. continuing as the surviving corporation. By way of the

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

merger, SI 1339, Inc. acquired Atlantic’s assets, subject to its liabilities (including its obligations to the Company under the Tax Agreement). Subsequent to the merger, SI 1339, Inc. changed its name to Kimco SI 1339, Inc. In a press release issued on the effective date of the merger, Kimco disclosed that the shareholders of Atlantic received common shares of Kimco valued at $81,800 in exchange for their shares in Atlantic.

 

Litigation

 

We are currently involved in certain litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that this litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our business or consolidated financial statements.

 

Environmental Matters

 

Under various Federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to the protection of the environment (“Environmental Laws”), a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances disposed, stored, released, generated, manufactured or discharged from, on, at, onto, under or in such property. Environmental Laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or release of such hazardous or toxic substance. The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such substances when present, released or discharged, may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. The cost of any required remediation and the liability of the owner or operator therefore as to any property is generally not limited under such Environmental Laws and could exceed the value of the property and/or the aggregate assets of the owner or operator. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also be liable for the cost of removal or remediation of such substances at a disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is owned or operated by such persons. In addition to any action required by Federal, state or local authorities, the presence or release of hazardous or toxic substances on or from any property could result in private plaintiffs bringing claims for personal injury or other causes of action.

 

In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real properties, we may be potentially liable for remediation, releases or injury. In addition, Environmental Laws impose on owners or operators the requirement of on-going compliance with rules and regulations regarding business-related activities that may affect the environment. Such activities include, for example, the ownership or use of transformers or underground tanks, the treatment or discharge of waste waters or other materials, the removal or abatement of asbestos-containing materials (“ACMs”) or lead-containing paint during renovations or otherwise, or notification to various parties concerning the potential presence of regulated matters, including ACMs. Failure to comply with such requirements could result in difficulty in the lease or sale of any affected property and/or the imposition of monetary penalties, fines or other sanctions in addition to the costs required to attain compliance. Several of our properties have or may contain ACMs or underground storage tanks; however, we are not aware of any potential environmental liability which could reasonably be expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. No assurance can be given that future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose any material environmental requirement or liability, or that a material adverse environmental condition does not otherwise exist.

 

Repurchase of Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

In December 2005, the Board of Trustees authorized the repurchase, at management’s discretion, of up to $15,000 of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest. The program allows the Company to repurchase its common shares of beneficial interest from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had purchased and retired 287,900 shares of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest under this program at an average cost of $27.11 per share. No repurchases were made during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

In July 2007, the State of Michigan signed into law the Michigan Business Tax Act, replacing the Michigan single business tax with a business income tax and modified gross receipts tax. These new taxes take effect on January 1, 2008, and, because they are based on or derived from income-based measures, the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” apply as of the enactment date. In September 2007, an amendment to the Michigan Business Tax Act was also singed into law establishing a deduction to the business income tax base if temporary differences associated with certain assets result in a net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 2007. The tax effect of this deduction, which will be equal to the amount of the aggregate deferred tax liability as of December 31, 2007, has an indefinite carryforward period. The enactment of the Michigan Business Tax Act and the related amendment created for the Company both a deferred tax liability and deferred tax asset of approximately $3,300 as of September 30, 2007.

 

In September 2007, the State of Michigan also enacted a new services tax law that takes effect on December 1, 2007. There is substantial uncertainty as to the applicability of the new law to certain of the Company’s transactions and services, as well as the treatment of various items in the computation of the tax. The Company is currently evaluating the possible effects of the new tax on future results of operations and closely monitoring local efforts aimed at clarifying, amending, and/or repealing the law.

 

 

On April 2, 2007, the Company announced that it would redeem all of its outstanding 7.95% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest on June 1, 2007. As of June 1, 2007, 1,856,846 Series C Preferred Shares, or approximately 98% of the total outstanding as of the April 2007 redemption notice, had been converted into common shares of beneficial interest on a one-for one basis. The remaining 31,154 Series C Preferred Shares were redeemed on June 1, 2007, at the redemption price of $28.50 plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

 

On October 8, 2007, the Company announced that it will redeem all of its outstanding 9.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest on November 12, 2007. The shares will be redeemed at $25.00 per share, resulting in a charge to equity of approximately $1,000, plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption date without interest.

 

 

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the respective notes thereto, which are included in this Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

We are a publicly-traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) which owns, develops, acquires, manages and leases community shopping centers (including power centers and single-tenant retail properties) and one regional mall in the Midwestern, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. At September 30, 2007, our portfolio consisted of 86 shopping centers, of which 16 were power centers and two were single-tenant retail properties, as well as one enclosed regional mall, totaling approximately 19.2 million square feet of gross leasable area (“GLA”). Including centers owned by joint ventures in which the Company has an equity interest, we owned approximately 15.3 million square feet of such GLA, with the remaining portion owned by various anchor stores.

 

Our corporate strategy is to maximize total return for our shareholders by improving operating income and enhancing asset value. We pursue our goal through:

 

 

We have followed a disciplined approach to managing our operations by focusing primarily on enhancing the value of our existing portfolio through strategic sales and successful leasing efforts. We continue to selectively pursue new acquisitions, development and redevelopment opportunities.

 

The highlights of our third quarter of 2007 activity reflect this strategy:

 

Joint Venture Activity

 

 

Development

 

As previously announced, we are in various stages of development on four new projects. The developments are:

 

 

 

Redevelopment

 

 

Leasing

 

 

Financing and Treasury

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical

experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Senior management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the audit committee of our board of trustees. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.

 

Critical accounting policies are those that are both significant to the overall presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments. For example, significant estimates and assumptions have been made with respect to useful lives of assets, recovery ratios, capitalization of development and leasing costs, recoverable amounts of receivables and initial valuations and related amortization periods of deferred costs and intangibles, particularly with respect to property acquisitions. Our critical accounting policies as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 have not materially changed during the first nine months of 2007.

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

For purposes of comparison between the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, “Same Center” refers to the shopping center properties owned by consolidated entities as of July 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007.

 

In April 2007, we acquired an additional 80% ownership interest in River City Marketplace, bringing our total ownership interest to 100%. Subsequent to the acquisition of the additional 80% ownership interest, River City Marketplace has been consolidated in our financial statements. This property is collectively referred to as the “Acquisition” in the following discussion.

 

In November 2006, we sold Collins Pointe Plaza to Ramco 191 LLC, a joint venture with Heitman Value Partners Investments LLC. In December 2006, we sold two shopping centers, Crofton Centre and Merchants Square, to Ramco 450 LLC, our $450 million joint venture with an investor advised by Heitman LLC. In March 2007, we sold Chester Springs Shopping Center to this same joint venture. In June 2007, we sold two shopping centers, Shoppes of Lakeland and Kissimmee West, to Ramco HHF KL LLC, a newly formed joint venture with a discretionary fund that invests in core assets managed by Heitman LLC. In July 2007, we sold Paulding Pavilion to Ramco 191 LLC, our $75 million joint venture with Heitman Value Partners Investment LLC. These properties are collectively referred to as “Dispositions” in the following discussion.

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 were $37.8 million, a $1.1 million decrease over the comparable period in 2006.

 

Minimum rents decreased $1.2 million to $24.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $25.3 million for the same period in 2006. The Dispositions resulted in a decrease of approximately $2.9 million in minimum rents, partially offset by an increase of approximately $1.8 million in minimum rents from the Acquisition. Minimum rents at the Same Center properties during the three months ended September 30, 2007 were consistent with the comparable period in 2006.

 

Percentage rents decreased $108,000, from $225,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $117,000 in 2007. The decrease was mainly attributable to Dispositions.

 

Recoveries from tenants decreased $286,000 to $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2006. The Dispositions resulted in a decrease of approximately $921,000 in recoveries from tenants, offset by an increase of approximately $619,000 from the Acquisition. The increase of approximately $16,000 for the Same Center properties was primarily due to the expansion of our electric resale program. We expect our recovery ratio percentage to be in the range of 96.0% to 99.0% for the full year 2007.

 

Fees and management income decreased $180,000 to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $849,000 decrease in development and tenant coordination fees for our River City Marketplace development, partially offset by a $437,000 increase in acquisition fees related to the sale of Paulding Pavilion to

our Ramco 191 LLC joint venture, an increase of $76,000 in acquisition fees related to the acquisition of Old Orchard by our Ramco/Lion Venture LP joint venture, and an increase of $212,000 in management fees attributable to managing the shopping centers owned by our joint ventures.

 

Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $1.9 million, an increase of $737,000 over the comparable period in 2006. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in lease termination fees of $515,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

 

Expenses

 

Total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2007 decreased $1.6 million to $33.9 million as compared to $35.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

 

Real estate taxes were $5.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2007, consistent with the comparable period in 2006.

 

Recoverable operating expenses were $6.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2007, consistent with the comparable period in 2006. Same Center recoverable operating expenses increased approximately $624,000 and the Acquisition resulted in an increase of $108,000, partially offset by a decrease of $497,000 related to Dispositions.

 

Depreciation and amortization was $8.1 million for the third quarter of 2007, consistent with the comparable period in 2006. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $696,000 primarily due to the Acquisition, in particular the acquisition of the remaining 80% ownership interest in River City Marketplace made in April 2007, and an increase of approximately $200,000 for Same Center properties. The increase was offset by approximately $878,000 of depreciation and amortization expense related to Dispositions.

 

Other operating expenses decreased $493,000 to $770,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $1.3 million for the comparable period in 2006. The decrease is primarily attributable to bad debt expense recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2006. No similar increase was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2007.

 

General and administrative expenses increased $715,000, from $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $325,000 increase in payroll expenses related to staff increases associated with the growth of our portfolio and higher salaries and fringes, as well as an increase of $200,000 in the audit and tax professional fees.

 

Interest expense decreased $1.9 million to $9.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $11.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Average monthly debt outstanding was $45.7 million lower during the third quarter of 2007, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $713,000. In addition, the average interest rate on outstanding debt during the third quarter of 2007 was lower than the comparable period of 2006, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $580,000. Further, interest expense during the third quarter of 2007 was favorably impacted by approximately $489,000 as a result of higher capitalized interest on development and redevelopment projects, approximately $169,000 of decreased amortization of deferred financing costs and approximately $78,000 of decreased amortization of marked to market debt.

 

Other

 

Minority interest represents the equity in income attributable to the portion of the Operating Partnership not owned by us. Minority interest for the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased $300,000 to $1.2 million, as compared to $874,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The increase is primarily the result of higher income from continuing operations of the Operating Partnership, Ramco-Gershenson Properties, L.P. for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

 

Earnings from unconsolidated entities represent our proportionate share of the earnings of various joint ventures in which we have an ownership interest. Earnings from unconsolidated entities decreased $176,000, from

$864,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $688,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The majority of the decrease is attributable to our purchase of the remaining 80% ownership in Ramco Jacksonville, the joint venture that owned the River City Marketplace development.

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of minority interest, was $19,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. In January 2006, we sold seven of our shopping centers held for sale to an unrelated third party for $47.0 million in aggregate. Discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 include a loss of $3,000, net of minority interest, on the sale of a portion of these centers, as well as $70,000 from the operations of a portion of these centers. There were no operations for these assets during the three months ended September 30, 2007.

 

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

For purposes of comparison between the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, “Same Center” refers to the shopping center properties owned by consolidated entities as of January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007.

 

In April 2006, we acquired Paulding Pavilion, and we also acquired an additional 90% partnership interest in Beacon Square, bringing our total ownership interest to 100%. Subsequent to the acquisition of the additional 90% partnership interest, Beacon Square has been consolidated in our financial statements. In April 2007, we acquired an additional 80% ownership interest in River City Marketplace, bringing our total ownership interest to 100%. Subsequent to the acquisition of the additional 80% ownership interest, River City Marketplace has been consolidated in our financial statements. These properties are collectively referred to as the “Acquisitions” in the following discussion.

 

In November 2006, we sold Collins Pointe Plaza to Ramco 191 LLC, a joint venture with Heitman Value Partners Investments LLC. In December 2006, we sold two shopping centers, Crofton Centre and Merchants Square, to Ramco 450 LLC, our $450 million joint venture with an investor advised by Heitman LLC. In March 2007, we sold Chester Springs Shopping Center to this same joint venture. In June 2007, we sold two shopping centers, Shoppes of Lakeland and Kissimmee West, to Ramco HHF KL LLC, a newly formed joint venture with a discretionary fund that invests in core assets managed by Heitman LLC. In July 2007, we sold Paulding Pavilion to Ramco 191 LLC, our $75 million joint venture with Heitman Value Partners Investment LLC. These properties are collectively referred to as “Dispositions” in the following discussion.

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $115.1 million, a $1.3 million increase over the comparable period in 2006.

 

Minimum rents decreased $2.2 million to $72.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $75.1 million for the first nine months of 2006. The Dispositions resulted in a decrease of approximately $6.2 million in minimum rents, partially offset by an increase of approximately $3.6 million in minimum rents from Acquisitions and an increase of approximately $400,000 from Same Center properties. The $400,000 increase at the Same Center properties represents a 1.3% increase over the comparable period in 2006, and is the result of the completion of redevelopment projects at certain of our shopping centers, in particular Tel-Twelve and Spring Meadows Place. Both of these redevelopments involved the expansion or addition of at least one national anchor tenant.

 

Percentage rents decreased $85,000 from $610,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $525,000 in 2007. Dispositions resulted in a decrease of $51,000 and Same Center decreased $37,000 when compared to the same period in 2006.

 

Recoveries from tenants increased $2.0 million to $32.9 million for the first nine months of 2007 as compared to $30.9 million for the same period in 2006. Same Center properties increased approximately $2.7 million and Acquisitions resulted in an increase of approximately $1.0 million, partially offset by a decrease of $1.7 million resulting from the Dispositions. The increase of approximately $2.7 million for the Same Center properties was primarily due to increases in real estate taxes and the expansion of our electric resale program. The overall property

operating expense recovery ratio was 98.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 96.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily attributed to the two items noted above. We expect our recovery ratio percentage to be in the range of 96.0% to 99.0% for the full year 2007.

 

Fees and management income increased $1.1 million to $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in acquisition fees of approximately $1.5 million as well as an increase of $523,000 in management fees. The acquisition fees earned in 2007 relate to the purchase of Cocoa Commons, Old Orchard and Cypress Pointe by our Ramco/Lion Venture LP joint venture, the purchase of Peachtree Hill and Chester Springs by our Ramco 450 LLC joint venture, the purchase of Shoppes of Lakeland and Kissimmee West by our Ramco HHF KL LLC joint venture, and the purchase of Paulding Pavilion and Nora Plaza by our Ramco 191 LLC joint venture. The increase in management fees was mainly attributed to fees earned for managing the shopping centers owned by our joint ventures. Development fees decreased approximately $1.0 million as a result of our acquisition in April 2007 of the remaining 80% interest in Ramco Jacksonville LLC, the entity developed River City Marketplace.

 

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $3.6 million, an increase of $533,000 over the comparable period in 2006. Interest income increased approximately $538,000 on advances to Ramco Jacksonville related to the River City Marketplace development, there was approximately $253,000 of miscellaneous income related to the favorable resolution of disputes with tenants and there was income from insurance proceeds of $140,000 received in 2007. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in lease termination income of approximately $500,000.

 

Expenses

 

Total expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 decreased $247,000 to $102.8 million as compared to $103.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

Real estate taxes increased by $511,000 during the first nine months of 2007 to $15.3 million, as compared to $14.8 million during the first nine months of 2006. Acquisitions resulted in an increase of approximately $513,000 and Same Center properties increased approximately $856,000, partially offset by a decrease of $858,000 resulting from Dispositions. Same Center increased due to the recording of approximately $440,000 of Michigan Single Business Tax expense in real estate taxes in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, this expense was recorded in general and administrative expense.

 

Recoverable operating expenses increased by $989,000 to $18.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $17.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Same Center properties increased approximately $1.5 million and Acquisitions resulted in an increase of approximately $406,000, partially offset by a decrease of $887,000 resulting from the Dispositions. The increase in Same Center properties is attributable mainly to increases in utilities expense, snow removal expense, and additional insurance expense which was attributable to higher property insurance costs at our Florida shopping centers.

 

Depreciation and amortization was $24.6 million for the first nine months of 2007, an increase of $542,000 over the comparable period in 2006. The Dispositions resulted in a decrease of approximately $1.5 million, offset by an increase of $1.5 million in depreciation and amortization due to Acquisitions, in particular the acquisition of the remaining 80% ownership interest in River City Marketplace. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 we recognized $1.2 million of depreciation and amortization expense related to this center. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we did not recognize depreciation and amortization expense at this center because it was not consolidated in our financial statements, and it was still in the development stage. Same Center depreciation expense increased by approximately $564,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 2006. The increased expense is attributable to a tenant improvements incurred in August 2006 at our Tel-Twelve shopping center and increases related to the redevelopment projects completed in 2006 and 2007.

 

Other operating expenses decreased $838,000 to $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $2.9 million for the comparable period in 2006. The decrease is primarily due to a reversal of the previous write-off of receivables due from Atlantic Realty Trust in connection with our IRS examinations. These amounts are due to us under our Tax Agreement with Atlantic Realty Trust.

General and administrative expenses increased $226,000, from $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in payroll expenses related to staff increases associated with the growth of our portfolio and higher salaries and fringes.

 

Interest expense decreased $1.7 million to $31.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $33.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Average monthly debt outstanding was $21.7 million lower for the first nine months of 2007, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $1.0 million. We also benefited from by lower average interest rates during the first nine months of 2007, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $394,000. Interest expense during the first nine months of 2007 was favorably impacted by approximately $668,000 as a result of higher capitalized interest on development and redevelopment projects, partially offset by approximately $107,000 of increased amortization of deferred financing costs and approximately $237,000 of increased amortization of marked to market debt.

 

Other

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets increased $28.3 million to $31.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase is due primarily to the gain on the sale of Chester Springs to our Ramco 450 LLC joint venture, the sale of the Shoppes of Lakeland and Kissimmee West to our Ramco HHF KL LLC joint venture, the sale of Paulding Pavilion to our Ramco 191 LLC joint venture, and the sale of land parcels at River City Marketplace. With respect to the sale of Chester Springs and Paulding Pavilion, we recognized 80% of the gain on each sale, representing the portion of the gain attributable to our joint venture partner’s ownership interest. The remaining portion of the gain on each sale has been deferred as we have a 20% ownership interest in the respective joint ventures. With respect to the sale of Shoppes of Lakeland and Kissimmee West, we recognized 93% of the gain on the sale, representing the portion of the gain attributable to our joint venture partner’s ownership interest. The remaining portion of the gain on the sale of this center has been deferred as we have a 7% ownership interest in the joint venture.

 

Minority interest represents the equity in income attributable to the portion of the Operating Partnership not owned by us. Minority interest for the first nine months of 2007 increased $4.7 million to $7.2 million, as compared to $2.8 million for the first nine months of 2006. The increase is primarily attributable to the minority interest’s proportionate share of the gain on the sale of real estate discussed above.

 

Earnings from unconsolidated entities represent our proportionate share of the earnings of various joint ventures in which we have an ownership interest. Earnings from unconsolidated entities decreased $550,000, from $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease is attributable to our ownership interest in Ramco Jacksonville, the joint venture that owned River City Marketplace development. The purchase of the remaining 80% ownership interest in Ramco Jacksonville in April 2007 decreased earnings by $362,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006. Also, $171,000 of the decrease in earnings from unconsolidated entities is attributable to our ownership interest in the Ramco/Lion Venture LP joint venture. The decrease is attributable to a decision to redevelop Hunter’s Square, one of the shopping centers owned by the joint venture, and to take certain space at this center offline temporarily.

 

Discontinued operations, net of minority interest, were $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2006. In January 2006, we sold seven of our shopping centers held for sale to an unrelated third party for $47.0 million in aggregate. Discontinued operations include a gain of $926,000, net of minority interest, on the sale of these assets, as well as $402,000 from the operations of these assets. There were no operations for these assets during the first nine months of 2007.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The principal uses of our liquidity and capital resources are for operations, acquisitions, development, redevelopment, including expansion and renovation programs, and debt repayment, as well as dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements and repurchases of our common shares. We anticipate that the combination of cash on hand, the availability under our $250 million unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), our access to

the capital markets and the sale of existing properties will satisfy our expected working capital requirements through at least the next 12 months and allow us to achieve continued growth. Although we believe that the combination of factors discussed above will provide sufficient liquidity, no such assurance can be given.

 

As part of our business plan to improve our capital structure and reduce debt, we will continue to pursue the strategy of selling fully-valued properties and to dispose of shopping centers that no longer meet the criteria established for our portfolio. Our ability to obtain acceptable selling prices and satisfactory terms will impact the timing of future sales. Net proceeds from the sale of properties are expected to reduce outstanding debt and to fund any future acquisitions.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we generated $50.4 million in cash flows from operating activities, as compared to $31.0 million for the same period in 2006. Cash flows from operating activities were increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 mainly due to higher net cash provided by accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, investing activities provided $29.6 million of cash flows, as compared to $20.0 million in 2006. Cash flows from investing activities were higher in 2007 due to cash received from sales of shopping centers to our joint ventures, as well as cash received on a note receivable due from Ramco Jacksonville, partially reduced by additional investments in real estate and additional investments in our joint ventures. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, cash flows used in financing activities were $83.9 million, as compared to $51.5 million during the same period in 2006. In 2007, we repaid $113.7 million of the unsecured revolving credit facility, compared to $73.3 million in 2006, and in full all amounts due under our unsecured subordinated term loan.

 

The Credit Facility consists of a $100 million unsecured term loan credit facility and a $150 million unsecured revolving credit facility. The Credit Facility provides that the unsecured revolving credit facility may be increased by up to $100 million at our request, for a total unsecured revolving credit facility commitment of $250 million. The unsecured term loan credit facility matures in December 2010 and bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 130 to 165 basis points, depending on certain debt ratios. The unsecured revolving credit facility matures in December 2008 and bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 115 to 150 basis points, depending on certain debt ratios. We have the option to extend the maturity date of the unsecured revolving credit facility to December 2010. It is anticipated that funds borrowed under the unsecured revolving credit facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, the repayment of indebtedness or other corporate activities.

 

Under terms of various debt agreements, we may be required to maintain interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on our floating rate debt. We have interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $80.0 million at September 30, 2007. Based on rates in effect at September 30, 2007, the agreements provide for fixed rates ranging from 6.2% to 6.6% and expire December 2008 through March 2009.

 

After taking into account the impact of converting our variable rate debt into fixed rate debt by use of the interest rate swap agreements, at September 30, 2007 our variable rate debt accounted for approximately $119.2 million of outstanding debt with a weighted average interest rate of 6.9%. Variable rate debt accounted for approximately 17.6% of our total debt and 8.7% of our total capitalization.

 

We have $493.6 million of mortgage loans encumbering our properties, and $358.3 million of mortgage loans held by our unconsolidated joint ventures, which are generally non-recourse, subject to certain exceptions for which we would be liable for any resulting losses incurred by the lender. These exceptions vary from loan to loan but generally include fraud or a material misrepresentation, misstatement or omission by the borrower, intentional or grossly negligent conduct by the borrower that harms the property or results in a loss to the lender, filing of a bankruptcy petition by the borrower, either directly or indirectly, and certain environmental liabilities. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain of such events, such as fraud or filing of a bankruptcy petition by the borrower, we would be liable for the entire outstanding balance of the loan, all interest accrued thereon and certain other costs, penalties and expenses

 

The unconsolidated joint ventures in which our Operating Partnership owns an interest and which are accounted for by the equity method of accounting are subject to mortgage indebtedness, which in most instances is

non-recourse. At September 30, 2007, our pro rata share of mortgage debt for the unconsolidated joint ventures was $99.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 6.6%. Fixed rate debt for the unconsolidated joint ventures amounted to $93.0 million, or 93.7%, of our pro rata share. The mortgage debt of $16.3 million at Peachtree Hill, a shopping center owned by our Ramco 450 Venture LLC, is recourse debt.

 

In March 2007, our Ramco Jacksonville joint venture closed on a permanent mortgage loan with a third party lender. The total mortgage loan commitment was $110 million, of which $75 million was funded as of March 31, 2007. An additional advance of $35 million occurred on April 25, 2007, after the acquisition of our joint venture partner’s 80% ownership interest in the joint venture. The mortgage loan is an interest only loan for ten years with an interest rate of 5.4% and matures on April 1, 2017. The proceeds of the mortgage loan were used to repay the construction and mezzanine loans for the project, to repay the Operating Partnership for a note receivable and advances made to the joint venture, and to pay for the completion of the construction of the River City Marketplace development.

 

Capitalization

 

At September 30, 2007, our market capitalization amounted to $1.4 billion. Market capitalization consisted of $676.4 million of debt (including property-specific mortgages, the Credit Facility, and a secured term loan), $25.1 million of Series B Preferred Shares, and $668.2 million of our common shares of beneficial interest and units in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) (Series B Preferred Shares, common shares of beneficial interest, and OP Units are at market value). Our debt to total market capitalization was 49.4% at September 30, 2007, as compared to 44.5% at December 31, 2006. After taking into account the impact of converting our variable rate debt into fixed rate debt by use of interest rate swap agreements, our outstanding debt at September 30, 2007 had a weighted average interest rate of 6.1%, and consisted of $557.2 million of fixed rate debt and $119.2 million of variable rate debt. Outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility total approximately $1.9 million. We also had other outstanding letters of credit, not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet, of approximating $12.3 million related to the completion of the River City Marketplace development.

 

On April 2, 2007, we announced that we would redeem all of our outstanding 7.95% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest on June 1, 2007. As of June 1, 2007, 1,856,846 Series C Preferred Shares, or approximately 98% of the total outstanding as of April 2007 redemption notice, had been converted into common shares of beneficial interest on a one-for-one basis. The remaining 31,154 Series C Preferred Shares were redeemed on June 1, 2007, at the redemption price of $28.50 plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

On October 8, 2007, we announced that we will redeem all of our outstanding 9.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest on November 12, 2007. The shares will be redeemed at $25.00 per share, resulting in a charge to equity of approximately $1,000, plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption date without interest

 

At September 30, 2007, the minority interest in the Operating Partnership represented a 13.6% ownership in the Operating Partnership. The OP Units may, under certain circumstances, be exchanged for our common shares of beneficial interest on a one-for-one basis. We, as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, have the option, but not the obligation, to settle exchanged OP Units held by others in cash based on the current trading price of our common shares of beneficial interest. Assuming the exchange of all OP Units, there would have been 21,388,265 of our common shares of beneficial interest outstanding at September 30, 2007, with a market value of approximately $668.2 million (based on the closing price of $31.24 per share on September 30, 2007).

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has been relatively low in recent years and has not had a significant detrimental impact on our results of operations. We believe that any inflationary increases in our expenses should be substantially offset by increased expense reimbursements, contractual rent increases and/or increased receipts from percentage rents. Should inflation rates increase in the future, substantially all of the leases at our properties provide for tenants to pay their pro rata share of operating expenses, including common area maintenance and real estate taxes, thereby reducing our exposure to increases in operating expenses resulting from inflation. Many of the tenants’ leases

contain provisions designed to lessen the impact of inflation on our business. Such provisions include the ability to receive percentage rentals based on a tenant’s gross sales, which generally increase as prices rise, and/or escalation clauses, which generally increase rental rates during the terms of the leases. In addition, many of the leases are for terms of less than ten years, which may enable us to replace existing leases with new leases at a higher base and/or percentage rents if rents of the existing leases are below the then existing market rate. Therefore, we expect the effects of inflation and other changes in prices would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

Funds from Operations

 

We consider funds from operations, also known as “FFO,” an appropriate supplemental measure of the financial performance of an equity REIT. Under the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) definition, FFO represents net income, excluding extraordinary items (as defined under GAAP) and gains (losses) on sales of depreciable property, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of financing costs), and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. FFO is intended to exclude GAAP historical cost depreciation and amortization of real estate investments, which assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes ratably over time. Historically, however, real estate values have risen or fallen with market conditions and many companies utilize different depreciable lives and methods. Because FFO adds back depreciation and amortization unique to real estate, and excludes gains and losses from depreciable property dispositions and extraordinary items, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, acquisition and development activities and interest costs, which provides a perspective of our financial performance not immediately apparent from net income determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, FFO does not include the cost of capital improvements, including capitalized interest.

 

For the reasons described above, we believe that FFO provides us and our investors with an important indicator of our operating performance. This measure of performance is used by us for several business purposes and for REITs it provides a recognized measure of performance other than GAAP net income, which may include non-cash items. Other real estate companies may calculate FFO in a different manner.

 

We recognize FFO’s limitations when compared to GAAP net income. FFO does not represent amounts available for needed capital replacement or expansion, debt service obligations, or other commitments and uncertainties. In addition, FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs, including the payment of dividends. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income (computed in accordance with GAAP) or as an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. FFO is simply used as an additional indicator of our operating performance.

The following table illustrates the calculation of FFO (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we spent approximately $5.5 million on revenue-generating capital expenditures including tenant allowances, leasing commissions paid to third-party brokers, legal costs related to lease documents, and capitalized leasing and construction costs. These types of costs generate a return through rents from tenants over the term of their leases. Revenue-enhancing capital expenditures, including expansions, renovations or repositionings, were approximately $30.6 million. Revenue neutral capital expenditures, such as roof and parking lot repairs which are anticipated to be recovered from tenants, amounted to approximately $1.8 million.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations, plans or beliefs concerning future events and may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “predict” or similar terms. Although the forward-looking statements made in this document are based on our good faith beliefs, reasonable assumptions and our best judgment based upon current information, certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including: our success or failure in implementing our business strategy; economic conditions generally and in the commercial real estate and finance markets specifically; our cost of capital, which depends in part on our asset quality, our relationships with lenders and other capital providers; our business prospects and outlook; changes in governmental regulations, tax rates and similar matters; our continuing to qualify as a REIT; and other factors discussed elsewhere in this document and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue

reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

 

We have exposure to interest rate risk on our variable rate debt obligations. We are not subject to any foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity price risk, or other material rate or price risks. Based on our debt and interest rates and the interest rate swap agreements in effect at September 30, 2007, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would affect our annual earnings and cash flows by approximately $392,000. We believe that a 100 basis point change in interest rates would impact the fair value of our total outstanding debt at September 30, 2007 by approximately $18.3 million.

 

Under the terms of various debt agreements, we may be required to maintain interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rate on our floating rate debt. We have interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $80.0 million at September 30, 2007. Based on rates in effect at September 30, 2007, the agreements provide for fixed rates ranging from 6.2% to 6.6% and expire December 2008 through March 2009.

 

The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 2007 concerning our long-term debt obligations, including principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted average interest rates of maturing amounts and fair market value (dollars in thousands).

 

 

We estimated the fair value of fixed rate mortgages using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements with the same remaining maturity. Considerable judgment is required to develop estimated fair values of financial instruments. The table incorporates only those exposures that exist at September 30, 2007 and does not consider those exposures or positions which could arise after that date or firm commitments as of such date. Therefore, the information presented therein has limited predictive value. Our actual interest rate fluctuations will depend on the exposures that arise during the period and interest rates. Therefore, the information presented therein has limited predictive value. Our actual interest rate fluctuations will depend on the exposures that arise during the period and interest rates.

 

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), such as this report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the design control objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

We carried out an assessment as of September 30, 2007 of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. This assessment was done under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on such evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

There are no material pending legal or governmental proceedings, other than the IRS Examination, against or involving us or our properties. For a description of the IRS Examination, see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

You should review our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which contains a detailed description of risk factors that may materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. There are no material changes to the disclosure on these matters set forth in such Form 10-K.

 

 

In December 2005, the Board of Trustees authorized the repurchase, at management’s discretion, of up to $15.0 million of our common shares of beneficial interest. The program allows us to repurchase our common shares of beneficial interest from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. This authorization does not have an expiration date.

 

No common shares were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2007, we had purchased and retired 287,900 shares of our common stock under this program at an average cost of $27.11 per share. Approximately $7.2 million of common shares may yet be purchased under such repurchase program.

 

In accordance with terms of the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership, each OP Unit may be exchanged for one common share at the election of the limited partners. We, as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, have the option, but not the obligation, to settle exchanged OP Units in cash based on the current trading price of our common shares. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we issued 614 common shares of beneficial interest upon the tender of OP Units by such limited partners; the issuance were made in private placement transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we did not elect to settle any tender of OP Units for cash.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST

 

Dennis E. Gershenson

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: November 6, 2007

 

Richard J. Smith

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Date: November 6, 2007