Wheeler Real Estate Investment (WHLR) Risk Factors
489 Followers
Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.
Wheeler Real Estate Investment disclosed 63 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Wheeler Real Estate Investment reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Risk Overview Q3, 2019
Risk Distribution
46% Finance & Corporate
21% Production
17% Legal & Regulatory
6% Ability to Sell
6% Macro & Political
3% Tech & Innovation
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
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No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q3, 2019
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 29 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 29 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
63
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
63
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
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Since Sep 2019
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Sep 2019
Number of Risk Changed
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
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No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Wheeler Real Estate Investment in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 63
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 29/63 (46%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights7 | 11.1%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
We have and may continue to acquire properties or portfolios of properties through tax deferred contribution transactions, which could result in stockholder dilution and limit our ability to sell such assets.
We have and in the future we may continue to acquire properties or portfolios of properties through tax deferred contribution transactions in exchange for partnership interests in our Operating Partnership, which may result in stockholder dilution. This acquisition structure may have the effect of, among other things, reducing the amount of tax depreciation we could deduct over the tax life of the acquired properties, and may require that we agree to protect the contributors' ability to defer recognition of taxable gain through restrictions on our ability to dispose of the acquired properties and/or the allocation of partnership debt to the contributors to maintain their tax bases. These restrictions could limit our ability to sell an asset at a time, or on terms, that would be favorable absent such restrictions.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
We may not comply with the Asset Coverage Ratio contained in the terms of our Series D Preferred Stock.
The terms of our Series D Preferred Stock require us to maintain a certain level of asset coverage. More specifically, we are required to maintain an asset coverage percentage of at least 200% on the last business day of each calendar quarter. This percentage is calculated by dividing (i) our total assets plus accumulated depreciation, plus accumulated amortization minus our total liabilities and indebtedness as reported in our financial statements (exclusive of the book value of any Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock) by (ii) the aggregate liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, of the outstanding shares of our Series D Preferred Stock and any outstanding shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock. If we fail to satisfy the Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), we must cure the failure during the period that expires at the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following the filing date of our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as applicable, for that quarter. If we fail to cure the failure prior to the Asset Coverage Cure Date (as defined in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), the terms of our Series D Preferred Stock require us to redeem, within 90 calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock, which may include Series D Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that will result in us having an Asset Coverage Ratio of at least 200% and (ii) the maximum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that can be redeemed solely out of funds legally available for such redemption.
There can be no guarantee that we will continue to comply with the Asset Coverage Ratio in the future. To the extent we fail to satisfy the Asset Coverage Ratio and are required to redeem shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, our business and its operations may be materially and adversely impacted.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Our business and the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected as a result of the actions of activist stockholders.
The Stilwell Group filed a Schedule 13D announcing their plans to nominate director candidates for election to our board of directors at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders. They were unsuccessful at this attempt at the 2018 annual meeting, but may seek board seats in 2019. Our business, operating results or financial condition could be harmed by these potential proxy contests because, among other things:
l Responding to proxy contests is costly and time-consuming, is a significant distraction for our board of directors, management and employees, and diverts the attention of our board of directors and senior management from the pursuit of our business strategy, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition;l Perceived uncertainties as to our future direction, our ability to execute on our strategy, or changes to the composition of our board of directors or senior management team, including our CEO, may lead to the perception of a change in the direction of our business, instability or lack of continuity which may be exploited by our competitors, and may result in the loss of potential business opportunities and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners;l The expenses for legal and advisory fees and administrative and associated costs incurred in connection with responding to proxy contests and any related litigation may be substantial; and l We may choose to initiate, or may become subject to, litigation as a result of the proxy contests or matters arising from the proxy contests, which would serve as a further distraction to our board of directors, management and employees and would require us to incur significant additional costs.
In addition, the market price of our securities could be subject to significant fluctuations or otherwise be adversely affected by the uncertainties described above or the outcome of the proxy contests.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited.
As permitted by Maryland law, our charter eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:
l actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or l a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated.
As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors and officers than might otherwise exist. Accordingly, in the event that actions taken in good faith by any of our directors or officers impede the performance of our company, your ability to recover damages from such director or officer will be limited.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
We are a holding company with no direct operations and, as such, we will rely on funds received from our Operating Partnership to pay liabilities, and the interests of our stockholders will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of our Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries.
We are a holding company and will conduct substantially all of our operations through our Operating Partnership. We do not have, apart from an interest in our Operating Partnership, any independent operations. As a result, we will rely on distributions from our Operating Partnership to pay any dividends we might declare on shares of our Common Stock. We will also rely on distributions from our Operating Partnership to meet any of our obligations, including any tax liability on taxable income allocated to us from our Operating Partnership. In addition, because we are a holding company, your claims as stockholders will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities and obligations (whether or not for borrowed money) of our Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. Therefore, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets and those of our Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries will be available to satisfy the claims of our stockholders only after all of our and our Operating Partnership's and our other subsidiaries' liabilities and obligations have been paid in full.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
Our Operating Partnership may issue additional partnership units to third parties without the consent of our stockholders, which would reduce our ownership percentage in our Operating Partnership and would have a dilutive effect on the amount of distributions made to us by our Operating Partnership and, therefore, the amount of distributions we can make to our stockholders.
As of December 31, 2018, we own 98.33% of the outstanding common units of our Operating Partnership, and we may, in connection with our acquisition of properties or otherwise, issue additional partnership units to third parties. Such issuances would reduce our ownership percentage in our Operating Partnership and affect the amount of distributions made to us by our Operating Partnership and, therefore, the amount of distributions we can make to our stockholders. Because you will not directly own partnership units, you will not have any voting rights with respect to any such issuances or other partnership level activities of our Operating Partnership.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
Conflicts of interest may exist or could arise in the future between the interests of our stockholders and the interests of holders of units in our Operating Partnership, which may impede business decisions that could benefit our stockholders.
Conflicts of interest may exist or could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between us and our affiliates, on the one hand, and our Operating Partnership or any partner thereof, on the other. Our directors and officers have duties to our company under Maryland law in connection with their management of our company. At the same time, we, as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, have fiduciary duties and obligations to our Operating Partnership and its limited partners under Virginia law and the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement") in connection with the management of our Operating Partnership. Our fiduciary duties and obligations as the general partner of our Operating Partnership may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to our company.
Under Virginia law, a general partner of a Virginia limited partnership has fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the partnership and its partners and must discharge its duties and exercise its rights as general partner under the Partnership Agreement or Virginia law consistently with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing. The Partnership Agreement provides that, in the event of a conflict between the interests of our Operating Partnership or any partner, on the one hand, and the separate interests of our company or our stockholders, on the other hand, we, in our capacity as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, are under no obligation not to give priority to the separate interests of our company or our stockholders, and that any action or failure to act on our part or on the part of our directors that gives priority to the separate interests of our company or our stockholders that does not result in a violation of the contract rights of the limited partners of the Operating Partnership under its Partnership Agreement does not violate the duty of loyalty that we, in our capacity as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, owe to the Operating Partnership and its partners.
Additionally, the Partnership Agreement provides that we will not be liable to the Operating Partnership or any partner for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by the Operating Partnership or any limited partner, except for liability for our intentional harm or gross negligence. Our Operating Partnership must indemnify us, our directors and officers, officers of our Operating Partnership and our designees from and against any and all claims that relate to the operations of our Operating Partnership, unless (1) an act or omission of the person was material to the matter giving rise to the action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (2) the person actually received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of the Partnership Agreement or (3) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the indemnified person had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Our Operating Partnership must also pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses of any such person upon its receipt of a written affirmation of the person's good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to repay any amounts paid or advanced if it is ultimately determined that the person did not meet the standard of conduct for indemnification. Our Operating Partnership will not indemnify or advance funds to any person with respect to any action initiated by the person seeking indemnification without our approval (except for any proceeding brought to enforce such person's right to indemnification under the Partnership Agreement) or if the person is found to be liable to our Operating Partnership on any portion of any claim in the action.
Accounting & Financial Operations4 | 6.3%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our securities, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive.
We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in our securities. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. For more information on the tax consequences of distributions with respect to our securities, see "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations." Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, such sales may have an adverse effect on the per share trading price of our securities.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
We suspended dividend payments with respect to our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred for the fourth quarter 2018, first quarter 2019 and in March 2018 suspended the Common Stock dividend.
We suspended dividend payments with respect to our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred for the fourth quarter 2018, first quarter 2019 and in March 2018 suspended the Common Stock dividend. We plan to revisit the dividend payment policy with respect to our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred in the second quarter of 2019. See Part II, Item 7., "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Future Liquidity Needs" of this Annual Report. As a result of this dividend suspension, no dividends may be declared or paid on the common stock until all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends on our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment, for all past dividend periods.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Our common stock ranks junior to our Series A Preferred , Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred with respect to dividends and amounts payable in the event of our liquidation.
Our common stock ranks junior to our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred with respect to the payment of dividends and amounts payable in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. This means that, unless accumulated accrued dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred for all past dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid, or set aside for payment on, our common stock. Likewise, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, no distribution of our assets may be made to holders of our common stock until we have paid to holders of our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred the applicable liquidation preference plus all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends.
We suspended dividend payments with respect to our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred for the fourth quarter 2018, first quarter 2019 and in March 2018 suspended the Common Stock dividend. We plan to revisit the dividend payment policy with respect to our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred in the second quarter of 2019. See Part II, Item 7., "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Future Liquidity Needs" of this Annual Report. As a result, the value of your investment in our common stock may suffer if sufficient funds are not available to first satisfy our obligations to the holders of our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred in the event of our liquidation.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
Our estimated cash available for distribution is insufficient to cover our anticipated annual dividends and distributions paid from sources other than our cash flow from operations will result in us having fewer funds available for the acquisition of properties, which may adversely affect our ability to fund future distributions with cash flow from operations and may adversely affect your overall return.
Our operating cash flow currently is insufficient to cover our anticipated monthly and quarterly distributions to common stockholders and preferred stockholders. We have paid distributions from sources other than from our cash flow from operations. Until we acquire additional properties, we will not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to pay our anticipated monthly and quarterly distributions. Moreover, our Board of Directors may change this policy, in its sole discretion, at any time.
By funding distributions from our cash on hand or borrowings we will have less funds available for acquiring properties. As a result, the return you realize on your investment may be reduced. Funding distributions from borrowings could restrict the amount we can borrow for investments, which may affect our profitability. Funding distributions with the sale of assets or the proceeds of offerings may affect our ability to generate cash flows. Funding distributions from the sale of securities could dilute your interest in us if we sell shares of our Common Stock or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of our Common Stock to third party investors. Payment of distributions from the mentioned sources could restrict our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, affect our profitability and/or affect the distributions payable to you, any or all of which may have an adverse effect on your investment.
Debt & Financing13 | 20.6%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
We have a limited operating history as a REIT and a publicly traded company. We have limited financing sources, and we may not be able to successfully operate as a REIT or a publicly traded company.
We have a limited operating history as a REIT and a publicly traded company. We cannot assure you that the past experience of Mr. Kelly and our management team will be sufficient to successfully operate our company as a REIT or a publicly traded company, including the requirements to timely meet disclosure requirements of the SEC, and comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and REIT requirements imposed by the Code. Failure to operate successfully as a public company or maintain our qualification as a REIT would have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock.
Additionally, we have limited financing sources. If our capital resources are insufficient to support our operations, we will not be successful. You should consider our prospects in light of the risks, uncertainties and difficulties frequently encountered by companies that are, like us, in the early stages of development. To be successful in this market, we must, among other things:
l identify and acquire additional investments that further our investment strategies;l increase awareness of our REIT within the investment products market;l attract, integrate, motivate and retain qualified personnel to manage our day-to-day operations; and l respond to competition for our targeted real estate properties and other investment as well as for potential investors.
We cannot guarantee that we will succeed in achieving these goals, and our failure to do so could cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.
Debt & Financing - Risk 2
Our growth depends on external sources of capital that are outside of our control and may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could limit our ability, among other things, to meet our capital and operating needs or make the cash distributions to our stockholders necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required under the Code, among other things, to distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain. In addition, we will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, including any net capital gains. Because of these distribution requirements, we may not be able to fund future capital needs, including any necessary acquisition financing, from operating cash flow. Consequently, we intend to rely on third-party sources to fund our capital needs. We may not be able to obtain such financing on favorable terms or at all and any additional debt we incur will increase our leverage and likelihood of default. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends, in part, on:
l general market conditions;l the market's perception of our growth potential;l our current debt levels;l our current and expected future earnings;l our cash flow and cash distributions; and l the market price per share of our securities.
Recently, the capital markets have been subject to significant disruptions. If we cannot obtain capital from third-party sources, we may not be able to acquire or develop properties when strategic opportunities exist, meet the capital and operating needs of our existing properties, satisfy our debt service obligations or make the cash distributions to our stockholders necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $369.61 million of indebtedness outstanding, which may expose us to the risk of default under our debt obligations.
As of December 31, 2018, our total indebtedness was approximately $369.61 million, a substantial portion of which is guaranteed by our Operating Partnership, and we may incur additional debt to finance future acquisition and development activities. Payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties or to pay the dividends currently contemplated or necessary to maintain our REIT qualification. Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements could have significant adverse consequences, including the following:
l our cash flow may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments;l we may be unable to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to meet operational needs;l we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness;l we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on unfavorable terms or in violation of certain covenants to which we may be subject;l we may violate financial covenants in our loan documents, which would entitle the lenders to accelerate our debt obligations; and l our default under any loan with cross default provisions could result in a default on other indebtedness.
If any one of these events were to occur, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities could be adversely affected. Furthermore, foreclosures could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
Failure to reduce our overadvance on the KeyBank Line of Credit may cause a default under its terms.
As of December 31, 2018, we are required to pay down the overadvance of $3.83 million on the KeyBank Line of Credit by February 28, 2019 or otherwise properly balance the borrowing base availability. If we are unable to properly balance the borrowing base availability we may use funds from our operations to pay down the indebtedness on the line of credit. A pay down from funds from our operations may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties or to pay the dividends currently contemplated or necessary to maintain our REIT qualification. This could have significant adverse consequences, including the following: our cash flow may be insufficient to make required principal and interest payments on our indebtedness; we may be unable to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to meet operational needs; we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness; and we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on unfavorable terms or in violation of certain covenants to which we may be subject. If any one of these events were to occur, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and the trading price of our securities could be adversely affected. In addition, we may not have sufficient funds from operations to pay down the line of credit, which may cause a default under its terms, resulting in a foreclosure of properties that secure the line of credit. Furthermore, foreclosures could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code.
Debt & Financing - Risk 5
High mortgage interest rates and/or unavailability of mortgage debt may make it difficult for us to finance or refinance properties, which could reduce the number of properties we can acquire, our net income and the amount of cash distributions we can make.
If mortgage debt is unavailable at reasonable rates, we may not be able to finance the purchase of properties. If we place mortgage debt on properties, we may be unable to refinance the properties when the loans become due, or to refinance on favorable terms. If interest rates are higher when we refinance our properties, our income could be reduced. If any of these events occur, our cash flow could be reduced. This, in turn, could reduce cash available for debt payments and distributions to our stockholders and may hinder our ability to raise more capital by issuing more stock or by borrowing more money.
Debt & Financing - Risk 6
Mortgage debt obligations expose us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in a property or group of properties subject to mortgage debt.
Incurring mortgage and other secured debt obligations increases our risk of property losses because defaults on indebtedness secured by properties may result in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders and ultimately our loss of the property securing any loans for which we are in default. Any foreclosure on a mortgaged property or group of properties could adversely affect the overall value of our portfolio of properties. For tax purposes, a foreclosure on any of our properties that is subject to a nonrecourse mortgage loan would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code.
Debt & Financing - Risk 7
Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities.
Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we may enter into hedging transactions to protect us from the effects of interest rate fluctuations on floating rate debt. We currently do not have any hedges in place. Our hedging transactions may include entering into interest rate cap agreements or interest rate swap agreements. These agreements involve risks, such as the risk that such arrangements would not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes or that a court could rule that such an agreement is not legally enforceable. In addition, interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates. Hedging could reduce the overall returns on our investments. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities. In addition, while such agreements would be intended to lessen the impact of rising interest rates on us, they could also expose us to the risk that the other parties to the agreements would not perform, we could incur significant costs associated with the settlement of the agreements or that the underlying transactions could fail to qualify as highly-effective cash flow hedges under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Debt & Financing - Risk 8
There are inherent risks associated with real estate investments and with the real estate industry, each of which could have an adverse impact on our financial performance and the value of our properties.
Real estate investments are subject to various risks and fluctuations and cycles in value and demand, many of which are beyond our control. Our financial performance and the value of our properties can be affected by many of these factors, including the following:
l adverse changes in financial conditions of buyers, sellers and tenants of our properties, including bankruptcies, financial difficulties or lease defaults by our tenants;l the national, regional and local economy, which may be negatively impacted by concerns about increasing interest rates, inflation, deflation and government deficits, high unemployment rates, decreased consumer confidence, industry slowdowns, reduced corporate profits, liquidity concerns in our markets and other adverse business concerns;l local real estate conditions, such as an oversupply of, or a reduction in, demand for retail space and the availability and creditworthiness of current and prospective tenants;l vacancies or ability to rent retail space on favorable terms, including possible market pressures to offer tenants rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options;l changes in operating costs and expenses, including, without limitation, increasing labor and material costs, insurance costs, energy prices, environmental restrictions, real estate taxes and costs of compliance with laws, regulations and government policies, which we may be restricted from passing on to our tenants;l fluctuations in interest rates, which could adversely affect our ability, or the ability of buyers and tenants of our properties, to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all;l competition from other real estate investors with significant capital, including other real estate operating companies, publicly traded REITs and institutional investment funds;l inability to refinance our indebtedness, which could result in a default on our obligation;l the convenience and quality of competing retail properties;l inability to collect rent from tenants;l our ability to secure adequate insurance;l our ability to secure adequate management services and to maintain our properties;l changes in, and changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and governmental policies, including, without limitation, health, safety, environmental, zoning and tax laws, government fiscal policies and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA"); and l civil unrest, acts of war, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, including earthquakes, wind damage and floods, which may result in uninsured and underinsured losses.
In addition, because the yields available from equity investments in real estate depend in large part on the amount of rental income earned, as well as property operating expenses and other costs incurred, a period of economic slowdown or recession, or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could result in a general decline in rents or an increased incidence of defaults among our existing leases, and, consequently, our properties, including any held by joint ventures, may fail to generate revenues sufficient to meet operating, debt service and other expenses. As a result, we may have to borrow amounts to cover fixed costs, and our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share market price of our securities and ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders may be adversely affected.
Debt & Financing - Risk 9
Illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties and harm our financial condition.
The real estate investments made, and to be made, by us are relatively difficult to sell quickly. As a result, our ability to promptly sell one or more properties in our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial and investment conditions is limited. Return of capital and realization of gains, if any, from an investment generally will occur upon disposition or refinancing of the underlying property. We may be unable to realize our investment objectives by sale, other disposition or refinancing at attractive prices within any given period of time or may otherwise be unable to complete any exit strategy. In particular, our ability to dispose of one or more properties within a specific time period is subject to weakness in or even the lack of an established market for a property, changes in the financial condition or prospects of prospective purchasers, changes in national or international economic conditions, and changes in laws, regulations or fiscal policies of jurisdictions in which the property is located.
In addition, the Code imposes restrictions on a REIT's ability to dispose of properties that are not applicable to other types of real estate companies. In particular, the tax laws applicable to REITs effectively require that we hold our properties for investment, rather than primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, which may cause us to forgo or defer sales of properties that otherwise would be in our best interest. Therefore, we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response to economic or other conditions promptly or on favorable terms, which may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities.
Debt & Financing - Risk 10
We may acquire properties with lock-out provisions, or agree to such provisions in connection with obtaining financing, which may prohibit us from selling or refinancing a property during the lock-out period.
We may acquire properties in exchange for common units of our Operating Partnership and agree to restrictions on sales or refinancing, called "lock-out" provisions, which are intended to preserve favorable tax treatment for the owners of such properties who sell them to us. In addition, we may agree to lock-out provisions in connection with obtaining financing for the acquisition of properties. Lock-out provisions could materially restrict us from selling, otherwise disposing of or refinancing properties. These restrictions could affect our ability to turn our investments into cash and thus affect cash available for distributions to our stockholders. Lock-out provisions could impair our ability to take actions during the lock-out period that would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders and, therefore, could adversely impact the market value of our Common Stock. In particular, lock-out provisions could preclude us from participating in major transactions that could result in a disposition of our assets or a change in control even though that disposition or change in control might be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Debt & Financing - Risk 11
The Sea Turtle Development notes receivable are subject to significant risks and losses related to the underlying collateral which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
As discussed in greater detail in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," we have originated notes receivable to Sea Turtle Development which take the form of subordinated loans secured by second mortgages on the underlying development. This type of loan involves a higher degree of risk than first lien position mortgages because the loan may become unsecured as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender. In addition, these loans have higher loan-to-value ratios than conventional mortgage loans, resulting in less equity in the property and increasing the risk of loss of principal. If the borrower defaults on our loan or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy our loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt is paid in full. As a result, we may not recover some or all of our initial investment. In the event of default, significant losses related to loan investments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Debt & Financing - Risk 12
Our Board of Directors may change our investment and financing policies without stockholder approval and we may become more highly leveraged, which may increase our risk of default under our debt obligations.
Our investment and financing policies are exclusively determined by our Board of Directors. Accordingly, our stockholders do not control these policies. Further, while our Board of Directors will review our ratio of debt to total capital on a quarterly basis, with the goal of maintaining a reasonable rate consistent with our expected ratio of debt to total market capitalization going forward, our charter and bylaws do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness, funded or otherwise, that we may incur. Our Board of Directors may alter or eliminate our current policy on borrowing at any time without stockholder approval. If this policy changed, we could become more highly leveraged, which could result in an increase in our debt service. Higher leverage also increases the risk of default on our obligations. In addition, a change in our investment policies, including the manner in which we allocate our resources across our portfolio or the types of assets in which we seek to invest, may increase our exposure to interest rate risk, real estate market fluctuations and liquidity risk. Changes to our policies with regard to the foregoing could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock.
Debt & Financing - Risk 13
To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions, and the unavailability of such capital on favorable terms at the desired times, or at all, may cause us to curtail our investment activities and/or to dispose of assets at inopportune times, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities.
To continue to qualify as a REIT, we generally must distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income each year, excluding net capital gains, and we will be subject to regular corporate income taxes to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income each year. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which distributions paid by us in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. In order to maintain our REIT status and avoid the payment of income and excise taxes, we may need to borrow funds to meet the REIT distribution requirements even if the then- prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings. These borrowing needs could result from, among other things, differences in timing between the actual receipt of cash and inclusion of income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt or amortization payments. These sources, however, may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends on a number of factors, including the market's perception of our growth potential, our current debt levels, the market price of our Common Stock, and our current and potential future earnings. We cannot assure you that we will have access to such capital on favorable terms at the desired times, or at all, which may cause us to curtail our investment activities and/or to dispose of assets at inopportune times, and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities.
Corporate Activity and Growth5 | 7.9%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Acquired properties may be located in new markets where we may face risks associated with investing in an unfamiliar market.
We may acquire properties in markets that are new to us. When we acquire properties located in new markets, we may face risks associated with a lack of market knowledge or understanding of the local economy, forging new business relationships in the area and unfamiliarity with local government and permitting procedures. We work to mitigate such risks through extensive diligence and research and associations with experienced service providers. However, there can be no guarantee that all such risks will be eliminated.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
Our future acquisitions may not yield the returns we expect, and we may otherwise be unable to operate these properties to meet our financial expectations, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities.
Our future acquisitions and our ability to successfully operate the properties we acquire in such acquisitions may be exposed to the following significant risks:
l even if we are able to acquire a desired property, competition from other potential acquirers may significantly increase the purchase price;l we may acquire properties that are not accretive to our results upon acquisition, and we may not successfully manage and lease those properties to meet our expectations;l our cash flow may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments or make expected distributions;l we may spend more than budgeted amounts to make necessary improvements or renovations to acquired properties;l we may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into our existing operations, and as a result our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected;l market conditions may result in higher than expected vacancy rates and lower than expected rental rates; and l we may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, with respect to unknown liabilities such as liabilities for cleanup of undisclosed environmental contamination, claims by tenants, vendors or other persons dealing with the former owners of the properties, liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.
If we cannot operate acquired properties to meet our financial expectations, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities could be adversely affected.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
We may be unable to identify and complete acquisitions of properties that meet our criteria, which may impede our growth and ability to pay dividends in the future.
Our business strategy involves the acquisition of income producing assets such as strip centers, neighborhood centers, grocery-anchored centers, community centers, free-standing retail properties and development properties. These activities require us to identify suitable acquisition candidates or investment opportunities that meet our criteria and are compatible with our growth strategies. We continue to evaluate the market of available properties and may attempt to acquire properties when strategic opportunities exist. However, we may be unable to acquire properties identified as potential acquisition opportunities. Our ability to acquire properties on favorable terms, or at all, may be exposed to the following significant risks:
l we may incur significant costs and divert management attention in connection with evaluating and negotiating potential acquisitions, including ones that we are subsequently unable to complete;l even if we enter into agreements for the acquisition of properties, these agreements are subject to conditions to closing, which we may be unable to satisfy; and l we may be unable to finance the acquisition on favorable terms or at all.
If we are unable to finance property acquisitions or acquire properties on favorable terms, or at all, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities could be adversely affected. In addition, failure to identify or complete acquisitions of suitable properties could slow our growth and hinder our ability to pay dividends as expected.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
Joint venture investments could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance on co-venturers' financial condition and disputes between our co-venturers and us.
We may co-invest in the future with other third parties through partnerships, joint ventures or other entities, acquiring non-controlling interests in or sharing responsibility for managing the affairs of a property, partnership, joint venture or other entity. Consequently, with respect to any such arrangement we may enter into in the future, we would not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the property, partnership, joint venture or other entity. Investments in partnerships, joint ventures or other entities may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present were a third party not involved, including the possibility that partners or co-venturers might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Partners or co-venturers may have economic or other business interests or goals which are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives, and they may have competing interests in our markets that could create conflict of interest issues. Such investments may also have the potential risk of impasses on decisions, such as a sale, because neither we nor the partner or co-venturer would have full control over the partnership or joint venture. In addition, a sale or transfer by us to a third party of our interests in the joint venture may be subject to consent rights or rights of first refusal, in favor of our joint venture partners, which would in each case restrict our ability to dispose of our interest in the joint venture. Where we are a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company, if such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. Disputes between us and partners or co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and/or directors from focusing their time and effort on our business. Consequently, actions by or disputes with partners or co-venturers might result in subjecting properties owned by the partnership or joint venture to additional risk. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of our third-party partners or co-venturers. Our joint ventures may be subject to debt and, in the current volatile credit market, the refinancing of such debt may require equity capital calls.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5
Our real estate development activities are subject to risks particular to development, such as unanticipated expenses, delays and other contingencies, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and the per share trading price of our securities.
We may engage in development and redevelopment activities with respect to certain of our properties. To the extent that we do so, we will be subject to the following risks associated with such development and redevelopment activities:
l unsuccessful development or redevelopment opportunities could result in direct expenses to us;l construction or redevelopment costs of a project may exceed original estimates, possibly making the project less profitable than originally estimated, or unprofitable;l time required to complete the construction or redevelopment of a project or to lease up the completed project may be greater than originally anticipated, thereby adversely affecting our cash flow and liquidity;l contractor and subcontractor disputes, strikes, labor disputes or supply disruptions;l failure to achieve expected occupancy and/or rent levels within the projected time frame, if at all;l delays with respect to obtaining or the inability to obtain necessary zoning, occupancy, land use and other governmental permits, and changes in zoning and land use laws;l occupancy rates and rents of a completed project may not be sufficient to make the project profitable;l our ability to dispose of properties developed or redeveloped with the intent to sell could be impacted by the ability of prospective buyers to obtain financing given the current state of the credit markets; and l the availability and pricing of financing to fund our development activities on favorable terms or at all.
These risks could result in substantial unanticipated delays or expenses and, under certain circumstances, could prevent completion of development or redevelopment activities once undertaken, any of which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and the per share trading price of our securities.
Production
Total Risks: 13/63 (21%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing1 | 1.6%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
Construction and development projects are subject to risks that materially increase the costs of completion.
In the event that we decide to develop and construct new properties or redevelop existing properties, we will be subject to risks and uncertainties associated with construction and development. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks related to obtaining all necessary zoning, land-use, building occupancy and other governmental permits and authorizations, risks related to the environmental concerns of government entities or community groups, risks related to changes in economic and market conditions between development commencement and stabilization, risks related to construction labor disruptions, adverse weather, acts of God or shortages of materials which could cause construction delays and risks related to increases in the cost of labor and materials which could cause construction costs to be greater than projected and adversely impact the amount of our development fees or our results of operations or financial condition.
Employment / Personnel1 | 1.6%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
Our success depends upon our retaining and recruiting key personnel.
Our future success depends heavily upon the continued service of our key executives. In particular, we rely on the expertise and experience of David Kelly, our President and CEO, Matthew Reddy, our CFO and Andy Franklin, our Chief Operating Officer ("the COO"). We rely on their industry expertise and experience in our business operations, and in particular, their business vision, financial and accounting, management skills, and working relationship with our employees, our major shareholders, the regulatory authorities, and many of our tenants. If they became unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, or they left our Company, we may not be able to replace them, our business may be significantly disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Costs11 | 17.5%
Costs - Risk 1
We may not be able to rebuild our existing properties to their existing specifications if we experience a substantial or comprehensive loss of such properties.
In the event that we experience a substantial or comprehensive loss of one of our properties, we may not be able to rebuild such property to its existing specifications. Further, reconstruction or improvement of such a property would likely require significant upgrades to meet zoning and building code requirements. Environmental and legal restrictions could also restrict the rebuilding of our properties.
Costs - Risk 2
Potential losses may not be covered by insurance or may exceed policy limits and we could incur significant costs and lose our equity in the damaged properties.
We carry comprehensive liability insurance policies, covering all of our properties. Our insurance coverage contains policy specifications and insured limits customarily carried for similar properties and business activities. If a loss or damages are suffered at one or more of our properties, our insurer may attempt to limit or void our coverage by arguing that the loss resulted from facts or circumstances not covered by our policy. Furthermore, if we experience a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds our policy limits, we could incur significant costs and lose the capital invested in the damaged or otherwise adversely affected properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties.
Costs - Risk 3
If a major tenant declares bankruptcy or experiences a downturn in its business, we may be unable to collect balances due under relevant leases.
We may experience concentration in one or more tenants across several of the properties in our portfolio. At any time, our tenants may experience a downturn in their business that may significantly weaken their financial condition. As a result, our tenants, including our anchor and other major tenants, may fail to comply with their contractual obligations to us, seek concessions in order to continue operations or declare bankruptcy, any of which could result in the termination of such tenants' leases and the loss of rental income attributable to the terminated leases. In addition, certain of our tenants may cease operations while continuing to pay rent, which could decrease customer traffic, thereby decreasing sales for our other tenants at the applicable retail property. In addition to these potential effects of a business downturn, mergers or consolidations among large retail establishments could result in the closure of existing stores or duplicate or geographically overlapping store locations, which could include stores at our retail properties.
Loss of, or a store closure by, an anchor or major tenant could significantly reduce our occupancy level or the rent we receive from our retail properties. In addition, we may not be able to re-lease vacated space at attractive rents or at all. Moreover, in the event of default by a major tenant or anchor store, we may experience delays and costs in enforcing our rights as landlord to recover amounts due to us under the terms of our agreements with those parties. The occurrence of any of the situations described above, particularly if it involves an anchor tenant with leases in multiple locations, could seriously harm our performance and could adversely affect the value of the applicable retail property.
Any of our tenants, or any guarantor of one of our tenant's lease obligations, could become subject to a bankruptcy proceeding pursuant to Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). If a tenant becomes a debtor under the Bankruptcy Code, federal law prohibits us from evicting such tenant based solely upon the commencement of such bankruptcy. Further, such a bankruptcy filing could prevent us from attempting to collect pre-bankruptcy debts from the bankrupt tenant or its properties or taking other debt enforcement actions, unless we receive an enabling order from the bankruptcy court. Generally, post-bankruptcy debts are required by statute to be paid currently, which would include payments on our leases that come due after the date of the bankruptcy filing. Such a bankruptcy filing also could cause a decrease, delay or cessation of current rental payments, reducing our operating cash flows and the amount of cash available for distributions to stockholders. Prior to emerging from bankruptcy, the tenant will need to decide whether to assume or reject its leases. Generally, and unless otherwise agreed to by the tenant and the lessor, if a tenant assumes a lease, all pre-bankruptcy balances and unpaid post-bankruptcy amounts owed under the lease must be paid in full. If a given lease or guaranty is not assumed, our operating cash flows and the amount of cash available for distribution to stockholders may be adversely affected. If a lease is rejected by a tenant in bankruptcy, we are entitled to general unsecured claims for damages. If a lease is rejected, we may not receive any further rent payments from the tenant, and the amount of our general unsecured claim for future rent would be capped at the rent reserved under the lease, without acceleration, for the greater of one year or 15% of the remaining term of the lease, but not greater than three years, plus rent and damages already due but unpaid. We would only receive recovery on our general unsecured claim in the event that funds or other consideration were available for distribution to general unsecured creditors, and then only in the same percentage as that realized on other general unsecured claims. We may also be unable to re-lease a terminated or rejected property or to re-lease it on comparable or more favorable terms.
Costs - Risk 4
Some of the leases at our retail properties contain "co-tenancy" or "go-dark" provisions, which, if triggered, may allow tenants to pay reduced rent, cease operations or terminate their leases, any of which could adversely affect our performance or the value of the applicable retail property.
Some of the leases at our retail properties contain "co-tenancy" provisions that condition a tenant's obligation to remain open, the amount of rent payable by the tenant or the tenant's obligation to continue occupancy on certain conditions, including: (1) the presence of a certain anchor tenant or tenants; (2) the continued operation of an anchor tenant's store; and (3) minimum occupancy levels at the applicable retail property. If a co-tenancy provision is triggered by a failure of any of these or other applicable conditions, a tenant could have the right to cease operations, to terminate its lease early or to a reduction of its rent. In periods of prolonged economic decline, there is a higher than normal risk that co-tenancy provisions will be triggered as there is a higher risk of tenants closing stores or terminating leases during these periods. In addition to these co-tenancy provisions, certain of the leases at our retail properties contain "go-dark" provisions that allow the tenant to cease operations while continuing to pay rent. This could result in decreased customer traffic at the applicable retail property, thereby decreasing sales for our other tenants at that property, which may result in our other tenants being unable to pay their minimum rents or expense recovery charges. These provisions also may result in lower rental revenue generated under the applicable leases. To the extent co-tenancy or go-dark provisions in our retail leases result in lower revenue or tenant sales or tenants' rights to terminate their leases early or to a reduction of their rent, our performance or the value of the applicable retail property could be adversely affected.
Costs - Risk 5
We may be unable to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-let space as leases expire, thereby increasing or prolonging vacancies, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock.
As of December 31, 2018, leases representing approximately 7.08% of the square footage and approximately 10.31% of the annualized base rent of the properties in our portfolio are month-to-month leases or will expire during the twelve months ending December 31, 2019, and an additional 10.89% of the square footage of the properties in our portfolio was available. We cannot assure you that leases will be renewed or that our properties will be re-let at net effective rental rates equal to or above the current average net effective rental rates or that substantial rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options will not be offered to attract new tenants or retain existing tenants. If the rental rates for our properties decrease, our existing tenants do not renew their leases or we do not re-let a significant portion of our available space and space for which leases will expire, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow ability to make distributions and per share trading price of our securities could be adversely affected.
Costs - Risk 6
We may not be able to control our operating costs or our expenses may remain constant or increase, even if our revenues do not increase, causing our results of operations to be adversely affected.
Factors that may adversely affect our ability to control operating costs include the need to pay for insurance and other operating costs, including real estate taxes, which could increase over time, the need periodically to repair, renovate and re-lease space, the cost of compliance with governmental regulation, including zoning, environmental and tax laws, the potential for liability under applicable laws, interest rate levels, principal loan amounts and the availability of financing. If our operating costs increase as a result of any of the foregoing factors, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
The expense of owning and operating a property is not necessarily reduced when circumstances such as market factors and competition cause a reduction in income from the property. As a result, if revenues decline, we may not be able to reduce our expenses accordingly. Costs associated with real estate investments, such as real estate taxes, insurance, loan payments and maintenance, generally will not be reduced even if a property is not fully occupied or other circumstances cause our revenues to decrease. If we are unable to decrease operating costs when demand for our properties decreases and our revenues decline, our financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders may be adversely affected.
Costs - Risk 7
We may be required to make rent or other concessions and/or significant capital expenditures to improve our properties in order to retain and attract tenants, causing our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities to be adversely affected.
To the extent adverse economic conditions continue in the real estate market and demand for retail space falls, we expect that, upon expiration of leases at our properties, we may be required to make rent or other concessions to tenants, accommodate requests for renovations, build-to-suit remodeling and other improvements or provide additional services to our tenants. As a result, we may have to make significant capital or other expenditures in order to retain tenants whose leases expire and to attract new tenants in sufficient numbers. Additionally, we may need to raise capital to make such expenditures. If we are unable to do so or capital is otherwise unavailable, we may be unable to make the required expenditures. This could result in non-renewals by tenants upon expiration of their leases, which could cause an adverse effect to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities.
Costs - Risk 8
The actual rents we receive for the properties in our portfolio may be less than our asking rents, which could negatively impact our ability to generate cash flow growth.
As a result of various factors, including competitive pricing pressure in our submarkets, adverse conditions in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest real estate markets, a general economic downturn and the desirability of our properties compared to other properties in our submarkets, we may be unable to realize the asking rents across the properties in our portfolio. In addition, the degree of discrepancy between our asking rents and the actual rents we are able to obtain may vary both from property to property and among different leased spaces within a single property. If we are unable to obtain rental rates that are on average comparable to our asking rents across our portfolio, then our ability to generate cash flow growth will be negatively impacted. In addition, depending on asking rental rates at any given time as compared to expiring leases in our portfolio, from time to time rental rates for expiring leases may be higher than starting rental rates for new leases.
Costs - Risk 9
The risks associated with undeveloped land parcels and related activities could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We have six undeveloped parcels of land. The risks inherent in owning land increase as demand or rental rates for office, retail or multifamily properties decreases. Real estate markets are uncertain, and as a result, the value of undeveloped land can fluctuate depending on prospective uses or intended developments. In addition, carrying costs, can be significant and can result in losses or reduced profitability. If there are subsequent changes in the fair value of our undeveloped land parcels that cause us to determine that the fair value of our undeveloped land parcels is less than their carrying basis reflected in our financial statements plus estimated costs to sell, we may be required to take future impairment charges which would reduce our net income and could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Costs - Risk 10
As an owner of real estate, we could incur significant costs and liabilities related to environmental matters.
Under various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances, waste or petroleum products at, on, in, under or migrating from such property, including costs to investigate, clean up such contamination and liability for harm to natural resources. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such contamination, and the liability may be joint and several. These liabilities could be substantial and the cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or other costs could exceed the value of the property and/or our aggregate assets. In addition, the presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination at our properties may expose us to third-party liability for costs of remediation and/or personal or property damage or materially adversely affect our ability to sell, lease or develop our properties or to borrow using the properties as collateral. In addition, environmental laws may create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs to address such contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties,environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures.
Additionally, we possess Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for all of the properties in our portfolio. However, the assessments are limited in scope (e.g., they do not generally include soil sampling, subsurface investigations, hazardous materials surveys or lead-based paint inspections or asbestos inspections) and may have failed to identify all environmental conditions or concerns. Furthermore, the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment reports for all of the properties in our portfolio are limited to the information available to the licensed site professional at the time of the investigation, and, as such, may not disclose all potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities at the properties in our portfolio arising after the date of such investigation. As a result, we could potentially incur material liability for these issues, which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and the per share trading price of our Common Stock. Some of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessments in our possession indicate the possibility of lead-based paint and asbestos containing materials located on and within buildings on some of our properties and polychlorinated biphenyl-containing electrical transformers located or adjacent to some of our properties. However, management believes that the potential liabilities resulting from removing these items would be immaterial.
As the owner of the buildings on our properties, we could face liability for the presence of hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos or lead) or other adverse conditions (e.g., poor indoor air quality) in our buildings. Environmental laws govern the presence, maintenance, and removal of hazardous materials in buildings, and if we do not comply with such laws, we could face fines for such noncompliance. Also, we could be liable to third parties (e.g., occupants of the buildings) for damages related to exposure to hazardous materials or adverse conditions in our buildings, and we could incur material expenses with respect to abatement or remediation of hazardous materials or other adverse conditions in our buildings. In addition, some of our tenants routinely handle and use hazardous or regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations at our properties, which are subject to regulation. Such environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject us or our tenants to liability resulting from these activities. Environmental liabilities could affect a tenant's ability to make rental payments to us, and changes in laws could increase the potential liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise materially and adversely affect our operations, or those of our tenants, which could in turn have an adverse effect on us.
We cannot assure you that costs or liabilities incurred as a result of environmental issues will not affect our ability to make distributions to you or that such costs or other remedial measures will not have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock. If we do incur material environmental liabilities in the future, we may face significant remediation costs, and we may find it difficult to sell any affected properties.
Costs - Risk 11
We may incur significant costs complying with various federal, state and local laws, regulations and covenants that are applicable to our properties.
The properties in our portfolio are subject to various covenants and federal, state and local laws and regulatory requirements, including permitting and licensing requirements. Local regulations, including municipal or local ordinances, zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by community developers may restrict our use of our properties and may require us to obtain approval from local officials or restrict our use of our properties and may require us to obtain approval from local officials of community standards organizations at any time with respect to our properties, including prior to acquiring a property or when undertaking renovations of any of our existing properties. Among other things, these restrictions may relate to fire and safety, seismic or hazardous material abatement requirements. There can be no assurance that existing laws and regulatory policies will not adversely affect us or the timing or cost of any future acquisitions or renovations, or that additional regulation will not be adopted that increase such delays or result in additional costs. Our growth strategy may be affected by our ability to obtain permits, licenses and zoning relief. Our failure to obtain such permits, licenses and zoning relief or to comply with applicable laws could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock.
In addition, federal and state laws and regulations, including laws such as the ADA and the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 (the "FHAA"), impose further restrictions on our properties and operations. Under the ADA and the FHAA, all public accommodations must meet federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Some of our properties may currently be in non-compliance with the ADA or the FHAA. If one or more of the properties in our portfolio is not in compliance with the ADA, the FHAA or any other regulatory requirements, we may be required to incur additional costs to bring the property into compliance and we might incur governmental fines or the award of damages to private litigants. In addition, we do not know whether existing requirements will change or whether future requirements will require us to make significant unanticipated expenditures that will adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 11/63 (17%)Below Sector Average
Regulation4 | 6.3%
Regulation - Risk 1
Complying with REIT requirements may affect our profitability and may force us to liquidate or forgo otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify as a REIT, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the nature and diversification of our assets, the sources of our income and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. We may be required to liquidate or forgo otherwise attractive investments in order to satisfy the asset and income tests or to qualify under certain statutory relief provisions. We also may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. As a result, having to comply with the distribution requirement could cause us to: (1) sell assets in adverse market conditions; (2) borrow on unfavorable terms; or (3) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt. Accordingly, satisfying the REIT requirements could have an adverse effect on our business results, profitability and ability to execute our business plan. Moreover, if we are compelled to liquidate our investments to meet any of these asset, income or distribution tests, or to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with one or more of the requirements applicable to REITs or may be subject to a 100% tax on any resulting gain if such sales constitute prohibited transactions.
Regulation - Risk 2
Legislative or other actions affecting REITs could have a negative effect on us, including our ability to qualify as a REIT or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such qualification.
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws, with or without retroactive application, could adversely affect our investors or us. We cannot predict how changes in the tax laws might affect our investors or us. New legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify as a REIT or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such qualification.
Regulation - Risk 3
Loss of exclusion from regulation pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 would adversely affect us.
We conduct our operations so that our company and each of its subsidiaries are exempt from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Investment Company Act. Under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, a company is an "investment company" if it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act, a company is deemed to be an "investment company" if it is engaged, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire "investment securities" having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, or the 40% test.
We conduct our operations so that our company and most, if not all, of our subsidiaries will comply with the 40% test. We will continuously monitor our holdings on an ongoing basis to determine the compliance of our company and each subsidiary with this test. In addition, we believe that neither our company nor any of our subsidiaries will be considered investment companies under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act because they will not engage primarily, or propose to engage primarily, or hold themselves out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Rather, our company and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in non-investment company businesses related to real estate. Our business will be materially and adversely affected if we fail to qualify for this exclusion from regulation pursuant to the Investment Company Act.
Regulation - Risk 4
Failure to qualify as a REIT would have significant adverse consequences to us and the value of our Common Stock.
We have elected to be taxed, and we operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify, as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We have not requested, and do not plan to request, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this annual filing are not binding on the IRS or any court. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we qualify as a REIT, or that we will remain qualified as such in the future. If we lose our REIT status, we will face serious tax consequences that would substantially reduce the funds available for distribution to our stockholders for each of the years involved because:
l we would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates;l we also could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and possibly increased state and local taxes; and l unless we are entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, we could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for five taxable years following the year during which we were disqualified.
Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce our cash available for, among other things, our operations and distributions to stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will not be required to make distributions to our stockholders. As a result of all these factors, our failure to qualify as a REIT also could impair our ability to expand our business and raise capital, and could materially and adversely affect the value of our Common Stock.
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The complexity of these provisions and of the applicable Treasury regulations that have been promulgated under the Code, or the Treasury Regulations, is greater in the case of a REIT that, like us, holds its assets through a partnership. The determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy a number of requirements, including requirements regarding the ownership of our stock, requirements regarding the composition of our assets and a requirement that at least 95% of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources, such as "rents from real property." Also, we must make distributions to stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. In addition, legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions may materially adversely affect our investors, our ability to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes or the desirability of an investment in a REIT relative to other investments.
Even if we continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to some federal, state and local income, property and excise taxes on our income or property and, in certain cases, a 100% penalty tax, in the event we sell property as a dealer. In addition, our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to tax as regular corporations in the jurisdictions they operate.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 1.6%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We may be subject to on-going or future litigation, including existing claims relating to the entities that own the properties described in this annual filing and otherwise in the ordinary course of business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities.
We may be subject to on-going litigation, including existing claims relating to the entities that own the properties and operate the businesses described in this annual filing and otherwise in the ordinary course of business. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments against us, some of which are not, or cannot be, insured against. We generally intend to vigorously defend ourselves; however, we cannot be certain of the ultimate outcomes of currently asserted claims or of those that may arise in the future. Resolution of these types of matters against us may result in our having to pay significant fines, judgments, or settlements, which, if uninsured, or if the fines, judgments, and settlements exceed insured levels, could adversely impact our earnings and cash flows, thereby having an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock. Certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured, and/or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and directors.
Taxation & Government Incentives4 | 6.3%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
If our Operating Partnership fails to continue to qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would cease to qualify as a REIT and suffer other adverse consequences.
We believe that our Operating Partnership will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, our Operating Partnership will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including us, will be allocated, and may be required to pay tax with respect to, its share of our Operating Partnership's income. We cannot assure you, however, that the IRS will not challenge the status of our Operating Partnership or any other subsidiary partnership in which we own an interest as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating our Operating Partnership or any such other subsidiary partnership as an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, we would likely cease to continue to qualify as a REIT. Also, the failure of our Operating Partnership or any subsidiary partnerships to continue to qualify as a partnership could cause it to become subject to federal and state corporate income tax, which would reduce significantly the amount of cash available for debt service and for distribution to its partners, including us.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 2
Our property taxes could increase due to property tax rate changes or reassessment, which would adversely impact our cash flows.
Although we believe we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be required to pay some state and local taxes on our properties. The real property taxes on our properties may increase as property tax rates change or as our properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. The amount of property taxes we pay in the future may increase substantially from what we have paid in the past. If the property taxes we pay increase, our cash flow would be adversely impacted, and our ability to pay any expected dividends to our stockholders could be adversely affected.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 3
Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.
The maximum tax rate applicable to income from "qualified dividends" payable to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the 20% rate. Although these rules do not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, to the extent that the 20% rate continues to apply to regular corporate qualified dividends, investors who are individuals, trusts and estates may perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including the per share trading price of our Common Stock.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 4
The tax imposed on REITs engaging in "prohibited transactions" may limit our ability to engage in transactions that would be treated as sales for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A REIT's net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% excise tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Although we do not intend to hold any properties that would be characterized as held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our business, unless a sale or disposition qualifies under certain statutory safe harbors, such characterization is a factual determination and no guarantee can be given that the IRS would agree with our characterization of our properties or that we will always be able to make use of the available safe harbors.
Environmental / Social2 | 3.2%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
Our properties may contain asbestos or develop harmful mold, which could lead to liability for adverse health effects and costs of remediating the problem, which could adversely affect the value of the affected property and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are required by federal regulations with respect to our properties to identify and warn, via signs and labels, of potential hazards posed by workplace exposure to installed asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs"), and potential ACMs. We may be subject to an increased risk of personal injury lawsuits by workers and others exposed to ACMs and potential ACMs at our properties as a result of these regulations. The regulations may affect the value of any of our properties containing ACMs and potential ACMs. Federal, state and local laws and regulations also govern the removal, encapsulation, disturbance, handling and disposal of ACMs and potential ACMs when such materials are in poor condition or in the event of construction, remodeling, renovation or demolition of a property.
When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds may produce airborne toxins or irritants. Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing because exposure to mold may cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic or other reactions.
The presence of ACMs or significant mold at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the ACMs or mold from the affected property. In addition, the presence of ACMs or significant mold could expose us to claims of liability to our tenants, their or our employees, and others if property damage or health concerns arise.
Environmental / Social - Risk 2
The federal government's "green lease" policies may adversely affect us.
In recent years, the federal government has instituted "green lease" policies that allow a government tenant to require leadership in energy and environmental design for commercial interiors, or LEED-CI, certification in selecting new premises or renewing leases at existing premises. In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 allows the General Services Administration to prefer buildings for lease that have received an "Energy Star" label. Obtaining such certifications and labels may be costly and time consuming, but our failure to do so may result in our competitive disadvantage in acquiring new or retaining existing government tenants.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 4/63 (6%)Below Sector Average
Competition2 | 3.2%
Competition - Risk 1
We face significant competition for acquisitions of real properties, which may reduce the number of acquisition opportunities available to us and increase the costs of these acquisitions.
The current market for acquisitions continues to be extremely competitive. This competition may increase the demand for the types of properties in which we typically invest and, therefore, reduce the number of suitable acquisition opportunities available to us and increase the prices paid for such acquisition properties. We also face significant competition for attractive acquisition opportunities from an indeterminate number of investors, including publicly traded and privately held REITs, private equity investors and institutional investment funds, some of which have greater financial resources than we do, a greater ability to borrow funds to acquire properties and the ability to accept more risk than we can prudently manage, including risks with respect to the geographic proximity of investments and the payment of higher acquisition prices. This competition will increase if investments in real estate become more attractive relative to other forms of investment. Competition for investments may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities available to us and may have the effect of increasing prices paid for such acquisition properties and/or reducing the rents we can charge and, as a result, adversely affecting our operating results.
Competition - Risk 2
We face significant competition in the leasing market, which may decrease or prevent increases of the occupancy and rental rates of our properties.
We compete with numerous developers, owners and operators of real estate, many of which own properties similar to ours in the same submarkets in which our properties are located. If our competitors offer space at rental rates below current market rates, or below the rental rates we currently charge our tenants, we may lose existing or potential tenants and we may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge or to offer more substantial rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options in order to retain tenants when our tenants' leases expire. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected.
Demand1 | 1.6%
Demand - Risk 1
The majority of our properties are retail shopping centers and depend on anchor stores or major tenants to attract shoppers and could be adversely affected by the loss of, or a store closure by, one or more of these tenants.
Large, regionally or nationally recognized tenants typically anchor our properties. At any time, our tenants may experience a downturn in their business that may significantly weaken their financial condition. As a result, our tenants, including our anchor and other major tenants, may fail to comply with their contractual obligations to us, seek concessions in order to continue operations or declare bankruptcy, any of which could result in the termination of such tenants' leases and the loss of rental income attributable to the terminated leases. In addition, certain of our tenants may cease operations while continuing to pay rent, which could decrease customer traffic, thereby decreasing sales for our other tenants at the applicable retail property. In addition to these potential effects of a business downturn, mergers or consolidations among large retail establishments could result in the closure of existing stores or duplicate or geographically overlapping store locations, which could include stores at our retail properties.
Loss of, or a store closure by, an anchor or major tenant could significantly reduce our occupancy level or the rent we receive from our retail properties, and we may not have the right to re-lease vacated space or we may be unable to re-lease vacated space at attractive rents or at all. Moreover, in the event of default by a major tenant or anchor store, we may experience delays and costs in enforcing our rights as landlord to recover amounts due to us under the terms of our agreements with those parties. The occurrence of any of the situations described above, particularly if it involves an anchor tenant with leases in multiple locations, could seriously harm our performance and could adversely affect the value of the applicable retail property.
Sales & Marketing1 | 1.6%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with real estate assets and the real estate industry, including local oversupply, reduction in demand or adverse changes in financial conditions of buyers, sellers and tenants of properties, which could decrease revenues or increase costs, which would adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and the per share trading price of our securities.
Our ability to pay expected dividends to our stockholders depends on our ability to complete future acquisitions as well as our ability to generate revenues in excess of expenses, scheduled principal payments on debt and capital expenditure requirements. Events and conditions generally applicable to owners and operators of real property that are beyond our control may decrease cash available for distribution and the value of our properties. These events include many of the risks set forth above under "-Risks Related to Our Business and Operations," as well as the following:
l local oversupply or reduction in demand for retail space;l adverse changes in financial conditions of buyers, sellers and tenants of properties;l vacancies or our inability to rent space on favorable terms, including possible market pressures to offer tenants rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options, and the need to periodically repair, renovate and re-let space;l increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities, real estate taxes and state and local taxes;l civil unrest, acts of war, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, which may result in uninsured or underinsured losses;l decreases in the underlying value of our real estate;l changing submarket demographics; and l changing traffic patterns.
In addition, periods of economic downturn or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could result in a general decline in rents or an increased incidence of defaults under existing leases, which would adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 4/63 (6%)Below Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment3 | 4.8%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Our portfolio of properties is dependent upon regional and local economic conditions and is geographically concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest, which may cause us to be more susceptible to adverse developments in those markets than if we owned a more geographically diverse portfolio.
Our properties are located in Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which exposes us to greater economic risks than if we owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. If there is a downturn in the economy in our markets, our operations and our revenue and cash available for distribution, including cash available to pay distributions to our stockholders, could be materially adversely affected. We cannot assure you that our markets will grow or that underlying real estate fundamentals will be favorable to owners and operators of retail properties. Our operations may also be affected if competing properties are built in our markets. Moreover, submarkets within any of our markets may be dependent upon a limited number of industries. Any adverse economic or real estate developments in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Southeast or Midwest markets, or any decrease in demand for retail space resulting from the regulatory environment, business climate or energy or fiscal problems, could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions and dislocations in the credit markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, ability to make distributions to our stockholders and per share trading price of our securities.
Our business may be affected by market and economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy or real estate industry as a whole, including the recent dislocations in the credit markets and general global economic downturn. These conditions, or similar conditions existing in the future, may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our securities as a result of the following potential consequences, among others:
l decreased demand for retail space, which would cause market rental rates and property values to be negatively impacted;l reduced values of our properties may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or to obtain debt financing secured by our properties and may reduce the availability of unsecured loans; and l our ability to obtain financing on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all, may be limited, which could reduce our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt, reduce our returns from our acquisition and development activities and increase our future interest expense.
In addition, any economic downturn may adversely affect the businesses of many of our tenants. As a result, we may see increases in bankruptcies of our tenants and increased defaults by tenants, and we may experience higher vacancy rates and delays in re-leasing vacant space, which could negatively impact our business and results of operations.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 3
We are subject to risks that affect the general retail environment, such as weakness in the economy, the level of consumer spending, the adverse financial condition of large retailing companies and competition from discount and Internet retailers, any of which could adversely affect market rents for retail space and the willingness or ability of retailers to lease space in our shopping centers.
With the exception of our Riversedge North property, which houses our corporate offices, all of our improved properties are in the retail real estate market. This means that we are subject to factors that affect the retail sector generally, as well as the market for retail space. The retail environment and the market for retail space have been, and could continue to be, adversely affected by weakness in the national, regional and local economies, the level of consumer spending and consumer confidence, the adverse financial condition of some large retailing companies, the ongoing consolidation in the retail sector, the excess amount of retail space in a number of markets and increasing competition from discount retailers, outlet malls, Internet retailers and other online businesses. Increases in consumer spending via the Internet may significantly affect our retail tenants' ability to generate sales in their stores. In addition, some of our retail tenants face competition from the expanding market for digital content and hardware. New and enhanced technologies, including new digital technologies and new web services technologies, may increase competition for certain of our retail tenants.
Any of the foregoing factors could adversely affect the financial condition of our tenants and the willingness of retailers to lease space in our shopping centers. In turn, these conditions could negatively affect market rents for retail space and could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, the trading price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Natural and Human Disruptions1 | 1.6%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Natural disasters and severe weather conditions could have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating results.
Some of our properties could be subject to potential natural or other disasters. In addition, we may acquire properties that are located in areas that are subject to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and droughts. Properties could also be affected by increases in the frequency or severity of tornadoes, hurricanes or other storms, whether such increases are caused by global climate changes or other factors. The occurrence of natural disasters or severe weather conditions can increase investment costs to repair or replace damaged properties, increase operating costs, increase future property insurance costs, and/or negatively impact the tenant demand for lease space. If insurance is unavailable to us, or is unavailable on acceptable terms, or if our insurance is not adequate to cover business interruption or losses from such events, our earnings, liquidity and/or capital resources could be adversely affected.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 2/63 (3%)Below Sector Average
Cyber Security1 | 1.6%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
We face risks relating to cybersecurity attacks, loss of confidential information and other business disruptions.
Our business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks, including attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential data, and other electronic security breaches. Such cyber attacks can range from individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems to more sophisticated security threats. While we employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cyber attack. A cybersecurity attack could compromise the confidential information of our employees, tenants and vendors. A successful attack could disrupt and otherwise adversely affect our business operations.
Technology1 | 1.6%
Technology - Risk 1
Technological developments may impact customer traffic at certain tenants' stores and ultimately sales at such stores.
We may be adversely affected by developments of new technology that may cause the business of certain of our tenants to become substantially diminished or functionally obsolete, with the result that such tenants may be unable to pay rent, become insolvent, file for bankruptcy protection, close their stores or terminate their leases. Examples of the potentially adverse effects of new technology on retail businesses include, amongst other things, the advent of online movie rentals on video stores, the effect of e-books and small screen readers on book stores, and increased sales of many products online.
Substantial recent annual increases in online sales have also caused many retailers to sell products online on their websites with pick-ups at a store or warehouse or through deliveries. With special reference to our principal tenants, online grocery orders are available in some areas and may become a major factor affecting grocers in our portfolio.
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.