iretform10-q09092009.htm

 
 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For Quarter Ended July 31, 2009
 
Commission File Number 0-14851
 
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
North Dakota
45-0311232
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
Post Office Box 1988
3015 16th Street SW, Suite 100
Minot, ND 58702-1988
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
 
(701) 837-4738
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
N/A
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.
 
Yes R                           No £
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes £                           No £
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer £                                                           Accelerated filer R
Non-accelerated filer £                                                           Smaller Reporting Company £
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes £                           No R
 
Registrant is a North Dakota Real Estate Investment Trust. As of September 4, 2009, it had 63,869,170 common shares of beneficial interest outstanding.


 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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Table of Contents
2

 

PART I
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - FIRST QUARTER - FISCAL 2010
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
 
   
(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
July 31, 2009
   
April 30, 2009
 
ASSETS
           
Real estate investments
           
Property owned
  $ 1,737,466     $ 1,729,585  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (274,497 )     (262,871 )
      1,462,969       1,466,714  
Unimproved land
    5,713       5,701  
Mortgage loans receivable, net of allowance of $3 and $3, respectively
    160       160  
Total real estate investments
    1,468,842       1,472,575  
Other assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    43,935       33,244  
Marketable securities – available-for-sale
    420       420  
Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $853 and $842, respectively
    16,201       16,012  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $220 and $286, respectively
    4,148       2,738  
Real estate deposits
    460       88  
Prepaid and other assets
    2,900       1,051  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $47,240 and $44,887, respectively
    49,820       52,173  
Tax, insurance, and other escrow
    7,984       7,261  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,034 and $957, respectively
    1,293       1,015  
Goodwill
    1,392       1,392  
Deferred charges and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $11,916 and $11,010, respectively
    16,958       17,122  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,614,353     $ 1,605,091  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 32,508     $ 32,773  
Revolving lines of credit
    13,000       5,500  
Mortgages payable
    1,055,705       1,070,158  
Other
    1,455       1,516  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    1,102,668       1,109,947  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6)
               
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS –
CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE ENTITIES
    1,908       1,737  
EQUITY
               
Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders’ equity
               
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, no par value, 1,150,000 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, aggregate liquidation preference of $28,750,000)
    27,317       27,317  
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest (Unlimited authorization, no par value, 63,787,568 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2009, and 60,304,154 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2009)
    490,441       461,648  
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income
    (165,349 )     (155,956 )
Total Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders’ equity
    352,409       333,009  
Noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities
    12,248       12,199  
Noncontrolling interests – Operating Partnership (20,836,972 units at July 31, 2009 and 20,838,197 units at April 30, 2009)
    145,120       148,199  
Total equity
    509,777       493,407  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $ 1,614,353     $ 1,605,091  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
 
   
Three Months Ended
July 31
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
REVENUE
           
Real estate rentals
  $ 49,030     $ 47,657  
Tenant reimbursement
    11,791       11,189  
TOTAL REVENUE
    60,821       58,846  
EXPENSES
               
Interest
    17,401       16,888  
Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments
    14,068       13,318  
Utilities
    4,167       4,434  
Maintenance
    7,207       6,999  
Real estate taxes
    7,971       7,370  
Insurance
    973       750  
Property management expenses
    4,098       4,251  
Administrative expenses
    1,356       1,231  
Advisory and trustee services
    131       100  
Other expenses
    434       362  
Amortization related to non-real estate investments
    575       449  
TOTAL EXPENSES
    58,381       56,152  
Interest income
    66       223  
Other income
    63       25  
NET INCOME
    2,569       2,942  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities
    (73 )     63  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – Operating Partnership
    (479 )     (647 )
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust
    2,017       2,358  
Dividends to preferred shareholders
    (593 )     (593 )
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
  $ 1,424     $ 1,765  
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC AND DILUTED
  $ .02     $ .03  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


 
4

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (unaudited)
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
   
NUMBER
OF
PREFERRED
SHARES
   
PREFERRED
SHARES
   
NUMBER
OF COMMON
SHARES
   
COMMON
SHARES
   
ACCUMULATED
DISTRIBUTIONS
IN EXCESS OF
NET INCOME
   
NONCONTROLLING
INTERESTS
   
TOTAL
EQUITY
 
Balance April 30, 2008 (as previously stated)
    1,150     $ 27,317       57,732     $ 440,187     $ (122,498 )   $ 0     $ 345,006  
Impact of adopting SFAS 160
                            (932 )             173,557       172,625  
Balance April 30, 2008 (as adjusted)
    1,150     $ 27,317       57,732     $ 439,255     $ (122,498 )   $ 173,557     $ 517,631  
Net income
                                    2,358       578       2,936  
Distributions – common shares
                                    (9,741 )     (3,590 )     (13,331 )
Distributions – preferred shares
                                    (593 )             (593 )
Distribution reinvestment plan
                    312       2,915                       2,915  
Shares issued
                    36       345                       345  
Partnership units issued
                                            1,954       1,954  
Redemption of units for common shares
                    122       687               (687 )     0  
Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interests
                            357                       357  
Other
                                            482       482  
Balance July 31, 2008
    1,150     $ 27,317       58,202     $ 443,559     $ (130,474 )   $ 172,294     $ 512,696  
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
Balance April 30, 2009 (as previously stated)
    1,150     $ 27,317       60,304     $ 462,574     $ (155,956 )   $ 0     $ 333,935  
Impact of adopting SFAS 160
                            (926 )             160,398       159,472  
Balance April 30, 2009 (as adjusted)
    1,150     $ 27,317       60,304     $ 461,648     $ (155,956 )   $ 160,398     $ 493,407  
Net income
                                    2,017       531       2,548  
Distributions – common shares
                                    (10,817 )     (3,553 )     (14,370 )
Distributions – preferred shares
                                    (593 )             (593 )
Distribution reinvestment plan
                    313       2,676                       2,676  
Shares issued
                    3,170       26,307                       26,307  
Redemption of units for common shares
                    1       5               (5 )     0  
Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interests
                            (194 )                     (194 )
Other
                            (1 )             (3 )     (4 )
Balance July 31, 2009
    1,150     $ 27,317       63,788     $ 490,441     $ (165,349 )   $ 157,368     $ 509,777  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


 
5

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
 
   
Three Months Ended
July 31
(in thousands)
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net Income
  $ 2,569     $ 2,942  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    15,000       14,009  
Bad debt expense
    277       528  
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in receivable arising from straight-lining of rents
    (252 )     (624 )
Increase in accounts receivable
    (507 )     (127 )
Increase in prepaid and other assets
    (1,849 )     (1,975 )
(Increase) decrease in tax, insurance and other escrow
    (723 )     754  
Increase in deferred charges and leasing costs
    (756 )     (1,112 )
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities
    (980 )     (2,466 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    12,779       11,929  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Net (payments) proceeds of real estate deposits
    (372 )     331  
Principal proceeds on mortgage loans receivable
    0       6  
Proceeds from sale of real estate and other investments
    25       0  
Insurance proceeds received
    57       902  
Payments for acquisitions and improvements of real estate investments
    (8,667 )     (18,508 )
Net cash used by investing activities
    (8,957 )     (17,269 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Proceeds from sale of common shares, net of issue costs
    26,157       345  
Proceeds from mortgages payable
    11,255       11,428  
Principal payments on mortgages payable
    (25,708 )     (7,019 )
Principal payments on revolving lines of credit and other debt
    (2,000 )     (16 )
Proceeds from noncontrolling partner – consolidated real estate entities
    0       717  
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and other debt
    9,500       0  
Repurchase of fractional shares and partnership units
    (1 )     (1 )
Distributions paid to common shareholders, net of reinvestment of $2,471 and $2,718, respectively
    (8,346 )     (7,024 )
Distributions paid to preferred shareholders
    (593 )     (593 )
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests – consolidated real estate entities
    (47 )     (77 )
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests – Unitholders of the Operating Partnership, net of reinvestment of $205 and $198, respectively
    (3,348 )     (3,392 )
Redemption of partnership units
    0       (158 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    6,869       (5,790 )
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    10,691       (11,130 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    33,244       53,481  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 43,935     $ 42,351  


(continued)

 
6

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, continued)
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
 
   
Three Months Ended
July 31
 (in thousands)
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
 
SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD
           
Distribution reinvestment plan
  $ 2,471     $ 2,718  
Operating partnership distribution reinvestment plan
    205       198  
Assets acquired through the issuance of operating partnership units
    0       1,954  
Operating partnership units converted to shares
    5       687  
Accounts payable included within real estate investments
    864       1,509  
Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interests
    194       (357 )
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest on mortgages
    16,909       16,946  
Interest other
    167       7  
    $ 17,076     $ 16,953  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


 
7

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008
 
NOTE 1 • ORGANIZATION
 
Investors Real Estate Trust (“IRET” or the “Company”) is a self-advised real estate investment trust engaged in acquiring, owning and leasing multi-family and commercial real estate. IRET has elected to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute 90% of ordinary taxable income to shareholders, and, generally, are not subject to federal income tax on net income. IRET’s multi-family residential properties and commercial properties are located mainly in the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, but also in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin. As of July 31, 2009, IRET owned 77 multi-family residential properties with 9,645 apartment units and 167 commercial properties, consisting of office, medical, industrial and retail properties, totaling 11.7 million net rentable square feet. IRET conducts a majority of its business activities through its consolidated operating partnership, IRET Properties, a North Dakota Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), as well as through a number of other consolidated subsidiary entities.
 
All references to IRET or the Company refer to Investors Real Estate Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
NOTE 2 • BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IRET and all its subsidiaries in which it maintains a controlling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s fiscal year ends April 30th. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through September 9, 2009, and has determined that there were no subsequent events or transactions which would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IRET and its interest in the Operating Partnership. The Company’s interest in the Operating Partnership was 75.4% and 74.3%, respectively, as of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009. The limited partners have a redemption option that they may exercise. Upon exercise of the redemption option by the limited partners, IRET has the choice of redeeming the limited partners’ interests (“Units”) for IRET common shares of beneficial interest, on a one-for-one basis, or making a cash payment to the unitholder. The redemption generally may be exercised by the limited partners at any time after the first anniversary of the date of the acquisition of the Units (provided, however, that in general not more than two redemptions by a limited partner may occur during each calendar year, and each limited partner may not exercise the redemption for less than 1,000 Units, or, if such limited partner holds less than 1,000 Units, for all of the Units held by such limited partner). The Operating Partnership and some limited partners have contractually agreed to a holding period of greater than one year and/or a greater number of redemptions during a calendar year.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements also reflect the ownership by the Operating Partnership of certain joint venture entities in which the Operating Partnership has a general partner or controlling interest. These entities are consolidated into IRET’s other operations, with noncontrolling interests reflecting the noncontrolling partners’ share of ownership and income and expenses.
 
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of IRET have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America are omitted. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been included.
 
The current period’s results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results which ultimately may be achieved for the year. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
 

 
8

 


financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009, filed with the SEC.
 
RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation.  As a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51, as described below in Recent Accounting Pronouncements, we:
 
 
reclassified to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities and noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership, both of which are components of equity, $12.2 million and $145.1 million at July 31, 2009, and $12.2 million and $148.2 million at April 30, 2009, respectively, which amounts were previously reported as minority interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheets;
 
 
reported as separate captions within our condensed consolidated statements of operations the following: net income (including net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust); net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities; net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership; and net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust, of $2.6 million, $73,000, $479,000 and $2.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and $2.9 million, $(63,000), $647,000 and $2.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended July 31, 2008;
 
 
utilized net income including noncontrolling interests of $2.6 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and $2.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2008 as the starting point on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in order to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities, rather than beginning with net income excluding noncontrolling interests; and
 
 
presented as “redeemable noncontrolling interest” in the mezzanine section of the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009 the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in a joint venture of the Company in which the Company’s unaffiliated partner, at its election, can require the Company to buy its interest at a purchase price to be determined by an appraisal conducted in accordance with the terms of the agreement, or at a negotiated price.
 
These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income attributable to IRET, or net cash flows from operating activities.  Also, net income per common share continues to be based on net income attributable to IRET.
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 removes the requirement under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to consider whether an intangible asset can be renewed without substantial cost or material modifications to the existing terms and conditions and replaces it with a requirement that an entity consider its own historical experience in renewing similar arrangements, or a consideration of market participant assumptions in the absence of historical experience. FSP 142-3 also requires entities to disclose information that enables users of financial statements to assess the extent to which the expected future cash flows associated with the asset are affected by the entity’s intent and/or ability to renew or extend the arrangement. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and accordingly was effective for the Company on May 1, 2009.  The adoption of FSP 142-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Effective May 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB 51 (“SFAS 160”), and the revisions to FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Topic No. D-98, Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities (“EITF D-98”) which became effective upon the Company’s adoption of SFAS 160.  The ownership interests in a subsidiary that are held by owners other than the parent are noncontrolling interests (which were previously reported on the consolidated balance sheet as “minority interest”).  Under SFAS No. 160, noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.  Under SFAS No. 160, such noncontrolling interests are reported on the consolidated balance sheets within equity, separately from the Company’s equity.  Revenues, expenses and net income or loss attributable to both the Company and noncontrolling interests are reported on the consolidated statements of operations.  In accordance with EITF D-98, the Company will classify any securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets at the
 

 
9

 


option of the holder, or not solely within the control of the Company, outside of permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheet.  The Company will make this determination based on terms in the applicable agreements, specifically in relation to redemption provisions.  With respect to noncontrolling interests for which the Company has a choice to settle the contract by delivery of its own shares, the Company considers the guidance in EITF D-98 and EITF Topic No. 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in a Company’s Own Stock, to evaluate whether the Company controls the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of common shares that could be required to be delivered at the time of settlement of the contract.
 
The Company has concluded that for its noncontrolling interests that allow for redemption in either cash or Company shares (i.e., the limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership), all such provisions are solely within its control.  As a result of its evaluation, the Company has determined that all of these noncontrolling interests qualify as permanent equity, and therefore are not subject to the classification and measurement provisions of EITF D-98.  As of July 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership’s noncontrolling interests have a redemption value of approximately $194.0 million (based on the Company’s closing common share price on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date of $9.31), which represents the amount that would be paid to the Operating Partnership’s outside noncontrolling limited partners.  The Company has one joint venture which allows the Company’s unaffiliated partner, at its election, to require the Company to buy its interest at a purchase price to be determined by an appraisal conducted in accordance with the terms of the agreement, or at a negotiated price.  The Company is not aware of any intent of the joint venture partner to exercise this option.  However, because the redemption of this interest is not solely within the control of the Company, the related noncontrolling interest is presented as “redeemable noncontrolling interest” in the mezzanine section of the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, in accordance with EITF D-98.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). This new standard significantly changes the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions in consolidated financial statements. SFAS 141(R) requires an acquiring entity to recognize acquired assets and liabilities assumed in a transaction at fair value as of the acquisition date, changes the disclosure requirements for business combination transactions and changes the accounting treatment for certain items, including contingent consideration agreements which are required to be recorded at acquisition date fair value and acquisition costs which are required to be expensed as incurred. We adopted SFAS No. 141(R) on May 1, 2009.  We believe that such adoption could materially impact our future financial results to the extent that we acquire significant amounts of real estate, as related acquisition costs will be expensed as incurred compared to our former practice of capitalizing such costs and amortizing them over the estimated useful life of the assets acquired.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 was effective for the Company on May 1, 2008; however, FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 deferred the effective date for certain non-financial assets and liabilities not re-measured at fair value on a recurring basis to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, or, for the Company, its first quarter of fiscal year 2010. The adoption by the Company on May 1, 2009 of FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
SFAS 157 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based upon our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  At July 31, 2009, our marketable securities are carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis. Fair values are determined through the use of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets, which are inputs that are classified as Level 1 in the valuation hierarchy.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP on Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”). FSP EITF 03-6-1 states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior-period EPS data presented shall be adjusted retrospectively (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions of FSP EITF 03-6-1. Early application is not permitted. The Company currently has no unvested share-based payment awards outstanding, but it is possible that in the future some may be granted
 

 
10

 


under its 2008 Incentive Award Plan approved by shareholders in September 2008.  The Company’s adoption of this staff position on May 1, 2009 did not impact the Company’s EPS calculations.
 
In May 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS No. 165”).  SFAS No. 165 establishes the general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.  SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim and financial periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 165 in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2010 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.  For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2009, the Company has considered subsequent events through September 9, 2009, which is the date its consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets (“SFAS No. 166”).  SFAS No. 166 amends SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.  SFAS No. 166 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The recognition and measurement provisions of SFAS No. 166 are applied to transfers that occur on or after the effective date.  The disclosure provisions of this Statement are applied to transfers that occurred both before and after the effective date of this Statement.  The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 166 to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No. 167”). SFAS No. 167 amends FIN 46(R) as follows: a) to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, identifying the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, b) to require ongoing reassessment of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, rather than only when specific events occur, c) to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest, d) to amend certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity, e) to add an additional reconsideration event when changes in facts and circumstances pertinent to a variable interest entity occur, f) to eliminate the exception for troubled debt restructuring regarding variable interest entity reconsideration, and g) to require advanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. SFAS No. 167 is effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 167 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS No. 168”). Pursuant to SFAS No. 168, on July 1, 2009, the FASB launched its Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Pursuant to SFAS No. 168, the Codification will become the sole source of authoritative U.S. GAAP for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC, which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 168 to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as the Codification was not intended to change or alter existing GAAP.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued three FSPs that are intended to provide additional application guidance and enhance disclosures about fair value measurements and impairments of securities.  FSP No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are not Orderly (“FSP 157-4”) clarifies the objective and method of fair value measurement even when there has been a significant decrease in market activity for the asset being measured.  FSP No. 115-2 and FSP No. 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-than-Temporary Impairments (“FSP 115-2 and FSP 124-2”) establish a new model for measuring other-than-temporary impairments for debt securities, including criteria for when to recognize a write-down through earnings versus other comprehensive income.  FSP No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FSP No. 107-1”) amend SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements.  FSP No. 107-1 also amends APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods.  The Company’s adoption of these FSPs during the quarter ended July 31, 2009 resulted in additional disclosures but did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND GOODWILL
 
Upon acquisition of real estate, the Company records the intangible assets and liabilities acquired (for example, if the leases in place for the real estate property acquired carry rents above the market rent, the difference is classified as an intangible asset) at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill.  The Company amortizes identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives based on the period over which the assets and liabilities are expected to affect, directly or indirectly, the future cash flows of the real estate property acquired (generally the life of the lease).  In the three months ended July 31, 2009 and
 

 
11

 

2008, the Company added no new intangible assets. Amortization of intangibles related to above or below-market leases is recorded in real estate rentals in the consolidated statements of operations. Amortization of other intangibles is recorded in depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.  An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.
 
As of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, respectively, the net carrying amounts of the Company’s identified intangible assets and liabilities were $49.4 million and $51.7 million (net of accumulated amortization of $45.1 million and $42.8 million), respectively. The estimated annual amortization of the Company’s identified intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
 
Year Ended April 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
  $ 6,372  
2012
    4,353  
2013
    3,361  
2014
    2,956  
2015
    2,582  
 
The excess of the cost of an acquired business over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.  The Company’s goodwill has an indeterminate life in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Goodwill book values as of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009 were $1.4 million. The annual review at April 30, 2009 indicated no impairment and there was no indication of impairment at July 31, 2009.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
NOTE 3 • EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company has no outstanding options, warrants, convertible stock or other contractual obligations requiring issuance of additional common shares that would result in a dilution of earnings. While Units can be exchanged for common shares on a one-for-one basis after a minimum holding period of one year, the exchange of Units for common shares has no effect on net income per share, as Unitholders and common shareholders effectively share equally in the net income of the Operating Partnership. The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008:
 

 
12

 


 
   
Three Months Ended
July 31
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
 
NUMERATOR
           
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust
  $ 2,017     $ 2,358  
Dividends to preferred shareholders
    (593 )     (593 )
Numerator for basic earnings per share – net income available to common shareholders
    1,424       1,765  
Noncontrolling interests – Operating Partnership
    479       647  
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
  $ 1,903     $ 2,412  
DENOMINATOR
               
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares
    62,386       57,916  
Effect of convertible operating partnership units
    20,837       21,298  
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
    83,223       79,214  
                 
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC AND DILUTED
  $ .02     $ .03  
 
NOTE 4 • EQUITY
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET completed a public offering of 3,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest at $8.70 per share (before underwriting discounts and commissions). Proceeds of the offering included in equity totaled $24,795,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting offering expenses. As of July 31, 2009, approximately 1,000 Units have been converted to common shares during fiscal year 2010, with a total value of approximately $5,000 included in equity, and approximately 2,000 common shares have been issued under the Company’s 401(k) plan, with a total value of approximately $18,000 included in equity. Approximately 346,000 additional common shares have been issued under the Company’s Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan during the three months ended July 31, 2009 with a total value of $2.9 million included in equity.
 
NOTE 5 • SEGMENT REPORTING
 
IRET reports its results in five reportable segments: multi-family residential properties, and commercial office, medical (including senior housing), industrial and retail properties.  The Company’s reportable segments are aggregations of similar properties.  The accounting policies of each of these segments are the same as those described in Note 2. The Company discloses segment information in accordance with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Disclosures (“SFAS 131”).  SFAS 131 requires that segment disclosures present the measure(s) used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing segment performance.
 
IRET measures the performance of its segments based on net operating income (“NOI”), which the Company defines as total revenues less property operating expenses and real estate taxes.  IRET believes that NOI is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REIT’s operating real estate because it provides a measure of core operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing and general and administrative expense.  NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, net income available for common shareholders or cash flow from operating activities as a measure of financial performance.
 
The revenues and net operating income for these reportable segments are summarized as follows for the three month periods ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, along with reconciliations to the condensed consolidated financial statements.  Segment assets are also reconciled to Total Assets as reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
13

 


 
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2009
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial-
Office
   
Commercial-
Medical
   
Commercial-
Industrial
   
Commercial-
Retail
   
Total
 
                                     
Real estate revenue
  $ 19,083     $ 21,166     $ 13,718     $ 3,395     $ 3,459     $ 60,821  
Real estate expenses
    9,234       9,447       3,693       951       1,091       24,416  
Net operating income
  $ 9,849     $ 11,719     $ 10,025     $ 2,444     $ 2,368       36,405  
Interest
                                            (17,401 )
Depreciation/amortization
                                            (14,643 )
Administrative, advisory and trustee fees
                                      (1,487 )
Other expenses
                                            (434 )
Other income
                                            129  
Net income
    $ 2,569  
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2008
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial-
Office
   
Commercial-
Medical
   
Commercial-
Industrial
   
Commercial-
Retail
   
Total
 
                                     
Real estate revenue
  $ 18,601     $ 20,806     $ 12,866     $ 3,096     $ 3,477     $ 58,846  
Real estate expenses
    8,724       9,444       3,762       734       1,140       23,804  
Net operating income
  $ 9,877     $ 11,362     $ 9,104     $ 2,362     $ 2,337       35,042  
Interest
                                            (16,888 )
Depreciation/amortization
                                            (13,767 )
Administrative, advisory and trustee fees
                                      (1,331 )
Operating expenses
                                            (362 )
Non-operating income
                                            248  
Net income
    $ 2,942  

Segment Assets and Accumulated Depreciation
 
Segment assets are summarized as follows as of July 31, 2009, and April 30, 2009, along with reconciliations to the condensed consolidated financial statements:
 
   
(in thousands)
 
As of July 31, 2009
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial-
Office
   
Commercial-
Medical
   
Commercial-
Industrial
   
Commercial-
Retail
   
Total
 
                                     
Segment Assets
                                   
Property owned
  $ 543,996     $ 575,775     $ 389,453     $ 109,149     $ 119,093     $ 1,737,466  
Less accumulated depreciation/amortization
    (119,439 )     (76,822 )     (45,098 )     (13,483 )     (19,655 )     (274,497 )
Total property owned
  $ 424,557     $ 498,953     $ 344,355     $ 95,666     $ 99,438       1,462,969  
Cash and cash equivalents
                                            43,935  
Marketable securities
                                            420  
Receivables and other assets
                                            101,156  
Unimproved land
                                            5,713  
Mortgage loans receivable, net of allowance
                                            160  
Total Assets
                                          $ 1,614,353  


Table of Contents
14

 


   
(in thousands)
 
As of April 30, 2009
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial-
Office
   
Commercial-
Medical
   
Commercial-
Industrial
   
Commercial-
Retail
   
Total
 
                                     
Segment assets
                                   
Property owned
  $ 542,547     $ 571,565     $ 388,219     $ 108,103     $ 119,151     $ 1,729,585  
Less accumulated depreciation/amortization
    (115,729 )     (72,960 )     (42,345 )     (12,847 )     (18,990 )     (262,871 )
Total property owned
  $ 426,818     $ 498,605     $ 345,874     $ 95,256     $ 100,161       1,466,714  
Cash and cash equivalents
                                            33,244  
Marketable securities
                                            420  
Receivables and other assets
                                            98,852  
Unimproved land
                                            5,701  
Mortgage loans receivable, net of allowance
                                            160  
Total Assets
    $ 1,605,091  
 
NOTE 6 • COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Litigation. IRET is involved in various lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. Management believes that such matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Insurance. IRET carries insurance coverage on its properties in amounts and types that the Company believes are customarily obtained by owners of similar properties and are sufficient to achieve IRET’s risk management objectives.
 
Purchase Options. The Company has granted options to purchase certain IRET properties to tenants in these properties, under lease agreements. In general, the options grant the tenant the right to purchase the property at the greater of such property’s appraised value or an annual compounded increase of a specified percentage of the initial cost of the property to IRET. As of July 31, 2009, the total property cost of the 26 properties subject to purchase options was approximately $201.7 million, and the total gross rental revenue from these properties was approximately $4.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009.
 
Environmental Matters. Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal of, or remediation of, certain hazardous or toxic substances in, on, around or under the property. While IRET currently has no knowledge of any violation of environmental laws, ordinances or regulations at any of its properties, there can be no assurance that areas of contamination will not be identified at any of the Company’s properties, or that changes in environmental laws, regulations or cleanup requirements would not result in significant costs to the Company.
 
Restrictions on Taxable Dispositions.  Approximately 132 of IRET’s properties, consisting of approximately 7.4 million square feet of the Company’s combined commercial segments’ properties and 4,172 apartment units, are subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions under agreements entered into with some of the sellers or contributors of the properties.  The real estate investment amount of these properties (net of accumulated depreciation) was approximately $882.4 million at July 31, 2009.  The restrictions on taxable dispositions are effective for varying periods.  The terms of these agreements generally prevent the Company from selling the properties in taxable transactions.  The Company does not believe that the agreements materially affect the conduct of the Company’s business or decisions whether to dispose of restricted properties during the restriction period because the Company generally holds these and the Company's other properties for investment purposes, rather than for sale.  Historically, however, where IRET has deemed it to be in the shareholders’ best interests to dispose of restricted properties, it has done so through transactions structured as tax-deferred transactions under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
Joint Venture Buy/Sell Options.  Certain of IRET's joint venture agreements contain buy/sell options in which each party under certain circumstances has the option to acquire the interest of the other party, but do not generally require that the Company buy its partners’ interests.  IRET has one joint venture which allows IRET’s unaffiliated partner, at its election, to require that IRET buy its interest at a purchase price to be determined by an appraisal conducted in accordance with the terms of the agreement, or at a negotiated price.  The Company is not aware of any intent of the partners to exercise these options.
 
Tenant Improvements.  In entering into leases with tenants, IRET may commit itself to fund improvements or build-outs of the rented space to suit tenant requirements.  These tenant improvements are typically funded at the beginning of the lease term, and IRET is accordingly exposed to some risk of loss if a tenant defaults prior to the expiration of the lease term, and the rental income that was expected to cover the cost of the tenant improvements is not received.  As of July 31, 2009, the Company is committed to fund approximately $6.6 million in tenant improvements, within approximately the next 12 months.
 

 
15

 

Construction interest capitalized for the three month periods ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was approximately $0 and $343,000 for development projects completed and in progress.
 
NOTE 7 • DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets, requires the Company to report in discontinued operations the results of operations of a property that has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale. It also requires that any gains or losses from the sale of a property be reported in discontinued operations. There were no properties classified as discontinued operations during the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
NOTE 8 • ACQUISITIONS AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PLACED IN SERVICE
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET had no acquisitions, development projects placed in service or dispositions.
 
NOTE 9 • MORTGAGES PAYABLE
 
The Company’s mortgages payable are collateralized by substantially all of its properties owned. The majority of the Company’s mortgages payable are secured by individual properties or groups of properties, and are non-recourse to the Company, other than for standard carve-out obligations such as fraud, waste, failure to insure, environmental conditions and failure to pay real estate taxes. Interest rates on mortgages payable range from 2.75% to 9.75%, and the mortgages have varying maturity dates from August 1, 2009, through May 31, 2035.
 
Of the mortgages payable, the balances of fixed rate mortgages totalled $1.0 billion at July 31, 2009 and $1.1 billion at April 30, 2009. The balances of variable rate mortgages totalled $9.2 million and $9.6 million as of July 31, 2009, and April 30, 2009, respectively. The Company does not utilize derivative financial instruments to mitigate its exposure to changes in market interest rates. Most of the fixed rate mortgages have substantial pre-payment penalties. As of July 31, 2009, the weighted average rate of interest on the Company’s mortgage debt was 6.31%, compared to 6.30% on April 30, 2009. The aggregate amount of required future principal payments on mortgages payable as of July 31, 2009, is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
2010 (remainder)
  $ 118,218  
2011
    104,181  
2012
    113,479  
2013
    48,787  
2014
    57,649  
Thereafter
    613,391  
Total payments
  $ 1,055,705  
 
NOTE 10 • FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.
 
Mortgage Loans Receivable. Fair values are based on the discounted value of future cash flows expected to be received for a loan using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit risk and the same remaining maturities. Terms are short term in nature and carrying value approximates the estimated fair value.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity.
 
Marketable Securities. The fair values of these instruments are estimated based on quoted market prices for the security.  At July 31, 2009, marketable securities available-for-sale consisted of bank certificates of deposit with maturities of less than one year.
 
Other Debt. The fair value of other debt is estimated based on the discounted cash flows of the loan using current market rates.
 
Mortgages Payable. For variable rate loans that re-price frequently, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated based on the discounted cash flows of the loans using current market rates.
 

 
16

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, are as follows:
 
   
(in thousands)
 
   
July 31, 2009
   
April 30, 2009
 
   
Carrying Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying Amount
   
Fair Value
 
FINANCIAL ASSETS
                       
Mortgage loans receivable
  $ 160     $ 160     $ 160     $ 160  
Cash and cash equivalents
    43,935       43,935       33,244       33,244  
Marketable securities - available-for-sale
    420       420       420       420  
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
                               
Other debt
    1,000       1,117       1,000       1,129  
Mortgages payable
    1,055,705       1,293,386       1,070,158       1,301,071  
 
NOTE 11 • REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheets represent the noncontrolling interest in a joint venture of the Company in which the Company’s unaffiliated partner, at its election, can require the Company to buy its interest at a purchase price to be determined by an appraisal conducted in accordance with the terms of the agreement, or at a negotiated price. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are accounted for in accordance with EITF Topic D-98, Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities (“Topic D-98”), and are presented at the greater of their carrying amount or redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the value from period to period are charged to common shares of beneficial interest on our consolidated balance sheets.  As of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, the aggregate value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests was $1.9 million and $1.7 million respectively.  Below is a table reflecting the activity of the redeemable noncontrolling interests.
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Balance at April 30, 2008
  $ 1,802  
Net income
    6  
Distributions
    0  
Mark-to-market adjustments in accordance with Topic D-98
    (357 )
Balance at July 31, 2008
  $ 1,451  

 
   
(in thousands)
 
Balance at April 30, 2009
  $ 1,737  
Net income
    21  
Distributions
    (44 )
Mark-to-market adjustments in accordance with Topic D-98
    194  
Balance at July 31, 2009
  $ 1,908  
 
NOTE 12 • SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
Common and Preferred Share Distributions.  On August 26, 2009, the Company’s Board of Trustees declared a regular quarterly distribution of 17.10 cents per share and unit on the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest and limited partnership units of IRET Properties, payable October 1, 2009, to common shareholders and unitholders of record on September 15, 2009. Also on August 26, 2009, the Company’s Board of Trustees declared a distribution of 51.56 cents per share on the Company’s preferred shares of beneficial interest, payable September 30, 2009 to preferred shareholders of record on September 15, 2009.
 
Acquisition.  In August 2009 the Company closed on its purchase of an approximately 42,180 square foot showroom/warehouse property located in a western suburb of Des Moines, Iowa.  The Company paid a total of $3.4 million for this property, which is triple-net leased to a single tenant.  The purchase price consisted of approximately $456,000 of cash, with the remainder paid in limited partnership units of the Company’s Operating Partnership, valued at a total of approximately $2.9 million, or $10.25 per unit.
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report, as well as the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC.
 

 
17

 

Forward Looking Statements. Certain matters included in this discussion are forward looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the following statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that the expectations expressed will actually be achieved. Many factors may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations, including general economic conditions, local real estate conditions, the general level of interest rates and the availability of financing and various other economic risks inherent in the business of owning and operating investment real estate.
 
Overview. IRET is a self-advised equity REIT engaged in owning and operating income-producing real estate properties. Our investments include multi-family residential properties and commercial office, industrial, medical and retail properties located primarily in the upper Midwest states of Minnesota and North Dakota. Our properties are diversified by type and location. As of July 31, 2009, our real estate portfolio consisted of 77 multi-family residential properties containing 9,645 apartment units and having a total real estate investment amount net of accumulated depreciation of $424.5 million, and 167 commercial properties containing approximately 11.7 million square feet of leasable space. Our commercial properties consist of:
 
 
67 office properties containing approximately 5.0 million square feet of leasable space and having a total real estate investment amount net of accumulated depreciation of $499.0 million;
 
 
49 medical properties (including senior housing) containing approximately 2.3 million square feet of leasable space and having a total real estate investment amount net of accumulated depreciation of $344.4 million;
 
 
18 industrial properties containing approximately 2.9 million square feet of leasable space and having a total real estate investment amount net of accumulated depreciation of $95.7 million; and
 
 
33 retail properties containing approximately 1.5 million square feet of leasable space and having a total real estate investment amount net of accumulated depreciation of $99.4 million.
 
Our primary source of income and cash is rents associated with multi-family residential and commercial leases. Our business objective is to increase shareholder value by employing a disciplined investment strategy. This strategy is focused on growing assets in desired geographical markets, achieving diversification by property type and location, and adhering to targeted returns in acquiring properties. We intend to continue to achieve our business objective by investing in multi-family residential properties and in office, industrial, retail and medical commercial properties that are leased to single or multiple tenants, usually for five years or longer, and are located throughout the upper Midwest. We operate mainly within the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, although we also have real estate investments in South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin.
 
We compete with other owners and developers of multi-family and commercial properties to attract tenants to our properties, and we compete with other real estate investors to acquire properties. Principal areas of competition for tenants are in respect of rents charged and the attractiveness of location and quality of our properties. Competition for investment properties affects our ability to acquire properties we want to add to our portfolio, and the price we pay for acquisitions.
 
Our first quarter fiscal year 2010 results reflect the continuing challenges the real estate industry faced during the three months ended July 31, 2009.  During this quarter, factors adversely affecting demand for IRET’s commercial and multi-family properties continued to be pervasive across the United States and in IRET’s markets, with commercial tenants continuing to focus on reducing costs through space reductions and lower rents. Additionally, continued job losses pressured occupancy and revenue in the Company’s multi-family residential segment.  We  expect current credit market conditions and the continued high level of unemployment to maintain or increase credit stresses on Company tenants, and continue to expect this tenant stress to lead to increases in past due accounts and vacancies.
 
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, our tenant in two industrial properties, filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.  Smurfit is among our 10 largest commercial tenants based on annualized base rent, with payments under their leases with us totaling approximately $163,000 per month, comprising approximately 1.4% of our total commercial segments’ base rents.  To date Smurfit is current on all base rent payments under its leases with us.  We have been notified by the bankruptcy court that Smufit-Stone has assumed both leases.
 
As of July 31, 2009, a total of approximately $570,000 at IRET’s Fox River project (Grand Chute, WI) and $1.1 million at the Stevens Point project (Stevens Point, WI) has been written off or recorded as past due over the past 12 months.  The Fox River project was acquired by IRET in fiscal year 2006 as a partially-completed eight-unit senior housing project with adjoining vacant land, and
 

 
18

 


IRET subsequently funded the completion of the eight senior living villas and the construction of ten new senior living patio homes, which were completed in September 2007.  The Stevens Point project was acquired by IRET in fiscal year 2006, and at acquisition consisted of an existing senior housing complex and an adjoining vacant parcel of land.  IRET subsequently funded the construction of an expansion to the existing facility on the adjoining parcel, which was completed in June 2007.  The tenants in these two properties, affiliates of Sunwest Management, Inc., have filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, and have been unable to finance their portion of the construction cost for the ten new Fox River patio homes, and have been unable to fund the shortfall between the Stevens Point project’s cash flow and the lease payments due to IRET.  IRET’s investment in the Fox River and Stevens Point properties leased to Sunwest is approximately $3.8 million and $14.8 million, respectively, or approximately 0.2% and 0.9% of IRET’s property owned as of July 31, 2009.
 
IRET is currently receiving all of the cash flow generated by the Stevens Point project (approximately $85,000 per month, or approximately 57.7% of the Scheduled Rent and other obligations due under the lease). IRET is currently receiving no payments from the Fox River project, and its exercise of its rights under the lease to remove Sunwest as the tenant and manager at the project and to pursue collection of amounts owed under guarantees provided in conjunction with the lease agreement has been suspended following the tenant’s bankruptcy filing.  IRET is evaluating its options in respect of this project; at this time IRET considers that, subject to its analysis of market values in Appleton, Wisconsin, IRET would proceed to market the patio homes and senior living villas and the balance of the vacant parcel (approximately 12 acres) in an attempt to recover its investment and provide some return on investment.
 
We believe that the timing of an economic recovery is unclear and economic conditions may not improve quickly.  Our near-term focus continues to be to strengthen our capital and liquidity position by evaluating the selective disposition of properties, controlling and reducing capital expenditures and overhead costs, and generating positive cash flows from operations.  Our portfolio of properties is diversified by property type and location, which we believe helps mitigate risks such as changes in demographics or job growth which may occur within individual markets and industries, although it may not mitigate such risks with regard to more wide-spread economic declines.  The continuation of the current economic environment and capital market disruptions have and could continue to have a negative impact on us, and adversely affect our future results of operations.
 
Critical Accounting Policies. In preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009, in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. There have been no significant changes to those policies during the first three months of fiscal year 2010.
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
For disclosure regarding recent accounting pronouncements and the anticipated impact they will have on our operations, please refer to Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2009 AND 2008
 
REVENUES
 
Revenues for the three months ended July 31, 2009 were $60.8 million compared to $58.8 million in the three months ended July 31, 2008, an increase of $2.0 million or 3.4%. This increase in revenue resulted primarily from the additional investments in real estate made by IRET during fiscal year 2009, as well as other factors shown by the following analysis:
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Increase in Total Revenue
Three Months
ended July 31, 2009
 
 
Rent in Fiscal 2010 from 8 properties acquired in Fiscal 2009 in excess of that received in Fiscal 2009 from the same 8 properties
  $ 919  
Increase in lease termination fees
    574  
Increase in rental income on stabilized properties due to a net increase in rental receipts and tenant reimbursement
    482  
Net increase in total revenue
  $ 1,975  


 
19

 

NET OPERATING INCOME
 
The following tables report segment financial information.  We measure the performance of our segments based on net operating income (“NOI”), which we define as total revenues less property operating expenses and real estate taxes.  We believe that NOI is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REIT’s operating real estate because it provides a measure of core operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing and general and administrative expense.  NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered an alternative to net income, net income available for common shareholders or cash flow from operating activities as a measure of financial performance.
 
The following tables show revenues, property operating expenses and NOI by reportable operating segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008.  For a reconciliation of net operating income of reportable segments to net income as reported, see Note 5 of the Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this report.
 
The tables also show net operating income by reportable operating segment on a stabilized property and non-stabilized property basis.  Stabilized properties are properties owned and in operation for the entirety of the periods being compared (including properties that were redeveloped or expanded during the periods being compared, with properties purchased or sold during the periods being compared excluded from the stabilized property category).  This comparison allows the Company to evaluate the performance of existing properties and their contribution to net income.  Management believes that measuring performance on a stabilized property basis is useful to investors because it enables evaluation of how the Company’s properties are performing year over year.  Management uses this measure to assess whether or not it has been successful in increasing net operating income, renewing the leases of existing tenants, controlling operating costs and appropriately handling capital improvements.
 

   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2009
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial-
Office
   
Commercial-
Medical
   
Commercial-
Industrial
   
Commercial-
Retail
   
Total
 
                                     
Real estate revenue
  $ 19,083     $ 21,166     $ 13,718     $ 3,395     $ 3,459     $ 60,821  
Real estate expenses
                                               
Utilities
    1,499       1,831       687       62       88       4,167  
Maintenance
    2,803       2,891       1,040       192       281       7,207  
Real estate taxes
    2,097       3,570       1,213       555       536       7,971  
Insurance
    494       263       113       48       55       973  
Property management
    2,341       892       640       94       131       4,098  
Total expenses
  $ 9,234     $ 9,447     $ 3,693     $ 951     $ 1,091     $ 24,416  
Net operating income
  $ 9,849     $ 11,719     $ 10,025     $ 2,444     $ 2,368     $ 36,405  
                                                 
Stabilized net operating income
  $ 9,483     $ 11,733     $ 9,789     $ 2,340     $ 2,368     $ 35,713  
Non-stabilized net operating income
    366       (14 )     236       104       0       692  
Total net operating income
  $ 9,849     $ 11,719     $ 10,025     $ 2,444     $ 2,368     $ 36,405  


   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2008
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial-
Office
   
Commercial-
Medical
   
Commercial-
Industrial
   
Commercial-
Retail
   
Total
 
                                     
Real estate revenue
  $ 18,601     $ 20,806     $ 12,866     $ 3,096     $ 3,477     $ 58,846  
Real estate expenses
                                               
Utilities
    1,710       1,879       754       3       88       4,434  
Maintenance
    2,604       2,974       986       180       255       6,999  
Real estate taxes
    1,944       3,396       1,102       388       540       7,370  
Insurance
    315       249       99       42       45       750  
Property management
    2,151       946       821       121       212       4,251  
Total expenses
  $ 8,724     $ 9,444     $ 3,762     $ 734     $ 1,140     $ 23,804  
Net operating income
  $ 9,877     $ 11,362     $ 9,104     $ 2,362     $ 2,337     $ 35,042  
                                                 
Stabilized net operating income
  $ 9,659     $ 11,365     $ 9,091     $ 2,362     $ 2,337     $ 34,814  
Non-stabilized net operating income
    218       (3 )     13       0       0       228  
Total net operating income
  $ 9,877     $ 11,362     $ 9,104     $ 2,362     $ 2,337     $ 35,042  


 
20

 

 
FACTORS IMPACTING NET OPERATING INCOME
 
Real estate revenue increased in the three months ended July 31, 2009 compared to the year-earlier period in all but one of our reportable segments primarily due to acquisitions of additional properties in fiscal 2009 and, to a lesser extent, rental income increases on stabilized properties and lease termination fees. Despite declines in economic occupancy rates at our stabilized properties our revenues during the three months ended July 31, 2009 increased by $1.1 million compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008, of which increase $574,000 consisted of  lease termination fees and the balance was due to an increase in rents.  Our overall level of tenant concessions decreased in the first three months of fiscal year 2010 compared to the year-earlier period.
 
 
 
Economic Occupancy.  Economic occupancy represents actual rental revenues recognized for the period indicated as a percentage of scheduled rental revenues for the period. Percentage rents, tenant concessions, straightline adjustments and expense reimbursements are not considered in computing either actual revenues or scheduled rent revenues.  Economic occupancy rates on a stabilized property and all property basis for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008, are shown below:
 

   
Stabilized Properties
   
All Properties
 
   
Three Months Ended July 31,
   
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Multi-Family Residential
    91.1 %     92.5 %     91.1 %     92.3 %
Commercial Office
    88.5 %     89.1 %     87.9 %     89.1 %
Commercial Medical
    94.1 %     96.5 %     93.4 %     96.5 %
Commercial Industrial
    89.8 %     96.8 %     90.1 %     96.8 %
Commercial Retail
    85.5 %     86.6 %     85.5 %     86.6 %

 
Concessions.  Our overall level of tenant concessions decreased in the three months ended July 31, 2009 compared to the year-earlier period.  To maintain or increase physical occupancy levels at our properties, we may offer tenant incentives, generally in the form of lower or abated rents, which results in decreased revenues and income from operations at our properties.  Rent concessions offered during the three months ended July 31, 2009 will lower, over the lives of the respective leases, our operating revenues by approximately $746,000, as compared to an approximately $836,000 reduction, over the lives of the respective leases, in operating revenues attributable to rent concessions offered in the three months ended July 31, 2008.
 

   
(in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Multi-Family Residential
  $ 576     $ 613       (37 )
Commercial Office
  $ 97     $ 190       (93 )
Commercial Medical
  $ 49     $ 14       35  
Commercial Industrial
  $ 14     $ 0       14  
Commercial Retail
  $ 10     $ 19       (9 )
Total
  $ 746     $ 836       (90 )

 
 
Increased Maintenance Expense. Maintenance expenses totaled $7.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2008.  Maintenance expenses at properties newly acquired in fiscal year 2009 added $140,000 to the maintenance expenses category, while maintenance expenses at existing (“stabilized”) properties increased by $68,000, resulting in an increase in maintenance expenses of $208,000, or 3.0% for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the corresponding period in fiscal year 2009.  The increase in maintenance costs at our stabilized properties is due primarily to an increase in costs for the multi-family residential segment for general recurring maintenance and repairs.  For our multi-family residential real estate properties, any increase in our maintenance costs must be collected from tenants in the form of general rent increases.  Under the terms of most of our commercial leases, the full cost of maintenance is paid by the tenant as additional rent.
 


 
21

 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance expenses by reportable segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
 

   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial
Office
   
Commercial
Medical
   
Commercial
Industrial
   
Commercial
Retail
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 2,803     $ 2,891     $ 1,040     $ 192     $ 281     $ 7,207  
2008
  $ 2,604     $ 2,974     $ 986     $ 180     $ 255     $ 6,999  
Change
  $ 199     $ (83 )   $ 54     $ 12     $ 26     $ 208  
% change
    7.6 %     (2.8 %)     5.5 %     6.7 %     10.2 %     3.0 %
                                                 
Stabilized
  $ 162     $ (99 )   $ (33 )   $ 12     $ 26     $ 68  
Non-stabilized
  $ 37     $ 16     $ 87     $ 0     $ 0     $ 140  
Change
  $ 199     $ (83 )   $ 54     $ 12     $ 26     $ 208  


 
 
Decreased Utility Expense. Utility expense totaled $4.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended July 31, 2008, a decrease of 6.0% over the year-earlier period.  Utility expenses at properties newly acquired in fiscal years 2009 added $58,000 to the utility expenses category, while utility expenses at existing properties decreased by $325,000, resulting in a net decrease of $267,000 or 6.0% for the three months ended July 31, 2009.  The decrease in utility costs at our stabilized properties is due primarily to lower heating costs, the majority being in our multi-family residential segment.
 

 
 
Utility expenses by reportable segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
 
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial
Office
   
Commercial
Medical
   
Commercial
Industrial
   
Commercial
Retail
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 1,499     $ 1,831     $ 687     $ 62     $ 88     $ 4,167  
2008
  $ 1,710     $ 1,879     $ 754     $ 3     $ 88     $ 4,434  
Change
  $ (211 )   $ (48 )   $ (67 )   $ 59     $ 0     $ (267 )
% change
    (12.3 %)     (2.6 %)     (8.9 %)     1,966.67 %     0.0 %     (6.0 %)
                                                 
Stabilized
  $ (226 )   $ (50 )   $ (107 )   $ 59     $ (1 )   $ (325 )
Non-stabilized
  $ 15     $ 2     $ 40     $ 0     $ 1     $ 58  
Change
  $ (211 )   $ (48 )   $ (67 )   $ 59     $ 0     $ (267 )


 
 
Increased Real Estate Tax Expense. Real estate taxes on properties newly acquired in fiscal years 2009 added $179,000 to real estate tax expense in the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008.  Real estate taxes on stabilized properties increased by $422,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008.  The increase in real estate taxes was primarily due to higher value assessments or increased tax levies on our stabilized properties.
 
 
 
Real estate tax expense by reportable segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 

   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial
Office
   
Commercial
Medical
   
Commercial
Industrial
   
Commercial
Retail
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 2,097     $ 3,570     $ 1,213     $ 555     $ 536     $ 7,971  
2008
  $ 1,944     $ 3,396     $ 1,102     $ 388     $ 540     $ 7,370  
Change
  $ 153     $ 174     $ 111     $ 167     $ (4 )   $ 601  
% change
    7.9 %     5.1 %     10.1 %     43.0 %     (0.7 %)     8.2 %
                                                 
Stabilized
  $ 66     $ 142     $ 85     $ 133     $ (4 )   $ 422  
Non-stabilized
  $ 87     $ 32     $ 26     $ 34     $ 0     $ 179  
Change
  $ 153     $ 174     $ 111     $ 167     $ (4 )   $ 601  

 

 
22

 

 
Increased Insurance Expense. Insurance expense totaled $973,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to $750,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2008.  Insurance expenses at properties newly acquired in fiscal year 2009 added $22,000 to the insurance expense category, while insurance expense at existing properties increased by $201,000, resulting in an increase in insurance expenses of $223,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2009, a 29.7% increase over insurance expenses in the three months ended July 31, 2008.  The increase in insurance expense at stabilized properties is due to an increase in premiums primarily in our multi-family residential segment.
 
 
 
Insurance expense by reportable segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 

   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial
Office
   
Commercial
Medical
   
Commercial
Industrial
   
Commercial
Retail
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 494     $ 263     $ 113     $ 48     $ 55     $ 973  
2008
  $ 315     $ 249     $ 99     $ 42     $ 45     $ 750  
Change
  $ 179     $ 14     $ 14     $ 6     $ 10     $ 223  
% change
    56.8 %     5.6 %     14.1 %     14.3 %     22.2 %     29.7 %
                                                 
Stabilized
  $ 167     $ 11     $ 9     $ 4     $ 10     $ 201  
Non-stabilized
  $ 12     $ 3     $ 5     $ 2     $ 0     $ 22  
Change
  $ 179     $ 14     $ 14     $ 6     $ 10     $ 223  

 
 
Decreased Property Management Expense. Property management expense totaled $4.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to $4.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2008.  Property management expenses at properties newly acquired in fiscal years 2009 added $53,000 to the property management expenses category in the three months ended July 31, 2009. Property management expenses at stabilized properties decreased by $206,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008. The decrease in property management expense at stabilized properties is primarily due to a decrease in ground lease expenses in our commercial medical segment, as a result of a true up at our Southdale Medical Center offset by increased expenses in our multi-family residential segment for marketing, management payroll and bad debt provisions.
 
 
 
Property management expense by reportable segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial
Office
   
Commercial
Medical
   
Commercial
Industrial
   
Commercial
Retail
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 2,341     $ 892     $ 640     $ 94     $ 131     $ 4,098  
2008
  $ 2,151     $ 946     $ 821     $ 121     $ 212     $ 4,251  
Change
  $ 190     $ (54 )   $ (181 )   $ (27 )   $ (81 )   $ (153 )
% change
    8.8 %     (5.7 %)     (22.0 %)     (22.3 %)     (38.2 %)     (3.6 %)
                                                 
Stabilized
  $ 149     $ (59 )   $ (188 )   $ (27 )   $ (81 )   $ (206 )
Non-stabilized
  $ 41     $ 5     $ 7     $ 0     $ 0     $ 53  
Change
  $ 190     $ (54 )   $ (181 )   $ (27 )   $ (81 )   $ (153 )

 
FACTORS IMPACTING NET INCOME
 

Although revenue and net operating income increased during the three month period ended July 31, 2009 compared to the three month period ended July 31, 2008, net income decreased by approximately $373,000 to $2.6 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2008.  The decrease in net income is due in part to an increase in operating expenses and to a lesser degree an increase in interest expense and depreciation on newly acquired non-stabilized properties in the three months ended July 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008.  Additionally, an increase in vacancy rates in our portfolio and associated operating costs for the vacant space unreimbursed by tenants, combined with the increases in property operating expenses and real estate taxes detailed above, as well as the following factors, impacted net income in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010:
 
 
Decreased Mortgage Interest Expense.  Our mortgage interest expense decreased approximately $158,000, or 0.9%, to approximately $16.8 million during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, compared to $16.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal
 

 
23

 

 
 
year 2009.  The decrease in mortgage interest expense is due to refinancing in our stabilized properties. Our overall weighted average interest rate on all outstanding mortgage debt was 6.31% as of July 31, 2009 and 6.36% as of July 31, 2008.  Our mortgage debt on July 31, 2009 decreased approximately $14.5 million, or 1.4% from April 30, 2009.
 
 
 
Mortgage interest expense by reportable segment for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 

   
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
Multi-Family
Residential
   
Commercial
Office
   
Commercial
Medical
   
Commercial
Industrial
   
Commercial
Retail
   
Total
 
2009
  $ 4,926     $ 5,820     $ 4,118     $ 962     $ 941     $ 16,767  
2008
  $ 4,851     $ 5,902     $ 4,224     $ 938     $ 1,010     $ 16,925  
Change
  $ 75     $ (82 )   $ (106 )   $ 24     $ (69 )   $ (158 )
% change
    1.5 %     (1.4 %)     (2.5 %)     2.6 %     (6.8 %)     (0.9 %)
                                                 
Stabilized
  $ 19     $ (82 )   $ (107 )   $ (13 )   $ (69 )   $ (252 )
Non-stabilized
  $ 56     $ 0     $ 1     $ 37     $ 0     $ 94  
Change
  $ 75     $ (82 )   $ (106 )   $ 24     $ (69 )   $ (158 )
 
 
 
In addition to IRET’s mortgage interest, the Company incurs interest expense for lines of credit, amortization of loan costs, security deposits, and special assessments offset by capitalized construction interest.  For the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 these amounts were $634,000 and $(37,000), respectively, for a total interest expense for the three months ended July 31, 2009 of $17.4 million and $16.9 million, respectively.
 
 
Decreased Amortization Expense. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, which established standards for valuing in-place leases in purchase transactions, the Company allocated a portion of the purchase price paid for properties to in-place lease intangible assets.  The amortization period of these intangible assets is the term of the respective lease.  Amortization expense related to in-place leases totaled $2.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, compared to $2.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.
 

CREDIT RISK
 
The following table lists our top ten commercial tenants on July 31, 2009, for all commercial properties owned by us.
 
Lessee
 
% of Total Commercial
Segments’ Minimum Rents
as of July 31, 2009
 
Affiliates of Edgewood Vista
    9.8 %
St. Lukes Hospital of Duluth, Inc.
    3.4 %
Fairview Health
    2.4 %
Applied Underwriters
    2.2 %
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY)
    1.9 %
HealthEast Care System
    1.7 %
UGS Corp.
    1.6 %
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
    1.5 %
Smurfit - Stone Container (NASDAQ: SSCC)1
    1.4 %
Arcadis Corporate Services (NASDAQ: AFCAF)
    1.4 %
All Others
    72.7 %
Total Monthly Commercial Rent as of July 31, 2009
    100.0 %
(1)  
Smurfit – Stone Container has filed bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. We have been notified by the bankruptcy court that the debtor has assumed both of its leases with us.  See page 18 for additional information.
 
PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PLACED IN SERVICE
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET had no acquisitions, development projects placed in service or dispositions.
 
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2009 AND 2008
 
IRET considers Funds from Operations (“FFO”) a useful measure of performance for an equity REIT. IRET uses the definition of FFO adopted by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (“NAREIT”) in 1991, as clarified in 1995, 1999 and
 

 
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2002. NAREIT defines FFO to mean “net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.” Because of limitations of the FFO definition adopted by NAREIT, IRET has made certain interpretations in applying the definition. IRET believes all such interpretations not specifically provided for in the NAREIT definition are consistent with the definition.
 
IRET management considers that FFO, by excluding depreciation costs, the gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate properties and extraordinary items as defined by GAAP, is useful to investors in providing an additional perspective on IRET’s operating results. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP assumes, through depreciation, that the value of real estate assets decreases predictably over time. However, real estate asset values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions. NAREIT’s definition of FFO, by excluding depreciation costs, reflects the fact that real estate, as an asset class, generally appreciates over time and that depreciation charges required by GAAP may not reflect underlying economic realities. Additionally, the exclusion, in NAREIT’s definition of FFO, of gains and losses from the sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets, allows IRET management and investors better to identify the operating results of the long-term assets that form the core of IRET’s investments, and assists in comparing those operating results between periods. FFO is used by IRET management and investors to identify trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs.
 
While FFO is widely used by REITs as a primary performance metric, not all real estate companies use the same definition of FFO or calculate FFO in the same way. Accordingly, FFO presented here is not necessarily comparable to FFO presented by other real estate companies.
 
FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income as determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of IRET’s performance, but rather should be considered as an additional, supplemental measure, and should be viewed in conjunction with net income as presented in the consolidated financial statements included in this report. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and is not necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of IRET’s needs or its ability to service indebtedness or make distributions.
 
FFO applicable to common shares and Units for the three months ended July 31, 2009 increased to $16.5 million, compared to $16.1 million, for the comparable period ended July 31, 2008, an increase of 2.8%.
 
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST TO FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
2009
 
2008
 
 
Amount
   
Weighted
Avg Shares
and Units(2)
 
Per
Share and
Unit(3)
 
Amount
   
Weighted
Avg Shares
and Units(2)
 
Per
Share
and
Unit(3)
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust
  $ 2,017                 $ 2,358              
Less dividends to preferred shareholders
    (593 )                 (593 )            
Net income available to common shareholders
    1,424       62,386     $ .02       1,765       57,916     $ .03  
Adjustments:
                                               
Noncontrolling interest – Operating Partnership
    479       20,837               647       21,298          
Depreciation and amortization(1)
    14,599                       13,641                  
Funds from operations applicable to common shares
and Units
  $ 16,502       83,223     $ .20     $ 16,053       79,214     $ .20  
(1)
Real estate depreciation and amortization consists of the sum of depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments and amortization related to non-real estate investments from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaling $14,643 and $13,767, less corporate-related depreciation and amortization on office equipment and other assets of $44 and $126, for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(2)
UPREIT Units of the Operating Partnership are exchangeable for common shares of beneficial interest on a one-for-one basis.
(3)
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust is calculated on a per share basis. FFO is calculated on a per share and unit basis.
 

 
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DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The following distributions per common share and unit were paid during the three months ended July 31 of fiscal years 2010 and 2009:
 
Month
 
Fiscal Year 2010
   
Fiscal Year 2009
 
July
  $ .1705     $ .1685  

 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
OVERVIEW
 
The Company’s principal liquidity demands are maintaining distributions to the holders of the Company’s common and preferred shares of beneficial interest and UPREIT Units, capital improvements and repairs and maintenance for the properties, acquisition of additional properties, property development, tenant improvements and debt repayments.
 
The Company has historically met its short-term liquidity requirements through net cash flows provided by its operating activities, and, from time to time, through draws on its unsecured lines of credit. Management considers the Company’s ability to generate cash from property operating activities, cash-out refinancing of existing properties and, from time to time, draws on its line of credit to be adequate to meet all operating requirements and to make distributions to its shareholders in accordance with the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Budgeted expenditures for ongoing maintenance and capital improvements and renovations to our real estate portfolio are also generally expected to be funded from existing cash on hand, cash flow generated from property operations, cash-out refinancing of existing properties, and/or new borrowings. However, the commercial and residential real estate markets have experienced significant challenges during calendar year 2008 and continuing in 2009, including reduced occupancies and rental rates as well as severe restrictions on the availability of financing.  In the event of further deterioration in property operating results, or absent the Company’s ability to successfully continue cash-out refinancing of existing properties and/or new borrowings, the Company may need to consider additional cash preservation alternatives, including scaling back development activities, capital improvements and renovations and reducing the level of distributions to shareholders.
 
To the extent the Company does not satisfy its long-term liquidity requirements, which consist primarily of maturities under the Company’s long-term debt, construction and development activities and potential acquisition opportunities, through net cash flows provided by operating activities and its credit facilities, the Company intends to satisfy such requirements through a combination of funding sources which the Company believes will be available to it, including the issuance of UPREIT Units, additional common or preferred equity, proceeds from the sale of properties, and additional long-term secured or short-term unsecured indebtedness.
 
SOURCES AND USES OF CASH
 
Continued and increasing stresses in the United States economy, and ongoing tightening in the credit markets, have resulted in heightened uncertainty regarding the prospects for the continued availability of financing to the commercial real estate sector.  In IRET’s recent experience, while loan terms, underwriting standards and interest rate spreads have changed significantly compared to the last five years, they are still within or close to historical norms.  However, while to date there has been no material negative impact on our ability to borrow in our multi-family segment, the events involving both the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), resulting in the U.S. government’s decision to place them into indefinite conservatorship, do present an environment of heightened risk for us. IRET obtains a majority of its multi-family debt from primarily Freddie Mac. Our current plan is to refinance a majority of our maturing multi-family debt with these two entities, so any change in their ability to lend going forward will most likely result in higher loan costs for us; accordingly, we are closely monitoring ongoing announcements surrounding both firms. As of July 31, 2009, approximately 47.0% or $46.6 million of our mortgage debt maturing in the remainder of fiscal year 2010 is debt placed on multi-family residential assets, and approximately 53.0%, or $52.5 million, is debt placed on properties in our four commercial segments. Of this $52.5 million, we have to date obtained loan commitments to refinance approximately $29.8 million.
 
As of July 31, 2009, the Company had three unsecured lines of credit, in the amounts of $10.0 million, $12.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, from (1) Bremer Bank, Minot, ND; (2) First Western Bank and Trust, Minot, ND; and (3) First International Bank and Trust, Watford City, ND. As of July 31, 2009, the Company had an outstanding balance of $7.5 million at Bremer Bank and $4.0 million at First International Bank and Trust. Borrowings under the lines of credit bear interest based on the following: (1) Bremer Financial Corporation Reference Rate with a floor of 4.00%, (2) 175 basis points below the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate
 

 
26

 


with a floor of 5.25% and a ceiling of 8.25%, and (3) 50 basis points above the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate. Increases in interest rates will increase the Company’s interest expense on any borrowings under its lines of credit and as a result will affect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows. The Company’s lines of credit with Bremer Bank, First Western Bank and First International Bank and Trust expire in November 2009, December 2011 and December 2009, respectively.  The Company expects to renew these lines of credit prior to their expiration. In addition to these three lines of credit, the Company also has $4.9 million drawn on a $5.0 million line of credit maturing in November 2009 with Dacotah Bank in Minot, North Dakota.  Of this $4.9 million, the Company includes $3.4 million in mortgages payable on the Company’s balance sheet, as secured by six small apartment properties owned by the Company, with the remaining $1.5 million included in revolving lines of credit.
 
The issuance of UPREIT Units for property acquisitions continues to be an expected source of capital for the Company. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, there were no Units issued in connection with property acquisitions. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, approximately 192,000 Units, valued at issuance at $2.0 million, were issued in connection with the Company’s acquisition of one property.
 
The Company has a Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (“DRIP”). The DRIP provides common shareholders and UPREIT Unitholders of the Company an opportunity to invest their cash distributions in common shares of the Company, and purchase additional shares through voluntary cash contributions, at a discount of 5% from the market price. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Company issued approximately 346,000 common shares under its DRIP, with a total value of $2.9 million.
 
Cash and cash equivalents on July 31, 2009 totaled $43.9 million, compared to $42.4 million on July 31, 2008, an increase of $1.5 million. Net cash used for investing activities decreased by $8.3 million, primarily due to less cash used for acquisitions compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008; and net cash provided by financing activities increased by $12.7 million primarily due to higher proceeds from the sale of common shares and proceeds from revolving lines of credit and partially offset by principal payments on mortgages compared to the three months ended July 31, 2008.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Mortgage Loan Indebtedness. Mortgage loan indebtedness decreased by $14.5 million as of July 31, 2009, compared to April 30, 2009, due to loans that were paid off. As of July 31, 2009, approximately 99.1% of the Company’s $1.1 billion of mortgage debt is at fixed rates of interest, with staggered maturities. This limits the Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates, which minimizes the effect of interest rate fluctuations on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows. As of July 31, 2009, the weighted average rate of interest on the Company’s mortgage debt was 6.31%, compared to 6.30% on April 30, 2009.
 
Property Owned. Property owned remained at $1.7 billion at July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009. The Company had no acquisitions, development projects placed in service or dispositions during the three months ended July 31, 2009.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents on hand on July 31, 2009 were $43.9 million, compared to $33.2 million on April 30, 2009.
 
Marketable Securities. The Company’s investment in marketable securities classified as available-for-sale was approximately $420,000 on July 31, 2009 and on April 30, 2009. Marketable securities are held available for sale and, from time to time, the Company invests excess funds in such securities or uses the funds so invested for operational purposes.
 
Operating Partnership Units. The outstanding units in the Operating Partnership remained at 20.8 million Units at July 31, 2009 compared to April 30, 2009.
 
Common and Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest. Common shares of beneficial interest outstanding on July 31, 2009 totaled 63.8 million, compared to 60.3 million outstanding on April 30, 2009.  During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, IRET completed a public offering of 3,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest at $8.70 per share (before underwriting discounts and commissions). Proceeds of the offering included in IRET shareholder’s equity totaled $24,795,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting offering expenses. The Company issued common shares pursuant to our Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan, consisting of approximately 346,000 common shares issued during the three months ended July 31, 2009, for total value of $2.9 million. Conversions of approximately 1,000 UPREIT Units to common shares, for a total of approximately $5,000 in IRET shareholders’ equity also increased the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest outstanding during the three months ended July 31, 2009.
 

 
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Our exposure to market risk is limited primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates on our current and future fixed and variable rate debt obligations.
 
Variable interest rates. Because approximately 99.1% of our debt, as of July 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, is at fixed interest rates, we have little exposure to interest rate fluctuation risk on our existing debt, and accordingly interest rate fluctuations during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 did not have a material effect on the Company.  However, even though our goal is to maintain a fairly low exposure to interest rate risk, we are still vulnerable to significant fluctuations in interest rates on any future repricing or refinancing of our fixed or variable rate debt, and on future debt.  We primarily use long-term (more than nine years) and medium term (five to seven years) debt as a source of capital.  We do not currently use derivative securities, interest rate swaps or any other type of hedging activity to manage our interest rate risk.  As of July 31, 2009, we had the following amount of future principal and interest payments due on mortgages secured by our real estate:
 
 
Future Principal Payments (in thousands)
 
Long Term Debt
Remaining
Fiscal 2010
 
Fiscal 2011
 
Fiscal 2012
 
Fiscal 2013
 
Fiscal 2014
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Fixed Rate
  $ 111,269     $ 103,903     $ 113,185     $ 48,475     $ 56,965     $ 612,733     $ 1,046,530     $ 1,284,211  
Variable Rate
    6,949       278       294       312       684       658       9,175       9,175  
                                                    $ 1,055,705     $ 1,293,386  

 
 
Future Interest Payments (in thousands)
 
Long Term Debt
Remaining
Fiscal 2010
 
Fiscal 2011
 
Fiscal 2012
 
Fiscal 2013
 
Fiscal 2014
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fixed Rate
  $ 47,208     $ 55,978     $ 47,078     $ 41,896     $ 38,735     $ 128,934     $ 359,829  
Variable Rate
    151       119       103       84       60       216       733  
                                                    $ 360,562  
 
The weighted average interest rate on our debt as of July 31, 2009, was 6.31%. Any fluctuations in variable interest rates could increase or decrease our interest expenses. For example, an increase of one percent per annum on our $9.2 million of variable rate indebtedness would increase our annual interest expense by $92,000.
 
 
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
IRET’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of July 31, 2009, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by IRET in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
In the course of our operations, we become involved in litigation. At this time, we know of no pending or threatened proceedings that would have a material impact upon us.
 

Table of Contents
28

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from expectations expressed in forward-looking statements include the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,225 unregistered common shares to holders of limited partnership units of IRET Properties, on a one-for-one basis upon redemption and conversion of an equal number of limited partnership units. All such issuances of common shares were exempt from registration as private placements under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, including Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Company has registered the re-sale of such common shares under the Securities Act.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
None
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
None
 
Item 5. Other Information.
 
Over the course of several meetings in fiscal year 2009 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees revised the Company’s incentive bonus program for executive officers.  A description of the incentive bonus program as revised is filed as Exhibit 10 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference, and was also included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
Description
10
Description of Compensation of Executive Officers
12
Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Distributions
31.1
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST
(Registrant)
 
/s/ Thomas A. Wentz, Sr.
Thomas A. Wentz, Sr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
/s/ Diane K. Bryantt
Diane K. Bryantt
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: September 9, 2009

 
29

 

 
Exhibit Index
 

Exhibit No.
Description
10
Description of Compensation of Executive Officers
12
Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Distributions
31.1
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
30