-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JGfHJOV1/IZXbxgk8bOf/xv43MzEEsrlICpjDf2oA4N5GNeuJkl7Ci77jpimPhuZ t7rKn0bziOZByiv2DleJgQ== 0001104659-06-060772.txt : 20060913 0001104659-06-060772.hdr.sgml : 20060913 20060913095119 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-06-060772 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060913 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060913 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060913 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ISTAR FINANCIAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001095651 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15371 FILM NUMBER: 061087673 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1114 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 27TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 BUSINESS PHONE: 2129309494 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1114 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 27TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: STARWOOD FINANCIAL INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990923 8-K 1 a06-19525_18k.htm CURRENT REPORT OF MATERIAL EVENTS OR CORPORATE CHANGES

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 13, 2006


 

iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

1-15371

 

95-6881527

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

 

 

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, New York

 

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(212) 930-9400

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 




 

Item 8.01. Other Events

Discontinued Operations

During the six months ended June 30, 2006, iStar Financial Inc. (“the Company”) identified three facilities that were sold and six facilities that were held for sale (collectively, the “sold and held for sale assets”) that met the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. FASB Statement No. 144 requires the Company to present the account balances and activities of the sold and held for sale assets as discontinued operations. While account balances and activities are being reclassified, gains or losses arising from the actual discontinuance of the sold and held for sale assets will be recorded in 2006. The Company is updating its previously issued annual financial statements and certain other financial information originally reported within its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (“Annual Report”) to present previously provided financial information on a basis that is comparable to the basis on which the Company prepared and reported similar information in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, which treats the sold and held for sale assets as discontinued operations. This Current Report on Form 8-K updates Items 6, 7, and 8 of the Company’s Annual Report and Exhibit 12.3 to the Company’s Annual Report to recast the account balances and activities of the aforementioned sold and held for sale assets as discontinued operations. The updates do not represent a restatement of previously issued financial statements.

 

Items 6, 7, and 8 of our Annual Report and Exhibit 12.3 to our Annual Report are set forth on Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, 99.3 and 99.4 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein. We have not modified or updated any other disclosures presented in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. All other information in the Form 10-K remains unchanged.

These reclassifications as discontinued operations have no effect on the Company’s reported net income available to common shareholders and HPU holders as reported in prior SEC filings. Instead, they present the revenues and expenses relating to properties sold and held for sale as a single line item titled “Income from discontinued operations,” rather than presenting the revenues and expenses along with the Company’s other results of operations.

Included with these revised financial statements is an updated management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and the results of operations of the Company for the periods presented, which the Company believes may be helpful to the investor in reviewing these restated financial statements.

For the Company’s most recent information concerning its financial condition and results of operations (through the second quarter of 2006), please see the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, which is on file with the SEC.

High Performance Unit Valuation

As a separate matter, for the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company expects to record a non-cash charge of approximately $4.5 million to general and administrative expense in connection with the Company’s High Performance Unit equity compensation program for senior management.  The non-cash compensation charge is the result of adjustments to the applicable fair values of HPU securities issued in the seven plans offered since the commencement of the program in 2002. This adjustment relates to the Liquidity, Non-voting and Forfeiture discount assumptions used in valuing the HPU securities.

The cumulative adjustments for each fiscal year since the commencement of the HPU program in 2002 were: Fiscal Year 2002: $2.4 million Fiscal Year 2003: $1.2 million, Fiscal Year 2004: $0.5 million, Fiscal Year 2005: $0.2 million. The cumulative adjustments for the first and second quarter of fiscal year 2006 are $0.1 million.

The cumulative charge of $4.5 million will be recorded in the statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006, rather than restating prior periods, because the Company has concluded that the expense is not material to any of its previously issued financial statements for any period. Further, the Company has concluded that the cumulative charge is not material to the quarter ended September 30, 2006, nor is it expected to be material to the current fiscal year.

2




 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)           Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

99.1

 

Selected Financial Data.

99.2

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

99.3

 

Financial Statements

99.4

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to fixed charges and Earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.

 

3




 

SIGNATURE

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.

 

 

iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.

 

 

Registrant

 

 

 

Date: September 13, 2006

 

By:

/s/ CATHERINE RICE

 

 

 

 

Catherine Rice
Chief Financial Officer

 

4




 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

99.1

 

Selected Financial Data.

99.2

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

99.3

 

Financial Statements

99.4

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to fixed charges and Earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.

 

5



EX-23.1 2 a06-19525_1ex23d1.htm EX-23

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-38486, 333-109599, 333-114113, 333-124795) and the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-34300) of iStar Financial Inc. of our report dated March 15, 2006, except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as they relate to the effects of the discontinued operations as discussed in Notes 5, 13, 17 and 18, as to which the date is September 13, 2006, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules of iStar Financial Inc., which appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K of iStar Financial Inc. dated September 13, 2006.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, NY
September 13, 2006



EX-99.1 3 a06-19525_1ex99d1.htm EX-99

Exhibit 99.1

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected financial data on a consolidated historical basis for the Company. This information should be read in conjunction with the discussions set forth in Item 7—”Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data and ratios)

 

OPERATING DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

406,668

 

$

351,972

 

$

302,915

 

$

254,746

 

$

254,119

 

Operating lease income

 

305,120

 

278,262

 

223,721

 

200,792

 

146,598

 

Other income

 

81,440

 

56,063

 

38,153

 

28,878

 

30,921

 

Total revenue

 

793,228

 

686,297

 

564,789

 

484,416

 

431,638

 

Interest expense

 

313,053

 

232,728

 

194,662

 

185,012

 

169,585

 

Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets

 

22,639

 

21,645

 

10,939

 

6,397

 

4,929

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

71,512

 

62,904

 

49,070

 

41,025

 

29,093

 

General and administrative

 

61,229

 

47,912

 

38,153

 

30,449

 

24,151

 

General and administrative—stock based compensation

 

2,758

 

109,676

 

3,633

 

17,998

 

3,574

 

Provision for loan losses

 

2,250

 

9,000

 

7,500

 

8,250

 

7,000

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

46,004

 

13,091

 

 

12,166

 

1,620

 

Total costs and expenses

 

519,445

 

496,956

 

303,957

 

301,297

 

239,952

 

Income before equity in earnings from joint ventures, minority interest and other items

 

273,783

 

189,341

 

260,832

 

183,119

 

191,686

 

Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures

 

3,016

 

2,909

 

(4,284

)

1,222

 

7,361

 

Minority interest in consolidated entities

 

(980

)

(716

)

(249

)

(162

)

(218

)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle(1)

 

 

 

 

 

(282

)

Income from continuing operations

 

275,819

 

191,534

 

256,299

 

184,179

 

198,547

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

5,740

 

25,538

 

30,691

 

30,374

 

30,220

 

Gain from discontinued operations

 

6,354

 

43,375

 

5,167

 

717

 

1,145

 

Net income

 

$

287,913

 

$

260,447

 

$

292,157

 

$

215,270

 

$

229,912

 

Preferred dividend requirements

 

(42,320

)

(51,340

)

(36,908

)

(36,908

)

(36,908

)

Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(2)

 

$

245,593

 

$

209,107

 

$

255,249

 

$

178,362

 

$

193,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share(3)

 

$

2.13

 

$

1.87

 

$

2.52

 

$

1.98

 

$

2.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share(3)(4)

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.83

 

$

2.43

 

$

1.93

 

$

2.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share(5)

 

$

2.93

 

$

2.79

 

$

2.65

 

$

2.52

 

$

2.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(6)(8)

 

$

391,884

 

$

270,946

 

$

341,777

 

$

262,786

 

$

254,095

 

EBITDA(7)(8)

 

$

677,241

 

$

561,849

 

$

543,235

 

$

448,673

 

$

435,675

 

Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense

 

2.16

x

2.41

x

2.79

x

2.42

x

2.56

x

Ratio of EBITDA to combined fixed charges(9)

 

1.91

x

1.98

x

2.34

x

2.02

x

2.10

x

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(10)

 

1.89

x

1.84

x

2.35

x

2.01

x

2.14

x

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(10)

 

1.67

x

1.51

x

1.97

x

1.68

x

1.76

x

Weighted average common shares outstanding basic

 

112,513

 

110,205

 

100,314

 

89,886

 

86,349

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding diluted

 

113,703

 

112,464

 

104,101

 

92,649

 

88,234

 

Cash flows from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

515,919

 

$

353,566

 

$

334,673

 

$

344,979

 

$

287,710

 

Investing activities

 

(1,406,121

)

(465,636

)

(970,765

)

(1,149,206

)

(345,012

)

Financing activities

 

917,150

 

120,402

 

700,248

 

804,491

 

50,220

 

 




 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data and ratios)

 

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and other lending investments, net

 

$

4,661,915

 

$

3,938,427

 

$

3,694,709

 

$

3,045,966

 

$

2,373,251

 

Corporate tenant lease assets, net

 

3,115,361

 

2,877,042

 

2,535,885

 

2,291,805

 

1,781,565

 

Total assets

 

8,532,296

 

7,220,237

 

6,660,590

 

5,611,697

 

4,380,640

 

Debt obligations

 

5,859,592

 

4,605,674

 

4,113,732

 

3,461,590

 

2,495,369

 

Minority interest in consolidated entities

 

33,511

 

19,246

 

5,106

 

2,581

 

2,650

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

2,446,671

 

2,455,242

 

2,415,228

 

2,025,300

 

1,787,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt to shareholders’ equity

 

2.4

x

1.9

x

1.7

x

1.7

x

1.4

x

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)          Represents one-time effect of adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as of January 1, 2001.

(2)          HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company’s High Performance Unit Program.

(3)          For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $6,043 and $5,983 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $3,314 and $3,265 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $2,066 and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(4)          For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per diluted common share includes joint venture income of $28, $3 and $167, respectively.

(5)          The Company generally declares common and preferred dividends in the month subsequent to the end of the quarter.

(6)          Adjusted earnings represents net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders computed in accordance with GAAP, before depreciation, depletion, amortization, gain (loss) from discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. For the year ended December 31, 2004, adjusted earnings includes a $106.9 million charge related to performance-based vesting of 100,000 restricted shares granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan to the Chief Financial Officer, the vesting of 2.0 million phantom shares on March 30, 2004 to the Chief Executive Officer, the one-time award of Common Stock with a value of $10.0 million to the Chief Executive Officer, the vesting of 155,000 restricted shares granted to several employees and the Company’s share of taxes associated with these transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2002, adjusted earnings includes the $15.0 million charge related to the performance based vesting of restricted shares granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan. For years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, adjusted diluted earnings includes approximately $7.5 million, $9.8 million, $0, $4.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of cash paid for prepayment penalties associated with early extinguishment of debt. (See Item 7—”Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a reconciliation of adjusted earnings to net income).

(7)          EBITDA is calculated as net income plus the sum of interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization (which includes the interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization reclassed to income from discontinued operations).

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net income

 

$

287,913

 

$

260,447

 

$

292,157

 

$

215,270

 

$

229,912

 

Add: Interest expense(1)

 

313,053

 

232,919

 

194,999

 

185,362

 

170,121

 

Add: Depreciation, depletion and amortization(2)

 

76,275

 

68,483

 

56,079

 

48,041

 

35,642

 

EBITDA

 

$

677,241

 

$

561,849

 

$

543,235

 

$

448,673

 

$

435,675

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)            For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, interest expense includes $0, $190, $337, $348 and $536, respectively, of interest expense reclassed to discontinued operations.

(2)            For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, depreciation and amortization includes $1,558, $5,579, $7,009, $7,016 and $6,549, respectively, of depreciation and amortization reclassed to discontinued operations.




 

(8)             Both adjusted earnings and EBITDA should be examined in conjunction with net income as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Neither adjusted earnings nor EBITDA should be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of the Company’s performance, or to cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of the Company’s liquidity, nor is either measure indicative of funds available to fund the Company’s cash needs or available for distribution to shareholders. Rather, adjusted earnings and EBITDA are additional measures the Company uses to analyze how its business is performing. Its should be noted that the Company’s manner of calculating adjusted earnings and EBITDA may differ from the calculations of similarly-titled measures by other companies.

(9)             Combined fixed charges are comprised of interest expense (including amortization of original issue discount) and preferred stock dividend requirements.

(10)       For the purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries, or income or loss from equity investees, income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle plus “fixed charges” and certain other adjustments. “Fixed charges” consist of interest incurred on all indebtedness related to continuing and discontinued operations (including amortization of original issue discount) and the implied interest component of the Company’s rent obligations in the years presented.



EX-99.2 4 a06-19525_1ex99d2.htm EX-99

Exhibit 99.2

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

Our primary sources of revenues are interest income, which is the interest that our borrowers pay on our loans, and operating lease income, which is the rent that our corporate customers pay us to lease our corporate tenant lease (“CTL”) properties. A smaller and more variable source of revenue is other income, which consists primarily of prepayment penalties and realized gains that occur when our borrowers repay our loans before their maturity date. We generate income from the differential between the revenues generated from our loans and leases and our interest expense and the cost of our operations, often referred to as the “spread” or “margin.”  The Company seeks to match-fund its revenue generating assets with either fixed or floating rate debt of a similar maturity so that rising interest rates or changes in the shape of the yield curve will have a minimal impact on the Company’s earnings. Initially, we fund our new lending and leasing activity with our short term debt sources such as our lines of credit. We then match-fund our assets by raising longer-term unsecured debt, secured debt and equity capital in the public and private capital markets.

Key Performance Measures

Profitability Metrics

We use the following metrics, as determined on an annual basis, to measure our profitability:

·       Adjusted diluted earnings per share (see section captioned “Adjusted Earnings” for more information on this metric).

·       Net Finance Margin, calculated as the rate of return on assets less the cost of debt. The rate of return on assets is the sum of interest income and operating lease income, divided by the sum of average gross corporate tenant lease assets, average loans and other lending investments, average SFAS No. 141 purchase intangibles and average assets held for sale over the period. The cost of debt is the sum of interest expense and operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets, divided by the average gross debt obligations over the period.

·       Return on Average Common Book Equity, calculated as adjusted basic earnings allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders divided by average common book equity.

We believe the following items are key factors in determining our current and future profitability:

Asset Growth

·       Our ability to originate new loans and leases and grow our asset base in a prudent manner.

Risk Management

·       Our ability to underwrite and manage our loans and leases to balance income production potential with the potential for credit losses.

Cost and Availability of Funds

·       Our ability to access funding sources at competitive rates and terms and insulate our margin from changes in interest rates.

Expense Management

·       Our ability to maintain a customer-oriented and cost effective operation.

Capital Management

·       Our ability to maintain a strong capital base through the use of prudent financial leverage.




Key Trends

After experiencing more difficult economic and market conditions in 2002 and 2003, the commercial real estate industry has experienced increasing property-level returns throughout 2004 and continuing through 2005.  During this period, the industry has attracted large amounts of investment capital which has increased property valuations across most sectors. Investors such as pension funds and foreign buyers have increased their allocations to real estate and private real estate funds and individual investors have raised record amounts of capital to invest in the sector. At the same time, interest rates have remained at historically low levels. More recently, the yield curve, or the difference between short term and long-term interest rates, has flattened. Lower interest rates have enabled many property owners to finance their assets at attractive rates and proceeds levels. Default rates on commercial mortgages have steadily declined over the past ten years and are now under 2% nationally. As a result, many banks and insurance companies are increasing their real estate lending activities. The securitization markets for commercial real estate, including both the Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) and the Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) markets, have experienced record issuance volumes and liquidity. Investors in this arena have been willing to buy increasingly complex and aggressively underwritten transactions. While the fundamentals in most real estate markets are firming, valuations have increased at a faster pace than underlying cash flows due to the large supply of investor capital.

The commercial real estate industry has undergone a transformation over the past ten years. During this time many large real estate-owning companies went public and thousands of commercial real estate loans were rated and securitized. This resulted in the public disclosure of significantly more property-level and market data than had been available in the past. In addition, numerous on-line real estate data sources have been successful in filling the information void and have created publicly available data on almost all real estate asset types across the country. Access to this data has dramatically increased the visibility in the industry. Better disclosure and data has enabled broader and more informed investor participation in the sector and should be an important component in moderating the impact of the broader economic cycles on the real estate industry over longer periods of time.

The following discussion of our results describes the impact that the key trends have had, and are expected to continue to have for the foreseeable future on our business.

Results

Profitability—The following table summarizes the key metrics by which we measure the profitability of our operations:

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1)

 

$

3.36

 

$

2.37

 

$

3.25

 

Net Finance Margin(2)

 

3.2

%

3.8

%

4.0

%

Return on Average Common Book Equity(1)

 

19.6

%

13.7

%

19.1

%

 

Explanatory Note:


(1)             For the year ended December 31, 2004, adjusted diluted earnings per share and return on average common book equity are $3.47 and 20.1%, respectively, excluding the $106.9 million charge related to first quarter compensation charges and $18.7 million of securities redemption charges, as further discussed below in Results of Operations—Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004.

(2)             For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, operating lease income used to calculate the net finance margin does not include SFAS No. 144 adjustments from discontinued operations of $7,755, $39,050, $45,837. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, interest expense used to calculate the net finance margin does not include SFAS No. 144 adjustments from discontinued operations of $0, $190 and $337. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets used to calculate the net finance margin does not include SFAS No. 144 adjustments from discontinued operations of $608, $7,691, $7,802.




The following is an overview of how the company performed in respect to each key operating performance measure and how those items affected profitability and were impacted by key trends.

Asset Growth—During the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, the Company had $4.9 billion of transaction volume representing 95 financing commitments. Repeat customer business has become a key source of transaction volume for the Company, accounting for approximately 52% of the Company’s cumulative volume through December 31, 2005. Transaction volume for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $2.8 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively. The Company completed 53 financing commitments in 2004 and 60 in 2003. The Company has also experienced significant growth during the last several years, having made a number of strategic acquisitions to complement its organic growth and extending its business franchise. Based upon feedback from its customers, the Company believes that greater recognition of the Company, its reputation for completing highly structured transactions in an efficient manner and its reduced cost of capital have contributed to increases in its transaction volume.

The benefits of higher investment volumes have been mitigated to an extent by the low interest rate environment that has persisted in recent years. Low interest rates benefit the Company in that our borrowing costs decrease, but similarly, earnings on its variable-rate lending investments also decrease. The increased investment and lending activity in both the public and private commercial real estate markets, as described under “Key Trends,” has resulted in a highly competitive real estate financing environment with reduced returns on assets. The reduction in our return on assets has been partially offset by our lower cost of funds. In addition, in 2004 and 2005, many of the Company’s borrowers were able to prepay their loans with proceeds from initial public offerings, asset sales or refinancings.  As a consequence, the Company experienced a higher level of prepayments in 2004 and 2005 than in previous years, which resulted in lower net asset growth (gross origination volume plus additional fundings less loan repayments and CTL asset sales). If significant amounts of investment capital continue to be allocated to commercial real estate and interest rates remain low, the Company expects to continue to see relatively high levels of prepayments. Many of the Company’s loans have some form of call protection and can generate significant prepayment penalties. Prepayment penalties had a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations in 2004 and 2005. Increased prepayment penalties result in higher other income in the current period, which is offset by reduced interest income, as the loan assets that are prepaid no longer generate recurring earnings.

Over the past several years, while property-level fundamentals have stabilized and are beginning to improve generally, investment activity in direct real estate ownership has increased dramatically. In many cases, this has caused property valuations to increase disproportionately to any corresponding increase in fundamentals. Corporate tenant leases, or net leased properties, are one of the most stable real estate asset classes and have garnered significant interest from both institutional and retail investors who seek a long-term stable income stream. In many cases, the Company believes that the valuations of CTL assets in today’s market do not represent solid risk-adjusted returns. As a result, we have not invested as heavily in this asset class, acquiring only $282.4 million in 2005, compared to $513.0 million in 2004. While we continue to monitor the CTL market and review certain transactions, we have shifted most of our origination resources to our lending business until we see compelling opportunities for CTL acquisitions in the market again.

Despite the competitive environment, the Company intends to maintain its disciplined approach to underwriting its investments and will adjust its focus away from markets and products where the Company believes that the available pricing terms do not fairly reflect the risks of the investments. We will also continue to maintain our disciplined investment strategy and deploy capital to those opportunities that demonstrate the most attractive returns.




Risk Management—The Company continued to manage its business to ensure that the overall credit quality of the portfolio remained strong. There were no major changes to the portfolio credit statistics in 2005 versus 2004. The remaining weighted average duration of the loan portfolio is 3.8 years.

At December 31, 2005, our internal risk ratings of the loan portfolio were essentially unchanged from year-end 2004. The aggregate risk of principal loss, which was buoyed by the strong real estate investment markets, improved slightly. The Company has experienced minimal credit losses on its lending investments. The Company did not experience any credit losses in 2005 or 2004, and only recognized a $3.3 million loss in 2003. At December 31, 2005, our non-performing loan assets represented 0.41% of total assets versus 0.38% at year-end 2004. The Company believes that we have adequate reserves in the event that additional credit losses were to occur.

At December 31, 2005, the risk rating on the CTL portfolio improved slightly from year-end 2004. The Company continues to focus on re-leasing space at its CTL facilities under longer-term leases in an effort to reduce the impact of lease expirations on the Company’s earnings. As of December 31, 2005, the weighted average lease term on the Company’s CTL portfolio was 11.0 years and the portfolio was 96% leased. The Company expects the average lease term of its portfolio to decline somewhat until such time that the Company begins to find new acquisition opportunities that meet its investment criteria.

Cost and Availability of Funds—In 2003, the Company began migrating its debt obligations from secured debt towards unsecured debt. We believed that funding ourselves on an unsecured basis would enable us to better serve our customers, to more effectively match-fund our assets and to provide us with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Early in 2004, we made significant progress to that end by completing a new unsecured bank facility that initially had $850.0 million of capacity and was subsequently increased to $1.25 billion of capacity in December 2004. The Company also took advantage of the very low interest rate environment and issued longer term unsecured debt, using the proceeds to repay existing secured credit facilities and mortgage debt. The Company continued to emphasize its use of unsecured debt to fund new net asset growth and to repay existing secured debt in 2004. In October of 2004, in part as a result of our shift to unsecured debt, the Company’s senior unsecured debt ratings were upgraded to investment grade (BBB-/Baa3) by S&P and Moody’s. This resulted in a broader market for our bonds and a lower cost of debt capital on incremental debt financings.

In 2005, the Company continued to broaden its sources of capital, particularly in the unsecured bank and bond markets. We completed $2.1 billion in bond offerings, upsized our unsecured credit facility to $1.5 billion, eliminated three secured lines of credit and repaid our $620.7 million of STARs asset-backed notes, which required us to take a one-time $44.3 million charge in the third quarter of 2005. Our financing activities in 2005 have now lowered our percentage of secured debt to total debt to 7% at the end of 2005 from 82% at the end of 2002. As a result, we have completed our goals of substantially unencumbering our asset base, decreasing secured debt and increasing our unsecured credit capacity to replace our secured facilities.

The Company seeks to match-fund its assets with either fixed or floating rate debt of a similar maturity so that rising interest rates or changes in the shape of the yield curve will have a minimal impact on the Company’s earnings. The Company’s policy requires that we manage our fixed/floating rate exposure such that a 100 basis point move in short term interest rates would have no more than a 2.5% impact on our quarterly adjusted earnings. At December 31, 2005, a 100 basis point increase in LIBOR would result in a 0.77% decrease in our fourth quarter 2005 adjusted earnings. The Company has used fixed rate or floating rate hedges to manage its fixed and floating rate exposure; however, because the Company now has investment grade credit ratings, it is able to access the floating rate debt markets. In the future the Company expects to decrease the need for synthetic hedging to match-fund its debt.




While the Company considers it prudent to have a broad array of sources of capital, including some secured financing arrangements, the Company expects to continue to emphasize its use of unsecured debt in funding its net asset growth going forward. We believe that the Company has ample short-term capital available to provide liquidity and to fund our business. In addition, during the first quarter of 2006, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to BBB, Baa2, and BBB from BBB-, Baa3 and BBB-, respectively.

Expense Management—We measure the efficiency of our operations by tracking our efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of general and administrative expenses plus general and administrative—stock-based compensation to total revenue, excluding SFAS No. 144 adjustments from discontinued operations. We exclude the impact of subsequent adjustments from discontinued operations, because we are seeking to analyze our actual efficiency experience during the relevant period, as measured by the ratio of historical general and administrative expenses to historical revenues, generated by our operations and our assets owned during that period, regardless of whether we subsequently decided to sell one or more assets in a later period. Our efficiency ratio was 8.0%, 21.7% and 6.8% for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2004 ratio was 7.0% excluding $106.9 million of executive stock-based compensation charges. The efficiency ratios for 2005, 2004 and 2003, include $2.6 million, $34.2 million and $40.9 million of income from discontinued operations, respectively. In 2005, our efficiency ratio reflected increases in payroll costs, expenses associated with employee growth, expenses related to our acquisition of Falcon Financial and the ramp-up of several new business initiatives including our AutoStar venture. Management talent is one of our most significant assets and our payroll costs are correspondingly our largest non-interest cash expense. The market for management talent is highly competitive and we do not expect to materially decrease this expense in the coming years. However, we believe that our efficiency ratio remains low by industry standards and expect it to normalize somewhat as acquisitions and new businesses stabilize.

Capital Management—The Company uses a dynamic capital allocation model to derive its maximum targeted corporate leverage. We calculate our leverage as the ratio of book debt to the sum of book equity, accumulated depreciation, accumulated depletion and loan loss reserves. Our maximum targeted leverage was 2.6x, 2.7x and 2.7x at the end of 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company’s actual leverage was 2.1x, 1.7x and 1.6x in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  In 1998, when the Company went public, our leverage levels were very low, around 1.1x. Since that time the Company has been slowly increasing its leverage to its targeted levels. We evaluate our capital model target leverage levels based upon leverage levels achieved by similar assets in other markets, market liquidity levels for underlying assets and default and severity experience. Our data currently suggest that capital levels of certain of our asset categories are conservative.

We measure our capital management by the strength of our tangible capital base and the ratio of our tangible book equity to total book assets. Our tangible book equity was $2.4 billion, $2.5 billion and $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Our ratio of tangible book equity to total book assets was 29%, 34% and 36% as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decline in this ratio is attributable to the Company’s modest increase in financial leverage as we have moved towards our target capital level. We believe that relative to other finance companies, we are very well capitalized for a company of our size and asset base.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004

Interest income—Interest income increased by $54.7 million to $406.7 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, from $352.0 million for the same period in 2004. This increase was primarily due to $172.3 million of interest income on new originations or additional fundings, offset by a $117.5 million decrease from the repayment of loans and other lending investments. This increase was also




due to an increase in interest income on the Company’s variable-rate lending investments as a result of higher average one-month LIBOR rates of 3.39% in 2005, compared to 1.50% in 2004.

Operating lease income—Operating lease income increased by $26.8 million to $305.1 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, from $278.3 million for the same period in 2004. Of this increase, $31.1 million is attributable to new CTL investments, the consolidation of Sunnyvale in March 2004, the acquisition of the remaining interest of ACRE in November 2004 and an additional $1.9 million of operating lease income from one CTL customer that terminated its lease in May 2005. This increase is partially offset by $6.3 million of lower operating lease income due to vacancies and lower rental rates on certain CTL assets.

Other income—Other income generally consists of prepayment penalties and realized gains from the early repayment of loans and other lending investments, financial advisory and asset management fees, lease termination fees, mortgage servicing fees, loan participation payments, income from timber operations and dividends on certain investments. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, other income included income from loan repayments and prepayment penalties of $64.8 million, lease termination, asset management, mortgage servicing and other fees of approximately $1.4 million, realized gains from marketable securities of $3.2 million, income from timber operations of $1.2 million and other miscellaneous income such as dividends and income from other investments of $10.8 million.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, other income included realized gains on sale of lending investments of $8.3 million, income from loan repayments and prepayment penalties of $37.2 million, lease termination, asset management, mortgage servicing and other fees of approximately $6.3 million and other miscellaneous income such as dividend payments of $4.3 million.

Interest expense—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, interest expense increased by $80.4 million to $313.1 million from $232.7 million for the same period in 2004. This increase was primarily due to higher average borrowings on the Company’s unsecured debt obligations. This increase was also due to higher average one-month LIBOR rates, which averaged 3.39% in 2005 compared to 1.50% in 2004 and higher average three-month LIBOR rates, which averaged 3.57% in 2005 compared to 1.62% in 2004, on the unhedged portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt.

Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, operating costs increased by $1.0 million to $22.6 million from $21.6 million for the same period in 2004. This increase is primarily related to new CTL investments, higher unrecoverable operating costs due to vacancies and lease modifications on certain CTL assets.

Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization increased by $8.6 million to $71.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 from $62.9 million for the same period in 2004. This increase is primarily due to depreciation on new CTL investments.

General and administrative—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, general and administrative expenses increased by $13.3 million to $61.2 million, compared to $47.9 million for the same period in 2004. This increase is primarily due to increases in payroll costs, expenses associated with employee growth, expenses relating to acquisitions made during the year and the ramp-up of new business initiatives.

General and administrative—stock-based compensation—General and administrative—stock-based compensation decreased by $106.9 million to $2.8 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $109.7 million for the same period in 2004. In the first quarter 2004, the Company recognized a charge of approximately $106.9 million composed of $4.1 million for the performance-based vesting of 100,000 restricted shares granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan to the Chief Financial Officer, $86.0 million for the vesting of 2.0 million phantom shares on March 30, 2004 granted to the Chief Executive Officer, $10.1 million for the one-time award of Common Stock to the Chief Executive Officer




and $6.7 million for the vesting of 155,000 restricted shares granted to several employees (see Note 12 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

Provision for loan losses—The Company’s charge for provision for loan losses decreased to $2.3 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $9.0 million in the same period in 2004. As more fully discussed in Note 4 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has experienced minimal actual losses on its loan investments to date. The Company considers it prudent to reflect reserves for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company’s assessment of general market conditions, the Company’s internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Accordingly, since its first full quarter operating its current business as a public company (the quarter ended June 30, 1998), management has reflected quarterly provisions for loan losses in its operating results.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt—During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, the Company incurred $1.6 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the amortization of deferred financing costs and cash prepayment fees related to the early repayment of the Company’s $135 million term loan. The Company incurred a loss of $44.4 million associated with the amortization of deferred financing costs, the amortization of an interest rate cap premium and cash prepayment fees related to the early repayment of the Company’s STARs, Series 2002-1 Notes and its STARs, Series 2003-1 Notes.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company incurred $11.5 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the prepayment penalties and amortization of deferred financing costs related to the redemption of $110.0 million of the Company’s 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $1.6 million of net losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the amortization of deferred financing costs related to the early repayment of several term loans and an unsecured credit facility.  These activities related to the Company’s strategies of migrating its borrowings toward more unsecured debt and taking advantage of lower cost refinancing opportunities.

Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures increased by $107,000 to $3.0 million from $2.9 million for the same period in 2004. This increase is primarily due to the acquisition of a substantial minority interest in Oak Hill in April 2005, which accounted for $3.5 million of earnings from joint ventures in 2005. The increase was offset by the loss of income from the conveyance by one of the Company’s CTL joint ventures of its interest in two buildings and the related property to the mortgage lender in exchange for satisfaction of its obligations of the related loan in the first quarter of 2004 (see Note 6 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income from discontinued operations—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, operating income earned by the Company on CTL assets sold (prior to their sale) was $5.7 million and $25.5 million, respectively, and is classified as “discontinued operations,” even though such income was recognized by the Company prior to the asset dispositions on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Gain from discontinued operations—During 2005, the Company disposed of five CTL assets for net proceeds of $36.9 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $6.4 million.

During 2004, the Company disposed of 22 CTL assets for net proceeds of $279.6 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $43.4 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

Interest income—Interest income increased by $49.1 million to $352.0 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 from $302.9 million for the same period in 2003. This increase was primarily due




to $106.4 million of interest income on new originations or additional fundings, offset by a $56.1 million decrease from the repayment of loans and other lending investments. This increase was due to an increase in interest income on the Company’s variable-rate lending investments as a result of higher average one-month LIBOR rates of 1.50% in 2004, compared to 1.21% in 2003.

Operating lease income—Operating lease income increased by $54.6 million to $278.3 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 from $223.7 million for the same period in 2003. Of this increase, $63.7 million is attributable to new CTL investments, the consolidation of Sunnyvale in March 2004 and ACRE in November 2004. This increase is partially offset by $9.2 million of lower operating lease income due to vacancies and lower rental rates on certain CTL assets.

Other income—Other income generally consists of prepayment penalties and realized gains from the early repayment of loans and other lending investments, financial advisory and asset management fees, lease termination fees, mortgage servicing fees, loan participation payments and dividends on certain investments. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, other income included realized gains on sale of lending investments of $8.3 million, income from loan repayments and prepayment penalties of $37.2 million, lease termination, asset management, mortgage servicing and other fees of approximately $6.3 million and other miscellaneous income such as dividend payments of $4.3 million.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, other income included realized gains on sale of lending investments of $16.3 million, income from loan repayments and prepayment penalties of $17.3 million, asset management, mortgage servicing and other fees of approximately $2.6 million and other miscellaneous income such as dividends and income from other investments of $2.0 million.

Interest expense—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, interest expense increased by $38.0 million to $232.7 million from $194.7 million for the same period in 2003. This increase was primarily due to the higher average borrowings on the Company’s unsecured debt obligations. This increase was also due to higher average one-month LIBOR rates, which averaged 1.50% in 2004 compared to 1.21% in 2003, on the unhedged portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt and by a $3.0 million increase in amortization of deferred financing costs on the Company’s debt obligations in 2004 compared to the same period in 2003.

Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, operating costs increased by $10.7 million from $10.9 million to $21.6 million for the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily related to new CTL investments and higher unrecoverable operating costs due to vacancies on certain CTL assets.

Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization increased by $13.8 million to $62.9 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 from $49.1 million for the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily due to depreciation on new CTL investments.

General and administrative—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, general and administrative expenses increased by $9.7 million to $47.9 million, compared to $38.2 million for the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily due to an increase in payroll related and other costs resulting from employee growth and the consolidation of iStar Operating.

General and administrative—stock-based compensation—General and administrative—stock-based compensation increased by $106.1 million to $109.7 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2003. In the first quarter 2004, the Company recognized a charge of approximately $106.9 million composed of $4.1 million for the performance-based vesting of 100,000 restricted shares granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan to the Chief Financial Officer, $86.0 million for the vesting of 2.0 million phantom shares on March 30, 2004 granted to the Chief Executive Officer, $10.1 million for the one-time award of Common Stock to the Chief Executive Officer and $6.7 million for the vesting of 155,000 restricted shares granted to several employees.




Provision for loan losses—The Company’s charge for provision for loan losses increased to $9.0 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 compared to $7.5 million in the same period in 2003. As more fully discussed in Note 4 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has experienced minimal actual losses on its loan investments to date. The Company considers it prudent to reflect reserves for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company’s assessment of general market conditions, the Company’s internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Accordingly, since its first full quarter operating its current business as a public company (the quarter ended June 30, 1998), management has reflected quarterly provisions for loan losses in its operating results.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt—During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company incurred $11.5 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the prepayment penalties and amortization of deferred financing costs related to the redemption of $110.0 million of the Company’s 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $1.6 million of net losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the amortization of deferred financing costs related to the early repayment of several term loans and an unsecured credit facility.  These activities related to the Company’s strategies of migrating its borrowings toward more unsecured debt and taking advantage of lower cost refinancing opportunities.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company had no losses on early extinguishment of debt.

Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries increased by $7.2 million to $2.9 million from $(4.3) million for the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily due to certain lease terminations in 2003 and the conveyance by one of the Company’s CTL joint ventures of its interest in two buildings and the related property to the mortgage lender in exchange for satisfaction of its obligations of the related loan in the first quarter of 2004. In addition, this increase is due to the consolidation of iStar Operating and is partially offset by vacancies, the sale of one of the Company’s CTL joint venture interests in five buildings in September 2004, the consolidation of Sunnyvale in March 2004, and the consolidation of ACRE in November 2004 (see Note 6 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income from discontinued operations—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, operating income earned by the Company on CTL assets sold (prior to their sale) are $25.5 million and $30.7 million, respectively, is classified as “discontinued operations,” even though such income was recognized by the Company prior to the asset dispositions on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Gain from discontinued operations—During 2004, the Company disposed of 22 CTL assets for net proceeds of $279.6 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $43.4 million.

During 2003, the Company disposed of nine CTL assets for net proceeds of $47.6 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $5.2 million.

Adjusted Earnings

The Company measures its performance using adjusted earnings in addition to net income. Adjusted earnings represent net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders computed in accordance with GAAP, before depreciation, depletion, amortization, gain (loss) from discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. Adjustments for joint ventures reflect the Company’s share of adjusted earnings calculated on the same basis.




The Company believes that adjusted earnings is a helpful measure to consider, in addition to net income, because this measure helps the Company to evaluate how its commercial real estate finance business is performing compared to other commercial finance companies, without the effects of certain GAAP adjustments that are not necessarily indicative of current operating performance. The most significant GAAP adjustments that the Company excludes in determining adjusted earnings are depreciation, depletion and amortization. As a commercial finance company that focuses on real estate lending and corporate tenant leasing, the Company records significant depreciation on its real estate assets and amortization of deferred financing costs associated with its borrowings. The Company also records depletion on its timber assets, although depletion amounts are currently insignificant. Depreciation, depletion and amortization do not affect the Company’s daily operations, but they do impact financial results under GAAP. By measuring its performance using adjusted earnings and net income, the Company is able to evaluate how its business is performing both before and after giving effect to recurring GAAP adjustments such as depreciation, depletion and amortization and, in the case of adjusted earnings, after including earnings from its joint venture interests on the same basis and excluding gains or losses from the sale of assets that will no longer be part of its continuing operations.

Adjusted earnings is not an alternative or substitute for net income in accordance with GAAP as a measure of the Company’s performance. Rather, the Company believes that adjusted earnings is an additional measure that helps analyze how its business is performing. This measure is also used to track compliance with covenants in certain of the Company’s material borrowing arrangements that have covenants based upon this measure. Adjusted earnings should not be viewed as an alternative measure of either the Company’s liquidity or funds available for its cash needs or for distribution to its shareholders. In addition, the Company may not calculate adjusted earnings in the same manner as other companies that use a similarly titled measure.

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

Adjusted earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders

 

$

245,593

 

$

209,107

 

$

255,249

 

$

178,362

 

$

193,004

 

Add: Joint venture income

 

136

 

166

 

593

 

991

 

965

 

Add: Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

75,574

 

67,853

 

55,905

 

48,041

 

35,642

 

Add: Joint venture depreciation and amortization

 

8,284

 

3,544

 

7,417

 

4,433

 

4,044

 

Add: Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

68,651

 

33,651

 

27,180

 

31,676

 

21,303

 

Less: Gains from discontinued operations

 

(6,354

)

(43,375

)

(5,167

)

(717

)

(1,145

)

Add: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle(1)

 

 

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(2)(3)(4)(5)

 

$

391,884

 

$

270,946

 

$

341,177

 

$

262,786

 

$

254,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding(6)

 

113,747

 

112,537

 

104,248

 

93,020

 

88,606

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)             Represents one-time effect of adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as of January 1, 2001.

(2)             HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company’s High Performance Unit Program. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 adjusted diluted earnings allocable to




common shareholders and HPU holders includes $9,538, $4,261 and $2,659 of adjusted earnings allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(3)             For years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders includes approximately $7.5 million, $9.8 million, $0, $4.0 million, and $1.0 million, respectively, of cash paid for prepayment penalties associated with early extinguishment of debt.

(4)             For the year ended December 31, 2004, adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders includes a $106.9 million charge related to performance-based vesting of 100,000 restricted shares granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan to the Chief Financial Officer, the vesting of 2.0 million phantom shares on March 30, 2004 granted to the Chief Executive Officer, the one-time award of Common Stock with a value of $10.0 million to the Chief Executive Officer, the vesting of 155,000 restricted shares granted to several employees and the Company’s share of taxes associated with all transactions.

(5)             For the year ended December 31, 2002, adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders includes a $15.0 million charge related to performance-based vesting of restricted shares granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan.

(6)             In addition to the GAAP defined weighted average diluted shares outstanding these balances include an additional 44,000 shares, 73,000 shares, 147,000 shares, 371,000 shares and 372,000 shares for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, relating to the additional dilution of joint venture shares.

Risk Management

Loans and Other Lending Investments Credit Statistics—The table below summarizes the Company’s loans and other lending investments that are more than 90-days past due in scheduled payments and details the reserve for loan losses associated with the Company’s lending investments for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

$

 

%

 

$

 

%

 

Carrying value of loans past due 90 days or more/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a percentage of total assets

 

$

35,291

 

0.41

%

$

27,526

 

0.38

%

As a percentage of total loans

 

 

 

0.75

%

 

 

0.69

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for loan losses/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a percentage of total assets

 

$

46,876

 

0.55

%

$

42,436

 

0.59

%

As a percentage of total loans

 

 

 

1.00

%

 

 

1.07

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net charge-offs/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a percentage of total assets

 

$

 

0.00

%

$

 

0.00

%

As a percentage of total loans

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

0.00

%

 

Non-Performing Loans—Non-performing loans includes all loans on non-accrual status and repossessed real estate collateral. The Company transfers loans to non-accrual status at such time as: (1) management determines the borrower is incapable of, or has ceased efforts towards, curing the cause of an impairment; (2) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; (3) the loan has a maturity default; or (4) the net realizable value of the loan’s underlying collateral approximates the Company’s carrying value of such loan. Interest income is recognized only upon actual cash receipt for loans on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2005, the Company’s non-performing loans included two non-accrual loans with an aggregate carrying value of $35.3 million, or 0.41% of total assets, compared to 0.38% at December 31, 2004, and no repossessed real estate collateral. Management believes there is adequate collateral to support the book values of the assets.

Watch List Assets—The Company conducts a quarterly comprehensive credit review, resulting in an individual risk rating being assigned to each asset. This review is designed to enable management to evaluate and proactively manage asset-specific credit issues and identify credit trends on a portfolio-wide basis as an “early warning system.” As of December 31, 2005, the Company had three assets on its credit watch list, excluding those assets included in non-performing loans above, with an aggregate carrying value of $19.5 million, or 0.23% of total assets.




Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company requires significant capital to fund its investment activities and operating expenses. While, the distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code limit the Company’s ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital committed to its operations, the Company believes it has sufficient access to capital resources to fund its existing business plan, which includes the expansion of its real estate lending and corporate tenant leasing businesses. The Company’s capital sources include cash flow from operations, borrowings under lines of credit, additional term borrowings, unsecured corporate debt financing, financings secured by the Company’s assets, trust preferred debt, and the issuance of common, convertible and/or preferred equity securities. Further, the Company may acquire other businesses or assets using its capital stock, cash or a combination thereof.

The Company believes that its existing sources of funds will be adequate for purposes of meeting its short- and long-term liquidity needs. The Company’s ability to meet its long-term (i.e., beyond one year) liquidity requirements is subject to obtaining additional debt and equity financing. Any decision by the Company’s lenders and investors to provide the Company with financing will depend upon a number of factors, such as the Company’s compliance with the terms of its existing credit arrangements, the Company’s financial performance, industry or market trends, the general availability of and rates applicable to financing transactions, such lenders’ and investors’ resources and policies concerning the terms under which they make capital commitments and the relative attractiveness of alternative investment or lending opportunities.

The following table outlines the contractual obligations related to the Company’s long-term debt agreements and operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2005. There are no other long-term liabilities of the Company that would constitute a contractual obligation.

 

 

 

 

Principal Payments Due By Period(1)

 

 

 

Total

 

Less Than
1 Year

 

2–3
Years

 

4–5
Years

 

6–10
Years

 

After 10
Years

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-Term Debt Obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured notes

 

$

4,217,022

 

$

50,000

 

$

1,025,000

 

$

1,175,000

 

$

1,967,022

 

$

 

Unsecured revolving credit facilities

 

1,242,000

 

 

1,242,000

 

 

 

 

Secured term loans

 

404,486

 

67,224

 

2,572

 

155,313

 

91,339

 

88,038

 

Trust Preferred

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

Total

 

5,963,508

 

117,224

 

2,269,572

 

1,330,313

 

2,058,361

 

188,038

 

Operating Lease Obligations:(2)

 

52,492

 

6,017

 

13,403

 

10,144

 

12,411

 

10,517

 

Total(3)

 

$

6,016,000

 

$

123,241

 

$

2,282,975

 

$

1,340,457

 

$

2,070,772

 

$

198,555

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)    Assumes exercise of extensions on the Company’s long-term debt obligations to the extent such extensions are at the Company’s option.

(2)    The Company also has a $1.0 million letter of credit outstanding as security for its primary corporate office lease.

(3)    The Company also has letters of credit outstanding totaling $25.9 million as additional collateral for two of its investments.

The Company’s primary credit facility is an unsecured credit facility totaling $1.50 billion which bears interest at LIBOR + 0.875% per annum and matures in April 2008. At December 31, 2005, the Company had $1.24 billion drawn under this facility (see Note 9 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements). As a result of upgrades in the Company’s credit ratings in 2006, the facility’s interest rate has decreased to LIBOR + 0.70% per annum (see “Ratings Triggers” below in further detail). The Company also has one LIBOR-based secured revolving credit facility with an aggregate maximum capacity of $700.0 million, of which there was no balance drawn as of December 31, 2005. Availability under the secured credit facility is based on collateral provided under a borrowing base calculation.




The Company’s debt obligations contain covenants that are both financial and non-financial in nature. Significant financial covenants include limitations on the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness beyond specified levels and a requirement to maintain specified ratios of unsecured indebtedness compared to unencumbered assets. As a result of the upgrades in 2006 of the Company’s senior unsecured debt ratings by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, the financial covenants in some series of the Company’s publicly held debt securities are not operative.

Significant non-financial covenants include a requirement in some series of its publicly-held debt securities that the Company offer to repurchase those securities at a premium if the Company undergoes a change of control. As of December 31, 2005, the Company believes it is in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants on its debt obligations.

Unencumbered Assets/Unsecured Debt—The Company has completed the migration of its balance sheet towards unsecured debt, which generally results in a corresponding reduction of secured debt and an increase in unencumbered assets. The exact timing in which the Company will issue or borrow unsecured debt will be subject to market conditions. The following table shows the ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt at December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Total Unencumbered Assets

 

$

8,129,358

 

$

4,687,044

 

Total Unsecured Debt(1)

 

$

5,559,022

 

$

2,965,000

 

Unencumbered Assets/Unsecured Debt

 

146

%

158

%

 

Explanatory Note:


(1)    See Note 9 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of the Company’s unsecured debt.

Capital Markets ActivityDuring the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, the Company issued $1.45 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from 5.15% to 6.05% and maturing between 2010 and 2015, and $625.0 million of variable-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from three-month LIBOR + 0.39% to 0.55% and maturing between 2008 and 2009. The proceeds from these transactions were used to repay outstanding balances on the Company’s revolving credit facilities. In addition, subsequent to year end, on February 15, 2006, the Company issued $500 million 5.65% Senior Notes due 2011 and $500 million 5.875% Senior Notes due 2016.  The Company used the proceeds to repay outstanding balances on its unsecured revolving credit facility.  In connection with the issuance of these notes, the Company settled four forward-starting swaps that were entered into in May and June of 2005.

In addition, on September 14, 2005, the Company completed the issuance of $100.0 million in unsecured floating rate trust preferred securities through a newly formed statutory trust, iStar Financial Statutory Trust I, that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The securities are subordinate to the Company’s senior unsecured debt and bear interest at a rate of LIBOR + 1.50%. The trust preferred securities are redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, with no prepayment premium any time after October 2010.

In addition, on March 1, 2005, the Company exchanged its TriNet 7.70% Senior Notes due 2017 for iStar 5.70% Series B Senior Notes due 2014 in accordance with the exchange offer and consent solicitation issued on January 25, 2005. For each $1,000 principal amount of TriNet Notes tendered, holders received approximately $1,171 principal amount of iStar Notes. A total of $117.0 million aggregate principal amount of iStar Notes were issued. The iStar Notes issued in the exchange offer form part of the series of iStar 5.70% Series B Notes due 2014 issued on March 9, 2004. Also, on March 30, 2005, the Company amended certain covenants in the indenture relating to the 7.95% Notes due 2006 as a result of a consent solicitation of the holders of those notes. Following the successful completion of the consent solicitation,




the Company merged TriNet into the Company, the Company became the obligor on the Notes and TriNet no longer exists (see Note 1 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company issued $850.0 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from 4.875% to 5.70% and maturing between 2009 and 2014 and $200.0 million of variable-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at an annual rate of three-month LIBOR + 1.25% and maturing in 2007. In addition, the Company issued 8.3 million shares of preferred stock in two series with cumulative annual dividend rates of 7.50%.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company issued $685.0 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from 6.00% to 7.00% and maturing between 2008 and 2013. The Company issued 12.8 million shares of preferred stock in three series with cumulative annual dividend rates ranging from 7.650% to 7.875%. The Company also issued 5.0 million shares of Common Stock in 2003 at a price to the public of $38.50 per share.

The Company primarily used the proceeds from the issuance of securities described above to repay secured indebtedness as it migrated its balance sheet towards more unsecured debt and to refinance higher yielding obligations.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company redeemed approximately $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008 at a price of 108.75% of par. In connection with this redemption, the Company recognized a charge to income of $11.5 million included in “Loss on early extinguishment of debt” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company also retired its 3.3 million shares of Series H Variable Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company redeemed all of its 2.0 million shares of 9.375% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and all of its 1.3 million shares of 9.200% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In connection with this redemption, the Company recognized a charge to net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders of approximately $9.0 million included in “Preferred dividend requirements” on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company retired all of its 4.0 million shares of 9.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and all of TriNet’s 6.75% Dealer Remarketable Securities.

Unsecured/Secured Credit Facilities ActivityOn March 12, 2005, August 12, 2005, and September 30, 2005, three of the Company’s secured revolving credit facilities, with a maximum amount available to draw of $250.0 million, $350.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively, matured. Set forth below is a discussion of the Company’s remaining credit facilities.

On January 9, 2006, the Company extended the maturity on its remaining secured facility to January 2008, reduced its capacity from $700 million to $500 million and lowered its interest rates to LIBOR + 1.00%-2.00% from LIBOR + 1.40%-2.15%.

On April 19, 2004, the Company completed a new $850.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with 19 banks and financial institutions. On December 17, 2004, the commitment on this facility was increased to $1.25 billion and was increased again on September 16, 2005 to $1.50 billion.  The facility has a three-year initial term with a one-year extension at the Company’s option. The facility initially bore interest at a rate of LIBOR + 1.00% and a 25 basis point annual facility fee. Due to an upgrade in the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating in 2004, the facility began to bear interest at a rate of LIBOR + 0.875% and a 17.5 basis point annual facility fee, which was its effective rate through December 31, 2005. In addition, as a result of upgrades to the Company’s unsecured debt ratings in 2006, the facility’s interest rate will decrease to LIBOR + 0.70% per annum, plus a 15 basis point annual facility fee.




Other Financing Activity—During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, the Company repaid a $76.0 million mortgage on 11 CTL investments which was open to prepayment without penalty. The Company also prepaid a $135.0 million mortgage on a CTL asset with a 0.5% prepayment penalty. In addition, the Company fully repaid all of its outstanding STARs Series 2002-1 and STARs Series 2003-1 Notes which had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $620.7 million on the date of repayment. The STARs Notes were originally issued in 2002 and 2003 by special purpose subsidiaries of the Company for the purpose of match funding the Company’s assets that collateralized the STARs Notes.  For accounting purposes, the issuance of the STARs Notes was treated as a secured on-balance sheet financing and no gain on sale was recognized in connection with the redemption of the STARs Notes, the Company incurred one-time cash costs, including prepayment and other fees, of approximately $6.8 million and a non-cash charge of approximately $37.5 million to write-off deferred financing fees and expenses.

Hedging Activities—The Company has variable-rate lending assets and variable-rate debt obligations. These assets and liabilities create a natural hedge against changes in variable interest rates. This means that as interest rates increase, the Company earns more on its variable-rate lending assets and pays more on its variable-rate debt obligations and, conversely, as interest rates decrease, the Company earns less on its variable-rate lending assets and pays less on its variable-rate debt obligations. When the amount of the Company’s variable-rate debt obligations exceeds the amount of its variable-rate lending assets, the Company utilizes derivative instruments to limit the impact of changing interest rates on its net income. The Company has a policy in place, that is administered by the Audit Committee, which requires the Company to enter into hedging transactions to mitigate the impact of rising interest rates on the Company’s earnings. The policy states that a 100 basis point increase in short-term rates cannot have a greater than 2.5% impact on quarterly earnings. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes. The derivative instruments the Company uses are typically in the form of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps. Interest rate swaps effectively can either change variable-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate debt obligations or convert fixed-rate debt obligations into variable-rate debt obligations. Interest rate caps effectively limit the maximum interest rate on variable-rate debt obligations. In addition, during 2005 the Company also began using derivative instruments to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate movements.

The primary risks from the Company’s use of derivative instruments are the risks that a counterparty to a hedging arrangement could default on its obligation and the risk that the Company may have to pay certain costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs, if a hedging arrangement is terminated by the Company. As a matter of policy, the Company enters into hedging arrangements with counterparties that are large, creditworthy financial institutions typically rated at least A/A2 by S&P and Moody’s, respectively. The Company’s hedging strategy is approved and monitored by the Company’s Audit Committee on behalf of its Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval.

The following table represents the notional principal amounts of interest rate swaps by class and the corresponding hedged liability positions (in thousands):

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

Forward-starting interest rate swaps

 

650,000

 

200,000

 

Fair value hedges

 

1,100,000

 

850,000

 

Total interest rate swaps

 

$

2,000,000

 

$

1,300,000

 

 




The following table presents the maturity, notional, and weighted average interest rates expected to be received or paid on USD interest rate swaps at December 31, 2005 ($ in thousands)(1):

 

 

Floating to Fixed-rate

 

Fixed to Floating-Rate

 

Maturity for Years Ending December 31,

 

Notional
Amount

 

Receive
Rate

 

Pay
Rate

 

Notional
Amount

 

Receive
Rate

 

Pay
Rate

 

2006

 

$

250,000

 

4.62

%

2.86

%

$

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

3.86

%

4.88

%

2009

 

 

 

 

350,000

 

3.69

%

4.90

%

2010

 

 

 

 

600,000

 

4.39

%

4.90

%

2011 – Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

250,000

 

4.62

%

2.86

%

$

1,100,000

 

4.10

%

4.90

%

 

Explanatory Note:


(1)             Excludes forward-starting swaps expected to be cash settled on their effective dates and amortized to interest expense through their maturity dates.

The following table presents the Company’s foreign currency derivatives (these derivatives do not use hedge accounting, but are marked to market under SFAS 133) (in thousands):

Derivative Type

 

Notional
Amount

 

Notional 
Currency

 

Notional
(USD
Equivalent)

 

Maturity

 

Sell GBP forward

 

£

16,077

 

Pound Sterling

 

$

28,133

 

January 2006

 

Sell CAD forward

 

CAD

11,512

 

Canadian Dollar

 

9,979

 

January 2006

 

Buy EUR forward

 

632

 

Euro

 

763

 

March 2006

 

Cross currency swap

 

3,740

 

Euro

 

4,555

 

June 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43,430

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2005, derivatives with a fair value of $13.2 million were included in other assets and derivatives with a fair value of $32.1 million were included in other liabilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions—The Company is not dependent on the use of any off-balance sheet financing arrangements for liquidity. As of December 31, 2005, the Company did not have any CTL joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, which had third-party debt.

The Company’s STARs Notes were all on-balance sheet financings. These securitizations were prepaid on September 28, 2005.

The Company has certain discretionary and non-discretionary unfunded commitments related to its loans and other lending investments that it may be required to, or choose to, fund in the future. Discretionary commitments are those under which the Company has sole discretion with respect to future funding. Non-discretionary commitments are those that the Company is generally obligated to fund at the request of the borrower or upon the occurrence of events outside of the Company’s direct control. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had 38 loans with unfunded commitments totaling $1.37 billion, of which $38.7 million was discretionary and $1.33 billion was non-discretionary. In addition, the Company has $83.7 million of non-discretionary unfunded commitments related to ten CTL investments. These commitments generally fall into two categories: (1) pre-approved capital improvement projects; and (2) new or additional construction costs. Upon funding, the Company would receive additional operating lease income from the customers. Further, the Company had three equity investments with unfunded non-discretionary commitments of $29.3 million.

Ratings Triggers—The $1.50 billion unsecured revolving credit facility that the Company has in place at December 31, 2005, bore interest at LIBOR + 0.875% per annum at that date based on the Company’s senior unsecured credit ratings of BBB- from S&P, Baa3 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch Ratings. This




rate was reduced from LIBOR + 1.00% due to the Company achieving an investment grade senior unsecured debt rating from S&P in October 2004. Due to the Company achieving upgrades from S&P and Moody’s in 2006 (see below), the facility’s interest rate has decreased to LIBOR + 0.70% per annum.

On February 9, 2006, S&P upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to BBB from BBB- and raised the ratings on its preferred stock to BB+ from BB. On February 7, 2006, Moody’s upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to Baa2 from Baa3 and raised the ratings on its preferred stock to Ba1 from Ba2. On January 19, 2006, Fitch Ratings upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to BBB from BBB- and raised our preferred stock rating to BB+ from BB, with a stable outlook. The upgrades were primarily a result of the Company’s further migration to an unsecured capital structure, including the recent repayment of the STARs Notes.

As a result of the upgrades in 2006 of the Company’s senior unsecured debt ratings by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, the financial covenants, including limitations on incurrence of indebtedness and maintenance of unencumbered assets compared to unsecured indebtedness, in some series of the Company’s publicly held debt securities are not operative. If the Company were to be downgraded from its current ratings by either S&P or Moody’s, these financial covenants would become operative again.

On October 6, 2004, Moody’s upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt ratings to Baa3 from Ba1. The upgraded rating reflected the shift towards unsecured debt and the resulting increase in unencumbered assets, the continued profitable growth in the Company’s business franchise, the strong quality of both the structured finance and CTL business and the active management of those businesses.

On October 5, 2004, the Company’s senior unsecured credit rating was upgraded to an investment grade rating of BBB- from BB+ by S&P as a result of the Company’s positive track record of improving performance through a slightly difficult real estate cycle, its strong underwriting and servicing capabilities, the increase in capital base, the shift towards unsecured debt to free up assets and the staggering of maturities on secured debt.

Except as described above, there are no other ratings triggers in any of the Company’s debt instruments or other operating or financial agreements at December 31, 2005.

Transactions with Related Parties—During 2005, the Company invested in a substantial minority interest of Oak Hill Advisors, L.P., Oak Hill Credit Alpha MGP, OHSF GP Partners II, LLC and Oak Hill Credit Opportunities MGP, LLC (see Note 6 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail).  In relation to the Company’s investment in these entities, it appointed to its Board of Directors a member that holds a substantial investment in these same four entities. During 2005, the Company had an investment in iStar Operating Inc. (“iStar Operating”), a taxable subsidiary that, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, services the Company’s loans and certain loan portfolios owned by third parties. The Company owned all of the non-voting preferred stock and a 95% economic interest in iStar Operating. An entity controlled by a former director of the Company, owned all of all the voting common stock and a 5% economic interest in iStar Operating. On December 31, 2005, the Company acquired all the voting common stock and the remaining 5% economic interest in iStar Operating for a nominal amount and simultaneously merged it into an existing taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.

As more fully described in Note 12 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, during 2004, certain affiliates of Starwood Opportunity Fund IV, L.P. and the Company’s Executive Officer have reimbursed the Company for the value of restricted shares awarded to the Company’s former President in excess of 350,000 shares.

DRIP/Stock Purchase Plan—The Company maintains a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. Under the dividend reinvestment component of the plan, the Company’s shareholders may purchase additional shares of Common Stock without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges by automatically reinvesting all or a portion of their Common Stock cash dividends. Under the direct stock purchase component of the plan, the Company’s shareholders and new investors may purchase shares of Common Stock directly from the Company without payment of brokerage commissions or service




charges. All purchases of shares in excess of $10,000 per month pursuant to the direct purchase component are at the Company’s sole discretion. Shares issued under the plan may reflect a discount of up to 3.00% from the prevailing market price of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company is authorized to issue up to 8.0 million shares of Common Stock pursuant to the dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company issued a total of approximately 433,000 and 427,000 shares of its Common Stock, respectively, through both plans. Net proceeds during the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were approximately $17.4 million and $17.6 million, respectively. There are approximately 2.7 million shares available for issuance under the plan as of December 31, 2005.

Stock Repurchase Program—The Board of Directors approved, and the Company has implemented, a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 5.0 million shares of its Common Stock from time to time, primarily using proceeds from the disposition of assets or loan repayments and excess cash flow from operations, but also using borrowings under its credit facilities if the Company determines that it is advantageous to do so. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 2.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.7 million. The Company has not repurchased any shares under the stock repurchase program since November 2000, however, the Company issued approximately 1.2 million shares of its treasury stock during 2005 (See Note 10 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and all entities consolidated under FASB Interpretation No. 46R. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. The Company does not believe that there is a great likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported related to the accounting policies described below. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Management has the obligation to ensure that its policies and methodologies are in accordance with GAAP. During 2005, management reviewed and evaluated its critical accounting policies and believes them to be appropriate. The Company’s accounting policies are described in Note 3 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Management believes the more significant of these to be as follows:

Revenue Recognition—The most significant sources of the Company’s revenue come from its lending operations and its CTL operations. For its lending operations, the Company reflects income using the effective yield method, which recognizes periodic income over the expected term of the investment on a constant yield basis. For CTL assets, the Company recognizes income on the straight-line method, which effectively recognizes contractual lease payments to be received by the Company evenly over the term of the lease. Management believes the Company’s revenue recognition policies are appropriate to reflect the substance of the underlying transactions.

Reserve for Loan Losses—The Company’s accounting policies require that an allowance for estimated credit losses be reflected in the financial statements based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks in its private lending assets. While the Company and its private predecessors have experienced minimal actual losses on their lending investments, management considers it prudent to reflect reserves for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company’s assessment of general market conditions, the Company’s internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Actual losses, if any, could ultimately differ from these estimates.




Allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company’s accounting policy requires a reserve on the Company’s accrued operating lease income receivable balances and on the deferred operating lease income receivable balances. The reserve covers asset specific problems (e.g., bankruptcy) as they arise, as well as, a portfolio reserve based on management’s evaluation of the credit risks associated with these receivables.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—CTL assets represent “long-lived” assets for accounting purposes. The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets to be held and used in its leasing operations for impairment in value whenever any events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. In management’s opinion, based on this analysis, CTL assets to be held and used are not carried at amounts in excess of their estimated recoverable amounts.

Risk Management and Financial Instruments—The Company has historically utilized derivative financial instruments only as a means to help to manage its interest rate risk exposure on a portion of its variable-rate debt obligations (i.e., as cash flow hedges). Some of the instruments utilized are pay-fixed swaps or LIBOR-based interest rate caps which are widely used in the industry and typically with major financial institutions. The Company’s accounting policies generally reflect these instruments at their fair value with unrealized changes in fair value reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Realized effects on the Company’s cash flows are generally recognized currently in income.

However, when appropriate the Company enters into interest rate swaps that convert fixed-rate debt to variable rate in order to mitigate the risk of changes in fair value of its fixed-rate debt obligations. The Company reflects these instruments at their fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged liability by an offsetting amount.

Income Taxes—The Company’s financial results generally do not reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes. Management believes that the Company has and intends to continue to operate in a manner that will continue to allow it to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, does not expect to pay substantial corporate-level taxes. Many of these requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, the Company would be subject to Federal income tax.

Executive Compensation—The Company’s accounting policies generally provide cash compensation to be estimated and recognized over the period of service. With respect to stock-based compensation arrangements, as of July 1, 2002 (with retroactive application to the beginning of the calendar year), the Company has adopted the fair value method allowed under SFAS No. 123 as amended by SFAS No. 148 on a prospective basis which values options on the date of grant and recognizes an expense equal to the fair value of the option multiplied by the number of options granted over the related service period. These arrangements are often complex and generally structured to align the interests of management with those of the Company’s shareholders. See Note 12 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of such arrangements and the related accounting effects.

On February 11, 2004, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer which took effect upon the expiration of the old agreement. During 2004, the Company also entered into a three-year employment agreement with its President. In addition, during 2002, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its Chief Financial Officer. See Note 12 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of these employment agreements.

In addition, during 2004 and 2005 the Chief Executive Officer purchased an 80% and 75% interest in the Company’s 2006 and 2007 high performance unit program for executive officers, respectively. The President also purchased a 20% interest in both the Company’s 2005 and 2006 high performance unit program for executive officers, and a 25% interest in the Company’s 2007 high performance unit program




for executive officers. These performance programs were approved by the Company’s shareholders in 2003 and are described in detail in the Company’s 2003 annual proxy statement. The purchase price paid by the Chief Executive Officer and President is based upon a valuation prepared by an independent investment banking firm. The interests purchased by the Chief Executive Officer and President will only have nominal value to them unless the Company achieves total shareholder returns in excess of those achieved by peer group indices, all as more fully described in the Company’s 2003 annual proxy statement.

New Accounting Standards

In March 2005, the FASB released FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.” FIN 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS No. 143”), as a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Thus, the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of a liability for the conditional asset retirement obligation should be recognized when incurred—generally upon acquisition, construction, or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset. Uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. SFAS No. 143 acknowledges that in some cases, sufficient information may not be available to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation.  The Company adopted FIN 47 during 2005 and it did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2004, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153 (“SFAS No. 153”), “Accounting for Non-monetary Transactions.” SFAS No. 153 requires non-monetary exchanges to be accounted for at fair value, recognizing any gain or loss, if the transactions meet a commercial-substance criterion and fair value is determinable. SFAS No. 153 is effective for nonmonetary transactions occurring in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect that the implementation of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on EITF 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights.” EITF 04-5 states that a sole general partner is presumed to control a limited partnership (or similar entity) and should consolidate the limited partnership unless one of the following two conditions exist: (1) the limited partners possess substantive kick-out rights, or (2) the limited partners possess substantive participating rights. A kick-out right is defined as the substantive ability to remove the sole general partner without cause or otherwise dissolve (liquidate) the limited patnership. Substantive participating rights are when the limited partners have the substantive right to participate in certain financial and operating decisions of the limited partnership that are made in the ordinary course of business. The consensus guidance in EITF 04-5 is effective for all agreements entered into or modified after June 29, 2005. For all pre-existing agreements that are not modified, the consensus is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect that the implementation of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2004, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (“SFAS No. 123R”), “Share-Based Payment.” This standard requires issuers to measure the cost of




equity-based service awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award or the requisite service period (typically the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The Company will initially measure the cost of liability based service awards based on their current fair value. The fair value of that award will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification. Companies can comply with FASB No. 123R using one of three transition methods: (1) the modified prospective method; (2) a variation of the modified prospective method; or (3) the modified retrospective method. The provisions of this statement are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006, and is still evaluating the financial impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risks

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. In pursuing its business plan, the primary market risk to which the Company is exposed is interest rate risk. Consistent with its liability management objectives, the Company has implemented an interest rate risk management policy based on match funding, with the objective that variable-rate assets be primarily financed by variable-rate liabilities and fixed-rate assets be primarily financed by fixed-rate liabilities.

The Company’s operating results will depend in part on the difference between the interest and related income earned on its assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with its interest-bearing liabilities. Competition from other providers of real estate financing may lead to a decrease in the interest rate earned on the Company’s interest-bearing assets, which the Company may not be able to offset by obtaining lower interest costs on its borrowings. Changes in the general level of interest rates prevailing in the financial markets may affect the spread between the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Any significant compression of the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, an increase in interest rates could, among other things, reduce the value of the Company’s interest-bearing assets and its ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets, and a decrease in interest rates could reduce the average life of the Company’s interest-earning assets.

A substantial portion of the Company’s loan investments are subject to significant prepayment protection in the form of lock-outs, yield maintenance provisions or other prepayment premiums which provide substantial yield protection to the Company. Those assets generally not subject to prepayment penalties include: (1) variable-rate loans based on LIBOR, originated or acquired at par, which would not result in any gain or loss upon repayment; and (2) discount loans and loan participations acquired at discounts to face values, which would result in gains upon repayment. Further, while the Company generally seeks to enter into loan investments which provide for substantial prepayment protection, in the event of declining interest rates, the Company could receive such prepayments and may not be able to reinvest such proceeds at favorable returns. Such prepayments could have an adverse effect on the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.



EX-99.3 5 a06-19525_1ex99d3.htm EX-99

Exhibit 99.3

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

Index to Financial Statements

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Statement Schedules:

 

 

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2005:

 

 

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

 

 

Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation

 

 

Schedule IV—Loans and Other Lending Investments

 

 

 

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Financial statements of eight unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method have been omitted because the Company’s proportionate share of the income from continuing operations before income taxes is less than 20% of the respective consolidated amount and the investments in and advances to each company are less than 20% of consolidated total assets.




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To Board of Directors and Shareholders
of iStar Financial Inc.:

We have completed integrated audits of iStar Financial Inc.’s 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and an audit of its 2003 consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.

Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of iStar Financial Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index  present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.  We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Internal control over financial reporting

Also, in our opinion, management’s assessment, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York

March 15, 2006, except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as they relate to the effects of the discontinued operations as discussed in Notes 5, 13, 17 and 18, as to which the date is September 13, 2006




 

iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and other lending investments, net

 

$

4,661,915

 

$

3,938,427

 

Corporate tenant lease assets, net

 

3,115,361

 

2,877,042

 

Other investments

 

240,470

 

82,854

 

Investments in joint ventures

 

202,128

 

5,663

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

115,370

 

88,422

 

Restricted cash

 

28,804

 

39,568

 

Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable

 

32,166

 

25,633

 

Deferred operating lease income receivable

 

76,874

 

62,092

 

Deferred expenses and other assets

 

50,005

 

100,536

 

Goodwill

 

9,203

 

 

Total assets

 

$

8,532,296

 

$

7,220,237

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

$

192,522

 

$

140,075

 

Debt obligations

 

5,859,592

 

4,605,674

 

Total liabilities

 

6,052,114

 

4,745,749

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Minority interest in consolidated entities

 

33,511

 

19,246

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Series D Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 4,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

4

 

4

 

Series E Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 5,600 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

6

 

6

 

Series F Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 4,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

4

 

4

 

Series G Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 3,200 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

3

 

3

 

Series I Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 5,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

5

 

5

 

High Performance Units

 

8,797

 

7,828

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 113,209 and 111,432 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively

 

113

 

111

 

Warrants and options

 

6,450

 

6,458

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,886,434

 

2,840,062

 

Retained earnings (deficit)

 

(442,758

)

(349,097

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) (See Note 14)

 

13,885

 

(2,086

)

Treasury stock (at cost)

 

(26,272

)

(48,056

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

2,446,671

 

2,455,242

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

8,532,296

 

$

7,220,237

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.




iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

406,668

 

$

351,972

 

$

302,915

 

Operating lease income

 

305,120

 

278,262

 

223,721

 

Other income

 

81,440

 

56,063

 

38,153

 

Total revenue

 

793,228

 

686,297

 

564,789

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

313,053

 

232,728

 

194,662

 

Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets

 

22,639

 

21,645

 

10,939

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

71,512

 

62,904

 

49,070

 

General and administrative

 

61,229

 

47,912

 

38,153

 

General and administrative—stock-based compensation expense

 

2,758

 

109,676

 

3,633

 

Provision for loan losses

 

2,250

 

9,000

 

7,500

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

46,004

 

13,091

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

519,445

 

496,956

 

303,957

 

Income before equity in earnings from joint ventures, minority interest and other items

 

273,783

 

189,341

 

260,832

 

Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures

 

3,016

 

2,909

 

(4,284

)

Minority interest in consolidated entities

 

(980

)

(716

)

(249

)

Income from continuing operations

 

275,819

 

191,534

 

256,299

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

5,740

 

25,538

 

30,691

 

Gain from discontinued operations

 

6,354

 

43,375

 

5,167

 

Net income

 

287,913

 

260,447

 

292,157

 

Preferred dividend requirements

 

(42,320

)

(51,340

)

(36,908

)

Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(1)

 

$

245,593

 

$

209,107

 

$

255,249

 

Basic earnings per common share(2)

 

$

2.13

 

$

1.87

 

$

2.52

 

Diluted earnings per common share(3)(4)

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.83

 

$

2.43

 

 

Explanatory Notes:

 


(1)    HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company’s High Performance Unit Program.

(2)    For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, excludes $6,043, $3,314 and $2,066 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(3)    For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, excludes $5,983, $3,265 and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(4)    For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, includes $28, $3 and $167 of joint venture income, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.




iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(In thousands)

 

Series A
Preferred
Stock

 

Series B
Preferred
Stock

 

Series C
Preferred
Stock

 

Series D
Preferred
Stock

 

Series E
Preferred
Stock

 

Series F
Preferred
Stock

 

Series G
Preferred
Stock

 

Series H
Preferred
Stock

 

Series I
Preferred
Stock

 

Balance at December 31, 2002

 

$

4

 

$

2

 

$

1

 

$

4

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Exercise of options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange

 

(4

)

 

 

 

6

 

4

 

3

 

 

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-preferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared- HPU’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options granted to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High performance units sold to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

1

 

$

4

 

$

6

 

$

4

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

 

Exercise of options and warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

5

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

 

(2

)

(1

)

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

Dividends declared-preferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-HPU’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High performance units sold to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from significant shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

6

 

$

4

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

5

 

 

 

HPU’s

 

Common
Stock at
Par

 

Warrants
&
Options

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Losses)

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2002

 

$

1,359

 

$

98

 

$

20,322

 

$

2,281,636

 

$

(227,769

)

$

(2,301

)

$

(48,056

)

$

2,025,300

 

Exercise of options

 

 

1

 

373

 

27,754

 

 

 

 

28,128

 

Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange

 

 

 

 

87,900

 

 

 

 

87,909

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

 

5

 

 

190,931

 

 

 

 

190,936

 

Dividends declared-preferred

 

 

 

 

195

 

(36,908

)

 

 

(36,713

)

Dividends declared-common

 

 

 

 

 

(267,785

)

 

 

(267,785

)

Dividends declared- HPU’s

 

 

 

 

 

(2,144

)

 

 

(2,144

)

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

 

 

 

1,339

 

 

 

 

1,339

 

Options granted to employees

 

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

 

82

 

High performance units sold to employees

 

3,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,772

 

Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan

 

 

3

 

 

88,935

 

 

 

 

88,938

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

292,157

 

 

 

292,157

 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,309

 

 

3,309

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

$

5,131

 

$

107

 

$

20,695

 

$

2,678,772

 

$

(242,449

)

$

1,008

 

$

(48,056

)

$

2,415,228

 

Exercise of options and warrants

 

 

4

 

(14,237

)

41,501

 

 

 

 

27,268

 

Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange

 

 

 

 

202,743

 

 

 

 

202,751

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

 

 

 

(155,959

)

 

 

 

(155,965

)

Dividends declared-preferred

 

 

 

 

 

(51,340

)

 

 

(51,340

)

Dividends declared-common

 

 

 

 

 

(310,744

)

 

 

(310,744

)

Dividends declared-HPU’s

 

 

 

 

 

(5,011

)

 

 

(5,011

)

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

 

 

 

53,351

 

 

 

 

53,351

 

High performance units sold to employees

 

2,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,697

 

Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan

 

 

 

 

17,719

 

 

 

 

17,719

 

Contribution from significant shareholder

 

 

 

 

1,935

 

 

 

 

1,935

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

260,447

 

 

 

260,447

 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,094

)

 

(3,094

)

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

$

7,828

 

$

111

 

$

6,458

 

$

2,840,062

 

$

(349,097

)

$

(2,086

)

$

(48,056

)

$

2,455,242

 

 




 

 

 

Series A
Preferred
Stock

 

Series B
Preferred
Stock

 

Series C
Preferred
Stock

 

Series D
Preferred
Stock

 

Series E
Preferred
Stock

 

Series F
Preferred
Stock

 

Series G
Preferred
Stock

 

Series H
Preferred
Stock

 

Series I
Preferred
Stock

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

6

 

$

4

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

5

 

Exercise of options and warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-preferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared-HPU’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High performance units sold to employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from significant shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

6

 

$

4

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

5

 

 

 

 

HPU’s

 

Common
Stock at
Par

 

Warrants
&
Options

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Losses)

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

$

7,828

 

$

111

 

$

6,458

 

$

2,840,062

 

$

(349,097

)

$

(2,086

)

$

(48,056

)

$

2,455,242

 

Exercise of options and warrants

 

 

1

 

(8

)

1,762

 

 

 

 

1,755

 

Dividends declared-preferred

 

 

 

 

 

(42,320

)

 

 

(42,320

)

Dividends declared-common

 

 

 

 

 

(330,998

)

 

 

(330,998

)

Dividends declared-HPU’s

 

 

 

 

 

(8,256

)

 

 

(8,256

)

Restricted stock units granted to employees

 

 

 

 

1,022

 

 

 

 

1,022

 

Issuance of treasury stock

 

 

1

 

 

26,169

 

 

 

21,784

 

47,954

 

High performance units sold to employees

 

969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

969

 

Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan

 

 

 

 

17,419

 

 

 

 

17,419

 

Contribution from significant shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

287,913

 

 

 

287,913

 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,971

 

 

15,971

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

8,797

 

$

113

 

$

6,450

 

$

2,886,434

 

$

(442,758

)

$

13,885

 

$

(26,272

)

$

2,446,671

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.




iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

287,913

 

$

260,447

 

$

292,157

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in consolidated entities

 

980

 

716

 

249

 

Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation

 

3,028

 

54,403

 

3,781

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

74,717

 

62,904

 

49,070

 

Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations

 

1,558

 

5,579

 

7,009

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

30,148

 

30,189

 

27,180

 

Amortization of discounts/premiums, deferred interest and costs on lending investments

 

(67,343

)

(59,466

)

(54,799

)

Discounts, loan fees and deferred interest received

 

119,477

 

40,373

 

36,063

 

Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures

 

(3,016

)

(2,909

)

4,284

 

Distributions from operations of joint ventures

 

6,672

 

5,840

 

2,839

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of cash paid

 

38,503

 

3,375

 

 

Deferred operating lease income receivable

 

(14,855

)

(18,075

)

(15,366

)

Gain from discontinued operations

 

(6,354

)

(43,375

)

(5,167

)

Provision for loan losses

 

2,250

 

9,000

 

7,500

 

Change in investments in and advances to joint ventures

 

 

 

(2,877

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in accrued interest and operating lease income receivable

 

(4,651

)

(1,018

)

(647

)

Changes in deferred expenses and other assets

 

7,046

 

21,802

 

(24,279

)

Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

39,846

 

(16,219

)

7,676

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

515,919

 

353,566

 

334,673

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New investment originations

 

(3,140,051

)

(2,058,732

)

(2,083,137

)

Cash paid for acquisition of Falcon Financial

 

(113,696

)

 

 

Add-on fundings under existing loan commitments

 

(349,200

)

(255,321

)

(46,164

)

Net proceeds from sale of corporate tenant lease assets

 

36,915

 

279,575

 

47,569

 

Repayments of and principal collections on loans and other lending investments

 

2,364,293

 

1,590,812

 

1,119,579

 

Net investments in and advances to joint ventures

 

(152,088

)

 

 

Distributions from unconsolidated entities, net of contributions

 

3,624

 

 

 

Capital improvements for build-to-suit facilities

 

(34,441

)

 

 

Capital improvement projects on corporate tenant lease assets

 

(8,982

)

(7,124

)

(3,487

)

Other capital expenditures on corporate tenant lease assets

 

(12,495

)

(14,846

)

(5,125

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

(1,406,121

)

(465,636

)

(970,765

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under secured revolving credit facilities

 

1,176,000

 

2,680,416

 

1,643,552

 

Repayments under secured revolving credit facilities

 

(1,254,586

)

(3,298,421

)

(2,220,715

)

Borrowings under unsecured revolving credit facilities

 

5,182,000

 

3,945,500

 

130,000

 

Repayments under unsecured revolving credit facilities

 

(4,780,000

)

(3,235,500

)

 

Borrowings under term loans

 

60,705

 

160,181

 

233,000

 

Repayments under term loans

 

(342,627

)

(403,231

)

(107,723

)

Borrowings under unsecured bond offerings

 

2,056,777

 

1,032,442

 

526,966

 

Repayments under unsecured notes

 

(47

)

(110,000

)

 

Borrowings under secured bond offerings

 

 

 

645,822

 

Repayments under secured notes

 

(932,914

)

(378,400

)

(210,876

)

Borrowings under other debt obligations

 

97,963

 

 

25,251

 

Repayments under other debt obligations

 

 

(10,148

)

(7,064

)

Contributions from minority interest partners

 

11,684

 

3,340

 

2,522

 

Changes in restricted cash held in connection with debt obligations

 

10,764

 

18,757

 

(17,454

)

Payments for deferred financing costs

 

(4,530

)

(13,131

)

(35,609

)

Distributions to minority interest partners

 

(2,599

)

(1,054

)

(159

)

Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange

 

 

203,048

 

87,909

 

Redemption of preferred stock

 

 

(165,000

)

 

Common dividends paid

 

(330,998

)

(310,744

)

(267,785

)

Preferred dividends paid

 

(42,320

)

(41,908

)

(36,713

)

Dividends on HPUs

 

(8,256

)

(5,011

)

(2,144

)

HPUs issued

 

969

 

2,697

 

3,772

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

 

 

190,936

 

Contribution from significant shareholder

 

 

1,935

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of options and issuance of DRIP/Stock purchase shares

 

19,165

 

44,634

 

116,760

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

917,150

 

120,402

 

700,248

 

Changes in cash and cash equivalents

 

26,948

 

8,332

 

64,156

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

88,422

 

80,090

 

15,934

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

115,370

 

$

88,422

 

$

80,090

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amount capitalized

 

$

262,283

 

$

191,205

 

$

165,757

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1—Business and Organization

Business—iStar Financial Inc. (the “Company”) is the leading publicly-traded finance company focused on the commercial real estate industry. The Company primarily provides custom-tailored financing to high-end private and corporate owners of real estate. The Company, which is taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), seeks to deliver strong dividends and superior risk-adjusted returns on equity to shareholders by providing the highest quality financing to its customers.

The Company’s two primary lines of business are lending and corporate tenant leasing.  The lending business is primarily comprised of senior and mezzanine loans that typically range in size from $20 million to $150 million and have maturities generally ranging from three to ten years. These loans may be either fixed rate (based on the U.S. Treasury rate plus a spread) or variable rate (based on LIBOR plus a spread) and are structured to meet the specific financing needs of the borrowers.  The Company also provides senior and mezzanine capital to corporations engaged in real estate or real estate-related businesses. These financings may be either secured or unsecured, typically range in size from $20 million to $150 million and have maturities generally ranging from five to ten years. As part of the lending business, the Company also acquires whole loans and loan participations which present attractive risk-reward opportunities. Acquired loan positions typically range in size from $20 million to $100 million.

The Company’s corporate tenant leasing business provides capital to corporations and other owners who control facilities leased to single creditworthy customers. The Company’s net leased assets are generally mission-critical headquarters or distribution facilities that are subject to long-term leases with public companies, many of which are rated corporate credits, and many of which provide for most expenses at the facility to be paid by the corporate customer on a triple net lease basis. Corporate tenant lease, or CTL, transactions have initial terms generally ranging from 15 to 20 years and typically range in size from $20 million to $150 million.

The Company’s investment strategy targets specific sectors of the real estate credit markets in which it believes it can deliver the highest quality, flexible financial solutions to its customers, thereby differentiating its financial products from those offered by other capital providers.

The Company has implemented its investment strategy by:

·       Focusing on the origination of large, structured mortgage, corporate and lease financings where customers require flexible financial solutions and “one-call” responsiveness post-closing.

·       Avoiding commodity businesses in which there is significant direct competition from other providers of capital such as conduit lending and investment in commercial or residential mortgage-backed securities.

·       Developing direct relationships with borrowers and corporate customers as opposed to sourcing transactions solely through intermediaries.

·       Adding value beyond simply providing capital by offering borrowers and corporate customers specific lending expertise, flexibility, certainty and continuing relationships beyond the closing of a particular financing transaction.

·       Taking advantage of market anomalies in the real estate financing markets when the Company believes credit is mispriced by other providers of capital, such as the spread between lease yields and the yields on corporate customers' underlying credit obligations.

Organization—The Company began its business in 1993 through private investment funds formed to capitalize on inefficiencies in the real estate finance market. In March 1998, these funds contributed their




assets to the Company's predecessor in exchange for a controlling interest in that company.  The Company later acquired its former external advisor in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock (‘‘Common Stock’’) and converted its organizational form to a Maryland corporation. As part of the conversion to a Maryland corporation, the Company replaced its former dual class common share structure with a single class of Common Stock. The Company’s Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 4, 1999. Prior to this date, the Company’s common stock was traded on the American Stock Exchange.  Since that time, the Company has grown by originating new lending and leasing transactions, as well as through corporate acquisitions, including the acquisition in 1999 of TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. (“TriNet”).

Note 2—Basis of Presentation

The accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its qualified REIT subsidiaries, its majority-owned and controlled partnerships and other entities that are consolidated under the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” an interpretation of ARB 51 (“FIN 46R”) (see Note 6).

Certain investments in joint ventures or other entities which the Company does not control are accounted for under the equity method (see Note 6). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Note 3—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Loans and other lending investments, net—As described in Note 4, “Loans and Other Lending Investments” includes the following investments: senior mortgages, subordinate mortgages, corporate/partnership loans, other lending investments-loans and other lending investments-securities. Management considers nearly all of its loans and other lending investments to be held-to-maturity, although a small number of investments may be classified as available-for-sale. Items classified as held-to-maturity are reflected at amortized historical cost. Items classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair values with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in the Company’s net income.

Corporate tenant lease assets and depreciation—CTL assets are generally recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Certain improvements and replacements are capitalized when they extend the useful life, increase capacity or improve the efficiency of the asset. Repairs and maintenance items are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method of cost recovery over the shorter of estimated useful lives or 40 years for facilities, five years for furniture and equipment, the shorter of the remaining lease term or expected life for tenant improvements and the remaining useful life of the facility for facility improvements.

CTL assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell and are included in “assets held for sale” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also periodically reviews long-lived assets to be held and used for an impairment in value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.




Regarding the Company’s acquisition of facilities, purchase costs are allocated to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values. The value of the tangible assets, consisting of land, buildings, building improvements and tenant improvements, are determined as if vacant, that is, at replacement cost. Intangible assets including the above-market or below-market value of leases, the value of in-place leases and the value of customer relationships are recorded at their relative fair values.

Above-market and below-market in-place lease values for owned CTL assets are recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate reflecting the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between: (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the leases negotiated and in-place at the time of acquisition of the facilities; and (2) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the facility or equivalent facility, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The capitalized above-market (or below-market) lease value is amortized as a reduction of (or, increase to) operating lease income over the remaining non-cancelable term of each lease plus any renewal periods with fixed rental terms that are considered to be below-market. The Company generally engages in sale/leaseback transactions and typically executes leases simultaneously with the purchase of the CTL asset at market-rate rents. Because of this, no above-market or below-market lease value is ascribed to these transactions.

The total amount of other intangible assets are allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship intangible values based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each customer’s lease and the Company’s overall relationship with each customer. Characteristics to be considered in allocating these values include the nature and extent of the existing relationship with the customer, prospects for developing new business with the customer, the customer’s credit quality and the expectation of lease renewals among other factors. Factors considered by management’s analysis include the estimated carrying costs of the facility during a hypothetical expected lease-up period, current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. Management also considers information obtained about a property in connection with its pre-acquisition due diligence. Estimated carrying costs include real estate taxes, insurance, other property operating costs and estimates of lost operating lease income at market rates during the hypothetical expected lease-up periods, based on management’s assessment of specific market conditions. Management estimates costs to execute leases including commissions and legal costs to the extent that such costs are not already incurred with a new lease that has been negotiated in connection with the purchase of the facility. Management’s estimates are used to determine these values. These intangible assets are included in “Other investments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 7).

The value of above-market or below-market in-place leases are amortized as a reduction of (or, increase to) operating lease income over the remaining initial term of each lease.  The value of customer relationship intangibles are amortized to expense over the initial and renewal terms of the leases, but no amortization period for intangible assets will exceed the remaining depreciable life of the building. In the event that a customer terminates its lease, the unamortized portion of each intangible, including market rate adjustments, lease origination costs, in-place lease values and customer relationship values, would be charged to expense.




 

Timber and timberlands—Timber and timberlands, including logging roads, are stated at cost less accumulated depletion for timber previously harvested and accumulated road amortization.  The Company capitalizes timber and timberland purchases and reforestation costs and other costs associated with the planting and growing of timber, such as site preparation, growing or purchases of seedlings, planting, silviculture, herbicide application and the thinning of tree stands to improve growth.  The cost of timber and timberlands typically is allocated between the timber and the land acquired, based on estimated relative fair values.

Timber carrying costs, such as real estate taxes, insect and wildlife control and timberland management fees, are expensed as incurred.  Net carrying value of the timber and timberlands is used to compute the gain or loss in connection with timberland sales.  Timber and timberlands are included in “Other investments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 7).

Capitalized interest—The Company capitalizes interest costs incurred during the construction periods for qualified build-to-suit projects for corporate tenants, including investments in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method.  Capitalized interest was approximately $788,000 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and no interest was capitalized during 2004.

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in banks or invested in money market funds with original maturity terms of less than 90 days.

Restricted cash—Restricted cash represents amounts required to be maintained in escrow under certain of the Company’s debt obligations, leasing and derivative transactions.

Non-cash activity—During 2005, in relation to the acquisition of a significant minority interest in Oak Hill (as defined and discussed in further detail in Note 6), the Company issued 1,164,310 shares of Common Stock.

Variable interest entities—In accordance with FIN 46R, the Company identifies entities for which control is achieved through means other than through voting rights (a “variable interest entity” or “VIE”), and determines when and which business enterprise, if any, should consolidate the VIE.  In addition, the Company discloses information pertaining to such entities wherein the Company is the primary beneficiary or other entities wherein the Company has a significant variable interest.

Identified intangible assets and goodwill—Upon the acquisition of a business, the Company records intangible assets acquired at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill.  The Company amortizes identified intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives based on the period over which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the business acquired.  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 or its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.

The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.  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.  The impairment test is done at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit.  If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying




value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying value.

Fair values for goodwill and other intangible assets are determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, as appropriate.

During the first quarter 2005, the Company acquired Falcon Financial Investment Trust (“Falcon Financial”) in a business combination and identified intangible assets of approximately $2.0 million and goodwill for $7.7 million (see Note 4 for further discussion). These identified intangible assets are included in “Deferred expenses and other assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revenue recognition—The Company’s revenue recognition policies are as follows:

Loans and other lending investments:   Management considers nearly all of its loans and other lending investments to be held-to-maturity, although a small number of investments may be classified as available-for-sale. The Company reflects held-to-maturity investments at historical cost adjusted for allowance for loan losses, unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and unamortized deferred loan fees.

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in the Company’s net income. On occasion, the Company may acquire loans at generally small premiums or discounts based on the credit characteristics of such loans. These premiums or discounts are recognized as yield adjustments over the lives of the related loans. Loan origination or exit fees, as well as direct loan origination costs, are also deferred and recognized over the lives of the related loans as a yield adjustment. If loans with premiums, discounts, loan origination or exit fees are prepaid, the Company immediately recognizes the unamortized portion as a decrease or increase in the prepayment gain or loss which is included in “Other income” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method applied on a loan-by-loan basis.

A small number of the Company’s loans provide for accrual of interest at specified rates that differ from current payment terms. Interest is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to management’s determination that accrued interest and outstanding principal are ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and operations of the borrower.

Prepayment penalties or yield maintenance payments from borrowers are recognized as additional income when received. Certain of the Company’s loan investments provide for additional interest based on the borrower’s operating cash flow or appreciation of the underlying collateral. Such amounts are considered contingent interest and are reflected as income only upon certainty of collection.

Leasing investments:   Operating lease revenue is recognized on the straight-line method of accounting from the later of the date of the origination of the lease or the date of acquisition of the facility subject to existing leases. Accordingly, contractual lease payment increases are recognized evenly over the term of the lease. The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under this method and contractual lease payment terms is recorded as “Deferred operating lease income receivable” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Reserve for loan losses—The Company’s accounting policies require that an allowance for estimated loan losses be maintained at a level that management, based upon an evaluation of known and inherent




risks in the portfolio, considers adequate to provide for loan losses. In establishing loan loss reserves, management periodically evaluates and analyzes the Company’s assets, historical and industry loss experience, economic conditions and trends, collateral values and quality, and other relevant factors. Specific valuation allowances are established for impaired loans in the amount by which the carrying value, before allowance for estimated losses, exceeds the fair value of collateral less disposition costs on an individual loan basis. Management considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the loan agreement on a timely basis. Management carries these impaired loans at the fair value of the loans’ underlying collateral less estimated disposition costs. Impaired loans may be left on accrual status during the period the Company is pursuing repayment of the loan; however, these loans are placed on non-accrual status at such time as: (1) management determines the borrower is incapable of, or has ceased efforts toward, curing the cause of the impairment; (2) the loans become 90 days delinquent; (3) the loan has a maturity default; or (4) the net realizable value of the loan’s underlying collateral approximates the Company’s carrying value of such loan. While on non-accrual status, interest income is recognized only upon actual receipt. Impairment losses are recognized as direct write-downs of the related loan with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. Charge-offs occur when loans, or a portion thereof, are considered uncollectible and of such little value that further pursuit of collection is not warranted. Management also provides a loan portfolio reserve based upon its periodic evaluation and analysis of the portfolio, historical and industry loss experience, economic conditions and trends, collateral values and quality, and other relevant factors.

The Company’s loans are generally collateralized by real estate assets or are corporate lending arrangements to entities with significant real estate holdings. While the underlying real estate assets for the corporate lending instruments may not serve as collateral for the Company’s investments in all cases, the Company evaluates the underlying real estate assets when estimating loan loss exposure because the Company’s loans generally have restrictions as to how much senior and/or secured debt the customer may borrow ahead of the Company’s position.

Allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company’s accounting policies require a reserve on the Company’s accrued operating lease income receivable balances and on the deferred operating lease income receivable balances. The reserve covers asset specific problems (e.g., bankruptcy) as they arise, as well as a portfolio reserve based on management’s evaluation of the credit risks associated with these receivables.

Derivative instruments and hedging activity—In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (“SFAS No. 133”), “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 137 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity—Deferral of the Effective date of FASB 133,” Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 138 “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities—an Amendment of FASB Statement 133” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instrument and Hedging Activities,” the Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measures those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as: (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized




firm commitment; (2) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction; or (3) in certain circumstances, a hedge of a foreign currency exposure.

Stock-based compensation—During the third quarter of 2002, with retroactive application to the beginning of the year, the Company adopted the fair-value method of accounting for options issued to employees or directors. Accordingly, the Company recognizes a charge equal to the fair value of these options at the date of grant multiplied by the number of options issued. This charge is amortized over the related remaining vesting terms to individuals as additional compensation.

For restricted stock awards, the Company measures compensation costs as of the date of grant and expenses such amounts against earnings, either at the grant date (if no vesting period exists) or ratably over the respective vesting/service period.

Impairment or disposal of long-lived assets—In accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (“SFAS No. 144”), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” the Company presents current operations prior to the disposition of CTL assets and prior period results of such operations in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Depletion—Depletion relates to the Company’s investment in timberland assets. Assumptions and estimates are used in the recording of depletion. With the help of foresters and industry-standard computer software, merchantable standing timber inventory is estimated annually. An annual depletion rate for each timberland investment is established by dividing book cost of timber by standing merchantable inventory. Changes in the assumptions and/or estimations used in these calculations may affect the Company’s results, in particular depletion costs. Factors that can impact timber volume include weather changes, losses due to natural causes, differences in actual versus estimated growth rates and changes in the age when timber is considered merchantable.

Income taxes—The Company is subject to federal income taxation at corporate rates on its “REIT taxable income;” however, the Company is allowed a deduction for the amount of dividends paid to its shareholders, thereby subjecting the distributed net income of the Company to taxation at the shareholder level only. In addition, the Company is allowed several other deductions in computing its “REIT taxable income,” including non-cash items such as depreciation expense. These deductions allow the Company to shelter a portion of its operating cash flow from its dividend payout requirement under federal tax laws. The Company intends to operate in a manner consistent with and to elect to be treated as a REIT for tax purposes.

The Company can participate in certain activities from which it was previously precluded in order to maintain its qualification as a REIT as long as these activities are conducted in entities which elect to be treated as taxable subsidiaries under the Code, subject to certain limitations. As such, the Company, through its taxable REIT subsidiaries, is engaged in various real estate related opportunities, including: (i) servicing certain loan portfolios owned by third parties through iStar Asset Services, Inc.; (ii) servicing securitized loans acquired in the acquisition of Falcon Financial through Falcon Financial II, Inc. (“Falcon”); (iii) certain activities related to the purchase and sale of timber and timberlands through TimberStar TRS, Inc. and TimberStar TRS II, Inc. (collectively, “TimberStar TRS”); and (iv) managing corporate credit-oriented investment strategies through three taxable REIT subsidiaries, iStar Alpha TRS, Inc., iStar Alpha LLC Holding TRS, Inc. and iStar Alpha. The Company will consider other




investments through taxable REIT subsidiaries if suitable opportunities arise. iStar Operating, Falcon, TimberStar TRS and iStar Alpha are not consolidated for federal income tax purposes and are taxed as corporations. For financial reporting purposes, current and deferred taxes are provided for in the portion of earnings recognized by the Company with respect to its interest in iStar Operating, Falcon, TimberStar TRS and iStar Alpha. Such amounts are immaterial. Accordingly, except for the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries, no current or deferred federal taxes are provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Earnings per common share—In accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (“SFAS No. 128”), “Earnings per Share,” the Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income allocable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”) reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, where such exercise or conversion would result in a lower earnings per share amount.

Reclassifications—Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes to conform to the 2005 presentation.

Use of estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New accounting standards

In March 2005, the FASB released Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.”  FIN 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS No. 143”), as a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Thus, the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of a liability for the conditional asset retirement obligation should be recognized when incurred—generally upon acquisition, construction, or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset. Uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. SFAS No. 143 acknowledges that in some cases, sufficient information may not be available to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation.  The Company adopted FIN 47 during 2005 and it did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.




In December 2004, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153 (“SFAS No. 153”), “Accounting for Non-monetary Transactions.”  SFAS No. 153 requires non-monetary exchanges to be accounted for at fair value, recognizing any gain or loss, if the transactions meet a commercial-substance criterion and fair value is determinable. SFAS No. 153 is effective for nonmonetary transactions occurring in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect that the implementation of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on EITF 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights.” EITF 04-5 states that a sole general partner is presumed to control a limited partnership (or similar entity) and should consolidate the limited partnership unless one of the following two conditions exist: (1) the limited partners possess substantive kick-out rights, or (2) the limited partners possess substantive participating rights. A kick-out right is defined as the substantive ability to remove the sole general partner without cause or otherwise dissolve (liquidate) the limited partnership. Substantive participating rights are when the limited partners have the substantive right to participate in certain financial and operating decisions of the limited partnership that are made in the ordinary course of business. The consensus guidance in EITF 04-5 is effective for all agreements entered into or modified after June 29, 2005. For all pre-existing agreements that are not modified, the consensus is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect that the implementation of this standard will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2004, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (“SFAS No. 123R”), “Share-Based Payment.” This standard requires issuers to measure the cost of equity-based service awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award or the requisite service period (typically the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The Company will initially measure the cost of liability-based service awards based on their current fair value. The fair value of that award will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification. Companies can comply with FASB No. 123R using one of three transition methods: (1) the modified prospective method; (2) the modified retrospective method; or (3) a variation of the modified retrospective method. The provisions of this statement are effective for annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted the fair-value method in the third quarter 2002 (retroactive to the beginning of the year) and applied the prospective method of SFAS No. 148 which allowed the Company to expense the options granted in that year. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006, and is still evaluating the financial impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.




Note 4—Loans and Other Lending Investments

The following is a summary description of the Company’s loans and other lending investments ($ in thousands)(1):

 

 

 

# of

 

Principal

 

Carrying Value as of

 

Effective

 

Contractual
Interest

 

Contractual
Interest

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Investment

 

Underlying
Property Type

 

Borrowers
In Class

 

Balances
Outstanding

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Maturity
Dates

 

Payment
Rates(2)

 

Accrual
Rates(2)

 

Principal
Amortization

 

Participation
Features

 

Senior Mortgages

 

Office/ Residential/ Retail/ Industrial, R&D/ Mixed Use/ Hotel/ Entertainment, Leisure/ Other

 

91

 

$

3,187,011

 

$

3,149,767

 

$

2,334,662

 

2006 to 2026

 

Fixed: 7.03% to 20.00% Variable: LIBOR + 2.50% to LIBOR + 7.00%

 

Fixed: 7.03% to 20.00% Variable: LIBOR + 2.50% to LIBOR + 7.00%

 

Yes

(3)

Yes

(4)

Subordinate Mortgages

 

Office/ Residential/ Retail/ Mixed Use/Hotel/ Entertainment, Leisure/Other

 

17

 

417,192

 

413,853

 

579,322

 

2006 to 2025

 

Fixed: 7.32% to 18.00% Variable: LIBOR + 1.25% to LIBOR + 7.02%

 

Fixed: 7.32% to 18.00% Variable: LIBOR + 1.25% to LIBOR + 7.02%

 

Yes

(3)

No

 

Corporate/ Partnership Loans(5)

 

Office/Residential/Retail/ Industrial, R&D/ Mixed Use/Hotel/Entertainment, Leisure/Other

 

29

 

814,048

 

797,456

 

912,756

 

2006 to 2021

 

Fixed: 6.00% to 18.00% Variable: LIBOR + 2.50% to LIBOR + 8.25%

 

Fixed: 7.62% to 18.00% Variable: LIBOR + 2.50% to LIBOR + 8.25%

 

Yes

(3)

No

 

Other Lending Investments—Loans

 

 

 

 

 

4,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Lending Investments—
Securities(6)

 

Residential/ Retail/ Industrial, R&D/ Entertainment, Leisure/ Other

 

6

 

353,081

 

347,715

 

150,087

 

2006 to 2023

 

Fixed: 6.00% to 8.27% Variable: LIBOR + 0.85% to LIBOR + 5.00%

 

Fixed: 6.00% to 8.27% Variable: LIBOR + 0.85% to LIBOR + 5.00%

 

Yes

(3)

No

 

Gross Carrying Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,708,791

 

$

3,980,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for Loan Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46,876

)

(42,436

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,661,915

 

$

3,938,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)             Details (other than carrying values) are for loans outstanding as of December 31, 2005.

(2)             Substantially all variable-rate loans are based on 30-day LIBOR and reprice monthly. The 30-day LIBOR on December 31, 2005 was 4.39%. As of December 31, 2005, two loans with a combined carrying value of $27.0 million have a stated accrual rate that exceeds the stated pay rate. Two loans, with an aggregate carrying value of $35.3 million, have been placed on non-accrual status and therefore are considered non-performing loans (see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management) and the Company is only recognizing income based on cash received for interest on the default rate.

(3)             The loans require fixed payments of principal and interest resulting in partial principal amortization over the term of the loan with the remaining principal due at maturity.

(4)             Under some of the loans, the Company may receive additional payments representing additional interest from participation in available cash flow from operations of the underlying real estate collateral.

(5)             Includes two unsecured loans with an aggregate carrying value of $75.0 million as of December 31, 2005.

(6)             Generally consists of term preferred stock or debt interests that are specifically originated or structured to meet customer financing requirements and the Company’s investment criteria. These investments do not typically consist of securities purchased in the open market or as part of broadly-distributed offerings.




During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, the Company and its affiliated ventures originated or acquired an aggregate of approximately $2.7 billion (excluding the acquisition of Falcon Financial) and $1.6 billion in loans and other lending investments, funded $349.2 million and $255.3 million under existing loan commitments, and received principal repayments of $2.4 billion and $1.6 billion.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had 38 loans with unfunded commitments. The total unfunded commitment amount was approximately $1.37 billion, of which $38.7 million was discretionary and $1.33 billion was non-discretionary.

The Company has reflected provisions for loan losses of approximately $2.3 million, $9.0 million and $7.5 million in its results of operations during the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These provisions represent loan portfolio reserves based on management’s evaluation of general market conditions, the Company’s internal risk management policies and credit risk ratings system, industry loss experience, the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults and the credit quality of the underlying collateral. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company took a $3.3 million direct impairment on a $30.4 million partnership loan lowering the book value of the asset to $27.1 million. In August 2003, the borrower stopped making its debt service payments due to insufficient cash flow caused by vacancies at the property. After taking the impairment charge management believes there is adequate collateral to support the book value of the asset as of December 31, 2005.

Changes in the Company’s reserve for loan losses were as follows (in thousands):

Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2002

 

$

29,250

 

Additional provision for loan losses

 

7,500

 

Impairment on loans

 

(3,314

)

Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2003

 

33,436

 

Additional provision for loan losses

 

9,000

 

Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2004

 

42,436

 

Additional provision for loan losses

 

2,250

 

Additional provision acquired in acquisition of Falcon Financial

 

2,190

 

Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2005

 

$

46,876

 

 

Acquisition of Falcon Financial Investment Trust—On January 20, 2005, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Falcon Financial, an independent finance company dedicated to providing long-term capital to automotive dealers throughout North America. Falcon Financial was a borrower of the Company at the time of signing the definitive agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to acquire all of Falcon Financial’s outstanding shares at a price of $7.50 per share for an aggregate equity purchase price of approximately $120.0 million. The offer expired on February 28, 2005, and as of the expiration, approximately 15.6 million common shares of beneficial interest, representing approximately 97.70% of Falcon Financial’s issued and outstanding shares, had been tendered and not withdrawn. On March 3, 2005, the Company completed the merger of Falcon Financial with an acquisition subsidiary of the Company. As a result of the merger, all outstanding shares of Falcon Financial not purchased by the Company in the tender were converted into the right to receive $7.50 per share, without interest and the Company acquired 100.00% ownership of Falcon Financial.




The following is a summary of the effects of this transaction on the Company’s consolidated financial position (in thousands):

Fair value of:

 

 

 

Assets acquired (loans and other lending investments)

 

$

255,503

 

Acquired intangible assets and goodwill

 

9,778

 

Acquired accrued interest and other assets

 

3,140

 

iStar line-of-credit to Falcon Financial plus accrued interest

 

(151,784

)

Other liabilities assumed

 

(2,941

)

Net cash paid for Falcon Financial acquisition

 

$

113,696

 

 

The purchase of Falcon Financial was accounted for as a business combination, and therefore the Company applied the principles of SFAS No. 141 and Statement of Financial Standards No. 142 (“SFAS No. 142”), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” to the transaction. There were approximately $2.0 million of intangibles identified in the business combination that will be amortized over two to 21 years. These intangibles are included in “Deferred expenses and other assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had unamortized purchase related intangible assets of approximately $1.8 million related to the Falcon Financial acquisition. In addition, the acquisition resulted in approximately $7.7 million of goodwill. The goodwill was adjusted by approximately $1.5 million subsequent to the acquisition to reflect severance payments to certain individuals and other costs which resulted in an increase of goodwill to $9.2 million. The goodwill is tested annually for impairment as required by SFAS No. 142. The most recent impairment test was performed by the Company during the fourth quarter of 2005 and no impairment was identified. On May 1, 2005, the assets acquired in the Falcon Financial acquisition were merged with AutoStar Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (see Note 6 for further description of AutoStar Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.).

Note 5—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, the Company acquired an aggregate of approximately $282.4 million and $513.0 million (which includes the Company’s acquisition of the remaining interest in its ACRE Simon, LLC joint venture—See Note 6) in CTL assets and disposed of CTL assets for net proceeds of approximately $36.9 million and $279.6 million. In relation to the CTL assets acquired during the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, the Company allocated approximately $4.0 million of purchase costs to intangible assets based on their estimated fair values (see Note 3). As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company had unamortized purchase related intangible assets of approximately $42.5 million and $41.2 million, respectively, and included these in “Other investments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.




The Company’s investments in CTL assets, at cost, were as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Facilities and improvements

 

$

2,657,306

 

$

2,431,649

 

Land and land improvements

 

747,724

 

672,238

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(289,669

)

(226,845

)

Corporate tenant lease assets, net

 

$

3,115,361

 

$

2,877,042

 

 

The Company’s CTL assets are leased to customers with initial term expiration dates from 2006 to 2079. Future operating lease payments under non-cancelable leases, excluding customer reimbursements of expenses, in effect at December 31, 2005, are approximately as follows (in thousands):

Year

 

Amount

 

2006

 

$

315,689

 

2007

 

301,192

 

2008

 

272,882

 

2009

 

269,991

 

2010

 

264,550

 

Thereafter

 

2,404,659

 

 

Under certain leases, the Company is entitled to receive additional participating lease payments to the extent gross revenues of the corporate customer exceed a base amount. The Company did not earn any such additional participating lease payments on these leases in the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. In addition, the Company also receives reimbursements from customers for certain facility operating expenses including common area costs, insurance and real estate taxes. Customer expense reimbursements for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were approximately $26.9 million, $30.1 million and $26.1 million, respectively, and are included as a reduction of “Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company is subject to expansion option agreements with three existing customers which could require the Company to fund and to construct up to 171,000 square feet of additional adjacent space on which the Company would receive additional operating lease income under the terms of the option agreements. In addition, upon exercise of such expansion option agreements, the corporate customers would be required to simultaneously extend their existing lease terms for additional periods ranging from six to ten years.

In addition, the Company has $83.7 million of non-discretionary unfunded commitments related to ten CTL investments. These commitments generally fall into two categories: (1) pre-approved capital improvement projects; and (2) new or additional construction costs. Upon funding, the Company would receive additional operating lease income from the customers.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 the Company sold five CTL assets, 22 CTL assets (to six different buyers), and nine CTL assets for net proceeds of approximately $36.9 million, $279.6 million and $47.6 million, and realized gains of approximately $6.4 million, $43.4 million and $5.2 million, respectively.




The results of operations from CTL assets sold or held for sale in the current and prior periods are classified as “Income from discontinued operations” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations even though such income was actually recognized by the Company prior to the asset sale. Gains from the sale of CTL assets are classified as “Gain from discontinued operations” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 6—Joint Ventures and Minority Interest

Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures—Income or loss generated from the Company’s joint venture investments is included in “Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At December 31, 2005, the Company had a 50% investment in Corporate Technology Centre Associates, LLC (“CTC”), whose external member is Corporate Technology Centre Partners, LLC. This venture was formed for the purpose of operating, acquiring and, in certain cases, developing CTL facilities. At December 31, 2005, the CTC venture held one facility. The Company’s investment in this joint venture at December 31, 2005 was $5.2 million. The joint venture’s carrying value for the one facility owned at December 31, 2005 was $17.6 million. The joint venture had total assets of $19.2 million as of December 31, 2005 and a net loss of $(529,000) for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005. The Company accounts for this investment under the equity method because the Company’s joint venture partner has certain participating rights giving them shared control over the venture.

In addition, the Company has 47.5% investments in Oak Hill Advisors, L.P. and Oak Hill Credit Alpha MGP, a 47.0% investment in OHSF GP Partners II, LLC and a 45.5% investment in Oak Hill Credit Opportunities MGP, LLC (collectively, “Oak Hill”). The Company has determined that all of these entities are VIE’s (see Note 3) and that an external member is the primary beneficiary. As such, the Company accounts for these investments under the equity method. The Company’s carrying value in these ventures at December 31, 2005, was $197.0 million. These ventures engage in investment and asset management services. Upon acquisition of the interests in Oak Hill there was a difference between the Company’s book value of the equity investments and the underlying equity in the net assets of Oak Hill of approximately $199.8 million. Under the provisions of APB 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock,” the Company allocated this value to identifiable intangible assets of approximately $81.8 million and goodwill of $118.0 million. These intangible assets are amortized based on their determined useful lives through quarterly adjustments to “Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures” and “Investments in joint ventures” on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2005, the unamortized balance related to intangible assets for these investments was approximately $73.9 million.

On November 23, 2004, the Company acquired the remaining 80.00% share of its joint venture partner’s interest in the ACRE Simon, LLC (“ACRE”) joint venture. The total net purchase price was $40.1 million of which $14.6 million was paid in cash and $25.5 million reflected the assumption of the joint venture partner’s share of the debt of the partnership. The Company now owns 100.00% of this joint venture and therefore, as of November 23, 2004, consolidates it for financial statement purposes.

On September 27, 2004, CTC Associates I L.P., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s CTC joint venture, sold its interest in five buildings to a third party investor and the mortgage lender accepted




the proceeds in full satisfaction of the obligation. This transaction resulted in a net loss of approximately $950,000 allocable to the Company.

On March 31, 2004, the Company began accounting for its 44.7% interest in TriNet Sunnyvale Partners, L.P. (“Sunnyvale”) as a VIE because the limited partners of Sunnyvale have the option to put their interest to the Company for cash; however, the Company may elect to deliver 297,728 shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash. The Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement reporting purposes as it is the primary beneficiary. Prior to its consolidation, the Company accounted for this joint venture under the equity method for financial statement reporting purposes and it was presented in “Investments in joint ventures,” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and earnings from the joint venture were included in “Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On March 30, 2004, CTC Associates II L.P., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s CTC joint venture, conveyed its interest in two buildings and the related property to the mortgage lender in exchange for satisfaction of the entity’s obligations of the related loan. Prior to the conveyance of the buildings, early lease terminations resulted in one-time income allocable to the Company of approximately $3.5 million during the first quarter of 2004.

During 2005, the Company had an investment in iStar Operating, a taxable REIT subsidiary that, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, serviced the Company’s loans and certain loan portfolios owned by third parties. The Company owned all of the non-voting preferred stock and a 95% economic interest in iStar Operating. On December 31, 2005, the Company acquired all the voting common stock in iStar Operating for a nominal amount and simultaneously merged it into an existing taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.

Prior to July 1, 2003, iStar Operating was accounted for under the equity method for financial statement reporting purposes and was presented in “Investments in and advances to joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of July 1, 2003, the Company began consolidating this entity as a VIE with no material impact. Prior to its consolidation, the Company charged an allocated portion of its general overhead expenses to iStar Operating based on the number of employees at iStar Operating as a percentage of the Company’s total employees. These general overhead expenses were in addition to the direct general and administrative costs of iStar Operating.

Minority Interest—Income or loss allocable to external partners in consolidated entities is included in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As more fully discussed in Note 7, the Company consolidates the TimberStar Operating Partnership, L.P., created on January 19, 2005, for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On June 8, 2004, AutoStar Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) was created to provide real estate financing solutions to automotive dealerships and related automotive businesses. The Operating Partnership is owned 0.50% by AutoStar Realty GP LLC (the “GP”) and 99.50% by AutoStar Investors Partnership LLP (the “LP”). The GP is funded and owned 93.33% by iStar Automotive Investments, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and 6.67% by CP AutoStar, LP, an entity owned and controlled by two entities unrelated to the Company. The LP is funded and owned




93.33% by iStar Automotive Investments, LLC and 6.67% by CP AutoStar Co-Investors, LP, an entity controlled by two entities unrelated to the Company. This joint venture qualifies as a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As discussed above, on March 31, 2004, the Company began consolidating the Sunnyvale joint venture  and records the minority interest of the external partner in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On September 29, 2003, the Company acquired a 96% interest in iStar Harborside LLC, an infinite life partnership, with the external partner holding the remaining 4% interest. The Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company also holds a 98% interest in TriNet Property Partners, L.P. with the external partners holding the remaining 2% interest. The external partners have the option to convert their partnership interest into cash, however, the Company may elect to deliver 51,736 shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash. The Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 7—Other Investments

Other investments consist of the following items (in thousands):

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Timber and timberlands, net of accumulated depletion

 

$

152,114

 

$

 

CTL intangibles, net of accumulated amortization (see Note 3)

 

42,530

 

41,247

 

Investments—other

 

39,174

 

26,208

 

Marketable securities

 

4,009

 

9,494

 

Prepaid expenses and other receivables

 

2,643

 

5,905

 

Other investments

 

$

240,470

 

$

82,854

 

 

On January 19, 2005, TimberStar Operating Partnership, L.P. (“TimberStar”) was created to acquire and manage a diversified portfolio of timberlands. TimberStar is owned 0.50% by TimberStar Investor GP LLC (“TimberStar GP”) and 99.50% by TimberStar Investors Partnership LLP (“TimberStar LP”). TimberStar GP and TimberStar LP are both funded and owned 96% by iStar Timberland Investments LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and 4% by T-Star Investor Partners, LLC, an entity unrelated to the Company. The Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in “Minority interest in consolidated entities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2005, the venture held approximately 337,000 acres of timberland located in the northeast, the majority of which is subject to a long-term supply




agreement. The venture’s carrying value of the timber and timberlands at December 31, 2005 was $152.1 million. Net income for the venture is reflected in “Other income” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 8—Other Assets and Other Liabilities

Deferred expenses and other assets consist of the following items (in thousands):

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Deferred financing fees, net of amortization

 

$

13,731

 

$

63,169

 

Leasing costs, net of amortization

 

9,960

 

9,946

 

Deposits

 

185

 

7,332

 

Corporate furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

3,777

 

3,523

 

Deferred derivative assets

 

13,176

 

3,168

 

Other assets

 

9,176

 

13,398

 

Deferred expenses and other assets

 

$

50,005

 

$

100,536

 

                                                                                               

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following items (in thousands):

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Accrued interest payable

 

$

57,542

 

$

37,709

 

Security deposits from customers

 

23,274

 

22,919

 

Accrued expenses

 

27,794

 

21,317

 

Unearned operating lease income

 

20,778

 

19,776

 

Deferred derivative liabilities

 

32,148

 

14,704

 

Property taxes payable

 

4,578

 

5,415

 

Other liabilities

 

26,408

 

18,235

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

$

192,522

 

$

140,075

 

 




Note 9—Debt Obligations

As of December 31, 2005 and 2004 the Company has debt obligations under various arrangements with financial institutions as follows (in thousands):

 

Maximum

 

Carrying Value as of

 

Stated

 

Scheduled

 

 

 

Amount
Available

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Interest
Rates(1)

 

Maturity
Date

 

Secured revolving credit facilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line of credit

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

LIBOR + 1.50%—2.05%

 

March 2005(2)

 

Line of credit

 

700,000

 

 

67,775

 

LIBOR + 1.40%—2.15%

 

January 2007(3)

 

Line of credit

 

 

 

10,811

 

LIBOR + 1.50%—2.25%

 

August 2005(2)

 

Line of credit

 

 

 

 

LIBOR + 1.50%—2.25%

 

September 2005(2)

 

Unsecured revolving credit facilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line of credit

 

1,500,000

 

1,242,000

 

840,000

 

LIBOR + 0.875%

 

April 2008(4)

 

Total revolving credit facilities

 

$

2,200,000

 

1,242,000

 

918,586

 

 

 

 

 

Secured term loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secured by CTL asset

 

 

 

 

76,670

 

6.55%

 

December 2005(5)

 

Secured by CTL asset

 

 

 

132,246

 

136,512

 

7.44%

 

April 2009

 

Secured by CTL asset

 

 

 

 

135,000

 

LIBOR + 1.75%

 

October 2008(6)

 

Secured by CTL assets

 

 

 

145,586

 

148,600

 

6.80%—8.80%

 

Various through 2026

 

Secured by investments in corporate bonds and commerical mortgage backed securities

 

 

 

67,224

 

129,446

 

LIBOR + 0.25%—1.50%

 

January/August 2006

 

Secured by CTL asset

 

 

 

59,430

 

60,180

 

6.41%

 

January 2013

 

Total term loans

 

 

 

404,486

 

686,408

 

 

 

 

 

Debt (discount)/premium

 

 

 

6,658

 

7,065

 

 

 

 

 

Total secured term loans

 

 

 

411,144

 

693,473

 

 

 

 

 

iStar Asset Receivables secured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STARs Series 2002-1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIBOR + 0.26%—

 

June 2004 through

 

Class A1 through K

 

 

 

 

460,430

 

1.435%, 6.35%

 

May 2012(7)

 

Debt discount

 

 

 

 

(3,734

)

 

 

 

 

STARs Series 2003-1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIBOR + 0.25%—

 

October 2005

 

Class A1 through K

 

 

 

 

472,484

 

1.25%, 4.97%—5.56%

 

through June 2013(7)

 

Total iStar Asset Receivables secured notes

 

 

 

 

929,180

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

Carrying Value as of

 

Stated

 

Scheduled

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Interest
Rates(1)

 

Maturity
Date

 

Unsecured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIBOR + 0.39% Senior Notes

 

$

400,000

 

$

 

LIBOR + 0.39%

 

March 2008

 

LIBOR + 0.55% Senior Notes

 

225,000

 

 

LIBOR + 0.55%

 

March 2009

 

LIBOR + 1.25% Senior Notes

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

LIBOR + 1.25%

 

March 2007

 

4.875% Senior Notes

 

350,000

 

350,000

 

4.875%

 

January 2009

 

5.125% Senior Notes

 

250,000

 

250,000

 

5.125%

 

April 2011

 

5.15% Senior Notes

 

700,000

 

 

5.15%

 

March 2012

 

5.375% Senior Notes

 

250,000

 

 

5.38%

 

April 2010

 

5.70% Senior Notes

 

367,022

 

250,000

 

5.70%

 

March 2014

 

5.80% Senior Notes

 

250,000

 

 

5.80%

 

March 2011

 

6.00% Senior Notes

 

350,000

 

350,000

 

6.00%

 

December 2010

 

6.05% Senior Notes

 

250,000

 

 

6.05%

 

April 2015

 

6.50% Senior Notes

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

6.50%

 

December 2013

 

7.00% Senior Notes

 

185,000

 

185,000

 

7.00%

 

March 2008

 

7.70% Notes(8)

 

 

100,000

 

7.70%

 

July 2017

 

7.95% Notes(8)

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

7.95%

 

May 2006

 

8.75% Notes

 

240,000

 

240,000

 

8.75%

 

August 2008

 

Total unsecured notes

 

4,217,022

 

2,125,000

 

 

 

 

 

Debt discount

 

(78,151

)

(56,913

)

 

 

 

 

Impact of pay-floating swap agreements (See Note 11)

 

(30,394

)

(3,652

)

 

 

 

 

Total unsecured notes

 

4,108,477

 

2,064,435

 

 

 

 

 

Other debt obligations(9)

 

100,000

 

 

LIBOR + 1.50%

 

October 2035

 

Debt discount

 

(2,029

)

 

 

 

 

 

Total other debt obligations

 

97,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt obligations

 

$

5,859,592

 

$

4,605,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)    Most variable-rate debt obligations are based on 30-day LIBOR and reprice monthly. The 30-day LIBOR rate on December 31, 2005 was 4.39%. However, some variable-rate debt obligations are based on 90-day LIBOR and reprice every three months. The 90-day LIBOR rate on December 31, 2005 was 4.54%.

(2)    The $350.0 million secured revolving credit facility matured on August 12, 2005. The $500.0 million secured revolving credit facility matured on September 30, 2005. The $250.0 million secured revolving credit facility matured on March 12, 2005.

(3)    Maturity date reflects a one-year “term-out” extension at the Company’s option.

(4)    Maturity date reflects a one-year extension at the Company’s option. On September 16, 2005, the committment under this facility was increased to $1.5 billion under the accordion feature of the facility.

(5)    On September 1, 2005, the Company repaid this $76.0 million mortgage on 11 CTL investments which was open to prepayment without penalty.

(6)    On October 17, 2005, the Company repaid this $135.0 million mortgage with an original maturity date of October 2008. The Company paid a 0.5% prepayment penalty at the time of prepayment.

(7)    On September 28, 2005, the Company fully repaid the STARs Series 2002-1 and STARs Series 2003-1 Notes which had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $620.7 million on the date of repayment. The Company incurred one-time cash costs, including prepayment and other fees, of approximately $6.8 million and non-cash charge of approximately $37.5 million to write -off deferred financing fees and expenses.

(8)    These obligations were assumed as part of the acquisition of TriNet. As part of the accounting for the purchase, these fixed-rate obligations were considered to have stated interest rates which were below the then-prevailing market rates at which TriNet could issue new debt obligations and, accordingly, the Company ascribed a market discount to each obligation. Such discounts are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method over the related term of the obligations. As adjusted, the effective annual interest rates on these obligations were 9.51% and 9.04% for the 7.70% Notes and 7.95% Notes, respectively.

(9)    On September 14, 2005, the Company completed the issuance of $100.0 million in unsecured floating rate trust preferred securities through a newly formed statutory trust, iStar Financial Statutory Trust I, that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The securities bear interest at a rate of LIBOR + 1.50%. The trust preferred securities are redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, with no prepayment premium any time after October 2010.




The Company’s primary source of short-term funds is a $1.50 billion unsecured revolving credit facility. Under the facility the Company is required to meet certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2005, there is approximately $258.0 million available to draw under the facility. In addition, the Company has one secured revolving credit facility of which availability is based on percentage borrowing base calculations. Certain other debt obligations, including the secured lines of credit, contain covenants. These covenants are both financial and non-financial in nature. Significant financial covenants include limitations on the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness beyond specified levels, and a requirement to maintain specified ratios of unsecured indebtedness compared to unencumbered assets. Significant non-financial covenants include a requirement in its publicly-held debt securities that the Company offer to repurchase those securities at a premium if the Company undergoes a change of control. As of December 31, 2005, the Company believes it is in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants on its debt obligations.

Capital Markets ActivityDuring the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, the Company issued $1.45 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from 5.15% to 6.05% and maturing between 2010 and 2015, and $625.0 million of variable-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at an annual rates ranging from three-month LIBOR + 0.39% to 0.55% and maturing between 2008 and 2009. The proceeds from these transactions were used to repay outstanding balances on the Company’s revolving credit facilities.

In addition, on September 14, 2005, the Company completed the issuance of $100.0 million in unsecured floating rate trust preferred securities through a newly formed statutory trust, iStar Financial Statutory Trust I, that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The securities are subordinate to the Company’s senior unsecured debt and bear interest at a rate of LIBOR + 1.50%. The trust preferred securities are redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, with no prepayment premium any time after October  2010.

In addition, on March 1, 2005, the Company exchanged its TriNet 7.70% Senior Notes due 2017 for iStar 5.70% Series B Senior Notes due 2014 in accordance with the exchange offer and consent solicitation issued on January 25, 2005. For each $1,000 principal amount of TriNet Notes tendered, holders received approximately $1,171 principal amount of iStar Notes. A total of $117.0 million aggregate principal amount of iStar Notes were issued. The iStar Notes issued in the exchange offer form part of the series of iStar 5.70% Series B Notes due 2014 issued on March 9, 2004. Also, on March 30, 2005, the Company amended certain covenants in the indenture relating to the 7.95% Notes due 2006 as a result of a consent solicitation of the holders of these notes. Following the successful completion of the consent solicitation, the Company merged TriNet into the Company, the Company became the obligor on the Notes and TriNet no longer exists (see Note 1).

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company issued $850.0 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from 4.875% to 5.70% and maturing between 2009 and 2014 and $200.0 million of variable-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at an annual rate of three-month LIBOR + 1.25% and maturing in 2007.

The Company primarily used the proceeds from the issuance of securities described above to repay secured indebtedness as it migrated its balance sheet towards more unsecured debt and to refinance higher yielding obligations.




During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company redeemed approximately $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008 at a price of 108.75% of par. In connection with this redemption, the Company recognized a charge to income of $11.5 million included in “Loss on early extinguishment of debt” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Unsecured/Secured Credit Facilities ActivityOn March 12, 2005, August 12, 2005, and September 30, 2005, three of the Company’s secured revolving credit facilities, with a maximum amount available to draw of $250.0 million, $350.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively, matured.

On April 19, 2004, the Company completed a new $850.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with 19 banks and financial institutions. The new facility has a three-year initial term with a one-year extension at the Company’s option. The facility bears interest, based upon the Company’s current credit ratings, at a rate of LIBOR + 0.875% and a 17.5 basis point annual facility fee decreased from LIBOR + 1.00% and 25 basis points, respectively, due to an upgrade in the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to investment grade by S&P. On December 17, 2004, the commitment on this facility was increased to $1.25 billion and the accordion feature was amended to increase the facility to $1.50 billion in the future if necessary. This new facility replaced a $300.0 million unsecured credit facility with a scheduled maturity of July 2004. On September 16, 2005, the commitment on the unsecured facility was increased to $1.50 billion under the accordion feature of the facility.

Other Financing ActivityDuring the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, the Company repaid a $76.0 million mortgage on 11 CTL investments which was open to prepayment without penalty. The Company also prepaid a $135.0 million mortgage on a CTL asset with a 0.5% prepayment penalty. In addition, the Company fully repaid the STARs Series 2002-1 and STARs Series 2003-1 Notes which had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $620.7 million on the date of repayment. The STARs Notes were originally issued in 2002 and 2003 by special purpose subsidiaries of the Company for the purpose of match funding the Company’s assets that collateralized the STARs Notes.  For accounting purposes, the issuance of the STARs Notes was treated as a secured on-balance sheet financing. In connection with the redemption of the STARs Notes, no gain on sale was recognized and the Company incurred one-time cash costs, including prepayment and other fees, of approximately $6.8 million and a non-cash charge of approximately $37.5 million to write-off deferred financing fees and expenses. These losses are included in “Loss on early extinguishment of debt” on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2004, the Company closed $200.0 million of term financing that is secured by certain corporate bond investments and other lending securities. A number of these investments were previously financed under existing credit facilities. The new facility bears interest at LIBOR + 1.05% - 1.50% and has a final maturity date of January 2006. During 2004, the Company also purchased the remaining interest in a joint venture and began consolidating it for accounting purposes, which resulted in approximately $31.8 million of secured term debt to be consolidated on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The term loans bear interest at rates of 7.61% to 8.43% and mature between 2005 and 2011. In addition, the Company repaid a total of $314.6 million in term loan financing, $9.8 million of which was part of the joint venture acquisition.




During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company closed an aggregate of $233.0 million in secured term debt bearing interest at rates ranging from LIBOR + 0.60%-2.125% and maturing between 2003 to 2008. In addition, the Company repaid $125.0 million of term loan financing, $50.0 million of which had been closed during the same year.

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 the Company incurred an aggregate net loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $46.0 million, $13.1 million, and $0, respectively, as a result of the early retirement of certain debt obligations.

As of December 31, 2005, future expected/scheduled maturities of outstanding long-term debt obligations are as follows (in thousands)(1):

2006

 

$

117,224

 

2007

 

202,572

 

2008

 

2,067,000

 

2009

 

724,613

 

2010

 

605,700

 

Thereafter

 

2,246,399

 

Total principal maturities

 

5,963,508

 

Net unamortized debt discounts

 

(73,522

)

Impact of pay-floating swap agreements (see Note 11)

 

(30,394

)

Total debt obligations

 

$

5,859,592

 

 

Explanatory Note:


(1)             Assumes exercise of extensions to the extent such extensions are at the Company’s option.

Note 10—Shareholders’ Equity

The Company’s charter provides for the issuance of up to 200.0 million shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 30.0 million shares of preferred stock. The Company has 4.0 million shares of 8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 5.6 million shares of 7.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 4.0 million shares of 7.80% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 3.2 million shares of 7.65% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and 5.0 million shares of 7.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The Series D, E, F, G, and I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are redeemable without premium at the option of the Company at their respective liquidation preferences beginning on October 8, 2002, July 18, 2008, September 29, 2008, December 19, 2008 and March 1, 2009, respectively.

In April 2005 and May 2005, the Company issued 989,663 and 174,647 of its treasury shares, respectively, as a part of the purchase of the Company’s substantial minority interest in Oak Hill. The shares were issued out of the Company’s treasury stock at a weighted average cost of $18.71 and issued at a price of $41.35 and $40.25 in April 2005 and May 2005, respectively. The difference in the weighted average cost and the issuance price is included in “Additional paid-in capital” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.




In February 2004, the Company redeemed 2.0 million outstanding shares of its 9.375% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and 1.3 million outstanding shares of its 9.20% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The redemption price was $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption date of $0.46 and $0.45 for the Series B and C Preferred Stock, respectively. In connection with this redemption, the Company recognized a charge to net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders of approximately $9.0 million included in “Preferred dividend requirements” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In February 2004, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5.0 million shares of its 7.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning March 1, 2009. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of $121.0 million to redeem approximately $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008 at a price of 108.75% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

In January 2004, the Company completed a private placement of 3.3 million shares of its Series H Variable Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and redeemable at par at any time from the purchase date through the first four months. The Company specifically used the proceeds from this offering to redeem the Series B and C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock on February 23, 2004. On January 27, 2004, the Company redeemed all Series H Preferred Stock using excess liquidity from its secured credit facilities.

In December 2003, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5.0 million primary shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company received approximately $191.1 million from the offering and used these proceeds to repay a portion of secured indebtedness.

In December 2003, the Company redeemed 1.6 million shares of the Company’s 9.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share by exchanging those securities for newly issued 3.2 million shares of 7.65% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning on December 19, 2008. Immediately following this transaction the Company no longer had any Series A Preferred Stock outstanding. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds from the offering.

In September 2003, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 4.0 million shares of its 7.80% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning on September 29, 2008. The Company used the proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of secured indebtedness.

In July 2003, the Company redeemed 2.8 million shares of the Company’s 9.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share by exchanging those securities for newly issued 5.6 million shares of 7.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning on July 18, 2008. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds from the offering.

On December 15, 1998, the Company issued warrants to acquire 6.1 million shares of Common Stock, as adjusted for dilution, at $34.35 per share. The warrants were exercisable on or after December 15, 1999 at a price of $34.35 per share and expired on December 15, 2005. On April 8, 2004, all 6.1 million warrants were exercised on a net basis and the Company subsequently issued approximately 1.1 million shares.




DRIP/Stock Purchase Plan—The Company maintains a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. Under the dividend reinvestment component of the plan, the Company’s shareholders may purchase additional shares of Common Stock without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges by automatically reinvesting all or a portion of their Common Stock cash dividends. Under the direct stock purchase component of the plan, the Company’s shareholders and new investors may purchase shares of Common Stock directly from the Company without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges. All purchases of shares in excess of $10,000 per month pursuant to the direct purchase component are at the Company’s sole discretion. Shares issued under the plan may reflect a discount of up to 3.00% from the prevailing market price of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company is authorized to issue up to 8.0 million shares of Common Stock pursuant to the dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company issued a total of approximately 433,000 and 427,000 shares of its Common Stock, respectively, through both plans. Net proceeds during the 12 months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, were approximately $17.4 million and $17.6 million, respectively. There are approximately 2.7 million shares available for issuance under the plan as of December 31, 2005.

Stock Repurchase Program—The Board of Directors approved, and the Company has implemented, a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 5.0 million shares of its Common Stock from time to time, primarily using proceeds from the disposition of assets or loan repayments and excess cash flow from operations, but also using borrowings under its credit facilities if the Company determines that it is advantageous to do so. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 2.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.7 million. The Company has not repurchased any shares under the stock repurchase program since November 2000, however, the Company issued approximately 1.2 million shares of its treasury stock during 2005 (see above).

Note 11—Risk Management and Use of Financial Instruments

Risk management—In the normal course of its on-going business operations, the Company encounters economic risk. There are three main components of economic risk: interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing  liabilities mature or reprice at different points in time and potentially at different bases, than its interest-earning assets. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s lending investments that results from a property’s, borrower’s or corporate tenant’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of loans due to changes in interest rates or other market factors, including the rate of prepayments of principal and the value of the collateral underlying loans, the valuation of CTL facilities held by the Company and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Use of derivative financial instruments—The Company’s use of derivative financial instruments is primarily limited to the utilization of interest rate agreements or other instruments to manage interest rate risk exposure. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with the Company’s operating and financial structure as well as to hedge specific anticipated debt issuances. During 2005, the Company also began using derivative instruments to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate movements. The counterparties to each of these contractual arrangements are major financial institutions with which the Company and its affiliates may also have other financial relationships. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However,




because of their high credit ratings, the Company does not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge credit/market risk or for speculative purposes.

The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and foreign exchange gains/losses, and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements, foreign exchange rate movements, or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount. As of December 31, 2005, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with $250.0 million of existing variable-rate debt and $650.0 million of forecasted issuances of debt.

Interest rate swaps used as a fair value hedge involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts in exchange for variable rate payments over the life of the agreement without exchange of the underlying principal amount. At December 31, 2005, such derivatives were used to hedge the change in fair value associated with $1.1 billion of existing fixed-rate debt. As of December 31, 2005, no derivatives were designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations. Additionally, derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate movements, foreign exchange rate movements, and other identified risks, but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements of SFAS 133.

The following table represents the notional principal amounts of interest rate swaps by class and the corresponding hedged liability positions (in thousands):

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

Forward-starting interest rate swaps

 

650,000

 

200,000

 

Fair value hedges

 

1,100,000

 

850,000

 

Total interest rate swaps

 

$

2,000,000

 

$

1,300,000

 

The following table presents the maturity, notional, and weighted average interest rates expected to be received or paid on USD interest rate swaps at December 31, 2005 ($ in thousands)(1):

 

 

Floating to Fixed-rate

 

Fixed to Floating-Rate

 

Maturity for Years Ending December 31,

 

Notional
Amount

 

Receive
Rate

 

Pay
Rate

 

Notional
Amount

 

Receive
Rate

 

Pay
Rate

 

2006

 

$

250,000

 

4.62

%

2.86

%

$

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

3.86

%

4.88

%

2009

 

 

 

 

350,000

 

3.69

%

4.90

%

2010

 

 

 

 

600,000

 

4.39

%

4.90

%

2011 – Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

250,000

 

4.62

%

2.86

%

$

1,100,000

 

4.10

%

4.90

%

 

Explanatory Note:


(1)             Excludes forward starting swaps expected to be cash settled on their effective dates and amortized to interest expense through their maturity dates.




The following table presents the Company’s foreign currency derivatives. These derivatives do not use hedge accounting, but are marked to market under SFAS 133 (in thousands):

Derivative Type

 

Notional
Amount

 

Notional 
Currency

 

Notional
(USD
Equivalent)

 

Maturity

 

Sell GBP forward

 

£

16,077

 

Pound Sterling

 

$

28,133

 

January 2006

 

Sell CAD forward

 

CAD         11,512

 

Canadian Dollar

 

9,979

 

January 2006

 

Buy EUR forward

 

632

 

Euro

 

763

 

March 2006

 

Cross currency swap

 

3,740

 

Euro

 

4,555

 

June 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43,430

 

 

 

At December 31, 2005, derivatives with a fair value of $13.2 million were included in other assets and derivatives with a fair value of $32.1 million were included in other liabilities.

Credit risk concentrations—Concentrations of credit risks arise when a number of borrowers or customers related to the Company’s investments are engaged in similar business activities, or activities in the same geographic region, or have similar economic features that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations, including those to the Company, to be similarly affected by changes in economic conditions. The Company regularly monitors various segments of its portfolio to assess potential concentrations of credit risks. Management believes the current portfolio is reasonably well diversified and does not contain any unusual concentration of credit risks.

Substantially all of the Company’s CTL assets (including those held by joint ventures) and loans and other lending investments are collateralized by facilities located in the United States, with California (20.5%) representing the only significant concentration (greater than 10.0%) as of December 31, 2005. The Company’s investments also contain significant concentrations in the following asset types as of December 31, 2005: office-CTL (19.7%), industrial (15.9%) and retail (12.8%).

The Company underwrites the credit of prospective borrowers and customers and often requires them to provide some form of credit support such as corporate guarantees, letters of credit and/or cash security deposits. Although the Company’s loans and other lending investments and corporate customer lease assets are geographically diverse and the borrowers and customers operate in a variety of industries, to the extent the Company has a significant concentration of interest or operating lease revenues from any single borrower or customer, the inability of that borrower or customer to make its payment could have an adverse effect on the Company. As of December 31, 2005, the Company’s five largest borrowers or corporate customers collectively accounted for approximately 18.9% of the Company’s aggregate annualized interest and operating lease revenue of which no single customer accounts for more than 5.0%.

Note 12—Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefits

The Company’s 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to provide incentive compensation for officers, other key employees and directors of the Company. The Plan provides for awards of stock options and shares of restricted stock and other performance awards. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for awards under the Plan is 9.00% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, calculated on a fully diluted basis, from time to time, provided that the number of




shares of Common Stock reserved for grants of options designated as incentive stock options is 5.0 million, subject to certain antidilution provisions in the Plan.

All awards under the Plan, other than automatic awards to non-employee directors, are at the discretion of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2005, a total of approximately 10.3 million shares of Common Stock were available for awards under the Plan, of which options to purchase approximately 1.2 million shares of Common Stock were outstanding and approximately 94,000 shares of restricted stock were outstanding. A total of approximately 981,000 shares remain available for awards under the Plan as of December 31, 2005.

Changes in options outstanding during each of the years 2003, 2004 and 2005, are as follows:

 

Number of Shares

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Employee

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Employees

 

Directors

 

Other

 

Strike Price

 

Options outstanding, December 31, 2002

 

3,139,477

 

468,282

 

731,993

 

$

18.77

 

Granted in 2003

 

15,500

 

 

 

14.72

 

Exercised in 2003

 

(843,624

)

(235,746

)

(389,594

)

18.99

 

Forfeited in 2003

 

(2,300

)

(13,850

)

 

26.14

 

Transferred in 2003(1)

 

 

(63,692

)

63,692

 

27.15

 

Options outstanding, December 31, 2003

 

2,309,053

 

154,994

 

406,091

 

18.59

 

Exercised in 2004

 

(1,316,070

)

(36,600

)

(98,527

)

19.23

 

Forfeited in 2004

 

(83,730

)

(14,600

)

 

17.14

 

Options outstanding, December 31, 2004

 

909,253

 

103,794

 

307,564

 

17.99

 

Exercised in 2005

 

(58,171

)

(6,900

)

(23,198

)

19.89

 

Forfeited in 2005

 

(350

)

 

 

18.88

 

Options outstanding, December 31, 2005

 

850,732

 

96,894

 

284,366

 

$

17.86

 

Explanatory Note:


(1)             Transfer of shares due to the down-size of Board of Directors on June 2, 2003.

The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2005:

 

 

 

Remaining

 

Options

 

Exercise
Price

 

Options
Outstanding

 

Contractual
Life

 

Currently
Exercisable

 

$14.72

 

483,016

 

3.13

 

477,850

 

$16.88

 

396,322

 

4.01

 

396,322

 

$17.38

 

16,667

 

4.21

 

16,667

 

$19.69

 

188,401

 

5.00

 

188,401

 

$24.94

 

40,000

 

5.38

 

40,000

 

$26.09

 

13,800

 

0.41

 

13,800

 

$26.97

 

2,000

 

5.45

 

2,000

 

$27.00

 

25,000

 

5.48

 

25,000

 

$28.54

 

3,396

 

2.34

 

3,396

 

$29.82

 

58,296

 

6.41

 

58,296

 

$55.39

 

5,094

 

3.42

 

5,094

 

 

 

1,231,992

 

3.96

 

1,226,826

 




In the third quarter 2002 (with retroactive application to the beginning of the calendar year), the Company adopted the fair value method for accounting for options issued to employees or directors, as allowed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure.” Accordingly, the Company recognizes a charge equal to the fair value of these options at the date of grant multiplied by the number of options issued. This charge is amortized over the related remaining vesting terms to individual employees as additional compensation. There were 15,500 options issued during the year ended December 31, 2003 with a strike price of $14.72.

If the Company’s compensation costs had been determined using the fair value method of accounting for stock options issued under the Plan to employees and directors prescribed by SFAS No. 123 prior to 2002, the Company’s net income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 would be unchanged and for 2003, would have been reduced on a pro forma basis by approximately $96,000. This would not have significantly impacted the Company’s earnings per share. The fair value of each significant grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. For the above SFAS No. 123 calculation, the following assumptions were used for the Company’s fair value calculations of stock options:

 

2003

 

Expected life (in years)

 

5

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.13

%

Expected volatility

 

17.64

%

Expected dividend yield

 

9.57

%

Weighted average grant date fair value

 

$

5.26

 

Future charges may be taken to the extent of additional option grants, which are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company granted 68,730 restricted stock units to employees that vest proportionately over three years on the anniversary date of the initial grant, of which 64,510 remain outstanding as of December 31, 2005.

During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company granted 36,205 restricted shares to employees that vest proportionately over three years on the anniversary date of the initial grant, of which 20,291 remain outstanding as of December 31, 2005.

During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company granted 40,600 restricted shares to employees that vest proportionately over three years on the anniversary date of the initial grant, of which 8,842 remain outstanding as of December 31, 2005.

During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company granted 199,350 restricted shares to employees. Of these shares, 44,350 vested proportionately over three years on the anniversary date of the initial grant and none remain outstanding as of December 31, 2005. The balance of 155,000 restricted shares granted to several employees vested on March 31, 2004 due to the satisfaction of the following circumstances: (1) the employee remained employed until that date; and (2) the 60-day average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock equaled or exceeded a set floor price as of such date. The market price of the stock was $42.30 on March 31, 2004; therefore, the Company incurred a one-time charge to




earnings of approximately $6.7 million (the fair market value of the 155,000 shares at $42.30 per share plus the Company’s share of taxes). During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company also granted 208,980 restricted shares to its Chief Financial Officer (see detailed information below).

For accounting purposes, the Company measures compensation costs for these shares as of the date of the grant and expenses such amounts against earnings, either at the grant date (if no vesting period exists) or ratably over the respective vesting/service period. Such amounts appear on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in “General and administrative—stock-based compensation expense.”

During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its President. This initial three-year term, and any subsequent one-year renewal term, will automatically be extended for an additional year, unless earlier terminated by prior notice from the Company or the President. Under the agreement, the President receives an annual base salary of $350,000, subject to an annual review for upward (but not downward) adjustment. Beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, he is eligible to receive a target bonus of $650,000, subject to annual review for upward adjustment. In addition, the President purchased a 20% interest in both the Company’s 2005 and 2006 high performance unit program for executive officers and a 25% interest in the Company’s 2007 high performance unit program for executive officers (see High Performance Unit Program discussion below). The President will also have the option to buy 30% and 35% in the Company’s 2008 and 2009 high performance unit program for executive officers, respectively. As of December 31, 2005, the President contributed approximately $288,000, $101,000, and $91,000 to the 2005, 2006 and 2007 high performance unit programs for executive officers, respectively. The President is also entitled to an allocation of 25% of the interests in the Company’s proposed New Business Crossed Incentive Compensation Program, or an alternative plan.

During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its Chief Financial Officer. Under the agreement, the Chief Financial Officer receives an annual base salary of $225,000 and a bonus, which was targeted to be $325,000, both subject to an annual review for upward, and in respect to the bonus, downward adjustment. In addition, the Company granted the Chief Financial Officer 108,980 contingently vested restricted stock awards that vested on December 31, 2005. Dividends were paid on the restricted shares as dividends are paid on shares of the Company’s Common Stock. These dividends were accounted for in a manner consistent with the Company’s Common Stock dividends, as a reduction to retained earnings. For accounting purposes, the Company took a total charge of approximately $3.0 million related to the restricted stock awards, which was amortized over the period from November 6, 2002 through December 31, 2005. This charge is reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in “General and administrative—stock-based compensation.”




Further, the Company granted the Chief Financial Officer 100,000 restricted shares which became fully-vested on January 31, 2004 as a result of the Company achieving a 53.28% total shareholder rate of return (dividends since November 6, 2002 plus share price appreciation from January 2, 2003). The Company incurred a one-time charge to earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2004 of approximately $4.1 million (the fair market value of the 100,000 shares at $40.02 per share plus the Company’s share of taxes). For accounting purposes, the employment arrangement described above was treated as a contingent, variable plan until January 31, 2004.

On February 11, 2004, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer which took effect upon the expiration of the old agreement. The new agreement has an initial term of three years and provides for the following compensation:

·       an annual salary of $1.0 million;

·       a potential annual cash incentive award of up to $5.0 million if performance goals set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer are met; and

·       a one-time award of Common Stock with a value of $10.0 million at March 31, 2004 (based upon the trailing 20-day average closing price of the Common Stock); the award was fully vested when granted and dividends will be paid on the shares from the date of grant, but the shares cannot be sold for five years unless the price of the Common Stock during the 12 months ending March 31 of each year increases by at least 15%, in which case the sale restrictions on 25% of the shares awarded will lapse in respect to each 12-month period. In connection with this award the Company recorded a $10.1 million charge in “General and administrative—stock-based compensation expense” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Chief Executive Officer notified the Company that subsequent to this award he contributed an equivalent number of shares to a newly established charitable foundation.

In addition, the Chief Executive Officer purchased an 80% and 75% interest in the Company’s 2006 and 2007 high performance unit program for executive officers, respectively (see High Performance Unit Program discussion below). This performance program was approved by the Company’s shareholders in 2003 and is described in detail in the Company’s 2003 and 2004 annual proxy statement. The purchase price of $286,000 and $274,000 for the 2006 and 2007 plan, respectively, was paid by the Chief Executive Officer and was based upon a valuation prepared by an independent investment-banking firm. The interests purchased by the Chief Executive Officer will have no value to him unless the Company achieves total shareholder returns in excess of those achieved by peer group indices, all as more fully described in the Company’s 2003 and 2004 annual proxy statement.

The February 2004 employment agreement with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer replaced a prior employment agreement dated March 30, 2001 that expired at the end of its term. The compensation awarded to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer under this prior agreement included a grant of 2.0 million unvested phantom shares. The phantom shares vested on a contingent basis in installments of 350,000 shares, 650,000 shares, 600,000 shares and 400,000 shares when the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock achieved performance targets of $25.00, $30.00, $34.00 and $37.00, respectively, which were set at the commencement of the agreement in March 2001. The phantom shares became fully vested at the expiration of the term of the agreement on March 30, 2004. The market price




of the Common Stock on March 30, 2004 was $42.40 and the Company incurred a one-time charge to earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2004 of approximately $86.0 million (the fair market value of the 2.0 million shares at $42.40 per share plus the Company’s share of taxes).

Upon the phantom share units becoming fully vested, the Company delivered to the executive 728,552 shares of Common Stock and $53.9 million of cash, the total of which is equal to the fair market value of the 2.0 million shares of Common Stock multiplied by the closing stock price of $42.40 on March 30, 2004. Prior to March 30, 2004, the executive received dividends on shares that were contingently vested and were not forfeited under the terms of the agreement, when the Company declared and paid dividends on its Common Stock. Because no shares had been issued prior to March 30, 2004, dividends received on these phantom shares were reflected as compensation expense by the Company. For accounting purposes, this arrangement was treated as a contingent, variable plan and no additional compensation expense was recognized until the shares became irrevocably vested on March 30, 2004, at which time the Company reflected a charge equal to the fair value of the shares irrevocably vested.

Certain affiliates of Starwood Opportunity Fund IV, LP (“SOFI IV”) and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer previously agreed to reimburse the Company for the value of restricted shares awarded to the former President in excess of 350,000 shares, net of tax benefits realized by the Company or its shareholders on account of compensation expense deductions. The reimbursement obligation arose once the restricted share award became fully vested on September 30, 2002. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer fulfilled his reimbursement obligation through the delivery of shares of the Company’s Common Stock owned by him. As of March 31, 2004, the SOFI IV affiliates fulfilled their obligation through the payment of approximately $2.4 million in cash. These reimbursement payments are reflected as “Additional paid-in capital” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, and not as an offset to the charge referenced above.

High Performance Unit Program

In May 2002, the Company’s shareholders approved the iStar Financial High Performance Unit (“HPU”) Program. The program, as more fully described in the Company’s annual proxy statement dated April 8, 2002, is a performance-based employee compensation plan that only has material value to the participants if the Company provides superior returns to its shareholders. The program entitles the employee participants (“HPU holders”) to receive distributions in the nature of Common Stock dividends if the total rate of return on the Company’s Common Stock (share price appreciation plus dividends) exceeds certain performance levels over a specified valuation period.

Four plans within the program completed their valuation periods as of December 31, 2005: the 2002 plan, the 2003 plan, the 2004 plan and the 2005 plan. Each plan has 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock associated with it. Each share of High Performance Common Stock carries 0.25 votes per share.

For these plans, the Company’s performance was measured over a one-, two-, or three-year valuation period, ending on December 31, 2002, December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The end of the valuation period (i.e., the “valuation date”) will be accelerated if there is a change in control of the Company. The High Performance Common Stock has a nominal value unless the total rate of shareholder return for the relevant valuation period exceeds the greater of: (1) 10%, 20%, or 30% for the 2002 plan, the 2003 plan and the 2004 and 2005 plans, respectively; and (2) a weighted industry




index total rate of return consisting of equal weightings of the Russell 1000 Financial Index and the Morgan Stanley REIT Index for the relevant period.

If the total rate of return on the Company’s Common Stock exceeds the threshold performance levels for a particular plan, then distributions will be paid on the shares of High Performance Common Stock related to that plan in the same amounts and at the same times as distributions are paid on a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the following: 7% of the Company’s excess total rate of return (over the higher of the two threshold performance levels) multiplied by the weighted average market value of the Company’s common equity capitalization during the measurement period, all as divided by the average closing price of a share of the Company’s Common Stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the applicable valuation date.

If the total rate of return on the Company’s Common Stock does not exceed the threshold performance levels for a particular plan, then the shares of High Performance Common Stock related to that plan will have only nominal value. In this event, each of the 5,000 shares will be entitled to dividends equal to 0.01 times the dividend paid on a share of Common Stock, if and when dividends are declared on the Common Stock.

Regardless of how much the Company’s total rate of return exceeds the threshold performance levels, the dilutive impact to the Company’s shareholders resulting from distributions on High Performance Common Stock in each plan is limited to the equivalent of 1% of the average monthly number of fully diluted shares of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding during the valuation period.

The employee participants have purchased their interests in High Performance Common Stock through a limited liability company at purchase prices approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s Board of Directors has established the prices of the High Performance Common Stock based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The aggregate initial purchase prices were approximately $2.8 million, $1.8 million, $1.4 million and $617,000 for the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 plans, respectively. No HPU holder is permitted to exchange his or her interest in the LLC for shares of High Performance Common Stock prior to the applicable valuation date.

The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2002 plan was 21.94%, which exceeded both the fixed performance threshold of 10% and the industry index return of (5.83%). As a result of this superior performance, the participants in the 2002 plan are entitled to receive distributions equivalent to the amount of dividends payable on 819,254 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, as and when such dividends are paid. Such dividend payments began with the first quarter 2003 dividend. The Company will pay dividends on the 2002 plan shares in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates that shares of the Company’s Common Stock are paid. The Company has the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase at cost 50.00% of the interests earned by an employee in the 2002 plan if the employee breaches certain non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality covenants through January 1, 2005.

The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2003 plan was 78.29%, which exceeded the fixed performance threshold of 20% and the industry index return of 24.66%. The plan was fully funded and was limited to 1% of the average monthly number of fully diluted shares of the




Company’s Common Stock during the valuation period. As a result of the Company’s superior performance, the participants in the 2003 plan are entitled to receive distributions equivalent to the amount of dividends payable on 987,149 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, as and when such dividends are paid. Such dividend payments began with the first quarter 2004 dividend. The Company will pay dividends on the 2003 plan shares in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates that shares of the Company’s Common Stock are paid.

 

The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2004 plan was 115.47%, which exceeded the fixed performance threshold of 30% and the industry index return of 55.05%. The plan was fully funded and was limited to 1% of the average monthly number of fully diluted shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the valuation period. As a result of the Company’s superior performance, the participants in the 2004 plan are entitled to receive distributions equivalent to the amount of dividends payable on 1,031,875 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, as and when such dividends are paid. Such dividend payments began with the first quarter 2005 dividend. The Company pays dividends on the 2004 plan shares in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates that shares of the Company’s Common Stock are paid.

The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2005 plan was 63.38%, which exceeded the fixed performance threshold of 30%, but did not exceed the industry index return of 80.80%. As a result, the plan was not funded and on December 31, 2005, the Company redeemed the high performance stock for its fair value and each unit holder received their proportionate share of the nominal fair value of the plan.

A new 2006 plan has been established with a three-year valuation period ending December 31, 2006. Awards under the 2006 plan were approved on January 23, 2004. The 2006 plan had 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock with an aggregate initial purchase price of $715,000. As of December 31, 2005 the Company had received a net contribution of $682,000 under this plan. The purchase price of the High Performance Common Stock was established by the Company’s Board of Directors based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The provisions of the 2006 plan are substantially the same as the prior plans.

A new 2007 plan has been established with a three-year valuation period ending December 31, 2007. Awards under the 2007 plan were approved in January 2005. The 2007 plan had 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock with an aggregate initial purchase price of $643,000. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had received a net contribution of $605,000 under this plan. The purchase price of the High Performance Common Stock was established by the Company’s Board of Directors based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The provisions of the 2007 plan are substantially the same as the prior plans.

A new 2008 plan has been established with a three-year valuation period ending December 31, 2008. Awards under the 2008 plan were approved in January 2006. The 2008 plan had 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock with an aggregate initial purchase price of $781,000. The purchase price of the High Performance Common Stock was established by the Company’s Board of Directors based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The provisions of the 2008 plan are substantially the same as the prior plans.




In addition to these plans, a high performance unit program for executive officers has been established with three-year valuation periods ending December 2005, December 2006, December 2007, December 2008 and December 2009, respectively. The provisions of these plans are substantially the same as the high performance unit programs for employees except that the plans are limited to 0.05% of the average monthly number of fully diluted shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the valuation period.

The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2005 high performance unit program for executive officers was 63.38%, which exceeded the fixed performance threshold of 30%, but did not exceed the industry index return of 80.80%. As a result, the plan was not funded and on December 31, 2005, the Company redeemed the high performance stock for its fair value and each unit holder received their proportionate share of the nominal fair value of the plan.

The additional equity from the issuance of the High Performance Common Stock is recorded as a separate class of stock and included within shareholders’ equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net income allocable to common shareholders will be reduced by the HPU holders’ share of dividends paid and undistributed earnings, if any.

401(k) Plan

Effective November 4, 1999, the Company implemented a savings and retirement plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which is a voluntary, defined contribution plan. All employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan following completion of three months of continuous service with the Company. Each participant may contribute on a pretax basis up to the maximum percentage of compensation and dollar amount permissible under Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code not to exceed the limits of Code Sections 401(k), 404 and 415. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Company may make matching contributions on the participant’s behalf of up to 50.00% of the first 10.00% of the participant’s annual compensation. The Company made gross contributions of approximately $694,000, $523,000 and $424,000 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.




Note 13—Earnings Per Share

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

275,819

 

$

191,534

 

$

256,299

 

Preferred dividend requirements

 

(42,320

)

(51,340

)

(36,908

)

Income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders before income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations(1)

 

233,499

 

140,194

 

219,391

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

5,740

 

25,538

 

30,691

 

Gain from discontinued operations

 

6,354

 

43,375

 

5,167

 

Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(1)

 

$

245,593

 

$

209,107

 

$

255,249

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share

 

112,513

 

110,205

 

100,314

 

Add: effect of assumed shares issued under treasury stock method for stock options, restricted shares and warrants

 

764

 

1,322

 

1,897

 

Add: effect of contingent shares

 

115

 

639

 

1,667

 

Add: effect of joint venture shares

 

311

 

298

 

223

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per common share

 

113,703

 

112,464

 

104,101

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income allocable to common shareholders before income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations(2)

 

$

2.02

 

$

1.24

 

$

2.17

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

0.05

 

0.24

 

0.30

 

Gain from discontinued operations

 

0.06

 

0.39

 

0.05

 

Net income allocable to common shareholders(2)

 

$

2.13

 

$

1.87

 

$

2.52

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income allocable to common shareholders before income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations(3)(4)

 

$

2.00

 

$

1.22

 

$

2.09

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

0.05

 

0.22

 

0.29

 

Gain from discontinued operations

 

0.06

 

0.39

 

0.05

 

Net income allocable to common shareholders(3)(4)

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.83

 

$

2.43

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)             HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company’s High Performance Unit Program (see Note 12).




(2)             For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, excludes $6,043, $3,314, and $2,066 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(3)             For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, excludes $5,983, $3,265, and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders diluted, respectively.

(4)             For the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, includes $28, $3, and $167 of joint venture income, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 the following shares were antidilutive (in thousands):

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Stock options

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

Joint venture shares

 

39

 

73

 

 

 

Note 14—Comprehensive Income

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 (“SFAS No. 130”), “Reporting Comprehensive Income” requires that all components of comprehensive income shall be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Furthermore, a total amount for comprehensive income shall be displayed in the financial statements. Total comprehensive income was $303.9 million, $257.4 million and $295.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The primary components of comprehensive income, other than net income, consist of amounts attributable to the adoption and continued application of SFAS No. 133 to the Company’s cash flow hedges and changes in the fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale investments. The reconciliation to comprehensive income is as follows (in thousands):

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net income

 

$

287,913

 

$

260,447

 

$

292,157

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification of unrealized gains on securities into earnings upon realization

 

(2,737

)

(6,743

)

(12,031

)

Reclassification of unrealized losses on qualifying cash flow hedges into earnings upon realization

 

10,624

 

6,212

 

12,601

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

 

188

 

2,075

 

8,103

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges

 

7,896

 

(4,638

)

(5,364

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

303,884

 

$

257,353

 

$

295,466

 

 

Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale investments and cash flow hedges are recorded as adjustments to shareholders’ equity through “Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in net income unless realized.




As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) reflected in the Company’s shareholders’ equity is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

 

$

2,145

 

$

4,694

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

 

11,740

 

(6,780

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

 

$

13,885

 

$

(2,086

)

 

Over time, the unrealized gains and losses held in other comprehensive income will be reclassified to earnings in the same period(s) in which the hedged items are recognized in earnings. The current balance held in other comprehensive income is expected to be reclassified to earnings over the lives of the current hedging instruments, or for the realized losses on forecasted debt transactions, over the related term of the debt obligation, as applicable. The Company expects that $2.1 million will be reclassified into earnings as a decrease to interest expense over the next 12 months.

Note 15—Dividends

In order to maintain its election to qualify as a REIT, the Company must currently distribute, at a minimum, an amount equal to 90% of its taxable income and must distribute 100% of its taxable income to avoid paying corporate federal income taxes. The Company anticipates it will distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Because taxable income differs from cash flow from operations due to non-cash revenues and expenses (such as depreciation), in certain circumstances, the Company may generate operating cash flow in excess of its dividends or, alternatively, may be required to borrow to make sufficient dividend payments.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, total dividends declared by the Company aggregated $330 million, or $2.93 per share on Common Stock consisting of quarterly dividends of $0.7325 which were declared on April 1, 2005, July 1, 2005, October 1, 2005 and December 1, 2005. For tax reporting purposes, the 2005 dividends were classified as 65.04% $(1.9055) ordinary income, 12.72% $(0.3727) 15% capital gain, 1.17% $(0.0342) 25% Section 1250 capital gain and 21.08% ($0.6176) return of capital for those shareholders who held shares of the Company for the entire year. The Company also declared and paid dividends aggregating $8.0 million, $11.0 million, $7.8 million, $6.1 million and $9.4 million on its Series D, E, F, G and I preferred stock, respectively, during the 12 months ended December 31, 2005.

In connection with the redemption of the Series H preferred stock on January 27, 2004 the Company paid a dividend of $87,656 representing unpaid dividends of $0.49 per share for the five days the preferred stock was outstanding.

In connection with the redemption of the Series B preferred stock on February 23, 2004 the Company paid a final dividend of $920,000 representing unpaid dividends of $0.46 per share for the 70 days from the prior dividend payment on December 15, 2003. Upon redemption, the Company recognized a charge to net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders of $5.5 million included in “Preferred dividend requirements” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.




In connection with the redemption of the Series C preferred stock on February 23, 2004 the Company paid a final dividend of $585,000 representing unpaid dividends of $0.45 per share for the 70 days from the prior dividend payment on December 15, 2003. Upon redemption, the Company recognized a charge to net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders of $3.5 million included in “Preferred dividend requirements” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Holders of shares of the Series D preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 8.00% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $2.00 per share. Dividends are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears on or before the 15th day of each March, June, September and December or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day. Any dividend payable on the Series D preferred stock for any partial dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as of the close of business on the first day of the calendar month in which the applicable dividend payment date falls or on another date designated by the Board of Directors of the Company for the payment of dividends that is not more than 30 nor less than ten days prior to the dividend payment date.

Holders of shares of the Series E preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.875% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.97 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series E preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series D preferred stock described above.

Holders of shares of the Series F preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.80% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.95 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series F preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series D preferred stock described above.

Holders of shares of the Series G preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.65% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.91 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series G preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series D preferred stock described above.

Holders of the Series I preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.88 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series I preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series D preferred stock described above.

The 2002, 2003 and 2004 High Performance Unit Program reached their valuation dates on December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Based on the Company’s 2002, 2003 and 2004 total rate of return, the participants are entitled to receive dividends on 819,254 shares, 987,149 shares and 1,031,875 shares, respectively, of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company will pay dividends on these units in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates as shares of the Company’s




Common Stock. Such dividend payments for the 2002 plan began with the first quarter 2003 dividend, such dividends for the 2003 plan began with the first quarter 2004 dividend and such dividends for the 2004 plan will begin with the first quarter 2005 dividend. All dividends to HPU holders will reduce net income allocable to common shareholders when paid. Additionally, net income allocable to common shareholders will be reduced by the HPU holders’ share of undistributed earnings, if any.

 

The exact amount of future quarterly dividends to common shareholders will be determined by the Board of Directors based on the Company’s actual and expected operations for the fiscal year and the Company’s overall liquidity position.

Note 16—Fair Values of Financial Instruments

SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“SFAS No. 107”), requires the disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial instruments. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Quoted market prices, if available, are utilized as estimates of the fair values of financial instruments. Because no quoted market prices exist for a significant part of the Company’s financial instruments, the fair values of such instruments have been derived based on management’s assumptions, the amount and timing of future cash flows and estimated discount rates. The estimation methods for individual classifications of financial instruments are described more fully below. Different assumptions could significantly affect these estimates. Accordingly, the net realizable values could be materially different from the estimates presented below. The provisions of SFAS No. 107 do not require the disclosure of the fair value of non-financial instruments, including intangible assets or the Company’s CTL assets.

In addition, the estimates are only indicative of the value of individual financial instruments and should not be considered an indication of the fair value of the Company as an operating business.

Short-term financial instruments—The carrying values of short-term financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments approximate the fair values of these instruments. These financial instruments generally expose the Company to limited credit risk and have no stated maturities, or have an average maturity of less than 90 days and carry interest rates which approximate market.

Loans and other lending investments—For the Company’s interests in loans and other lending investments, the fair values were estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows (excluding participation interests in the sale or refinancing proceeds of the underlying collateral) using estimated current market rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings for the same remaining maturities.

Marketable securitiesSecurities held for investment, securities available for sale, loans held for sale, trading account instruments, long-term debt and trust preferred securities traded actively in the secondary market have been valued using quoted market prices.

Other financial instruments—The carrying value of other financial instruments including, restricted cash, accrued interest receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate the fair values of the instruments.




Debt obligations—A portion of the Company’s existing debt obligations bear interest at fixed margins over LIBOR. Such margins may be higher or lower than those at which the Company could currently replace the related financing arrangements. Other obligations of the Company bear interest at fixed rates, which may differ from prevailing market interest rates. As a result, the fair values of the Company’s debt obligations were estimated by discounting current debt balances from December 31, 2005 and 2004 to maturity using estimated current market rates at which the Company could enter into similar financing arrangements.

Interest rate protection agreements—The fair value of interest rate protection agreements such as interest rate caps, floors, collars and swaps used for hedging purposes (see Note 11) is the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and current creditworthiness of the respective counterparties.

The book and fair values of financial instruments as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 were (in thousands):

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

Book
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Book
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and other lending investments

 

$

4,708,791

 

$

5,172,990

 

$

3,980,863

 

$

4,267,568

 

Marketable securities

 

4,009

 

4,009

 

9,494

 

9,494

 

Reserve for loan losses

 

(46,876

)

(46,876

)

(42,436

)

(42,436

)

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt obligations

 

5,859,592

 

6,137,281

 

4,605,674

 

4,805,055

 

Interest rate protection agreements

 

(17,188

)

(17,188

)

2,923

 

2,923

 

 

Note 17—Segment Reporting

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 131 (“SFAS No. 131”) establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected financial information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders.

The Company has two reportable segments: Real Estate Lending and Corporate Tenant Leasing. The Company does not have any significant foreign operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 3. The Company has no single customer that accounts for more than 4.7% of annualized total revenues (see Note 11 for other information regarding concentrations of credit risk).




The Company evaluates performance based on the following financial measures for each segment (in thousands):

 

 

Real Estate
Lending

 

Corporate
Tenant
Leasing

 

Corporate/
Other(1)

 

Company
Total

 

2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues(2):

 

$

471,451

 

$

305,419

 

$

16,358

 

$

793,228

 

Equity in earnings from joint ventures and unconcolidated subsidiaries:

 

 

(504

)

3,520

 

3,016

 

Total operating and interest expense(3):

 

38,578

 

168,491

 

312,376

 

519,445

 

Net operating income(4):

 

432,873

 

136,424

 

(292,498

)

276,799

 

Total long-lived assets(5):

 

4,661,915

 

3,115,361

 

152,114

 

7,929,390

 

Total assets:

 

4,708,835

 

3,293,048

 

530,413

 

8,532,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues(2):

 

$

397,843

 

$

283,814

 

$

4,640

 

$

686,297

 

Equity in earnings from joint ventures and unconcolidated subsidiaries:

 

 

2,909

 

 

2,909

 

Total operating and interest expense(3):

 

57,673

 

140,224

 

299,059

 

496,956

 

Net operating income(4):

 

340,170

 

146,499

 

(294,419

)

192,250

 

Total long-lived assets(5):

 

3,938,427

 

2,877,042

 

N/A

 

6,815,469

 

Total assets:

 

4,014,967

 

3,068,242

 

137,028

 

7,220,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues(2):

 

$

337,090

 

$

225,981

 

$

1,718

 

$

564,789

 

Equity in earnings (loss) from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries:

 

 

(2,019

)

(2,265

)

(4,284

)

Total operating and interest expense(3):

 

90,648

 

114,583

 

98,726

 

303,957

 

Net operating income(4):

 

246,442

 

109,379

 

(99,273

)

256,548

 

Total long-lived assets(5):

 

3,694,709

 

2,535,885

 

N/A

 

6,230,594

 

Total assets:

 

3,802,714

 

2,729,716

 

128,160

 

6,660,590

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)             Corporate and Other represents all corporate level items, including general and administrative expenses and any intercompany eliminations necessary to reconcile to the consolidated Company totals. This caption also includes the Company’s servicing business and timber operations which are not considered material separate segments.

(2)             Total revenues represents all revenues earned during the period from the assets in each segment. Revenue from the Real Estate Lending business primarily represents interest income and revenue from the Corporate Tenant Leasing business primarily represents operating lease income.

(3)             Total operating and interest expense represents provision for loan losses for the Real Estate Lending business and operating costs on CTL assets for the Corporate Tenant Leasing business, as well as interest expense and loss on early extinguishment of debt specifically related to each segment. Interest expense on unsecured notes and the unsecured and secured revolving credit facilities, general and administrative expense and general and administrative-stock-based compensation is included in Corporate and Other for all periods. Depreciation and amortization of $71.5 million, $62.9 million and $49.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, are included in the amounts presented above.

(4)             Net operating income represents income before minority interest, income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations.

(5)             Total long-lived assets is comprised of Loans and other lending investments, net and Corporate tenant lease assets, net, for each respective segment.




Note 18—Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth the selected quarterly financial data for the Company (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

June 30,

 

March 31,

 

2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

196,437

 

$

220,863

 

$

196,645

 

$

179,283

 

Net income

 

80,320

 

58,535

 

78,739

 

70,319

 

Net income allocable to common shareholders

 

68,032

 

46,778

 

66,484

 

58,256

 

Net income per common share—basic

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.52

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

 

113,107

 

112,835

 

112,624

 

111,469

 

2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

184,369

 

$

171,227

 

$

171,717

 

$

158,984

 

Net income (loss)

 

127,442

 

85,102

 

83,019

 

(35,116

)

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders

 

114,997

 

73,331

 

71,276

 

(53,811

)

Net income (loss) per common share—basic

 

$

1.03

 

$

0.66

 

$

0.64

 

$

(0.50

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

 

111,402

 

111,230

 

110,695

 

107,468

 

 

Note 19—Subsequent Events

Capital Market and Hedging Transactions—On February 15, 2006, The Company issued $500 million 5.65% Senior Notes due 2011 and $500 million 5.875% Senior Notes due 2016.  The Company used the proceeds to repay outstanding balances on its unsecured revolving credit facility.  In connection with the issuance of these notes, the Company settled four forward-starting swaps that were entered into in May and June of 2005.

Ratings Upgrades—On February 9, 2006, S&P upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to BBB from BBB- and raised the ratings on our preferred stock to BB+ from BB. On February 7, 2006, Moody’s upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to Baa2 from Baa3 and raised the ratings on our preferred stock to Ba1 from Ba2. On January 19, 2006, Fitch Ratings upgraded the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating to BBB from BBB- and raised our preferred stock rating to BB+ from BB. The upgrades were primarily a result of the Company’s further migration to an unsecured capital structure, including the recent repayment of the STARs Notes.

Due to the Company achieving upgrades from S&P and Moody’s, the interest rate on the Company’s unsecured credit facility will decrease to LIBOR + 0.70% per annum and the annual facility will decrease to 15 basis points.

Secured Credit Facility Activity—On January 9, 2006, the Company extended the maturity on its secured revolving credit facility to January 2008, reduced its capacity from $700 million to $500 million and lowered its interest rates to LIBOR + 1.00%–2.00% from LIBOR + 1.40%–2.15%.



EX-99.4 6 a06-19525_1ex99d4.htm EX-99

Exhibit 99.4

Computation of Ratio of Earning to fixed charges and Earnings to fixed charges and prefered stock dividends

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

  

 

 

(In thousands, except ratios)

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income before equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries, minority interest and other items

 

$

273,783

 

$

189,341

 

$

260,832

 

$

183,118

 

$

191,686

 

Add: Fixed Charges as calculated below

 

314,865

 

233,877

 

195,823

 

186,109

 

171,703

 

Add: Distributions of earnings of joint ventures

 

6,672

 

5,840

 

2,839

 

5,802

 

4,802

 

Subtract: Capitalized interest

 

(788

)

 

 

(70

)

(1,010

)

Subtract: Minority interest (expense) in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges

 

691

 

225

 

 

 

 

Total earnings

 

$

595,223

 

$

429,283

 

$

459,494

 

$

374,959

 

$

367,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense (before carveouts)

 

$

313,053

 

$

232,918

 

$

194,999

 

$

185,361

 

$

170,121

 

Plus: Capitalized interest

 

788

 

 

 

70

 

1,010

 

Implied interest component on the company's rent obligations

 

1,024

 

959

 

824

 

678

 

572

 

Fixed charges

 

$

314,865

 

$

233,877

 

$

195,823

 

$

186,109

 

$

171,703

 

Preferred dividend requirements

 

42,320

 

51,340

 

36,908

 

36,908

 

36,908

 

Fixed charges and prefered stock dividends

 

$

357,185

 

$

285,217

 

$

232,731

 

$

223,017

 

$

208,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends (1)

 

1.67x

(2)

1.51x

(3)

1.97x

 

1.68x

 

1.76x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings to fixed charges (1)

 

1.89x

(2)

1.84x

(3)

2.35x

 

2.01x

 

2.14x

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)    For the purposes of calculating these ratios, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries, or income or loss from equity investees, income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle plus “fixed charges” and certain other adjustments. “Fixed charges” consist of interest incurred on all indebtedness related to continuing and discontinued operations (including amortization of original issue discount) and a reasonable approximation of the interest factor from our rent obligations in the periods presented.

(2)    Includes the effect of STARs asset-backed notes redemption charge of $44.3 million. Excluding this charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.8x and 2.0x respectively.

(3)    Includes the effect of chief executive officer, chief financial officer and ACRE Partners compensation charges of $106.9 million, 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008 redemption charge of $11.5 million and, for the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends, preferred stock redemption charge of $9.0 million. Excluding these charges, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.0x and 2.4x, respectively.



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