10-Q 1 a08-11626_110q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark one)

 

x

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008.

 

or

 

 

o

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

For the transition period from                                to                                .

 

Commission file number: 001-32324

 


 

U-STORE-IT TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Maryland

 

20-1024732

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

50 Public Square, Suite 2800

 

 

Cleveland, Ohio

 

44113

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(216) 274-1340

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Class

 

Outstanding at May 5, 2008

common stock, $.01 par value

 

57,845,435

 

 



 

U-STORE-IT TRUST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

3

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

27

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

28

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

28

Item 6. Exhibits

29

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by U-Store-It Trust (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated. Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, future events and actual results, performance, transactions or achievements, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results, performance, transactions or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences, some of which could be material, include, but are not limited to:

 

·         national and local economic, business, real estate and other market conditions;

 

·         the competitive environment in which we operate;

 

·         the execution of our business plan;

 

·         financing risks, including the risk of overleverage and the corresponding risk of default on our mortgage loans and other debt;

 

·         increases in interest rates and operating costs;

 

·         counterparty non-performance related to the use of derivative financial instruments;

 

·         our ability to maintain our status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes;

 

·         acquisition and development risks;

 

·         changes in real estate and zoning laws or regulations;

 

·         risks related to natural disasters;

 

·         potential environmental and other liabilities;

 

·         other factors affecting the real estate industry generally or the self-storage industry in particular; and

 

·         other risks identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, from time to time, in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or in other documents that we publicly disseminate.

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required in securities laws.

 

2



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

U-STORE-IT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Storage facilities

 

$

1,929,658

 

$

1,916,396

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(285,945

)

(269,278

)

 

 

1,643,713

 

1,647,118

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

5,625

 

4,517

 

Restricted cash

 

16,090

 

15,818

 

Loan procurement costs - net of amortization

 

5,648

 

6,108

 

Other assets

 

10,679

 

14,270

 

Total assets

 

$

1,681,755

 

$

1,687,831

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility

 

$

235,000

 

$

219,000

 

Unsecured term loan

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

Secured term loan

 

47,444

 

47,444

 

Mortgage loans and notes payable

 

559,609

 

561,057

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

 

28,537

 

33,623

 

Due to related parties

 

 

110

 

Distributions payable

 

11,326

 

11,300

 

Deferred revenue

 

11,044

 

10,148

 

Security deposits

 

553

 

548

 

Total liabilities

 

1,093,513

 

1,083,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

47,770

 

48,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 57,590,792 and 57,577,232 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

 

576

 

576

 

Additional paid in capital

 

798,734

 

797,940

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(3,209

)

(1,664

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(255,629

)

(241,233

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

540,472

 

555,619

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,681,755

 

$

1,687,831

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

U-STORE-IT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

 

$

56,376

 

$

50,306

 

Other property related income

 

3,687

 

4,235

 

Other - related party

 

 

117

 

Total revenues

 

60,063

 

54,658

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Property operating expenses

 

25,389

 

22,842

 

Property operating expenses - related party

 

 

37

 

Depreciation

 

19,950

 

16,560

 

General and administrative

 

5,495

 

5,888

 

General and administrative - related party

 

 

101

 

Total operating expenses

 

50,834

 

45,428

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

9,229

 

9,230

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense on loans

 

(13,826

)

(12,826

)

Loan procurement amortization expense

 

(471

)

(445

)

Interest income

 

59

 

115

 

Other

 

67

 

(6

)

Total other expense

 

(14,171

)

(13,162

)

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS

 

(4,942

)

(3,932

)

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

397

 

326

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

(4,545

)

(3,606

)

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

39

 

270

 

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

571

 

 

Minority interest attributable to discontinued operations

 

(49

)

(22

)

Income from discontinued operations

 

561

 

248

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(3,984

)

$

(3,358

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.06

)

Basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.06

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average basic and diluted shares outstanding

 

57,593

 

57,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions declared per common share and unit

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.29

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

U-STORE-IT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,984

)

$

(3,358

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20,466

 

17,212

 

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

(571

)

 

Equity compensation expense

 

856

 

228

 

Accretion of fair market value of debt

 

(132

)

(66

)

Minority interests

 

(348

)

(304

)

Changes in other operating accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

2,758

 

348

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(8,168

)

(1,688

)

Other liabilities

 

858

 

572

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

11,735

 

$

12,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions, additions and improvements to storage facilities

 

(18,155

)

(22,355

)

Proceeds from sales of properties

 

4,426

 

 

Increase in restricted cash

 

(272

)

(1,382

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(14,001

)

$

(23,737

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from:

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility

 

30,000

 

21,500

 

Principal payments on:

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility

 

(14,000

)

(4,500

)

Mortgage loans and notes payable

 

(1,316

)

(2,060

)

Capital lease obligations

 

 

(17

)

Distributions paid to shareholders

 

(10,386

)

(16,627

)

Distributions paid to minority partners

 

(914

)

(1,570

)

Loan procurement costs

 

(10

)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

$

3,374

 

$

(3,274

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,108

 

(14,067

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,517

 

19,716

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

5,625

 

$

5,649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized

 

$

13,912

 

$

12,785

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

U-STORE-IT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.  ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

U-Store-It Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (collectively with its subsidiaries, “we” or the “Company”), is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, active in acquiring, developing and operating self-storage properties for business and personal use under month-to-month leases.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company owned 408 self-storage facilities (collectively, the “Properties”) containing an aggregate of approximately 26.1 million square feet.  The Properties are located in 26 states throughout the United States.

 

The Company owns substantially all of its assets through U-Store-It, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).  The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of March 31, 2008, owned a 91.9% interest in the Operating Partnership.  The Company manages its assets through YSI Management LLC (the “Management Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership.  The Company owns 100% of U-Store-It Mini Warehouse Co. (the “TRS”), which it has elected to treat as a taxable REIT subsidiary. In general, a taxable REIT subsidiary may perform non-customary services for tenants, hold assets that the Company cannot hold directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business.

 

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Accordingly, readers of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should refer to the Company’s audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the related notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2007, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as certain footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this report pursuant to the rules of the SEC. The results of operations for each of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any future period or the full year.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”).  SFAS 161 enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133 and the impact of derivative instruments and related hedged items on an entity financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  SFAS 161 is effective on January 1, 2009.  We believe that the adoption of this standard on January 1, 2009 will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“FAS 141(R)”).  FAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for recognizing identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, goodwill acquired in the combination or the gain from a bargain purchase, and disclosure requirements.  Under this revised statement, all costs incurred to effect an acquisition will be recognized separately from the acquisition.  Also, restructuring costs that are expected but the acquirer is not obligated to incur will be recognized separately from the acquisition.  FAS 141(R) is effective for the Company beginning with its quarter ending March 31, 2009.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts, if any, on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“FAS 160”).  FAS 160 requires that ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent are to be reported as equity.  In addition, it requires that the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and

 

6



 

to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the income statement.  FAS 160 is effective for the Company beginning with its quarter ending March 31, 2009.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  This statement was effective on January 1, 2008.  We have not elected the fair value option for any of our existing financial instruments on the effective date and have not determined whether or not we will elect this option for any eligible financial instruments we acquire in the future.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This statement clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. This statement is effective in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The FASB has deferred the implementation of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 relating to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities until January 1, 2009.  This standard is not expected to materially affect how we determine fair value, but may result in certain additional disclosures.

 

3.  STORAGE FACILITIES

 

The value of the Company’s real estate assets are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

394,440

 

$

393,715

 

Buildings and improvements

 

1,335,906

 

1,324,168

 

Equipment

 

195,999

 

193,031

 

Construction in progress

 

3,313

 

5,482

 

Total

 

1,929,658

 

1,916,396

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(285,945

)

(269,278

)

Storage facilities — net

 

$

1,643,713

 

$

1,647,118

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s acquisition and disposition activity during the period January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008:

 

Facility/Portfolio

 

Location
(state abbreviation)

 

Transaction Date

 

Total Number
of Facilities

 

Purchase / Sale Price (in
thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uptown Asset

 

Washington, DC

 

January 2008

 

1

 

$

13,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

77th Street Asset

 

Miami, FL

 

March 2008

 

1

 

$

2,200

 

Leesburg Asset

 

Leesburg, FL

 

March 2008

 

1

 

2,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

$

4,600

 

 

The following table summarizes the change in number of self-storage facilities from January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008:

 

7



 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Balance - Beginning of year

 

409

 

399

 

Facilities acquired

 

1

 

17

 

Facilities consolidated

 

 

(2

)

Facilities sold

 

(2

)

(5

)

Balance - End of period

 

408

 

409

 

 

4.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company acquired finite-lived intangible assets valued at approximately $6.8 million as part of its 2007 acquisitions.  These assets represent the value of in-place leases at the time of acquisition.  The Company has recognized $4.0 million of amortization since the intangible asset was acquired in 2007, of which $1.7 million was recognized during the first quarter of 2008.  The estimated life of these assets is 12 months and the estimated remaining amortization expense that will be recognized during 2008 is $2.8 million.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company acquired a finite-lived intangible asset valued at approximately $1.0 million as part of its acquisition of one self-storage facility.  This asset represents the value of in-place leases at the time of acquisition.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized approximately $0.2 million of amortization expense related to this asset.  The estimated life of this asset is 12 months and the estimated remaining amortization expense that will be recognized during 2008 is $0.8 million.

 

5.  REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY, UNSECURED TERM LOAN AND SECURED TERM LOAN

 

As of March 31, 2008, the Company and its Operating Partnership had in place a three-year $450 million unsecured credit facility, which was entered into in November 2006, including $200 million in an unsecured term loan and $250 million in unsecured revolving loans. The outstanding balance on the Company’s credit facility at March 31, 2008 was $435 million and was comprised of $200 million of term loan borrowings and $235 million of unsecured revolving loans and approximately $15 million was available under the Company’s credit facility.  Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either an alternative base rate or a Eurodollar rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio or our credit rating.  The alternative base interest rate is a fluctuating rate equal to the higher of the prime rate or the sum of the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points.  The applicable margin for the alternative base rate will vary from 0.00% to 0.50% depending on our leverage ratio prior to achieving an investment grade rating, and will vary from 0.00% to 0.25% depending on our credit rating after achieving an investment grade rating.  The Eurodollar rate is a rate of interest that is fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six months based on the LIBOR rate determined two business days prior to the commencement of the applicable interest period.  The applicable margin for the Eurodollar rate will vary from 1.00% to 1.50% depending on our leverage ratio prior to achieving an investment grade rating, and will vary from 0.425% to 1.00% depending on our credit rating after achieving an investment grade rating.  This credit facility is scheduled to terminate on November 20, 2009, with an option for the Company to extend the termination date to November 20, 2010. At March 31, 2008, borrowings under the unsecured credit facility had a weighted average interest rate of 4.01%.

 

On September 14, 2007, the Company and its Operating Partnership entered into a secured term loan agreement that allows for term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $50 million. Each term loan matures on November 20, 2009, subject to extension in the sole discretion of the lenders. Each term loan bears interest at either an alternative base rate or a Eurodollar rate, at our option, in each case plus an applicable margin at terms identical to the unsecured revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2008, there was one term loan outstanding for $47.4 million.  At March 31, 2008, the outstanding term loan had an interest rate of 3.86%.  The outstanding term loan is secured by a pledge by our Operating Partnership of all equity interests in YSI RT LLC, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership that acquired eight self-storage facilities in September 2007, that had a net book value of approximately $59.6 million at March 31, 2008.

 

6.  MORTGAGE LOANS AND NOTES PAYABLE

 

The Company’s mortgage loans and notes payable are summarized as follows:

 

8



 

 

 

Carrying Value as of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

Effective Interest

 

Maturity

 

Mortgage Loan

 

2008

 

2007

 

Rate

 

Date

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acq IV

 

$

2,342

 

$

2,359

 

7.71

%

Dec-08

 

Acq VI

 

1,735

 

1,746

 

8.43

%

Aug-09

 

YSI III

 

86,291

 

86,712

 

5.09

%

Nov-09

 

YSI I

 

86,356

 

86,770

 

5.19

%

May-10

 

YSI IV

 

6,208

 

6,227

 

5.25

%

Jul-10

 

YSI XXV

 

8,174

 

8,201

 

5.00

%

Oct-10

 

YSI XXVI

 

9,899

 

9,956

 

5.00

%

Oct-10

 

YSI II

 

86,438

 

86,843

 

5.97

%

Nov-10

 

Promissory notes

 

92

 

92

 

5.97

%

Nov-10

 

YSI XII

 

1,589

 

1,599

 

5.33

%

Jan-11

 

YSI XIII

 

1,366

 

1,374

 

5.97

%

Sep-11

 

YSI VI

 

79,369

 

79,645

 

5.97

%

Sep-11

 

YASKY

 

80,000

 

80,000

 

5.13

%

Aug-12

 

USIFB

 

5,583

 

4,651

 

6.55

%

Oct-12

 

YSI XIV

 

1,897

 

1,909

 

5.97

%

Jan-13

 

YSI VII

 

3,266

 

3,280

 

6.50

%

Jun-13

 

YSI VIII

 

1,866

 

1,874

 

6.50

%

Jun-13

 

YSI IX

 

2,053

 

2,062

 

6.50

%

Jun-13

 

YSI XVII

 

4,449

 

4,477

 

6.32

%

Jul-13

 

YSI XXVII

 

543

 

547

 

5.59

%

Nov-13

 

YSI XXX

 

7,970

 

8,024

 

5.59

%

Nov-13

 

YSI XI

 

2,591

 

2,605

 

5.87

%

Dec-13

 

YSI V

 

3,421

 

3,440

 

5.25

%

Jan-14

 

YSI XXVIII

 

1,667

 

1,676

 

5.59

%

Feb-14

 

YSI X

 

4,287

 

4,303

 

5.87

%

Jan-15

 

YSI XV

 

1,990

 

1,999

 

6.41

%

Jan-15

 

YSI XX

 

67,159

 

67,545

 

5.97

%

Nov-15

 

Unamortized fair value

 

1,008

 

1,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans and notes payable

 

$

559,609

 

$

561,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table presents the future principal payment requirements on outstanding mortgage loans and notes payable at March 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

2008

 

$

9,258

 

2009

 

94,434

 

2010

 

112,497

 

2011

 

88,194

 

2012

 

163,290

 

2013 and thereafter

 

90,928

 

Total mortgage payments

 

558,601

 

Plus: Unamortized debt premiums

 

1,008

 

Total mortgage indebtedness

 

$

559,609

 

 

7.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company’s derivative instruments are limited to interest rate agreements or other instruments to manage interest rate risk exposures and not for speculative purposes. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with the Company’s operating and financial structure. The counterparties to these arrangements are major financial institutions with which the Company and its subsidiaries may also have other financial relationships. The Company is potentially exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by these counterparties. However, because of the high credit ratings of the

 

9



 

counterparties, the Company does not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet these obligations as they come due. The Company does not hedge credit or property value market risks.

 

The Company formally assesses, both at inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis, whether each derivative is highly-effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item. If management determines that a derivative is highly-effective as a hedge, it accounts for the derivative using hedge accounting, pursuant to which gains or losses inherent in the derivative do not impact the Company’s results of operations.  If management determines that a derivative is not highly-effective as a hedge or if a derivative ceases to be a highly-effective hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and will reflect in its statement of operations realized and unrealized gains and losses in respect of the derivative.

 

The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges designed to reduce the impact of interest rate changes on its variable rate debt.   Therefore, the interest rate swaps are recorded in the condensed and consolidated balance sheets at fair value and the related gains or losses are deferred in shareholders’ equity as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.  These deferred gains and losses are amortized into interest expense during the period or periods in which the related interest payments affect earnings.  However, to the extent that the interest rate swaps are not perfectly effective in offsetting the change in value of the interest payments being hedged, the ineffective portion of these contracts is recognized in earnings immediately.  Ineffectiveness was immaterial for all periods presented.

 

At March 31, 2008, the Company had interest rate swap agreements for notional principal amounts aggregating $100 million. The swap agreements effectively fix the 30-day LIBOR interest rate on $50 million of credit facility borrowings at 4.7725% per annum, on $25 million of credit facility borrowings at 4.716% per annum and on $25 million of credit facility borrowings at 2.3400% per annum in each case until November 2009.  The interest rate cap agreement effectively limits the interest rate on $40 million of credit facility borrowings at 5.50% per annum until June 2008.

 

The following table summarizes the terms and fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments at March 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Notional

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

Hedge Product

 

Hedge Type

 

Amount

 

Strike

 

Maturity

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cap

 

Cash flow

 

$

40,000

 

5.5000

%

6/23/2008

 

$

 

Swap

 

Cash flow

 

$

50,000

 

4.7725

%

11/20/2009

 

$

(2,093

)

Swap

 

Cash flow

 

$

25,000

 

4.7160

%

11/20/2009

 

$

(1,023

)

Swap

 

Cash flow

 

$

25,000

 

2.3400

%

11/20/2009

 

$

(50

)

 

8.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

As stated in Note 2 “Summary of Significant accounting policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements”, on January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the methods of fair value as described in SFAS No. 157 to value its financial assets and liabilities. As defined in SFAS No. 157, fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

 

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

 

10



 

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

 

Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of March 31, 2008 are classified in the table below in one of the three categories described above (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swap Derivative Liabilities

 

$

 

$

3,166

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities at fair value

 

$

 

$

3,166

 

$

 

 

For financial liabilities that utilize Level 2 inputs the Company utilizes both direct and indirect observable price quotes, including LIBOR yield curves, bank price quotes for forward starting swaps, NYMEX futures pricing and common stock price quotes. Below is a summary of valuation techniques for Level 2 financial liabilities:

 

·      Interest rate swap derivative assets and liabilities – valued using LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date. Counterparties to these contracts are highly rated financial institutions none of which experienced any significant downgrades in the three months ended March 31, 2008 that would reduce the receivable amount owed, if any, to the Company.

 

Although the Company has not elected the fair value option for financial assets and liabilities existing at January 1, 2008, any future transacted financial asset or liability will be evaluated for the fair value election as prescribed by SFAS No. 159 and fair valued under the provisions of SFAS No. 157.

 

9.  MINORITY INTERESTS

 

Operating Partnership minority interests relate to the interests in the Operating Partnership that are not owned by the Company, and at each of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 amounted to approximately 8.1% of the ownership of the Operating Partnership. These minority interests were issued in the form of Operating Partnership units and were a component of the consideration the Company paid to acquire certain self-storage facilities. Limited partners who acquired Operating Partnership units have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem part or all of their Operating Partnership units for, at the Company’s option, an equivalent number of common shares of the Company or cash based upon the fair market value of an equivalent number of common shares of the Company. The market value of the Company’s common shares for this purpose will be equal to the average of the closing trading price of the Company’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the 10 trading days before the date the Company receives the redemption notice.  As of March 31, 2008, the calculated aggregate redemption value of outstanding Operating Partnership units based upon the Company’s stock price was approximately $55.6 million.  The table below presents unit activity from December 31, 2007 through March 31, 2008:

 

 

 

Number of limited
partnership units

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2007

 

5,079,928

 

Units issued

 

 

Units redeemed

 

 

As of March 31, 2008

 

5,079,928

 

 

11



 

10.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Amsdell Settlement/Rising Tide Acquisition

 

On September 14, 2007, the Company settled all pending state and federal court litigation involving the Company and the interests of Robert J. Amsdell and Barry L. Amsdell (each a former trustee), Todd C. Amsdell (a former executive officer) and Kyle Amsdell, son of Robert and brother of Todd Amsdell (collectively, the “Amsdells”), and Rising Tide Development LLC, a company owned and controlled by Robert J. Amsdell and Barry L. Amsdell (“Rising Tide”).  The Board of Trustees of the Company, along with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, approved the terms of the settlement.

 

In addition, on September 14, 2007, the Operating Partnership purchased 14 self-storage facilities from Rising Tide (the “Rising Tide Properties”) for an aggregate purchase price of $121 million pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement.  In connection with the settlement agreement and acquisition of the 14 self-storage facilities, the Company considered the provisions of EITF 04-01, Accounting for Pre-existing relationships between the Parties to a Business Combination, and determined that all consideration paid was allocable to the purchase of the storage facilities.

 

Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release, dated August 6, 2007, (the “Settlement Agreement”) which was conditioned upon the acquisition of the 14 self-storage facilities from Rising Tide for $121 million, each of the parties to the agreement executed various agreements.  A summary of the various agreements follows:

 

·                  Standstill Agreement.  Robert J. Amsdell, Barry L. Amsdell and Todd C. Amsdell agreed they would not commence or participate in any proxy solicitation or initiate any shareholder proposal; take any action to convene a meeting of shareholders; or take any actions, including making any public or private proposal or announcement, that could result in an extraordinary corporate transaction relating to the Company.   Pursuant to its terms, the standstill was amended to terminate on April 20, 2008.

 

·                  First Amendment to Lease.  The Operating Partnership and Amsdell and Amsdell, an entity owned by Robert and Barry Amsdell, entered into a First Amendment to Lease which modified certain terms of all of the lease agreements the Operating Partnership has with Amsdell and Amsdell for office space in Cleveland, Ohio.  The First Amendment provided the Operating Partnership the ability to assign or sublease the office space previously used for its corporate office and certain operations.  Separately, Amsdell and Amsdell consented to the Operating Partnership’s proposed sublease to an unrelated party of approximately 22,000 square feet of office space covered by the aforementioned leases.

 

·                  Termination of Option Agreement.  The Operating Partnership and Rising Tide entered into an Option Termination Agreement that terminated an Option Agreement dated October 27, 2004, by and between the Operating Partnership and Rising Tide.  The Option Agreement provided the Operating Partnership with an option to acquire Rising Tide’s right, title and interest to 18 properties, including:  the 14 Rising Tide Properties discussed above; three properties that the Operating Partnership acquired in 2005 pursuant to exercise of its option; and one undeveloped property that Rising Tide has the option to acquire and that was not acquired as a part of the purchase and sale agreement.

 

·                  Termination of Property Management Agreement, and Marketing and Ancillary Services Agreement.  Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and Rising Tide entered into a Property Management Termination Agreement and a Marketing and Ancillary Services Termination Agreement. Under the Property Management Agreement, the Company provided property management services for the Rising Tide Properties for a fee equal to the greater of 5.35% of the gross revenues of each property or $1,500 per property per month.  Under the Marketing and Ancillary Services Agreement, the Company provided limited marketing and other miscellaneous services for the Rising Tide Properties.  In connection with the termination of the Property Management Agreement, expenses relating to property management will be prorated.

 

·                  Amendment of Employment and Non-Compete Agreements.  As part of the Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a Modification of Noncompetition Agreement and Termination of Employment Agreement (each a “Modification of Noncompetition Agreement and Termination of Employment Agreement”) with each of Robert J. Amsdell and Todd C. Amsdell, and a Modification of Noncompetition Agreement (“Modification of Noncompetition Agreement”) with Barry L. Amsdell, which terminates and modifies specific provisions of the noncompetition agreement the Company has with each of them, dated October 27, 2004 (the “Original Noncompetition Agreements”).  The Original Noncompetition Agreements restrict the ability of Robert J., Barry L. and Todd C. Amsdell to compete with the Company for one year and their ability to solicit employees of the Company for two years from the date of their termination employment or resignation from service

 

12



 

as a Trustee.  Pursuant to these modification agreements, Todd C. Amsdell will be able to compete with the Company, and Robert J. and Barry L. Amsdell will be able to (a) develop the one Rising Tide property that the Company did not acquire under the Purchase Agreement and (b) compete with respect to any property identified as part of a Section 1031 “like-kind exchange” referenced in the purchase agreement.  Further, each Original Noncompetition Agreement is modified to allow each of them to hire, for any purpose, any employee or independent contractor who was terminated, has resigned or otherwise left the employment or other service of the Company or any of its affiliates on or prior to June 1, 2007.

 

The Modification and Noncompetition Agreement and Termination of Employment Agreement with each of Robert J. Amsdell and Todd C. Amsdell also terminates the employment agreements the Company had with each of them, effective as of February 13, 2007 with respect to Robert J. Amsdell and February 19, 2007 with respect to Todd C. Amsdell.

 

Office Leases

 

During 2005 and 2006, the Operating Partnership entered into various office lease agreements with Amsdell and Amsdell.  Pursuant to these lease agreements, during 2006 we rented office space from Amsdell and Amsdell at The Parkview Building, a multi-tenant office building of approximately 40,000 square feet located at 6745 Engle Road, an office building of approximately 18,000 square feet located at 6751 Engle Road, and an office building of approximately 28,000 square feet located at 6779 Engle Road.  Each of these properties is part of Airport Executive Park, a 50-acre office and flex development located in Cleveland, Ohio, which is owned by Amsdell and Amsdell. Our independent Trustees approved the terms of, and entry into, each of the office lease agreements by the Operating Partnership.  The table below shows the office space subject to these lease agreements and certain key provisions, including the term of each lease agreement, the period for which the Operating Partnership may extend the term of each lease agreement, and the minimum and maximum rents payable per month during the term.

 

Office Space

 

Approximate
Square Footage

 

Term

 

Period of
Extension Option (1)

 

Fixed Minimum
Rent Per Month

 

Fixed
Maximum Rent
Per Month

 

The Parkview Building – 6745 Engle Road; and 6751 Engle Road

 

21,900

 

12/31/2014

 

Five-year

 

$

25,673

 

$

31,205

 

6745 Engle Road – Suite 100

 

2,212

 

12/31/2014

 

Five-year

 

$

3,051

 

$

3,709

 

6745 Engle Road – Suite 110

 

1,731

 

12/31/2014

 

Five-year

 

$

2,387

 

$

2,901

 

6751 Engle Road – Suites C and D

 

3,000

 

12/31/2014

 

Five-year

 

$

3,137

 

$

3,771

 

6779 Engle Road – Suites G and H

 

3,500

 

12/31/2008

 

Five-year

 

$

3,079

 

$

3,347

 

6779 Engle Road – Suite 120

 

1,600

 

4/30/2007

 

Three-year

 

$

1,800

 

$

1,900

 

 


(1)          The Operating Partnership may extend the lease agreement beyond the termination date by the period set forth in this column at prevailing market rates upon the same terms and conditions contained in each of the lease agreements.

 

In addition to monthly rent, the office lease agreements provide that the Operating Partnership reimburse Amsdell and Amsdell for certain maintenance and improvements to the leased office space.  The aggregate amount of payments by us to Amsdell and Amsdell under these lease agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

During 2007, the Operating Partnership subleased certain of its lease agreements with Amsdell and Amsdell.  Refer to footnote 14 for further detail.

 

Total future minimum rental payments under the related party lease agreements entered into as of March 31, 2008 are as follows:

 

13



 

 

 

Related Party

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

$

351

 

2009

 

453

 

2010

 

453

 

2011

 

475

 

2012

 

475

 

2013 and thereafter

 

998

 

 

 

$

3,205

 

 

Other

 

During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company engaged a consultant to assist in establishing certain development protocols and processes. In connection with that assignment, the outside consultant utilized the services of the son-in-law of Dean Jernigan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Our payments during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 for Mr. Jernigan’s son-in-law’s services totaled $53,000.  No payments were incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

 

Registration Rights

 

Robert J. Amsdell, Barry L. Amsdell, Todd C. Amsdell and the “Amsdell Entities” that acquired common shares or Operating Partnership units in the formation transactions which took place at the time of the IPO received certain registration rights. An aggregate of approximately 9.7 million common shares acquired in the formation transactions were subject to a registration rights agreement (including approximately 1.1 million shares issuable upon redemption of approximately 1.1 million Operating Partnership units issued in the formation transactions).

 

In addition, Rising Tide Development received registration rights with respect to the Operating Partnership units it received in connection with the Company’s acquisition of three option facilities. An aggregate of approximately 0.4 million common shares (which shares are issuable upon redemption of approximately 0.4 million Operating Partnership units issued in connection with the Company’s option exercises) were subject to a registration rights agreement.

 

In March 2007, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 to satisfy all of the abovementioned registration rights.

 

11.  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

During 2007, the Company acquired 17 self-storage facilities for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $140.5 million. During 2008, the Company acquired one self-storage facility for a purchase price of approximately $13.3 million.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information set forth below reflects adjustments to the Company’s historical financial data to give effect to each of the acquisitions and related financing activity that occurred subsequent to January 1, 2007 as if each had occurred at the beginning of each period presented.  The unaudited pro forma information presented below does not purport to represent what the Company’s actual results of operations would have been for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent the Company’s future results of operations.

 

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis, our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 based on the assumptions described above:

 

14



 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma revenue

 

$

60,128

 

$

57,242

 

Pro forma loss from continuing operations

 

$

(4,607

)

$

(7,603

)

Loss per common share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted - as reported

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.06

)

Basic and diluted - as pro forma

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.13

)

 

12.  COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(3,984

)

$

(3,358

)

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments

 

(1,545

)

 

COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

$

(5,529

)

$

(3,358

)

 

13.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, income from discontinued operations relates to three properties that the Company sold during  2008, including one property sold during April 2008 (located in Lakeland, Florida) that was considered held for sale at March 31, 2008, and five properties sold during 2007.  The following table summarizes the revenue and expense information for the properties classified as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

15



 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

 

$

208

 

$

827

 

Other property related income

 

22

 

47

 

Total revenues

 

230

 

874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Property operating expenses

 

146

 

397

 

Depreciation

 

45

 

207

 

Total operating expenses

 

191

 

604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

39

 

270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense on loans

 

 

 

Loan procurement amortization expense

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

Total other expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

39

 

270

 

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

571

 

 

Minority interest attributable to discontinued operations

 

(49

)

(22

)

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

561

 

$

248

 

 

The approximate gain on disposition of the April 2008 sale is $1.0 million and will be finalized during the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

 

14. LEASE ABANDONMENT CHARGE

 

In August 2007, the Company abandoned certain office space in Cleveland, Ohio that was previously used for its corporate offices. The related leases have expiration dates ranging from December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2014. Upon vacating the space, the Company entered into a sub-lease agreement with a sub-tenant to lease the majority of the space for the duration of the term.

 

As a result of this exit activity, the Company recognized a “Lease abandonment charge” of $1.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2007. The charge was comprised of approximately $0.8 million of costs that represent the present value of the net cash flows associated with leases and the sub-lease agreement (“Contract Termination Costs”) and approximately $0.5 million of costs associated with the write-off of certain assets related to the abandoned space (“Other Associated Costs”). The Contract Termination Costs of $0.8 million are presented as “Accounts payable and accrued rent” and the Other Associated Costs of $0.5 million were accounted for as a reduction of “Storage facilities.” The Company amortizes the Contract Termination Costs against rental expense over the remaining life of the respective leases.

 

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

In April 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement for notional principal amounts aggregating $200 million, that effectively fix the 30-day LIBOR interest rate on $200 million of LIBOR based borrowings at 2.7625% per annum until November 2009.

 

 

16



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The Company makes certain statements in this section that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. For a complete discussion of forward-looking statements, see the section in this report entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.” Certain risk factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the following discussion. For a discussion of such risk factors, see the section in this report entitled “Risk Factors.”

 

Overview

 

The Company is an integrated self-storage real estate company, which means that it has in-house capabilities in the operation, design, development, leasing, and acquisition of self-storage facilities. The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal tax purposes. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company owned 408 and 409 self-storage facilities, respectively, each totaling approximately 26.1 million square feet.

 

The Company derives revenues principally from rents received from our customers who rent units at our self-storage facilities under month-to-month leases. Therefore, our operating results depend materially on our ability to retain our existing customers and lease our available self-storage units to new customers while maintaining and, where possible, increasing our pricing levels. In addition, our operating results are affected by the ability of our customers to make required rental payments to us.  We believe that our decentralized approach to the management and operation of our facilities allows us to respond quickly and effectively to changes in local market conditions.  Emphasis on local, market level oversight and control enhances our ability to optimize occupancy and pricing levels.

 

The Company experiences minor seasonal fluctuations in the occupancy levels of our facilities, which are generally slightly higher during the summer months due to increased activity in housing related moves.

 

The Company focuses on maximizing internal growth – selectively pursuing targeted acquisitions and developments of self-storage facilities. In addition, we intend to selectively dispose of self-storage facilities that no longer meet our operating criteria or that we deem to be in areas that are no longer strategically important to us.  We also may pursue joint ventures to acquire and/or develop self-storage facilities.  We intend to incur additional debt in connection with any such future acquisitions or developments.

 

The Company has one reportable operating segment: we own, operate, develop, and acquire self-storage facilities.

 

The Company’s self-storage facilities are located in major metropolitan areas as well as rural areas and have numerous tenants per facility. No single tenant represents 1% or more of our revenues. The facilities in Florida, California, Texas and Illinois provided approximately 20%, 15%, 8% and 7%, respectively, of total revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Set forth below is a summary of the accounting policies and estimates that management believes are critical an understanding of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report. These policies require the application of judgment and assumptions by management and, as a result, are subject to a degree of uncertainty. Due to this uncertainty, actual results could differ from estimates calculated and utilized by management.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership.

 

17



 

Self-Storage Facilities

 

The Company records self-storage facilities at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on the buildings and equipment is recorded on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from five to 39 years. Expenditures for significant renovations or improvements that extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

When facilities are acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values. When a portfolio of facilities is acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the individual facilities based upon an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates, which take into account the relative size, age and location of the individual facility along with current and projected occupancy and rental rate levels or appraised values, if available. Allocations to the individual assets and liabilities are based upon comparable market sales information for land, buildings and improvements and estimates of depreciated replacement cost of equipment.

 

In allocating the purchase price, the Company determines whether the acquisition includes intangible assets or liabilities. Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired facilities are at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts. Accordingly, to date no portion of the purchase price has been allocated to above- or below-market lease intangibles.  To date, no intangible asset has been recorded for the value of tenant relationships, because the Company does not have any concentrations of significant tenants and the average tenant turnover is fairly frequent.  The Company recorded a $6.8 million intangible asset to recognize the value of in-place leases related to its acquisitions in 2007 and a $1.0 million intangible asset to recognize the value of in-place leases related to its acquisition of a self-storage facility during the first quarter of 2008.

 

Long-lived assets classified as “held for use” are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment. The carrying values of these long-lived assets are compared to the undiscounted future net operating cash flows attributable to the assets. An impairment loss is recorded if the net carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value based on its undiscounted future net operating cash flows attributable to the asset and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the real estate asset may not be recoverable. The impairment loss recognized equals the excess of net carrying value over the related fair value of the asset.

 

The Company considers long-lived assets to be “held for sale” upon satisfaction of the following criteria: (a) management commits to a plan to sell a facility (or group of facilities), (b) the facility is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such facilities, (c) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the facility have been initiated, (d) the sale of the facility is probable and transfer of the asset is expected to be completed within one year, (e) the facility is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (f) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

 

Typically these criteria are all met when the relevant assets are under contract, significant non-refundable deposits have been made by the potential buyer, the assets are immediately available for transfer and there are no contingencies related to the sale that may prevent the transaction from closing. In most transactions, these contingencies are not satisfied until the actual closing of the transaction; and, accordingly, the facility is not identified as held for sale until the closing actually occurs. However, each potential transaction is evaluated based on its separate facts and circumstances.

 

18



 

Revenue Recognition

 

Management has determined that all of our leases with tenants are operating leases. Rental income is recognized in accordance with the terms of the lease agreements or contracts, which generally are month-to-month. Revenues from long-term operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The excess of rents recognized over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases is included in deferred revenue, and contractually due but unpaid rents are included in other assets.

 

Share-Based Payments

 

We apply the fair value method of accounting for contingently issued shares and share options issued under our incentive award plans. Accordingly, share compensation expense was recorded ratably over the vesting period relating to such contingently issued shares and options. The Company has elected to recognize compensation expense on a straight-line method over the requisite service period.  Compensation expense recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

Minority Interests

 

Minority Interests include income allocated to holders of the Operating Partnership units. Income is allocated to the minority interests based on their ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership. This ownership percentage, as well as the total net assets of the Operating Partnership, changes when additional shares of our common stock or Operating Partnership units are issued. Such changes result in an allocation between shareholders’ equity and Minority Interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to the number of such capital transactions that occur each period, we present the single net effect of all such allocations for the period as “Adjustment for Minority Interest in Operating Partnership” in our Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (rather than separately allocating the minority interests for each individual capital transaction).

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”).  SFAS 161 enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133 and the impact of derivative instruments and related hedged items on an entity financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  SFAS 161 is effective on January 1, 2009.  We believe that the adoption of this standard on January 1, 2009 will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”).  SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for recognizing identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, goodwill acquired in the combination or the gain from a bargain purchase, and disclosure requirements.  Under this revised statement, all costs incurred to effect an acquisition will be recognized separately from the acquisition.  Also, restructuring costs that are expected but the acquirer is not obligated to incur will be recognized separately from the acquisition.  SFAS 141(R) is effective for the Company beginning with its quarter ending March 31, 2009.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts, if any, on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS 160”).  SFAS 160 requires that ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent are to be reported as equity.  In addition, it requires that the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the income statement.  SFAS 160 is effective for the Company beginning with its quarter ending March 31, 2009.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  This statement was

 

19



 

effective on January 1, 2008.  We have not elected the fair value option for any of our existing financial instruments on the effective date and have not determined whether or not we will elect this option for any eligible financial instruments we acquire in the future.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This statement clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. This statement is effective in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The FASB has deferred the implementation of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 relating to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities until January 1, 2009.  This standard is not expected to materially affect how we determine fair value, but may result in certain additional disclosures.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto. Historical results set forth in the condensed consolidated statements of operations reflect only the existing facilities and should not be taken as indicative of future operations.

 

Acquisition and Development Activities

 

The comparability of the Company’s results of operations is affected by acquisition and disposition activities in 2008 and 2007.  At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owned 408 and 402 self-storage facilities and related assets, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the acquisition activity that the Company completed during the period from January 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008:

 

Facility/Portfolio

 

Location
(state/district abbreviation)

 

Acquisition Date

 

Total Number
of Facilities

 

Purchase Price
(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sanford Portfolio

 

TX

 

January 2007

 

1

 

$

6,300

 

Grand Central Portfolio

 

GA

 

January 2007

 

2

 

13,200

 

Rising Tide Portfolio

 

FL, CA, MA, OH, GA

 

September 2007

 

14

 

121,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

$

140,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uptown Asset

 

DC

 

January 2008

 

1

 

$

13,300

 

 

The acquisition listed is included in the Company’s results of operations from and after the acquisition date.

 

20



 

Comparison of Operating Results for the three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007

 

A comparison of net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

 

$

56,376

 

$

50,306

 

Other property related income

 

3,687

 

4,235

 

Other - related party

 

 

117

 

Total revenues

 

60,063

 

54,658

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Property operating expenses

 

25,389

 

22,842

 

Property operating expenses - related party

 

 

37

 

Depreciation

 

19,950

 

16,560

 

General and administrative

 

5,495

 

5,888

 

General and administrative - related party

 

 

101

 

Total operating expenses

 

50,834

 

45,428

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

9,229

 

9,230

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense on loans

 

(13,826

)

(12,826

)

Loan procurement amortization expense

 

(471

)

(445

)

Interest income

 

59

 

115

 

Other

 

67

 

(6

)

Total other expense

 

(14,171

)

(13,162

)

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS

 

(4,942

)

(3,932

)

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

397

 

326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

$

(4,545

)

$

(3,606

)

 

Total Revenues

 

Rental income increased from $50.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $56.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $6.1 million, or 12%. This increase is attributable to additional rental income from the same-store properties of $3.3 million, as well as additional rental income from the 2007 and 2008 acquisitions.

 

Other property related income, including Other- related party, decreased from $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 16%. This decrease is primarily attributable to a $0.4 million decrease in administrative fees earned and a $0.1 million decrease in ancillary sales.

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

Property operating expenses, including Property operating expenses – related party, increased from $22.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $2.5 million, or 11%. This increase is primarily attributable to additional operating expenses from the 2007 and 2008 acquisitions.

 

21



 

General and administrative expenses, including General and administrative – related party, decreased from $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 8%. The 2007 period includes approximately $1.0 million of non-recurring legal and other costs associated with the litigation and related settlement with the Amsdells, as well as the previously disclosed restatements and inquiry. Depreciation increased from $16.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $3.4 million, or 20%. The increase is primarily attributable to additional depreciation expense related to the 2007 and 2008 acquisitions.

 

Total Other Expenses

 

Interest expense increased from $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $13.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $1.0 million, or 8%. The increase is attributable to a higher amount of outstanding debt during the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily resulting from the financing of certain of the 2007 and 2008 acquisitions with additional borrowings.

 

Interest income remained constant at $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

Same-Store Facility Results

 

The Company considers its same-store portfolio to consist of only those facilities owned at the beginning and at the end of the applicable periods presented. The following same-store presentation is considered to be useful to investors in evaluating our performance because it provides information relating to changes in facility-level operating performance without taking into account the effects of acquisitions, developments or dispositions. The following table sets forth operating data for our same-store portfolio for the periods presented.

 

22



 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

The following table provides information pertaining to our same-store portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Properties

 

Other/

 

 

 

 

 

Same Store Property Portfolio

 

Acquired

 

Eliminations

 

Total Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

 

$

53,087

 

$

49,817

 

$

3,270

 

7

%

$

3,289

 

$

489

 

$

 

$

 

$

56,376

 

$

50,306

 

6,070

 

12

%

Other property related income

 

3,536

 

4,104

 

(568

)

-14

%

151

 

131

 

 

 

3,687

 

4,235

 

(548

)

-13

%

Other - related party

 

 

 

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

 

117

 

(117

)

-100

%

Total revenues

 

56,623

 

53,921

 

2,702

 

5

%

3,440

 

737

 

 

 

60,063

 

54,658

 

5,405

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property operating expenses

 

21,957

 

20,683

 

1,274

 

6

%

1,539

 

364

 

1,893

 

1,795

 

25,389

 

22,842

 

2,547

 

11

%

Property operating expenses - related party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

37

 

(37

)

-100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

21,957

 

20,683

 

1,274

 

6

%

1,539

 

364

 

1,893

 

1,832

 

25,389

 

22,879

 

2,510

 

11

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET OPERATING INCOME:

 

$

34,666

 

$

33,238

 

$

1,428

 

4

%

$

1,901

 

$

373

 

$

(1,893

)

$

(1,832

)

34,674

 

31,779

 

2,895

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,950

 

16,560

 

3,390

 

20

%

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,495

 

5,888

 

(393

)

-7

%

General and administrative - related party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101

 

(101

)

-100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,445

 

22,549

 

2,896

 

13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,229

 

9,230

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense on loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,826

)

(12,826

)

(1,000

)

8

%

Loan procurement amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(471

)

(445

)

(26

)

6

%

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

 

115

 

(56

)

-49

%

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67

 

(6

)

73

 

-1217

%

Total other expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,171

)

(13,162

)

(1,009

)

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,942

)

(3,932

)

(1,010

)

26

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

397

 

326

 

71

 

22

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(4,545

)

$

(3,606

)

(939

)

26

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

270

 

(231

)

-86

%

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

571

 

 

571

 

100

%

Minority interest attributable to discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49

)

(22

)

(27

)

125

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

561

 

248

 

313

 

126

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(3,984

)

$

(3,358

)

$

(626

)

19

%

 

Same-store revenues increased from $53.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $56.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $2.7 million, or 5%, primarily attributable to a 100 basis point increase in average occupancy on the same-store portfolio.  Same-store property operating expenses increased from $20.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $21.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $1.3 million, or 6%. The increase related primarily to year-over-year increases in repairs and maintenance expense.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

NOI

 

We define net operating income, which we refer to as “NOI,” as total continuing revenues less continuing property operating expenses. NOI also can be calculated by adding back to net loss: interest expense on loans, loan procurement amortization expense, minority interests, minority interest attributable to discontinued operations, depreciation, general and administrative and general and administrative – related party; and deducting from net loss: income from discontinued operations, gains on disposition of discontinued operations, other and interest income. NOI is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.

 

23



 

We use NOI as a measure of operating performance at each of our facilities, and for all of our facilities in the aggregate. NOI should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

We believe NOI is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:

 

·         It is one of the primary measures used by our management and our facility managers to evaluate the economic productivity of our facilities, including our ability to lease our facilities, increase pricing and occupancy, and control our property operating expenses;

 

·         It is widely used in the real estate industry and the self-storage industry to measure the performance and value of real estate assets without regard to various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of operating performance, such as depreciation and amortization, which can vary depending upon accounting methods and the book value of assets; and

 

·         We believe it helps our investors to meaningfully compare the results of our operating performance from period to period by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest expense on our outstanding indebtedness) and depreciation of our basis in our assets from our operating results.

 

There are material limitations to using a measure such as NOI, including the difficulty associated with comparing results among more than one company and the inability to analyze certain significant items, including depreciation and interest expense, that directly affect our net income. We compensate for these limitations by considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with our analysis of net income. NOI should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, such as total revenues, operating income and net income.

 

Cash Flows

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

A comparison of cash flow operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

Net cash flow provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

11.7

 

$

12.9

 

$

(1.2

)

Investing activities

 

$

(14.0

)

$

(23.7

)

$

9.7

 

Financing activities

 

$

3.4

 

$

(3.3

)

$

6.7

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities decreased from $12.9 million in 2007 to $11.7 million in 2008, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 9%. The decrease is primarily attributable to an increase in interest expense of $1.0 million, an increase in operating expenses of $2.5 million and a reduction in the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $6.5 million during 2008 as compared to 2007 offset by an increase of total revenues of $5.4 million, an increase in the change in other assets of $2.4 million and a decrease in general and administrative expense, including general and administrative – related party, of $0.5 million.

 

Cash used in investing activities decreased by $9.7 million to $14.0 million in 2008, a decrease of 41%. The decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily attributable to (i) higher acquisition activity in the 2007 period (three facilities for an aggregate purchase price of $19.5 million) relative to the 2008 period (one facility for an aggregate purchase price of $13.3 million), and (ii) proceeds from the 2008 dispositions of $4.6 million compared to no similar activity in the 2007 period.

 

Cash provided by financing activities increased by $6.7 million year over year primarily attributable to the dividend decrease to $0.18 per share from $0.29 per share, which reduced distributions paid to shareholders and minority partners by $6.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of March 31, 2008, we had approximately $5.6 million in available cash and cash equivalents. In addition, we had approximately $15 million of available borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

 

In November 2006, we and our Operating Partnership entered into a three-year, $450.0 million unsecured credit facility with Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Keybanc Capital Markets, replacing our existing $250.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility. The facility consists of a $200 million term loan and a $250 million revolving credit facility.  The new facility has a three-year term with a one-year extension option and scheduled termination in November 2009.  Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either an alternative base rate or a Eurodollar rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio or our credit rating.  The alternative base interest rate is a fluctuating rate equal to the higher of the prime rate or the sum of the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points.  The applicable margin for the alternative base rate will vary from 0.00% to 0.50% depending on our leverage ratio prior to achieving an investment grade rating, and will vary from 0.00% to 0.25% depending on our credit rating after achieving an investment grade rating.  The Eurodollar rate is a rate of interest that is fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six months based on the LIBOR rate determined two business days prior to the commencement of the applicable interest period.  The applicable margin for the Eurodollar rate will vary from 1.00% to 1.50% depending on our leverage ratio prior to achieving an investment grade rating, and will vary from 0.425% to 1.00% depending on our credit rating after achieving an investment grade rating.

 

Our ability to borrow under this credit facility will be subject to our ongoing compliance with the following financial covenants, among others:

 

·         Maximum total indebtedness to total asset value of 65%;

 

·         Minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.0:1.0;

 

·         Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.6:1.0; and

 

·         Minimum tangible net worth of $673.2 million plus 75% of net proceeds from future equity issuances.

 

In September 2007, the Company and its Operating Partnership entered into a secured term loan agreement which allows for term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $50 million, which was subsequently amended in April 2008 to allow for term loans in the aggregate principal amount of $60 million. Each term loan matures in November 2009, subject to extension at the sole discretion of the lenders. Each term loan bears interest at either an alternative base rate or a Eurodollar rate, at our option, in each case plus an applicable margin at terms identical to the unsecured revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2008, there was one term loan outstanding for $47.4 million.  The outstanding term loan is secured by a pledge by our Operating Partnership of all equity interests in YSI RT LLC, the wholly-owned subsidiary of our Operating Partnership that acquired eight self-storage facilities in September 2007.  At March 31, 2008, the outstanding term loan had an interest rate of 3.86%.  Financial covenants for the secured term loan are identical to the financial covenants for the unsecured credit facility described above.

 

During 2007 and 2008, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges that are designed to reduce the impact of interest rate changes on its variable rate debt. At March 31, 2008, the Company had interest rate swap agreements for notional principal amounts aggregating $100 million. The swap agreements effectively fix the 30-day LIBOR interest rate on $50 million of credit facility borrowings at 4.7725% per annum, $25 million of credit facility borrowings at 4.716% per annum and on $25 million of credit facility borrowings at 2.3400% per annum, in each case until November 2009.  Additionally, the Company entered into interest rate cap agreements on $40 million of credit facility borrowings at 5.50% per annum until June 2008. In April 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement for notional principal amounts aggregating $200 million, that effectively fix the 30-day LIBOR interest rate on $200 million of LIBOR based borrowings at 2.7625% per annum until November 2009. The notional amount at March 31, 2008 provides an indication of the extent of the Company’s involvement in these instruments at that time, but does not represent exposure to credit, interest rate or market risks.

 

Our cash flow from operations has historically been one of our primary sources of liquidity to fund debt service, distributions and capital expenditures. We derive substantially all of our revenue from customers who lease space from us at our facilities. Therefore, our ability to generate cash from operations is dependent on the rents that we are able to charge and collect from our customers. While we believe that the facilities in which we invest — self-storage facilities — are less sensitive to near-term economic downturns, prolonged economic downturns will adversely affect cash flow from operations.

 

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In order to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding capital gains, to our shareholders on an annual basis or pay federal income tax.  The nature of our business, coupled with the requirement that we distribute a substantial portion of our income on an annual basis, will cause us to have substantial liquidity needs over both the short term and the long term. Our short-term liquidity needs consist primarily of funds necessary to pay operating expenses associated with our facilities, refinancing of certain mortgage indebtedness, interest expense and scheduled principal payments on debt, expected distributions to limited partners and shareholders and recurring capital expenditures. These expenses, as well as the amount of recurring capital expenditures that we incur, will vary from year to year, in some cases significantly. For 2008, we expect to incur costs totaling $8 to $12 million for recurring capital expenditures, and we expect such costs in 2009 to be approximately $8 to $12 million. In addition, our scheduled principal payments on debt over the balance of 2008 are approximately $9.3 million and scheduled principal payments in 2009 are approximately $94 million.  We expect to meet our short-term liquidity needs through cash generated from operations and, as necessary, from borrowings under our revolving credit facility, other financings or asset sales.

 

Our long-term liquidity needs consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for development of new facilities, redevelopment of operating facilities, non-recurring capital expenditures, acquisitions of facilities and repayment of indebtedness at maturity. In particular, we intend to actively pursue the acquisition of additional facilities, which will require additional capital. We do not expect that we will have sufficient funds on hand to cover these long-term cash requirements. We will have to satisfy these needs through either additional borrowings, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility, sales of common or preferred shares and/or cash generated through facility dispositions and joint venture transactions.

 

We believe that, as a publicly traded REIT, we will have access to multiple sources of capital to fund long-term liquidity requirements, including the incurrence of additional debt and the issuance of additional equity. However, we cannot provide any assurance that this will be the case. Our ability to incur additional debt will be dependent on a number of factors, including our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets and borrowing restrictions that may be imposed by lenders. In addition, the current dislocation in the United States debt markets has significantly reduced the availability and increased the cost of long-term debt capital, including conventional mortgage financing and commercial mortgage-backed securities financing.  There can be no assurance that such capital will be readily available in the foreseeable future.  Our ability to access the equity capital markets will be dependent on a number of factors as well, including general market conditions for REITs and market perceptions about us.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company’s future income, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments depend upon prevailing interest rates.

 

Market Risk

 

Our investment policy relating to cash and cash equivalents is to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing the return through investment of available funds. The carrying value of these investments approximates fair value on the reporting dates.

 

Effect of Changes in Interest Rates on our Outstanding Debt

 

The analysis below presents the sensitivity of the market value of our financial instruments to selected changes in market rates.  The range of changes chosen reflects our view of changes which are reasonably possible over a one-year period.  Market values are the present value of projected future cash flows based on the market rates chosen.

 

Our financial instruments consist of both fixed and variable rate debt.  As of March 31, 2008, our consolidated debt consisted of $559.6 million in fixed rate loans payable, $235.0 million in borrowings under our variable rate revolving credit facility, $200.0 million in a variable rate unsecured term loan and $47.4 million in a variable rate secured term loan.  All financial instruments were entered into for other than trading purposes and the net market value of these financial instruments is referred to as the net financial position.  Changes in interest rates have different impacts on the fixed and variable rate portions of our debt portfolio.  A change in interest rates on the fixed portion of the debt portfolio impacts the net financial instrument position, but has no impact on interest incurred or cash flows.  A change in interest rates on the variable portion of the debt portfolio impacts the interest incurred and cash flows, but does not impact the net financial instrument position.

 

If market rates of interest on our variable rate debt increase by 1%, the increase in annual interest expense on our variable rate debt would decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $4.8 million a year.  If market rates of interest on our variable rate debt decrease by 1%, the decrease in interest expense on our variable rate debt would increase future earnings and cash flows by approximately $4.8 million a year.

 

If market rates of interest increase by 1%, the fair value of our outstanding fixed-rate mortgage debt would decrease by approximately $18.6 million.  If market rates of interest decrease by 1%, the fair value of our outstanding fixed-rate mortgage debt would increase by approximately $19.5 million.

 

During 2007 and 2008, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges that are designed to reduce the impact of interest rate changes on its variable rate debt. At March 31, 2008, the Company had interest rate swap agreements for notional principal amounts aggregating $100 million. The swap agreements effectively fix the 30-day LIBOR interest rate on $50 million of credit facility borrowings at 4.7725% per annum, $25 million of credit facility borrowings at 4.716% per annum and on $25 million of credit facility borrowings at 2.3400% per annum, in each case until November 2009.  Additionally, the Company entered into interest rate cap agreements on $40 million of credit facility borrowings at 5.50% per annum until June 2008. In April 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement for notional principal amounts aggregating $200 million, that effectively fix the 30-day LIBOR interest rate on $200 million of LIBOR based borrowings at 2.7625% per annum until November 2009. The notional amount at March 31, 2008 provides an indication of the extent of the Company’s involvement in these instruments at that time, but does not represent exposure to credit, interest rate or market risks.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act during our most recent fiscal quarter, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

We are not presently involved in any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against us or our properties. We are involved in routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which we believe to be material.

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The following table provides information about repurchases of the Company’s common shares during the three-month period ended March 31, 2008:

 

 

 

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased
(1)

 

Average Price
Paid Per Share

 

Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

3,000,000

 

February

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

3,000,000

 

March

 

2,147

 

$

11.00

 

N/A

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2,147

 

 

 

N/A

 

3,000,000

 

 


(1)  Represents common shares withheld by the Company upon the vesting of restricted shares to cover employee tax obligations.

 

(2)  On June 27, 2007, the Company announced that the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase program for up to 3.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares.  Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board of Trustees, the program will expire when the number of authorized shares has been repurchased.  For the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, the Company made no repurchases under this program.

 

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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2008, by and among U-Store-It, L.P., as borrower, U-Store-It Trust, as parent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as agent and each of the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, filed herewith.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Guarantor Acknowledgment, dated as of November 3, 2008, executed on behalf of U-Store-It Trust, U-Store-It Mini Warehouse Co., YSI Management LLC and YSI RT LLC, as guarantors, filed herewith.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Term Note, dated as of April 3, 2008, filed herewith.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 


 

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SIGNATURES OF REGISTRANT

 

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.

 

U-STORE-IT TRUST

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date: May 9, 2008

By:

/s/ Christopher P. Marr

 

 

 

     Christopher P. Marr, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

     (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 9, 2008

By:

/s/ Timothy M. Martin

 

 

 

     Timothy M. Martin, Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

     (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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