-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, D8a07lCJYBKRZYwFeeivyNNGBrrwCinADnIq26XjqkR+COJEV8/uZSZcTchK8eik A994m1SeJ+dX6ZbRdv0HlA== 0000914317-05-002040.txt : 20050611 0000914317-05-002040.hdr.sgml : 20050611 20050609145117 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000914317-05-002040 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050430 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050609 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050609 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000036840 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 221697095 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-25043 FILM NUMBER: 05887298 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 505 MAIN ST STREET 2: P O BOX 667 CITY: HACKENSACK STATE: NJ ZIP: 07602 BUSINESS PHONE: 2014886400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 667 STREET 2: 505 MAIN STREET CITY: HACKENSACK STATE: NJ ZIP: 07602 10-Q 1 form10q-68000_freit.htm
 

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   April 30, 2005      
 
    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 No.: 2-27018
 
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
New Jersey   22-1697095

 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
  505 Main Street, P.O. Box 667, Hackensack, New Jersey  07602
 
             (Ad­dress of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   201-488-6400

 

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.

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

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

As of June 8, 2005 there were 6,423,152 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding.




Page 2
 
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
 
INDEX
         
  Page
 

Part I:  Financial Information 

 
         
  Item 1:  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements  
         
    a.) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as at April 30, 2005
and October 31, 2004;
3
         
    b.) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive
Income and Undistributed Earnings for the Six and Three Months Ended
April 30, 2005 and 2004;
4
         
    c.) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six
Months Ended April 30, 2005 and 2004;
5
         
    d.) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 6
         
  Item 2:    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 
                 of Operations. 11
     
  Item 3:    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 19
     
  Item 4:    Controls and Procedures. 19
     
Part II: Other Information 19
         
  Item 6:    Exhibits  



Page 3

 
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

April 30,
2005
  October 31,
2004
 
 
 
 
  (In Thousands of Dollars)  
 
 
  ASSETS          
Real estate, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation   $ 159,576   $ 160,357  
Cash and cash equivalents     14,367     18,843  
Tenants’ security accounts     1,801     1,777  
Sundry receivables     3,176     3,102  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     3,831     3,580  
Contract deposit     1,000        
Deferred charges, net     2,832     2,916  
Interest rate swap contract     4        
 
 
 
  Totals   $ 186,587   $ 190,575  
 
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
Liabilities:              
         Mortgages payable   $ 145,150   $ 148,244  
         Accounts payable and accrued expenses     2,763     3,068  
         Dividends payable     1,606     3,212  
         Tenants’ security deposits     2,270     2,210  
         Deferred revenue     56     247  
         Interest rate swap contract           160  
 
 
 
  Total liabilities     151,845     157,141  
 
 
 
 
Minority interest     4,214     2,267  
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies              
               
Shareholders’ equity:              
         Shares of beneficial interest without par value:
            8,000,000 shares authorized;
               6,423,152 shares issued and outstanding
    20,694     20,694  
         Undistributed earnings     9,830     10,633  
         Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     4     (160 )
 
 
 
  Total shareholders’ equity     30,528     31,167  
 
 
 
 
  Totals   $ 186,587   $ 190,575  
 
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



Page 4


FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND
UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS
SIX AND THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2005 AND 2004

Six Months Ended Three Months Ended


  April 30,   April 30,  


  2005   2004   2005   2004  




  (In Thousands Of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
INCOME                          
Revenue:                  
   Rental income   $ 14,228   $ 11,837   $ 7,130   $ 5,892  
   Reimbursements     1,870     2,067     680     1,175  
   Sundry income     95     65     55     28  
 
 
 
      Totals     16,193     13,969     7,865     7,095  
 
 
 
Expenses:                          
   Operating expenses     3,555     3,014     2,091     1,580  
   Management fees     713     553     363     289  
   Real estate taxes     2,311     2,028     1,195     1,022  
   Depreciation     2,085     1,580     1,010     814  
   Minority interest     332     222     22     132  
 
 
 
      Totals     8,996     7,397     4,681     3,837  
 
 
 
Operating income     7,197     6,572     3,184     3,258  
                           
Investment income     119     89     54     41  
Interest expense including amortization                          
  of deferred financing costs     (4,907 )   (4,132 )   (2,389 )   (2,107 )
 
 
 
         Income from continuing operations     2,409     2,529     849     1,192  
Discontinued operations:                          
      Income from discontinued operations         448         228  
      Minority interest in discontinued operations         (112 )       (57 )
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations         336         171  
 
 
 
            Net income   $ 2,409   $ 2,865   $ 849   $ 1,363  
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:                          
   Continuing operations   $ 0.38   $ 0.40   $ 0.13   $ 0.19  
   Discontinued operations         0.05         0.02  
 
 
 
      Net income   $ 0.38   $ 0.45   $ 0.13   $ 0.21  
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:                          
   Continuing operations   $ 0.36   $ 0.38   $ 0.12   $ 0.17  
   Discontinued operations         0.05         0.03  
 
 
 
     Net income   $ 0.36   $ 0.43   $ 0.12   $ 0.20  
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                          
   Basic     6,423     6,348     6,423     6,367  
   Diluted     6,703     6,732     6,843     6,943  
                           
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                          
Net Income   $ 2,409   $ 2,865   $ 849   $ 1,363  
Other comprehensive income:                          
   Unrealized gain on interest
      rate swap contract
    164     73     55     102  
 
 
 
Comprehensive income   $ 2,573   $ 2,938   $ 904   $ 1,465  
 
 
 
                           
UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS                          
Balance, beginning of period   $ 10,633   $ 2,487   $ 10,587   $ 2,705  
Net income     2,409     2,865     849     1,363  
Less dividends     (3,212 )   (2,569 )   (1,606 )   (1,285 )
 
 
 
Balance, end of period   $ 9,830   $ 2,783   $ 9,830   $ 2,783  
 
 
 
Dividends per share   $ 0.50   $ 0.40   $ 0.25   $ 0.20  
 
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Back To Index



Page 5

 
FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2005 AND 2004

  2005   2004  
 
 
 
  (In Thousands of Dollars)  
Operating activities:            
     Net income $ 2,409   $ 2,865  
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
     operating activities (including discontinued operations):
           
           Depreciation   2,085     1,768  
           Amortization   175     190  
           Deferred revenue   (191 )   (163 )
           Minority interest   332     334  
           Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
                 Tenants’ security accounts   (24 )   13  
                 Sundry receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets   (416 )   (1,663 )
                 Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (305 )   (297 )
                 Tenants’ security deposits   60     (6 )
 
 
 
                    Net cash provided by operating activities   4,125     3,041  
 
 
 
Investing activities:            
     Capital expenditures   (1,304 )   (753 )
     Acquisition of real estate       (16,003 ) (a)
     Contract deposit (1,000 )    
 
 
 
                      Net cash used in investing activities   (2,304 )   (16,756 )
 
 
 
Financing activities:            
     Repayment of mortgages   (3,094 )   (947 )
     Proceeds from notes and mortgage financing         8,200  
     Dividends paid   (4,818 )   (3,651 )
     Proceeds from exercise of stock options         840  
     Distribution to minority interest   (287 )   (410 )
     Contribution by minority interest   1,902      
 
 
 
              Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (6,297 )   4,032  
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (4,476 )   (9,683 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   18,843     14,437  
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 14,367   $ 4,754  
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data:            
     Interest paid $ 4,821   $ 4,209  
 
 
 
     Income taxes paid $ 20   $ 15  
 
 
 
Supplemental schedule of non cash financing activities:            
     Dividends declared but not paid $ 1,606   $ 1,285  
 
 
 
 
(a) In April 2004, S And A Commercial Associates LP, a subsidiary of FREIT, completed the acquisition of a 269 unit high rise apartment building in Hackensack, NJ for approximately $45,586,000, in part with the proceeds of a $29,583,000 mortgage.
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Back To Index



Page 6
 

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Basis of presentation:

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements have been omitted. It is the opinion of management that all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, and that all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

The consolidated results of operations for the six and three months ended April 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2004.

Reclassification:

Certain accounts in the 2004 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Note 2 - Earnings per share:

 
FREIT has presented “basic” and “diluted” earnings per share in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“SFAS 128”). Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares, such as those issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, were issued during the period.
 
In computing diluted earnings per share for each of the six and three month periods ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, the assumed exercise of all of FREIT’s outstanding stock options, adjusted for application of the treasury stock method, would have increased the weighted average number of shares outstanding as shown in the table below. All shares and per share amounts have been restated for the two-for-one stock split which became effective March 31, 2004.
 
Six Months Ended
April 30,
Three Months Ended
April 30,


  2005   2004   2005   2004  
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding   6,423,152     6,348,485     6,423,152     6,367,152  
                         
Shares arising from assumed exercise of
     stock options
  280,125     383,853     420,188     575,779  
 
 
 
Dilutive weighted average shares 
     outstanding
  6,703,277     6,732,338     6,843,340     6,942,931  


 

Basic and diluted earnings per share, based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period, are comprised of ordinary income.




Page 7
 

Note 3- Equity incentive plan:

 
All references to the amount of stock options granted, option price, fair value, or shares exercised have been adjusted to reflect the March 31, 2004 two-for-one stock split. On September 10, 1998, the Board of Trustees approved FREIT’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which was ratified by FREIT’s shareholders on April 7, 1999, whereby up to 920,000 of FREIT’s shares of beneficial interest may be granted to key personnel in the form of stock options, restricted share awards and other share-based awards.
 
Upon ratification of the Plan on April 7,1999, FREIT issued 754,000 stock options (adjusted for stock splits) which it had previously granted to key personnel on September 10, 1998. The fair value of the options on the date of grant was $7.50 per share (adjusted for stock splits). During May 2003, options to purchase 72,000 shares at $7.50 per share were exercised, and on February 24, 2004, options to purchase 112,000 shares were exercised at $7.50 per share. The remaining options for 570,000 shares are all outstanding at April 30, 2005, and are exercisable through September 2008.
 
In the opinion of management, if compensation costs for the stock options granted in 1999 had been determined based on the fair value of the options at the grant date under the provisions of SFAS 123 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, FREIT’s pro forma net income and pro forma basic net income per share arising from such computation would not have differed materially from the corresponding historical amounts.
 

Note 4- Segment information:

 
SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, established standards for reporting financial information about operating segments in interim and annual financial reports and provides for a “management approach” in identifying the reportable segments.
 
FREIT has determined that it has two reportable segments: retail properties and residential properties. These reportable segments offer different products, have different types of customers, and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise. The retail segment contains seven separate properties and the residential segment contains nine properties. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
The chief operating decision-making group of FREIT’s retail segment, residential segment and corporate/other is comprised of the Board of Trustees.
 
FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on net operating income (“NOI”). NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, and financing costs. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
 
Real estate rental revenue, operating expenses, NOI and recurring capital improvements for the reportable segments are summarized below and reconciled to consolidated net income for the six and three months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004. Asset information is not reported since FREIT does not use this measure to assess performance.



Page 8

 
Six Months Ended
April 30,
  Three Months Ended
April 30,
 
2005   2004   2005 2004  
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands of dollars)  
Real estate revenue:                
   Retail (a) $ 8,290   $ 8,571   $ 3,879   $ 4,260  
   Residential   7,748     5,243     3,905     2,754  
 
 
 
 
 
                  Totals   16,038     13,814     7,784     7,014  
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate operating expenses:                        
   Retail   2,780     2,931     1,491     1,477  
   Residential   3,364     2,331     1,947     1,262  
 
 
 
 
 
                  Totals   6,144     5,262     3,438     2,739  
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating income:                        
   Retail (a)   5,510     5,640     2,388     2,783  
   Residential   4,384     2,912     1,958     1,492  
 
 
 
 
 
                  Totals $ 9,894   $ 8,552   $ 4,346   $ 4,275  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring capital improvements:                        
   Residential $ 429   $ 202   $ 171   $ 92  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:                        
   Segment NOI $ 9,894   $ 8,552   $ 4,346   $ 4,275  
   Deferred rents - straight-lining   150     155     75     80  
   Net investment income   119     89     54     41  
   General and administrative expenses   (430 )   (333 )   (205 )   (151 )
   Depreciation   (2,085 )   (1,580 )   (1,010 )   (814 )
   Discontinued operations       336         171  
   Financing costs   (4,907 )   (4,132 )   (2,389 )   (2,107 )
   Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries   (332 )   (222 )   (22 )   (132 )
 
 
 
 
 
 
               Net Income $ 2,409   $ 2,865   $ 849   $ 1,363  
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
A Tenant in FREIT’s Westridge Square shopping center and FREIT have entered into a lease termination agreement whereby Tenant paid FREIT a lump sum payment of approximately $1.8 million ($750,000 as a rent termination payment for past and future rent payments and $1,035,000 for repairing and refurbishing space vacated by Tenant) to terminate the lease. The mortgage lender agreed to the termination agreement and has entered into an escrow agreement with FREIT whereby the entire lump sum payment made by the Tenant has been deposited in an interest bearing escrow account held for the benefit of the mortgage lender. Up to $750,000 will be disbursed to FREIT (a) in monthly installments of $31,595 over approximately twenty four (24) months, or (b) the balance of the un-disbursed $750,000 will be disbursed to FREIT once the mortgage lender is provided with a Certificate of Occupancy (“C of O”) covering all of the space vacated by the Tenant. The balance of the lease termination payment of approximately $1 million representing a Tenant Improvement (“TI”) Reserve, will be disbursed to FREIT in $250,000 increments as comparable amounts of TI’s are incurred, or in full at the earlier of when a C of O is obtained and the space vacated by the Tenant leased and re-occupied, or when the mortgage loan has been re-paid. Approximately $300,000, representing the difference between the $750,000 rent termination payment and rents already accrued, was included in revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2004.



Page 9
 

Note 5 – Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations:

On June 22, 2004, S And A closed on its contract for the sale of the Olney Town Center (“OTC”) in Olney, Maryland. The sale price for the property was $28.2 million. The property was acquired in April 2000 for approximately $15.5 million. S And A utilized part of the selling price to repay the approximate $11 million first mortgage on the property. The operations of OTC are being classified as Discontinued Operations. For financial statement proposes, S And A recognized a gain of approximately $12.8 million from the sale.

On April 16, 2004, S And A closed on the purchase of The Pierre apartments. The Pierre is a 269-unit luxury high-rise apartment building located in Hackensack, N.J. The contract purchase price for The Pierre was approximately $44 million. This amount, together with estimated transaction costs of approximately $2 million, resulted in total acquisition costs of approximately $46 million. The acquisition costs were financed in part by a mortgage loan in the approximate amount of $30 million and the balance of approximately $16 million in cash. FREIT provided 75% of the cash required with the balance of approximately $4 million provided by the 25% minority owners of S And A.

The net proceeds from the OTC sale after the repayment of the first mortgage repaid FREIT and the 25% minority owners for their advances made to acquire The Pierre.

S And A has structured the sale of OTC and the purchase of The Pierre in a manor that would qualify as a like kind exchange of real estate pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, and resulted in a deferral for income tax purposes of the realization of gain on the sale of OTC. Since it is the intention of FREIT to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust, deferred tax would be minimal.

The following unaudited pro forma information shows the results of operations for the six months and three months ended April 30, 2004 for FREIT and its Subsidiaries as though The Pierre had been acquired at the beginning of fiscal 2004:

 
Six Months Ended
April 30, 2004
Three Months Ended
April 30, 2004
(thousands, except per share amounts)
     
Revenues $ 16,268   $ 8,066  
Expenses   13,384     6,637  
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations   2,884     1,429  
Minority interest   (266 )   (191 )
 
 
 
   Net income from continuing operations $ 2,618   $ 1,238  
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share:            
   Basic $ 0.41   $ 0.19  
 
 
 
   Diluted $ 0.39   $ 0.18  
 
 
 
 

The unaudited pro forma results include adjustments for depreciation based on the purchase price and increased interest expense based on the mortgage placed on the property at the acquisition date.

The unaudited pro forma results of operations set forth above are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition been made at the beginning of fiscal 2004 or of future results of operations of FREIT’s combined properties.




Page 10
 

The acquisition price for the building, including closing costs, was approximately $46 million. Based on a detailed appraisal of the property, the purchase price was allocated as follows: approximately $38 million (82.2%) was allocated to the building and other improvements and approximately $8 million (17.8%) was allocated towards land. Value attributable to leases was considered immaterial due to their short-term nature.

In accordance with its investment policy, on April 29, 2005, FREIT allowed the 25% minority owners in S And A to make an approximate $1.9 million capital contribution into S And A. As a result of this capital contribution, the minority owners have increased their ownership position to 35% effective with the additional capital contribution.

On April 7, 2005 FREIT entered into a contract to purchase a mixed-use property. FREIT has placed a $1 million earnest money deposit into an escrow account, which will be credited towards the purchase price of the property upon closing. The closing of the acquisition is expected to take place in mid July 2005 (See Form 8-K which was filed on April 11, 2005).

Note 6 – Credit line:

On February 4, 2005, FREIT replaced its expired $14 million line of credit with an $18 million line of credit. The line of credit is for three years but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, at each anniversary date. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen Rock, NJ, Lakewood Apartments, Lakewood, NJ, and Grandview Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Interest rates on draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws.

FREIT has utilized the credit line for the issuance of a $2 million Letter of Credit in connection with its construction activities.

*     *

 
Back To Index



Page 11
 
Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
   

Cautionary Statement Identifying Important Factors That Could Cause FREIT’s Actual Results to Differ From Those Projected in Forward Looking Statements.

Readers of this discussion are advised that the discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of FREIT (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and the consolidated financial statements included in FREIT’s most recently filed Form 10-K. Certain statements in this discussion may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect FREIT’s current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of FREIT, and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. FREIT has tried, wherever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend, “ “plan,” “ estimate,” or words of similar meaning.

Although FREIT believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for rental space, the availability of prospective tenants, lease rents and the availability of financing; adverse changes in FREIT’s real estate markets, including, among other things, competition with other real estate owners, risks of real estate development and acquisitions; governmental actions and initiatives; and environmental/safety requirements.

   
 

Overview

FREIT is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that owns a portfolio of residential apartment and retail properties. Our revenues consist primarily of fixed rental income from our residential and retail properties and additional rent in the form of expense reimbursements derived from our income producing retail properties. We also receive income from our 40% owned Affiliate, Westwood Hills, LLC which owns a residential apartment property and from our 40% owned affiliate Wayne PSC, LLC that owns the Preakness Shopping Center. Our policy has been to acquire real property for long-term investment.

Effects of recent accounting pronouncements:

In December 2003, the FASB issued revised FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51.” (“FIN 46R”). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of an entity in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity (variable interest entities, or “VIEs”). Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership or a majority voting interest in the entity. FIN 46R is applicable for financial statements of public entities that have interests in VIEs or potential VIEs referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 31, 2003. Applications by public entities for all other types of entities are required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.

In accordance with the definition of related parties as defined in paragraph 16 of FIN 46R and the guidance in paragraph 4h, it is the belief of the management of FREIT that FIN 46R is applicable to Westwood Hills, LLC and Wayne PSC, LLC, both 40% owned by FREIT. Because of this determination, FREIT has consolidated these two entities in addition to its 75% (effective April 29, 2005) owned subsidiary, S And A and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Damascus Centre, LLC.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No.123 (R) “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123 (R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This Statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS 123 (R) requires that the fair value of such equity instruments be recognized as an expense in the historical financial statements as services are performed. Prior to SFAS 123 (R), only certain pro forma disclosures of fair value were required. SFAS 123 (R) shall be effective for FREIT as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005. The adoption of this new accounting pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on FREIT’s consolidated financial statements.




Page 12
 
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 

Pursuant to the SEC disclosure guidance for “Critical Accounting Policies,” the SEC defines Critical Accounting Policies as those that require the application of Management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

 
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, the preparation of which takes into account estimates based on judgments and assumptions that affect certain amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The accounting policies and estimates used, which are outlined in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2004, have been applied consistently as at April 30, 2005 and October 31, 2004, and for the six and three months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004. We believe that the following accounting policies or estimates require the application of Management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments:
 
Revenue Recognition: Base rents, additional rents based on tenants’ sales volume and reimbursement of the tenants’ share of certain operating expenses are generally recognized when due from tenants. The straight-line basis is used to recognize base rents under leases if they provide for varying rents over the lease terms. Straight-line rents represent unbilled rents receivable to the extent straight-line rents exceed current rents billed in accordance with lease agreements. Before FREIT can recognize revenue, it is required to assess, among other things, its collectibility. If we incorrectly determine the collectibility of revenue, our net income and assets could be overstated.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: We periodically assess the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever we determine that events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. When FREIT determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired, the measurement of any impairment is based on a projected discounted cash flow method determined by FREIT’s management. While we believe that our discounted cash flow methods are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows may significantly affect the measurement of impairment.

In October 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” SFAS No. 144 requires the reporting of discontinued operations to include components of an entity that have either been disposed of or are classified as held for sale. FREIT has adopted SFAS No. 144. During 2004 FREIT sold its Olney, MD property. FREIT has reclassified the operations of this property as Discontinued Operations for fiscal year 2004. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have an impact on net income, but only impacted the presentation of this property within the consolidated statements of income.


Overview
 

We believe that income from continuing operations (which excludes the operations of OTC) is the most significant element of net income. Accordingly, all references and comparisons refer to income from continuing operations unless otherwise stated.

 
All references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis unless otherwise indicated and have been restated for the March 31, 2004 two-for-one stock split.
 
Results of Operations:
 

Six and Three Months Ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 
Revenues for the six months ended April 30, 2005 (“Current Six Months”) increased 15.9% to $16,193,000 compared to $13,969,000 for the six months ended April 30, 2004 (“Prior Year’s Six Months”). Revenues for the three months ended April 30, 2005 (“Current Quarter”) increased 10.9% to $7,865,000 from $7,095,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2004 (“Prior Year’s Quarter”). The increases in revenues from the prior periods are wholly attributable to the operations at the Pierre that was acquired in April 2004 (see chart below).
  
Income from continuing operations declined 4.7% to $2,409,000 for the Current Six Months from $2,529,000 for the Prior Year’s Six Months. For the Current Quarter income from continuing operations declined 28.8% to $849,000 from $1,192,000 for the Prior Year’s Quarter. The decline was caused by one time adjustment to commercial tenant’s reimbursable charge backs resulting in reduced revenues and income.



Page 13

In June 2004 FREIT’s subsidiary, S And A, sold the OTC. This sale resulted in a gain for financial statement purposes of approximately $12.8 million, which was reported during the third quarter of fiscal 2004. The operations of OTC, less the share attributable to the minority interest, have been classified as income from Discontinued Operations for the Prior Year’s six and three months ended April 30, 2004.

The consolidated results of operations for the six and three months ended April 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following table sets forth comparative operating data for FREIT’s real estate segments from continuing operations:




Page 14

 
  Retail
 
  Six Months Ended Three Months Ended
 

  April 30, Increase   (Decrease) April 30, Increase   (Decrease)
 



  2005   2004 $ % 2005 2004 $ %
  (in thousands)   (in thousands)
 
     
     
Rental income $ 6,404   $ 6,478   $ (74 ) -1.1 %   $ 3,189   $ 3,079   $ 110   3.6 %
Reimbursements   1,870     2,068     (198 ) -9.6 %   679     1,175     (496 ) -42.2 %
Other   16     25     (9 ) -36.0 %   11     6     5   83.3 %
 
 
 
   Total Revenues   8,290     8,571     (281 ) -3.3 %   3,879     4,260     (381 ) -8.9 %
  
Operating expenses   2,780     2,931     (151 ) -5.2 %   1,491     1,477     14   0.9 %
 
 
 
Net operating income $ 5,510   $ 5,640   $ (130 ) -2.3 % $ 2,388   $ 2,783   $ (395 ) -14.2 %
 
 
 
Average                                            
Occupancy %   92.6 %   92.5 %       0.1 %   90.8 %   92.8 %       -2.0 %
 
 
       
 
 
       
 
 
Residential
 
  Six Months Ended       Three Months Ended      


  April 30,   Increase   (Decrease)   April 30,   Increase   (Decrease)  




  2005   2004   $   %   2005   2004   $   %  
(in thousands) (in thousands)    
 
     
     
Rental Revenues:                            
   Same properties $ 5,036   $ 4,963   $ 73   1.5 % $ 2,545   $ 2,474   $ 71   2.9 %
   New properties   2,712     280     2,432   868.6 %   1,360     280     1,080   386 %
 
 
 
      Total Revenues   7,748     5,243   $ 2,505   47.8 %   3,905     2,754   $ 1,151   41.8 %
Operating expenses                                            
   Same properties   2,121     2,212     (91 ) -4.1 %   1,152     1,143     9   0.8 %
   New properties   1,243     119     1,124   944.5 %   795     119     676   568.1 %
 
 
 
      Total Expenses   3,364     2,331     1,033   44.3 %   1,947     1,262     685   54.3 %
 
 
 
  
Net operating income $ 4,384   $ 2,912   $ 1,472   50.5 % $ 1,958   $ 1,492   $ 466   31.2 %
 
 
 
Average Occupancy %   94.6 %   94.2 %       0.4 %   94.7 %   93.7 %       1.0 %
 
 
       
 
 
       
 
     
  Six Months Ended       Three Months Ended      
   
         
             
  April 30,           April 30,          
  

  2005   2004           2005   2004          


  
Reconciliation to consolidated
   net income:
                           
Segment NOI:                                            
   Retail $ 5,510   $ 5,640             $ 2,388   $ 2,783            
   Residential   4,384     2,912               1,958     1,492            


      Total   9,894     8,552               4,346     4,275            
   Deferred rents   150     155               75     80            
   Net investment income   119     89               54     41            
   Gen’l and admin. Exp.   (430 )   (333 )             (205 )   (151 )          
   Depreciation   (2,085 )   (1,580 )             (1,010 )   (814 )          
   Financing costs   (4,907 )   (4,132 )             (2,389 )   (2,107 )          
   Minority interest   (332 )   (222 )             (22 )   (132 )          


      Net income from
      continuing operations
  2,409     2,529               849     1,192            
   Discontinued operations       336                   171            


Net income $ 2,409   $ 2,865             $ 849   $ 1,363            





Page 15

The above table details the comparative NOI for FREIT’s Retail and Residential Segments, and reconciles the combined NOI to consolidated net income. NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, and financing costs. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by generally accepted accounting principles, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

RETAIL SEGMENT

FREIT’s retail properties for continuing operations consist of seven (7) properties totaling approximately 1,050,000 sq. ft. Six are multi-tenanted retail centers and one is a single tenanted store. In addition, FREIT has leased land and receives rental income from a tenant who has built and operates a bank branch on land FREIT owns in Rockaway, NJ.

As indicated in the above table revenues from our retail segment are down 3.3% and 8.9%, and NOI is down 2.3% and 14.2% for the Current Six Months and Current Quarter respectively. The decline was caused by one time adjustment to commercial tenant’s reimbursable charge backs resulting in reduced revenues and income. Revenue and net operating income for the Prior Year’s Six Months includes a one-time item of $308,000 representing the gain from a lease termination payment made by a former tenant located at FREIT’s Westridge Square shopping center. FREIT and the tenant entered into a lease termination agreement whereby Tenant paid FREIT a lump sum payment of approximately $1.8 million ($750,000 as a rent termination payment for past and future rent payments and $1,035,000 for repairing and refurbishing space vacated by Tenant). The tenant made the payment in February 2004. The mortgage lender has agreed to the termination agreement and has entered into an escrow agreement with FREIT whereby the entire lump sum payment made by the Tenant has been deposited in an interest bearing escrow account held for the benefit of the mortgage lender. Up to $750,000 will be disbursed to FREIT in monthly installments of $31,595 over approximately twenty four (24) months, or the balance of the un-disbursed $750,000 will be disbursed to FREIT once the mortgage lender is provided with a C of O covering all of the space vacated by the Tenant. The balance of the lease termination payment of approximately $1 million representing a Tenant Improvement (“TI”) Reserve, will be disbursed to FREIT in $250,000 increments as comparable amounts of TI’s are incurred, or in full at the earlier of when a C of O is obtained and the space vacated by the Tenant is leased and re-occupied, when the mortgage loan has been re-paid. The former tenant’s total rent and expense reimbursements aggregated approximately $488,000 per year.

ASSET SALE

On June 22, 2004, S And A closed on its contract for the sale of the OTC in Olney, Maryland. The sale price for the property was $28.2 million. The property was acquired in April 2000 for approximately $15.5 million. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 FREIT recognized a gain of approximately $12.8 million from the sale. The operations of OTC have been classified as Discontinued Operations.

RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT

FREIT operates nine (9) multi-family apartment communities totaling 986 apartment units. The NOI of our residential properties is summarized in the above table.

On April 16, 2004, S And A closed on the purchase of The Pierre apartments. The Pierre is a 269-unit high-rise apartment building located in Hackensack, N.J. The contract purchase price for The Pierre was approximately $44 million. This amount, together with estimated transaction costs of approximately $2 million, resulted in total acquisition costs of approximately $46.0 million. The acquisition costs were financed in part by a mortgage loan in the approximate amount of $30 million and the balance of approximately $16 million in cash.




Page 16

During the Current Six Months NOI from Same Properties (properties operated since the start of fiscal 2004) increased almost 6% or $164,000. This increase resulted from a modest increase in revenues and modest decreases in operating expenses during the Current Six Months. Average occupancy for Same Properties increased to 95.6% for the Current Six Months from 94.2% for the Prior Year’s Six Months. The increased occupancy coupled with slightly higher rent collections resulted in the higher revenues and NOI. The higher occupancy and higher rent collections indicate a continuing firming of rental conditions in our market areas. Occupancy at The Pierre, the 269 unit high-rise apartment house in Hackensack, NJ, remains steady at 92.5%. As apartments at The Pierre turnover, they are being refurbished. We continue to be optimistic that the rental housing demand will continue to improve throughout the balance of this fiscal year.

Our residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income. Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents. A 1% decline in annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents, results in an annual revenue decline of approximately $160,000 and $153,000 respectively.

DEPRECIATION

Depreciation expense increased approximately 32% ($505,000) and 24% ($196,000) during the Current Six Months and Current Quarter respectively over the Prior Year's Six Months and Prior Year's Quarter. The increase was pricipally attributable to the acquisition of The Pierre in April 2004.

FINANCING COSTS

 
Six Months Ended
April 30,
Three Months Ended
April 30,


  2005   2004   2005   2004  




  ($000)   ($000)  
Fixed rate Mortgages                
   1st Mortgages                        
    Existing $ 3,484   $ 3,582   $ 1,743   $ 1,817  
     Prepaid   46     115         57  
     New (1)   918     71     459     71  
   2nd Mortgages                        
    Existing   240     244     101     102  
     New (1)   25           25      
Other   41     20     20     7  
 
 
 
 
 
    4,754     4,032     2,348     2,054  
Amortization of Mortgage Costs   86     100     41     53  
Prepayment Fee   67              
 
 
 
 
 
Total Financing Costs From                        
   Continuing Operations $ 4,907   $ 4,132   $ 2,389   $ 2,107  
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Mortgages not in place at beginning of fiscal 2004.
 

Financing Costs for the Current Six Month period increased $775,000 (18.8%) to $4,907,000 from $4,132,000 for the Prior Year’s Six Months. The increase is principally attributable to the increased financing costs on The Pierre property ($847,000), which was acquired in April 2004, and the pre-payment fee paid the mortgage holder on the Damascus property when the $2.3 million mortgage on the property was prepaid.




Page 17

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (“FFO”)

FFO is considered by many as a standard measurement of a REIT’s performance. We compute FFO as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 
Six Months Ended
 
 
4/30/05 4/30/04
 
 
 
 
Net income $ 2,409   $ 2,865  
Depreciation   2,085     1,580  
Amortization of deferred mortgage costs   86     100  
Mortgage prepayment penalty   67  
Deferred rents - straight-lining   (150 )   (155 )
Capital improvements - Apartments   (429 )   (202 )
Discontinued operations         (336 )
Minority interests:
    Equity in earnings of affiliates   332     222  
    Distributions to minority interest   (287 )   (410 )
 
 
 
              Funds From Operations $ 4,113   $ 3,664  


 

FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and therefore should not be considered a substitute for net income as a measure of results of operations or for cash flow from operations as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, the application and calculation of FFO by certain other REITs may vary materially from that of FREIT’s, and therefore FREIT’s FFO and the FFO of other REITs may not be directly comparable.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our financial condition remains strong. Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities was $4.1 million for the Current Six Months compared to $3.0 million for the Prior Year’s Six Months. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will be adequate to cover mandatory debt service payments, recurring capital improvements and dividends necessary to retain qualification as a REIT (90% of taxable income).

As at April 30, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $14.4 million compared to $18.8 million at October 31, 2004, and $14.3 million at January 31, 2005. During the Current Six Month period we used approximately $2.3 million of our cash reserves to prepay the 9.25% mortgage on the Damascus property, $1 million for a contract deposit, and spent approximately $.6 million on development and construction activities and approximately $.75 million on capital improvements.

Credit Line:

On February 4, 2005, FREIT replaced its expired $14 million line of credit with an $18 million line of credit. The line of credit is for three years but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, at each anniversary date. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit (See below). Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen Rock, NJ, Lakewood Apartments, Lakewood, NJ, and Grandview Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Interest rates on draws will be set at the time




Page 18

of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws.

We’ve started the construction of 129 apartment rental units in Rockaway, NJ. The total capital required for this project is estimated at $13.8 million. We expect to finance these costs, in part, from construction and mortgage financing and, in part, from funds available in our institutional money market investments. During January 2005 we utilized our credit line for the issuance of a $2 million Letter of Credit for the benefit of the Township of Rockaway to secure our obligations to the Township in connection with this construction project. The Letter of Credit guarantees FREIT’s completion of off-site improvements. We expect construction to be completed in eighteen months.

It is FREIT’s intention to redevelop and expand its Damascus Shopping Center. The total capital requirement for this project is estimated at $13 million, which will be financed, in part, from construction and mortgage financing and, in part, from funds available in our institutional money market investments.

FREIT entered into a contract for the purchase of a mixed-use property. In this connection FREIT will utilize approximately $8.5 of its cash invested in institutional money market investments to close the acquisition in July 2005. See Form 8-K, Current Report filed April 11, 2005.

At April 30, 2005 FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $145.2 million and bears a fixed weighted average interest rate of 6.4%, and an average life of approximately 7.6 years. These fixed rate mortgages are subject to amortization schedules that are longer than the term of the mortgages. As such, balloon payments (unpaid principal amounts at mortgage due date) for all mortgage debt will be required as follows: 

 
  Fiscal Year $ Millions
 
 
 
  2007   $ 15.7  
  2008   $ 5.9  
  2010   $ 12.3  
  2013   $ 8.0  
  2014   $ 26.1  
  2016   $ 24.6  
  2019   $ 28.3  
 

The following table shows the estimated fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt at April 30, 2005 and October 31, 2004:

 
  (In Millions) April 30,
2005
  October 31,
2004
   
 

 
   
  
  Fair Value $ 150.4   $ 158.1    
  Carrying Value $ 145.2   $ 148.2    
 

Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at April 30, 2005 and October 31, 2004 and on discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates.

FREIT expects to re-finance the individual mortgages with new mortgages when their terms expire. To this extent we have exposure to interest rate risk on our fixed rate debt obligations. If interest rates, at the time any individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required, and/or re-financing proceeds may be less than the amount of mortgage debt being retired. For example,




Page 19

at April 30, 2005 a 1% interest rate increase would reduce the fair value of our debt by $6.0 million, and a 1% decrease would increase the fair value by $6.4 million.

We believe that the values of our properties will be adequate to command re-financing proceeds equal to, or higher, than the mortgage debt to be re-financed. We continually review our debt levels to determine if additional debt can prudently be utilized for property acquisition additions to our real estate portfolio that will increase income and cash flow to shareholders.

Interest rate swap contract: To reduce interest rate volatility, FREIT uses “pay fixed, receive floating” interest rate swaps to convert floating interest rates to fixed interest rates over the terms of certain loans. We enter into these swap contracts with a counterparty that is usually a high-quality commercial bank.

In essence, we agree to pay our counterparty a fixed rate of interest on a dollar amount of notional principal (which corresponds to our mortgage debt) over a term equal to the terms of the mortgage note. Our Counterparty, in return, agrees to pay us a short-term rate of interest – generally LIBOR – on that same notional amount over the same term as our mortgage note.

FASB 133 requires us to mark-to-market fixed pay interest rate swaps. As the floating interest rate varies from time-to-time over the term of the contract, the value of the contract will change upward or downward. If the floating rate is higher than the fixed rate, the value of the contract goes up and there is a gain and an asset. If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, there is a loss and a liability. These gains or losses will not affect our income statement. Changes in the fair value of these swap contracts will be reported in earnings of other comprehensive income and appear in the equity section of our balance sheet.

This gain or loss represents the economic consequence of liquidating our fixed rate swap contracts and replacing them with like-duration funding at current market rates, something we would likely never do.

FREIT had a variable interest rate mortgage securing its Patchogue, NY property. To reduce interest rate fluctuations FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract. This rate swap contract effectively converted variable interest rate payments to fixed interest rate payments. The contract was initially based on a notional amount of approximately $6,769,000 ($6,447,000 at April 30, 2005). FREIT has the following derivative-related risks with its swap contract: 1) early termination risk, and 2) Counterparty credit risk.

Early Termination Risk: If FREIT wants to terminate its swap contract before maturity, it would be bought out or terminated at market value; i.e., the difference in the present value of the anticipated net cash flows from each of the swap’s parties. If current variable interest rates are significantly below FREIT’s fixed interest rate payments, this could be costly. Conversely, if interest rates rise above FREIT’s fixed interest payments and FREIT wished early termination, FREIT would realize a gain on termination. At April 30, 2005 FREIT’s swap contract was in-the-money. If FREIT had terminated its contract at that date it would have realized a gain of about $4,000. This amount has been included as an asset in FREIT’s balance sheet as at April 30, 2005, and the change (gain or loss) between reporting periods included in comprehensive income.

Counterparty Credit Risk: Each party to a swap contract bears the risk that its Counterparty will default on its obligation to make a periodic payment. FREIT reduces this risk by entering swap contracts only with major financial institutions that are experienced market makers in the derivatives market.

 
Back To Index



Page 20

INFLATION

Inflation can impact the financial performance of FREIT in various ways. Our retail tenant leases normally provide that the tenants bear all or a portion of most operating expenses, which can reduce the impact of inflationary increases on FREIT. Apartment leases are normally for a one-year term, which may allow us to seek increased rents as leases renew or when new tenants are obtained.

Item 3: Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

As at the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with participation of FREIT’s management, including FREIT’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There has been no change in FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during FREIT’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Part II Other Information

Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The following matter was submitted to a vote of security holders at FREIT’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 13, 2005:

The Shareholders re-elected Mr. Robert S. Hekemian to serve as a Trustee for a three (3) year term. The balloting for election was a follows:

 
  VOTES FOR   5,866,078    
  % of Outstanding on Record Date   91.3 %  
  VOTES WITHHELD   20,448    
 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 
  None



Page 21

Exhibit Index

 
Exhibit 31.1 Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
Exhibit 31.2 Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Back To Index



Page 22
 

SIGNATURES

  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

   
  FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
        TRUST  OF  NEW  JERSEY
                  (Registrant)
   
Date: June 9, 2005 /s/ Robert S. Hekemian
 
         (Signature)
  Robert S. Hekemian
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
   
  /s/ Donald W. Barney
 
         (Signature)
  Donald W. Barney
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial/Accounting Officer)

Back To Index


EX-31.1 2 ex31-1.htm

Page 23

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Robert S. Hekemian, certify that:

 
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 

                                   (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

                                   (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

                                   (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

                                   (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

        5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

                                   (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

                                   (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

   
   
Date:  June 9, 2005 /s/ Robert S. Hekemian
 
  Robert S. Hekemian
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
   
  Back To Index


EX-31.2 3 ex31-2.htm

Page 24

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Donald W. Barney, certify that:

1.            I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey;

2.            Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

                                   (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

                                   (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

                                   (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

                                   (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

                                   (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

                                   (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
   
Date:  June 9, 2005  /s/ Donald W. Barney
 
  Donald W. Barney
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
   
  Back To Index


EX-32.1 4 ex32-1.htm
Page 25
 
EXHIBIT 32.1
 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      In connection with the Quarterly Report of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2005 (the “Report”), I, Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 
(1)
the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78m(a) or 78o(d), and,
 
(2)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
   
   
Date:  June 9, 2005  /s/ Robert S. Hekemian
 
  Robert S. Hekemian
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
   
  Back To Index


EX-32.2 5 ex32-2.htm
Page 26

EXHIBIT 32.2
 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      In connection with the Quarterly Report of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2005 (the “Report”), I, Donald W. Barney, President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 
(1)
the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78m(a) or 78o(d), and,
 
(2)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
   
   
Date:  June 9, 2005  /s/ Donald W. Barney
 
  Donald W. Barney
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
   
  Back To Index


-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----