Organization and Nature of Business – National Retail Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust ("REIT") formed in 1984. The term "NNN" or the "Company" refers to National Retail Properties, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries. NNN may elect to treat certain subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, ("TRS").

COVID-19 Pandemic – On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19") a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19. Since that time, efforts taken in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 have intensified. Several countries, including the United States, have taken steps to restrict travel, temporarily close businesses and issue quarantine orders, and it remains unclear how long such measures will remain in place.

As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic and the government reaction to it is negatively affecting almost every industry directly or indirectly. A number of NNN’s tenants have announced temporary closures of their operations and/or have requested adjustments to their lease terms during this pandemic. Actions taken by the government to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by ordering closure of, or reduced capacity at, many businesses and ordering residents to generally stay at home has resulted in the loss of revenue for many of NNN's tenants and challenged their ability to pay rent. As a result, these economic hardships have increased uncertainty with respect to the collectability of lease payments and have had a negative effect on NNN's financial results, including increased accounts receivables and related allowances and recognizing revenue on a cash basis from certain of its tenants.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, NNN entered into rent deferral lease amendments with certain tenants (See Note 2). Depending upon the duration of impact on tenants and the overall economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, future rent payments including deferred rents may be difficult to collect. Additionally, rent collections and rent relief requests for the year ended December 31, 2020, may not be indicative of rent collections and requests in the future.

A prolonged continuation of business closures, reduced capacity at businesses or other social-distancing practices may adversely impact NNN's tenants’ ability to generate sufficient revenues to meet financial obligations, and could force tenants to default on their leases, or result in the bankruptcy of tenants, which would diminish the rental revenue NNN receives under its leases. Additionally, an increase in the number of vacant properties would increase NNN’s real estate expenses, including expenses associated with ongoing maintenance and repairs, utilities, property taxes and property and liability insurance.

NNN moderated new property investments during 2020 in order to better gauge the impact of the economic downturn on retailers, retail real estate, capital markets and investment returns. NNN will continue to monitor the impact of the economic downturn, among other things, when considering new property investments in 2021.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, NNN has transitioned a large portion of its associates to work remotely without any adverse impact on its ability to continue to operate its business nor has this transition had any material adverse impact on NNN's financial reporting systems, internal controls over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures.

The rapid development and fluidity of the economic downturn precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact on the economy, retailing and NNN and will ultimately depend on future developments, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Nevertheless, the economic downturn presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to NNN’s performance, business or financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Item "1A. Risk Factors."

Principles of Consolidation – NNN’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of each of the respective majority owned and controlled affiliates, including transactions whereby NNN has been determined to be the primary beneficiary in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") guidance included in Consolidation. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Real Estate Portfolio – NNN records the acquisition of real estate at cost, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of Properties developed or funded by NNN includes direct and indirect costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, NNN recorded $1,388,000, $1,099,000 and $2,675,000, respectively, in capitalized interest during development.

Purchase Accounting for Acquisition of Real Estate – In accordance with the FASB guidance on business combinations, consideration for the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and tenant improvements and, if applicable, to identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases and the value of in-place leases, as applicable, based on their respective fair values.

The fair value estimate is sensitive to significant assumptions, such as establishing a range of relevant market assumptions for land, building and rent and where the acquired property falls within that range. These market assumptions for land, building and rent use the most relevant comparable properties for an acquisition. The final range relies upon ranking comparable properties' attributes from most similar to least similar.

In allocating the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded as other assets or liabilities based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases, and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease and the applicable option terms if it is probable that the tenant will exercise options. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to rental income over the initial term unless the Company believes that it is likely that the tenant will renew the lease for an option term whereby the Company amortizes the value attributable to the renewal over the renewal period.

The aggregate value of other acquired intangible assets, consisting of in-place leases, is measured by the excess of (i) the purchase price paid for a property after adjusting existing in-place leases to market rental rates over (ii) the estimated fair value of the property as-if-vacant, determined as set forth above. The value of in-place leases exclusive of the value of above-market and below-market in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining non-cancelable periods of the respective leases. If a lease were to be terminated prior to its stated expiration, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be written off in that period. The value of tenant relationships is reviewed on individual transactions to determine if future value was derived from the acquisition.

NNN's real estate is generally leased to tenants on a net lease basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for all operating expenses relating to the Property, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and capital expenditures. The leases are accounted for using either the operating or the direct financing method. Such methods are described below:

Operating method – Properties with leases accounted for using the operating method are recorded at the cost of the real estate and depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated remaining useful lives, which generally range from 20 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and 15 years for land improvements. Leasehold interests are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of their respective leases. Revenue is recognized as rentals are earned and expenses (including depreciation) are charged to operations as incurred. When scheduled rentals vary during the lease term, income is recognized on a straight-line basis so as to produce a constant periodic rent over the term of the lease. Accrued rental income is the aggregate difference between the scheduled rents which vary during the lease term and the income recognized on a straight-line basis.

Direct financing method – Properties with leases accounted for using the direct financing method are recorded at their net investment (which at the inception of the lease generally represents the cost of the Property). Unearned income is deferred and amortized into income over the lease terms so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on NNN’s net investment in the leases.

In April 2020, the FASB issued interpretive guidance relating to the accounting for lease concessions provided as a result of COVID-19. In this guidance, entities can elect not to apply lease modification accounting with respect to such lease concessions and instead, treat the concession as if it was a part of the existing contract. This guidance is only applicable to COVID-19 related lease concessions that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. NNN elected to make this policy election for COVID-19 lease concessions, including the rent deferral lease amendments effective during the year ended December 31, 2020.

In accordance with ASC 842, NNN reviews the collectability of its lease payments on an ongoing basis. NNN considers collectability indicators when analyzing accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, tenant credit-worthiness and current economic trends, all of which assists in evaluating the probability of outstanding and future lease payment collections. In addition, tenants in bankruptcy are analyzed and considerations are made in connection with the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition bankruptcy claims. At the point NNN deems the collection of lease payments not probable, previously recognized rental revenue is reversed and any related accrued rent and, subsequently, any lease revenue is only recognized when cash receipts are received. As a result of the review of lease payments collectability, NNN recorded a write-off of $21,792,000 of outstanding receivables and related accrued rent during the year ended December 31, 2020, and reclassified certain tenants as cash basis for accounting purposes.

As of December 31, 2020, approximately six percent of total Properties, and approximately eight percent aggregate gross leasable area held in the Property Portfolio, were leased to 13 tenants that NNN has determined to recognize revenue on a cash basis. During the year ended December 31, 2020, NNN recognized $4,722,000 of rental income from certain tenants for periods following their classification to cash basis for accounting. NNN did not recognize any such revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Real Estate Dispositions – When real estate is disposed of, the related cost, accumulated depreciation or amortization and any accrued rental income for operating leases and the net investment for direct financing leases are removed from the accounts, and gains and losses from the dispositions are reflected in income. Gains from the disposition of real estate are generally recognized using the full accrual method in accordance with the FASB guidance included in Real Estate Sales, provided that various criteria relating to the terms of the sale and any subsequent involvement by NNN with the real estate sold are met.

Impairment – Real Estate – Based upon certain events or changes in circumstances, management periodically assesses its Properties for possible impairment whenever the carrying value of the asset, including accrued rental income, may not be recoverable through operations. Events or circumstances that may occur include changes in real estate market conditions, the ability of NNN to re-lease properties that are currently vacant or become vacant, and the ability to sell properties at a price that exceeds NNN's carrying value. Management evaluates whether an impairment in carrying value has occurred by comparing the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges), and the residual value of the real estate, with the carrying value of the individual asset. The future undiscounted cash flows are primarily driven by estimated future market rents. Future cash flow estimates are sensitive to the assumptions made by management regarding future market rents, which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions. If an impairment is indicated, a loss will be recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value. NNN's Properties are leased primarily to retail tenants under long-term net leases and primarily held for investment. Generally, NNN’s Property leases provide for initial terms of 10 to 20 years, which provide for cash flows over this term. NNN intends to hold these assets for the long-term, therefore, a temporary change in cash flows due to COVID-19 alone would not be an indicator of impairment.

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments – Effective January 1, 2020, NNN adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326),” (“ASC 326”). The amendments in this update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates.

ASU 326 requires entities to estimate an expected lifetime credit loss on financial assets ranging from short-term trade accounts receivable to long-term financings. The new guidance requires a lifetime credit loss expected at inception and requires pooling of assets, which share similar risk characteristics. NNN is required to evaluate current economic conditions, as well as, make future expectations of economic conditions. In addition, the measurement of the expected credit loss is over the asset’s contractual term.

As of December 31, 2020, NNN had mortgages receivable of $2,482,000 included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of $158,000 allowance for credit loss. NNN had no mortgages receivable as of December 31, 2019. NNN measures the allowance for credit loss based on the fair value of the collateral and the historical collectability trend analysis over 15 years.

Restricted Cash and Cash Held in Escrow – Restricted cash and cash held in escrow include (i) cash proceeds from the sale of assets held by qualified intermediaries in anticipation of the acquisition of replacement properties in tax-free exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), (ii) cash that has been placed in escrow for the future funding of construction commitments, or (iii) cash that is not immediately available to NNN.

Valuation of Trade Receivables – NNN estimates the collectability of its accounts receivable related to rents, expense reimbursements and other revenues. NNN analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, tenant credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, tenants in bankruptcy are analyzed and estimates are made in connection with the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims.

Debt Costs – Line of Credit Payable – Debt costs incurred in connection with NNN’s $900,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") have been deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan commitment using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. NNN has recorded debt costs associated with the Credit Facility as an asset, in debt costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Debt Costs – Mortgages Payable – Debt costs incurred in connection with NNN’s mortgages have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the respective loan commitment using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. These costs of $147,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, are included in mortgages payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of accumulated amortization of $108,000 and $90,000, respectively.

Debt Costs – Notes Payable – Debt costs incurred in connection with the issuance of NNN’s unsecured notes have been deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the respective debt obligation using the effective interest method. These costs of $31,140,000 and $26,932,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively are included in notes payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of accumulated amortization of $9,317,000 and $8,962,000, respectively.

Revenue Recognition – Rental revenues for properties under construction commence upon completion of construction of the leased asset and delivery of the leased asset to the tenant. Rental revenues for non-development real estate assets are recognized when earned in accordance with the FASB guidance included in Leases (Topic 842), based on the terms of the lease of the leased asset. Lease termination fees are recognized when collected subsequent to the related lease that is cancelled and NNN no longer has continuing involvement with the former tenant with respect to that property.

The core principle of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Certain contracts are excluded from ASU 2014-09, including lease contracts within the scope of the FASB guidance included in Leases (Topic 842). NNN determined the key revenue stream impacted by ASU 2014-09 is gain on disposition of real estate reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. In accordance with ASU 2014-09, NNN evaluates any separate contracts or performance obligations to determine proper timing and/or amount of revenue recognition, as well as, transaction price allocation.

Earnings Per Share – Earnings per share have been computed pursuant to the FASB guidance included in Earnings Per Share. The guidance requires classification of the Company’s unvested restricted share units which contain rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends, as participating securities requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share. Under the two-class method, earnings per common share are computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common stockholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. The following table is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share using the two-class method for the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):


	2020		2019		2018
Basic and Diluted Earnings:
Net earnings attributable to NNN	$	228,799	$	299,180	$	292,447

Less: Series E preferred stock dividends	—		(13,201)		(16,387)
Less: Series F preferred stock dividends	(17,940)		(17,940)		(17,940)
Less: Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed	—		(9,856)		—
Net earnings available to common stockholders	210,859		258,183		258,120
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted shares	(698)		(601)		(548)
Net earnings used in basic and diluted earnings per share	$	210,161	$	257,582	$	257,572

Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	172,994,337		165,499,707		156,490,901
Less: Unvested restricted shares	(337,078)		(295,773)		(280,633)
Less: Unvested contingent restricted shares	(547,546)		(515,436)		(465,667)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in basic earnings per share	172,109,713		164,688,498		155,744,601
Other dilutive securities	107,364		395,181		551,018
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in diluted earnings per share	172,217,077		165,083,679		156,295,619

Income Taxes – NNN has made an election to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, and related regulations. NNN generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts distributed to stockholders, providing it distributes 100 percent of its REIT taxable income and meets certain other requirements for qualifying as a REIT. For each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, NNN believes it has qualified as a REIT. Notwithstanding NNN’s qualification for taxation as a REIT, NNN is subject to certain state income, franchise and excise taxes.

NNN may elect to treat certain subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries pursuant to the provisions of the REIT Modernization Act. A taxable REIT subsidiary is able to engage in activities resulting in income that previously would have been disqualified from being eligible REIT income under the federal income tax regulations. As a result, certain activities of NNN which occur within its TRS entities are subject to federal and state income taxes (See Note 11). All provisions for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are attributable to NNN’s taxable REIT subsidiaries.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method as required by the FASB guidance included in Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the temporary differences based on estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Fair Value Measurement – NNN’s estimates of fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. The framework specifies a hierarchy of valuation inputs which was established to increase consistency, clarity and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The guidance describes a fair value hierarchy based upon three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, two of which are considered observable and one that is considered unobservable. The following describes the three levels:

•Level 2 – Valuation is based upon inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

•Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.


	Gain or Loss on Cash Flow Hedges(1)			Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2018	$	(6,911)		$	1,215	$	(5,696)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,524)			116		(5,408)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income to net earnings	1,307		(2)	(1,331)		(24)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,217)			(1,215)		(5,432)
Ending balance, December 31, 2019	(11,128)			—		(11,128)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,617)			—		(7,617)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income to net earnings	2,300		(2)	—		2,300
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,317)			—		(5,317)
Ending balance, December 31, 2020	$	(16,445)		$	—	$	(16,445)

New Accounting Pronouncements – In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” ("ASU 2019-12"), effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 will not have a significant impact on NNN's financial position or results of operations.

Use of Estimates – Additional critical accounting policies of NNN include management’s estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities are required to prepare the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Significant accounting policies include management’s estimates of the useful lives used in calculating depreciation expense relating to real estate asset purchase accounting for acquisition of real estate subject to a lease, the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets and management's evaluation of the probability of outstanding and future lease payment collections. Actual results could differ from those estimates.