Note 1 - Business and Organization

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

1. Business and Organization

Kimco Realty Corporation, a Maryland corporation, is one of North America’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use properties.  The terms “Kimco,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” each refer to Kimco Realty Corporation and our subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. The Company, its affiliates and related real estate joint ventures are engaged principally in the ownership, management, development and operation of open-air shopping centers, which are anchored generally by grocery stores, off-price retailers, home improvement centers, discounters and/or service-oriented tenants. Additionally, the Company provides complementary services that capitalize on the Company’s established retail real estate expertise.

The Company elected status as a Real Estate Investment Trust (a “REIT”) for federal income tax purposes beginning in its taxable year ended December 31, 1991 and operates in a manner that enables the Company to maintain its status as a REIT.  As a REIT, with respect to each taxable year, the Company must distribute at least 90 percent of its taxable income (excluding capital gain) and does not pay federal income taxes on the amount distributed to its shareholders.  The Company is not generally subject to federal income taxes if it distributes 100 percent of its taxable income.  Most states where the Company holds investments in real estate, conform to the federal rules recognizing REITs.  Certain subsidiaries have made a joint election with the Company to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”), which permit the Company to engage in certain business activities which the REIT may not conduct directly.  A TRS is subject to federal and state income taxes on its income, and the Company includes, when applicable, a provision for taxes in its condensed consolidated financial statements.  The Company is subject to and also includes in its tax provision non-U.S. income taxes on certain investments located in jurisdictions outside the U.S. These investments are held by the Company at the REIT level and not in the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Company does not expect a U.S. income tax impact associated with the repatriation of undistributed earnings from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic -

In March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Shortly thereafter, the President of the United States declared a national emergency throughout the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected businesses, economies, and financial markets worldwide, and has caused significant volatility in U.S. and international debt and equity markets. The impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry for both landlords and tenants has been wide ranging, including, but not limited to, the temporary closures of many businesses, "shelter in place" orders, social distancing guidelines and other governmental, business and individual actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There has also been reduced consumer spending due to job losses, government restrictions in response to COVID-19 and other effects attributable to COVID-19. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, while still unfolding, has significantly impacted each of the Company’s stakeholders. The Company is aware of the critical role its shopping centers play in the communities they serve, often providing access to essential goods and services such as groceries, drug stores, and medical care. With very few exceptions, the Company’s shopping centers generally remain open to continue to provide access to these essential goods and services, and the Company has taken steps to protect the shoppers and tenants at its sites, following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO.

On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, a substantial tax and spending package intended to provide additional economic stimulus to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company continues to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic closely, as well as any effects that may result from the CARES Act.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company has not incurred any significant disruptions to its business activities. Management cannot, at this point, estimate ultimate losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and accordingly no impairment charges were reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income related to this matter. The Company will continue to monitor the economic, financial, and social conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and will assess its asset portfolio for any impairment indicators. In addition, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, in the near term, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. The Company will continue to monitor for any material or adverse effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. See Footnote 16 to the Notes to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

The health and safety of the Company’s employees and their families is a top priority. The Company has taken the necessary steps to protect its employees and to empower them to work from home and care for their family members and children whose lives have also been impacted.

● Beginning  March 11, 2020, the Company transitioned nearly 100% of its workforce to work from home, ensuring they are safely situated during this critical social distancing period.

● All business travel has been stopped until further notice.

● The Company has benefited from recent investments in new technology and software over the last year, as its entire team is equipped with new laptops and cellular capability to enable them to work remotely.

● Daily webinar training is being provided to ensure associates are fully supported to work from home. The Company’s human resources and information technology teams are available to all employees to address any needs or concerns they may have.

● Associates will be provided paid time off to care for themselves or family members diagnosed with COVID-19.

● The Company has ramped up communications at all levels and has initiated Company-wide virtual meetings such that executives are accessible, able to keep associates informed, and able to answer questions.

The Company will continue to evaluate individual situations as they arise and adjust its approach as appropriate, with the goal to enable its employees to be as productive as possible while offering them the flexibility they need to care for themselves and their families.