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SAUL CENTERS INC

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 2, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 2, 2024

BFS$28.81+0.9%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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(f) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. Organization, Basis of Presentation

Saul Centers, Inc. (“Saul Centers”) was incorporated under the Maryland General Corporation Law on June 10, 1993, and operates as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company is required to annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to its stockholders and meet certain organizational and other requirements. Saul Centers has made and intends to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to its stockholders. Saul Centers, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the limited partnerships of which Saul Centers or one of its subsidiaries is the sole general partner, are referred to collectively as the “Company.” B. Francis Saul II serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and Chief Executive Officer of Saul Centers.

The Company, which conducts all of its activities through its subsidiaries, Saul Holdings Limited Partnership, a Maryland limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) andtwo subsidiary limited partnerships (the “Subsidiary Partnerships,” and, collectively with the Operating Partnership, the “Partnerships”), engages in the ownership, operation, management, leasing, acquisition, renovation, expansion, development and financing of community and neighborhood shopping centers and mixed-use properties, primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s properties (the “Current Portfolio Properties”) consisted of 50 shopping center properties (the “Shopping Centers”), seven mixed-use properties, which are comprised of office, retail and multi-family residential uses (the “Mixed-Use Properties”) andfour (non-operating) land and development properties.

Because the properties are located primarily in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, the Company is subject to a concentration of credit risk related to these properties. The Shopping Centers, a majority of which are anchored by one or more major tenants and 34 of which are anchored by a grocery store, offer primarily day-to-day necessities and services. Giant Food, a tenant at 11 Shopping Centers, individually accounted for 4.9% of the Company's total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024. No other tenant individually accounted for 2.5% or more of the Company’s total revenue, excluding lease termination fees, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Saul Centers and its subsidiaries, including the Partnerships, which are majority owned by Saul Centers. Substantially all assets and liabilities of the Company as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, are comprised of the assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. Debt arrangements subject to recourse are described in Note 5. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Operating Partnership is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) because the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the Operating Partnership because it has the power to direct its activities and the rights to absorb 69.8% of its net income. Because the Operating Partnership is consolidated into the financial statements of the Company, classification of it as a VIE has no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the Company for the interim periods have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023, which are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to those instructions. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.

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  1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have not changed significantly in number or composition.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to collectability of operating lease receivables and impairment of real estate properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounts Receivable, Accrued Income and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are primarily comprised of rental and reimbursement billings due from tenants, and straight-line rent receivables representing the cumulative amount of adjustments necessary to present rental income on a straight-line basis. Individual leases are assessed for collectability and, upon the determination that the collection of rents is not probable, accrued rent and accounts receivable are charged off, and the charge off is reflected as an adjustment to rental revenue. Revenue from leases where collection is not probable is recorded on a cash basis until collectability is determined to be probable. Further, we assess whether operating lease receivables, at the portfolio level, are appropriately valued based upon an analysis of balances outstanding, historical bad debt levels and current economic trends. Evaluating and estimating uncollectable lease payments and related receivables requires significant judgement by management and is based on the best information available to management at the time of evaluation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segments Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 enhances disclosures of significant segment expenses and other segment items regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, extends certain annual disclosures to interim periods and permits more than one measure of segment profit (loss) to be reported under certain conditions. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. Retrospective adoption to all periods presented is required. The Company does not expect the adoption ASU 2023-07 will impact our consolidated financial statements and we are evaluating the impact it will have on our related disclosures.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the presentation used as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

  1. Real Estate

Construction In Progress

Construction in progress includes land, preconstruction and development costs of active projects. Preconstruction costs include legal, zoning and permitting costs and other project carrying costs incurred prior to the commencement of construction. Development costs include direct construction costs and indirect costs incurred subsequent to the start of construction such as architectural, engineering, construction management and carrying costs consisting of interest, real estate taxes and insurance.

Construction in progress as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, is composed of the following:

(In thousands)March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Twinbrook Quarter (1)$378,793$355,113
Hampden House (2)163,903142,240
Other15,01517,200
Total$557,711$514,553

(1) Includes capitalized interest of $29.1 million and $25.5 million, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

(2) Includes capitalized interest of $15.7 million and $14.1 million, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

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Leases

We lease Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use Properties to lessees in exchange for monthly rental payments and, where applicable, reimbursement for property taxes, insurance, and certain property operating expenses. Our leases have been determined to be operating leases and generally range in term fromone to 15 years.

Some of our leases have termination options and/or extension options. Termination options allow the lessee and/or lessor to terminate the lease prior to the end of the lease term, provided certain conditions are met. Termination options generally require advance notification from the lessee and/or lessor and payment of a termination fee. Termination fees are recognized as revenue over the modified lease term. Extension options are subject to terms and conditions stated in the lease.

An operating lease right of use asset and corresponding lease liability related to our headquarters sublease are reflected in other assets and other liabilities, respectively. The sublease expires on February 28, 2027. The right of use asset and corresponding lease liability totaled $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024.

Deferred Leasing Costs

Deferred leasing costs primarily consist of initial direct costs incurred in connection with successful property leasing and amounts attributed to in-place leases associated with acquired properties. Such amounts are capitalized and amortized, using the straight-line method, over the term of the lease or the remaining term of an acquired lease. Initial direct costs primarily consist of leasing commissions, which are incremental costs paid to third-party brokers and lease commissions paid to certain employees when obtaining a lease that would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. Unamortized deferred costs are charged to expense if the applicable lease is terminated prior to expiration of the initial lease term. Collectively, deferred leasing costs totaled $23.9 million and $23.7 million, net of accumulated amortization of $54.2 million and $53.7 million, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Amortization expense, included in depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaled $1.0 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Real Estate Investment Properties

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method and estimated useful lives of generally between 35 and 50 years for base buildings, or a shorter period if management determines that the building has a shorter useful life, and up to 20 years for certain other improvements that extend the useful lives. Leasehold improvement expenditures are capitalized when certain criteria are met, including when the Company supervises construction and will own the improvements. Tenant improvements are amortized, over the shorter of the lives of the related leases or the useful life of the improvements, using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations totaled $11.0 million and $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Repairs and maintenance expense totaled $5.0 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in property operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company did not recognize an impairment loss on any of its real estate during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.

  1. Noncontrolling Interests - Holders of Convertible Limited Partnership Units in the Operating Partnership

As of March 31, 2024, the B. F. Saul Company and certain other affiliated entities, each of which is controlled by B. Francis Saul II and his family members, (collectively, the “Saul Organization”) held an aggregate 28.8% limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership represented by approximately 9.9 million convertible limited partnership units. These units are convertible into shares of Saul Centers’ common stock, at the option of the unit holder, on aone-for-one basis provided that, in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the rights may not be exercised at any time that the Saul Organization beneficially owns or will own after the exercise, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate more than 39.9% of the value of the outstanding common stock and preferred stock of Saul Centers, excluding shares credited to directors' deferred fee accounts (See Note 8). As of March 31, 2024, approximately 659,000 units could be converted into shares of Saul Centers common stock.

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As of March 31, 2024, a third party investor holds a 1.4% limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership represented by 469,740 convertible limited partnership units. At the option of the unit holder, these units are convertible into shares of Saul Centers’ common stock on aone-for-one basis; provided that, in lieu of the delivery of Saul Centers’ common stock, Saul Centers may, in its sole discretion, deliver cash in an amount equal to the value of such Saul Centers’ common stock.

The impact of the aggregate 30.2% limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership held by parties other than Saul Centers is reflected as Noncontrolling Interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Weighted average fully diluted partnership units and common stock outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was approximately 34.4 million and 34.0 million, respectively.

  1. Notes Payable, Bank Credit Facility, Interest and Amortization of Deferred Debt Costs

At March 31, 2024, the Company had a $525.0 million senior unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) comprised of a $425.0 million revolving credit facility and a $100.0 million term loan. The revolving credit facility matures on August 29, 2025, and may be extended by the Company forone additional year, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The term loan matures on February 26, 2027. Interest accrues at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 10 basis points plus an applicable spread, which is determined by certain leverage tests. As of March 31, 2024, the applicable spread for borrowings was 140 basis points related to the revolving credit facility and 135 basis points related to the term loan. Letters of credit may be issued under the Credit Facility. On March 31, 2024, based on the value of the Company’s unencumbered properties calculated in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility, approximately $127.6 million was available and undrawn under the Credit Facility and $374.0 million was outstanding.

On August 23, 2022, the Company entered intotwo floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk associated with $100.0 million of its variable-rate debt. The effective date of each swap agreement is October 3, 2022 and each has a $50.0 million notional amount. One agreement terminates on October 1, 2027 and effectively fixes SOFR at 2.96%. The other agreement terminates on October 1, 2030 and effectively fixes SOFR at 2.91%. Because the interest-rate swaps effectively fix SOFR for $100.0 million of variable-rate debt, unless otherwise indicated, $100.0 million of variable-rate debt is being treated as fixed-rate debt for disclosure purposes beginning September 30, 2022. The Company has designated the agreements as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

As of March 31, 2024, the fair value of the interest-rate swaps totaled approximately $4.5 million, which is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in value during the period is reflected in Other Comprehensive Income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company commenced drawing on its $145.0 million construction-to-permanent loan related to the residential and retail portions of Phase I of the Twinbrook Quarter development project. As of March 31, 2024, the balance of the loan was $90.3 million, net of unamortized deferred debt costs.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company commenced drawing on its $133.0 million loan related to the Hampden House development project. As of March 31, 2024, the balance of the loan was $18.6 million, net of unamortized deferred debt costs.

Saul Centers and certain consolidated subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership have guaranteed the payment obligations of the Operating Partnership under the Credit Facility. The Operating Partnership is the guarantor of (a) the mortgage secured by Kentlands Place, Kentlands Square I and Kentlands pad (totaling $27.1 million at March 31, 2024), (b) a portion of The Waycroft mortgage (approximately $23.6 million of the $148.1 million outstanding balance at March 31, 2024, (c) the Ashbrook Marketplace mortgage (totaling $20.1 million at March 31, 2024), and (d) a portion of the Avenel Business Park mortgage (approximately $6.3 million of the $21.3 million outstanding balance at March 31, 2024).

The Company provides a repayment guaranty of 100% of the loan secured by Twinbrook Quarter during construction and lease-up. Such guaranty is expected to be reduced in the future as the development achieves certain metrics. As of March 31, 2024, the loan balance and the amount guaranteed were $92.8 million. The Company also provides the lender with a 100% construction completion guaranty.

The Company provides a limited repayment guaranty of $26.6 million during construction and lease-up for the loan secured by Hampden House. Such guaranty is expected to be reduced in the future as the development achieves certain metrics.

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As of March 31, 2024, the loan balance and the amount guaranteed was $21.4 million. The Company also provides the lender with a 100% construction completion guaranty.

All other notes payable are non-recourse.

The principal amount of the Company’s outstanding debt totaled approximately $1.43 billion at March 31, 2024, of which approximately $1.15 billion was fixed-rate debt and approximately $274.0 million was unhedged variable rate debt outstanding under the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of the properties collateralizing the notes payable totaled approximately $1.56 billion as of March 31, 2024.

At December 31, 2023, the principal amount of the Company’s outstanding debt totaled approximately $1.41 billion, of which $1.13 billion was fixed rate debt and $276.0 million was unhedged variable rate debt outstanding under the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of the properties collateralizing the notes payable totaled approximately $1.52 billion as of December 31, 2023.

At March 31, 2024, the future principal payments of debt, including scheduled maturities and amortization, for years ending December 31, were as follows:

(In thousands)Principal Payments
April 1 through December 31, 2024$75,457
2025326,086(a)
2026163,051
2027126,589(b)
202844,770
202952,627
Thereafter638,711
Principal amount1,427,291
Unamortized deferred debt costs18,641
Net$1,408,650

(a) Includes $274.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.

(b) Includes $100.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.

Deferred debt costs consist of fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing, construction financing and the Credit Facility. These fees and costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective loans or agreements, which approximates the effective interest method. Deferred debt costs totaling $18.6 million and $19.3 million, net of accumulated amortization of $11.3 million and $10.6 million, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, are reflected as a reduction of the related debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)20242023
Interest incurred$18,084$15,513
Amortization of deferred debt costs564559
Capitalized interest(6,168)(4,142)
Interest expense12,48011,930
Less: Interest income32109
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs$12,448$11,821

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  1. Equity

The consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, reflect noncontrolling interests of $4.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively, representing income attributable to limited partnership units not held by Saul Centers.

At March 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding 3.0 million depositary shares, each representing 1/100th of a share of 6.125% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Stock”). The depositary shares are redeemable at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at the $25.00 liquidation preference, plus accrued but unpaid dividends up to, but not including, the redemption date. The depositary shares pay an annual dividend of $1.53125 per share, equivalent to 6.125% of the $25.00 liquidation preference. The Series D Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and is not convertible into any other securities of the Company except in connection with certain changes in control or delisting events. Investors in the depositary shares generally have no voting rights, but will have limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarters (whether or not declared or consecutive) and in certain other events.

At March 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding 4.4 million depositary shares, each representing 1/100th of a share of 6.000% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series E Stock”). The depositary shares may be redeemed at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on or after September 17, 2024, at the $25.00 liquidation preference, plus accrued but unpaid dividends up to, but not including, the redemption date. The depositary shares pay an annual dividend of $1.50 per share, equivalent to 6.000% of the $25.00 liquidation preference. The Series E Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and is not convertible into any other securities of the Company except in connection with certain changes in control or delisting events. Investors in the depositary shares generally have no voting rights, but will have limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarters (whether or not declared or consecutive) and in certain other events.

Per Share Data

Per share data for net income (basic and diluted) is computed using weighted average shares of common stock. Convertible limited partnership units and employee stock options are the Company’s potentially dilutive securities. For all periods presented, the convertible limited partnership units are non-dilutive. The following table sets forth, for the indicated periods, weighted averages of the number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted, the effect of dilutive options and the number of options which are not dilutive because the average price of the Company’s common stock was less than the exercise prices. The treasury stock method was used to measure the effect of the dilution.

Average Shares/Options Outstanding
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)20242023
Weighted average common stock outstanding-Basic24,09424,026
Effect of dilutive options3—
Weighted average common stock outstanding-Diluted24,09724,026
Non-dilutive options1,3651,768
Years non-dilutive options were issued2014 through 20222013 through 2022

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  1. Related Party Transactions

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the President and Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Vice President-Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and the Executive Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Company are also officers of various members of the Saul Organization and their management time is shared with the Saul Organization. Their annual compensation is fixed by the Compensation Committee of the Board, with the exception of the Executive Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer whose share of annual compensation allocated to the Company is determined by the shared services agreement (described below).

The Company participates in a multiemployer 401K plan with entities in the Saul Organization which covers those full-time employees who meet the requirements as specified in the plan. Company contributions, which are included in general and administrative expense or property operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, at the discretionary amount of up to 6% of the employee’s cash compensation, subject to certain limits, were $118,000 and $111,800 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All amounts contributed by employees and the Company are fully vested.

The Company also participates in a multiemployer nonqualified deferred compensation plan with entities in the Saul Organization which covers those full-time employees who meet the requirements as specified in the plan. According to the plan, which can be modified or discontinued at any time, participating employees defer 2% of their compensation in excess of a specified amount. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company credited to employee accounts $49,300 and $63,000, respectively, which is the sum of accrued earnings and up tothree times the amount deferred by employees and is included in general and administrative expense. All amounts contributed by employees and credited by the Company are fully vested. The cumulative unfunded liability under this plan was $3.2 million and $3.3 million, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company and the Saul Organization are parties to a shared services agreement (the “Agreement”) that provides for the sharing of certain personnel and ancillary functions such as computer hardware, software, and support services and certain direct and indirect administrative personnel. The method for determining the cost of the shared services is provided for in the Agreement and is based upon head count, estimates of usage or estimates of time incurred, as applicable. The terms of the Agreement and the payments made thereunder are deemed reasonable by management and are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee of the Board, which consists entirely of independent directors. Net billings by the Saul Organization for the Company’s share of these ancillary costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, which included rental expense for the Company’s headquarters sublease, totaled approximately $3.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The amounts are generally expensed as incurred and are primarily reported as general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities included approximately $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, representing amounts due to the Saul Organization for the Company’s share of these ancillary costs and expenses.

The Company subleases its corporate headquarters space from a member of the Saul Organization. The sublease commenced in March 2002, expires in 2027, and provides for base rent increases of 3% per year, with payment of a pro-rata share of operating expenses over a base year amount. The Agreement requires each party to pay an allocation of total rental payments based on a percentage proportionate to the number of employees employed by each party. The Company’s rent expense for its headquarters location was $216,200 and $219,400 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense.

The B. F. Saul Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of the B. F. Saul Company and a member of the Saul Organization, is a general insurance agency that receives commissions and fees in connection with the Company’s insurance program. Such commissions and fees amounted to $82,000 and $222,100 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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  1. Stock-based Employee Compensation, Stock Option Plans, and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors

In 2004, the Company established a stock incentive plan (the “Plan”), as amended. Under the Plan, options are granted at an exercise price not less than the market value of the common stock on the date of grant and expireten years from the date of grant. Officer options vest ratably over four years following the grant and are charged to expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Director options vest immediately and are charged to expense as of the date of grant.

The Company uses the fair value method to value and account for employee stock options. The fair value of options granted is determined at the time of the grant using the Black-Scholes model, a widely used method for valuing stock-based employee compensation, and the following assumptions: (1) Expected Volatility determined using the most recent trading history of the Company’s common stock (month-end closing prices) corresponding to the average expected term of the options; (2) Average Expected Term of the options based on prior exercise history, scheduled vesting and the expiration date; (3) Expected Dividend Yield determined by management after considering the Company’s current and historic dividend yield, the Company’s yield in relation to other retail REITs and the Company’s market yield at the grant date; and (4) a Risk-free Interest Rate based upon the market yields of US Treasury obligations with maturities corresponding to the average expected term of the options at the grant date. The Company amortizes the value of options granted ratably over the vesting period and includes the amounts as compensation expense in general and administrative expenses.

Pursuant to the Plan, the Compensation Committee established a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors for the benefit of the Company’s directors and their beneficiaries. Annually, directors are given the ability to make an election to defer all or part of their fees and have the option to have their fees paid in cash, in shares of common stock or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock upon separation from the Board. If a director elects to have their fees paid in stock, fees earned during a calendar quarter are aggregated and divided by the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the first trading day of the following quarter to determine the number of shares to be credited to the director. During the three months ended March 31, 2024,1,991 shares were credited to director’s deferred fee accounts and 7,970 shares were issued. As of March 31, 2024, the director's deferred fee accounts comprise 117,382 shares.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, stock option expense totaling $0.2 million was included in general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2024, the estimated future expense related to unvested stock options was $1.7 million.

The table below summarizes the option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Number ofSharesWeightedAverageExercise Priceper shareAggregateIntrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 11,820,000$49.41$1,197,380
Granted———
Exercised———
Expired/Forfeited(240,625)52.41—
Outstanding at March 311,579,37548.951,008,150
Exercisable at March 31997,37552.15141,000

The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding or exercisable measures the price difference between the options’ exercise price and the closing share price quoted by the New York Stock Exchange as of the date of measurement. There wereno options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023. At March 28, 2024, the final trading day of the 2024 first quarter, the closing share price of $38.49 was lower than the exercise price of 1.4 million outstanding options granted in 2014 through 2022. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the Company’s outstanding and exercisable options is 5.3 years and 3.9 years, respectively.

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  1. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of their fair value. The aggregate fair value of the notes payable with fixed-rate payment terms was determined using Level 2 data in a discounted cash flow approach, which is based upon management’s estimate of borrowing rates and loan terms currently available to the Company for fixed-rate financing, would be approximately $947.8 million and $957.9 million, respectively, compared to the principal balance of $1.15 billion and $1.13 billion at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. A change in any of the significant inputs may lead to a change in the Company’s fair value measurement of its debt.

  1. Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to mitigate the volatility of interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, the Company primarily uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

The change in the fair value of derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with certain variable-rate debt.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that approximately $2.0 million will be reclassified from other comprehensive income and reflected as a decrease to interest expense.

The Company carries its interest-rate swaps at fair value. The Company has determined the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy with the exception of the impact of counter-party risk, which was determined using Level 3 inputs and is not significant. Derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because their values are determined using third-party pricing models that contain inputs that are derived from observable market data. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit spreads, measures of volatility, and correlations of such inputs. As of March 31, 2024, the fair value of the interest-rate swaps was approximately $4.5 million and is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in value during the period is reflected in Other Comprehensive Income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The table below details the fair value and location of the interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

(In thousands)Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Derivative InstrumentBalance Sheet LocationFair ValueBalance Sheet LocationFair Value
Interest rate swapsOther Assets$4,546Other Assets$2,742

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The table below details the location in the financial statements of the gain or loss recognized on interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

(In thousands)The Effect of Hedge Accounting on Other Comprehensive Income (OCI)
Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI$2,411$(1,618)
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from OCI into incomeInterest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costsInterest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs
Amount of (gain) loss reclassified from OCI into income$(608)$(396)
  1. Commitments and Contingencies

Neither the Company nor the Current Portfolio Properties are subject to any material litigation, nor, to management’s knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against the Company, other than routine litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that these items, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the Company or the Current Portfolio Properties.

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  1. Business Segments

The Company hastwo reportable business segments: Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use Properties. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2). The Company evaluates performance based upon income and cash flows from real estate of the combined properties in each segment. All of our properties within each segment generate similar types of revenues and expenses related to tenant rent, reimbursements and operating expenses. Although services are provided to a variety of tenants, the types of services provided to them are similar within each segment. The properties in each portfolio have similar economic characteristics and the nature of the products and services provided to our tenants and the method to distribute such services are consistent throughout the portfolio. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year information to conform to the 2024 presentation.

Financial Information By Segment
(In thousands)ShoppingCentersMixed-UsePropertiesCorporateand OtherConsolidatedTotals
Real estate rental operations:
Revenue$46,932$19,760$—$66,692
Expenses(10,963)(7,205)—(18,168)
Income from real estate35,96912,555—48,524
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs——(12,448)(12,448)
Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs(7,074)(4,955)—(12,029)
General and administrative——(5,784)(5,784)
Net income (loss)$28,895$7,600$(18,232)$18,263
Capital investment$4,141$41,428$—$45,569
Total assets$910,897$1,101,586$17,823$2,030,306
Real estate rental operations:
Revenue$44,225$18,824$—$63,049
Expenses(9,260)(7,020)—(16,280)
Income from real estate34,96511,804—46,769
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred debt costs——(11,821)(11,821)
Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs(7,128)(4,889)—(12,017)
General and administrative——(5,268)(5,268)
Net income (loss)$27,837$6,915$(17,089)$17,663
Capital investment$1,667$41,489$—$43,156
Total assets$716,710$1,133,155$18,140$1,868,005
  1. Subsequent Events

The Company has reviewed all events and transactions for the period subsequent to March 31, 2024, and determined there are no subsequent events required to be disclosed.

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