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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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☒ | | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
or
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☐ | | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 000-56236
Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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New York | | 85-6822811 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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3 Second Street, Suite 206 Jersey City, NJ 07311-4056 |
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(Address of principal executive offices and zip code) |
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(201) 839-2200 |
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | ☐ | | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| | | Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands except certificate amounts)
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| As of March 31, 2024 | | As of December 31, 2023 |
Assets | | | |
Investment properties: | | | |
Land and improvements | $ | 400,914 | | | $ | 408,064 | |
Building and other improvements | 485,216 | | | 492,937 | |
| 886,130 | | | 901,001 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | (44,729) | | | (41,818) | |
Net investment properties | 841,401 | | | 859,183 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 49,787 | | | 38,026 | |
Accounts receivable | 38,412 | | | 39,504 | |
Lease intangible assets, net | 205,341 | | | 212,001 | |
Right-of-use lease assets, net | 84,797 | | | 85,254 | |
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Other assets, net | 1,293 | | | 522 | |
Total assets | $ | 1,221,031 | | | $ | 1,234,490 | |
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Liabilities and Equity | | | |
Liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 1,686 | | | $ | 1,224 | |
Lease intangible liabilities, net | 87,855 | | | 93,078 | |
Lease liabilities | 37,767 | | | 37,763 | |
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Other liabilities | 8,512 | | | 8,603 | |
Total liabilities | 135,820 | | | 140,668 | |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 4) | | | |
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Equity: | | | |
Trust certificates, no par value, 75,000,000 certificates authorized, issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | — | | | — | |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,952,120 | | | 1,952,120 | |
Accumulated distributions in excess of earnings | (866,909) | | | (858,298) | |
Total equity | 1,085,211 | | | 1,093,822 | |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 1,221,031 | | | $ | 1,234,490 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
1
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | |
Lease income | $ | 25,582 | | | $ | 25,524 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | 3,203 | | | 3,312 | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 4,757 | | | 4,830 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
General and administrative expenses | 1,523 | | | 1,839 | | | | | |
Total expenses | 9,483 | | | 9,981 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other income: | | | | | | | |
Gain on sales of investment properties, net | 1,348 | | | 828 | | | | | |
Other income | 320 | | | 786 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total other income | 1,668 | | | 1,614 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 17,767 | | | $ | 17,157 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per certificate – basic and diluted: | | | | | | | |
Net income per certificate - basic and diluted | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.23 | | | | | |
Weighted average number of certificates outstanding – basic and diluted | 75,000,000 | | | 75,000,000 | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
2
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Trust Certificates | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Earnings | | Total Equity |
Balance as of January 1, 2023 | 75,000,000 | | | $ | 1,952,120 | | | $ | (801,457) | | | $ | 1,150,663 | |
Net income | | | — | | | 17,157 | | | 17,157 | |
Distributions paid to Certificateholders ($0.50 per certificate) | | | — | | | (37,272) | | | (37,272) | |
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | 75,000,000 | | | $ | 1,952,120 | | | $ | (821,572) | | | $ | 1,130,548 | |
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | Trust Certificates | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Earnings | | Total Equity |
Balance as of January 1, 2024 | 75,000,000 | | | $ | 1,952,120 | | | $ | (858,298) | | | $ | 1,093,822 | |
Net income | | | — | | | 17,767 | | | 17,767 | |
Distributions paid to Certificateholders ($0.35 per certificate) | | | — | | | (26,378) | | | (26,378) | |
Balance as of March 31, 2024 | 75,000,000 | | | $ | 1,952,120 | | | $ | (866,909) | | | $ | 1,085,211 | |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
3
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | |
Net income | $ | 17,767 | | | $ | 17,157 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 4,757 | | | 4,830 | |
Straight-line rental income, net | 580 | | | 590 | |
Amortization of above/below market leases, net | 561 | | | 551 | |
Gain on sales of investment of properties, net | (1,348) | | | (828) | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | |
Changes in accounts receivable | — | | | 192 | |
Changes in other assets | (1,137) | | | (569) | |
Changes in right-of-use lease assets | 457 | | | 459 | |
Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses | 493 | | | 361 | |
Changes in lease liabilities | 4 | | | 24 | |
Changes in other liabilities | (91) | | | (49) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 22,043 | | | 22,718 | |
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Cash flows from investing activities: | | | |
Proceeds from sales of investment properties | 16,096 | | | 7,196 | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | 16,096 | | | 7,196 | |
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Cash flows from financing activities: | | | |
Distributions paid to Certificateholders | (26,378) | | | (37,272) | |
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Net cash used in financing activities | (26,378) | | | (37,272) | |
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Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 11,761 | | | (7,358) | |
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period | 38,026 | | | 48,922 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period | $ | 49,787 | | | $ | 41,564 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
4
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
(1) ORGANIZATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
Overview
Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust, a New York common law trust (the “Trust,” “we,” “our” or “us”) was formed on December 21, 2020, in connection with the reorganization of Old Copper Company, Inc. (f/k/a J. C. Penney Company, Inc.) (“Old Copper”), effective as of January 30, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) pursuant to the terms of the Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Old Copper and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) (the “Plan of Reorganization”).
On the Effective Date, through separate wholly-owned property holding companies (the "PropCos"), the Trust acquired 160 retail properties (the “Retail Properties”) and six distribution centers (the “Warehouses” and, together with the Retail Properties, the “Properties”) all of which were leased under two Master Leases (as discussed in Note 3) to one or more subsidiaries of Copper Retail JV LLC (“OpCo Purchaser”) (collectively with its subsidiaries, “Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC”), an entity formed by and under the joint control of Simon Property Group, L.P. and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Specifically, the PropCos include (i) CTL Propco I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CTL Propco I L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and CTL Propco PR I LLC and CTL Propco PR II LLC, Puerto Rico limited liability companies, which collectively own the fee simple or ground leasehold title (as applicable) to the Retail Properties and (ii) CTL Propco II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and CTL Propco II L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which collectively owned the fee simple title to the Warehouses. During 2021, the Trust sold all six Warehouses and in 2022, CTL Propco II LLC and CTL Propco II L.P. were dissolved.
The Trust’s operations consist solely of (i) owning the Properties and interests as lessee of land under non-cancellable ground leases, (ii) leasing the Properties under the terms of the Retail Master Lease to Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC as the sole tenant and (iii) subject to market conditions and the conditions set forth in the Trust Agreement (as defined below), selling the Properties to third-party purchasers through the PropCos.
As of March 31, 2024, the real estate portfolio consists of 127 Retail Properties, of which 21 are encumbered by ground leases, in the United States (the "U.S.") across 35 states and Puerto Rico, and comprising 17 million square feet of leasable space.
Trust Agreement
The Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (as amended, the “Trust Agreement”) is dated as of the Effective Date. The Trust Agreement created a series of equity trust certificates designated as “Copper Property CTL Pass Through Certificates” (the “Trust Certificates”), 75,000,000 of which were issued on the Effective Date. Each Trust Certificate represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the Trust and represents the interests of the holders of the Trust Certificates (“Certificateholders”) in the Trust. GLAS Trust Company, LLC, as the Trust's independent third-party trustee (the "Trustee") pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, performs trust administration duties, including treasury management and certificate administration, and earns trustee fees. The Trust pays the Trustee an annual service fee of $100, which is amortized monthly. For both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Trust incurred trustee fees of $25.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
Management Agreement
The Trust has retained Hilco JCP LLC, an affiliate of Hilco Real Estate LLC, as its independent third-party manager to perform asset management duties with respect to the Properties (together with any of its affiliates, replacement or successor, the “Manager”) pursuant to an agreement with an initial term of 24 months, with automatic six month renewals until the termination of the Trust. The Trust pays the Manager a base management fee (the “Base Fee”) and fee for each property sold (the “Asset Management Fee”). The Base Fee is an amount equal to the greater of 5.75% of the lease payments of the Properties per month and $333 per month. The Asset Management Fees consist of a success fee for each Retail Property sold which varies based on the sales proceeds and date sold.
The Trust incurred Base Fees of $1,477 and $1,475 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which are included in “Operating expenses” on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, of which $490 and $491 as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively were included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Trust incurred Asset Management Fees of $88 and $15 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively which are included in “Gain on sales of investment properties, net” on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Trust, as well as all wholly owned subsidiaries of the Trust. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (the “Reporting Periods”) and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted in accordance with such rules and regulations. The information presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements is unaudited and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Amounts as of December 31, 2023 included in the consolidated financial statements have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date but does not include all annual disclosures required by GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "10-K"), as certain disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that would duplicate those included in the 10-K are not included in these consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Reclassifications
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, amounts have been reclassified from "changes in accounts receivable" to "straight-line rental income, net" in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows to conform with the 2024 presentation.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
(2) INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
As of March 31, 2024, the Trust's real estate portfolio consisted of 127 Retail Properties across 35 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
The following table presents the amortization during the next five years and thereafter related to the lease intangible assets and liabilities for properties owned as of March 31, 2024:
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| Period from April 1 to December 31, 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Total |
Amortization of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Above market lease intangibles (a) | $ | 5,663 | | | $ | 7,550 | | | $ | 7,550 | | | $ | 7,550 | | | $ | 7,550 | | | $ | 90,606 | | | $ | 126,469 | |
In-place lease intangibles (a) | 3,532 | | | 4,709 | | | 4,709 | | | 4,709 | | | 4,709 | | | 56,504 | | | 78,872 | |
Lease intangible assets, net (b) | $ | 9,195 | | | $ | 12,259 | | | $ | 12,259 | | | $ | 12,259 | | | $ | 12,259 | | | $ | 147,110 | | | $ | 205,341 | |
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Below market lease intangibles (a) | $ | 3,934 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 62,941 | | | $ | 87,855 | |
Lease intangible liabilities, net (b) | $ | 3,934 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 5,245 | | | $ | 62,941 | | | $ | 87,855 | |
(a)Represents the portion of the leases in which the Trust is the lessor. The amortization of above market lease intangibles is recorded as a reduction to lease income, and the amortization of below market lease intangibles is recorded as an increase to lease income. The amortization of in-place lease intangibles is recorded to depreciation and amortization expense.
(b)As of March 31, 2024, lease intangible assets, net and lease intangible liabilities, net are presented net of $38,821 and $16,609 of accumulated amortization, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, lease intangible assets, net and lease intangible liabilities, net are presented net of $36,373 and $15,969 of accumulated amortization, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the weighted average amortization period for lease intangible assets and lease intangible liabilities was 16.8 years and 17.0 years, respectively.
Amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
Amortization of: | | | | | | | | |
In-place lease intangibles | | $ | 1,190 | | | $ | 1,214 | | | | | |
Above market lease intangibles | | $ | 1,910 | | | $ | 1,957 | | | | | |
Below market lease intangibles | | $ | 1,349 | | | $ | 1,406 | | | | | |
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
Dispositions
The following table summarizes the disposition activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
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Sale Date | | Location | | Property Type | | Ownership | | Square Footage | | Gross Sales Proceeds | | Aggregate Proceeds, Net | | Gain (Loss) |
3/15/24 | | Transnational Portfolio (1) | | Retail | | Fee Simple | | 302 | | | $ | 16,459 | | | $ | 16,096 | | | $ | 1,502 | |
| | | | | | | | 302 | | | $ | 16,459 | | | 16,096 | | | $ | 1,502 | |
(1) Portfolio comprised of three Retail Properties located in Newnan, GA, Aurora, CO, and Kissimmee, FL.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, gain on sales of investment properties, net was $1,348, which includes $154 of selling expenses from prior period dispositions and a net gain of $1,502 from the disposition of Retail Properties in Newnan, GA, Aurora, CO and Kissimmee, FL.
The following table summarizes the disposition activity during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
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Sale Date | | Location | | Property Type | | Ownership | | Square Footage | | Gross Sales Proceeds | | Aggregate Proceeds, Net | | Gain (Loss) |
3/22/23 | | Temecula, CA | | Retail | | Fee Simple | | 125 | | | $ | 6,000 | | | $ | 5,869 | | | $ | (496) | |
| | | | | | | | 125 | | | $ | 6,000 | | | 5,869 | | | $ | (496) | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, gain on sales of investment properties, net was $828, which includes a gain of $1,326 less $2 of selling expenses from the release of escrow from a disposition that occurred in December 2021 and a loss of $496 from the disposition of the Retail Property in Temecula, California.
The dispositions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 did not qualify for discontinued operations treatment and are not considered individually significant.
Impairment of Investment Properties
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, no impairment charges were recorded.
Investment Properties Held for Sale
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no properties classified as held for sale.
(3) LEASES
Leases as Lessor
The Retail Properties are leased pursuant to a single retail master lease (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Retail Master Lease”) and the Warehouses were leased pursuant to a single distribution center master lease (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “DC Master Lease”; together with the Retail Master Lease, the “Master Leases” and individually, each a “Master Lease”). On the Effective Date, Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC assigned all of its right, title and interest as lessor under the Master Leases to the applicable PropCo. Each of the Master Leases has an initial term of 20 years that commenced on December 7, 2020 and is classified as an operating lease. The Trust receives monthly base rent pursuant to the Master Leases, which was 50% abated through December 31, 2021 for each of the Retail Properties. At the beginning of the third lease year, base rent under the Retail Master Lease increases based on changes in the consumer price index (subject to a maximum 2% increase per year). Pursuant to the Retail Master Lease, lease payments increased in December 2023 based on changes in the consumer price index ("CPI"). Upon the sale of the Warehouses in December 2021, the Trust assigned all of its right, title and interest as lessor in the DC Master Lease to the purchaser.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
The Master Lease requires direct payment of all operating expenses, real estate taxes, ground lease payments (where applicable), capital expenditures and common area maintenance costs by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC and allows for lessor reimbursement if amounts are not directly paid. Expenses paid directly by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC are not included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations, except for ground lease payments made by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC, since recording cash payments made by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC is necessary to relieve amounts due to the ground lessor included in the ground lease liabilities. Ground lease payments made by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC of $1,035 and $1,012 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were paid directly to the ground lessor by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC and were included in “Lease income” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
As of March 31, 2024, lease payments of $8,470 received in advance under the terms of the Master Leases are included in "Other liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and will be recognized as lease income in April 2024. As of December 31, 2023, lease payments of $8,583 received in advance under the terms of the Master Leases are included in "Other liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and were recognized as lease income in January 2024. The Trust records all changes in uncollectible lease income as an adjustment to “Lease income” in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. During the Reporting Periods, there was no uncollectible lease income.
In certain municipalities, the Trust is required to remit sales and use taxes to governmental authorities based upon the rental income received from Properties. These taxes are required to be reimbursed by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC to the Trust in accordance with the terms of the Master Lease, and are presented net of reimbursement from Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC on the consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Trust remitted sales and use taxes of $160 and $186, respectively, which were fully reimbursed by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC as of the end of each corresponding Reporting Period.
From time to time, the Trust may have leasing activity with replacement tenants other than Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC but has had none to date.
The disaggregation of the Trust’s lease income as either fixed or variable lease income based on the criteria specified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") Topic 842 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | | | | | | |
Fixed lease income | $ | 25,184 | | | $ | 25,653 | | | | | | | | |
Variable lease income (a) | 504 | | | — | | | | | | | | |
Straight-line rental income, net (b) | (580) | | | (590) | | | | | | | | |
Ground lease reimbursement income (c) | 1,035 | | | 1,012 | | | | | | | | |
Other | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of above and below market lease intangibles (d) | (561) | | | (551) | | | | | | | | |
Lease income | $ | 25,582 | | | $ | 25,524 | | | | | | | | |
(a)Variable lease income consists of lease payments based on either an index or a rate.
(b)Represents the impact of straight-line rent (contractual rent exceeds straight line rent).
(c)Ground lease reimbursement income consists of lease payments due from the tenant for land leased under non-cancellable operating leases.
(d)Represents above and below market lease amortization recognized straight line over the lease term.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
As of March 31, 2024, undiscounted lease payments to be received under operating leases, excluding amounts resulting from CPI adjustments, for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
| | | | | |
| Lease Payments |
Period from April 1 to December 31, 2024 | $ | 74,738 | |
2025 | 99,651 | |
2026 | 99,651 | |
2027 | 99,651 | |
2028 | 99,651 | |
Thereafter | 1,195,813 | |
Total | $ | 1,669,155 | |
The weighted average remaining lease term was approximately 16.8 years as of March 31, 2024.
Leases as Lessee
The Trust was assigned an interest as lessee of land under 23 non-cancellable ground leases with third party landlords which were classified as operating leases on the Effective Date. As of March 31, 2024, the Trust held an interest as lessee of land under 21 non-cancellable ground leases. The Trust leases land under operating ground leases at certain of its Properties, which expire in various years from 2038 to 2096, including any available option periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised. All option terms were considered to be reasonably certain of being exercised through the initial term of the Master Lease.
The components of ground lease rent expense, which are included within “Operating expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
Amortization of: | | | | | | | |
Above market ground lease intangibles | $ | (160) | | | $ | (160) | | | | | |
Below market ground lease intangibles | 365 | | | 365 | | | | | |
Amortization of right-of-use assets | 252 | | | 254 | | | | | |
Interest expense | 1,038 | | | 1,036 | | | | | |
Ground lease rent expense | $ | 1,495 | | | $ | 1,495 | | | | | |
There were no cash payments for ground lease rent expense as these payments are made by the tenant.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
As of March 31, 2024, undiscounted future rental obligations to be paid under the long-term ground leases by Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC under the terms of the Master Lease on behalf of the Trust, including fixed rental increases, for the next five years and thereafter, are as follows:
| | | | | |
| Lease Obligations |
Period from April 1 to December 31, 2024 | $ | 3,089 | |
2025 | 4,116 | |
2026 | 4,138 | |
2027 | 4,197 | |
2028 | 4,257 | |
Thereafter | 215,902 | |
Less imputed interest | (197,932) | |
Lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 | $ | 37,767 | |
The Trust’s long-term ground leases had a weighted average remaining lease term of 43.1 years and a weighted average discount rate of 11.0% as of March 31, 2024.
(4) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Master Leases
Landlord Option Properties: On the Effective Date, the Retail Master Lease provides the Trust an option on 23 of the Retail Properties allowing current or future landlords to terminate the Retail Master Lease as to that property upon 24 months’ prior written notice. This option is limited (for the Trust, but not for future landlords) to eight Retail Properties in any lease year. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no Retail Properties with landlord termination options were sold. As of March 31, 2024, the Trust had sold 16 Retail Properties with landlord termination options, and there were seven remaining Retail Properties with landlord termination options.
Tenant Option Properties: On the Effective Date, the Retail Master Lease provided Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC an option to terminate the Retail Master Lease upon 24 months’ prior written notice as to all or a portion of any one or more of six specified properties. This option is limited to no more than five Properties in any lease year. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no Retail Properties with tenant termination options were sold. As of March 31, 2024, the Trust had sold five Retail Properties with tenant termination options, and there was one remaining Retail Property with a tenant termination option.
Substitution Options and Go Dark Rights: The Retail Master Lease provides Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC an option to terminate the Retail Master Lease with respect to selected sub-performing properties upon replacement of such sub-performing properties with a qualified replacement property in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Retail Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC shall only be entitled to exercise a substitution option (i) between the third and 15th anniversary of the commencement date of the Retail Master Lease and (ii) if the aggregate allocated base rent amounts for all Go Dark/Substitution Properties (as defined in the Retail Master Lease) during the applicable period (as described in the Retail Master Lease) is less than or equal to 15% of the aggregate first year’s base rent. The Retail Master Lease also provides Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC with the limited right to “go dark” (i.e., cease operations) at one or more Retail Properties in certain limited circumstances as set forth in the Retail Master Lease; provided that such right does not relieve Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC of its obligation to make any rent payments that are due and owing. As of March 31, 2024, Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC has not ceased operations at any of the Retail Properties.
Tenant Purchase Rights: On the Effective Date, the Master Leases contained preferential offer rights in favor of Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC with respect to 70 of the Retail Properties and each of the Warehouses (the “Tenant Purchase Rights”), which enable Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC, in connection with a potential sale of such Properties, to acquire such Properties for a price determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Master Leases. These Tenant Purchase Rights require the Trust to reoffer a property to the tenant in the event it is not sold within a specified period of time at a specified minimum price related to the preferential purchase price. As
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
of March 31, 2024, 18 of these Retail Properties, of which three were purchased by an affiliate of the tenant, and all of the Warehouses, of which none were purchased by the tenant, have been sold.
Lockout Periods: The Trust agreed not to deliver notice to Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC formally commencing the sales process at those Properties subject to the Tenant Purchase Rights prior to the dates specified in the applicable Master Lease for such Properties. All lockout periods with respect to the Tenant Purchase Rights for the 70 Retail Properties have expired.
Environmental Matters
Federal law (and the laws of some states in which we own or may acquire properties) imposes liability on a landowner for the presence on the premises of hazardous substances or wastes (as defined by present and future federal and state laws and regulations). This liability is without regard to fault or knowledge of the presence of such substances and may be imposed jointly and severally upon all succeeding landowners. If such hazardous substance is discovered on a property owned by us, we could incur liability for the removal of the substances and the cleanup of the property.
There can be no assurance that we would have effective remedies against prior owners of the property. In addition, we may be liable to current or future tenants and may find it difficult or impossible to sell the property either prior to or following such a cleanup. There are no environmental matters that are expected to have a material effect on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements.
Risk of Uninsured Property Losses
The Trust maintains property damage, fire loss, environmental, and liability insurance in addition to the insurance required to be maintained by the Tenant pursuant to the Master Leases. However, there are certain types of losses (generally of a catastrophic nature) which may be either uninsurable or not economically insurable. Such excluded risks may include war, earthquakes, tornados, floods and certain other environmental hazards. Should such events occur, (i) we may suffer a loss of capital invested, (ii) tenant may suffer losses and may be unable to pay rent for the spaces, and (iii) we may suffer a loss of profits which might be anticipated from one or more properties.
Significant Risks and Uncertainties
Although disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have subsided, inflation, rising interest rates, reduced consumer spending, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and global capital markets volatility pose increasing risks to the Company and the U.S. economy. The ongoing and potential future impacts of global conflicts, such as between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, among others is also contributing to economic and geopolitical uncertainty. While we did not incur any disruptions to our lease income and occupancy during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as a result of these adverse political and economic conditions, credit markets or other events, we continue to closely monitor the impact of these factors as they may have a negative impact on our or Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC’s business.
Concentration of Credit Risk
As of March 31, 2024, all of the Properties were leased to Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC, and all of the Trust’s lease income was derived from the Master Leases (see Note 3). The Properties' tenants constitute a significant asset concentration, as all tenants are subsidiaries of Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC, and Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC provides financial guarantees with respect to the Master Leases. Until the Trust materially diversifies the composition of tenants for its properties, an event that has a material adverse effect on Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC’s business, financial condition or results of operations could have a material adverse effect on the Trust’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except certificate and per certificate amounts)
As of March 31, 2024, the Trust's properties are located across 35 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Trust's lease income was concentrated in two states as follows: California 19.1% and Texas 13.2%. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Trust's lease income was concentrated in two states as follows: California 19.0% and Texas 13.5%.
Litigation
From time to time, the Trust may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no current matters that are expected to have a material effect on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no uncertain tax positions and the balance of unrecognized tax benefits was $0.
(5) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to March 31, 2024, we paid monthly distributions to Certificateholders of $23,599 or $0.31 per certificate in April 2024. On May 7, 2024, we announced a distribution of $7,684 or $0.10 per certificate to be paid on May 10, 2024 to Certificateholders.
All dollar and square foot amounts in this Form 10-Q in Item 2 are stated in thousands with the exception of per share, per square foot and per unit amounts
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described or that they will happen at all. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or “anticipates” and variations of such words or similar expressions or the negative of such words. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategies, plans or intentions. Risks, uncertainties and changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
•economic, business and financial conditions, and changes in our industry and changes in the real estate markets in particular;
•economic and other developments in markets where we have a high concentration of properties;
•our business strategy;
•our projected operating results;
•rental rates and/or vacancy rates;
•material deterioration in operating performance or credit of Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC;
•frequency and magnitude of defaults on, early terminations of or non-renewal of leases by tenant;
•bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in the business of Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC;
•adverse impact of e-commerce developments and shifting consumer retail behavior on our tenant;
•interest rates or operating costs;
•real estate and zoning laws and changes in real property tax rates;
•real estate valuations;
•our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to make distributions to our Certificateholders;
•our ability to obtain necessary outside financing;
•the availability, terms and deployment of capital;
•general volatility of the capital and credit markets and the market price of our Certificates;
•risks generally associated with real estate dispositions, including our ability to identify and pursue disposition opportunities;
•composition of members of our executive officers;
•the ability of the Manager, Trustee or other service providers to attract and retain qualified personnel;
•governmental regulations, tax laws and rates and similar matters;
•our compliance with laws, rules and regulations;
•environmental uncertainties and exposure to natural disasters;
•pandemics or other public health crises, such as COVID-19, and the related impact on (i) our ability to manage our properties, finance our operations and perform necessary administrative and reporting functions and (ii) our tenant’s ability to operate their businesses, generate sales and meet their financial obligations, including the obligation to pay rent, capital expenditures and other charges as specified in their leases;
•geopolitical events, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, among others, government responses to such events and the related impact on the economy both nationally and internationally;
•insurance coverage; and
•the likelihood or actual occurrence of terrorist attacks in the U.S.
For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2023. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to us (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements). We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, except as required by applicable law.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this report.
Principal External Factors that Affect our Results of Operations
Inflation Risk and Economic Conditions
Although disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have subsided, inflation, rising interest rates, reduced consumer spending, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and global capital markets volatility pose continued risk to the Company and the U.S. economy. The ongoing and potential future impacts of global conflicts, such as between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, among others, is also contributing to economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Downturns in the general economy could cause a decline in the demand for our properties and our Tenants’ products. Our operations could also be impacted by inflation and increased interest rates. Inflation did not have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
While we did not incur any disruptions to our lease income and occupancy during the three months ended March 31, 2024 as a result of these adverse political and economic conditions, credit markets or other events, any of these events could materially adversely impact the Trust or Penney Intermediate Holdings LLC's business. The Trust continues to closely monitor economic, financial and social conditions, including the effects of inflation.
Climate Change and ESG Regulations
Our Properties are subject to comprehensive and frequently changing federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws. We have made, and will continue to make, capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. While we do not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or competitive position as a result of our efforts to comply with such requirements, new or more stringent laws or regulations regarding environmental and worker health and safety laws could affect our operations and increase our operational and compliance expenditures. It is also possible that liabilities from newly-discovered non-compliance or contamination could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Executive Summary
Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust exists for the sole purpose of collecting rent, holding, administering, distributing and monetizing the Properties for the benefit of Certificateholders. As of March 31, 2024, we owned 127 retail operating properties, 21 of which are encumbered by ground leases, across 35 U.S. states and Puerto Rico representing 17 million square feet of leasable space. The number of retail operating properties decreased to 127 as of March 31, 2024 from 130 as of December 31, 2023 as a result of the dispositions of three Retail Properties during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
The following table summarizes our portfolio as of March 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail Properties |
| | # of Properties | | | | | | | | | | |
State | | Fee Owned | | Ground Lease | | Total | | Square Feet (Buildings) | | Lease income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 | | Lease income as % of total | | Lease income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 | | Lease income as % of total |
CA | | 17 | | 4 | | | 21 | | 3,103 | | | 4,825 | | | 19.1 | % | | 4,729 | | | 19.1 | % |
TX | | 17 | | 4 | | | 21 | | 2,147 | | | 3,334 | | | 13.2 | % | | 3,262 | | | 13.2 | % |
FL | | 7 | | 1 | | | 8 | | 1,189 | | | 1,981 | | | 7.8 | % | | 1,936 | | | 7.8 | % |
NJ | | 5 | | — | | | 5 | | 883 | | | 1,280 | | | 5.1 | % | | 1,263 | | | 5.1 | % |
WA | | 3 | | 1 | | | 4 | | 666 | | | 1,156 | | | 4.6 | % | | 1,133 | | | 4.6 | % |
NY | | 1 | | 2 | | | 3 | | 470 | | | 1,109 | | | 4.4 | % | | 1,078 | | | 4.4 | % |
IL | | 5 | | — | | | 5 | | 845 | | | 1,040 | | | 4.1 | % | | 1,018 | | | 4.1 | % |
NV | | 2 | | 1 | | | 3 | | 438 | | | 874 | | | 3.5 | % | | 855 | | | 3.4 | % |
AZ | | 4 | | — | | | 4 | | 493 | | | 867 | | | 3.4 | % | | 849 | | | 3.4 | % |
MI | | 6 | | — | | | 6 | | 863 | | | 867 | | | 3.4 | % | | 848 | | | 3.4 | % |
OH | | 5 | | — | | | 5 | | 645 | | | 781 | | | 3.1 | % | | 764 | | | 3.1 | % |
PA | | 4 | | — | | | 4 | | 555 | | | 746 | | | 2.9 | % | | 731 | | | 3.0 | % |
KY | | 1 | | 1 | | | 2 | | 251 | | | 471 | | | 1.9 | % | | 461 | | | 1.9 | % |
NM | | 2 | | — | | | 2 | | 266 | | | 468 | | | 1.8 | % | | 458 | | | 1.8 | % |
CO | | 1 | | 1 | | | 2 | | 263 | | | 443 | | | 1.7 | % | | 437 | | | 1.7 | % |
Other | | 26 | | 6 | | | 32 | | 3,888 | | | 5,055 | | | 20.0 | % | | 4,954 | | | 20.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Retail | | 106 | | 21 | | 127 | | $ | 16,965 | | | $ | 25,297 | | (a) | 100 | % | | $ | 24,776 | | (a) | 100 | % |
(a) For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, lease income recognized from the portfolio as of March 31, 2024 consists of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Base rent | $ | 25,411 | | | $ | 24,913 | |
Straight-line rental income | (573) | | | (573) | |
Amortization of above and below market lease | (576) | | | (576) | |
Ground lease reimbursement income | 1,035 | | | 1,012 | |
Lease income | $ | 25,297 | | | $ | 24,776 | |
Company Highlights — Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Acquisitions
We had no acquisition activity during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Dispositions
The following table summarizes the disposition activity during the three months ended March 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sale Date | | Location | | Property Type | | Ownership | | Square Footage | | Gross Sales Proceeds | | Aggregate Proceeds, Net | | Gain |
3/15/24 | | Transnational Portfolio (1) | | Retail | | Fee Simple | | 302 | | | $ | 16,459 | | | $ | 16,096 | | | $ | 1,502 | |
| | | | | | | | 302 | | | $ | 16,459 | | | 16,096 | | | $ | 1,502 | |
(1) Portfolio comprised of three Retail Properties located in Newnan, GA, Aurora, CO and Kissimmee, FL.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, gain on sales of investment properties, net was $1,348, which includes $154 of selling expenses from prior period dispositions and a net gain of $1,502 from the disposition of the Retail Properties in Newnan, GA, Aurora, CO and Kissimmee, FL.
The following table summarizes the disposition activity during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sale Date | | Location | | Property Type | | Ownership | | Square Footage | | Gross Sales Proceeds | | Aggregate Proceeds, Net | | Loss |
3/22/23 | | Temecula, CA | | Retail | | Fee Simple | | 125 | | | $ | 6,000 | | | $ | 5,869 | | | $ | (496) | |
| | | | | | | | 125 | | | $ | 6,000 | | | 5,869 | | | $ | (496) | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, gain on sales of investment properties, net was $828, which includes a gain of $1,326 less $2 of selling expenses from the release of escrow from a disposition that occurred in December 2021 and a loss of $496 from the disposition of the Retail Property in Temecula, California.
Leasing Activity
There was no leasing activity during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Capital Markets
There was no capital markets activity during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Distributions
We paid distributions to the Certificateholders of $26,378 or $0.35 per certificate during the three months ended March 31, 2024, and $37,272 or $0.50 per certificate during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2024 to the three months ended March 31, 2023
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net income attributable to Certificateholders was $17,767 or $0.24 per Certificate, as compared to $17,157 or $0.23 per Certificate for the corresponding period in 2023.
The following describes the changes on the Trust’s consolidated statements of operations that affected net income attributable to Certificateholders during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023:
Lease income - The net increase in lease income of $58 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023, is due to the CPI adjustment of base rent as of December 7, 2023, partially offset by the disposition of five Retail Properties between March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
Operating expenses - The net decrease in operating expenses of $109 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023, is due to the Trust receiving a franchise tax refund during the three months ended March 31, 2024 as a result of an overpayment in 2023.
Depreciation and amortization - The decrease in depreciation and amortization of $73 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023, is due to the disposition of five Retail Properties between March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
General and administrative expenses - The net decrease in general and administrative expenses of $316 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023, is primarily due to decreases in insurance expense and legal expenses.
Gain on sales of investment properties, net - For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the disposition of three properties resulted in a gain on sales of investment properties, net of $1,502. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, gain on sales of investment properties, net includes $154 of selling expenses from prior year dispositions. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the disposition of one property resulted in a loss on sales of investment properties of $496. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, gain on sales of investment properties, net includes a net gain of $1,324 from a prior year disposition.
Other income - Other income consists of interest income earned on investments in money market instruments and non-recurring income generated from the Retail Properties, including consent fees or other fees paid to the Trust. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Trust earned interest income of $320, as compared to $266 during the corresponding period in 2023, and also received $520 of consent fees and other fees from the Retail Properties, as compared to $0 during the corresponding period in 2024.
Net Operating Income ("NOI")
We define NOI as all revenues other than (i) straight-line rental income (non-cash), (ii) amortization of above and below market lease intangibles, (iii) interest income and (iv) non-cash ground lease reimbursement income, less all operating expenses other than non-cash ground rent expense, which is comprised of amortization of right-of-use lease assets and amortization of lease liabilities, depreciation and amortization, and formation expenses. We use NOI internally to evaluate our financial and operating performance. We believe that NOI, which is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure, also provides an additional and useful operating perspective to investors not immediately apparent from “Net income” in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We do not, nor do we suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Comparison of our presentation of NOI to similarly titled measures for other entities may not necessarily be meaningful due to possible differences in definition and application by such entities. For reference and as an aid in understanding our computation of NOI, a reconciliation of net income as computed in accordance with GAAP to NOI for the Reporting Periods is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
Net income | $ | 17,767 | | | $ | 17,157 | | | | | |
Adjustments to reconcile to NOI: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization of real estate | 4,757 | | | 4,830 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain on sales of investment properties, net | (1,348) | | | (828) | | | | | |
Straight-line rental income, net | 580 | | | 590 | | | | | |
Amortization of above and below market lease intangibles, net | 561 | | | 551 | | | | | |
Interest income | (320) | | | (266) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Non-cash ground rent expense, net | 1,495 | | | 1,495 | | | | | |
Non-cash ground lease reimbursement income | (1,035) | | | (1,012) | | | | | |
NOI | $ | 22,457 | | | $ | 22,517 | | | | | |
The decrease in NOI of $60 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, is due to net decreases in general and administrative expenses and operating expenses of $316 and $109, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in consent fee income of $520. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Trust received $520 of consent fees and other fees from the Retail Properties, as compared to $0 in 2024.
Funds from Operations
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, an industry trade group, has promulgated a financial measure known as funds from operations ("FFO"). As defined by NAREIT, FFO means net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding (i) depreciation and amortization related to real estate, (ii) gains from sales of real estate assets, (iii) gains and losses from change in control and (iv) provisions for impairment of investment properties. We have adopted the NAREIT definition in our computation of FFO attributable to Certificateholders. Management believes that, subject to the following limitations, FFO attributable to Certificateholders provides a basis for comparing our performance and operations to REITs.
We define Operating FFO attributable to Certificateholders as FFO attributable to Certificateholders excluding the impact of discrete non-operating transactions and other events which we do not consider representative of the comparable operating results of our real estate operating portfolio, which is our core business platform. Specific examples of discrete non-operating transactions and other events include, but are not limited to, the impact on earnings, which are not otherwise adjusted in our calculation of FFO attributable to Certificateholders.
We believe that FFO and Operating FFO, which are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures, provide an additional and useful means to assess our operating performance compared to REITs. FFO and Operating FFO do not represent alternatives to (i) “Net income” or “Net income attributable to Certificateholders” as indicators of our financial performance, or (ii) “Cash flows from operating activities” in accordance with GAAP as measures of our capacity to fund cash needs, including the payment of dividends. Comparison of our presentation of Operating FFO to similarly titled measures for REITs may not necessarily be meaningful due to possible differences in definition and application by such REITs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to FFO and Operating FFO:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
Net income | $ | 17,767 | | | $ | 17,157 | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization of real estate | 4,757 | | | 4,830 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain on sales of investment properties, net | (1,348) | | | (828) | | | | | |
FFO | $ | 21,176 | | | $ | 21,159 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
FFO per certificate outstanding – basic and diluted | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.28 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
FFO | $ | 21,176 | | | $ | 21,159 | | | | | |
Dead deal costs | 3 | | | 19 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating FFO | $ | 21,179 | | | $ | 21,178 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating FFO per certificate outstanding – basic and diluted | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.28 | | | | | |
The increase in FFO of $17 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 is primarily due to (i) net decreases in general and administrative expenses and operating expenses of $316 and $109, respectively, and (ii) an increase in interest income of $54, partially offset by a decrease in consent fee income of $520.
The increase in Operating FFO of $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to three months ended March 31, 2023 is primarily due to net decreases in general and administrative expenses and operating expenses of $300 and $109, respectively, and (ii) an increase in interest income of $54, partially offset by a decrease in consent fee income of $520.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We anticipate that cash flows from the below-listed sources will provide adequate capital for the next 12 months and beyond for all Certificateholder distributions.
Our primary expected sources and uses of liquidity are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| SOURCES | | USES |
▪ | Rental revenues | ▪ | Operating and general and administrative expenses |
▪ | Cash and cash equivalents | ▪ | Sales expenses |
▪ | Net proceeds from the sale of real estate | ▪ | Distribution payments |
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $49,787 and $38,026, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents. The Trust has adopted a policy to maintain its cash equivalents in a government money market fund administered by a major bulge bracket investment banking firm which invests its assets only in (i) cash and (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies and having a weighted average life and weighted average maturity of no more than 120 days and 60 days, respectively. Each of these government money market funds is managed to maintain a stable net asset value, thereby eliminating principal risk.
We had no indebtedness as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Debt Maturities
We have no scheduled maturities and principal amortization of our indebtedness, since we had no indebtedness as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Distributions
The Trust is required to distribute on a monthly basis, the net proceeds from lease payments under the Master Leases (until such time as all of the Properties have been sold) and all net sales proceeds from the disposition of Properties, in each case pro rata, to Certificateholders as of the record date immediately preceding the applicable distribution date. Such distributions shall be net of (i) tax payments to be made by the Trust, (ii) fees and expenses of the Trust, the Trustee, the Manager and any other professional advisors, and (iii) funds to be set aside for the Trustee’s and Manager’s reserve accounts.
We paid distributions to the Certificateholders of $26,378 or $0.35 per certificate during the three months ended March 31, 2024, and $37,272 or $0.50 per certificate during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Dispositions
Net sales proceeds from the disposition of Properties were included in the distributions to Certificateholders. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, included in the amount we paid to Certificateholders was $4,240 and $15,357, respectively, of aggregate net sales proceeds.
Capital Expenditures
We anticipate that obligations related to capital improvements will not be significant as these are generally the responsibility of the Tenant under the Master Leases and should otherwise be met with cash flows from operations.
Summary of Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 22,043 | | | $ | 22,718 | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | 16,096 | | | 7,196 | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (26,378) | | | (37,272) | |
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 11,761 | | | (7,358) | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, at beginning of period | 38,026 | | | 48,922 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, at end of period | $ | 49,787 | | | $ | 41,564 | |
Cash Flows from Operating and Investing Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $22,043, as compared to $22,718 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease of $675 is primarily due to (i) changes in other assets due to the timing of payments of insurance premiums, (ii) changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses due to timing of payments and (iii) a decrease in lease income due to the disposition of five Retail Properties between March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024; partially offset by an increase in NOI resulting from (iii) decreases in general and administrative and operating expenses and (iv) an increase in lease income due to the CPI adjustment to base rent.
Cash flows provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $16,096, as compared to $7,196 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Investing activities solely consists of proceeds from sales of investment properties, and the increase in net cash provided by investing activities from the three months ended March 31, 2024 to the three months ended March 31, 2023 is due to disposition activity in each Reporting Period.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, total net cash provided by operating and investing activities was $38,139, however $26,378 was distributed to Certificateholders in 2024, of which $12,320 were distributions of cash flows from operating and investing activities received during December 2023.
Management believes that cash flows from operations and sales of investment properties and existing cash and cash equivalents will provide sufficient liquidity to sustain future operations; however, we cannot provide any such assurances.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $26,378, as compared to $37,272 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Financing activities for both Reporting Periods consisted of distributions paid to Certificateholders.
Contractual Obligations
As of March 31, 2024, we have 21 properties that are subject to long-term non-cancelable ground leases. These leases expire in various years from 2038 to 2096, including any available option periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised.
The following table summarizes the Trust’s obligations under non-cancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2024:
| | | | | |
| Payments due by period |
Period from April 1 to December 31, 2024 | $ | 3,089 | |
2025 | 4,116 | |
2026 | 4,138 | |
2027 | 4,197 | |
2028 | 4,257 | |
Thereafter | 215,902 | |
Less imputed interest | (197,932) | |
Lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 | $ | 37,767 | |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our 2023 Annual Report on 10-K, as amended, contains a description of our critical accounting policies, including those relating to the impairment of long-lived assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were no significant changes to these policies.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
None.
Subsequent Events
Subsequent to March 31, 2024, we paid monthly distributions to Certificateholders of $23,599 or $0.31 per certificate in April 2024. On May 7, 2024, we announced a distribution of $7,684 or $0.10 per certificate to be paid on May 10, 2024 to Certificateholders.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
We are not exposed to interest rate risk because we currently do not hold any long-term debt or derivatives. If we were to enter into long-term debt arrangements, our interest rate risk management objectives would be to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs.
As of March 31, 2024, we did not hold any fixed or variable rate debt, and did not hold any derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management, with the participation of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately and within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are subject, from time to time, to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Neither the Trust nor any of its subsidiaries are currently a party as plaintiff or defendant to and none of our properties are the subject of any pending legal proceedings that we believe to be material or that individually or in the aggregate would be expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations if determined adversely to us. We are not aware of any similar proceedings that are contemplated by governmental authorities.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
As of the date of this report, there are no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, no executive officer of the Trust adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as the terms are defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K. Furthermore, the executive officers of the Trust do not and are not permitted to, directly or indirectly, own any of the Trust Certificates.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS | | | | | | | | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
31.1 | | |
31.2 | | |
32.1 | | |
32.2 | | |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith). |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith). |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith). |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith). |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith). |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibits 101.*) (filed herewith). |
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.
COPPER PROPERTY CTL PASS THROUGH TRUST
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|
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By: | /s/ NEIL AARONSON |
| |
| Neil Aaronson |
| Principal Executive Officer |
Date: | May 10, 2024 |
| |
By: | /s/ LARRY FINGER |
| |
| Larry Finger |
| Principal Financial Officer |
Date: | May 10, 2024 |