UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 20202021

 

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: 001-33177

 

MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland22-1897375
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) identification number)

101 Crawfords Corner Road, Suite 1405, Holmdel, NJ 07733

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (732) 577-9996

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock MNR New York Stock ExchangeNYSE
6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock MNR-PC New York Stock ExchangeNYSE

 

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:

 

Large Accelerated Fileraccelerated 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

 

Number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, as of February 1, 2021:2022: 98,300,61498,486,382

 

 

 

 

 

MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20202021

 

C O N T E N T SCONTENTS

 

  Page No
   
PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1 -Financial Statements (Unaudited): 
 Consolidated Balance Sheets3
 Consolidated Statements of Income5
 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income7
 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity8
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows9
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements10
   
Item 2 -Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.2325
   
Item 3 -Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.3641
   
Item 4 -Controls and Procedures.3641
   
PART II -OTHER INFORMATION 
   
Item 1 -Legal Proceedings.3742
   
Item 1A -Risk Factors.3743
   
Item 2 -Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.3743
   
Item 3 -Defaults Upon Senior Securities.3743
   
Item 4 -Mine Safety Disclosures.3743
   
Item 5 -Other Information.3843
   
Item 6 -Exhibits.3843
   
SIGNATURES3944

 

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Table of Contents

PART I:

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 20202021

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

December 31, 2020

(Unaudited)

 

September 30,

2020

  

December 31,

2021 (Unaudited)

  

 

September 30,

2021

 
ASSETS             
Real Estate Investments:                
Land $266,794  $250,497  $282,290  $277,846 
Buildings and Improvements  1,945,087   1,793,367   2,059,683   2,025,844 
Total Real Estate Investments  2,211,881   2,043,864   2,341,973   2,303,690 
Accumulated Depreciation  (308,041)  (296,020)  (359,659)  (345,988)
Real Estate Investments  1,903,840   1,747,844   1,982,314   1,957,702 
                
Cash and Cash Equivalents  29,280   23,517   17,713   48,618 
Securities Available for Sale at Fair Value  126,292   108,832   160,275   143,505 
Tenant and Other Receivables  4,056   5,431   6,567   5,083 
Deferred Rent Receivable  13,385   12,856   16,283   15,679 
Prepaid Expenses  12,100   7,554   14,475   8,502 
Intangible Assets, net of Accumulated Amortization of $17,861 and $17,330, respectively  21,163   16,832 
Capitalized Lease Costs, net of Accumulated Amortization of $4,589 and $4,286, respectively  5,831   5,631 
Financing Costs, net of Accumulated Amortization of $453 and $356, respectively  1,282   1,380 
Intangible Assets, net of Accumulated Amortization of $20,272 and $19,669, respectively  20,873   20,959 
Capitalized Lease Costs, net of Accumulated Amortization of $4,633 and $4,435, respectively  6,065   5,719 
Financing Costs, net of Accumulated Amortization of $939 and $745, respectively  1,279   991 
Other Assets  4,972   9,906   5,486   9,125 
                
TOTAL ASSETS $2,122,201  $1,939,783  $2,231,330  $2,215,883 

See Accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – CONTINUED

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 20202021

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

December 31, 2020

(Unaudited)

  September 30, 2020  

December 31,

2021 (Unaudited)

 

September 30,

2021

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Liabilities:                
Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable, net of Unamortized Debt
Issuance Costs
 $888,247  $799,507  $808,722  $832,184 
Loans Payable  75,000   75,000   300,000   250,000 
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses  5,022   3,998   6,169   8,231 
Other Liabilities  27,980   23,673   27,667   30,734 
Total Liabilities  996,249   902,178   1,142,558   1,121,149 
                
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  -        -   - 
                
Shareholders’ Equity:                
6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share: 26,600 and 21,900 Shares Authorized as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively; 21,986 and 18,880 Shares Issued and Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively  549,640   471,994 
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share: 300,000 and 200,000 Shares Authorized as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively; 98,266 and 98,054 Shares Issued and Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively  983   981 
Excess Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share: 200,000 Shares Authorized as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020; NaN Shares Issued or Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020  0   0 
6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share: 26,600 Shares Authorized as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021; 21,986 Shares Issued and Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021  549,640   549,640 
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share: 300,000 Shares Authorized as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021; 98,486 and 98,333 Shares Issued and Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively  985   983 
Excess Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share: 200,000 Shares Authorized as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021; NaN Shares Issued or Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021  0   0 
Additional Paid-In Capital  579,264   568,998   539,259   546,341 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  (3,935)  (4,368)  (1,112)  (2,230)
Undistributed Income  0   0   0   0 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  1,125,952   1,037,605   1,088,772   1,094,734 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $2,122,201  $1,939,783  $2,231,330  $2,215,883 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND 20192020

(in thousands)

 

 12/31/2020  12/31/2019  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 12/31/2020  12/31/2019  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
INCOME:                
Rental Revenue $36,846  $34,870  $40,999  $36,846 
Reimbursement Revenue  6,737   6,830   7,475   6,737 
Lease Termination Income  377   -0-   0   377 
TOTAL INCOME  43,960   41,700   48,474   43,960 
                
EXPENSES:                
Real Estate Taxes  5,318   5,036   5,956   5,318 
Operating Expenses  1,736   2,197   1,762   1,736 
General & Administrative Expenses  2,272   2,264   2,442   2,272 
Non-recurring Severance Expense  -0-   786 
Non-recurring Strategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs  12,274   0 
Depreciation  12,078   11,433   13,728   12,078 
Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and Intangible Assets  809   753   894   809 
TOTAL EXPENSES  22,213   22,469   37,056   22,213 
                
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Dividend Income  1,607   3,238   1,729   1,607 
Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising
During the Periods
  19,721   (3,635)
Unrealized Holding Gains Arising During the Periods  16,508   19,721 
Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs  (9,159)  (9,209)  (9,822)  (9,159)
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)  12,169   (9,606)  8,415   12,169 
                
NET INCOME  33,916   9,625 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS

  19,833   33,916 
                
Less: Preferred Dividends  8,170   6,097   8,416   8,170 
                

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

 $25,746  $3,528  $11,417  $25,746 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND 20192020 – CONTINUED

 

 12/31/2020 12/31/2019 
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 12/31/2020 12/31/2019  12/31/2021 12/31/2020 
          
BASIC INCOME – PER SHARE                
Net Income $0.34  $0.10 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders $0.20  $0.34 
Less: Preferred Dividends  (0.08)  (0.06)  (0.08)  (0.08)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders - Basic $0.26  $0.04 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders – Basic $0.12  $0.26 
                
DILUTED INCOME – PER SHARE                
Net Income $0.34  $0.10 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders $0.20  $0.34 
Less: Preferred Dividends  (0.08)  (0.06)  (0.08)  (0.08)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders - Diluted $0.26  $0.04  $0.12  $0.26 
                
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands)                
Basic  98,105   96,881   98,388   98,105 
Diluted  98,211   97,006   98,479   98,211 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND 20192020

(in thousands)

 

 12/31/2020  12/31/2019  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 12/31/2020  12/31/2019  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
          
Net Income $33,916  $9,625 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders $19,833  $33,916 
Other Comprehensive Income:                
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swap Agreement  433   0   1,118   433 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  34,349   9,625   20,951   34,349 
Less: Preferred Dividends  8,170   6,097   8,416   8,170 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE

TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

 $26,179  $3,528  $12,535  $26,179 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND 20192020

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 Common
Stock
 Preferred
Stock Series C
 Additional
Paid in
Capital
 Undistributed
Income (Loss)
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total Shareholders’
Equity
  Common
Stock
 Preferred
Stock Series C
 Additional
Paid in
Capital
 Undistributed
Income (Loss)
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance September 30, 2020 $981  $471,994  $568,998  $0  $(4,368) $1,037,605 
Balance September 30, 2021 $983  $549,640  $546,341  $0  $(2,230) $1,094,734 
Shares Issued in Connection with the DRIP (1)  1   0   1,257   0   0   1,258   0   0   3   0   0   3 
Shares Issued in Connection with At-The-Market Sales
Agreement Program of 6.125% Series C Preferred
Stock, net of offering costs
  0   77,646   (1,688)  0   0   75,958 
Shares Issued in Connection with At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program of 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, net of offering costs                        
Stock Compensation Expense  0   0   57   0   0   57   0   0   94   0   0   94 
Distributions To Common Shareholders ($0.17 per share)  0   0   9,075   (25,746)  0   (16,671)
Distributions To Common Shareholders ($0.18 per share)  0   0   (6,284)  (11,417)  0   (17,701)
Stock Option Exercise  1   0   1,565   0   0   1,566   1   0   662   0   0   663 
Net Income  0   0   0   33,916   0   33,916 
Shares Withheld for Employee Taxes in Connection with the Net Exercise of Employee Stock Options  1   0   (1,557)  0   0   (1,556)
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders  0   0   0   19,833   0   19,833 
Preferred Dividends ($0.3828125 per share)  0   0   0   (8,170)  0   (8,170)  0   0   0   (8,416)  0   (8,416)
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swap Agreement  0   0   0   0   433   433   0   0   0   0   1,118   1,118 
Balance December 31, 2020 $983  $549,640  $579,264  $0  $(3,935) $1,125,952 
Balance December 31, 2021 $985  $549,640  $539,259  $0  $(1,112) $1,088,772 

 

 Common
Stock
 Preferred
Stock Series C
 Additional
Paid in
Capital
 Undistributed
Income (Loss)
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income  Total Shareholders’
Equity
  Common
Stock
 Preferred
Stock Series C
 Additional
Paid in
Capital
 Undistributed
Income (Loss)
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance September 30, 2019 $964  $347,678  $662,401  $0  $ 0  $1,011,043 
Balance September 30, 2020 $981  $471,994  $568,998  $0  $(4,368) $1,037,605 
Shares Issued in Connection with the DRIP (1)  11   0   15,498   0  0   15,509   1   0   1,257   0   0   1,258 
Shares Issued in Connection with At-The-Market
Offerings of 6.125% Series C Preferred
Stock, net of offering costs
  0   43,965   (812)  0  0   43,153 
Shares Issued in Connection with At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program of 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, net of offering costs  0   77,646   (1,688)  0   0   75,958 
Stock Compensation Expense  0   0   156   0  0   156   0   0   57   0   0   57 
Distributions To Common Shareholders ($0.17 per share)  0   0   (12,958)  (3,528) 0   (16,486)  0   0   9,075   (25,746)  0   (16,671)
Distributions To Common Shareholders  0   0   9,075   (25,746)  0   (16,671)
Stock Option Exercise  1   0   605   0  0   606   1   0   1,565   0   0   1,566 
Net Income  0   0   0   9,625  0   9,625 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders  0   0   0   33,916   0   33,916 
Preferred Dividends ($0.3828125 per share)  0   0   0   (6,097) 0   (6,097)  0   0   0   (8,170)  0   (8,170)
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swap Agreement                         0   0   0   0   433   433 
Balance December 31, 2019 $976  $391,643  $664,890  $0   0  $1,057,509 
Balance December 31, 2020 $983  $549,640  $579,264  $0  $(3,935) $1,125,952 

 

 (1)Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20202021 AND 20192020

(in thousands)

 12/31/2020  12/31/2019  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 12/31/2020  12/31/2019  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
Net Income $33,916  $9,625 
Noncash Items Included in Net Income:        
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders $19,833  $33,916 
Noncash Items Included in Net Income Attributable to Shareholders:        
Depreciation & Amortization  13,217   12,621   15,050   13,217 
Deferred Straight Line Rent  (618)  (600)  (617)  (618)
Stock Compensation Expense  57   156   94   57 
Securities Available for Sale Received as Dividend Income  (239)  (226)  (262)  (239)
Unrealized Holding (Gains) Losses Arising During the Periods  (19,721)  3,635 
Unrealized Holding Gains Arising During the Periods  (16,508)  (19,721)
Changes In:                
Tenant & Other Receivables  1,400   (6,114)  (1,467)  1,400 
Prepaid Expenses  (4,546)  (5,250)  (5,973)  (4,546)
Other Assets & Capitalized Lease Costs  824   453   730   824 
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses & Other Liabilities  5,402   4,572   (2,487)  5,402 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES  29,692   18,872   8,393   29,692 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Purchase of Real Estate & Intangible Assets  (170,568)  (81,513)  (31,812)  (170,568)
Capital Improvements  (2,256)  (1,328)  (8,500)  (2,256)
Return of Deposits on Real Estate  5,000   1,200   2,200   5,000 
Deposits Paid on Acquisitions of Real Estate  (1,450)  (100)  0   (1,450)
Proceeds from Securities Available for Sale Called for Redemption  2,500   0   0   2,500 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES  (166,774)  (81,741)  (38,112)  (166,774)
                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Net Repayments on Loans Payable  0   (15,000)
Net Draws on Loans Payable  50,000   0 
Proceeds from Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable  104,000   52,500   0   104,000 
Principal Payments on Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable  (14,923)  (13,356)  (23,696)  (14,923)
Financing Costs Paid on Debt  (569)  (1,980)  (483)  (569)
Proceeds from the Exercise of Stock Options  1,566   606   663   1,566 
Proceeds from At-The-Market 6.125% Series C Preferred
Stock, net of offering costs
  75,958   43,153   0   75,958 
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock in the DRIP, net of
Dividend Reinvestments
  237   11,305   0   237 
Preferred Dividends Paid  (7,774)  (5,873)  (8,416)  (7,774)
Payment of Taxes for Shares of Common Stock Withheld for Employee Taxes in Connection with the Net Exercise of Employee Stock Options  (1,556)  0 
Common Dividends Paid, net of Reinvestments  (15,650)  (12,282)  (17,698)  (15,650)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES  142,845   59,073 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES  (1,186)  142,845 
                
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  5,763   (3,796)  (30,905)  5,763 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD  23,517   20,179   48,618   23,517 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $29,280  $16,383  $17,713  $29,280 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

DECEMBER 31, 20202021

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (we, our, us, the Company, Monmouth or MREIC), operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) deriving its income primarily from real estate rental operations. We were founded in 1968 and are one of the oldest public equity REITs in the world. As of December 31, 2020,2021, we owned 121123 properties with total rentable square footage of 24.525.2 million, as compared to 119122 properties with total rentable square footage of 23.424.9 million as of September 30, 2020.2021. Our 99.7% overall occupancy rate remained unchanged at the end of the quarter was 99.7%as compared to 99.4% as of September 30, 2020.2021 and has been 98.9% or above for over six consecutive years. Our properties are located in 3132 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. As of the quarter ended December 31, 2020,2021, our weighted average lease maturityterm was 7.57.1 years and our annualized average base rent per occupied square foot was $6.526.69. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the weighted average building age, based on the square footage of our buildings, was 9.510.2 years.

 

The future effectsAs previously announced, on November 5, 2021, we entered into a definitive merger agreement with Industrial Logistics Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“ILPT”), under which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, ILPT will acquire us in an all-cash transaction, with our common shareholders receiving $21.00 in cash per share upon the consummation of the evolving impacttransaction. ILPT’s acquisition of us is subject to obtaining the requisite approval of our common shareholders, the special meeting of shareholders for which is scheduled to take place on February 17, 2022, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Upon closing of the COVID-19 Pandemicmerger with ILPT, holders of our outstanding 6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“6.125% Series C Preferred Stock”) will receive $25.00 in cash per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date the merger is completed. As permitted by the merger agreement with ILPT, we plan to continue to pay our regular quarterly common stock dividend and our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock dividend for each full quarterly dividend period completed prior to the closing of the transaction, in amounts not exceeding $0.18 per share for our common stock and equal to $0.3828125 per share for our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock. This transaction with ILPT represents the culmination of the publicly announced comprehensive strategic alternatives review processes conducted by our Board of Directors (“Board of Directors” or the “Board”) during 2021. Our Board re-initiated its strategic alternatives review process in September 2021 after a previous agreement for a stock-for-stock merger that we entered into with another party, following a strategic alternatives review process in the first half of calendar year 2021, did not receive the requisite approval of our shareholders.

As discussed in Note 10, subsequent to quarter end, on January 28, 2022, we purchased a newly constructed 530,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 53.5 acres, located in the Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The building is 100% net-leased to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. for 10 years through November 2031. The property was acquired for a purchase price of $51.7 million. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $3.3 million. With the addition of this new acquisition, we currently have 124 properties consisting of 25.7 million rentable square feet which are uncertain, however, at this time COVID-19 has not hadlocated in 32 states with a material adverse effect on our financial condition. weighted average lease term of 7.2 years and an annualized average base rent per occupied square foot of $6.69.

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We invest in modern single-tenant, industrial buildings, leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net-leases. Our investments are exclusively situated in the continental United States, and are primarily located in strategic locations that are mission-critical to our tenants’ needs. In many cases our buildings are highly automated in order to better serve the omni-channel distribution networks that have become essential today. Approximately 82%83% of our revenue is derived from investment-grade tenants, or their subsidiaries as defined by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com)(www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s (www.moodys.com)(www.moodys.com). The references in this report to S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into this report, the information of S&P Global Ratings or Moody’s on such websites.

 

For many years, ecommerce demand has increased, and it has now become an integral part of the retail landscape. The COVID-19 Pandemic has created an even greater move towards on-line shopping. As a result of state and local government-mandated shutdowns, public health guidance and changing consumer demand, ecommerce sales as a percentage of total retail sales increased from approximately 15% to 27% during the last two quarters. It is estimated that ecommerce sales require three times the warehouse space relative to brick and mortar retail sales. The COVID-19 Pandemic has also created a need for supply chain reconfiguration. Increased inventory stocking is currently taking place across many industries and it appears that this trend will continue in order to accommodate surges in demand. Additionally, U.S. manufacturing has been increasing in recent years and the COVID-19 Pandemic has accelerated this trend as supply chains now prefer shorter distances and less reliance on foreign sources.

Our portfolio of modern, net-leased industrial properties continues to provide shareholders with reliable and predictable income streams. Our resilient high occupancy rates and rent collection results during these challenging times highlight the mission-critical nature of our assets and underscore the essential need for our tenants’ operations. Furthermore, because our weighted average lease maturityterm is 7.57.1 years and our weighted average fixed rate mortgage debt maturity is 11.510.7 years, we expect our cash flow to remain resilient over long periods of time. Our overall occupancy rate and our base rent collections have remained strong throughoutThroughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. OurPandemic, our overall occupancy rate has been over 99% throughoutand is 99.7% as of the Pandemic and has recently increased to 99.7% during the current quarter.quarter end. Our base rent collections have averaged 99.8%remained strong, averaging 99.9% throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, and we expect future months to be consistent with this trend.

 

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US industrial real estate market conditions are as strong as they have ever been with record high asking rents, a robust development pipeline, and an all-time high occupancy rate of 97%. Companies are leasing space at record levels to handle the large increase in ecommerce sales as well as the need for safety stock to counter supply chain disruptions. Construction costs are rising dramatically due to the long lead times for sourcing materials. The amount of new construction for US industrial real estate has been increasing for several years as more industrial space is needed to handle direct-to-consumer distribution. It is estimated that ecommerce sales require three times the amount of warehouse space relative to brick and mortar retail sales. These new buildings are often highly automated and have much larger truck courts and parking requirements. Because modern industrial buildings are built to handle both wholesale distribution as well as direct to consumer distribution, they are known as omni-channel facilities. The West coast ports are continuing to experience severe bottlenecks in processing imports and as a result much container traffic is being diverted towards the Gulf and East coast ports. Given our geographic footprint, this trend is a very favorable one for us.

 

Income Tax

 

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code, of 1986, as amended (the Code), and we intend to maintain our qualification as a REIT in the future.REIT. As a qualified REIT, with limited exceptions, we will not be taxed under Federal and certain state income tax laws at the corporate level on taxable income that we distribute to our shareholders. For special tax provisions applicable to REITs, refer to Sections 856-860 of the Code. We are subject to franchise taxes in several of the states in which we own properties.

 

In December 2017, as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the TCJA), Code Section 199A, was added to the Code and became effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. Under the TCJA, subject to certain income limitations, an individual taxpayertaxpayers and trusts and estates and trusts may deduct 20%20% of the aggregate amount of qualified REIT dividends they receive from their taxable income. Qualified REIT dividends do not include any portion of a dividend received from a REIT that is classified as a capital gain dividend or non-qualifiedqualified dividend income.

 

We follow the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, that, among other things, defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Based on our evaluation, we determined that we have no uncertain tax positions and no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2020.2021. We record interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as interest expense. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the fiscal tax years 20172018 through and including 20202021 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. There are currently no federal tax examinations in progress.

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The interim Consolidated Financial Statements furnished herein have been prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) applicable to interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q, and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021.2022. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.2021.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing the financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP,accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), we are required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

 

Stock Compensation Plan

 

We account for awards of stock, stock options and restricted stock in accordance with ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” ASC 718-10 requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and amortized over the service period (generally equal to the vesting period). The compensation cost for stock option grants is determined using option pricing models, intended to estimate the fair value of the awards at the grant date less estimated forfeitures. The compensation expense for restricted stock is recognized based on the fair value of the restricted stock awards less estimated forfeitures. The fair value of stock awards and restricted stock awards is equal to the fair value of our stock on the grant date. The amortization of compensation costs for the awards of stock, stock option grants and restricted stock are included in General and Administrative Expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and amounted to $57,00094,000 and $156,00057,000 for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively.

 

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During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the following stock option, which by its terms vests one year after grant date, was granted under our Stock Option Plan:

SUMMARY OF STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED DURING PERIOD

Date of

Grant

  

Number of

Employees

  Number of Shares (in thousands)  

Option

Price

  

Expiration Date

 10/1/21   1   65  $18.89  10/1/29

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, 0no stock options were granted. During

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The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for the stock option grant in fiscal 2022:

SCHEDULE OF STOCK OPTIONS, VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS

Fiscal 2022
Dividend yield3.81%
Expected volatility19.66%
Risk-free interest rate1.26%
Expected lives (years)8
Estimated forfeitures0

The weighted average fair value of the option granted during the three months ended December 31, 20202021 was $2.05 per share subject to the option.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2019,2020, 0 shares of restricted stock were granted. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, two participants exercised options to purchase 71,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $9.34 per share for total proceeds of $662,940. In addition, during the three months ended December 31, 2021, two participants exercised a net exercise of stock options. The two participants received 81,819 shares of common stock from the net exercise of options to purchase 449,978 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $13.68. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, two participants exercised options to purchase 130,000 shares of common stock. The first participant exercised options to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $10.4612.05 per share for total proceeds of $680,0001.6 and the second participant exercised options to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at a price of $13.64 per share for total proceeds of $887,000. Subsequent to the December 31, 2020 quarter end, a third participant exercised options to purchase 29,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $13.79 per share for total proceeds of $400,000. During the three months ended December 31, 2019, one participant exercised options to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at a price of $9.33 per share for total proceeds of $606,000.million. As of December 31, 2020,2021, a total of 1.21.1 million shares were available for grant as stock, stock options, restricted stock, or other equity-based awards, plus any shares subject to outstanding options that expire or are forfeited without being exercised. As of December 31, 2020,2021, there were outstanding options to purchase 820,000370,000 shares with an aggregate intrinsic value of $3.32.2 million.

Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement with ILPT, upon closing of the merger, each outstanding stock option, whether vested or unvested and each restricted stock award outstanding will become fully vested and converted into the right to receive, in the case of stock options, the spread between $21.00 per share in cash and the exercise price and, in the case of restricted stock awards, $21.00 per share in cash. All outstanding stock options have an exercise price of less than $21.00 per share.

 

Lease Termination Income

 

Lease Termination Income is recognized in operating revenues when there is a signed termination agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, the tenant is no longer occupying the property and the termination consideration is probable of collection. Lease termination amounts are paid by tenants who want to terminate their lease obligations before the end of the contractual term of the lease by agreement with us.

 

Effective October 1,During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we entered into a lease termination agreement with RGH Enterprises, Inc. (Cardinal Health) for our 75,000 square foot facility located in Halfmoon (Albany), NY whereby we received a termination fee in the amount of $377,000 representing approximately 50% of the then remaining rent due under the lease, which was set to expire in 1.2 years on November 30, 2021. We simultaneously entered into a 10.4 year lease agreement with United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) which became effective November 1, 2020. The lease agreement with UPS providesprovided for five months of free rent, after which, on April 1, 2021, initial annual rent of $510,000, representing $6.80 per square foot, will commence,commenced with 2.0%2.0% annual increases thereafter, resulting in a straight-line annualized rent of $541,000, representing $7.21 per square foot over the life of the lease, which expires March 31, 2031. This compares to the former U.S GAAP straight-line rent of $574,000,$574,000, representing $7.65$7.65 per square foot and former cash rent of $8.19$8.19 per square foot, resulting in a decrease of $33,000, representing a 5.8% decrease on a U.S GAAP straight-line basis and a decrease of 17.0% on a cash basis. The new 10.4 year lease agreement with UPS providesprovided for an additional 9.3 years of lease term versus the old lease with Cardinal Health.

 

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Only three of our 121123 properties have leases that contain an early termination provision. These three properties contain 158,000177,000 total rentable square feet, representing less than 0.6%1% of our total rentable square feet. Our leases with early termination provisions are our 36,000 square foot location in Urbandale (Des Moines), IA, our 39,000 square foot location in Rockford, IL, and our 83,000102,000 square foot location in Roanoke, VA.O’Fallon (St. Louis), MO. Each lease termination provision contains certain requirements that must be met in order for the tenant to exercise eachthe termination provision. These requirements include: the date termination can be exercised, the time frame that notice must be given by the tenant to us and the termination fee that would be required to be paid by the tenant to us. The total potential termination fee tofees that would be paidpayable to us from the three tenants with leases that have a termination provision amounts to $1.71.5 million.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2020, FASB issued interpretive guidance relating to the accounting for lease concessions provided as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic that allows entities to treat the concession as if it was a part of the existing contract instead of applying lease modification accounting. This guidance is only applicable to the COVID-19 Pandemic related lease concessions that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. We have elected this option relating to qualifying rent deferral and rent abatement agreements. For qualifying lease modifications with rent deferrals, this results in no change to our revenue recognition but an increase in the lease receivable balance until the deferred rent has been repaid. For qualifying lease modifications that include rent abatement concessions, this results in a direct reduction of rental income in the current period. As of December 31, 2020, we have entered into rent deferral agreements related to the COVID-19 Pandemic representing approximately $438,000 of base rent otherwise owed during the months of April through October 2020 representing 31 basis points of our total annual base rent. To date, we have collected 78% of this amount.

 

We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Segment Reporting & Financial Information

 

Our primary business is the ownership and management of real estate properties. We invest in well-located, modern, single-tenant, industrial buildings, leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net-leases. We review operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and therefore, each property represents an individual operating segment. We evaluate financial performance using Net Operating Income (NOI) from property operations. NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as recurring Rental and Reimbursement Revenue, less Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses, such as insurance, utilities and repairs and maintenance. We have aggregated the properties into one reportable segment as the properties share similar long-term economic characteristics and have other similarities, including the fact that they are operated as industrial properties subject to long-term net-leases primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to financial market risks, including interest rate risk on our variable rate debt. We attempt to limit these risks by following established risk management policies, procedures and strategies, including the use of derivative financial instruments. Our primary strategy in entering into derivative contracts is to minimize the variability that changes in interest rates could have on itsour future cash flows. We generally employ derivative instruments that effectively convert a portion of our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. As further described in “Note 5 – Debt”, in November 2019 we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that has the effect of fixing the interest rate on our $75.0 million unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”).

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The interest rate for borrowings under the Term Loan will at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 130 basis points to 200 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at BMO’s prime lending rate plus 30 basis points to 100 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The re-pricing and scheduled maturity dates, payment dates, index and the notional amounts of the interest rate swap agreement coincides with those of the underlying Term Loan. The interest rate swap agreement is net settled monthly. The Company has designated this derivative as a cash flow hedge and has recorded the fair value on the balance sheet in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (See Note 7 for information on the determination of fair value). The effective portion of the gain or loss on this hedge will beis reported as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeLoss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. To the extent that the hedging relationship is not effective or does not qualify as a cash flow hedge, the ineffective portion is recorded in interest expense. Hedges that received designated hedge accounting treatment are evaluated for effectiveness at the time that they are designated as well as throughthroughout the hedging period. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the Company has determined that this interest rate swap agreement is highly effective as a cash flow hedge. As a result, the fair value of this derivative of $3.91.1 millionand $4.42.2 millionas of December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 2020,2021, respectively, was recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the corresponding liability included in Other Liabilities. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and amounted to $1.1 million and $433,000for the quarterthree months ended December 31, 2020.2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

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NOTE 2 – NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

Basic Net Income per Common Share is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted Net Income per Common Share is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and, when dilutive, the potential net shares that would be issued upon exercise of stock options pursuant to the treasury stock method. In periods with a net loss, the basic loss per share equals the diluted loss per share as all common stock equivalents are excluded from the per share calculation because they are anti-dilutive.

 

In addition, common stock equivalents of 106,00092,000 and 125,000106,000 shares are included in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. For the diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, 65,0000 and 130,00065,000 options to purchase shares of common stock were antidilutive.antidilutive and therefore excluded.

 

NOTE 3 – REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

Acquisitions

On December 17, 2020,October 27, 2021, we purchased a newly constructed 488,000291,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 99.046.0 acres, located in the Columbus, OHBirmingham, AL MSA. The building is 100%100% net-leased to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. for 15 years through September 2035July 2036. The property was acquired for a purchase price was $73.3 million. We obtained a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan of $47.030.2 million at a fixed interest rate of 2.95%.million. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $4.6 million.

On December 24, 2020, we purchased a newly constructed 658,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 129.9 acres, located in the Atlanta, GA MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. for 20 years through November 2040. The purchase price was $96.7 million. We obtained a 17 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan of $57.0 million at a fixed interest rate of 3.25%. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $5.51.7 million.

 

FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.’s ultimate parent, FedEx Corporation and Home Depot U.S.A., Inc’s ultimate parent, Home Depot, Inc. areis a publicly-listed companiescompany and financial information related to these entities arethis entity is available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The references in this report to the SEC’s website are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into this report, the information on the www.sec.gov website.

 

We evaluated the property acquisitions whichacquisition that took place during the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, to determine whether an integrated set of assets and activities meets the definition of a business, pursuant to ASU 2017-01. Acquisitions that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Accordingly, we accounted for the propertiesproperty purchased during fiscal 20212022 as an asset acquisitionsacquisition and allocated the total cash consideration, including transaction costs of approximately $576,00029,000, to the individual assetsasset acquired on a relative fair value basis. There were no liabilities assumed in these acquisitions.this acquisition. The financial information set forth below summarizes our purchase price allocation for these propertiesthis property acquired during the three months ended December 31, 20202021 that iswas accounted for as an asset acquisition (in thousands):

SCHEDULE OF PROPERTIES ACQUIRED DURING PERIOD ACCOUNTED FOR ASSET ACQUISITIONS

    
Land $16,297  $2,837 
Building  149,408   26,850 
In-Place Leases  4,863   517 

 

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The following table summarizes the operating results included in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the propertiesproperty acquired during the three months ended December 31, 20202021 (in thousands):

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR PROPERTIES ACQUIRED

Three
  Three Months Ended 12/31/2021 
    
Rental Revenues $312 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders  181 

Subsequent to quarter end, on January 28, 2022, we purchased a newly constructed 530,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 53.5 acres, located in the Birmingham, AL MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. for 10 years through November 2031. The property was acquired for a purchase price of $51.7million. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $3.3million.

Months

Ended 12/31/2020

Rental Revenues$  313
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders276

 

Expansions

 

During fiscal 2021, we completed the quarterfirst phase of a two-phase parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS. The first phase of this parking expansion project was completed for a total cost of $3.4 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 5, 2020 of approximately $340,000 from approximately $2.14 million, or $6.83 per square foot, to approximately $2.48 million, or $7.91 per square foot. Furthermore, annual rent increased by 2.1% on June 1, 2021 and was to continue to increase 2.1% every five years, resulting in an annualized rent of $2.56 million, or $8.15 per square foot, from November 5, 2020 through May 2031, the remaining term of the lease. During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we completed the second phase of this parking expansion project at this location for a total cost of $2.3 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 19, 2021 of approximately $185,000 from approximately $2.53 million, or $8.08 per square foot, to approximately $2.72 million, or $8.67 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 14.5 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2031 to May 2036. Furthermore, annual rent will increase by 1.9% on June 1, 2026 resulting in an annualized rent of approximately $2.76 million, or $8.78 per square foot from November 19, 2021 through the remaining term of the lease.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KSWheeling, IL for a total project cost of $3.4 1.0 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective October 28, 2021 of approximately $105,000 from approximately $million. The1.27 million, or $10.34 per square foot, to approximately $1.38 million, or $11.19 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 9.8 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2027 to August 2031.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Sauget (St. Louis, MO), IL for a total cost of $340,000 3.8 million, resulting in an initial increase in annualizedannual rent effective November 5, 2020 increasing10, 2021 of approximately $346,000 from approximately $1.04 million, or $5.21 per square foot, to approximately $1.38 million, or $6.95 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 13.8 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2029 to August 2035. Furthermore, annual rent will increase by 3.7% on June 1, 2029 resulting in an annualized rent from $2.2 million to $2.6 million. We anticipate additional expansion work at this location which will further increaseNovember 10, 2021 through the rental rate and extendremaining term of the lease term.of approximately $1.40 million, or $7.07 per square foot.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Orion, MI for a total cost of $6.5 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 24, 2021 of approximately $651,000 from approximately $1.91 million, or $7.77 per square foot, to approximately $2.56 million, or $10.42 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 9.9 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from June 2023 to October 2031.

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The four parking expansions completed this quarter, as described above, totaled $13.7 million and resulted in total increased rent of $1.3 million and a weighted average lease extension of 6.7 years. In addition to these four parking expansions completed this quarter, we have several FedEx Ground parking expansion projects in progress with more under discussion. Currently there are six parking expansion projects underway, which we expect to cost approximately $31.4 million. These parking expansion projects will enable us to capture additional rent while lengthening the terms of these leases. We are also in discussions to expand the parking at seven additional locations bringing the total recently completed and likely future parking lot expansion projects to 18 currently.

Due to the proliferation of ecommerce sales and last mile deliveries, it is important to take into account the large amounts of real estate utilized for trailer, van, and car parking at many of our properties in determining how our in-place rental rates compare to market rental rates for properties being used in a similar manner. Rents per square foot on properties that may be nearby, but have only limited acreage devoted to parking, are poor comparisons as they cannot accommodate the same tenant needs.

 

Proforma information

 

The following unaudited pro-forma condensed financial information has been prepared utilizing our historical financial statements and the effect of additional revenue and expenses generated from properties acquired and expanded through December 31, 2021, and during fiscal 2021, to date, and during fiscal 2020, assuming that the property acquisitions and completed expansions had occurred as of October 1, 2019,2020, after giving effect to certain adjustments including: (a) Rental Revenue adjustments resulting from the straight-lining of scheduled rent increases, (b) Interest Expense resulting from the assumed increase in Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable and Loans Payable related to the new acquisitions, and (c) Depreciation Expense related to the new acquisitions and expansions. Furthermore, the net proceeds raised from our Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the DRIP) were used to fund property acquisitions and expansions and therefore, the weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating the pro-forma Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders has been adjusted to account for the increase in shares raised throughissued pursuant to the DRIP, as if all thesuch shares raised had occurredhave been issued on October 1, 2019.2020. Additionally, the net proceeds raised from the issuance of additional shares of our 6.125%6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (6.125%(6.125% Series C Preferred Stock), through our At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program were used to help fund property acquisitions and, therefore, the pro-forma preferred dividend has been adjusted to account for its effect on pro-forma Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shareholders as if all the preferred stock issuances had occurred on October 1, 2019.2020. The unaudited pro-forma condensed financial information is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisitions and expansions reflected herein been consummated on the dates indicated or that will be achieved in the future.

SCHEDULE OF PRO FORMA INFORMATION

  

Three Months Ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  12/31/2020  12/31/2019 
  As Reported  Pro-forma  As Reported  Pro-forma 
             
Rental Revenue $36,846  $39,102  $34,870  $39,012 
Net Income Attributable to Common
Shareholders
 $25,746  $26,209  $3,528  $2,951 
Basic and Diluted Net Income per
Share Attributable to Common Shareholders
 $0.26  $0.27  $0.04  $0.03 
  

Three Months Ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  12/31/2021  12/31/2020 
  As Reported  Pro-forma  As Reported  Pro-forma 
             
Rental Revenue $40,999  $41,302  $36,846  $40,987 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders $11,417  $11,388  $25,746  $26,059 
Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders $0.12  $0.12  $0.26  $0.26 

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Tenant Concentration

 

We have a concentration of properties leased to FedEx Corporation (FDX) and FDX subsidiaries, consisting of 66 separate stand-alone leases covering 11.9 million square feet as of December 31, 2021 and 63 separate stand-alone leases covering 11.2 million square feet as of December 31, 2020 and 60 separate stand-alone leases covering 10.4 million square feet as of December 31, 2019. In2020. FDX is experiencing record demand due to the continued strong growth in ecommerce. Additionally, in periods of unprecedented turbulence, the services of FedEx are essential in keeping supply chains moving and in delivering critically needed supplies throughout the world. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the 6366 separate stand-alone leases that are leased towe have with FDX and FDX subsidiaries are located in 2627 different states and have a weighted average lease maturity of 8.08.1 years. The percentage of FDX and its subsidiaries leased square footage to the total of our rental space was 46%47% (5%4% to FDX and 41%43% to FDX subsidiaries) as of December 31, 20202021 and 45%46% (5%5% to FDX and 40%41% to FDX subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2019.2020.

 

As of December 31, 2020,2021, the only tenants, other than FDX and its subsidiaries, that leased 5% or more of our total square footage were subsidiaries of Amazon.com, Inc (Amazon), which consists of five separate stand-alone leases for properties located in four different states, containing 1.5 million total square feet, comprising 6% of our total leasable square feet.feet. None of our properties are subject to a master lease or any cross-collateralization agreements. As of December 31, 2020, no other tenant accounted for 5% or more of our total rental space.

 

Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue from FDX and its subsidiaries is estimated to be approximately 55% 57% (5% 4% to FDX and 50% 53% to FDX subsidiaries) of total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2021,2022, and was 58% 57% (5% 5% to FDX and 53% 52% to FDX subsidiaries) of total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2020.2021. The only tenants, other than FDX and its subsidiaries, that we estimate will comprise 5% or more of our total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 20212022 are subsidiaries of Amazon, which is estimated to be 7%6% of our Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 20212022 and was 6% for of our Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2020. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, no other tenant accounted for 5% or more of our total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue.2021.

 

FDX and Amazon are publicly-listed companies and financial information related to these entities are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov. FDX and Amazon are rated “BBB” and “AA-”, respectively by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and are rated “Baa2” and “A2”, respectively by Moody’s (www.moodys.com), which are both considered “Investment Grade” ratings.

 

NOTE 4 – SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT FAIR VALUE

 

Our Securities Available for Sale at Fair Value consists primarily of marketable common and preferred stock of other REITs with a fair value of $126.3160.3 million as of December 31, 2020.2021. We intend to limit the size of this portfolio to no more than approximately 5%5% of our undepreciated assets, which we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. Total assets excluding accumulated depreciation were $2.42.6 billion as of December 31, 2020. We continue to believe that our2021. Our REIT securities portfolio provides us with diversification, income, a source of potential liquidity when needed, and also serves as a proxy for real estate when more favorable risk adjusted returns are not available in the private real estate markets. Our $126.3$160.3 million investment in marketable REIT securities as of December 31, 20202021 represented 5.2%6.2% of our undepreciated assets. We normally hold REIT securities long-term and intend to hold these securities to recovery.

 

We recognized dividend income on our investments in securities of $1.61.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.2021. There have been no open market purchases or sales of securities during the three months ended December 31, 2020.2021. We owned a total of 1.31.4 million common shares in UMH Properties, Inc. (UMH), a related REIT, as of December 31, 2020,2021, at a total cost of $14.115.1 million and a fair value of $19.938.0 million, representing a 41%151% unrealized gain. Dividends received from our UMH common shares are reinvested through UMH’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. During the quarter ended December 31, 2020,On January 12, 2022 UMH redeemed all ofannounced a 5.3% dividend increase on its outstanding 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock at a cash redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, of which we owned 100,000 shares at a total cost of $2.5 million.common shares.

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As of December 31, 2020,2021, we had total net unrealized holding losses on our securities portfolio of $107.160.1 million. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01, we recognized net Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During the Periods in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 20192021 of $19.716.5 million and $(3.6) million, respectively.million.

 

Subsequent to the December 31, 2020 quarter end, we sold marketable REIT securities for gross proceeds totaling $12.3million, realizing a gain of $1.8 million.

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NOTE 5 – DEBT

 

For the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, amortization of financing costs included in interest expense was $331,000428,000 and $435,000331,000, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2020,2021, we owned 121123 properties, of which 6459 carried Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable with outstanding principal balances totaling $896.4815.9 million. The following is a summary of our Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable as of December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 20202021 (in thousands):

SUMMARY OF FIXED RATE MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE

 12/31/2020 9/30/2020   12/31/2021   9/30/2021 
 Amount 

Weighted Average Interest

Rate (1)

 Amount 

Weighted Average Interest

Rate (1)

   Amount   Weighted Average Interest Rate (1)   Amount   Weighted Average Interest Rate (1) 
Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable $896,446   3.88% $807,371   3.98% $815,925   3.85% $839,622   3.86%
                                
Debt Issuance Costs $12,946      $12,377      $12,434      $12,643     
Accumulated Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs  (4,747)      (4,513)      (5,231)      (5,205)    
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs $8,199      $7,864      $7,203      $7,438     
                                
Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable, net of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs $888,247      $799,507      $808,722      $832,184     

 

(1)(1)Weighted average interest rate excludes amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

As of December 31, 2020,2021, interest payable on these mortgages were at fixed rates ranging from 2.95% to 6.8756.75%, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.883.85%. This compares to a weighted average interest rate of 3.983.86% as of September 30, 20202021 and 4.053.88% as of December 31, 2019.2020. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the weighted average loan maturity of the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable was 11.510.7 years. This compares to a weighted average loan maturity of the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable of 11.110.9 years as of September 30, 20202021 and 11.5 years as of December 31, 2019.2020.

 

In connection with the two properties acquired during the three months ended December 31, 2020, which are located in the Columbus, OH and Atlanta, GA MSAs (as described in Note 3), we obtained a 15 year fully-amortizing mortgage loan and a 17 year fully-amortizing loan, respectively. The two mortgage loans originally totaled $104.0 million with a weighted average maturity of 16.1 years and a weighted average interest rate of 3.11%.

Subsequent to the quarter end, on January 26,On November 1, 2021, we fully prepaidrepaid a $6.2 7.3million mortgage loan for our property located in Kansas City, MO.Streetsboro (Cleveland), OH. The loan was originally set to mature on December 1, 2021and had an interest rate of 5.185.5%.

On December 15, 2021, we entered into a New Term Loan Agreement (the “New Term Loan”), that provides for a $175.0 %million, unsecured, delayed-draw term loan facility. The borrowings under the New Term Loan will at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 130 basis points to 200 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or (ii) bear interest at the Federal Reserve Board’s Prime Rate plus 30 basis points to 100 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio.The New Term Loan matures on June 15, 2022with two options to extend for additional three-month periods. Availability under the New Term Loan is limited to 60% of the value of the unencumbered real estate properties. The value of the borrowing base properties is determined by applying a capitalization rate to the NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties.Under the New Term Loan the capitalization rate applied to our NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties is 6.25%. Currently, our borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 140 basis points, which results in an interest rate of 1.51%. As of the quarter end, we did not have any amounts drawn down under our New Term Loan.Subsequent to the quarter end, on January 28, 2022 we drew down $60.0 million, resulting in $115.0 million being currently available.

 

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On November 15, 2019, we entered into a new

Our existing line of credit facility (the “New Facility”“Facility”) consisting, entered into on November 15, 2019, consists of a $225.0 million unsecured line of credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a new $75.0 million unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”), resulting in the total potential availability under both the Revolver and the Term Loan of $300.0 million, which is an additional $100.0 million over the former line of credit facility.million. In addition, the Revolver includes an accordion feature that will allow the total potential availability under the New Facility to further increase to $400.0 million, under certain conditions. The $225.0 million Revolver matures in January 2024 with two options to extend for additional six-month periods. Availability under the New Facility is limited to 60% of the value of the borrowing base properties. The value of the borrowing base properties is determined by applying a capitalization rate to the NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties. Under the New Facility the capitalization rate applied to our NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties was lowered from 6.5% under the former line of credit facility tois 6.25%, thus increasing the value of the borrowing base properties under the terms of the New Facility.. In addition, the interest rate for borrowings under the Revolver was lowered by a range of 5 basis points to 35 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, and will, at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 135 basis points to 205 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at Bank of Montreal’s (BMO) prime lending rate plus 35 basis points to 105 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. Currently, our borrowings bear interest under the Revolver at LIBOR plus 145 basis points, which results in an interest rate of 1.601.54%. As of the quarter end and currently, we do not have any amountthe full $225.0 million drawn down under our Revolver, resulting in the full $225.0 million being currently available.Revolver. The $75.0$75.0 million Term Loan matures January 2025. The interest rate for borrowings under the Term Loan will at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 130 basis points to 200 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at BMO’s prime lending rate plus 30 basis points to 100 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. To reduce floating interest rate exposure under the Term Loan, we also entered into an interest rate swap agreement to fix LIBOR on the entire $75.0 million for the full duration of the Term Loan resulting in an all-in rate of 2.92%..

 

From time to time we may use a margin loan for temporary funding of acquisitions and for working capital purposes. This loan is due on demand and is collateralized by our securities portfolio. We must maintain a coverage ratio of approximately 50%. The interest rate charged on the margin loan is the bank’s margin rate and was 0.75% as of December 31, 20202021 and 2.25% as of December 31, 2019.2020. At December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, there were 0 amounts drawn down under the margin loan.

As noted in Note 9, in the absence of waivers or consents from holders of our indebtedness, which we, in consultation with ILPT, are currently seeking, the consummation of our merger with ILPT and resulting “change of control” is expected to result in a default or similar event under substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness, permitting the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate such indebtedness and demand immediate repayment at par, together with the applicable “make-whole” premium, if any, following the merger.

 

NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Our authorized stock as of December 31, 20202021 consisted of 300.0 million shares of common stock, of which 98.398.5 million shares were issued and outstanding, 26.6 million authorized shares of 6.125%6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, of which 22.0 million shares were issued and outstanding, and 200.0 million authorized shares of Excess Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which NaN were issued or outstanding.

Common Stock

We raised $1.3 million (including dividend reinvestments of $1.0 million) from the issuance of 82,000 shares of common stock under our DRIP during the three months ended December 31, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we paid $16.717.7 million in total cash dividends, or $0.170.18 per share, to common shareholders,shareholders. As previously announced, in January 2021, when our Board of which $1.0 million was reinvested inDirectors unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, the Board also determined to temporally suspend our DRIP program during this process. As of the date of this report, the DRIP representing a 6% participation rate.program remains suspended.

 

On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a 5.9% increase in our quarterly common stock dividend, raising it to $0.18 per share from $0.17 per share. This increased dividend of $0.18 per share is to be paid March 15, 2021 to common shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2021. This represents an annualized dividend rate of $0.72 per share. This increase representsrepresented the third dividend increase in the past fivesix years, representing a total increase of 20%. We have maintained or increased our common stock cash dividend for 3031 consecutive years. We are one of the few REITs that maintained our dividend throughout the Global Financial Crisis. We are also one of the few REITs that is paying out a higher per share dividend today than prior to the Global Financial Crisis.

 

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On February 6, 2020, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (Common Stock ATM Program) with BMO Capital Markets Corp., B. Riley FBR, Inc., D.A. Davidson & Co., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC (together the “Distribution Agents”) under which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, having an aggregate sales price of up to $150.0 million from time to time through the Distribution Agents. Sales of the shares of Common Stock under the Agreement, if any, will be in “at the market offerings.” We implemented the Common Stock ATM program for the flexibility that it provides to opportunistically access the capital markets and to best time our equity capital needs as we close on acquisitions. To date, we have not raised any equity though our Common Stock Equity Program.

Our Common Stock Repurchase Program (the “Program”) authorizes us to purchase up to $50.0 million of shares of our common stock. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchase will be determined by us at our discretion and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The Program does not have a termination date and may be suspended or discontinued at our discretion without prior notice.

Under the Program, during fiscal 2020, we repurchased 400,000 shares of our common stock for $4.3 million at an average price of $10.69 per share. These are the only repurchases made under the Program to date and we may elect not to repurchase any additional common stock in the future. The remaining maximum dollar value that may be purchased under the Repurchase Program as of December 31, 20202021 is $45.7 million. No repurchases have occurred under the Program since April 2020.

 

6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we paid $7.88.4 million in Preferred Dividends, or $0.3828125 per share, on our outstanding 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock for the period September 1, 20202021 through November 30, 2020.2021. As of December 31, 2020,2021, we havehad accrued Preferred Dividends of $2.8 million covering the period December 1, 20202021 to December 31, 2020.2021. Dividends on the 6.125%6.125% Series C Preferred Stock are cumulative and payable quarterly at an annual rate of $1.53125 per share. The 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed or otherwise repurchased. Except in limited circumstances relating to our qualification as a REIT, or in connection with a change of control,Currently, the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to September 15, 2021. On and after September 15, 2021, at any time, and from time to time, the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock will be redeemable in whole, or in part, at our option, at a cash redemption price of $25.00$25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of redemption. On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.3828125 per share to be paid March 15, 2021 to the 6.125% Series C Preferred shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2021.

 

At-the-Market Sales Agreement Program for our 6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

On June 29, 2017, we entered into a Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program with B. Riley FBR, Inc., or B. Riley (formerly FBR Capital Markets & Co.), that provided forUnder the offer and sale of sharesterms of our merger agreement with ILPT, 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, having an aggregate sales priceupon closing of up to $100.0 million.

On August 2, 2018, we replaced this program with a new Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program that provides for the offer and sale from time to time of $125.0 millionmerger, each holder of our6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $96.5 million, with $28.5 million being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on June 29, 2017.

On December 4, 2019, we replaced the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on August 2, 2018 with another Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program that provides for the offer and sale from time to time of $125.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $101.0 million, with $24.0 million being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on August 2, 2018.

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On November 25, 2020, we replaced the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on December 4, 2019 with another new Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program (Preferred Stock ATM Program) that provides for the offer and sale from time to time of up to $150.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $149.3 million, with $747,000 being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on December 4, 2019.

Sales of shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock under the Preferred Stock ATM Program are in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, sales made directly on or through the NYSE, or on any other existing trading market for the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, orwill receive $25.00 in cash per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to, or through a market maker, or any other method permitted by law,but not including, without limitation, negotiated transactionsthe date the merger is completed and block trades. We began sellingthe outstanding shares through these programs on July 3, 2017. Since inception throughof our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock will be extinguished.

As of December 31, 2020, we sold2021, 13.622.0 million shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock under these programs at a weighted average price of $24.91 per share, and generated net proceeds, after offering expenses, of $332.4 million, of which 3.1 million shares were sold during the three months ended December 31, 2020 at a weighted average price of $24.88 per share, generating net proceeds after offering expenses of $76.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, there is $108.3 million remaining that may be sold under the Preferred Stock ATM Program.

As of December 31, 2020, 22.0 million shares of the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.

 

NOTE 7 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

We follow ASC 825, Financial Instruments, for financial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a recurring basis. We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including Securities Available for Sale at Fair Value. Our financial assets consist mainly of marketable REIT securities. The fair value of these financial assets was determined using the following inputs at December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 20202021 (in thousands):

SUMMARY OF FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS 

 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using   Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using 
 Total  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

   Total   

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

   

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 
As of December 31, 2020:                
As of December 31, 2021:                
Equity Securities – Preferred Stock $4,705  $4,705  $0  $0  $3,738  $3,738  $0  $0 
Equity Securities – Common Stock  121,586   121,586   0   0   156,536   156,536   0   0 
Mortgage Backed Securities  1   1   0   0   1   1   0   0 
Interest Rate Swap  (3,935)  0   (3,935)  0   (1,112)  0   (1,112)  0 
Total Securities Available for Sale at Fair Value $122,357  $126,292  $(3,935) $0  $159,163  $160,275  $(1,112) $0 
                                
As of September 30, 2020:                
As of September 30, 2021:                
Equity Securities – Preferred Stock $5,860  $5,860  $0  $0  $5,750  $5,750  $0  $0 
Equity Securities – Common Stock  102,971   102,971   0   0   137,754   137,754   0   0 
Mortgage Backed Securities  1   1   0   0   1   1   0   0 
Interest Rate Swap  (4,368)  0   (4,368)  0   (2,230)  0   (2,230)  0 
Total Securities Available for Sale at Fair Value $104,464  $108,832  $(4,368) $0  $141,275  $143,505  $(2,230) $0 

 

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In addition to our investments in Securities Available for Sale at Fair Value, we are required to disclose certain information about fair values of other financial instruments. Estimates of fair value are made at a specific point in time based upon, where available, relevant market prices and information about the financial instrument. Such estimates do not include any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time our entire holdings of financial instruments. For a portion of our other financial instruments, no quoted market value exists. Therefore, estimates of fair value are necessarily based on a number of significant assumptions, many of which involve events outside the control of management. Such assumptions include assessments of current economic conditions, perceived risks associated with these financial instruments and their counterparties; future expected loss experience and other factors. Given the uncertainties surrounding these assumptions, the reported fair values represent estimates only, and therefore cannot be compared to the historical accounting model. The use of different assumptions or methodologies is likely to result in significantly different fair value estimates.

 

The fair value of Cash and Cash Equivalents approximates their current carrying amounts since all such items are short term in nature. The fair value of variable rate Loans Payable approximates their current carrying amounts, since such amounts payable are at approximately a weighted average current market rate of interest. The estimated fair value of Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable is based on discounting the future cash flows at a yearend risk adjusted borrowing rate currently available to us for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. These fair value measurements fall within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2020,2021, the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable fair value (estimated based upon expected cash outflows discounted at current market rates) amounted to $943.3860.5 million and the carrying value amounted to $896.4815.9 million. When we acquired a property, we allocateallocated the purchase price based upon relative fair value of all the assets and liabilities, including intangible assets and liabilities, relating to the properties acquired lease (See Note 3). Those fair value measurements were estimated based upon independent third-party appraisals and fell within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

NOTE 8 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Cash paid for interest during the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 20192020 was $8.89.8 million and $8.78.8 million, respectively.

 

Since the start of our strategic alternative process in early 2021, the DRIP program has been suspended and therefore, during the three months ended December 31, 2021, we had 0 dividend reinvestments. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, we had dividend reinvestments of $1.0 million, and $4.2 million, respectively, which required no cash transfers.

 

NOTE 9 – CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND COMMITMENTSLEGAL MATTERS

 

WeIn addition to the property purchased subsequent to the quarter end, as described in Note 10, we have entered into agreements to purchase fourtwo, new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Alabama (2), TennesseeGeorgia and Vermont. These fourTexas, totaling 563,000 square feet. Both of these future acquisitions total 1.2 million square feet, withhave net-leased terms ranging from 10 to 15 years, and with a weighted average lease term of 12.8 15years. The aggregatetotal purchase price for these fourtwo properties is $169.3 78.8million. ThreeBoth of these four properties consisting of approximately 694,000 square feet, or 57%, are leased for 15 years to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., with the remaining property, consisting of approximately 530,000 square feet or 43%, leased for 10 years to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. All properties are leased to companies, or subsidiaries of companies, that are considered Investment Grade by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s (www.moodys.com). Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate closing threeboth of these transactions during fiscal 2021 and one in the first halfthird quarter of fiscal 2022. In connection with one ofFedEx Ground Package System, Inc.’s ultimate parent, FedEx Corporation is a publicly-listed company and financial information related to this entity is available at the four properties, we have enteredSEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The references in this report to the SEC’s website are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into a commitment to obtain athis report, the information on the 15 www.sec.govyear, fully-amortizing mortgage loan totaling $35.5 million with a fixed interest rate of 2.62%. website.

 

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We

In addition to the four recently completed FedEx Ground parking expansion projects, as described in Note 3, we have several FedEx Ground parking expansion projects in progress with more under discussion. Currently there are six parking expansion projects underway, and one parking expansion project recently completed during the quarter. These six projects are expectedwhich we expect to cost approximately $16.8 31.4million. These parking expansion projects will enable us to capture additional rent while lengthening the terms of these leases. We are also in discussions to expand the parking at 11seven additional locations bringing the total recently completed and potentiallikely future parking lot expansion projects to 18 currently. The parking expansion project

As described in Note 6, pursuant to our merger agreement with ILPT, upon consummation of the pending merger, the 22.0 million outstanding shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock will be extinguished and the holders of such shares will receive $25.00 in cash per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date the merger is completed.

In addition, in the absence of waivers or consents from holders of our indebtedness, which we, in consultation with ILPT, are currently seeking, the consummation of the merger with ILPT and resulting “change of control” is expected to result in a default or similar event under substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness, permitting the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate such indebtedness and demand immediate repayment at par, together with the applicable “make-whole” premium, if any, following the merger.

Consummation of the merger will also result in the vesting of unvested equity awards held by certain executive officers, directors and employees and the payment of amounts provided for under change of control or similar agreements or arrangements with certain executive officers, directors and employees. Information about amounts payable to our executive officers, directors and employees in connection with the merger is contained in the definitive proxy statement we filed with the SEC on December 21, 2021 in connection with the merger.

We and the members of our Board of Directors are defendants in several lawsuits filed by purported shareholders whereby they allege, among other things, that we and our directors violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), by causing the filing of a proxy statement with the SEC relating to the proposed merger with ILPT that misstates or omits certain allegedly material information. We and the members of our Board of Directors are also defendants in a purported class action lawsuit filed by a purported shareholder that alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated fiduciary duties by misrepresenting or omitting allegedly material information in the proxy statement relating to the proposed merger with ILPT and seeks attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with disclosures related to a previous merger agreement we had entered into with another party which was completed duringterminated after it failed to receive approval from our shareholders. We believe that the claims asserted in these lawsuits are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend against these actions. However, litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance regarding the likelihood that the defense of the actions will be successful.

On November 4, 2021, we entered into a Release and Settlement Agreement with our former general counsel and Blackwells Capital LLC (“Blackwells”) resolving legal proceedings that we had commenced against our former general counsel and Blackwells in the Superior Court of New Jersey relating to, among other things, our former general counsel having been named as a nominee of Blackwells for election to our Board of Directors at our 2021 annual meeting, and also resolving our former general counsel’s counterclaim against us seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses. In connection with the settlement, the parties exchanged mutual releases, whereby, among other things, Blackwells agreed to release claims, including those it had previously demanded that we assert against the members of our Board for alleged breach of their legal duties relating to the Board’s rejection of an unsolicited acquisition offer that we received from Blackwells in December 2020 and subsequent actions taken by the Board in connection with its review of strategic alternatives in fiscal 2021. In addition, the parties agreed to mutual partial reimbursement of litigation expenses, with net reimbursement payment by us to Blackwells of $4 million, which was reflected in our income statement for the quarter was at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS for a total project cost of $3.4 million. The expansion resulted in a $340,000 increase in annualized rent effective November 5, 2020 increasing the annualized rent from $2.2 million to $2.6 million. We anticipate additional expansion work at this location which will further increase the rental rate and extend the lease term.ended September 30, 2021.

 

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Simultaneous with the Release and Settlement Agreement, we and Blackwells entered into a Cooperation Agreement that, among other things, resolved a potential proxy contest to elect directors at our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2021 Annual Meeting”). Under the Cooperation Agreement, Blackwells also agreed, among other things, to withdraw its slate of proposed nominees and various shareholder proposals for consideration at the 2021 Annual Meeting and committed to vote all its shares of our common stock at each annual and special meeting of shareholders until December 31, 2029 in favor of all of the Board’s director nominees and in support of all Board-recommended proposals. Blackwells also agreed to comply with certain additional standstill, non-disparagement and affirmative solicitation commitments and terms through December 31, 2029. The Cooperation Agreement also provides for us to provide partial expense reimbursement to Blackwells of $3.85 million for certain of its documented, actual out-of-pocket third party professional fees and expenses, which reimbursement expense was reflected in our income statement for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

 

From time to time, we may be subject to claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any such claim or litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Consolidated Balance Sheets or results of operations.

 

NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

OnSubsequent to quarter end, on January 14, 2021, our Board28, 2022, we purchased a newly constructed 530,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 53.5 acres, located in the Birmingham, AL MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. for 10 years through November 2031. The property was acquired for a purchase price of Directors approved a 5.9% increase in our quarterly common stock dividend, raising it to $0.1851.7 per share from $0.17 per share. This increased dividend of $0.18 per share is to be paid March 15, 2021 to common shareholders of record asmillion. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the close of business on February 16, 2021. This represents an annualized dividend rate oflease averages $0.723.3 per share. This increase represents the third dividend increase in the past five years, representing a total increase of 20%. We have maintained or increased our common stock cash dividend for 30 consecutive years. We are one of the few REITs that maintained our dividend throughout the Global Financial Crisis. We are also one of the few REITs that is paying out a higher per share dividend today than prior to the Global Financial Crisis.

On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.3828125 per share to be paid March 15, 2021 to the 6.125% Series C Preferred shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2021.million.

 

Subsequent to the December 31, 2020 quarter end, on January 28, 2022 we sold marketable REIT securities for gross proceeds totalingdrew down $12.360.0 million realizing a gain offrom our New Term Loan, resulting in $1.8 million.

On January 26, 2021, we fully prepaid a $6.2115.0 million mortgage loan for our property located in Kansas City, MO. The loan was originally set to mature on December 1, 2021and had an interest rate of 5.18%.

On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Although our Board of Directors has determined to explore strategic transactions, we are not obligated to pursue any particular transaction or any transaction at all. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pursue a particular strategy, there is no assurance that we will successfully implement its strategy. Our Board does not intend to disclose further developments unless and until it approves a specific action or otherwise concludes the review of strategic alternatives. In light of its consideration of strategic alternatives, our Board of Directors determined to suspend the DRIP on January 14, 2021 until further notice.being currently available.

 

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by their use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “seek” or comparable terms, or the negative use of those words, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

 

The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Some of these factors are described below and are described under the above heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” above and the headings “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.2021. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements we make. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others:

 

the ability of our tenants to make payments under their respective leases;

 

our reliance on certain major tenants;

 

our ability to re-lease properties that are currently vacant or that become vacant;

 

our ability to obtain suitable tenants for our properties;

 

changes in real estate market conditions, economic conditions in the industrial sector, the markets in which our properties are located and general economic conditions;

 

the inherent risks associated with owning real estate, including local real estate market conditions, governing laws and regulations and illiquidity of real estate investments;

 

our ability to acquire, finance and sell properties on attractive terms;

 

our ability to repay debt financing obligations;

 

our ability to refinance amounts outstanding under our debt obligations at maturity on terms favorable to us, or at all;

 

the loss of any member of our management team;

 

our ability to comply with debt covenants;

 

our ability to integrate acquired properties and operations into existing operations;

 

continued availability of proceeds from issuances of our debt or equity securities;

 

the availability of other debt and equity financing alternatives;

 

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changes in interest rates, including the replacement of the LIBOR reference rate, under our current credit facility and under any additional variable rate debt arrangements that we may enter into in the future;

 

our ability to successfully implement our selective acquisition strategy;

 

our ability to maintain internal controls and procedures to ensure all transactions are accounted for properly, all relevant disclosures and filings are timely made in accordance with all rules and regulations, and any potential fraud or embezzlement is thwarted or detected;

 

changes in federal or state tax rules or regulations that could have adverse tax consequences;

 

declines in the market prices of our investment securities;

 

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the effect of COVID-19 on our business and general economic conditions; and

 

our ability to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.purposes;

inability to complete the proposed merger with ILPT because, among other reasons, one or more conditions to the closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or waived;

uncertainty as to the timing of completion of the proposed merger;

potential adverse effects or changes to relationships with our tenants, employees, service providers or other parties conducting business with us resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed merger;

the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others related to the merger agreement;

possible disruptions from the proposed merger that could harm our business, including current plans and operations;

unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed merger; and

the possibility that the benefits anticipated from the proposed merger will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period.

 

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as events described or implied in such statements may not occur. Although our Board of Directors has unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives, we are not obligated to pursue any particular transaction or any transaction at all. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pursue a particular strategy,have entered into the merger agreement with ILPT, there iscan be no assurance that wethe merger and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will successfully implement such strategy. In the event that we consummate a strategic alternative in the future, we cannot be certain that we would fully realize the potential benefit of such a transaction and cannot predict the impact that such strategic transaction might have on our operations or stock price. completed.

We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Merger Agreement with Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

As previously announced, on November 5, 2021, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with ILPT and Maple Delaware Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ILPT (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, we would be acquired by ILPT in an all-cash transaction for $21.00 per common share, representing an aggregate equity value of approximately $2.1 billion. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that we will be merged with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity and as a wholly owned subsidiary of ILPT. Following the Merger, our common stock would no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

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The Merger Agreement provides that each share of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) (other than shares of Common Stock owned by ILPT, Merger Sub or any wholly owned subsidiary of us or ILPT) will, at the Effective Time, be converted into the right to receive $21.00 in cash (the “Common Stock Merger Consideration”), without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as of the Effective Time, (i) each outstanding stock option issued pursuant to our equity incentive plan, whether vested or unvested, will be cancelled and the holder will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the product of (A) the excess, if any, of the Common Stock Merger Consideration over the applicable exercise price of such option, multiplied by (B) the number of shares subject to such option, subject to applicable withholding taxes, and (ii) each unvested restricted stock award issued pursuant to our equity incentive plan that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and the holder will be entitled to receive the Common Stock Merger Consideration in respect of each underlying share of Common Stock, subject to applicable withholding taxes. Upon closing of the merger with ILPT, holders of our outstanding 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock will receive $25.00 in cash per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date the merger is completed. The Merger Agreement permits us to, and we plan to, continue to pay our regular quarterly common stock dividend and our Series C Preferred Stock dividend for each full quarterly dividend period completed prior to the closing of the transaction, in amounts not exceeding $0.18 per share for our common stock and equal to $0.3828125 per share for our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock.

The obligation of the parties to complete the Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) the approval of the Merger by holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon (the “Company Stockholder Approval”), the special meeting of shareholders for which is scheduled to take place on February 17, 2022 (ii) the absence of any law, regulation, order or injunction of a court or governmental entity of competent jurisdiction making illegal or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, (iii) the accuracy of the other party’s representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement (subject to certain qualifications), (iv) the other party’s performance in all material respects of its obligations under the Merger Agreement that are required to be performed prior to the closing of the Merger and (v) in the case of ILPT, the receipt of customary tax opinion from our tax counsel.

We have made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, covenants (i) to use our commercially reasonable efforts to conduct our business in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the Merger, and not to engage in specified types of transactions during this period, subject to certain exceptions and (ii) to convene a meeting of our shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the requisite approval of our common shareholders of the Merger. The Merger Agreement contains customary no-shop restrictions that limit our and our representatives’ ability to solicit alternative acquisition proposals from third parties, subject to customary “fiduciary out” provisions.

Our Merger Agreement with ILPT represents the culmination of the publicly announced comprehensive strategic alternatives review processes conducted during 2021 by our Board of Directors. Our Board re-initiated its strategic alternatives review process in September 2021 after a previous agreement for a stock-for-stock merger that we entered into with another party, following a strategic alternatives review process in the first half of calendar year 2021, did not receive the requisite approval of our shareholders and was terminated.

 

Overview and Recent Activity

 

The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto provided elsewhere herein and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.2021.

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We operate as a real estate investment trust (REIT). We seek to invest in well-located, modern single-tenant industrial buildings leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net-leases. We were founded in 1968 and are one of the oldest public equity REITs in the world.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we purchased twoone new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties,property, located in the Columbus, OH, and Atlanta, GABirmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) totalingArea (MSA) with approximately 1.1 million291,000 square feet, for $170.0$30.2 million. The two properties arebuilding is 100% net-leased to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. for terms of 15 and 20 years respectively resulting in a weighted average lease maturity of 17.9 years and are expected to generate annualizedthrough July 2036. Annual rental incomerevenue over the liferemaining term of their leases of $10.1the lease averages $1.7 million. In connection with the two properties acquired during the three months ended December 31, 2020, we obtained a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan and a 17 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan, respectively. The two mortgage loans originally totaled $104.0 million with a weighted average maturity of 16.1 years and a weighted average interest rate of 3.11%. As of December 31, 2020,2021, we owned 121123 properties with total square footage of 24.525.2 million. These properties are located in 3132 states. As of the quarter ended December 31, 2020,2021, our weighted average lease maturityterm was 7.57.1 years, our occupancy rate was 99.7%, and our annualized average base rent per occupied square foot was $6.52.$6.69. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the weighted average building age, based on the square footage of our buildings, was 9.510.2 years. In addition, total gross real estate investments, excluding marketable REIT securities investments of $126.3$160.3 million, were $2.2$2.3 billion as of December 31, 2020.2021.

Subsequent to quarter end, on January 28, 2022, we purchased a newly constructed 530,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 53.5 acres, located in the Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The building is 100% net-leased to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. for 10 years through November 2031. The property was acquired for a purchase price of $51.7 million. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $3.3 million. With the addition of this new acquisition, we currently have 124 properties consisting of 25.7 million rentable square feet which are located in 32 states with a weighted average lease term of 7.2 years and an annualized average base rent per occupied square foot of $6.69.

 

See PART I, Item 1 – Business in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20202021 for a more complete discussion of the economic and industry-wide factors relevant to us and the opportunities, challenges, and risks on which we are focused.

 

The future effects of the evolving impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic are uncertain, however, at this time COVID-19 has not had a material adverse effect on our financial condition. We invest in modern single-tenant, industrial buildings, leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net-leases. Our investments are exclusively situated in the continental United States, and are primarily located in strategic locations that are mission-critical to our tenants’ needs. In many cases our buildings are highly automated in order to serve the omni-channel distribution networks that have become essential today. Approximately 82% of our revenue is derived from investment-grade tenants, or their subsidiaries as defined by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s (www.moodys.com). The references in this report to S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into this report, the information of S&P Global Ratings or Moody’s on such websites.

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For many years, ecommerce demand has increased, and it has now become an integral part of the retail landscape. The COVID-19 Pandemic has created an even greater move towards on-line shopping. As a result of state and local government-mandated shutdowns, public health guidance and changing consumer demand, ecommerce sales as a percentage of total retail sales increased from approximately 15% to 27% during the last two quarters. It is estimated that ecommerce sales require three times the warehouse space relative to brick and mortar retail sales. The COVID-19 Pandemic has also created a need for supply chain reconfiguration. Increased inventory stocking is currently taking place across many industries and it appears that this trend will continue in order to accommodate surges in demand. Additionally, U.S. manufacturing has been increasing in recent years and the COVID-19 Pandemic has accelerated this trend as supply chains now prefer shorter distances and less reliance on foreign sources.

Our portfolio of modern, net-leased industrial properties continues to provide shareholders with reliable and predictable income streams. Our resilient occupancy rates and rent collection results during these challenging times highlight the mission-critical nature of our assets and underscore the essential need for our tenants’ operations. Furthermore, because our weighted average lease maturityterm is 7.57.1 years and our weighted average fixed rate mortgage debt maturity is 11.510.7 years, we expect our cash flow to remain resilient over long periods of time.

Our overall occupancy rate and our base rent collections have remained stronghas been over 99% throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.Pandemic and is 99.7%. as of the quarter end. Our base rent collections have averaged 99.8%remained strong, averaging 99.9% throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and we expect future months to be consistent with this trend. Our overall occupancy rate and our base rent collections during the COVID-19 Pandemic were as follows:

 

Month  Occupancy  Percentage of Base Rent Collected 
 March 2020   99.4%  100.0%
 April 2020   99.4%  99.8%
 May 2020   99.4%  99.8%
 June 2020   99.4%  99.7%
 July 2020   99.4%  99.6%
 August 2020   99.4%  99.6%
 September 2020   99.4%  99.8%
 October 2020   99.4%  99.8%
 November 2020   99.4%  99.9%
 December 2020   99.7%  99.8%
 January 2021   99.7%  99.9%

US industrial real estate market conditions are as strong as they have ever been with record high asking rents, a robust development pipeline, and an all-time high occupancy rate of 97%. Companies are leasing space at record levels to handle the large increase in ecommerce sales as well as the need for safety stock to counter supply chain disruptions. Construction costs are rising dramatically due to the long lead times for sourcing materials. The amount of new construction for US industrial real estate has been increasing for several years as more industrial space is needed to handle direct-to-consumer distribution. It is estimated that ecommerce sales require three times the amount of warehouse space relative to brick and mortar retail sales. These new buildings are often highly automated and have much larger truck courts and parking requirements. Because modern industrial buildings are built to handle both wholesale distribution as well as direct to consumer distribution, they are known as omni-channel facilities. The West coast ports are continuing to experience severe bottlenecks in processing imports and therefor, container traffic is being diverted towards the Gulf and East coast ports. The West coast ports are continuing to experience severe bottlenecks in processing imports and as a result much container traffic is being diverted towards the Gulf and East coast ports. Given our geographic footprint, this trend is a very favorable one for us.

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We evaluate our financial performance using Net Operating Income (NOI) from property operations, which we believe is a useful indicator of our operating performance. NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders plus Preferred Dividend Expense, General and Administrative Expenses, Non-recurring Severance Expense,Strategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs, Depreciation, Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and Intangible Assets, Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, Unrealized Holding (Gains) LossesGains Arising During the Periods, less Dividend Income and Lease Termination Income. The components of NOI are recurring Rental and Reimbursement Revenue, less Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses, such as insurance, utilities, and repairs and maintenance. Other REITs may use different methodologies to calculate NOI and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to all other REITs.

 

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The following is a reconciliation of our Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders to our NOI for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 20192020 (in thousands):

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 12/31/2020  12/31/2019   12/31/2021   12/31/2020 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders $25,746  $3,528  $11,417  $25,746 
Plus: Preferred Dividend Expense  8,170   6,097   8,416   8,170 
Plus: General & Administrative Expenses  2,272   2,264   2,442   2,272 
Plus: Non-recurring Severance Expense  -0-   786 
Plus: Non-recurring Strategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs  12,274   -0- 
Plus: Depreciation  12,078   11,433   13,728   12,078 
Plus: Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and
Intangible Assets
  809   753   894   809 
Plus: Interest Expense, including Amortization of
Financing Costs
  9,159   9,209   9,822   9,159 
Less/Plus: Unrealized Holding (Gains) Losses Arising During the Periods  (19,721)  3,635 
Less/Plus: Unrealized Holding Gains Arising
During the Periods
  (16,508)  (19,721)
Less: Dividend Income  (1,607)  (3,238)  (1,729)  (1,607)
Less: Lease Termination Income  (377)  -0-   -0-   (377)
Net Operating Income- NOI $36,529  $34,467  $40,756  $36,529 

 

The components of our NOI for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 20192020 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 12/31/2020  12/31/2019   12/31/2021   12/31/2020 
Rental Revenue $36,846  $34,870  $40,999  $36,846 
Reimbursement Revenue  6,737   6,830   7,475   6,737 
Total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue  43,583   41,700   48,474   43,583 
Real Estate Taxes  (5,318)  (5,036)  (5,956)  (5,318)
Operating Expenses  (1,736)  (2,197)  (1,762)  (1,736)
Net Operating Income- NOI $36,529  $34,467  $40,756  $36,529 

 

NOI from property operations increased $2.1$4.2 million, or 6%12%, for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020. This increase was due to the acquisition of twofour new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties, located in the Columbus, OH and Atlanta, GA MSAs totaling approximately 1.11.6 million square feet purchased during the three-month period ended December 31, 2020fiscal 2021 and the fiscal 2020 acquisitions consistingacquisition of fiveone new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties, located in the Indianapolis, IN, Columbus, OH, Greensboro, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and Oklahoma City, OK MSAs totalingproperty with approximately 1.2 million291,000 square feet.feet purchased during fiscal 2022.

 

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Acquisitions

 

On December 17, 2020,October 27, 2021, we purchased a newly constructed 488,000291,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 99.046.0 acres, located in the Columbus, OHBirmingham, AL MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. for 15 years through September 2035.July 2036. The property was acquired for a purchase price was $73.3of $30.2 million. We obtained a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan of $47.0 million at a fixed interest rate of 2.95%. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $4.6$1.7 million.

On December 24, 2020, we purchased a newly constructed 658,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 129.9 acres, located in the Atlanta, GA MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. for 20 years through November 2040. The purchase price was $96.7 million. We obtained a 17 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan of $57.0 million at a fixed interest rate of 3.25%. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $5.5 million.

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FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.’s ultimate parent, FedEx Corporation and Home Depot U.S.A., Inc’s ultimate parent, Home Depot, Inc. areis a publicly-listed companiescompany and financial information related to these entities arethis entity is available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The references in this report to the SEC’s website are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into this report, the information on the www.sec.gov website.

www.sec.gov.

Subsequent to quarter end, on January 28, 2022, we purchased a newly constructed 530,000 square foot industrial building, situated on 53.5 acres, located in the Birmingham, AL MSA. The building is 100% net-leased to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. for 10 years through November 2031. The property was acquired for a purchase price of $51.7 million. Annual rental revenue over the remaining term of the lease averages $3.3 million.

Expansions

During fiscal 2021, we completed the first phase of a two-phase parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS. The first phase of this parking expansion project was completed for a total cost of $3.4 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 5, 2020 of approximately $340,000 from approximately $2.14 million, or $6.83 per square foot, to approximately $2.48 million, or $7.91 per square foot. Furthermore, annual rent increased by 2.1% on June 1, 2021 and was to continue to increase 2.1% every five years, resulting in an annualized rent of $2.56 million, or $8.15 per square foot, from November 5, 2020 through May 2031, the remaining term of the lease. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed the second phase of this parking expansion project at this location for a total cost of $2.3 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 19, 2021 of approximately $185,000 from approximately $2.53 million, or $8.08 per square foot, to approximately $2.72 million, or $8.67 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 14.5 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2031 to May 2036. Furthermore, annual rent will increase by 1.9% on June 1, 2026 resulting in an annualized rent of approximately $2.76 million, or $8.78 per square foot from November 19, 2021 through the remaining term of the lease.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Wheeling, IL for a total cost of $1.0 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective October 28, 2021 of approximately $105,000 from approximately $1.27 million, or $10.34 per square foot, to approximately $1.38 million, or $11.19 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 9.8 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2027 to August 2031.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Sauget (St. Louis, MO), IL for a total cost of $3.8 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 10, 2021 of approximately $346,000 from approximately $1.04 million, or $5.21 per square foot, to approximately $1.38 million, or $6.95 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 13.8 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2029 to August 2035. Furthermore, annual rent will increase by 3.7% on June 1, 2029 resulting in an annualized rent from November 10, 2021 through the remaining term of the lease of approximately $1.40 million, or $7.07 per square foot.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Orion, MI for a total cost of $6.5 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 24, 2021 of approximately $651,000 from approximately $1.91 million, or $7.77 per square foot, to approximately $2.56 million, or $10.42 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 9.9 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from June 2023 to October 2031.

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The four parking expansions completed this quarter, as described above, totaled $13.7 million and resulted in total increased rent of $1.3 million and a weighted average lease extension of 6.7 years.

Commitments

In addition to the property purchased subsequent to the quarter end, we have entered into agreements to purchase two, new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Georgia and Texas, totaling 563,000 square feet. Both of these future acquisitions have net-leased terms of 15 years. The total purchase price for these two properties is $78.8 million. Both of these properties are leased to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate closing both of these transactions during fiscal 2022. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.’s ultimate parent, FedEx Corporation is a publicly-listed company and financial information related to this entity is available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The references in this report to the SEC’s website are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into this report, the information on the www.sec.gov website.

Expansions

During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS for a total project cost of $3.4 million. The expansion resulted in a $340,000 increase in annualized rent effective November 5, 2020 increasing the annualized rent from $2.2 millionIn addition to $2.6 million. We anticipate additional expansion work at this location which will further increase the rental rate and extend the lease term.

Commitments

We have entered into agreements to purchase four new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Alabama (2), Tennessee and Vermont. These four future acquisitions total 1.2 million square feet, with net-leased terms ranging from 10 to 15 years, and with a weighted average lease term of 12.8 years. The aggregate purchase price for these four properties is $169.3 million. Three of these four properties, consisting of approximately 694,000 square feet, or 57%, are leased for 15 years to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., with the remaining property, consisting of approximately 530,000 square feet or 43%, leased for 10 years to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. All properties are leased to companies, or subsidiaries of companies, that are considered Investment Grade by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s (www.moodys.com). Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate closing three of these transactions during fiscal 2021 and one in the first half of fiscal 2022. In connection with one of the four properties,parking expansions completed this quarter, we have entered into a commitment to obtain a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan totaling $35.5 million with a fixed interest rate of 2.62%.

We have several FedEx Ground parking expansion projects in progress with more under discussion. Currently there are six parking expansion projects underway, and one parking expansion project recently completed during the quarter. These six projects are expectedwhich we expect to cost approximately $16.8$31.4 million. These parking expansion projects will enable us to increase rental ratescapture additional rent while lengthening the terms of these leases. We are also in discussions to expand the parking at 11seven additional locations bringing the total recently completed and potentiallikely future parking lot expansion projects to 18 currently.

Due to the proliferation of ecommerce sales and last mile deliveries, it is important to take into account the large amounts of real estate utilized for trailer, van, and car parking at many of our properties in determining how our in-place rental rates compare to market rental rates for properties being used in a similar manner. Rents per square foot on properties that may be nearby, but have only limited acreage devoted to parking, are poor comparisons as they cannot accommodate the same tenant needs.

 

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

On a regular basis, we evaluate our assumptions, judgments and estimates. We believe that there have been no material changes to the items that we disclosed as our significant accounting policies and estimates under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.2021.

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Changes in Results of Operations

As of December 31, 2020,2021, we owned 123 properties with total square footage of 25.2 million, as compared to 121 properties with total square footage of 24.5 million, as compared to 115 properties with total square footage of 22.9 million, as of December 31, 2019,2020, representing an increase in square footage of 7.0%2.7%. At quarter end, the Company’s weighted average lease term was approximately 7.57.1 years, as compared to 7.67.5 years at the end of the prior year period. Our occupancy rate washas remained steady at 99.7% as offor the quarters ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 99.2% as of2021 and December 31, 2019, representing an increase of 50 basis points.2020. Our weighted average building age was 10.2 years as of December 31, 2021, as compared to 9.5 years as of December 31, 2020, as compared to 9.2 years as of December 31, 2019.2020.

 

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Fiscal 20212022 Renewals

In fiscal 2021,2022, approximately 5% of our gross leasable area, representing tenseven leases totaling 1.2 million square feet, is setare scheduled to expire. SixThree of these tenseven leases have beenwere renewed thus far, for a weighted average term of 3.86.7 years, at a rental rate increasedecrease of 8.5%3.1% on a GAAP basis and an increaseat a rental rate decrease of 2.0%7.2% on a cash basis. These sixthree lease renewals represent 834,000277,113 square feet, or 69%24% of the expiring square footage forscheduled to expire in fiscal 2021.2022.

 

We have incurred or we expect to incur leasing commission costs of $325,000$361,000 in connection with threetwo of thesethe three lease renewals and we have incurred or we expect to incur tenant improvement costs of $162,000$50,000 in connection with one of thesethe lease renewals. The table below summarizes the lease termterms of the three leases that were renewed. In addition, the table below includes both the tenant improvement costs and the leasing commission costs, which are presented on a per square foot (PSF) basis averaged annually over the renewal terms.

 

Property Tenant Square
Feet
  Former
U.S. GAAP Straight- Line Rent
PSF
  Former
Cash Rent
PSF
  Former
Lease
Expiration
 Renewal
U.S GAAP Straight- Line Rent
PSF
  Renewal
Initial
Cash Rent
PSF
  Renewal
Lease
Expiration
 Renewal
Term
(years)
  Tenant
Improvement
Cost
PSF over
Renewal
Term (1)
  Leasing
Commission Cost
PSF over
Renewal
Term (1)
 
Griffin (Atlanta), GA Rinnai America Corporation  218,120  $3.81  $3.93  12/31/20 $4.22  $4.22  12/31/22  2.0  $-0-  $0.13 
Fayetteville, NC Victory Packaging, L.P.  148,000   3.33   3.50  2/28/21  3.40   3.25  2/28/25  4.0   -0-   0.20 
Winston-Salem, NC Style Crest, Inc.  106,507   3.39   3.77  3/31/21  4.10   3.90  3/31/26  5.0   0.30   -0- 
Augusta, GA FedEx Ground  59,358   8.64   8.64  6/30/21  8.64   8.64  6/30/23  2.0   -0-   -0- 
Corpus Christi, TX FedEx Ground  46,253   9.03   9.42  8/31/21  9.89   9.89  8/31/26  5.0   -0-   -0- 
St. Joseph, MO Woodstream Corporation  

256,000

   

3.57

   

3.70

  

9/30/21

  

3.89

   

3.75

  

9/30/26

  

5.0

   

-0-

   

0.12

 
  Total  834,238                                 
Weighted Average       $4.23  $4.40    $4.59  $4.49     3.8   $0.05  $0.10 
Property Tenant Square Feet  Former U.S. GAAP Straight- Line Rent PSF  Former Cash Rent PSF  Former Lease Expiration Renewal U.S GAAP Straight- Line Rent PSF  Renewal Initial Cash Rent PSF  Renewal Lease Expiration Renewal Term (years)  Tenant Improvement Cost PSF over Renewal Term (1)  Leasing Commission Cost PSF over Renewal Term (1) 
                               
Houston, TX National Oilwell Varco  91,925  $8.26  $8.44  9/30/22 $8.88  $8.44  9/30/29  7.0  $-0-  $0.34 
Burr Ridge, IL Sherwin-Williams  12,500   12.80   12.94  10/31/21  12.99   12.94  10/31/26  5.0   0.80   -0- 
Livonia, MI FedEx Ground  172,688   6.91   6.91  3/31/22  6.17   6.03  10/31/28  6.6   -0-   0.12 
  Total  277,113                                 
                                       
Weighted Average       $7.62  $7.69    $7.38  $7.14     6.7  $0.03  $0.20 

(1)Amount calculated based on the total cost divided by the square feet, divided by the renewal term.

 

These six lease renewals have a U.S. GAAP straight-line lease rate of $4.59 per square foot. The renewed initial cash rent per square foot is $4.49. This compares to the former rent of $4.23 per square foot on a U.S. GAAP straight-line basis and the former cash rent of $4.40 per square foot, resulting in an increase of 8.5% on a U.S. GAAP straight-line basis and an increase of 2.0% on a cash basis.

Effective October 1, 2020, we entered into a lease termination agreement with RGH Enterprises, Inc. (Cardinal Health) for our 75,000Our 105,000 square foot facility located in Halfmoon (Albany)Cheektowaga (Buffalo), NY whereby we received a termination fee in the amount of $377,000 representing approximately 50% of the then remaining rent due under the lease, which was setleased to expire in 1.2 years on November 30, 2021.Sonwil Distribution Center, Inc. through January 31, 2022. This tenant informed us that they will not be renewing their lease. We simultaneouslyrecently entered into a 10.4 yearnew seven-year lease agreement for this facility with United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)UPS which became effective NovemberFebruary 1, 2020.2022 through January 31, 2029. The lease agreement with UPS provides for five months of free rent, after which, on April 1, 2021, initial annual rent of $510,000,$683,000, representing $6.80 per square foot, will commence, with 2.0% annual increases thereafter, resulting in a straight-line annualized rent of $541,000, representing $7.21 per square foot over the life of the lease, which expires March 31, 2031. This compares to the former U.S GAAP straight-line rent of $574,000, representing $7.65 per square foot and former cash rent of $8.19 per square foot, resulting in a decrease of $33,000, representing a 5.8% decrease on a U.S GAAP straight-line basis and a decrease of 17.0% on a cash basis. The new 10.4 year lease agreement with UPS provides for an additional 9.3 years of lease term versus the old lease with Cardinal Health.

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Effective December 15, 2020, we entered into a 10.3 year lease with Hartford HealthCare Corporation for our previously vacant 55,000 square foot facility located in Newington (Hartford), CT, thereby increasing our current overall occupancy rate to 99.7%. The new lease has free rent for the first four months, after which initial annual rent will be $288,000, representing $5.25$6.50 per square foot with 2.0% annual increases thereafter, resulting in a U.S. GAAP straight-line annualized rent of $307,000,$725,000, representing $5.60$6.91 per square foot over the life of the lease. Hartford HealthCare CorporationThis compares to the former U.S. GAAP straight-line rent and former cash rent of $6.00 per square foot, resulting in an increase in the average lease rate of 15.0% on a U.S. GAAP straight-line basis and an increase of 8.3% on a cash basis.

The lease to UPS, along with the three lease renewals in the table above, results in a weighted average lease term of 6.7 years, at a rental rate increase of 1.0% on a GAAP basis and a decrease of 3.7% on a cash basis. These four leases represent 382,000 square feet, or 33% of the expiring square footage for fiscal 2022.

Also not included in the table above is rated “investment-grade” as defined by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com)our 185,000 square foot facility located in Granite City (St. Louis, MO), IL that was leased to Anheuser-Busch through November 30, 2021. Anheuser-Busch renewed for only four months, until March 31, 2022, after which it is expected that they will be moving out. The four-month extension provides for rent at an annualized rate of 150% of its former rent, resulting in an annualized rent of $1.3 million, representing $7.04 per square foot. This compares to the former U.S. GAAP straight-line rent of $4.36 and by Moody’s (former cash rent of $4.70 per square foot.

www.moodys.com).

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Our 368,000 square foot facility located in Streetsboro (Cleveland), OH was leased to Best Buy Warehousing Logistics, Inc. through January 31, 2022. This tenant informed us that they will not be renewing their lease and we are in discussions with several prospective tenants for this space.

 

Rental Revenue increased $2.0$4.2 million, or 6%11%, for the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020. This increase was due to the acquisition of twoone new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial property located in the Birmingham, AL MSA with approximately 291,000 square feet during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and the fiscal 2021 acquisitions of four new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties, located in the Columbus, OH, and Atlanta, GA, Burlington, VT and Knoxville, TN MSAs totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the increase was due to the fiscal 2020 acquisitions of five new built-to-suit, net-leased, industrial properties, located in the Indianapolis, IN, Columbus, OH, Greensboro, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and Oklahoma City, OK MSAs totaling approximately 1.21.6 million square feet.

 

Our single-tenant properties are subject to net-leases, which require the tenants to reimburse us for the cost of Real Estate Taxes as well as certain Operating Expenses such as insurance and the majority of repairs and maintenance. Reimbursement Revenue decreased $93,000,increased $738,000, or 1%11%, Real Estate Tax Expense increased $282,000,$638,000, or 6%12%, and Operating Expenses decreased $461,000,increased $26,000, or 21%1% for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019, resulting in a positive net effect on Net Income of $86,000.2020. Reimbursement Revenue as a percentage of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 was 95%97% compared to 94%95% for the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020.

 

General and Administrative Expenses increased $8,000,$170,000, or 0%7%, for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020. General and Administrative Expenses, as a percentage of gross revenue (which includes Rental Revenue, Reimbursement Revenue and Dividend Income) was 5.0%4.9% for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to 5.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020. Annualized General and Administrative Expenses, as a percentage of undepreciated assets (which is our total assets excluding accumulated depreciation) was 38 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 37 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 41 basis points for2020.

During the three months ended December 31, 2019.

On December 23, 2019, our former General Counsel, Allison Nagelberg, announced her retirement effective December 31, 2019. In accordance with her severance package, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020,2021, we incurred a one-time, Non-recurring Severance ExpenseStrategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs of $786,000.$12.3 million related to the evaluation of strategic alternatives approved by our Board of Directors and the related proxy process.

 

Depreciation increased $645,000,$1.7 million, or 6%14%, for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020. Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs and Intangible Assets increased $56,000,$85,000, or 7%11%, for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019. These increases were2020. This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of fiveone industrial property purchased during the first three months of fiscal 2022 and four industrial properties purchased during fiscal 2020.2021. In addition, the increases in depreciation and amortization expenses were also the result of the expansions, capital improvements and leasing costs incurred over the last four quarters.

 

The recognition of Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During the Periods wasis due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which became effective at the beginning of the prior fiscal year. With the adoption of ASU 2016-01,whereby the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses are recognized through net income. Therefore, the implementation of this accounting rule has resulted in increased volatility in our reported earnings and some of our key performance metrics. Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss)Gains arising during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $16.5 million and 2019 was $19.7 million, and $(3.6) million, respectively.

We recognized dividend income on our investments in securities of $1.6$1.7 million and $3.2$1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively, representing a $1.6 million decrease. This decrease is due to reduced dividends from our REIT securities portfolio.$122,000 increase. The REIT securities portfolio’s weighted average yield for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 was approximately 5.0%4.6% as compared to 7.1%5.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2019.2020. We held $126.3$160.3 million in marketable REIT securities as of December 31, 2020,2021, representing 5.2%6.2% of our undepreciated assets.

 

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Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, decreasedincreased by $50,000,$663,000, or 1%7%, for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019. We had a decrease of 17 basis points in the weighted average interest rate of the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable, which decreased from 4.05% at December 31, 2019 to 3.88% at December 31, 2020. The decreaseincrease in Interest Expense, including Amortization of Financing Costs, was partially offset bymostly due to an increase in theLoans Payable of $225.0 million partially offset with a decrease in our Fixed Rate MortgageMortgages Notes Payable, balance, which increased by $104.4 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020.

Preferred Dividend Expense increased by $2.1 million, or 34%, for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019. These increases are due to the additional $158.0 millionNet of 6.125% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock issued between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020.Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs of $79.5 million.

 

Changes in Financial Condition

We generated Net Cash from Operating Activities of $29.7$8.4 million and $18.9$29.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively.

 

Real Estate Investments increased by $156.0$24.6 million from September 30, 20202021 to December 31, 2020.2021. This increase was mainly due to the purchase of twoone net-leased industrial properties,property, located in the Columbus, OH MSA and the Atlanta, GABirmingham, AL MSA, totaling approximately 1.1 million291,000 square feet, for $170.0$30.2 million. The increase was partially offset by Depreciation Expense on Real Estate Investments for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 of $12.1$13.7 million.

 

Securities Available for Sale increased by $17.5$16.8 million from September 30, 20202021 to December 31, 2020.2021. The increase was primarily due to annet Unrealized Holding GainGains of $19.7$16.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.2021.

 

Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable, net of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs (Mortgage Notes Payable), increaseddecreased by $88.7$23.5 million from September 30, 20202021 to December 31, 2020.2021. The increasedecrease was mostlymainly due to the origination of two fully-amortizing mortgage loans for $104.0 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.11%, obtained in connection with the two industrial properties purchased during the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Details on these two fixed rate mortgages are as follows:

Property (MSA) Mortgage amount (in thousands)  Maturity Date Interest Rate 
Columbus, OH $47,000  1/1/2036  2.95%
Atlanta, GA $57,000  1/1/2038  3.25%

The increase in Mortgage Notes Payable was also partially due to the amortization of financing costs associated with the Mortgage Notes Payable of approximately $234,000. This increase was partially offset by scheduled payments of principal of $14.9$16.4 million. In addition, the increaseAdditionally, on November 1, 2021, we fully repaid $7.3 million mortgage loan for our property located in Mortgage Notes Payable was partially offset by the additionStreetsboro (Cleveland), OH. The loan had an interest rate of deferred financing costs of approximately $569,000, which is associated with two mortgages obtained in connection with two industrial properties purchased during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.5.5%.

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Excluding Debt Issuance Costs, the weighted average interest rate on the Fixed Rate Mortgage Notes Payable decreased by 173 basis points from the prior year quarter, from 4.05% at December 31, 2019 to 3.88% at December 31, 2020.2020 to 3.85% at December 31, 2021.

 

We are scheduled to repay a total of $79.2$74.5 million in mortgage principal payments over the next 12 months. We intend tomay make these principal payments from the cash on hand, funds generated from Cash from Operations, the DRIP, the At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program (Preferred Stock ATM Program), the Equity Distribution Agreement (Common Stock ATM Program), andoperations, draws from theon our unsecured line of credit facility.facility and term loan, cash on hand, sales of marketable securities, other bank borrowings, proceeds from the DRIP, proceeds from the sale of common stock in a possible future at-the-market public offering and proceeds from private placements and other public offerings of additional common or preferred stock or other securities.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $29.7$8.4 million and $18.9$29.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. Dividends paid on common stock for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 were $16.7$17.7 million and $16.5$16.7 million, respectively (of which $1.0 million$-0- and $4.2$1.0 million, respectively, were reinvested). We pay dividends from cash generated from operations.

 

As of December 31, 2020,2021, we held $126.3$160.3 million in marketable REIT securities, representing 5.2%6.2% of our undepreciated assets, which we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. Total assets excluding accumulated depreciation were $2.4$2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020.2021. In general, we may borrow up to 50% of the value of the marketable securities. The interest rate charged on the margin loan is the bank’s margin rate and was 0.75% as of December 31, 2020.2021. At December 31, 2020,2021, there was no amount drawn down under the margin loan. As of December 31, 2020,2021, we had net Unrealized Holding Losses on our portfolio of $107.1$60.1 million as compared to net Unrealized Holding Losses of $126.8$76.6 million as of September 30, 2020,2021, representing annet Unrealized Holding GainGains of $19.7$16.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.2021. There have been no open market purchases or sales of securities during the three months ended December 31, 2020.2021. We recognized dividend income on our investments in securities of $1.6$1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.2021.

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On December 15, 2021, we entered into a New Term Loan Agreement (the “New Term Loan”), that provides for a $175.0 million, unsecured, delayed-draw term loan facility. The interest rate for borrowings under the New Term Loan will at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 130 basis points to 200 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or (ii) bear interest at the Federal Reserve Board’s Prime Rate plus 30 basis points to 100 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The New Term Loan matures on June 15, 2022 with two options to extend for additional three-month periods. Availability under the New Term Loan is limited to 60% of the value of the unencumbered real estate properties. The value of the borrowing base properties is determined by applying a capitalization rate to the NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties. Under the New Term Loan the capitalization rate applied to our NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties is 6.25%. Currently, our borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 140 basis points, which results in an interest rate of 1.51%. As of the quarter end, we did not have any amounts drawn down under our New Term Loan. Subsequent to the December 31, 2020 quarter end, on January 28, 2022 we sold marketable REIT securities for gross proceeds totaling $12.3drew down $60.0 million, realizing a gain of $1.8 million.resulting in $115.0 million being currently available.

 

On November 15, 2019, we entered into a newOur existing line of credit facility (the “New Facility”“Facility”) consisting, entered into on November 15, 2019, consists of a $225.0 million unsecured line of credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a new $75.0 million unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”), resulting in the total potential availability under both the Revolver and the Term Loan of $300.0 million, which is an additional $100.0 million over the former line of credit facility.million. In addition, the Revolver includes an accordion feature that will allow the total potential availability under the New Facility to further increase to $400.0 million, under certain conditions. The $225.0 million Revolver matures in January 2024 with two options to extend for additional six-month periods. Availability under the New Facility is limited to 60% of the value of the borrowing base properties. The value of the borrowing base properties is determined by applying a capitalization rate to the NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties. Under the New Facility the capitalization rate applied to our NOI generated by our unencumbered, wholly-owned industrial properties was lowered from 6.5% under the former line of credit facility tois 6.25%, thus increasing the value of the borrowing base properties under the terms of the New Facility.. In addition, the interest rate for borrowings under the Revolver was lowered by a range of 5 basis points to 35 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, and will, at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 135 basis points to 205 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at Bank of Montreal’s (BMO) prime lending rate plus 35 basis points to 105 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. Currently, our borrowings bear interest under the Revolver at LIBOR plus 145 basis points, which results in an interest rate of 1.60%1.54%. As of the quarter end and currently, we do not have any amountthe full $225.0 million drawn down under our Revolver, resulting in the full $225.0 million being currently available.Revolver. The $75.0 million Term Loan matures January 2025. The interest rate for borrowings under the Term Loan will at our election, either i) bear interest at LIBOR plus 130 basis points to 200 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio, or ii) bear interest at BMO’s prime lending rate plus 30 basis points to 100 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. To reduce floating interest rate exposure under the Term Loan, we also entered into an interest rate swap agreement to fix LIBOR on the entire $75.0 million for the full duration of the Term Loan resulting in an all-in rate of 2.92%.

 

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From time to time we may use a margin loan for temporary funding of acquisitions and for working capital purposes. This loan is due on demand and is collateralized by our securities portfolio. We must maintain a coverage ratio of approximately 50%. The interest rate charged on the margin loan is the bank’s margin rate and was 0.75% as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts drawn down under the margin loan.

In the absence of waivers or consents from holders of our indebtedness, which we, in consultation with ILPT, are currently seeking, the consummation of our merger with ILPT and resulting “change of control” is expected to result in a default or similar event under substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness, permitting the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate such indebtedness and demand immediate repayment at par, together with the applicable ‘make-whole’ premium, if any, following the merger.

 

As of December 31, 2020,2021, we owned 121123 properties, of which 6459 carried mortgage loans with outstanding principal balances totaling $896.4$815.9 million. The 5764 unencumbered properties could be refinanced to raise additional funds, although covenants in our New Facility limit the amount of unencumbered properties that can be mortgaged. As of December 31, 2020,2021, Loans Payable represented $225.0 million drawn down on our Revolver and $75.0 million outstanding under our Term Loan.

 

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As of December 31, 2020,2021, we had total assets of $2.1$2.2 billion and liabilities of $996.2 million.$1.1 billion. Our net debt (net of unamortized debt issuance costs and net of cash and cash equivalents) to total market capitalization as of December 31, 20202021 was approximately 29% and our net debt, less marketable securities (net of unamortized debt issuance costs, net of cash and cash equivalents and net of marketable securities) to total market capitalization as of December 31, 20202021 was approximately 25%. Our debt consists of 92%73% amortizing fixed rate debt with a weighted average interest rate of 3.88%3.85% and a weighted average loan maturity of 11.510.7 years. We believe that we have the ability to meet our obligations and to generate funds for new investments.

 

On February 6, 2020,As previously announced, on November 5, 2021, we entered into a Common Stock ATM Programdefinitive merger agreement with BMO Capital Markets Corp., B. Riley FBR, Inc., D.A. Davidson & Co., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC (together the “Distribution Agents”)ILPT, under which, we may offeron the terms and sell sharessubject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, ILPT will acquire us in an all-cash transaction, with our common shareholders receiving $21.00 in cash per share upon the consummation of the transaction. ILPT’s acquisition of us is subject to obtaining the requisite approval of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, having an aggregate sales priceshareholders, the special meeting of upshareholders for which is scheduled to $150.0 million from time to time throughtake place on February 17, 2022, and the Distribution Agents. Salessatisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Upon closing of the sharesmerger with ILPT, holders of Common Stock under the Agreement, if any, will be in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, sales made directly on or through the NYSE, or on any other existing trading market for theour outstanding 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock orwill receive $25.00 in cash per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to, or through a market maker or any other methodbut not including, the date the merger is completed. As permitted by law, including, without limitation, negotiated transactionsthe Merger Agreement, we plan to continue to pay our regular quarterly common stock dividend and block trades. We implemented the Common Stock ATM program for the flexibility that it provides to opportunistically access the capital markets and to best time our equity capital needs as we close on acquisitions. To date, we have elected to not raise any equity though our Common Stock Equity Program.

On June 29, 2017, we entered into a Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program with B. Riley FBR, Inc., or B. Riley (formerly FBR Capital Markets & Co.), that provided for the offer and sale of shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock having an aggregate sales pricedividend for each full quarterly dividend period completed prior to the closing of upthe transaction, in amounts not exceeding $0.18 per share for our common stock and equal to $100.0 million.

On August 2, 2018, we replaced this program with a new Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program that provides$0.3828125 per share for the offer and sale from time to time of $125.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $96.5 million,Stock. This transaction with $28.5 million being carried over fromILPT represents the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Programculmination of the publicly announced comprehensive strategic alternatives review processes conducted by our Board of Directors during fiscal 2021. Our Board re-initiated its strategic alternatives review process in September 2021 after a previous agreement for a stock-for-stock merger that we entered into on June 29, 2017.with another party, following a strategic alternatives review process in the first half of calendar year 2021, did not receive the requisite approval of our shareholders.

 

On December 4, 2019, we replaced the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on August 2, 2018 with another Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program that provides for the offer and sale from time to timeAs of $125.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $101.0 million, with $24.0 million being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on August 2, 2018.

On November 25, 2020, we replaced the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on December 4, 2019 with another new Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program (Preferred Stock ATM Program) that provides for the offer and sale from time to time of up to $150.0 million of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, representing an additional $149.3 million, with $747,000 being carried over from the Preferred Stock At-The-Market Sales Agreement Program entered into on December 4, 2019.

Sales of shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock under the Preferred Stock ATM Program are in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, sales made directly on or through the NYSE, or on any other existing trading market for the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock, or to or through a market maker, or any other method permitted by law, including, without limitation, negotiated transactions and block trades. We began selling shares through these programs on July 3, 2017. Since inception through December 31, 2020, we sold 13.62021, 22.0 million shares of our 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock under these programs at a weighted average price of $24.91 per share, and generated net proceeds, after offering expenses, of $332.4 million, of which 3.1 million shares were sold during the three months ended December 31, 2020 at a weighted average price of $24.88 per share, generating net proceeds after offering expenses of $76.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, there is $108.3 million remaining that may be sold under the Preferred Stock ATM Program.

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As of December 31, 2020, 22.0 million shares of the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.

We raised $1.3 million (including dividend reinvestments of $1.0 million) from the issuance of 82,000 shares of common stock under our DRIP during the three months ended December 31, 2020. Of this amount, UMH Properties, Inc. (UMH), a related REIT, made total purchases of 13,000 common shares under our DRIP for a total cost of $205,000, or a weighted average cost of $15.68 per share.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we paid $16.7$17.7 million in total cash dividends, or $0.17$0.18 per share to common shareholders, of which $1.0 million was reinvested in the DRIP, representing a 6% participation rate.shareholders.

 

On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid March 15, 2021 to common shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2021. This representsapproved a 5.9% increase in our quarterly common stock dividend, raising it to $0.18 per share from $0.17 per share and representsrepresenting an annualized dividend rate of $0.72 per share. This increase iswas the third dividend increase in the past fivesix years, representing a total increase of 20%. We have maintained or increased our common stock cash dividend for 3031 consecutive years. We are one of the few REITs that maintained our dividend throughout the Global Financial Crisis. We are also one of the few REITs that is paying out a higher per share dividend today than prior to the Global Financial Crisis.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we paid $7.8$8.4 million in Preferred Dividends, or $0.3828125 per share, on our outstanding 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock for the period September 1, 20202021 through November 30, 2020.2021. As of December 31, 2020,2021, we havehad accrued Preferred Dividends of $2.8 million covering the period December 1, 20202021 to December 31, 2020.2021. Dividends on the 6.125% Series C Preferred Stock are cumulative and payable quarterly at an annual rate of $1.53125 per share. On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.3828125 per share to be paid March 15, 2021 to the 6.125% Series C Preferred shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2021.

 

We usehave used a variety of sources to fund our cash needs in addition to cash generated from operations. We may sellIn the past, we considered selling marketable securities from our investment portfolio, borrowborrowing on our unsecured line of credit facility, term loan or securities margin loans, finance or refinance debt, or raise capital through the DRIP, the Preferred Stock ATM Program, the Common Stock ATM Program or capital markets.

We have been raising capital through our DRIP, the Preferred Stock ATM Program, mortgage loans, draws on our unsecured line of credit, sale of marketable securities and funds generated from our investments in net-leased industrial properties. We may raise capital through registered direct placements and public offerings of common and preferred stock and through our Common Stock ATM Program. We believe that funds generated from operations, from the DRIP, from the Preferred Stock ATM Program, as well as our ability to raise funds from our Common Stock ATM Program, and our ability to finance and refinance our properties, and our availability under our unsecured line of credit, will provide sufficient funds to adequately meet our obligations over the next year.stock.

On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Although our Board of Directors has determined to explore strategic transactions, we are not obligated to pursue any particular transaction or any transaction at all. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pursue a particular strategy, there is no assurance that we will successfully implement its strategy. Our Board does not intend to disclose further developments unless and until it approves a specific action or otherwise concludes the review of strategic alternatives. In light of its consideration of strategic alternatives, our Board of Directors determined to suspend the Company’s DRIP on January 14, 2021 until further notice.

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We have a concentration of properties leased to FedEx Corporation (FDX) and FDX subsidiaries, consisting of 66 separate stand-alone leases covering 11.9 million square feet as of December 31, 2021 and 63 separate stand-alone leases covering 11.2 million square feet as of December 31, 2020 and 60 separate stand-alone leases covering 10.4 million square feet as of December 31, 2019. In2020. FDX is experiencing record demand due to the continued strong growth in ecommerce. Additionally, in periods of unprecedented turbulence, the services of FedEx are essential in keeping supply chains moving and in delivering critically needed supplies throughout the world. As of December 31, 2020,2021, the 6366 separate stand-alone leases that are leased towe have with FDX and FDX subsidiaries are located in 2627 different states and have a weighted average lease maturity of 8.08.1 years. The percentage of FDX and its subsidiaries leased square footage to the total of our rental space was 47% (4% to FDX and 43% to FDX subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2021 and 46% (5% to FDX and 41% to FDX subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2020 and 45% (5% to FDX and 40% to FDX subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2019.2020.

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As of December 31, 2020,2021, the only tenants, other than FDX and its subsidiaries, that leased 5% or more of our total square footage were subsidiaries of Amazon.com, Inc (Amazon), which consists of five separate stand-alone leases for properties located in four different states, containing 1.5 million total square feet, comprising 6% of our total leasable square feet. None of our properties are subject to a master lease or any cross-collateralization agreements. As of December 31, 2020, no other tenant accounted for 5% or more of our total rental space.

 

Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue from FDX and its subsidiaries is estimated to be approximately 55% (5% to FDX and 50% to FDX subsidiaries) of total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2021, and was 58% (5%57% (4% to FDX and 53% to FDX subsidiaries) of total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2020.2022, and was 57% (5% to FDX and 52% to FDX subsidiaries) of total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2021. The only tenants, other than FDX and its subsidiaries, that we estimate will comprise 5% or more of our total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 20212022 are subsidiaries of Amazon, which is estimated to be 7%6% of our Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 20212022 and was 6% for of our Annualized Rental and Reimbursement Revenue for fiscal 2020. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, no other tenant accounted for 5% or more of our total Rental and Reimbursement Revenue.2021.

 

FDX and Amazon are publicly-listed companies and financial information related to these entities are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov. FDX and Amazon are rated “BBB” and “AA-”, respectively by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and are rated “Baa2” and “A2”, respectively by Moody’s (www.moodys.com), which are both considered “Investment Grade” ratings.

 

During fiscal 2021, we completed the quarterfirst phase of a two-phase parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KS. The first phase of this parking expansion project was completed for a total cost of $3.4 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 5, 2020 of approximately $340,000 from approximately $2.14 million, or $6.83 per square foot, to approximately $2.48 million, or $7.91 per square foot. Furthermore, annual rent increased by 2.1% on June 1, 2021 and was to continue to increase 2.1% every five years, resulting in an annualized rent of $2.56 million, or $8.15 per square foot, from November 5, 2020 through May 2031, the remaining term of the lease. During the three months ended December 31, 2020,2021, we completed the second phase of this parking expansion project at this location for a total cost of $2.3 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 19, 2021 of approximately $185,000 from approximately $2.53 million, or $8.08 per square foot, to approximately $2.72 million, or $8.67 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 14.5 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2031 to May 2036. Furthermore, annual rent will increase by 1.9% on June 1, 2026 resulting in an annualized rent of approximately $2.76 million, or $8.78 per square foot from November 19, 2021 through the remaining term of the lease.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Olathe (Kansas City), KSWheeling, IL for a total project cost of $3.4 million. The$1.0 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective October 28, 2021 of approximately $105,000 from approximately $1.27 million, or $10.34 per square foot, to approximately $1.38 million, or $11.19 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a $340,000 increase in annualized rent effective November 5, 2020 increasingnew 9.8 year lease which extended the annualized rentprior lease expiration date from $2.2 millionMay 2027 to $2.6 million. We anticipate additional expansion work at this location which will further increase the rental rate and extend the lease term.August 2031.

 

We have entered into agreements to purchase four new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Alabama (2), Tennessee and Vermont. These four future acquisitions total 1.2 million square feet, with net-leased terms ranging from 10 to 15 years, and withDuring the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a weighted average lease term of 12.8 years. The aggregate purchase priceparking expansion project for these four properties is $169.3 million. Three of these four properties, consisting of approximately 694,000 square feet, or 57%, are leased for 15 years to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Sauget (St. Louis, MO), withIL for a total cost of $3.8 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 10, 2021 of approximately $346,000 from approximately $1.04 million, or $5.21 per square foot, to approximately $1.38 million, or $6.95 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 13.8 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from May 2029 to August 2035. Furthermore, annual rent will increase by 3.7% on June 1, 2029 resulting in an annualized rent from November 10, 2021 through the remaining property, consistingterm of the lease of approximately 530,000$1.40 million, or $7.07 per square feet or 43%, leased for 10 years to Mercedes Benz US International, Inc. All properties are leased to companies, or subsidiaries of companies, that are considered Investment Grade by S&P Global Ratings (www.standardandpoors.com) and by Moody’s (www.moodys.com). Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate closing three of these transactions during fiscal 2021 and one in the first half of fiscal 2022. In connection with one of the four properties, we have entered into a commitment to obtain a 15 year, fully-amortizing mortgage loan totaling $35.5 million with a fixed interest rate of 2.62%.foot.

 

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WeDuring the three months ended December 31, 2021, we completed a parking expansion project for FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. at our property located in Orion, MI for a total cost of $6.5 million, resulting in an initial increase in annual rent effective November 24, 2021 of approximately $651,000 from approximately $1.91 million, or $7.77 per square foot, to approximately $2.56 million, or $10.42 per square foot. In addition, the expansion resulted in a new 9.9 year lease which extended the prior lease expiration date from June 2023 to October 2031.

The four parking expansions completed this quarter, as described above, totaled $13.7 million and resulted in total increased rent of $1.3 million and a weighted average lease extension of 6.7 years. In addition to these four parking expansions completed this quarter, we have several FedEx Ground parking expansion projects in progress with more under discussion. Currently there are six parking expansion projects underway, and one parking expansion project recently completed during the quarter. These six projects are expectedwhich we expect to cost approximately $16.8$31.4 million. These parking expansion projects will enable us to increase rental ratescapture additional rent while lengthening the terms of these leases. We are also in discussions to expand the parking at 11seven additional locations bringing the total recently completed and potentiallikely future parking lot expansion projects to 18 currently.

Due to the proliferation of ecommerce sales and last mile deliveries, it is important to take into account the large amounts of real estate utilized for trailer, van, and car parking at many of our properties in determining how our in-place rental rates compare to market rental rates for properties being used in a similar manner. Rents per square foot on properties that may be nearby, but have only limited acreage devoted to parking, are poor comparisons as they cannot accommodate the same tenant needs.

In addition to the property purchased subsequent to the quarter end, we have entered into agreements to purchase two, new build-to-suit, industrial buildings that are currently being developed in Georgia and Texas, totaling 563,000 square feet. Both of these future acquisitions have net-leased terms of 15 years. The total purchase price for these two properties is $78.8 million. Both of these properties are leased to FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. Subject to satisfactory due diligence and other customary closing conditions and requirements, we anticipate closing both of these transactions during fiscal 2022. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.’s ultimate parent, FedEx Corporation is a publicly-listed company and financial information related to this entity is available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The references in this report to the SEC’s website are not intended to and do not include, or incorporate by reference into this report, the information on the www.sec.gov website.

 

We intend to acquire additional net-leased industrial properties on long-term leases, primarily to investment grade tenants or their subsidiaries, and, when needed, expand our current properties. The funds may come from free cash flow from operations, mortgage loans, draws on our unsecured line of credit, cash on hand, sale of marketable securities, other bank borrowings, proceeds from the DRIP, proceeds from the Preferred Stock ATM Program, proceeds from the Common Stock ATM program, private placements and public offerings of common or preferred stock or other securities. To the extent that funds or appropriate properties are not available, fewer acquisitions will be made.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Funds From Operations and Adjusted Funds From Operations

We assess and measure our overall operating results based upon an industry performance measure referred to as Funds From Operations (FFO), which we believe is a useful indicator of our operating performance. FFO is used by industry analysts and investors as a supplemental operating performance measure of a REIT. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit), represents net income attributable to common shareholders, as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), excluding extraordinary items, as defined under U.S. GAAP, gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated real estate assets, impairment charges related to depreciable real estate assets plusand certain non-cash items such as real estate asset depreciation and amortization. Included in the Nareit FFO White Paper - 2018 Restatement, is an option pertaining to assets incidental to our main business in the calculation of Nareit FFO to make an election to include or exclude mark-to-market changes in the value recognized on these marketable equity securities. In conjunction with the adoption of the FFO White Paper - 2018 Restatement, for all periods presented, we have elected to exclude unrealized gains and losses from our investments in marketable equity securities from our FFO calculation. Nareit created FFO as a non-GAAP supplemental measure of REIT operating performance. We defineOur calculation of Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO) differs from Nareit’s definition of FFO because we exclude certain items that we view as nonrecurring or impacting comparability from period to period. We define AFFO as FFO, excluding stock based compensation expense, depreciation of corporate office tenant improvements, amortization of deferred financing costs, lease termination income, non-recurring severance expense,strategic alternatives & proxy costs, effect of non-cash U.S. GAAP straight-line rent adjustments and subtracting recurring capital expenditures. We define recurring capital expenditures as all capital expenditures that are recurring in nature, excluding capital expenditures related to expansions at our current locations or capital expenditures that are incurred in conjunction with obtaining a new lease or a lease renewal. We believe that, as widely recognized measures of performance used by other REITs, FFO and AFFO may be considered by investors as supplemental measures to compare our operating performance to those of other REITs. FFO and AFFO exclude historical cost depreciation as an expense and may facilitate the comparison of REITs which have a different cost basis. However, other REITs may use different methodologies to calculate FFO and AFFO and, accordingly, our FFO and AFFO may not be comparable to all other REITs. The items excluded from FFO and AFFO are significant components in understanding our financial performance.

 

FFO and AFFO are non-GAAP performance measures and (i) do not represent Cash Flow from Operations as defined by U.S. GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to Net Income or Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders as a measure of operating performance or to Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities; and (iii) are not an alternative to Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities as a measure of liquidity. FFO and AFFO, as calculated by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other REITs.

 

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The following is a reconciliation of our U.S. GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders to our FFO and AFFO for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 20192020 (in thousands):

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
  12/31/2020   12/31/2019   12/31/2021   12/31/2020 
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders $25,746  $3,528  $11,417  $25,746 
Less/Plus: Unrealized Holding (Gains) Losses Arising During the Periods  (19,721)  3,635 
Plus: Depreciation Expense (excluding Corporate Office
Capitalized Costs)
  12,020   11,380   13,671   12,020 
Plus: Amortization of Intangible Assets  532   508   603   532 
Plus: Amortization of Capitalized Lease Costs  303   271   308   303 
Less: Unrealized Holding Gains Arising During the Periods  (16,508)  (19,721)
FFO Attributable to Common Shareholders(1)  18,880   19,322   9,491   18,880 
Plus: Depreciation of Corporate Office Capitalized Costs  57   53   57   57 
Plus: Stock Compensation Expense  57   156   94   57 
Plus: Amortization of Financing Costs  331   435   428   331 
Plus: Non-recurring Severance Expense  -0-   786 
Plus: Non-recurring Strategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs  12,274   -0- 
Less: Lease Termination Income  (377)  -0-   -0-   (377)
Less: Recurring Capital Expenditures  (160)  (218)  (84)  (160)
Less: Effect of Non-cash U.S. GAAP Straight-line Rent
Adjustment
  (618)  (600)  (617)  (618)
AFFO Attributable to Common Shareholders $18,170  $19,934  $21,643  $18,170 

(1)FFO Attributable to Common Shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2021 includes Non-recurring Strategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs of $12.3 million. FFO Attributable to Common Shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2021 excluding these Non-recurring Strategic Alternatives & Proxy Costs is $21.8 million.

 

The following are the Cash Flows provided (used) by Operating, Investing and Financing Activities for the three months ended December 31, 20202021 and 20192020 (in thousands):

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
  12/31/2020   12/31/2019   12/31/2021   12/31/2020 
                
Operating Activities $29,692  $18,872  $8,393  $29,692 
Investing Activities  (166,774)  (81,741)  (38,112)  (166,774)
Financing Activities  142,845   59,073   (1,186)  142,845 

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There have been no material changes to information required regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk from the end of the preceding fiscal year to December 31, 20202021 (the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial and accounting officer) with the assistance of other members of our management, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of such period.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 20202021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II:

OTHER INFORMATION

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.– None

Litigation Relating to our Merger Agreement with Industrial Logistics Properties Trust (“ILPT”)

We and the members of our Board of Directors are defendants in several lawsuits filed by purported shareholders whereby they allege, among other things, that we and our directors violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), by causing the filing of a proxy statement with the SEC relating to the proposed merger with ILPT that misstates or omits certain allegedly material information. We and the members of our Board of Directors are also defendants in a purported class action lawsuit filed by a purported shareholder that alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated fiduciary duties by misrepresenting or omitting allegedly material information in the proxy statement relating to the proposed merger with ILPT and seeks attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with disclosures related to a previous merger agreement we had entered into with another party which was terminated after it failed to receive approval from our shareholders. We believe that the claims asserted in these lawsuits are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend against these actions. However, litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance regarding the likelihood that the defense of the actions will be successful.

Former Litigation with Blackwells Capital and our former general counsel

On November 4, 2021, we entered into a Release and Settlement Agreement with our former general counsel and Blackwells Capital LLC (“Blackwells”) resolving legal proceedings that we had commenced against our former general counsel and Blackwells in the Superior Court of New Jersey relating to, among other things, our former general counsel having been named as a nominee of Blackwells for election to our Board of Directors at our 2021 annual meeting, and also resolving our former general counsel’s counterclaim against us seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses. In connection with the settlement, the parties exchanged mutual releases, whereby, among other things, Blackwells agreed to release claims, including those it had previously demanded that we assert against the members of our Board for alleged breach of their legal duties relating to the Board’s rejection of an unsolicited acquisition offer that we received from Blackwells in December 2020 and subsequent actions taken by the Board in connection with its review of strategic alternatives in fiscal 2021. In addition, the parties agreed to mutual partial reimbursement of litigation expenses, with net reimbursement payment by us to Blackwells of $4 million, which was reflected in our income statement for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Simultaneous with the Release and Settlement Agreement, we and Blackwells entered into a Cooperation Agreement that, among other things, resolved a potential proxy contest to elect directors at the 2021 Annual Meeting. Under the Cooperation Agreement, Blackwells also agreed, among other things, to withdraw its slate of proposed nominees and various shareholder proposals for consideration at the 2021 Annual Meeting and committed to vote all its shares of our common stock at each annual and special meeting of shareholders until December 31, 2029 in favor of all of the Board’s director nominees and in support of all Board-recommended proposals. Blackwells also agreed to comply with certain additional standstill, non-disparagement and affirmative solicitation commitments and terms through December 31, 2029. The Cooperation Agreement also provides for us to provide partial expense reimbursement to Blackwells of $3.85 million for certain of its documented, actual out-of-pocket third party professional fees and expenses, which reimbursement expense was reflected in our income statement for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

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Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20202021 (the “10-K”) which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the 10-K and the 10-Q10-Qs are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors except as set forth below:

Our business could be negatively affected as a result of a potential proxy contest for the election of directors at our annual meeting or other shareholder activism.

In December 2020, we received notice from Blackwells of its intention to nominate four candidates to stand for election to our Board of Directors and make six nonbinding shareholder proposals and from Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC (“Land & Buildings”) of its intention to nominate four candidates to stand for election to our Board of Directors and make one nonbinding shareholder proposal to be voted on at our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders. Previously, in December 2020, Blackwells made two non-binding, unsolicited and conditional proposals to acquire us, which our Board of Directors, after review and consideration with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors, determined were not in our best interest. If Blackwells, Land & Buildings or any other shareholder engages in a proxy contest or other shareholder activism, we could incur significant legal fees and proxy solicitation expenses, and such actions would require significant time and attention by management and our Board of Directors. The potential of a proxy contest or other shareholder activism could interfere with our ability to execute our strategic plan, give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future direction, adversely affect our relationships with key business partners, result in the loss of potential business opportunities or make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results. The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties related to shareholder activism.

Our consideration of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value may result in the use of a significant amount of our management resources or significant costs, and we may not be able to fully realize the potential benefit of any such transactions.

On January 14, 2021, our Board of Directors unanimously decided to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Although our Board of Directors has determined to explore strategic transactions, we are not obligated to pursue any particular transaction or any transaction at all. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pursue a particular strategy, there is no assurance that we will successfully implement such strategy. We may devote a significant amount of our management resources to analyzing and pursuing a potential transaction, which could negatively impact our operations. In addition, we may incur significant costs in connection with seeking such strategic alternatives regardless of whether a transaction is completed. In the event that we consummate a strategic alternative in the future, we cannot be certain that we would fully realize the potential benefit of such a transaction and cannot predict the impact that such strategic transaction might have on our operations or stock price.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. - None
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities. – None

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures. – None

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Item 5.Other Information. - None
Item 6.Exhibits
2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2021, by and among Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, Industrial Logistics Properties Trust, and Maple Delaware Merger Sub LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2021)*

* Certain schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. Monmouth hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the SEC; provided, however, that Monmouth may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any schedules so furnished.

31.1Certification of Michael P. Landy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith).
31.2Certification of Kevin S. Miller, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith).
32Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Michael P. Landy, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Kevin S. Miller, Chief Financial Officer (Furnished herewith).
101The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 20202021 formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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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.

 

MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Date:February 4, 20212022By:/s/ Michael P. Landy
  Michael P. Landy, President and Chief Executive Officer,
  its principal executive officer
   
Date:February 4, 20212022By:/s/ Kevin S. Miller
  Kevin S. Miller, Chief Financial Officer, its principal
  financial officer and principal accounting officer

 

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