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EX-12 - EXHIBIT 12 - TANGER PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP /NC/tplp10q11062009ex12.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - TANGER PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP /NC/tplp10q11062009ex31-1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - TANGER PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP /NC/tplp10q11062009ex31-2.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - TANGER PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP /NC/tplp10q11062009ex32-1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - TANGER PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP /NC/tplp10q11062009ex32-2.htm
EX-10.15A - EXHIBIT 10.15A - TANGER PROPERTIES LTD PARTNERSHIP /NC/tplp10q11062009ex10-15a.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
OR
[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) of
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                       to
 
Commission File No. 333-3526-01
 
TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

NORTH CAROLINA
56-1822494
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

3200 Northline Avenue, Suite 360, Greensboro, North Carolina 27408
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

(336) 292-3010
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 ý  No ¨

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes  ¨ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ý
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicated by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý


 
1

 

TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Index


 
Page Number
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
   
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets -
 
 
as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
3
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
 
 
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
4
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
 
 
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
5
   
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
   
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 
 
Condition and Results of Operations
19
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
29
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
30
   
Part II. Other Information
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
30
   
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
30
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
31
   
Signatures
31







 
2

 

PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – Financial Statements

TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
                    September 30,
 
                      December 31,
   
                    2009
 
                    2008
ASSETS:
           
(as adjusted)
 
 
Rental property
               
 
Land
 
$
135,605
   
$
135,689
 
 
Buildings, improvements and fixtures
   
1,349,310
     
1,260,243
 
 
Construction in progress
   
---
     
3,823
 
     
1,484,915
     
1,399,755
 
 
Accumulated depreciation
   
(396,508
)
   
(359,301
)
 
Rental property, net
   
1,088,407
     
1,040,454
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
4,398
     
4,952
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
   
9,569
     
9,496
 
 
Deferred charges, net
   
41,572
     
37,750
 
 
Other assets
   
32,199
     
28,987
 
   
Total assets
 
$
1,176,145
   
$
1,121,639
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
               
   
Debt
               
 
Senior, unsecured notes (net of discount of $917 and $9,137, respectively)
 
$
256,293
   
$
390,363
 
 
Mortgage payable (including a debt discount of $554 and $0, respectively)
   
35,246
     
---
 
 
Unsecured term loan
   
235,000
     
235,000
 
 
Unsecured lines of credit
   
54,000
     
161,500
 
       
580,539
     
786,863
 
 
Construction trade payables
   
7,957
     
11,968
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
33,784
     
25,991
 
 
Other liabilities
   
28,864
     
30,914
 
   
 Total liabilities
   
651,144
     
855,736
 
Commitments
               
Partners’ equity
               
 
General partner
   
(198
)
   
(259
)
 
Limited partners 
   
533,363
     
277,642
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(8,164
)
   
(11,480
)
   
Total partners’ equity
   
525,001
     
265,903
 
     
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
 
$
1,176,145
   
$
1,121,639
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 


TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
         
   
                Three months ended
 
                  Nine months ended
   
                    September 30,
 
                      September 30,
   
                2009
 
                     2008
 
                2009
 
                 2008
Revenues
       
(as adjusted) 
             
(as adjusted) 
   
 
Base rentals
$     44,160
   
$
40,519
   
$
130,512
   
$
116,374
   
 
Percentage rentals
1,442
     
1,811
     
3,690
     
4,109
   
 
Expense reimbursements
19,069
     
18,277
     
56,662
     
51,447
   
 
Other income
5,646
     
2,166
     
9,278
     
5,124
   
 
Total revenues
70,317
     
62,773
     
200,142
     
177,054
   
                               
Expenses
                             
 
Property operating
21,353
     
20,678
     
63,895
     
57,422
   
 
General and administrative
15,763
     
6,217
     
27,518
     
17,165
   
 
Depreciation and amortization
20,213
     
15,320
     
60,262
     
45,593
   
 
Impairment charge
---
     
---
     
5,200
     
---
   
 
Total expenses
57,329
     
42,215
     
156,875
     
120,180
   
Operating income
12,988
     
20,558
     
43,267
     
56,874
   
Interest expense
(8,692
)
   
(9,811
)
   
(29,466
)
   
(30,153
)
 
Gain on early extinguishment of debt
---
     
---
     
10,467
     
---
   
Gain on fair value measurement of previously held
                             
 
interest in acquired joint venture
---
     
---
     
31,497
     
---
   
Loss on settlement of US treasury rate locks
---
     
---
     
---
     
(8,910
)
 
Income before equity in earnings (losses) of
                             
 
unconsolidated joint ventures
4,296
     
10,747
     
55,765
     
17,811
   
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated joint ventures
68
     
596
     
(1,346
)
   
1,548
   
Net income
4,364
     
11,343
     
54,419
     
19,359
   
Income available to limited partners
4,332
     
11,263
     
54,014
     
19,236
   
Income available to general partner
$         32
   
$
80
   
$
405
   
$
123
   
                               
Basic earnings per common unit
                             
 
Income from continuing operations
$        .12
   
$
.52
   
$
2.44
   
$
.79
   
 
Net income
$        .12
   
$
.52
   
$
2.44
   
$
.79
   
                               
Diluted earnings per common unit
                             
 
Income from continuing operations
$       .12
   
$
.52
   
$
2.43
   
$
.77
   
 
Net income
$       .12
   
$
.52
   
$
2.43
   
$
.77
   
                               
Distribution paid per common unit
$   .7650
   
$
.76
   
$
2.29
   
$
2.24
   
                               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 


TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                         
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
  (as adjusted)
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
 
Net income
 
$
54,419
   
$
19,359
 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
   
provided by operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation and amortization
   
60,262
     
45,620
 
   
Impairment charge
   
5,200
     
---
 
   
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
1,169
     
1,158
 
   
Gain on sale of land outparcel
   
(3,293
)
   
---
 
   
Gain on early extinguishment of convertible debt
   
(10,467
)
   
---
 
   
Gain on fair value measurement of previous interest held in acquired
               
     
joint venture
   
(31,497
)
   
---
 
   
Loss on settlement of US treasury rate locks
   
---
     
8,910
 
   
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated joint ventures
   
1,346
     
(1,548
)
   
Compensation expense related to restricted units
               
     
and options granted
   
10,969
     
4,024
 
   
Amortization of debt premiums and discount, net
   
972
     
822
 
   
Distributions of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures
   
510
     
2,655
 
   
Net accretion of market rent rate adjustment
   
(266
)
   
(228
)
   
Straight-line base rent adjustment
   
(1,955
)
   
(2,697
)
 
Increase (decrease) due to changes in:
               
   
Other assets
   
1,134
     
(121
)
   
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
6,939
     
(5,912
)
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
95,442
     
72,042
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
 
Additions to rental property
   
(25,105
)
   
(102,587
)
 
Acquisition of remaining interests in unconsolidated joint venture, net of cash acquired
   
(31,086
)
   
---
 
 
Proceeds from sale of land outparcel
   
1,577
     
---
 
 
Additions to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
   
(95
)
   
(1,577
)
 
Additions to deferred lease costs
   
(3,261
)
   
(3,295
)
     
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(57,970
)
   
(107,459
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
 
Cash distributions paid
   
(49,473
)
   
(46,294
)
 
Contributions from partners
   
116,819
     
---
 
 
Proceeds from debt issuances
   
149,150
     
687,170
 
 
Repayments of debt
   
(256,650
)
   
(609,228
)
 
Proceeds from tax incremental financing
   
945
     
4,646
 
 
Additions to deferred financing costs
   
(443
)
   
(2,151
)
 
Proceeds from exercise of options
   
1,626
     
2,588
 
     
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(38,026
)
   
36,731
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(554
)
   
1,314
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
4,952
     
2,393
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
4,398
   
$
3,707
 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  
Business

Tanger Properties Limited Partnership and subsidiaries is one of the largest owners and operators of outlet centers in the United States. We focus exclusively on developing, acquiring, owning, operating and managing outlet shopping centers.  As of September 30, 2009, we owned and operated 31 outlet centers, with a total gross leasable area of approximately 9.2 million square feet.  These outlet centers were 96% occupied.  Also, we operated and had partial ownership interests in two outlet centers totaling approximately 950,000 square feet.

We are controlled by Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and subsidiaries, a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT.  The Company owns the majority of the partnership interests issued by the Operating Partnership, which we refer to as units, through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Tanger GP Trust and the Tanger LP Trust.  The Tanger GP Trust controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner.  The Tanger LP Trust holds a limited partnership interest.  The remaining units are held by the Tanger family through its ownership of the Tanger Family Limited Partnership.  Stanley K. Tanger, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the sole general partner of the Tanger Family Limited Partnership.  Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term “Operating Partnership” refers to Tanger Properties Limited Partnership and subsidiaries and the term “Company” refers to Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and subsidiaries.  The terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the Operating Partnership or the Operating Partnership and the Company together, as the text requires.

2.  
Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and in conjunction with the Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed on July 2, 2009 solely to reflect certain retrospective accounting adjustments described below with respect to the financial information contained in the Operating Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The December 31, 2008 balance sheet data in this Form 10-Q was derived from audited financial statements.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ("SEC") rules and regulations, although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including changes resulting from the adoption on January 1, 2009 of new accounting pronouncements regarding convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) and earnings per unit, as discussed below.

On July 1, 2009, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) became the authoritative source of accounting principles to be applied to financial statements prepared in accounting with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).  In accordance with the Codification, citations to accounting literature in this report are presented in plain English.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include our accounts and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim consolidated financial statements.  All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.  Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We have performed an evaluation of subsequent events through November 12, 2009, which is the date the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was filed.

Investments in real estate joint ventures that represent non-controlling ownership interests are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. These investments are recorded initially at cost and subsequently adjusted for our equity in the venture's net income (loss) and cash contributions and distributions.

 
6

 


Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Convertible Debt

Effective January 1, 2009, we retrospectively adopted guidance related to convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlements).  In August 2006 we issued $149.5 million of Exchangeable Notes at an interest rate of 3.75 %, or the Exchangeable Notes.  These Exchangeable Notes were within the scope of the new accounting guidance, which requires bifurcation of the Exchangeable Notes into a debt component that is initially recorded at fair value and an equity component.  The difference between the fair value of the debt component and the initial proceeds from issuance of the instrument is recorded as a component of equity.  The liability component of the debt instrument is accreted to par using the effective interest method over the remaining life of the debt (the first redemption date in August 2011).  The accretion is reported as a component of interest expense.  The equity component is not subsequently re-valued as long as it continues to qualify for equity treatment.  Upon implementation of this accounting change we did the following:

a.  
We concluded that the difference between the fair value of the debt component at issuance and the initial proceeds received was approximately $15.0 million based on a market interest rate of 6.11%.  Therefore, we recorded an increase to equity of approximately $15.0 million.  The corresponding debt discount of $15.0 million recognized was as a reduction to the carrying value of the Exchangeable Notes on the balance sheets.

b.  
We also reclassified upon adoption approximately $363,000 of unamortized financing costs to partners’ equity as these costs were attributable to the issuance of the conversion feature associated with the Exchangeable Notes.

c.  
Distributions in excess of net income as of December 31, 2008 includes a decrease of approximately $5.1 million for the cumulative accretion of the debt discount from August 2006 through December 31, 2008.

d.  
The revised diluted earnings per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were reduced by $.03 and $.10 per unit, respectively, from their originally recorded amounts.

In May 2009, we completed an exchange offering where we retired a principal amount of $142.3 million of the outstanding Exchangeable Notes and issued approximately 4.9 million Company common shares in exchange for the related Exchangeable Notes.  The Operating Partnership issued approximately 2.4 million common limited partnership units to the Company in consideration for the Company’s issuance of common shares to retire the Exchangeable Notes.  See Note 6 for further discussion.

The Exchangeable Notes issued in 2006 had an outstanding principal amount of $7.2 million and $149.5 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):

   
As of
September 30,
2009
As of
December 31,
2008
Equity component carrying amount
$0.7
$15.0
Unamortized debt discount
$0.3
$8.5
Net debt carrying amount
$6.9
$141.0
 
Non-cash interest expense related to the accretion of the debt discounts, net of additional capitalized amounts and reclassified loan cost amortization, and contractual coupon interest expense were recognized for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, as follows (in thousands):
 
   
                            Three Months Ended
                           Nine Months Ended
   
                               September 30,
                              September 30,
   
2009
2008
2009
2008
Non-cash interest
 
$   37
$    727
$  1,117
$  2,149
Contractual coupon interest
 
$   67
$ 1,402
$  2,085
$  4,205

 

 
7

 

 
 
On January 1, 2009, we adopted accounting guidance that addresses whether instruments granted in equity-based payment awards are participating securities prior to vesting, and therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation when computing earnings per unit under the two-class method. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to distributions or distribution equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per unit pursuant to the two-class method.  Upon adoption, all prior-period earnings per unit data are required to be adjusted retrospectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the retrospective application resulted in a decrease of $.01 and $.03 per unit on a diluted basis.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the December 31, 2008 consolidated balance sheet have been reclassified to the caption “other liabilities” from the caption “accounts payable and accrued expenses” to conform to the presentation of the consolidated balance sheet presented as of September 30, 2009.  The caption other liabilities includes the fair value of derivative instruments and the liability related to the Washington County, Pennsylvania tax increment financing obligation.

3.     
Rental Properties

Expansions at Existing Centers

During the second quarter of 2009, we completed construction of a 23,000 square foot expansion at our Commerce II, Georgia outlet center.  The majority of the tenants opened during the second quarter of 2009.

No interest costs were capitalized for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Interest costs capitalized during the three months ended September 30, 2008 amounted to $560,000 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $84,000 and $1.7 million, respectively.

Impairment Charge

Rental property held and used by us is reviewed for impairment in the event that facts and circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such an event, we compare the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset to the asset’s carrying amount, and if less, recognize an impairment loss in an amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

During the second quarter 2009, we determined for our Commerce I, GA outlet center that the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of that property did not exceed the property’s carrying value based on deteriorating amounts of net operating income and the expectation that the occupancy rate of the property will significantly decrease in future periods.  Therefore, we recorded a $5.2 million non-cash impairment charge in our consolidated statement of operations which equaled the excess of the property’s carrying value over its fair value.  We determined the fair value using a market approach whereby we considered the prevailing market income capitalization rates and sales data for transactions involving similar assets.


 
8

 

Tax Increment Financing

In December 2006 the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County, Pennsylvania issued tax increment financing bonds to finance a portion of the public infrastructure improvements related to the construction of the Tanger outlet center in Washington, PA.  We received the net proceeds from the bond issuance as reimbursement as we spent funds on qualifying assets as defined in the bond agreement.  Debt service of these bonds is funded by 80% of the incremental real property taxes assessed within the tax increment financing district and any shortfalls in the debt service are funded by special assessments on the Washington, PA property.  We originally recorded in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet approximately $17.5 million which represents the funds that we have received and expect to receive from the bonds.  Associated with this liability is a discount of $6.1 million representing the difference between the amount received and the total amount of the bonds issued.  The principal amount of bonds issued totaled $23.6 million, mature in July 2035 and bear interest at an effective rate of 8.10% and a stated rate of 5.45%.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, approximately $322,000 and $1.0 million, respectively, of interest expense related to this bond is included in the consolidated statement of operations. 

Also in August 2009, we closed on the sale of an outparcel of land at our property in Washington, PA.  The net proceeds from the sale were approximately $1.6 million.  A condition of the sale was the assumption by the buyer of approximately $2.6 million of the tax increment financing liability.  The gain on sale of outparcel of approximately $3.3 million was included in other income in the statement of operations.  As of September 30, 2009, after accounting for the assumption by the buyer, the net carrying amount of our obligations under the bonds totaled $15.0 million.  Estimated principal reductions over the next five years are expected to approximate $633,000.

Change in Accounting Estimate

During the first quarter of 2009, we obtained approval from Beaufort County, South Carolina to implement a redevelopment plan at the Hilton Head I, SC outlet center.  Based on our current redevelopment timeline, we determined that the estimated remaining useful life of the existing outlet center is approximately three years.  As a result of this change in useful lives, additional depreciation and amortization of approximately $2.0 million and $4.5 million was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The accelerated depreciation and amortization reduced income from continuing operations and net income by approximately $.09 and $.22 per unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

4.     
Acquisition of Rental Property

On January 5, 2009, we purchased the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture that owned the outlet center in Myrtle Beach, SC on Hwy 17 for a cash price of $32.0 million, which was net of the assumption of the existing mortgage loan of $35.8 million.  The acquisition was funded by amounts available under our unsecured lines of credit. We had owned a 50% interest in the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture since its formation in 2001 and accounted for it under the equity method.  The joint venture is now 100% owned by us and has therefore been consolidated in 2009.

In December 2007, revised guidance was issued relating to business combinations that requires the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009, as well as for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. The following table illustrates the fair value of the total consideration transferred and the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):
 
   
Cash
$  32,000
Debt assumed
35,800
 
Fair value of total consideration transferred
67,800
Fair value of our equity interest in Myrtle Beach Hwy 17
 
 
held before the acquisition
31,957
Total
$  99,757


 
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The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of January 5, 2009, the date of acquisition (in thousands) and the weighted average amortization period by major intangible asset class (in years):

   
Value
   
Weighted
amortization period
 
Buildings, improvements and fixtures
  $ 81,182        
Deferred lease costs and other intangibles
             
Below market lease value
    (2,358 )     5.8  
Below market land lease value
    4,807       56.0  
Lease in place value
    7,998       4.4  
Tenant relationships
    7,274       8.8  
Present value of lease & legal costs
    1,145       4.9  
Total deferred lease costs and other intangibles
    18,866          
Subtotal
    100,048          
Debt discount
    1,467          
Fair value of interest rate swap assumed
    (1,715 )        
Fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities assumed, net
    (43 )        
Net assets acquired
  $ 99,757          

There was no contingent consideration associated with this acquisition.  We expensed as incurred approximately $28,000 in third-party acquisition related costs for the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 acquisition.  As a result of acquiring the remaining 50% interest in Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, our previously held interest was remeasured at fair value, resulting in a gain of approximately $31.5 million.

5.     
Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures

Our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 aggregated $9.6 million and $9.5 million, respectively.  We have evaluated the accounting treatment for each of the joint ventures and have concluded based on the current facts and circumstances that the equity method of accounting should be used to account for the individual joint ventures. At September 30, 2009, we were members of the following unconsolidated real estate joint ventures:

 
 
Joint Venture
 
 
Center Location
 
 
Opening Date
 
 
Ownership %
 
 
Square Feet
Carrying Value
 of Investment (in millions)
Total Joint
Venture Debt
(in millions)
 
Deer Park
Deer Park, Long Island, New York
2008
 
33.3%
684,851
 
$3.8
 
$267.2
             
 
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
 
2006
 
50%
 
264,929
 
$5.7
 
$25.3
             
These investments are recorded initially at cost and subsequently adjusted for our equity in the venture’s net income (loss) and cash contributions and distributions.  The following management, leasing and marketing fees were recognized from services provided to Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 (2008 period only), Wisconsin Dells and Deer Park (in thousands):

   
                  Three Months Ended
                   Nine Months Ended
   
                     September 30,
                       September 30,
   
2009
2008
2009
2008
Fee:
         
 
Management and leasing
$   462
 $   405
$     1,427
$   898
 
Marketing
 
35
28
114
93
Total Fees
 
$   497
$   433
$  1,541
$   991


 
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Our investments in real estate joint ventures are reduced by 50% of the profits earned for leasing and development services provided to Wisconsin Dells.  Our investment in Deer Park is reduced by 33.3% of the profits earned for leasing services provided to Deer Park.  Our carrying value of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures differs from our share of the assets reported in the “Summary Balance Sheets – Unconsolidated Joint Ventures” shown below due to adjustments to the book basis, including intercompany profits on sales of services that are capitalized by the unconsolidated joint ventures. The differences in basis are amortized over the various useful lives of the related assets.

We monitor various indicators that the value of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired.  An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investments, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary.  To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the fair value of the investment.  Our estimates of fair value for each joint venture investment are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates and operating costs of the property.  As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, the values estimated by us in our impairment analysis may not be realized.  As of September 30, 2009, we do not believe that any of our equity investments were impaired.

Wisconsin Dells

In March 2005, we established the Wisconsin Dells joint venture to construct and operate a Tanger Outlet center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The 264,900 square foot center opened in August 2006.  In February 2006, in conjunction with the construction of the center, Wisconsin Dells entered into a three-year, interest-only mortgage agreement with a one-year maturity extension option.  In February 2009, the one-year option became effective to extend the maturity of the mortgage to February 24, 2010.  As of September 30, 2009, the loan had a balance of $25.3 million with a floating interest rate based on the one month LIBOR index plus 1.30%.  The mortgage loan incurred by this unconsolidated joint venture is collateralized by its property as well as joint and several guarantees by us and designated guarantors of our venture partner.

In October 2009, Wells Fargo Bank agreed to refinance the $25.3 million mortgage for a term of three years at a rate of the LIBOR index plus 3.00%.  The loan also includes two one-year extensions.

Deer Park

In June 2009, the two interest rate swaps entered into by Deer Park with a notional amount totaling $170.0 million that had fixed the LIBOR index at an average of 5.38% related to Deer Park’s $284.0 million construction loan expired.  At that time, a forward starting interest rate cap originally purchased by Deer Park in February 2009 replaced these interest rate protection agreements as a hedge of interest rate risk.  The agreement caps the 30-day LIBOR index at 4% on a notional amount of $240.0 million at a cost approximately $290,000 for a period through April 2011.  The interest rate on our construction loan including the credit spread as of September 30, 2009 was 1.62%.

Condensed combined summary financial information of joint ventures accounted for using the equity method is as follows (in thousands):

             
 
Summary Balance Sheets
 – Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
 
As of
September 30,
2009
   
As of
December 31,
2008
 
Assets
           
Investment properties at cost, net
  $ 294,220     $ 323,546  
Cash and cash equivalents
    8,151       5,359  
Deferred charges, net
    5,438       7,025  
Other assets
    5,302       6,324  
Total assets
  $ 313,111     $ 342,254  
Liabilities and Owners’ Equity
               
Mortgages payable
  $ 292,468     $ 303,419  
Construction trade payables
    2,523       13,641  
Accounts payable and other liabilities (1)
    2,841       9,479  
Total liabilities
    297,832       326,539  
Owners’ equity (1)
    15,279       15,715  
Total liabilities and owners’ equity
  $ 313,111     $ 342,254  

 
(1) Includes the fair value of interest rate swap agreements at Deer Park and Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 totaling $5.6 million as of December 31, 2008 as an increase in other liabilities and a reduction of owners’ equity.

 
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                          Three Months Ended
   
                       Nine Months Ended
 
Summary Statements of Operations -
 
                           September 30,
   
                          September 30,
 
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Revenues
  $ 9,152     $ 5,582     $ 26,107     $ 15,370  
                                 
Expenses
                               
Property operating
    4,103       2,128       11,961       5,650  
General and administrative
    111       90       417       188  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,427       1,302       9,959       3,991  
Total expenses
    7,641       3,520       22,337       9,829  
Operating income
    1,511       2,062       3,770       5,541  
Interest expense
    1,553       932       8,363       2,592  
Net income (loss)
  $ (42 )   $ 1,130     $ (4,593 )   $ 2,949  
                                 
Tanger’s share of:
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 68     $ 596     $ (1,346 )   $ 1,548  
Depreciation (real estate related)
    1,239       635       3,628       1,938  

6.     
Debt

In May 2009, the Exchangeable Notes of the Operating Partnership in the principal amount of $142.3 million were exchanged for Company common shares, representing approximately 95.2% of the total Exchangeable Notes outstanding prior to the exchange offer.  In the aggregate, the exchange offer resulted in the issuance of approximately 4.9 million Company common shares and the payment of approximately $1.2 million in cash for accrued and unpaid interest and in lieu of fractional shares.  The Operating Partnership issued approximately 2.4 million partnership units to the Company in consideration for the Company’s issuance of common shares to retire the Exchangeable Notes.  Following settlement of the exchange offer, Exchangeable Notes in the principal amount of approximately $7.2 million remained outstanding.  In connection with the exchange offering, we recognized in income from continuing operations and net income a gain on early extinguishment of debt in the amount of $10.5 million.  A portion of the debt discount recorded amounting to approximately $7.0 million was written-off as part of the transaction.

In July 2009, Wells Fargo Bank increased the size of their unsecured line of credit from $100.0 million to $125.0 million allowing us to continue to maintain $325.0 million in unsecured lines of credit.

In September 2009, Moody's Investors Service affirmed its Baa3 senior unsecured rating for the Operating Partnership and revised the rating outlook for the Company to positive from stable.

The estimated fair value of our debt, consisting of senior unsecured notes, Exchangeable Notes, unsecured term credit facilities and unsecured lines of credit, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $550.2 million and $711.8 million, respectively, and its recorded value was $580.5 million and $786.9 million, respectively.  A 1% increase from prevailing interest rates at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 would result in a decrease in fair value of total debt of approximately $17.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively.  Fair values were determined, based on level 2 inputs as defined in Note 13, using discounted cash flow analyses with an interest rate or credit spread similar to that of current market borrowing arrangements.

 
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7.     
Common Share Offering

In August 2009, the Company completed a common share offering of 3.45 million shares at a price of $35.50 per share, with net proceeds of approximately $116.8 million.  Net proceeds from the sale were contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 87,000 common general partnership units and 1,638,000 common limited partnership units.  We used the net proceeds to repay borrowings under our unsecured lines of credit and for general corporate purposes.

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the ownership interests of the Operating Partnership consisted of the following:

 
2009
 
2008
Preferred units:
     
 
Limited partner
3,000,000
 
3,000,000
         
Common units:
     
 
General partner
237,000
 
150,000
 
Limited partners
22,935,447
 
18,717,056
Total common units
23,172,447
 
18,867,056
         

8.     
Other Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

   
                        Three Months Ended
   
                       Nine Months Ended
 
   
                           September 30,
   
                         September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income
  $ 4,364     $ 11,343     $ 54,419     $ 19,359  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of gain on 2005
                               
settlement of US treasury rate lock included in net income
    (74 )     (69 )     (218 )     (206 )
                                 
Reclassification adjustment for termination of US treasury rate locks
    ---       ---       ---       17,760  
                                 
Change in fair value of treasury rate locks
    ---       ---       ---       (9,006 )
                                 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges
    144       (1,327 )     1,405       (1,327 )
                                 
Change in fair value of our portion of our
                               
unconsolidated joint ventures’ cash flow hedges
    (6 )     442       2,129       222  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    64       (954 )     3,316       7,443  
Total comprehensive income
    4,428       10,389       57,735       26,802  

9.      Executive Severance

Stanley K. Tanger, founder of the Company, retired as an employee of the Company and the Operating Partnership and resigned as the Company’s Chairman of the Board effective September 1, 2009.  Pursuant to Mr. Tanger’s employment agreement, as agreed upon by the Company and Mr. Tanger, he will receive a cash severance amount of $ 3.4 million.  Additionally, the Company’s Board approved a modification to Mr. Tanger’s restricted share agreements whereas, upon his retirement, 216,000 unvested restricted common shares previously granted to Mr. Tanger vested.  Mr. Tanger continues to serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors.

 
13

 


10.        Unit-Based Compensation

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant of 207,500 restricted common shares to the Company’s independent directors and Company officers.  The Company receives one common unit from the Operating Partnership for every two restricted shares issued by the Company.  The restricted common shares granted to the Company’s independent directors vest ratably over a three year period.  The restricted common shares granted to the Company’s officers vest ratably over a five year period.  The grant date fair value of the awards, or $28.19 per share, was determined based upon the closing market price of the Company’s common shares on the day prior to the grant date in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Incentive Award Plan, or Plan.  Compensation expense related to the amortization of the deferred compensation amount is being recognized in accordance with the vesting schedule of the restricted common shares.

As noted in Note 9 above, upon retirement from the Company in September 2009, the 216,000 unvested restricted common shares granted to Stanley K. Tanger vested.  We recorded approximately $6.9 million of incremental compensation expense in the period related to this accelerated vesting of unit-based compensation.

We recorded unit-based compensation expense in our statements of operations as follows (in thousands):

   
                                        Three Months Ended
                               Nine Months Ended
   
                                             September 30,
                                September 30,
   
2009
2008
2009
2008
Restricted units
 
$     8,080
$   1,354
$  10,891
$  3,866
Options
 
---
50
78
158
Total unit-based compensation
 
$     8,080
$   1,404
$  10,969
$  4,024

As of September 30, 2009, there was $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested unit-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan.

11.        Earnings Per Unit

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators in computing earnings per share (in thousands, except per unit amounts):

   
                      Three Months Ended
   
                        Nine Months Ended
 
   
                        September 30,
   
                           September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Numerator
                       
Net income
  $  4,364     $ 11,343     $ 54,419     $ 19,359  
Less applicable preferred unit distributions
    (1,406 )     (1,406 )     (4,219 )     (4,219 )
Less allocation of earnings to participating securities
    (207 )     (195 )     (643 )     (529 )
Net income available to common unitholders
  $ 2,751     $ 9,742     $ 49,557     $ 14,611  
Denominator
                               
Basic weighted average common units
    22,065       18,598       20,309       18,563  
Effect of Exchangeable Notes
    3       243       3       243  
Effect of outstanding options
    38       62       40       75  
Diluted weighted average common units
    22,106       18,903       20,352       18,881  
                                 
Basic earnings per common unit
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ .12     $ .52     $ 2.44     $ .79  
Net income
  $ .12     $ .52     $ 2.44     $ .79  
                                 
Diluted earnings per common unit
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ .12     $ .52     $ 2.43     $ .77  
Net income
  $ .12     $ .52     $ 2.43     $ .77  
                                 


 
14

 

Our Exchangeable Notes are included in the diluted earnings per unit computation, if the effect is dilutive, using the treasury stock method.  In applying the treasury stock method, the effect will be dilutive if the average market price of the Company’s common shares for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days at the end of each quarter is higher than the exchange rate of $36.06 per Company common share.

The computation of diluted earnings per unit excludes options to purchase common units when the exercise price is greater than the average market price of the common units for the period.  The market price of a common unit is considered to be equivalent to twice the market price of a Company common share.  No options were excluded from the computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  

 
The Company’s unvested restricted share awards contain non-forfeitable rights to distributions or distribution equivalents. The impact of the unvested restricted share awards on earnings per unit has been calculated using the two-class method whereby earnings are allocated to the unvested restricted unit awards based on distributions declared and the unvested restricted shares' participation rights in undistributed earnings.

12.     Derivatives

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates.  We may periodically enter into certain interest rate protection and interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis.  We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

In accordance with our derivatives policy, all derivatives are assessed for effectiveness at the time the contracts are entered into and are assessed for effectiveness on an on-going basis at each quarter end.  All of our derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges.  Unrealized gains and losses related to the effective portion of our derivatives are recognized in other comprehensive income and gains or losses related to ineffective portions are recognized in the income statement.  At September 30, 2009, all of the derivatives which we originally entered into were considered effective.

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in millions).

   
Liability Derivatives
     
        As of
 
             As of
 
     
         September 30, 2009
 
             December 31, 2008
 
 
 
Notional
 amounts
 
Balance
sheet
location
 
Fair
value
 
Balance
sheet
location
 
Fair
value
 
Derivatives designated as hedging
               
instruments
               
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$235.0
 
Other
liabilities
 
$10.3
 
Other
 liabilities
 
$11.7
 
                 
Derivatives not designated as hedging
               
instruments(1)
               
 
Interest rate swap agreement
 
35.0
 
Other
liabilities
 
0.8
 
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
Total derivatives
$270.0
   
$11.1
   
$11.7
 
                 
(1)  The derivative not designated as a hedging instrument was the interest rate swap agreement assumed when we purchased the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture that owned the outlet center in Myrtle Beach, SC on Hwy 17.  We could not qualify for hedge accounting for this assumed derivative which had a fair value of $1.7 million upon acquisition and was recorded in other liabilities in the balance sheet.  Changes in fair value of this derivative are recorded through the statement of operations until its expiration in March 2010.

The remaining net benefit from a derivative settled during 2005 in accumulated other comprehensive income was an unamortized balance as of September 30, 2009 of $2.2 million which will amortize into the statement of operations through October 2015.


 
15

 


13.   Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, accounting guidance was issued which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  We adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2008 for financial instruments.  Although the adoption did not materially impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow, we are now required to provide additional disclosures as part of our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2008, further guidance was issued which delayed the effective date of certain guidance pertaining to all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).  Rental property is considered a nonfinancial asset and the testing of it for impairment is considered nonrecurring in nature.  Effective January 1, 2009, the definition of fair value in the context of an impairment evaluation became the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The guidance established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers are defined as follows:

Tier
Description
Level 1
Defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets
   
Level 2
Defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable
   
Level 3
Defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions

The valuation of our financial instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves.  The valuation also includes a discount for counterparty risk.  We have determined that our derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosure of the fair value for each major category of assets and liabilities is presented below:
     
   
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using (in millions)
   
Quoted prices
   
   
in active markets
Significant other
Significant
   
for identical assets
observable inputs
unobservable inputs
   
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Liabilities:
       
Derivative financial instruments (1)
 
---
$(11.1)
---
         
(1) Included in “Other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
 


 
16

 

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, quantitative disclosure of the fair value for each major category of assets and liabilities is presented below:
     
   
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using (in millions)
   
Quoted prices
   
   
in active markets
Significant other
Significant
   
for identical assets
observable inputs
unobservable inputs
   
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
       
Long lived assets held and used (1)
 
---
---
$2.0
         
(1) Long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of $7.2 million were written down to their fair value of $2.0 million as of June 30, 2009 resulting in an impairment charge of $5.2 million.  This charge was included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The new basis is included in “Land” and “Building, improvements and fixtures” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

14.    Non-Cash Activities

Non-cash financing activities that occurred during the 2009 period included the assumption of mortgage debt in the amount of $35.8 million, including a discount of $1.5 million related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture as discussed in Note 4.  In addition, rental property increased by $32.0 million related to the fair market valuation of our previously held interest in excess of carrying amount.

We also completed a non-cash exchange offering, as described in Note 6, which resulted in the retirement of $142.3 million in principal amount of Exchangeable Notes which had a carrying value of $135.3 million.  These notes were retired with the issuance of approximately 4.9 million Company common shares.

As described in Note 3, in August 2009 we closed on the sale of an outparcel of land at our property in Washington, PA.  A non-cash condition of the sale was the assumption by the buyer of approximately $2.6 million of the tax increment financing liability associated with the property.

During the second quarter of 2008, upon the closing of our $235.0 million LIBOR based unsecured term loan facility, we determined that we were unlikely to enter into a US Treasury based debt offering.  We reclassified to earnings in the period the amount recorded in other comprehensive income, $17.8 million, related to our US Treasury rate lock derivatives.  This amount had been frozen as of March 31, 2008 when we determined that the probability of the forecast transaction was “reasonably possible” instead of “probable”.  Effective April 1, 2008, we discontinued hedge accounting and the changes in the fair value of the derivative contracts subsequent to April 1, 2008 resulted in a gain of $8.9 million.  This accounting treatment of these derivatives resulted in a net loss of $8.9 million and was reflected in the statement of cash flows as a non-cash operating activity.  The $8.9 million cash settlement of the derivatives during the second quarter was reflected in the statement of cash flows as a change in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

We purchase capital equipment and incur costs relating to construction of facilities, including tenant finishing allowances.  Expenditures included in construction trade payables as of September 30, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $8.0 million and $22.8 million, respectively.

15. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On July 1, 2009, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification became the authoritative source of accounting principles to be applied to financial statements prepared in accounting with GAAP.  In accordance with the Codification, citations to accounting literature in this report are presented in plain English.

In May 2009, accounting guidance concerning subsequent events was issued that sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date must be disclosed. This disclosure should alert all users of financials statements that an entity has not evaluated subsequent events after that date in the set of financial statements being presented. The guidance is effective for financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. We adopted the requirements during the second quarter of 2009.


 
17

 

In April 2009, amended accounting guidance was issued to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies in addition to the annual financial statements. The guidance is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. Prior period presentation is not required for comparative purposes at initial adoption.  We adopted the requirements during the second quarter of 2009.

In June 2009, amended guidance was issued related to the consolidation of variable-interest entities. These amendments require an enterprise to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE, and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The amendments change the consideration of kick-out rights in determinig if an entity is a VIE which may cause certain additional entities to now be considered VIEs.  Additionally, they require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary and provide a framework for the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE. This guidance will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

16. Subsequent Events

In October 2009, we closed on our development site in Mebane, North Carolina and have begun construction on a Tanger Outlet Center totaling approximately 317,000 square feet.  Currently, we have signed leases or have leases out for signature for approximately 66% of the total square feet.  The estimated total cost of the project is approximately $61.5 million.  Currently, we expect this project will be funded by operating cash flows and amounts available under our unsecured lines of credit.

 
18

 

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The discussion of our results of operations reported in the unaudited, consolidated statements of operations compares the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report.  Historical results and percentage relationships set forth in the unaudited, consolidated statements of operations, including trends which might appear, are not necessarily indicative of future operations.  Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term “Operating Partnership” refers to Tanger Properties Limited Partnership and subsidiaries and the term “Company” refers to Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and subsidiaries.  The terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the Operating Partnership or the Operating Partnership and the Company together, as the text requires.

Cautionary Statements

Certain statements made below are 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.  We intend for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995 and included this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, or similar expressions.  You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect our actual results, performance or achievements.  Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors listed there through September 30, 2009.

General Overview

At September 30, 2009, our consolidated portfolio included 31 wholly owned outlet centers in 21 states totaling 9.2 million square feet compared to 30 wholly owned outlet centers in 21 states totaling 8.8 million square feet at September 30, 2008.  The changes in the number of outlet centers, square feet and number of states are due to the following events:

   
No. of 
 Centers
   
Square Feet
(000’s)
   
States
 
As of September 30, 2008
    30       8,823       21  
Expansion:
                       
Commerce II, Georgia
    ---       23       ---  
Acquisition:
                       
Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, South Carolina
    1       402       ---  
Other
    ---       (26 )     ---  
As of September 30, 2009
    31       9,222       21  

 
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The following table summarizes certain information for our existing outlet centers in which we have an ownership interest as of September 30, 2009.  Except as noted, all properties are fee owned.

Location
 
Square
   
%      
 
Wholly Owned Properties
 
 Feet  
   
Occupied
 
Riverhead, New York (1)
    729,315       99  
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (1)
    568,868       99  
Foley, Alabama
    557,235       91  
San Marcos, Texas
    442,006       100  
Myrtle Beach Hwy 501, South Carolina
    426,417       90  
Sevierville, Tennessee (1)
    419,038       100  
Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, South Carolina (1) (2)
    402,442       100  
Washington, Pennsylvania
    370,525       88  
Commerce II, Georgia
    370,512       96  
Hilton Head, South Carolina
    368,626       90  
Charleston, South Carolina
    352,315       96  
Howell, Michigan
    324,631       95  
Branson, Missouri
    302,992       100  
Park City, Utah
    298,379       100  
Locust Grove, Georgia
    293,868       100  
Westbrook, Connecticut
    291,051       97  
Gonzales, Louisiana
    282,403       99  
Williamsburg, Iowa
    277,230       94  
Lincoln City, Oregon
    270,280       100  
Tuscola, Illinois
    256,469       81  
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
    255,152       99  
Tilton, New Hampshire
    245,563       99  
Fort Myers, Florida
    198,950       89  
Commerce I, Georgia
    185,750       58  
Terrell, Texas
    177,800       94  
Barstow, California
    171,300       100  
West Branch, Michigan
    112,120       96  
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
    104,235       100  
Nags Head, North Carolina
    82,178       97  
Kittery I, Maine
    59,694       100  
Kittery II, Maine
    24,619       100  
Totals
    9,221,963       96 (3)
                 

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
     
Deer Park, New York (4)
684,851
 
80
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
264,929
 
98

(1)  
These properties or a portion thereof are subject to a ground lease.
(2)  
Property serves as collateral on a $35.8 million non-recourse mortgage with an interest rate of LIBOR + 1.40%.
(3)  
Excludes the occupancy rate at our Washington, Pennsylvania outlet center which opened during the third quarter of 2008 and has not yet stabilized.
(4)  
Includes a 29,253 square foot warehouse adjacent to the shopping center.



 
20

 

 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2009 to the three months ended September 30, 2008

BASE RENTALS
Base rentals increased $3.6 million, or 9%, in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.  Approximately $3.0 million of the increase related to base rent at our new outlet center in Washington, Pennsylvania which opened in August 2008 and our acquisition in January 2009 of the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture that held the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, South Carolina center.  The Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 outlet center is now wholly-owned and has been consolidated in our 2009 period results.  Also, our base rental income increased due to increases in rental rates on lease renewals and incremental rents from re-tenanting vacant space.  

In addition, termination fees of approximately $88,000 were recognized in the 2009 period compared to $498,000 in the 2008 period due to fewer tenants terminating leases early.  Payments received from the early termination of leases are recognized as revenue from the time the payment is receivable until the tenant vacates the space.

Also, included in base rentals is the amortization from the value of the above and below market leases recorded as a result of our property acquisitions as either an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease.  The net amortization of above and below market leases for the 2009 period was an increase to base rentals of approximately $222,000.  This represents an increase of approximately $87,000, or 64%, over the 2008 period amount of approximately $135,000.  The increase is due to the addition of the net below market amortization from the acquired leases related to the January 2009 Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 acquisition mentioned above.  If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related above or below market lease value will be written off and could materially impact our net income positively or negatively.  At September 30, 2009, the net liability representing the amount of unrecognized below market lease values totaled approximately $2.7 million.

PERCENTAGE RENTALS
Percentage rentals, which represent revenues based on a percentage of tenants' sales volume above predetermined levels (the "breakpoint"), decreased $369,000, or 20% from the 2008 period to the 2009 period.  Tenant sales were negatively impacted by the general weakness in the US economy.  Reported tenant comparable sales for our wholly owned properties for the rolling twelve months ended September 30, 2009 decreased 2.0% to $335 per square foot.  Comparable sales is defined as the weighted average sales per square foot reported in space open for the full duration of each comparison period.

EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
Expense reimbursements, which represent the contractual recovery from tenants of certain common area maintenance, insurance, property tax, promotional, advertising and management expenses, generally fluctuate consistently with the reimbursable property operating expenses to which they relate.  Expense reimbursements, expressed as a percentage of property operating expenses, were 89% and 91% in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively.  This decrease is primarily a function of our lower average occupancy rates for the portfolio during the 2009 period.

OTHER INCOME
Other income increased $3.5 million, or 161%, in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period due to the sale of a land outparcel at our Washington, PA center in August 2009.  The gain on sale of land outparcel, which included the assumption of a portion of the tax incremental liability associated with the property, was approximately $3.3 million. The remainder of the increase related to management fees earned from services provided to the Deer Park joint venture which opened in October 2008.  This increase in fees was partially offset by a decrease in fees from services provided to the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture which became wholly-owned in January 2009.  In addition, the two new outlet centers added to the wholly-owned portfolio in 2009 mentioned above incrementally added approximately $186,000 in other vending income.

PROPERTY OPERATING
Property operating expenses increased $1.3 million, or 6%, in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period.  The majority of increase is due to approximately $933,000 of incremental operating costs from our new Washington, PA outlet center and the now wholly-owned Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, SC outlet center. The remaining increase is due to higher costs related to operating our mall offices at the outlet centers in our portfolio as compared to the corresponding period in 2008.


 
21

 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
General and administrative expenses increased $9.5 million, or 154%, in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period.  The increase is due to approximately $10.3 million in executive severance consisting of a cash payment of $3.4 million and $6.9 million of share-based compensation from the accelerated vesting of restricted common shares.   Excluding this charge, as a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses were 8% and 10% in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively.  Decreases in corporate overhead partially offset the increase for the 2009 period.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased $4.9 million, or 32%, in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.  During the first quarter of 2009, we obtained approval from Beaufort County, South Carolina to implement a redevelopment plan at the Hilton Head I, SC outlet center.  Based on our current redevelopment timeline, we determined that the estimated remaining useful life of the existing outlet center is approximately three years.  As a result of this change in useful lives, additional depreciation and amortization of approximately $2.0 million was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The accelerated depreciation and amortization reduced income from continuing operations and net income by approximately $.09 per unit for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The majority of the remaining increase is due the addition of the Washington, PA and Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, SC centers to the wholly-owned portfolio, representing $2.7 million of depreciation and amortization. 

INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 11%, in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.  The decrease is primarily related to the extinguishment of a principal amount of $142.3 million of exchangeable notes through the issuance of equity described below and the issuance of 3.45 million Company common shares in August 2009, proceeds of which were used to reduce amounts outstanding under our unsecured lines of credit.  Also, a significant portion of our outstanding debt is comprised of unsecured lines of credit which incur interest based on the LIBOR index plus a credit spread.  The 2009 period has seen unprecedented low LIBOR index levels which have reduced the overall borrowing rate associated with our lines of credit.

 
EQUITY IN EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $528,000 in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.  The decrease is due mainly to our equity in the losses incurred by the Deer Park property, which opened during October 2008, due to depreciation charges and leverage on the project.  We expect results to improve during the stabilization of the property.  In addition, the 2009 period does not include any equity in earnings from the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture as we acquired the remaining 50% interest in January 2009.

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to the nine months ended September 30, 2008

BASE RENTALS
Base rentals increased $14.1 million, or 12%, in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.    Approximately $10.0 million of the increase related to base rent at our new outlet center in Washington, Pennsylvania which opened in August 2008 and our acquisition in January 2009 of the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture that held the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, South Carolina center.  The Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 outlet center is now wholly-owned and has been consolidated in our 2009 period results.  Also, our base rental income increased due to increases in rental rates on lease renewals and incremental rents from re-tenanting vacant space.  
  
In addition, termination fees of approximately $1.0 million were recognized in the 2009 period compared to $829,000 in the 2008 period.  Payments received from the early termination of leases are recognized as revenue from the time the payment is receivable until the tenant vacates the space.

Also, included in base rentals is the amortization from the value of the above and below market leases recorded as a result of our property acquisitions as either an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease.  If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related above or below market lease value will be written off and could materially impact our net income positively or negatively.  At September 30, 2009, the net liability representing the amount of unrecognized below market lease values totaled approximately $2.7 million.

 
22

 
PERCENTAGE RENTALS
Percentage rentals, which represent revenues based on a percentage of tenants' sales volume above predetermined levels (the "breakpoint"), decreased $419,000, or 10% from the 2008 period to the 2009 period.  Tenant sales were negatively impacted by the general weakness in the US economy.  Reported tenant comparable sales for our wholly owned properties for the rolling twelve months ended September 30, 2009 decreased 2.0% to $335 per square foot.  Comparable sales is defined as the weighted average sales per square foot reported in space open for the full duration of each comparison period.

EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
Expense reimbursements, which represent the contractual recovery from tenants of certain common area maintenance, insurance, property tax, promotional, advertising and management expenses, generally fluctuate consistently with the reimbursable property operating expenses to which they relate.  Expense reimbursements, expressed as a percentage of property operating expenses, were 89% and 90% in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively.  This decrease is primarily a function of our lower average occupancy rates for the portfolio during the 2009 period.

OTHER INCOME
Other income increased $4.2 million, or 81%, in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period due to the sale of a land outparcel at our Washington, PA center in August 2009.  The gain on sale of land outparcel, which included the assumption of a portion of the tax incremental liability associated with the property, was approximately $3.3 million. The remainder of the increase related to management fees earned from services provided to the Deer Park joint venture which opened in October 2008.  This increase in fees was partially offset by a decrease in fees from services provided to the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture which became wholly-owned in January 2009.  In addition, the two new outlet centers added to the wholly-owned portfolio mentioned above incrementally added approximately $421,000 in other vending income.

 
PROPERTY OPERATING
Property operating expenses increased $6.5 million, or 11%, in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period.  The increase is due primarily to the $5.1 million of incremental operating costs from our new Washington, PA outlet center and the now wholly-owned Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, SC outlet center. Also, in the first nine months of 2009 we incurred an increase of approximately $400,000 in snow removal costs and higher costs related to operating our mall offices at the outlet centers in our portfolio as compared to the corresponding period in 2008.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
General and administrative expenses increased $10.4 million, or 60%, in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period.  The increase is due to approximately $10.3 million in executive severance consisting of a cash payment of $3.4 million and $6.9 million of share-based compensation from the accelerated vesting of restricted common shares.   Excluding this charge, as a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses were 9% and 10% in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively.  Decreases in corporate overhead partially offset the increase for the 2009 period.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization increased $14.7 million, or 32%, in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.  During the first quarter of 2009, we obtained approval from Beaufort County, South Carolina to implement a redevelopment plan at the Hilton Head I, SC outlet center.  Based on our current redevelopment timeline, we determined that the estimated remaining useful life of the existing outlet center is approximately three years.  As a result of this change in useful lives, additional depreciation and amortization of approximately $4.5 million was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The accelerated depreciation and amortization reduced income from continuing operations and net income by approximately $.22 per unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The majority of the remaining increase is due the addition of the Washington, PA and Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, SC centers to the wholly-owned portfolio, representing $9.3 million of depreciation and amortization. 

INTEREST EXPENSE
The decrease is primarily related to the extinguishment of a principal amount of $142.3 million of Exchangeable Notes through the issuance of equity described below and the issuance of 3.45 million Company common shares in August 2009, the proceeds of which were used to reduce amounts outstanding under our unsecured lines of credit.  Also, a significant portion of our outstanding debt is comprised of unsecured lines of credit which incur interest based on the LIBOR index plus a credit spread.  The 2009 period has seen unprecedented low LIBOR index levels which have reduced the overall borrowing rate associated with our lines of credit.

IMPAIRMENT CHARGE
During the second quarter 2009, we determined for our Commerce I, GA outlet center that the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of that property did not exceed the property’s carrying value based on deteriorating amounts of net operating income and the expectation that the occupancy rate of the property will significantly decrease in future periods.  Therefore, we recorded a $5.2 million non-cash impairment charge in our consolidated statement of operations which equaled the excess of the property’s carrying value over its fair value.  We determined the fair value using a market approach whereby we considered the prevailing market income capitalization rates and sales data for transactions involving similar assets.  There were no such charges during the 2008 period.


 
23

 

GAIN ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT
In May 2009, Exchangeable Notes of the Operating Partnership in the principal amount of $142.3 million and a carrying amount of $135.3 million were exchanged for Company common shares, representing approximately 95.2% of the total Exchangeable Notes outstanding prior to the exchange offer.  In the aggregate, the exchange offer resulted in the issuance of approximately 4.9 million Company common shares and the payment of approximately $1.2 million in cash for accrued and unpaid interest and in lieu of fractional shares.  Following settlement of the exchange offer, Exchangeable Notes in the principal amount of approximately $7.2 million remained outstanding.  In connection with the exchange offering, we recognized in income from continuing operations and net income a gain on early extinguishment of debt in the amount of $10.5 million.

GAIN ON FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF PREVIOUSLY HELD INTEREST IN ACQUIRED JOINT VENTURE
On January 5, 2009, we purchased the remaining 50% interest in the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture for a cash price of $32.0 million which was net of the assumption of the existing mortgage loan of $35.8 million.  The acquisition was funded by amounts available under our unsecured lines of credit.   We had owned a 50% interest in the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture since its formation in 2001 and accounted for it under the equity method.  The joint venture is now 100% owned by us and is consolidated in 2009.  The acquisition was accounted for under the new guidance for acquisitions which was effective January 1, 2009.  Under this guidance, we recorded a gain of $31.5 million which represented the difference between the fair market value of our previously owned interest and its cost basis.

LOSS ON SETTLEMENT OF US TREASURY RATE LOCKS
During the second quarter of 2008, we settled two interest rate lock protection agreements which were intended to fix the US Treasury index at an average rate of 4.62% for an aggregate of $200 million of new debt for 10 years from July 2008.  We originally entered into these agreements in 2005 in anticipation of a public debt offering during 2008, based on the 10 year US Treasury rate.  Upon the closing of the LIBOR based unsecured term loan facility, we determined that we were unlikely to execute such a US Treasury based debt offering.  The settlement of the interest rate lock protection agreements, at a total cost of $8.9 million, was reflected as a loss on settlement of US treasury rate locks in our consolidated statements of operations.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $2.9 million in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period.  The decrease is due mainly to our equity in the losses incurred by the Deer Park property, which opened during October 2008, due to depreciation charges and leverage on the project.  We expect results to improve during the stabilization of the property.  In addition, the 2009 period does not include any equity in earnings from the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture as we acquired the remaining 50% interest in January 2009.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Operating Activities

Property rental income represents our primary source of net cash provided by operating activities.  Rental and occupancy rates are the primary factors that influence property rental income levels.  Since the 2008 period, we have added two outlet centers to our wholly-owned portfolio thus increasing our cash provided by operations.  In addition, our rental rates upon renewal and re-tenanting have increased in each of the periods between the 2008 period and the 2009 period.  These two factors have more than offset the slight decrease in overall portfolio occupancy on a comparative basis between the periods.  The 2008 period also included a cash payment of $8.9 million for the settlement of two US treasury rate lock derivative contracts.

Investing Activities

Cash flow used in investing activities was higher in the 2008 period by $49.6 million due to additions to rental property from construction expenditures related to our Washington, PA outlet center which opened in August 2008 and two major renovation projects which were on-going during most of the 2008 period.  There were no significant renovation or construction projects during the 2009 period.  However, the 2009 period includes the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture that held the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17, South Carolina center at a cash purchase price of $32.0 million. 

 
24

 
Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities declined from the 2008 period to the 2009 period as our construction activities were significantly less on a comparable basis.  The 2009 period includes the financing of the Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 joint venture acquisition mentioned above.  The cash proceeds from the 2009 period common share issuance were used almost entirely to repay amounts outstanding under our unsecured lines of credit.

Current Developments and Dispositions

We intend to continue to grow our portfolio by developing, expanding or acquiring additional outlet centers.  In the section below, we describe the new developments that are either currently planned, underway or recently completed.  However, you should note that any developments or expansions that we, or a joint venture that we are involved in, have planned or anticipated may not be started or completed as scheduled, or may not result in accretive net income or Funds From Operations, or FFO.  See the section “Funds From Operations” for further discussion of FFO.  In addition, we regularly evaluate acquisition or disposition proposals and engage from time to time in negotiations for acquisitions or dispositions of properties.  We may also enter into letters of intent for the purchase or sale of properties.  Any prospective acquisition or disposition that is being evaluated or which is subject to a letter of intent may not be consummated, or if consummated, may not result in an increase in liquidity, net income or funds from operations.

WHOLLY OWNED CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Expansions at Existing Centers

During the second quarter of 2009, we completed construction of a 23,000 square foot expansion at our Commerce II, Georgia outlet center.  The majority of the tenants opened during the second quarter of 2009.

New Developments

In October 2009, we closed on our development site in Mebane, North Carolina and have begun construction on a Tanger Outlet Center totaling approximately 317,000 square feet.  Currently, we have signed leases or have leases out for signature for approximately 66% of the total square feet.  The estimated total cost of the project is approximately $61.5 million and we expect the center to be open in time for the 2010 holiday season.  Currently, we expect this project will be funded by operating cash flows and amounts available under our unsecured lines of credit.

Potential Future Developments

In addition, we currently have an option for a new development site located in Irving, Texas, which would be our third in the state.  The site is strategically located west of Dallas at the North West quadrant of busy State Highway 114 and Loop 12 and will be the first major project planned for the Texas Stadium Redevelopment Area.  It is also adjacent to the upcoming DART light rail line (and station stop) connecting downtown Dallas to the Las Colinas Urban Center, the Irving Convention Center and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.  At this time, we are in the initial study period on the Irving, TX project.  As such, there can be no assurance that this site will ultimately be developed.  This project, if realized, would be primarily funded by amounts available under our unsecured lines of credit but could also be funded by other sources of capital such as collateralized construction loans, public debt or equity offerings as necessary or available.

Financing Arrangements

At September 30, 2009, approximately 94% of our outstanding debt represented unsecured borrowings and approximately 95% of the gross book value of our real estate portfolio was unencumbered.  We maintain unsecured, revolving lines of credit that provided for unsecured borrowings of up to $325.0 million, all with expiration dates of June 30, 2011 or later.

In May 2009, Exchangeable Notes of the Operating Partnership in the principal amount of $142.3 million and a carrying amount of $135.3 million were exchanged for Company common shares, representing approximately 95.2% of the total Exchangeable Notes outstanding prior to the exchange offer.  In the aggregate, the exchange offer resulted in the issuance of approximately 4.9 million Company common shares and the payment of approximately $1.2 million in cash for accrued and unpaid interest and in lieu of fractional shares.  The Operating Partnership issued approximately 2.4 million partnership units to the Company in consideration for the Company’s issuance of common shares to retire the Exchangeable Notes.  Following settlement of the exchange offer, Exchangeable Notes in the principal amount of approximately $7.2 million remained outstanding.  In connection with the exchange offering, we recognized in income from continuing operations and net income a gain on early extinguishment of debt in the amount of $10.5 million.


 
25

 

In August 2009, the Company completed a common share offering of 3.45 million shares at a price of $35.50 per share, with net proceeds of approximately $116.8 million.  Net proceeds from the sale were contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 87,000 common general partnership units and 1,638,000 common limited partnership units.  We used the net proceeds to repay borrowings under our unsecured lines of credit and for general corporate purposes.

In September 2009, Moody's Investors Service affirmed its Baa3 senior unsecured rating for the Operating Partnership and revised the rating outlook for the Company to positive from stable.

We intend to retain the ability to raise additional capital, including public debt or equity, to pursue attractive investment opportunities that may arise and to otherwise act in a manner that we believe to be in our unitholders’ best interests.  We have no significant debt maturities until 2011.  We, together with the Company, updated our joint shelf registration statement in July 2009 that allows us to register unspecified amounts of different classes of securities on Form S-3.  To generate capital to reinvest into other attractive investment opportunities, we may also consider the use of additional operational and developmental joint ventures, the sale or lease of outparcels on our existing properties and the sale of certain properties that do not meet our long-term investment criteria.  Based on cash provided by operations, existing credit facilities, ongoing negotiations with certain financial institutions and, together with the Company, our ability to sell debt or issue equity subject to market conditions, we believe that we have access to the necessary financing to fund the planned capital expenditures during 2009 and 2010.

We anticipate that adequate cash will be available to fund our operating and administrative expenses, regular debt service obligations, and the payment of distributions in order for the Company to maintain its status as a REIT for both the short and long-term.  Although we receive most of our rental payments on a monthly basis, distributions to unitholders are made quarterly and interest payments on the senior, unsecured notes are made semi-annually.  Amounts accumulated for such payments will be used in the interim to reduce the outstanding borrowings under our existing lines of credit or invested in short-term money market or other suitable instruments.

We believe our current balance sheet position is financially sound; however, due to the current weakness in and unpredictability of the capital and credit markets, we can give no assurance that affordable access to capital will exist between now and 2011 when our next significant debt maturities occur.  As a result, our current primary focus is to strengthen our capital and liquidity position by controlling and reducing construction and overhead costs, generating positive cash flows from operations to cover our distributions and reducing outstanding debt.

On October 8, 2009, the Board of Trustees of Tanger GP Trust, acting in its capacity as our general partner, declared a $.7650 cash distribution per common unit payable on November 13, 2009 to each unitholder of record on October 30, 2009.  The Trustees of Tanger GP Trust also declared a $.46875 cash distribution per 7.5% Class C Cumulative Preferred Unit payable on November 16, 2009 to holders of record on October 30, 2009.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The following table details certain information as of September 30, 2009 about various unconsolidated real estate joint ventures in which we have an ownership interest:

 
 
Joint Venture
 
 
Center Location
 
 
Opening Date
 
 
Ownership %
 
 
Square Feet
Carrying Value
of Investment
(in millions)
Total Joint
Venture Debt
(in millions)
 
Deer Park
Deer Park, Long Island, New York
2008
 
33.3%
684,851
 
$3.8
 
$267.2
             
 
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
 
2006
 
50%
 
264,929
 
$5.7
 
$25.3
             
We may issue guarantees for the debt of a joint venture in order for the joint venture to obtain funding or to obtain funding at a lower cost than could be obtained otherwise.  We are party to a joint and several guarantee with respect to the construction loan obtained by the Wisconsin Dells joint venture during the first quarter of 2006, which currently has a balance of $25.3 million.  We are also party to a joint and several guarantee with respect to the loans obtained by the Deer Park joint venture which currently have a balance of $267.2 million.

Each of the above ventures contains provisions where a venture partner can trigger certain provisions and force the other partners to either buy or sell their investment in the joint venture.  Should this occur, we may be required to sell the property to the venture partner or incur a significant cash outflow in order to maintain ownership of these outlet centers.

 
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The following table details our share of the debt maturities of the unconsolidated joint ventures as of September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

Joint Venture
Our Portion of Joint Venture Debt
Maturity Date
Interest Rate
Deer Park
$89,073
5/17/2011(1)
Libor + 1.375-3.50%
Wisconsin Dells
$12,625
2/24/2010(2)
Libor + 1.30%
(1)  
The Deer Park mortgage has a one-year extension option which is exercisable at the May 17, 2011 initial maturity date.
(2)  
In October 2009, Wells Fargo Bank agreed to refinance the $25.3 million mortgage for a term of three years at a rate of the Libor index plus 3.00%.  The loan also includes two one-year extensions.

In June 2009, the two interest rate swaps entered into by Deer Park with a notional amount totaling $170.0 million that had fixed the LIBOR index at an average of 5.38% related to Deer Park’s $284.0 million construction loan expired.  At that time, a forward starting interest rate cap originally purchased by Deer Park in February 2009 replaced these interest rate protection agreements as a hedge of interest rate risk.  The agreement caps the 30-day LIBOR index at 4% on a notional amount of $240.0 million at a cost approximately $290,000 for a period through April 2011.  This change in cash flow hedge strategy allows Deer Park to take advantage of the historically low LIBOR index on its construction loan while still having protection against dramatic increases in interest rates.  The interest rate on our construction loan including the credit spread as of September 30, 2009 was 1.62%.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Refer to our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of our critical accounting policies which include principles of consolidation, acquisition of real estate, cost capitalization, impairment of long-lived assets and revenue recognition.  There have been no material changes to these policies in 2009.

Related Party Transactions

As noted above in “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”, we are 50% owners of the Wisconsin Dells joint venture and a 33.3% owner in the Deer Park joint venture currently and were a 50% owner of Myrtle Beach Hwy 17 during 2008.  These joint ventures pay us management, leasing, marketing and development fees, which we believe approximate current market rates, for services provided to the joint ventures.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, we recognized the following fees (in thousands):

   
                     Three Months Ended
                       Nine Months Ended
   
                          September 30,
                         September 30,
   
2009
2008
2009
2008
Fee:
         
 
Management and leasing
$   462
 $   405
$   1,427
$   898
 
Marketing
 
35
28
114
93
Total Fees
 
$   497
$   433
$   1,541
$   991

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On July 1, 2009, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification became the authoritative source of accounting principles to be applied to financial statements prepared in accounting with GAAP.  In accordance with the Codification, citations to accounting literature in this report are presented in plain English.

In May 2009, accounting guidance concerning subsequent events was issued that sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date must be disclosed. This disclosure should alert all users of financials statements that an entity has not evaluated subsequent events after that date in the set of financial statements being presented. The guidance is effective for financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. We adopted the requirements during the second quarter of 2009.

In April 2009, amended accounting guidance was issued to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies in addition to the annual financial statements. The guidance is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. Prior period presentation is not required for comparative purposes at initial adoption.  We adopted the requirements during the second quarter of 2009.

In June 2009, amended guidance was issued related to the consolidation of variable-interest entities. These amendments require an enterprise to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE, and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The amendments change the consideration of kick-out rights in determinig if an entity is a VIE which may cause certain additional entities to now be considered VIEs.  Additionally, they require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary and provide a framework for the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE. This guidance will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 
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Funds From Operations

FFO represents income before extraordinary items and gains (losses) on sale or disposal of depreciable operating properties, plus depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to real estate and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

FFO is intended to exclude historical cost depreciation of real estate as required by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, which assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes ratably over time.  Historically, however, real estate values have risen or fallen with market conditions.  Because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization unique to real estate, gains and losses from property dispositions and extraordinary items, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, reflects the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, development activities and interest costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income.

We present FFO because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our operating performance and believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs, many of which present FFO when reporting their results.  FFO is widely used by us and others in our industry to evaluate and price potential acquisition candidates.  The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc., of which we are a member, has encouraged its member companies to report their FFO as a supplemental, industry-wide standard measure of REIT operating performance.  In addition, a percentage of bonus compensation to certain members of management is based on our FFO performance.

FFO has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.  Some of these limitations are:

§  
FFO does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
§  
FFO does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
§  
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and FFO does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
§  
FFO, which includes discontinued operations, may not be indicative of our ongoing operations; and
§  
Other companies in our industry may calculate FFO differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, FFO should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or our dividend paying capacity.  We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using FFO only supplementally.

Below is a reconciliation of net income to FFO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 as well as other data for those respective periods (in thousands):
         
   
                    Three months ended
 
                    Nine months ended
   
                     September 30,
 
                      September 30,
   
                 2009
 
                    2008
 
              2009
 
                  2008
FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
                                 
 
Net income
 
$
4,364
   
$
11,343
   
$
54,419
   
$
19,359
   
 
Adjusted for:
                                 
 
Depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to
                                 
 
real estate – wholly-owned
   
20,088
     
15,219
     
59,896
     
45,335
   
 
Depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to
                                 
 
real estate – unconsolidated joint ventures
   
1,239
     
635
     
3,628
     
1,938
   
 
Gain on fair value measurement of previously held interest in
                                 
 
acquired joint venture
   
---
     
---
     
(31,497
)
   
---
   
Funds from operations (FFO) (1)
   
25,691
     
27,197
     
86,446
     
66,632
   
Preferred share distributions
   
(1,406
)
   
(1,406
)
   
(4,219
)
   
(4,219
)
 
Allocation of earnings to participating securities
   
(302
)
   
(349
)
   
(1,053
)
   
(793
)
 
Funds from operations available to common unitholders
 
$
23,983
   
$
25,442
   
$
81,174
   
$
61,620
   
Weighted average units outstanding (2)
   
22,106
     
18,903
     
20,352
     
18,881
   
(1)  
Includes gain on sale of outparcel of land of $3.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
(2)  
Includes the dilutive effect of options and Exchangeable Notes.

 
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Economic Conditions and Outlook

The majority of our leases contain provisions designed to mitigate the impact of inflation. Such provisions include clauses for the escalation of base rent and clauses enabling us to receive percentage rentals based on tenants’ gross sales (above predetermined levels, which we believe often are lower than traditional retail industry standards) which generally increase as prices rise.   Most of the leases require the tenant to pay their share of property operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and advertising and promotion, thereby reducing exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation.

While we believe outlet stores will continue to be a profitable and fundamental distribution channel for many brand name manufacturers, some retail formats are more successful than others.  As typical in the retail industry, certain tenants have closed, or will close, certain stores by terminating their lease prior to its natural expiration or as a result of filing for protection under bankruptcy laws.  As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, we had several tenants vacate space in 2008.  As of September 30, 2009, approximately 50% of this space had been released at base rental rates averaging 50% higher than the average rent being paid by the previous tenants.  During the first nine months of 2009, we had non-temporary tenants vacate prior to their natural lease expirations representing an additional 35,000 square feet.  As of September 30, 2009, approximately 32% of this space has been released at base rental rates approximately equal to the average rent being paid by the previous tenants.

During 2009, approximately 1.5 million square feet, or 16%, of our wholly-owned portfolio will have come up for renewal and 1.3 million square feet, or 14% of our wholly-owned portfolio will come up for renewal in 2010.  During the first nine months of 2009, we have renewed 74% of the 1.5 million square feet that are coming up for renewal in 2009 with the existing tenants at a 10% increase in the average base rental rate compared to the expiring rate.  We also re-tenanted 319,000 square feet during the first nine months of 2009 at a 37% increase in the average base rental rate. In addition, we continue to attract and retain additional tenants.   If we were unable to successfully renew or release a significant amount of this space on favorable economic terms, the loss in rent could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Given current economic conditions it may take longer to re-lease the remaining space and more difficult to achieve similar increases in base rental rates.  Also, there may be additional tenants that have not informed us of their intentions and which may close stores in the coming year. There can be no assurances that we will be able to re-lease such space.  While the timing of an economic recovery is unclear and these conditions may not improve quickly, we believe in our business and our long-term strategy.

Our outlet centers typically include well-known, national, brand name companies.  By maintaining a broad base of well-known tenants and a geographically diverse portfolio of properties located across the United States, we reduce our operating and leasing risks. No one tenant (including affiliates) accounts for more than 9% of our square feet or 6% of our combined base and percentage rental revenues.  Accordingly, although we can give no assurance, we do not expect any material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition as a result of leases to be renewed or stores to be released.  As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, occupancy at our wholly-owned centers was 96% and 97%.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates.  We may periodically enter into certain interest rate protection and interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis.  We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.


 
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In July 2008 and September 2008, we entered into two LIBOR based interest rate swap agreements for notional amounts of $118.0 million and $117.0 million, respectively.  The purpose of these swaps was to fix the interest rate on the $235.0 million outstanding under the term loan facility completed in June 2008.  The swaps fixed the one month LIBOR rate at 3.605% and 3.70%, respectively.  When combined with the current spread of 160 basis points which can vary based on changes in our debt ratings, these swap agreements fix our interest rate on the $235.0 million of variable rate debt at 5.25% until April 1, 2011.  At September 30, 2009, the fair value of these contracts was a liability of $10.3 million.  If interest rates decreased 50 basis points, the fair value would be approximately $11.4 million.  The valuation of our financial instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves.  The valuation also includes a discount for counterparty risk.  We have determined that our derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

As of September 30, 2009, 9% of our outstanding debt had variable interest rates that were not covered by an interest rate derivative agreement and was therefore subject to market fluctuations.  An increase in the LIBOR index of 100 basis points would result in an increase of approximately $540,000 in interest expense on an annual basis.  The information presented herein is merely an estimate and has limited predictive value.  As a result, the ultimate effect upon our operating results of interest rate fluctuations will depend on the interest rate exposures that arise during the period, our hedging strategies at that time and future changes in the level of interest rates.

The estimated fair value of our debt, consisting of senior unsecured notes, Exchangeable Notes, unsecured term credit facilities and unsecured lines of credit, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $550.2 million and $711.8 million, respectively, and its recorded value was $580.5 million and $786.9 million, respectively.  A 1% increase from prevailing interest rates at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 would result in a decrease in fair value of total debt of approximately $17.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively.  Fair values were determined, based on level 2 inputs, using discounted cash flow analyses with an interest rate or credit spread similar to that of current market borrowing arrangements.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Based on the most recent evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Operating Partnership’s general partner, and the Vice-President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of the Operating Partnership’s general partner, have concluded the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) were effective as of September 30, 2009.  There were no changes to the Operating Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Neither the Operating Partnership nor the Company is presently involved in any material litigation nor, to their knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against the Operating Partnership or the Company or its properties, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business and which is expected to be covered by liability insurance.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 
30

 


Item 6.              Exhibits

10.15 A
Severance Agreement and Mutual General Release between Stanley K. Tanger and the Company and Operating Partnership.
   
12.1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Distributions.
   
31.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


TANGER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: TANGER GP TRUST, its sole general partner

By:      /s/ Frank C. Marchisello, Jr.    
Frank C. Marchisello, Jr.
Vice President, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary


DATE: November 12, 2009

 
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Exhibit Index


Exhibit No.                                                                           Description
__________________________________________________________________________________

10.15A
Severance Agreement and Mutual General Release between Stanley K. Tanger and the Company and Operating Partnership.

12.1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Distributions.

31.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

32