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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS /TX/wri-20170331x10qxexh322.htm
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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS /TX/wri-20170331x10qxexh312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS /TX/wri-20170331x10qxexh311.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarter ended March 31, 2017
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from [                    ] to [                    ]
Commission file number 1-9876
Weingarten Realty Investors
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS
74-1464203
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
2600 Citadel Plaza Drive
 
P.O. Box 924133
 
Houston, Texas
77292-4133
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(713) 866-6000
 
 
(Registrant's telephone number)
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal
year, if changed since last report)
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. YESý NOo
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).     YESý NO¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
        Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer ¨
        Non-accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨
 
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     YES¨ NOý
As of April 28, 2017, there were 128,388,696 common shares of beneficial interest of Weingarten Realty Investors, $.03 par value, outstanding.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
 
Financial Information:
Page Number
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
PART II.
 
Other Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2



PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
Rentals, net
$
140,818

 
$
128,509

Other
2,845

 
3,908

Total
143,663

 
132,417

Expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
42,449

 
37,879

Operating
29,910

 
23,536

Real estate taxes, net
17,517

 
15,857

Impairment loss
14,986

 
43

General and administrative
7,516

 
6,498

Total
112,378

 
83,813

Operating Income
31,285

 
48,604

Interest Expense, net
(21,082
)
 
(20,891
)
Interest and Other Income
1,754

 
211

Gain on Sale and Acquisition of Real Estate Joint Venture and
Partnership Interests

 
37,392

Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes
3,359

 
(5,899
)
Equity in Earnings of Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net
5,317

 
4,093

Income from Continuing Operations
20,633

 
63,510

Gain on Sale of Property
15,763

 
45,157

Net Income
36,396

 
108,667

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(5,570
)
 
(1,593
)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
$
30,826

 
$
107,074

Earnings Per Common Share - Basic:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
.24

 
$
.87

Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
.24

 
$
.85

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3



WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net Income
$
36,396

 
$
108,667

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain on investments, net of taxes
298

 
18

Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
389

 
(4,431
)
Reclassification adjustment of derivatives and designated hedges into net income
139

 
371

Retirement liability adjustment
377

 
377

Total
1,203

 
(3,665
)
Comprehensive Income
37,599

 
105,002

Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(5,570
)
 
(1,593
)
Comprehensive Income Adjusted for Noncontrolling Interests
$
32,029

 
$
103,409

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4



WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
Property
$
4,747,347

 
$
4,789,145

Accumulated Depreciation
(1,189,269
)
 
(1,184,546
)
Property Held for Sale, net
15,998

 
479

Property, net *
3,574,076

 
3,605,078

Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net
288,271

 
289,192

Total
3,862,347

 
3,894,270

Unamortized Lease Costs, net
201,321

 
208,063

Accrued Rent and Accounts Receivable (net of allowance for doubtful
 accounts of $6,844 in 2017 and $6,700 in 2016) *
90,883

 
94,466

Cash and Cash Equivalents *
3,615

 
16,257

Restricted Deposits and Mortgage Escrows
3,299

 
25,022

Other, net
190,626

 
188,850

Total Assets
$
4,352,091

 
$
4,426,928

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Debt, net *
$
2,323,447

 
$
2,356,528

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
90,728

 
116,859

Other, net
191,053

 
191,887

Total Liabilities
2,605,228

 
2,665,274

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Deferred Compensation Share Awards

 
44,758

Equity:
 
 
 
Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest - par value, $.03 per share;
shares authorized: 275,000; shares issued and outstanding:
128,386 in 2017 and 128,072 in 2016
3,895

 
3,885

Additional Paid-In Capital
1,769,133

 
1,718,101

Net Income Less Than Accumulated Dividends
(196,844
)
 
(177,647
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(7,958
)
 
(9,161
)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
1,568,226

 
1,535,178

Noncontrolling Interests
178,637

 
181,718

Total Equity
1,746,863

 
1,716,896

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
4,352,091

 
$
4,426,928

* Consolidated variable interest entities' assets and debt included in the above balances (see Note 15):
Property, net
$
216,223

 
$
476,117

Accrued Rent and Accounts Receivable, net
9,723

 
11,066

Cash and Cash Equivalents
7,797

 
9,560

Debt, net
46,902

 
47,112

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5



WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
36,396

 
$
108,667

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
42,449

 
37,879

Amortization of debt deferred costs and intangibles, net
768

 
699

Impairment loss
14,986

 
43

Equity in earnings of real estate joint ventures and partnerships, net
(5,317
)
 
(4,093
)
Gain on sale and acquisition of real estate joint venture and partnership interests

 
(37,392
)
Gain on sale of property
(15,763
)
 
(45,157
)
Distributions of income from real estate joint ventures and partnerships
463

 
338

Changes in accrued rent and accounts receivable, net
2,812

 
8,086

Changes in unamortized lease costs and other assets, net
(6,154
)
 
168

Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, net
(21,615
)
 
(15,228
)
Other, net
2,215

 
1,270

Net cash provided by operating activities
51,240

 
55,280

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of real estate and land
(570
)
 
(496
)
Development and capital improvements
(51,779
)
 
(25,505
)
Proceeds from sale of property and real estate equity investments
52,600

 
106,053

Change in restricted deposits and mortgage escrows
21,877

 
(104,171
)
Real estate joint ventures and partnerships - Investments
(198
)
 
(42,025
)
Real estate joint ventures and partnerships - Distribution of capital
4,686

 
24,609

Purchase of investments
(2,491
)
 
(1,250
)
Proceeds from investments
3,500

 
500

Other, net
511

 
2,481

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
28,136

 
(39,804
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Principal payments of debt
(19,441
)
 
(3,623
)
Changes in unsecured credit facilities
(14,100
)
 
30,500

Proceeds from issuance of common shares of beneficial interest, net
877

 
19,430

Common share dividends paid
(49,404
)
 
(45,378
)
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs paid
(153
)
 
(4,452
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(8,651
)
 
(2,139
)
Other, net
(1,146
)
 
(4,782
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(92,018
)
 
(10,444
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(12,642
)
 
5,032

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
16,257

 
22,168

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$
3,615

 
$
27,200

Interest paid during the period (net of amount capitalized of $823 and $520, respectively)
$
24,138

 
$
20,828

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6



WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
Common
Shares of
Beneficial
Interest
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Net Income
Less Than
Accumulated
Dividends
 
Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Balance, January 1, 2016
$
3,744

 
$
1,616,242

 
$
(222,880
)
 
$
(7,644
)
 
$
155,548

 
$
1,545,010

Net income
 
 
 
 
107,074

 
 
 
1,593

 
108,667

Issuance of common shares, net
15

 
17,865

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17,880

Shares issued under benefit plans, net
26

 
2,189

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,215

Dividends paid – common shares (1)
 
 
 
 
(45,378
)
 
 
 
 
 
(45,378
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,139
)
 
(2,139
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,665
)
 
 
 
(3,665
)
Balance, March 31, 2016
$
3,785

 
$
1,636,296

 
$
(161,184
)
 
$
(11,309
)
 
$
155,002

 
$
1,622,590

Balance, January 1, 2017
$
3,885

 
$
1,718,101

 
$
(177,647
)
 
$
(9,161
)
 
$
181,718

 
$
1,716,896

Net income
 
 
 
 
30,826

 
 
 
5,570

 
36,396

Shares issued under benefit plans, net
10

 
5,655

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,665

Change in classification of deferred compensation plan (see Note 1)
 
 
45,377

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45,377

Change in redemption value of deferred compensation plan
 
 
 
 
(619
)
 
 
 
 
 
(619
)
Dividends paid – common shares (1)
 
 
 
 
(49,404
)
 
 
 
 
 
(49,404
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,651
)
 
(8,651
)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,203

 
 
 
1,203

Balance, March 31, 2017
$
3,895

 
$
1,769,133

 
$
(196,844
)
 
$
(7,958
)
 
$
178,637

 
$
1,746,863

_______________
(1)
Common dividend per share was $.385 and $.365 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7



WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
Weingarten Realty Investors is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) organized under the Texas Business Organizations Code. We currently operate, and intend to operate in the future, as a REIT.
We, and our predecessor entity, began the ownership of shopping centers and other commercial real estate in 1948. Our primary business is leasing space to tenants in the shopping centers we own. We also provide property management services for which we charge fees to either joint ventures where we are partners or other outside owners.
We operate a portfolio of neighborhood and community shopping centers, totaling approximately 44.4 million square feet of gross leaseable area, that is either owned by us or others. We have a diversified tenant base, with our largest tenant comprising only 3.0% of base minimum rental revenues during the first three months of 2017. Total revenues generated by our centers located in Houston and its surrounding areas was 20.3% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and an additional 8.9% of total revenue was generated during this period from centers that are located in other parts of Texas.
Basis of Presentation
Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our subsidiaries, certain partially owned real estate joint ventures or partnerships and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) which meet the guidelines for consolidation. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report are unaudited; however, amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 are derived from our audited financial statements at that date. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consisted of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and certain information included in our annual financial statements and notes thereto has been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Such statements require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Restricted Deposits and Mortgage Escrows
Restricted deposits and mortgage escrows consist of escrow deposits held by lenders primarily for property taxes, insurance and replacement reserves and restricted cash that is held for a specific use or in a qualified escrow account for the purposes of completing like-kind exchange transactions.
Our restricted deposits and mortgage escrows consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Restricted cash (1)
$
2,362

 
$
23,489

Mortgage escrows
937

 
1,533

Total
$
3,299

 
$
25,022

_______________
(1)
The decrease between the periods presented is primarily attributable to $21 million of funds being released from a qualified escrow account for the purpose of completing like-kind exchange transactions.

8



Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component consists of the following (in thousands):
 
Gain
on
Investments
 
Gain
on
Cash Flow
Hedges
 
Defined
Benefit
Pension
Plan
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2016
$
(964
)
 
$
(6,403
)
 
$
16,528

 
$
9,161

Change excluding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(298
)
 
(389
)
 
 
 
(687
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss


 
(139
)
(1) 
(377
)
(2) 
(516
)
Net other comprehensive income
(298
)
 
(528
)
 
(377
)
 
(1,203
)
Balance, March 31, 2017
$
(1,262
)
 
$
(6,931
)
 
$
16,151

 
$
7,958

 
Gain
on
Investments
 
Gain
on
Cash Flow
Hedges
 
Defined
Benefit
Pension
Plan
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
(557
)
 
$
(8,160
)
 
$
16,361

 
$
7,644

Change excluding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(18
)
 
4,431

 
 
 
4,413

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss


 
(371
)
(1) 
(377
)
(2) 
(748
)
Net other comprehensive (income) loss
(18
)
 
4,060

 
(377
)
 
3,665

Balance, March 31, 2016
$
(575
)
 
$
(4,100
)
 
$
15,984

 
$
11,309

_______________
(1)    This reclassification component is included in interest expense (see Note 6 for additional information).
(2)    This reclassification component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 13 for additional information).
Deferred Compensation Plan
Our deferred compensation plan was amended, effective April 1, 2016, to permit participants in this plan to diversify their holdings of our common shares of beneficial interest ("common shares") six months after vesting. Thus, as of April 1, 2016, the fully vested share awards and the proportionate share of nonvested share awards eligible for diversification was reclassified from additional paid-in capital to temporary equity in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. In February 2017, our deferred compensation plan was amended to provide that participants in the plan would no longer have the right to diversify their common shares six months after vesting. Thus, the fully vested share awards and the proportionate share of nonvested share awards eligible for diversification were reclassified from temporary equity into additional paid-in capital in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following table summarizes the eligible share award activity since inception through the plan amendment date (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Balance at beginning of the period/inception
$
44,758

 
$
36,261

Change in redemption value
619

 
8,600

Change in classification
988

 
3,716

Diversification of share awards

 
(3,819
)
Amendment reclassification
(46,365
)
 

Balance at end of period
$

 
$
44,758


9



Retrospective Application of Accounting Standard Update
The retrospective application of adopting Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" on prior years' Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows was made to conform to the current year presentation (see Note 2 for additional information).
Note 2. Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." This ASU was issued to simplify several aspects of share-based payment transactions, including: income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or a liability, an option to recognize share compensation forfeitures as they occur and changes to classification within the statement of cash flows. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-09 were effective for us as of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU resulted in a retrospective reclassification of $4.8 million in the condensed statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from cash flows from operating activities in changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, net to cash flows from financing activities in other, net for shares used to pay employees' tax withholdings.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, "Interests Held through Related Parties That Are Under Common Control." This ASU amends the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is a single decision maker of a VIE should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-17 were effective for us as of January 1, 2017 on a retrospective basis. We have adopted this update, and the adoption did not have any impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations." This ASU narrows the definition of a business and provides a framework for evaluating whether a transaction is an acquisition of a business or an asset. The amendment provides a screen to evaluate whether a transaction is a business and requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the acquired assets can be concentrated in a single asset or identifiable group of similar assets, then the assets acquired are not a business. If the screen is not met, then to be considered a business, the assets must have an input and a substantive process to create outputs. The provisions of ASU No. 2017-01 are effective for us as of January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. We have adopted this ASU prospectively as of January 1, 2017. Under this guidance, we expect most acquisitions of property to be accounted for as an asset acquisition. Additionally, certain acquisition costs that were previously expensed may be capitalized. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016, we incurred acquisition costs of $49 thousand and $1.4 million, respectively.
Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014 , the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This ASU's core objective is for an entity to recognize revenue based on the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for goods or services. Additionally, this ASU requires entities to use a single model in accounting for revenues derived from contracts with customers. ASU No. 2014-09 replaces prior guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from sales of real estate, except for revenue from sales that are part of a sale-leaseback transaction. The provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, as amended in subsequently issued amendments, are effective for us on January 1, 2018, and are required to be applied either on a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach.
We are in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In identifying all of our revenue streams, the majority of our revenues result from leasing transactions which are not within the scope of the new standard and will be governed by the recently issued leasing guidance (see ASU No. 2016-02 below). Excluding revenues related to leasing transactions, the adoption of this standard may impact our other sources of revenue, which include management, leasing and other fee revenues from our unconsolidated and managed entities, as well as property dispositions. Although we are still evaluating, we believe there may be an impact in the timing associated with recognizing some of these revenues.

10



In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This ASU will require equity investments, excluding those investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee, to be measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in net income; will simplify the impairment assessment of those investments; will eliminate the disclosure of the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and change the fair value calculation for those investments; will change the disclosure in other comprehensive income for financial liabilities that are measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value options for financial instruments; and will clarify that a deferred asset related to available-for-sale securities should be included in an entity's evaluation for a valuation allowance. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-01 are effective for us as of January 1, 2018. Although we are still assessing the impact of this ASU's adoption, we do not believe this ASU will have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." The ASU sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. The ASU requires lessees to adopt a right-of-use asset approach that will bring substantially all leases onto the balance sheet, with the exception of short-term leases. The subsequent accounting for this right-of-use asset will be based on a dual-model approach, under which the lease will be classified as either a finance or an operating lease. The lessor accounting model under this ASU is similar to current guidance, but certain underlying principles in the lessor model have been aligned with the new revenue recognition standard. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-02 are effective for us as of January 1, 2019, are required to be applied on a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted.
We are in the process of evaluating the impact to our 5,800 lessor leases and other lessee leases, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements. We have currently identified some areas we believe may be impacted by this ASU. These include:
The bifurcation of lease arrangements in which contractual amounts due are on a gross basis and the amount under contract is not allocated between rental and expense reimbursements, such as real estate taxes and insurance. This process would be based on the underlying fair values of these items.
We have ground lease agreements in which we are the lessee for land underneath all or a portion of 18 centers and three administrative office leases that we account for as operating leases. We have one capital lease in which we are the lessee of two centers with a $21 million lease obligation. We will record any rights and obligations under these leases as an asset and liability at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets.
Determination of costs to be capitalized associated with leases. This ASU will limit the capitalization associated with certain costs, primarily certain internally-generated lease commissions, of which we capitalized internal costs of $2.0 million and $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This ASU amends prior guidance on the impairment of financial instruments, and adds an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses with the recognition of an allowance based on an estimate of expected credit losses. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 are effective for us as of January 1, 2020, and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This ASU amends guidance to either add or clarify the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. Eight specific issues were identified for further clarification and include: debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of company-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and the classification of cash flows that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-15 are effective for us as of January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. Although we are still assessing the impact of this ASU's adoption, we do not believe this ASU will have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

11



In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, "Restricted Cash." This ASU amends prior guidance on restricted cash presentation and requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included in the statement of cash flows. Changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents that results from transfers between different cash categories should not be presented as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows. The ASU also requires an entity to disclose information about the nature of restricted cash, as well as a reconciliation between the statement of financial position and the statement of cash flows when the statement of financial position has more than one line item for cash, cash equivalent, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalent. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-18 are effective for us as of January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. Although we are still assessing the impact of this ASU's adoption, we do not believe this ASU will have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, "Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets." The ASU clarifies that a financial asset is within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 if it meets the definition, as amended, of an in substance nonfinancial asset. If substantially all of the fair value of assets that are promised to a counterparty in a contract is concentrated in nonfinancial assets, then all of the financial assets promised to the counterparty are in substance nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20, including a parent transferring control of a nonfinancial asset through a transfer of ownership interests of a consolidated subsidiary. The provisions of ASU No. 2017-05 are effective for us as of January 1, 2018, and early adoption is permitted; however, it must be adopted at the same time ASU 2014-09 is adopted. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pensions Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost." The ASU requires the service cost component to be reported as compensation costs arising from services rendered by pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The provisions of ASU No. 2017-07 are effective for us as of January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Property
Our property consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Land
$
1,112,752

 
$
1,107,072

Land held for development
73,996

 
82,953

Land under development
48,220

 
51,761

Buildings and improvements
3,432,320

 
3,489,685

Construction in-progress
80,059

 
57,674

Total
$
4,747,347

 
$
4,789,145

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we sold three centers and other property. Aggregate gross sales proceeds from these transactions approximated $54.5 million and generated gains of approximately $15.8 million. Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, we invested $30.4 million in new development projects, which includes the purchase of the retail portion of a mixed-use project in Seattle, Washington that was subject to a contractual obligation at December 31, 2016.
At March 31, 2017, one center, totaling $37.3 million before accumulated depreciation, was classified as held for sale. At December 31, 2016, one center, totaling $1.6 million before accumulated depreciation, was classified as held for sale. Neither of these centers qualified to be reported in discontinued operations, and each has been sold subsequent to the applicable reporting period.

12



Note 4. Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships
We own interests in real estate joint ventures or limited partnerships and have tenancy-in-common interests in which we exercise significant influence, but do not have financial and operating control. We account for these investments using the equity method, and our interests range from 20% to 75% for the periods presented in 2017 and 2016. Combined condensed financial information of these ventures (at 100%) is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Combined Condensed Balance Sheets
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Property
$
1,198,271

 
$
1,196,770

Accumulated depreciation
(268,520
)
 
(261,392
)
Property, net
929,751

 
935,378

Other assets, net
114,829

 
114,554

Total Assets
$
1,044,580

 
$
1,049,932

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Debt, net (primarily mortgages payable)
$
300,251

 
$
301,480

Amounts payable to Weingarten Realty Investors and Affiliates
12,293

 
12,585

Other liabilities, net
23,580

 
24,902

Total Liabilities
336,124

 
338,967

Equity
708,456

 
710,965

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
1,044,580

 
$
1,049,932

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Combined Condensed Statements of Operations
 
 
 
Revenues, net
$
34,738

 
$
35,922

Expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
9,013

 
9,381

Interest, net
2,967

 
4,008

Operating
6,118

 
7,603

Real estate taxes, net
4,268

 
4,492

General and administrative
368

 
143

Provision for income taxes
7

 
59

Impairment loss

 
1,303

Total
22,741

 
26,989

Gain on sale of non-operating property

 
373

Net income
$
11,997

 
$
9,306


13



Our investment in real estate joint ventures and partnerships, as reported in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, differs from our proportionate share of the entities' underlying net assets due to basis differences, which arose upon the transfer of assets to the joint ventures. The net positive basis differences, which totaled $2.5 million and $2.6 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, are generally amortized over the useful lives of the related assets.
Our real estate joint ventures and partnerships have determined from time to time that the carrying amount of certain centers was not recoverable and that the centers should be written down to fair value. There was no impairment charge for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, there was a $1.3 million impairment charge associated with a center that was marketed and sold during the period.
Fees earned by us for the management of these real estate joint ventures and partnerships totaled $1.5 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
During 2016, five centers and a land parcel were sold with aggregate gross sales proceeds of approximately $78.7 million, of which our share of the gain, included in equity earnings in real estate joint ventures and partnerships, totaled $3.9 million. Additionally, one center with a gross purchase price of $73 million was acquired, of which our interest aggregated 69%.
In September 2016, we acquired our partner's 50% interest in an unconsolidated tenancy-in-common arrangement for approximately $13.5 million that we had previously accounted for under the equity method. This transaction resulted in the consolidation of the property in our consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, an unconsolidated joint venture distributed land to both us and our partner, totaling $4.4 million.
In December 2016, we entered into a new joint venture agreement for the development of a mixed-use project, of which we anticipate having an aggregated 90% interest upon the future purchase of land in 2017 (See Note 15 for additional information).
As of December 31, 2015, we held a combined 51% interest in an unconsolidated real estate joint venture that owned three centers in Colorado with total assets and debt of $43.7 million and $72.4 million, respectively. In February 2016, in exchange for our partners' aggregate 49% interest in this venture and $2.5 million in cash, we distributed one center to our partners. We have consolidated this venture as of the transaction date and re-measured our investment in this venture to its fair value.
Note 5. Debt
Our debt consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Debt payable, net to 2038 (1)
$
2,004,422

 
$
2,023,403

Unsecured notes payable under credit facilities
230,900

 
245,000

Debt service guaranty liability
67,125

 
67,125

Obligations under capital leases
21,000

 
21,000

Total
$
2,323,447

 
$
2,356,528

_______________
(1)
At March 31, 2017, interest rates ranged from 2.3% to 7.9% at a weighted average rate of 3.9%. At December 31, 2016, interest rates ranged from 1.7% to 7.9% at a weighted average rate of 4.0%.

14



The allocation of total debt between fixed and variable-rate as well as between secured and unsecured is summarized below (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
As to interest rate (including the effects of interest rate contracts):
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt
$
2,070,858

 
$
2,089,769

Variable-rate debt
252,589

 
266,759

Total
$
2,323,447

 
$
2,356,528

As to collateralization:
 
 
 
Unsecured debt
$
1,899,837

 
$
1,913,399

Secured debt
423,610

 
443,129

Total
$
2,323,447

 
$
2,356,528

We maintain a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which was amended and extended on March 30, 2016. This facility expires in March 2020, provides for two consecutive six-month extensions upon our request and borrowing rates that float at a margin over LIBOR plus a facility fee. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the borrowing margin and facility fee, which are priced off a grid that is tied to our senior unsecured credit ratings, were 90 and 15 basis points, respectively. The facility also contains a competitive bid feature that allows us to request bids for up to $250 million. Additionally, an accordion feature allows us to increase the facility amount up to $850 million.
Additionally, we have an agreement with a bank for a short-term, unsecured facility, which was amended and extended on March 27, 2017, totaling $10 million that we maintain for cash management purposes which matures in March 2018. At March 31, 2017, the facility provided for fixed interest rate loans at a 30-day LIBOR rate plus a borrowing margin, facility fee and an unused facility fee of 125, 10, and 5 basis points, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the borrowing margin, facility fee and an unused facility fee was 125, 10, and 10 basis points, respectively.
The following table discloses certain information regarding our unsecured notes payable under our credit facilities (in thousands, except percentages):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Unsecured revolving credit facility:
 
 
 
Balance outstanding
$
226,000

 
$
245,000

Available balance
268,386

 
250,140

Letters of credit outstanding under facility
5,614

 
4,860

Variable interest rate (excluding facility fee)
1.7
%
 
1.5
%
Unsecured short-term facility:
 
 
 
Balance outstanding
$
4,900

 
$

Variable interest rate (excluding facility fee)
2.3
%
 
%
Both facilities:
 
 
 
Maximum balance outstanding during the period
$
245,000

 
$
372,000

Weighted average balance
211,034

 
141,017

Year-to-date weighted average interest rate (excluding facility fee)
1.6
%
 
1.3
%
Related to a development project in Sheridan, Colorado, we have provided a guaranty for the payment of any debt service shortfalls until a coverage rate of 1.4x is met on tax increment revenue bonds issued in connection with the project. The bonds are to be repaid with incremental sales and property taxes and a public improvement fee (“PIF”) to be assessed on current and future retail sales and, to the extent necessary, any amounts we may have to provide under a guaranty. The incremental taxes and PIF are to remain intact until the earlier of the date the bond liability has been paid in full or 2040. Therefore, a debt service guaranty liability equal to the fair value of the amounts funded under the bonds was recorded. As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $67.1 million outstanding for the debt service guaranty liability.

15



In December 2016, we repaid $75 million of fixed-rate unsecured medium term notes upon maturity at a weighted average interest rate of 5.5%.
In August 2016, we issued $250 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes maturing in 2026. The notes were issued at 99.16% of the principal amount with a yield to maturity of 3.35%. The net proceeds received of $246.3 million were used to reduce the amount outstanding under our $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility.
In June 2016, we amended an existing $90 million secured note to extend the maturity to 2028 and reduce the interest rate from 7.5% to 4.5% per annum. In connection with this transaction, we have recorded a $2.0 million gain on extinguishment of debt that has been classified as net interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Various leases and properties, and current and future rentals from those leases and properties, collateralize certain debt. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value of such assets aggregated $.7 billion.
Scheduled principal payments on our debt (excluding $230.9 million unsecured notes payable under our credit facilities, $21.0 million of certain capital leases, $(5.9) million net premium/(discount) on debt, $(10.1) million of deferred debt costs, $4.9 million of non-cash debt-related items, and $67.1 million debt service guaranty liability) are due during the following years (in thousands): 
2017 remaining
$
67,268

2018
80,427

2019
56,245

2020
237,779

2021
17,667

2022
307,614

2023
305,694

2024
255,954

2025
303,302

2026
277,291

Thereafter
106,316

Total
$
2,015,557

Our various debt agreements contain restrictive covenants, including minimum interest and fixed charge coverage ratios, minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratios, minimum net worth requirements and maximum total debt levels. We are not aware of any non-compliance with our public debt and revolving credit facility covenants as of March 31, 2017.
Note 6. Derivatives and Hedging
The fair value of all our interest rate swap contracts was reported as follows (in thousands):
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Amount
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Amount
Designated Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2017
Other Assets, net
 
$
872

 
Other Liabilities, net
 
$

December 31, 2016
Other Assets, net
 
126

 
Other Liabilities, net
 


16



The gross presentation, the effects of offsetting for derivatives with the right to offset under master netting agreements and the net presentation of our interest rate swap contracts is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not
Offset in Balance
Sheet
 
 
 
Gross
Amounts
Recognized
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in
Balance
Sheet
 
Net
Amounts
Presented
in Balance
Sheet
 
Financial
Instruments
 
Cash
Collateral
Received
 
Net Amount
March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
872

 
$

 
$
872

 
$

 
$

 
$
872

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
126

 

 
126

 

 

 
126

Cash Flow Hedges
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had three interest rate swap contracts, maturing through March 2020, with an aggregate notional amount of $200 million that were designated as cash flow hedges and fix the LIBOR component of the interest rates at 1.5%. We have determined that these contracts are highly effective in offsetting future variable interest cash flows.
During 2016, we entered into and settled a forward-starting interest rate swap contract with an aggregate notional amount of $200 million hedging future fixed-rate debt issuances, which fixed the 10-year swap rates at 1.5% per annum. Upon settlement of this contract in August 2016, we paid $2.1 million resulting in a loss of $2.0 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the net gain balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to cash flow interest rate swap contracts was $6.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, and will be reclassified to net interest expense as interest payments are made on the originally hedged debt. Within the next 12 months, approximately $.4 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be reclassified as a reduction to interest expense related to our interest rate contracts.
A summary of cash flow interest rate swap contract hedging activity is as follows (in thousands):
Derivatives Hedging
Relationships
 
Amount of
(Gain)
Loss 
Recognized
in Other
Comprehensive
Income on
Derivative 
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of 
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified
from
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss into
Income
 
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified
from
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss into
Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion and
Amount 
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing)
 
Amount of 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded
from
Effectiveness
Testing)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
$
(389
)
 
Interest expense,
net
 
$
(139
)
 
Interest expense,
net
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
4,431

 
Interest expense,
net
 
(371
)
 
Interest expense,
net
 

Fair Value Hedges
Associated with the refinancing of a secured note, on June 24, 2016, we terminated two interest rate swap contracts that were designated as fair value hedges and had an aggregate notional amount of $62.9 million. Upon settlement, we received $2.2 million, which was recognized as part of the gain on extinguishment of debt related to the hedged debt.

17



A summary of fair value interest rate swap contract hedging activity is as follows (in thousands):
 
Gain (Loss) 
on
Contracts
 
Gain (Loss) 
on
Borrowings
 
Net Settlements
 and Accruals
on Contracts (1)
 
Amount of Gain 
(Loss)
Recognized in
Income (2)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
$
(98
)
 
$
98

 
$
466

 
$
466

_______________
(1)
Amounts in this caption include gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives and net cash settlements.
(2)
No ineffectiveness was recognized during the respective periods.
Note 7. Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
At March 31, 2017, we had an at-the-market ("ATM") equity offering program under which we may, but are not obligated to, sell up to $250 million of common shares, in amounts and at times as we determine, at prices determined by the market at the time of sale. Actual sales may depend on a variety of factors including, among others, market conditions, the trading price of our common shares, and determinations by management of the appropriate sources of funding for us. We intend to use the net proceeds from future sales for general trust purposes, which may include acquisitions and reducing borrowings under our $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, repaying other indebtedness or repurchasing outstanding debt.
No shares were sold under the ATM equity program during three months ended March 31, 2017. The following shares were sold under the ATM equity offering programs as of March 31, 2016 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Shares sold
485

Weighted average price per share
$
37.25

Gross proceeds
$
18,065

As of the date of this filing, $242.2 million of common shares remained available for sale under the ATM equity program.
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligations to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the plan. As of the date of this filing, we have not repurchased any shares under this plan.

18



Note 8. Impairment
The following impairment charges were recorded on the following assets based on the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and the estimated fair value (see Note 16 for additional fair value information) (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Continuing operations:
 
 
 
Properties held for sale, marketed for sale or sold (1)
$
12,172

 
$
43

Land held for development and undeveloped land (1)
2,719

 

Other
95

 

Total impairment charges
14,986

 
43

Other financial statement captions impacted by impairment:
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of real estate joint ventures and partnerships, net

 
326

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
36

 

Net impact of impairment charges
$
15,022

 
$
369

___________________
(1)
Amounts reported were based on changes in management's plans for the properties, third party offers, recent comparable market transactions and/or a change in market conditions.
Note 9. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Non-cash investing and financing activities are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Accrued property construction costs
$
7,854

 
$
8,667

Consolidation of real estate joint venture:
 
 
 
Increase in property, net

 
58,665

Increase in restricted deposits and mortgage escrows

 
30

Increase in debt, net

 
48,727

Increase in security deposits

 
169

Increase in equity associated with deferred compensation plan (see Note 1)
44,758

 


19



Note 10. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per common share – basic is computed using net income attributable to common shareholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic. Earnings per common share – diluted includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders includes gain on sale of property in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines. Earnings per common share – basic and diluted components for the periods indicated are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Numerator:
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
20,633

 
$
63,510

Gain on sale of property
15,763

 
45,157

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5,570
)
 
(1,593
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders - basic
30,826


107,074

Income attributable to operating partnership units

 
499

Net income attributable to common shareholders - diluted
$
30,826

 
$
107,573

Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
127,610

 
123,593

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
Share options and awards
938

 
1,216

Operating partnership units

 
1,462

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
128,548

 
126,271

Anti-dilutive securities of our common shares, which are excluded from the calculation of earnings per common share – diluted, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Share options (1)

 
463

Operating partnership units
1,462

 

Total anti-dilutive securities
1,462

 
463

_______________
(1)
Exclusion results as exercise prices were greater than the average market price for each respective period.
Note 11. Share Options and Awards
During 2017, we granted share awards incorporating both service-based and market-based measures to promote share ownership among the participants and to emphasize the importance of total shareholder return ("TSR"). The terms of each grant vary depending upon the participant's responsibilities and position within the Company. We categorize these share awards as either service-based share awards or market-based share awards. All awards were valued at the fair market value on the date of grant and earn dividends from the date of grant. Compensation expense is measured at the grant date and recognized over the vesting period. Generally, unvested share awards are forfeited upon the termination of the participant’s employment with us.

20



The fair value of the market-based share awards was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model based on the following assumptions:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
Dividend yield
0.0
%
 
4.1
%
Expected volatility (1)
16.1
%
 
19.1
%
Expected life (in years)
N/A

 
3

Risk-free interest rate
0.7
%
 
1.5
%
_______________
(1)    Includes the volatility of the FTSE NAREIT U.S. Shopping Center Index and Weingarten Realty Investors.
A summary of the status of unvested share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is as follows:
 
Unvested
Share
Awards
 
Weighted
Average 
Grant
Date Fair 
Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2017
590,854

 
$
32.52

Granted:
 
 
 
Service-based awards
121,999

 
35.82

Market-based awards relative to FTSE NAREIT U.S. Shopping Center
Index
54,454

 
39.00

Market-based awards relative to three-year absolute TSR
54,454

 
25.65

Vested
(199,844
)
 
30.44

Forfeited
(1,377
)
 
33.38

Outstanding, March 31, 2017
620,540

 
$
33.81

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there was approximately $3.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share awards, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average of 2.2 years and 1.8 years, respectively.
Note 12. Employee Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan
We sponsor a noncontributory qualified retirement plan. The components of net periodic benefit cost for this plan are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Service cost
$
343

 
$
309

Interest cost
514

 
498

Expected return on plan assets
(759
)
 
(729
)
Recognized loss
377

 
377

Total
$
475

 
$
455

The expected contribution to be paid to the qualified retirement plan during 2017 is approximately $2.0 million. During 2016, we contributed $2.0 million to the qualified retirement plan.

21



Defined Contribution Plans
Compensation expense related to our defined contribution plans was $1.2 million and $.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Note 13. Related Parties
Through our management activities and transactions with our real estate joint ventures and partnerships, we had net accounts receivable of $2.0 million and $2.2 million outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we also had accounts payable and accrued expenses of $.3 million. We recorded joint venture fee income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 of $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
In September 2016, we acquired a partner's 50% interest in an unconsolidated tenancy-in-common arrangement for approximately $13.5 million that we had previously accounted for under the equity method. This transaction resulted in the consolidation of the property in our condensed consolidated financial statements, and we recognized a gain of $9.0 million on the fair value remeasurement of our equity method investment.
In October 2016, an unconsolidated joint venture distributed land to both us and our partner, and we recognized a gain of $1.9 million associated with the remeasurement of a land parcel. Also, we paid a payable totaling $4.8 million due to the unconsolidated joint venture. In November 2016, we acquired our partner’s interest in two consolidated joint ventures for an aggregate amount of $3.3 million.
As of December 31, 2015, we held a combined 51% interest in an unconsolidated real estate joint venture that owned three centers in Colorado with total assets and debt of $43.7 million and $72.4 million, respectively. In February 2016, in exchange for our partners' aggregate 49% interest in this venture and $2.5 million in cash, we distributed one center to our partners. We have consolidated this venture as of the transaction date and re-measured our investment in this venture to its fair value, and recognized a gain of $37.4 million.
Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we participated in two real estate ventures structured as DownREIT partnerships that have centers in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas. We have operating and financial control over these ventures and consolidate them in our condensed consolidated financial statements. These ventures allow the outside limited partners to put their interest in the partnership to us, and we have the option to redeem the interest in cash or a fixed number of our common shares, at our discretion. We also participate in a real estate venture that has a property in Texas that allows its outside partner to put operating partnership units to us. We have the option to redeem these units in cash or a fixed number of our common shares, at our discretion. The aggregate redemption value of these interests was approximately $49 million and $52 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
As of March 31, 2017, we have entered into commitments aggregating $30.9 million comprised principally of construction contracts which are generally due in 12 to 36 months.
We issue letters of intent signifying a willingness to negotiate for acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures, as well as other types of potential transactions, during the ordinary course of our business. Such letters of intent and other arrangements are non-binding to all parties unless and until a definitive contract is entered into by the parties. Even if definitive contracts relating to the acquisition or disposition of property are entered into, these contracts generally provide the purchaser a time period to evaluate the property and conduct due diligence. The purchaser, during this time, will have the ability to terminate a contract without penalty or forfeiture of any deposit or earnest money. No assurance can be provided that any definitive contracts will be entered into with respect to any matter covered by letters of intent, or that we will consummate any transaction contemplated by a definitive contract. Additionally, due diligence periods for property transactions are frequently extended as needed. An acquisition or disposition of property becomes probable at the time the due diligence period expires and the definitive contract has not been terminated. Our risk is then generally extended only to any earnest money deposits associated with property acquisition contracts, and our obligation to sell under a property sales contract.
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations in the areas where we own or operate properties. We are not aware of any contamination which may have been caused by us or any of our tenants that would have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

22



As part of our risk management activities, we have applied and been accepted into state sponsored environmental programs which will limit our expenses if contaminants need to be remediated. We also have an environmental insurance policy that covers us against third party liabilities and remediation costs.
While we believe that we do not have any material exposure to environmental remediation costs, we cannot give absolute assurance that changes in the law or new discoveries of contamination will not result in additional liabilities to us.
Litigation
We are involved in various matters of litigation arising in the normal course of business. While we are unable to predict the amounts involved, our management and counsel are of the opinion that, when such litigation is resolved, any additional liability, if any, will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Note 15. Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs:
At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, nine of our real estate joint ventures, whose activities primarily consisted of owning and operating 23 and 25 neighborhood/community shopping centers, respectively, were determined to be VIEs. Based on a financing agreement by one of our real estate joint ventures that has a bottom dollar guaranty, which is disproportionate to our ownership, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary and have consolidated this joint venture. For the remaining real estate joint ventures, we concluded we are the primary beneficiary based primarily on our significant power to direct the entities' activities without any substantive kick-out or participating rights.
At December 31, 2016, in conjunction with the acquisition of a property with a net book value of $249.5 million, we had a like-kind exchange agreement with a third party intermediary for tax purposes. The third party purchased the property via our financing, and then leased the property to us. Based on the associated agreements, we had determined that the entity was a VIE, and we were the primary beneficiary based on our significant power to direct the entity's activities without any substantive kick-out or participating rights. Accordingly, we consolidated the property and its operations as of the respective acquisition date. As of March 31, 2017, the ownership of this property was conveyed to us in accordance with the terms of the like-kind exchange agreement, and we no longer have a VIE.
A summary of our consolidated VIEs is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Assets Held by VIEs (1)
$
240,676

 
$
504,293

Assets Held as Collateral for Debt (2)
43,237

 
46,136

Maximum Risk of Loss (2)
29,784

 
29,784

___________________
(1)
$249.5 million of assets at December 31, 2016 ceased to be considered a VIE (see above).
(2)
Represents the amount of debt and related assets held as collateral associated with the bottom dollar guaranty at one real estate joint venture.
Restrictions on the use of these assets can be significant because they may serve as collateral for debt. Further, we are generally required to obtain our partner's approval in accordance with the joint venture agreement for any major transactions. Transactions with these joint ventures on our condensed consolidated financial statements have primarily been positive as demonstrated by the generation of net income and operating cash flows, as well as the receipt of cash distributions. We and our partners are subject to the provisions of the joint venture agreements which include provisions for when additional contributions may be required to fund operating cash shortfalls, development expenditures and unplanned capital expenditures. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, $.1 million in additional contributions were made primarily to fund an operating shortfall. During 2016, $2.5 million in additional contributions were made primarily for capital activities. We currently anticipate that $.1 million of additional contributions will be made during the remainder of 2017.

23



Unconsolidated VIEs:
At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, two unconsolidated real estate joint ventures were determined to be VIEs. We have determined that one entity was a VIE through the issuance of a secured loan, since the lender had the ability to make decisions that could have a significant impact on the success of the entity. Based on the associated agreements for the future development of a mixed-use project, we concluded that the other entity was a VIE, but we are not the primary beneficiary as the substantive participating rights associated with the entity are shared, and we do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity.
A summary of our unconsolidated VIEs is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net (1) (2)
$
1,084

 
$
886

Maximum Risk of Loss (3)
34,000

 
34,000

___________________
(1)
The carrying amount of the investment represents our contributions to the real estate joint ventures, net of any distributions made and our portion of the equity in earnings of the joint ventures.
(2)
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amount of the investment for one VIE is $(8) million and $(9) million, respectively, which is included in Other Liabilities and results from the distribution of proceeds from the issuance of debt.
(3)
The maximum risk of loss has been determined to be limited to our debt exposure for the real estate joint ventures.
We and our partners are subject to the provisions of the joint venture agreements that specify conditions, including operating shortfalls, development expenditures and unplanned capital expenditures, under which additional contributions may be required. With respect to our future development of a mixed-used project, we anticipate funding approximately $127 million in equity and debt through 2020.
Note 16. Fair Value Measurements
Recurring Fair Value Measurements:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy in which those measurements fall, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value at
March 31,
2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments, mutual funds held in a grantor trust
$
27,484

 
 
 
 
 
$
27,484

Investments, mutual funds
8,130

 
 
 
 
 
8,130

Derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
 
 
$
872

 
 
 
872

Total
$
35,614

 
$
872

 
$

 
$
36,486

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan obligations
$
27,484

 
 
 
 
 
$
27,484

Total
$
27,484

 
$

 
$

 
$
27,484


24



 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value at
December 31,
2016
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments, mutual funds held in a grantor trust
$
26,328

 
 
 
 
 
$
26,328

Investments, mutual funds
7,670

 
 
 
 
 
7,670

Derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
 
 
$
126

 
 
 
126

Total
$
33,998

 
$
126

 
$

 
$
34,124

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan obligations
$
26,328

 
 
 
 
 
$
26,328

Total
$
26,328

 
$

 
$

 
$
26,328

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements:
Property and Property Held for Sale Impairments
Property is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the property, including any identifiable intangible assets, site costs and capitalized interest, may not be recoverable. In such an event, a comparison is made of the current and projected operating cash flows of each such property into the foreseeable future on an undiscounted basis to the carrying amount of such property. If we conclude that an impairment may have occurred, estimated fair values are determined by management utilizing cash flow models, market capitalization rates and market discount rates, or by obtaining third-party broker valuation estimates, appraisals, bona fide purchase offers or the expected sales price of an executed sales agreement in accordance with our fair value measurements accounting policy. Market capitalization rates and market discount rates are determined by reviewing current sales of similar properties and transactions, and utilizing management’s knowledge and expertise in property marketing.
Investments in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships Impairments
The fair value of our investment in partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships is estimated by management based on a number of factors, including the performance of each investment, the life and other terms of the investment, holding periods, market conditions, cash flow models, market capitalization rates and market discount rates, or by obtaining third-party broker valuation estimates, appraisals and bona fide purchase offers in accordance with our fair value measurements accounting policy. Market capitalization rates and market discount rates are determined by reviewing current sales of similar properties and transactions, and utilizing management’s knowledge and expertise in property marketing. We recognize an impairment loss if we determine the fair value of an investment is less than its carrying amount and that loss in value is other than temporary.

25



No assets were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2016. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at March 31, 2017 aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy in which those measurements fall, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets for
Identical 
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant 
Other
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value
 
Total Gains
(Losses) 
(1)
Property (2)
 
 
$
12,901

 
$
5,896

 
$
18,797

 
$
(10,265
)
Property held for sale (3)
 
 
15,998

 
 
 
15,998

 
(3,123
)
Investment in real estate joint ventures and partnerships (4)
 
 


 
961

 
961

 
(95
)
Total
$

 
$
28,899

 
$
6,857

 
$
35,756

 
$
(13,483
)
____________
(1)
Total gains (losses) exclude impairments on disposed assets because they are no longer held by us.
(2)
In accordance with our policy of evaluating and recording impairments on the disposal of long-lived assets, property with a carrying amount of $29.1 million was written down to a fair value of $18.8 million, resulting in a loss of $10.3 million, which was included in earnings for the period. Management’s estimate of fair value of these properties was determined using a bona fide purchase offer for the Level 2 inputs. See the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for our Level 3 fair value measurements table below.
(3)
Property held for sale with a carrying amount of $19.1 million was written down to a fair value of $16.6 million, less costs to sale of $.6 million, resulting in a loss of $3.1 million, which was included in earnings for the period. Management’s estimate of the fair value of these properties was determined using bona fide purchase offers for the Level 2 inputs.
(4)
Our net investment in real estate joint ventures and partnerships with a carrying amount of $1.1 million was written down to a fair value of $1.0 million, resulting in a loss of $.1 million, which was included in earnings for the period. See the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for our Level 3 fair value measurements table below.
Fair Value Disclosures:
Unless otherwise described below, short-term financial instruments and receivables are carried at amounts which approximate their fair values based on their highly-liquid nature, short-term maturities and/or expected interest rates for similar instruments.
Schedule of our fair value disclosures is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant 
Other
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant 
Other
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax increment revenue bonds (1)
$
23,910

 
 
 
$
23,910

 
$
23,910

 
 
 
$
23,910

Investments, held to maturity (2)
4,241

 
$
4,241

 
 
 
5,240

 
$
5,248

 
 
Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt
2,070,858

 
 
 
2,119,536

 
2,089,769

 
 
 
2,132,082

Variable-rate debt
252,589

 
 
 
251,321

 
266,759

 
 
 
265,230

_______________
(1)
At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the credit loss balance on our tax increment revenue bonds was $31.0 million.
(2)
Investments held to maturity are recorded at cost. As of March 31, 2017, no unrealized gain or loss was recognized on these investments, and at December 31, 2016, an $8 thousand unrealized gain was recognized.

26



The quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for our Level 3 fair value measurements as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 reported in the above tables, is as follows:

Description
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Range
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
 
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
(in thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
 
2017
2016
 
2017
2016
Property
 
$
5,896

 
$

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
7.5
%
 
 
12.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalization rate
 
7.0
%
 
 
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Holding period
(years)
 
5

 
 
10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected future
inflation rate (1)
 
 
 
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Market rent growth
rate (1)
 
2.0
%
 
 
3.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense growth
rate (1)
 
 
 
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vacancy rate (1)
 
%
 
 
20.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Renewal rate (1)
 
 
 
 
70.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average market
rent rate (1)
 
$
11.00

 
 
$
16.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average leasing
cost per square
foot (1)
 
$
10.00

 
 
$
35.00

 
Investment in real estate joint ventures and partnerships
 
961

 

 
Bona fide purchase
offers
 
Contract price
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax increment
revenue bonds
 
23,910

 
23,910

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
6.5
%
6.5
%
 
7.5
%
7.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected future
growth rate
 
1.0
%
1.0
%
 
2.5
%
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected future
inflation rate
 
1.0
%
1.0
%
 
3.0
%
3.0
%
Fixed-rate debt
 
2,119,536

 
2,132,082

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
3.0
%
3.0
%
 
5.1
%
5.2
%
Variable-rate
debt
 
251,321

 
265,230

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
1.9
%
1.6
%
 
2.6
%
2.4
%
_______________
(1)
Only applies to one property valuation.
*****

27



ITEM 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by us, contains certain 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 such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include 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 actual results, performances or achievements. As described in "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, (i) disruptions in financial markets, (ii) general economic and local real estate conditions, (iii) the inability of major tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in their business, (iv) financing risks, such as the inability to obtain equity, debt, or other sources of financing on favorable terms, (v) changes in governmental laws and regulations, (vi) the level and volatility of interest rates, (vii) the availability of suitable acquisition opportunities, (viii) the ability to dispose of properties, (ix) changes in expected development activity, (x) increases in operating costs, (xi) tax matters, including the failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust, and (xii) investments through real estate joint ventures and partnerships, which involve risks not present in investments in which we are the sole investor. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will be realized. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the comparative summary of selected financial data appearing elsewhere in this report. Historical results and trends which might appear should not be taken as indicative of future operations. Our results of operations and financial condition, as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes, are subject to management’s evaluation and interpretation of business conditions, retailer performance, changing capital market conditions and other factors which could affect the ongoing viability of our tenants.
Executive Overview
Weingarten Realty Investors is a REIT organized under the Texas Business Organizations Code. We, and our predecessor entity, began the ownership of shopping centers and other commercial real estate in 1948. Our primary business is leasing space to tenants in the shopping centers we own. We also provide property management services for which we charge fees to either joint ventures where we are partners or other outside owners.
We operate a portfolio of rental properties, primarily neighborhood and community shopping centers, totaling approximately 44.4 million square feet of gross leaseable area, that is either owned by us or others. We have a diversified tenant base with our largest tenant comprising only 3.0% of base minimum rental revenues during the first three months of 2017.
At March 31, 2017, we owned or operated under long-term leases, either directly or through our interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships, a total of 218 properties, which are located in 18 states spanning the country from coast to coast.
We also owned interests in 28 parcels of land held for development that totaled approximately 18.8 million square feet at March 31, 2017.
We had approximately 5,800 leases with 3,800 different tenants at March 31, 2017. Leases for our properties range from less than a year for smaller spaces to over 25 years for larger tenants. Rental revenues generally include minimum lease payments, which often increase over the lease term, reimbursements of property operating expenses, including real estate taxes, and additional rent payments based on a percentage of the tenants’ sales. Our anchor tenants are supermarkets, value-oriented apparel/discount stores and other retailers or service providers who generally sell basic necessity-type goods and services. We believe the stability of our anchor tenants, combined with convenient locations, attractive and well-maintained properties, high quality retailers and a strong tenant mix, should ensure the long-term success of our merchants and the viability of our portfolio.

28



Our goal is to remain a leader in owning and operating top-tier neighborhood and community shopping centers in certain markets of the United States. Our strategic initiatives include: (1) raising net asset value and cash flow through quality acquisitions, redevelopments and new developments, (2) maintaining a strong, flexible consolidated balance sheet and a well-managed debt maturity schedule and (3) growing net operating income from our existing portfolio by increasing occupancy and rental rates. We believe these initiatives will keep our portfolio of properties among the strongest in our sector. Due to current capitalization rates in the market along with the uncertainty of the impact of increasing interest rates, we will continue to be very prudent in our evaluation of all new investment opportunities. As activity in secondary and tertiary markets has remained consistent with the past year, we will continue to monitor such activity, and our disposition activity could increase accordingly. Additionally, the commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") market has been a significant source of financing for buyers of our disposition properties. While new financial market regulations could continue to contribute to a fairly significant reduction in CMBS originations in 2017, we believe this market has begun to stabilize. However, availability within the CMBS markets for 2017 and beyond remains uncertain.
We intend to recycle non-core operating centers that no longer meet our ownership criteria and that will provide capital for growth opportunities. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we disposed of real estate assets, which were owned by us either directly or through our interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships, with our share of aggregate gross sales proceeds totaling $47.4 million. We expect to complete dispositions in the range of $125 million to $225 million during 2017; however, we can give no assurances that this will actually occur or that we may potentially exceed this range. Subsequent to March 31, 2017, we sold real estate assets with our share of aggregate gross sales proceeds totaling $53.2 million. We have approximately $71.9 million of dispositions currently under contracts or letters of intent; however, there are no assurances that these transactions will close at such prices or at all.
We intend to continue to actively seek acquisition properties that meet our return hurdles and to actively evaluate other opportunities as they enter the market. For 2017, we expect to invest in acquisitions in amounts between $125 million and $225 million; however, there are no assurances that this will actually occur.
We intend to continue to focus on identifying new development projects as another source of growth, as well as continue to look for internal growth opportunities. Although we have recently begun the development of two mixed-use projects, the opportunities for additional new development projects are limited at this time due to a lack of demand for new retail space. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we invested $30.4 million in three new development projects that are partially or wholly owned, and effective January 1, 2017, we stabilized the development in White Marsh, Maryland, moving it to our operating property portfolio. This development is 100% leased with an investment of $46 million and an 8% yield. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2017, we invested $5.9 million in 15 redevelopment projects that were partially or wholly owned. For 2017, we expect to invest in new development and redevelopments in the range of $135 million to $235 million, but we can give no assurances that this will actually occur.
We strive to maintain a strong, conservative capital structure which should provide ready access to a variety of attractive long and short-term capital sources. We carefully balance lower cost, short-term financing with long-term liabilities associated with acquired or developed long-term assets. We continue to look for transactions that will strengthen our consolidated balance sheet and further enhance our access to various sources of capital, while reducing our cost of capital. Due to the variability in the capital markets, there can be no assurance that favorable pricing and availability will be available in the future.
Operational Metrics
In assessing the performance of our centers, management carefully monitors various operating metrics of the portfolio. As a result of our strong leasing activity, low tenant fallout and lack of quality retail space in the market, the operating metrics of our portfolio remained strong in the first quarter of 2017 as we focused on increasing rental rates and same property net operating income ("SPNOI" and see Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional information). Our portfolio delivered solid operating results with:
occupancy of 93.7% at March 31, 2017;
an increase of 3.7% in SPNOI including redevelopments for the three months ended March 31, 2017 over the same period of 2016; and
rental rate increases of 7.6% for new leases and 9.8% for renewals during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

29



Below are performance metrics associated with our signed occupancy, SPNOI growth and leasing activity on a pro rata basis:
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Anchor (space of 10,000 square feet or greater)
95.7
%
 
98.3
%
Non-Anchor
90.5
%
 
90.0
%
Total Occupancy
93.7
%
 
95.2
%
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
SPNOI Growth with Redevelopments (1)
3.7
%
_______________
(1)
See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for a definition of the measurement of SPNOI and a reconciliation to operating income within this section of Item 2.
 
Number
of
Leases
 
Square
Feet
('000's)
 
Average
New
Rent per
Square
Foot ($)
 
Average
Prior
Rent per
Square
Foot ($)
 
Average Cost
of Tenant
Improvements
per Square
Foot ($)
 
Change in
Base Rent
on Cash
Basis
Leasing Activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
New leases (1)
62

 
166

 
$
21.38

 
$
19.86

 
$
25.31

 
7.6
%
Renewals
214

 
1,352

 
16.81

 
15.32

 

 
9.8
%
Not comparable spaces
27

 
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
303

 
1,591

 
$
17.31

 
$
15.81

 
$
2.76

 
9.5
%
_______________
(1)
Average external lease commissions per square foot for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $4.59.
While we will continue to monitor the effects of the economy and retail customers spending trends on our tenants, over the long-term, we believe the significant diversification of our portfolio, both geographically and by tenant base, and the quality of our portfolio which focuses on supermarkets, value-oriented apparel/discount stores and other retailers or service providers who generally sell basic necessity-type goods and services will allow future increases to occupancy levels. While we anticipate a drop in occupancy during the first half of 2017 due in part to repositioning some of our anchor space for long-term portfolio improvement and announced bankruptcies, we expect occupancy to range between 94% and 95% by year end. A reduction in quality retail space available, as well as continued retailer demand, contributed to the increase in overall rental rates on a same-space basis as we completed new leases and renewed existing leases. Leasing volume is anticipated to rise due to the increase in vacant space available for leasing and the uncertainty in tenant fallouts related to bankruptcies. Our expectation is that SPNOI growth with redevelopments will average between 2.5% to 3.5% for 2017 assuming no further tenant bankruptcies, although there are no assurances that this will occur.
New Development/Redevelopment
At March 31, 2017, we had three projects in various stages of development that were partially or wholly owned. We have funded $77.7 million through March 31, 2017 on these projects, and we estimate our aggregate net investment upon completion to be $347.4 million, which includes anticipated funding of $127 million related to the Arlington, Virginia project. Overall, the average projected stabilized return on investment for these multi-use properties, that include retail, office and residential components, is expected to be approximately 5.7% upon completion. Effective January 1, 2017, we stabilized the development in White Marsh, Maryland, moving it to our operating property portfolio. This development is 100% leased with an investment of $46 million and an 8% yield.

30



We have 15 redevelopment projects in which we plan to invest approximately $74.6 million. Upon completion, the average projected stabilized return on our incremental investment on these redevelopment projects is expected to average around 12% to 14%. Additionally, we have a longer-term redevelopment project at an existing shopping center for a 30-story luxury high-rise with around 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail in which we plan to invest $150 million with construction expected to begin in 2018.
We had approximately $74.0 million in land held for development at March 31, 2017 that may either be developed or sold. While we are experiencing some interest from retailers and other market participants in our land held for development, opportunities for economically viable developments remain limited. We intend to continue to pursue additional development and redevelopment opportunities in multiple markets; however, finding the right opportunities remains challenging.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions are a key component of our long-term growth strategy. The availability of quality acquisition opportunities in the market remains sporadic in our targeted markets. Intense competition, along with a decline in the volume of high-quality core properties on the market, has in many cases driven pricing to pre-recession highs. We intend to remain disciplined in approaching these opportunities, pursuing only those that provide appropriate risk-adjusted returns.
Dispositions
Dispositions are also a key component of our ongoing management process where we selectively prune properties from our portfolio that no longer meet our geographic or growth targets. Dispositions provide capital, which may be recycled into properties that are high barrier-to-entry locations within high growth metropolitan markets, and thus have higher long-term growth potential. Additionally, proceeds from dispositions may be used to reduce outstanding debt, further deleveraging our consolidated balance sheet.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and contingencies as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
A disclosure of our critical accounting policies which affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during 2017, except for the adoption of ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations." See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

31



Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
The following table is a summary of certain items in income from continuing operations from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, which we believe represent items that significantly changed during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
% Change
Revenues
$
143,663

 
$
132,417

 
$
11,246

 
8.5
%
Depreciation and amortization
42,449

 
37,879

 
4,570

 
12.1

Operating expenses
29,910

 
23,536

 
6,374

 
27.1

Real estate taxes, net
17,517

 
15,857

 
1,660

 
10.5

Impairment loss
14,986

 
43

 
14,943

 
34,751.2

Interest and other income
1,754

 
211

 
1,543

 
731.3

Gain on sale and acquisition of real estate joint
venture and partnership interests

 
37,392

 
(37,392
)
 
100.0

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
3,359

 
(5,899
)
 
9,258

 
156.9

Revenues
The increase in revenues of $11.2 million is primarily attributable to our acquisitions and new development completions that totaled $12.3 million. The existing portfolio and redevelopment properties contributed $2.7 million due increases in rental rates offset by changes in occupancy, which is offset by our dispositions of $3.8 million.
Depreciation and Amortization
The increase in depreciation and amortization of $4.6 million is primarily attributable to our acquisitions and new development completions that totaled $5.3 million, which is offset by our dispositions and other capital activities.
Operating Expenses
The increase in operating expenses of $6.4 million is primarily attributable to our acquisitions and new development completions of $2.8 million, a $3.1 million lease termination fee paid in 2017 and an increase of $1.1 million in costs associated with our deferred compensation plan, which is offset by our dispositions of $.8 million.
Real Estate Taxes, net
The increase in net real estate taxes of $1.7 million is primarily attributable to our acquisitions and new development completions.
Impairment loss
The increase in impairment losses of $14.9 million is primarily attributable to the losses in 2017 associated with the completed or proposed disposition of four shopping centers, one 50% unconsolidated joint venture interest and the disposition of an unimproved land parcel.
Interest and Other Income
The increase in interest and other income of $1.5 million is primarily attributable to an increase in the fair value of assets held in a grantor trust related to our deferred compensation plan.
Gain on Sale and Acquisition of Real Estate Joint Venture and Partnership Interests
The gain in 2016 of $37.4 million is associated with the remeasurement of our 51% unconsolidated real estate partnership interest to fair value associated with the exchange of properties among the partners.
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes
The increase of $9.3 million in the benefit for income taxes is attributable primarily to our taxable REIT subsidiary. In 2017, a tax benefit of $3.6 million was realized associated primarily with impairment losses and an NOL carryforward from dispositions as compared to a tax provision of $5.7 million in the same period of 2016 associated with the gain from the exchange of properties among the partners of an unconsolidated real estate joint venture.

32



Capital Resources and Liquidity
Our primary operating liquidity needs are paying our common share dividends, maintaining and operating our existing properties, paying our debt service costs, excluding debt maturities, and funding capital expenditures. Under our 2017 business plan, cash flows from operating activities are expected to meet these planned capital needs.
The primary sources of capital for funding any debt maturities, acquisitions, new developments and redevelopments are our excess cash flow generated by our operating properties; credit facilities; proceeds from both secured and unsecured debt issuances; proceeds from common and preferred equity issuances; and cash generated from the sale of property and the formation of joint ventures. Amounts outstanding under the unsecured revolving credit facility are retired as needed with proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, common and preferred equity, cash generated from the disposition of properties and cash flow generated by our operating properties.
As of March 31, 2017, we had available borrowing capacity of $268.4 million under our unsecured revolving credit facility, and our debt maturities for the remainder of 2017 total $67.3 million.
We have an ATM equity offering program under which we may, but are not obligated to, sell up to $250 million of common shares, in amounts and at times as we determine, at prices determined by the market at the time of sale. We intend to use the net proceeds from future sales for general trust purposes, which may include acquisitions and reducing borrowings under our $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, repaying other indebtedness or repurchasing outstanding debt. As of the date of this filing, $242.2 million of common shares remained available for sale under this ATM equity program.
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases based on management's evaluation of market conditions and other factors. As of the date of this filing, we have not repurchased any shares under this plan.
We believe net proceeds from planned capital recycling, combined with our available capacity under the revolving credit and short-term borrowing facilities, will provide adequate liquidity to fund our capital needs, including acquisitions, redevelopments and new development activities. In the event our capital recycling program does not progress as expected, we believe other debt and equity alternatives are available to us. Although external market conditions are not within our control, we do not currently foresee any impediment to our entering the capital markets if needed.
During the first three months of 2017, aggregate gross sales proceeds from our dispositions totaled $47.4 million, which were owned by us either directly or through our interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships. Operating cash flows from assets disposed are included in net cash from operating activities in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, while proceeds from these disposals are included as investing activities.
We have non-recourse debt secured by acquired or developed properties held in several of our real estate joint ventures and partnerships. Off-balance sheet mortgage debt for our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships totaled $300.3 million, of which our pro rata ownership is $109.3 million, at March 31, 2017. Scheduled principal mortgage payments on this debt, excluding deferred debt costs and non-cash related items totaling $(.7) million, at 100% are as follows (in millions): 
2017 remaining
$
10.9

2018
5.9

2019
6.2

2020
92.8

2021
172.8

Thereafter
12.4

Total
$
301.0

We hedge the future cash flows of certain debt transactions, as well as changes in the fair value of our debt instruments, principally through interest rate swap contracts with major financial institutions. We generally have the right to sell or otherwise dispose of our assets except in certain cases where we are required to obtain our joint venture partners’ consent or a third party consent for assets held in special purpose entities that are 100% owned by us.

33



Investing Activities
Dispositions
During the first three months of 2017, we sold three centers and other property, including real estate assets owned through our interest in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships. Our share of aggregate gross sales proceeds from these transactions totaled $47.4 million and generated our share of the gains of approximately $11.8 million.
New Development/Redevelopment
At March 31, 2017, we had three projects under development with approximately .3 million of total square footage for retail and office space and 649 residential units, that were partially or wholly owned, including a joint venture project located in Arlington, Virginia where we expect to purchase the land during the second quarter of 2017. We have funded $77.7 million through March 31, 2017 on these projects. Upon completion, we expect our aggregate net investment in these multi-use projects to be $347.4 million, which includes anticipated funding of $127 million related to the Arlington, Virginia project. Effective January 1, 2017, we stabilized the development in White Marsh, Maryland, moving it to our operating property portfolio. This development is 100% leased with an investment of $46 million and an 8% yield.
At March 31, 2017, we had 15 redevelopment projects in which we plan to invest approximately $74.6 million. Upon completion, the average projected stabilized return on our incremental investment on these redevelopment projects is expected to average around 12% to 14%. Additionally, we have a longer-term redevelopment project at an existing shopping center for a 30-story luxury high-rise with around 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail in which we plan to invest $150 million with construction expected to begin in 2018.
We typically finance our new development and redevelopment projects with proceeds from our unsecured revolving credit facility, as it is our general practice not to use third party construction financing. Management monitors amounts outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility and periodically pays down such balances using cash generated from operations, from debt issuances, from common and preferred share issuances and from the disposition of properties.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for additions to the existing portfolio, acquisitions, tenant improvements, new development, redevelopment and our share of investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Acquisitions
$

 
$
42,521

Tenant Improvements
6,480

 
4,839

New Development
30,383

 
6,182

Redevelopment
8,988

 
8,458

Capital Improvements
5,412

 
3,166

Other
1,284

 
2,860

Total
$
52,547

 
$
68,026

The decrease in capital expenditures is attributable primarily to the 2016 acquisition activity, which is offset by the increase in new development activity associated primarily to the purchase of the retail portion of a mixed-use project in Seattle, Washington.
For 2017, we anticipate our acquisitions to total between $125 million and $225 million. Our new development and redevelopment investment for 2017 is estimated to be approximately $135 million to $235 million. For 2017, capital and tenant improvements is expected to be consistent with 2016 expenditures. No assurances can be provided that our planned capital activities will occur. Further, we have entered into commitments aggregating $30.9 million comprised principally of construction contracts which are generally due in 12 to 36 months and anticipated to be funded under our unsecured revolving credit facility.

34



Capital expenditures for additions described above relate to cash flows from investing activities as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Acquisition of real estate and land
$
570

 
$
496

Development and capital improvements
51,779

 
25,505

Real estate joint ventures and partnerships - Investments
198

 
42,025

Total
$
52,547

 
$
68,026

Capitalized soft costs, including payroll and other general and administrative costs, interest and real estate taxes, totaled $3.4 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Financing Activities
Debt
Total debt outstanding was $2.3 billion at March 31, 2017 and consists of $2.1 billion, including the effect of $200 million of interest rate swap contracts, which bears interest at fixed rates, and $252.6 million, which bears interest at variable rates. Additionally, of our total debt, $423.6 million was secured by operating centers while the remaining $1.9 billion was unsecured.
At March 31, 2017, we have a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in March 2020 and provides borrowing rates that float at a margin over LIBOR plus a facility fee. At March 31, 2017, the borrowing margin and facility fee, which are priced off a grid that is tied to our senior unsecured credit ratings, were 90 and 15 basis points, respectively. The facility also contains a competitive bid feature that allows us to request bids for up to $250 million. Additionally, an accordion feature allows us to increase the facility amount up to $850 million. As of April 28, 2017, we had $175.0 million outstanding, and the available balance was $319.4 million, net of $5.6 million in outstanding letters of credit.
At March 31, 2017, we have an agreement with a bank for a short-term, unsecured facility totaling $10 million that we maintain for cash management purposes. The facility, which matures in March 2018, provides for fixed interest rate loans at a 30-day LIBOR rate plus borrowing margin, facility fee and an unused facility fee of 125, 10, and 5 basis points, respectively. As of April 28, 2017, we had no amounts outstanding under this facility.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the maximum balance and weighted average balance outstanding under both facilities combined were $245.0 million and $211.0 million, respectively, at a weighted average interest rate of 1.6%.
Our five most restrictive covenants, composed from both our public debt and revolving credit facility, include debt to asset, secured debt to asset, fixed charge, unencumbered asset test and unencumbered interest coverage ratios. We are not aware of any non-compliance with our public debt and revolving credit facility covenants as of March 31, 2017.
Our most restrictive public debt covenant ratios, as defined in our indenture and supplemental indenture agreements, were as follows at March 31, 2017:
Covenant
 
Restriction
 
Actual
Debt to Asset Ratio
 
Less than 60.0%
 
44.0%
Secured Debt to Asset Ratio
 
Less than 40.0%
 
8.0%
Fixed Charge Ratio
 
Greater than 1.5
 
4.2
Unencumbered Asset Test
 
Greater than 150%
 
240.7%
At March 31, 2017, we had three interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $200 million that were designated as cash flow hedges. These contracts mature March 2020 and fix the LIBOR component of the interest rates at 1.5%. We have determined that these contracts are highly effective in offsetting future variable interest cash flows.

35



We could be exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance by the counter-parties related to our interest rate swap contracts; however, management believes such nonperformance is remote.
Equity
Our Board of Trust Managers approved the current quarter 2017 dividend of $.385 per common share, an increase from $.365 per common share for the respective quarter of 2016. Common share dividends paid totaled $49.4 million during the first three months of 2017. Our dividend payout ratio (as calculated as dividends paid on common shares divided by core funds from operations attributable to common shareholders - basic) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 approximated 62.5% (see Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional information).
We have an ATM equity offering program under which we may, but are not obligated to, sell up to $250 million of common shares, in amounts and at times as we determine, at prices determined by the market at the time of sale. We intend to use the net proceeds from future sales for general trust purposes, which may include acquisitions and reducing borrowings under our $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, repaying other indebtedness or repurchasing outstanding debt. As of the date of this filing, $242.2 million of common shares remained available for sale under this ATM equity program.
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligations to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the plan. As of the date of this filing, we have not repurchased any shares under this plan.
We have an effective universal shelf registration statement which expires in September 2017, which we intend to extend. We will continue to closely monitor both the debt and equity markets and carefully consider our available financing alternatives, including both public offerings and private placements.
Contractual Obligations
We have debt obligations related to our mortgage loans and unsecured debt, including any draws on our credit facilities. We have shopping centers that are subject to non-cancelable long-term ground leases where a third party owns and has leased the underlying land to us to construct and/or operate a shopping center. In addition, we have non-cancelable operating leases pertaining to office space from which we conduct our business. The table below excludes obligations related to our new development projects because such amounts are not fixed or determinable, and commitments aggregating $30.9 million comprised principally of construction contracts which are generally due in 12 to 36 months. The following table summarizes our primary contractual obligations as of March 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
Payments due by period
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 3 years
 
3 - 5 years
 
More than 5 years
Mortgages and Notes Payable (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured Debt
$
2,245,397

 
$
80,772

 
$
123,020

 
$
534,944

 
$
1,506,661

Secured Debt
521,695

 
58,182

 
156,580

 
70,422

 
236,511

Lease Payments
128,403

 
2,306

 
6,140

 
5,508

 
114,449

Other Obligations (2)
77,118

 
42,652

 
34,466

 
 
 
 
Total Contractual Obligations
$
2,972,613

 
$
183,912

 
$
320,206

 
$
610,874

 
$
1,857,621

 
_______________
(1)
Includes principal and interest with interest on variable-rate debt calculated using rates at March 31, 2017, excluding the effect of interest rate swaps. Also, excludes a $67.1 million debt service guaranty liability. See Note 5 for additional information.
(2)
Other obligations include income and real estate tax payments, commitments associated with our secured debt and other employee payments. Included in 2017, is the estimated contribution to our pension plan, which meets or exceeds the minimum statutory funding requirements; however, we have the right to discontinue contributions at any time. See Note 12 for additional information.

36



Related to a development project in Sheridan, Colorado, we have provided a guaranty for the payment of any debt service shortfalls on tax increment revenue bonds issued in connection with the project. The Sheridan Redevelopment Agency issued Series A bonds used for an urban renewal project, of which $67.1 million remain outstanding at March 31, 2017. The bonds are to be repaid with incremental sales and property taxes and a PIF to be assessed on current and future retail sales and, to the extent necessary, any amounts we may have to provide under a guaranty. The incremental taxes and PIF are to remain intact until the earlier of the payment of the bond liability in full or 2040. The debt associated with this guaranty has been recorded in our condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2017.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2017, none of our off-balance sheet arrangements had a material effect on our liquidity or availability of, or requirement for, our capital resources. Letters of credit totaling $5.6 million were outstanding under the unsecured revolving credit facility at March 31, 2017.
We have entered into several unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships. Under many of these agreements, we and our joint venture partners are required to fund operating capital upon shortfalls in working capital. As operating manager of most of these entities, we have considered these funding requirements in our business plan.
Reconsideration events, including changes in variable interests, could cause us to consolidate these joint ventures and partnerships. We continuously evaluate these events as we become aware of them. Some triggers to be considered are additional contributions required by each partner and each partner’s ability to make those contributions. Under certain of these circumstances, we may purchase our partner’s interest. Our material unconsolidated real estate joint ventures are with entities which appear sufficiently stable; however, if market conditions were to deteriorate and our partners are unable to meet their commitments, there is a possibility we may have to consolidate these entities. If we were to consolidate all of our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures, we would continue to be in compliance with our debt covenants.
As of March 31, 2017, one unconsolidated real estate joint venture was determined to be a VIE through the issuance of a secured loan, since the lender had the ability to make decisions that could have a significant impact on the profitability of the entity. Our maximum risk of loss associated with this VIE was limited to $34.0 million at March 31, 2017. Also at March 31, 2017, an additional joint venture arrangement for the future development of a mixed-use project was determined to be a VIE. We are not the primary beneficiary as the substantive participating rights associated with the entity are shared, and we do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity. We anticipate funding approximately $127 million in equity and debt associated with the mixed-use project through 2020.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Certain of our key performance indicators are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses these measures along with our GAAP financial statements in order to evaluate our operating results. We believe these additional measures provide users of our financial information additional comparable indicators of our industry, as well as, our performance.
Funds from Operations Attributable to Common Shareholders
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations attributable to common shareholders ("NAREIT FFO") as net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding extraordinary items and gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets and interests in real estate equity investments and their applicable taxes, plus depreciation and amortization of operating properties and impairment of depreciable real estate and in substance real estate equity investments, including our share of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships. We calculate NAREIT FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition.
We believe NAREIT FFO is a widely recognized measure of REIT operating performance which provides our shareholders with a relevant basis for comparison among other REITs. Management uses NAREIT FFO as a supplemental internal measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income by itself as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes that the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that uses historical cost accounting is insufficient by itself. There can be no assurance that NAREIT FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs.

37



We also present core funds from operations attributable to common shareholders (“Core FFO”) as an additional supplemental measure as it is more reflective of the core operating performance of our portfolio of properties. Core FFO is defined as NAREIT FFO excluding charges and gains related to non-cash, non-operating and other transactions or events that hinder the comparability of operating results. Specific examples of items excluded from Core FFO include, but are not limited to, gains or losses associated with the extinguishment of debt or other liabilities, impairments of land, transactional costs associated with acquisition and development activities, certain deferred tax provisions/benefits, redemption costs of preferred shares and gains on the disposal of non-real estate assets.
NAREIT FFO and Core FFO should not be considered as alternatives to net income or other measurements under GAAP as indicators of our operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as measures of liquidity. NAREIT FFO and Core FFO do not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness.

38



NAREIT FFO and Core FFO is calculated as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
30,826

 
$
107,074

Depreciation and amortization
 
41,621

 
37,209

Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships
 
3,639

 
3,686

Impairment of operating properties and real estate equity investments
 
12,005

 

Impairment of operating properties of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships
 

 
326

Gain on acquisition including associated real estate equity investment
 

 
(37,383
)
Gain on sale of property and interests in real estate equity investments
 
(11,812
)
 
(45,125
)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (1)
 
(2,392
)
 

NAREIT FFO – basic
 
73,887

 
65,787

Income attributable to operating partnership units
 
526

 
499

NAREIT FFO – diluted
 
74,413

 
66,286

Adjustments to Core FFO:
 
 
 
 
Other impairment loss
 
3,017

 
43

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
 
(952
)
 
5,895

Acquisition costs
 

 
355

Other
 
3,066

 
(242
)
Core FFO – diluted
 
$
79,544

 
$
72,337

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
 
127,610

 
123,593

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Share options and awards
 
938

 
1,216

Operating partnership units
 
1,462

 
1,462

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
 
130,010

 
126,271

 
 
 
 
 
NAREIT FFO per common share – basic
 
$
.58

 
$
.53

 
 
 
 
 
NAREIT FFO per common share – diluted
 
$
.57

 
$
.52

 
 
 
 
 
Core FFO per common share – diluted
 
$
.61

 
$
.57

_______________
(1) Effective January 1, 2017 includes the applicable taxes related to gains and impairments of operating properties.

39



Same Property Net Operating Income
We consider SPNOI an important additional financial measure because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, and when compared across periods, reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. We calculate this most useful measurement by determining our proportional share of SPNOI from all owned properties, including our share of SPNOI from unconsolidated joint ventures and partnerships, which cannot be readily determined under GAAP measurements and presentation. Although SPNOI is a widely used measure among REITs, there can be no assurance that SPNOI presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. Additionally, we do not control these unconsolidated joint ventures and partnerships, and the assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses of these joint ventures and partnerships, as presented, do not represent our legal claim to such items.
Properties are included in the SPNOI calculation if they are owned and operated for the entirety of the most recent two fiscal year periods, except for properties for which significant redevelopment or expansion occurred during either of the periods presented, and properties classified as discontinued operations. While there is judgment surrounding changes in designations, we move new development and redevelopment properties once they have stabilized, which is typically upon attainment of 90% occupancy. A rollforward of the properties included in our same property designation is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
Beginning of the period
 
193

Properties added:
 
 
Acquisitions
 
4

New Developments
 
1

Redevelopments
 
6

Properties removed:
 
 
Dispositions
 
(3
)
End of the period
 
201


40



We calculate SPNOI using operating income as defined by GAAP excluding property management fees, certain non-cash revenues and expenses such as straight-line rental revenue and the related reversal of such amounts upon early lease termination, depreciation, amortization, impairment losses, general and administrative expenses, acquisition costs and other items such as lease cancellation income, environmental abatement costs, demolition expenses and lease termination fees. Consistent with the capital treatment of such costs under GAAP, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and other direct leasing costs are excluded from SPNOI. A reconciliation of net income attributable to common shareholders to SPNOI is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
30,826

 
$
107,074

Add:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
5,570

 
1,593

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(3,359
)
 
5,899

Interest expense, net
21,082

 
20,891

Less:
 
 
 
Gain on sale of property
(15,763
)
 
(45,157
)
Equity in earnings of real estate joint ventures and partnership interests
(5,317
)
 
(4,093
)
Gain on sale and acquisition of real estate joint venture and partnership interests

 
(37,392
)
Interest and other income
(1,754
)
 
(211
)
Operating Income
31,285

 
48,604

Less:
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments (1)
(4,109
)
 
(3,727
)
Add:
 
 
 
Property management fees
926

 
959

Depreciation and amortization
42,449

 
37,879

Impairment loss
14,986

 
43

General and administrative
7,516

 
6,498

Acquisition costs
1

 
49

Other (2)
3,117

 
169

Net Operating Income
96,171

 
90,474

Less: NOI related to consolidated entities not defined as same property, noncontrolling interests and redevelopments
(18,306
)
 
(14,639
)
Add: Pro rata share of unconsolidated entities defined as same property
8,523

 
8,171

Same Property Net Operating Income
$
86,388

 
$
84,006

Same Property Net Operating Income including Redevelopments
$
96,040

 
$
92,624

___________________
(1)
Revenue adjustments consist primarily of straight-line rentals, lease cancellation income and fee income primarily from real estate joint ventures and partnerships.
(2)
Other includes items such as environmental abatement costs, demolition expenses and lease termination fees.
Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for additional information related to recent accounting pronouncements.

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ITEM 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We use fixed and floating-rate debt to finance our capital requirements. These transactions expose us to market risk related to changes in interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are used to manage a portion of this risk, primarily interest rate contracts with major financial institutions. These agreements expose us to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counter-parties. We do not engage in the trading of derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2017, we had fixed-rate debt of $2.1 billion, after adjusting for the net effect of $200 million notional amount of interest rate contracts, and variable-rate debt of $252.6 million. In the event interest rates were to increase 100 basis points and holding all other variables constant, annual net income and cash flows for the following year would decrease by approximately $2.5 million associated with our variable-rate debt, including the effect of the interest rate contracts. The effect of the 100 basis points increase would decrease the fair value of our variable-rate and fixed-rate debt by approximately $11.0 million and $122.2 million, respectively.
ITEM 4.    Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2017. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017.
There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II-OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.     Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various matters of litigation arising in the normal course of business. While we are unable to predict the amounts involved, our management and counsel believe that when such litigation is resolved, our resulting liability, if any, will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors
We have no material changes to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
ITEM 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Repurchases of our common shares for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
Period
 
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet be
Purchased
Under the
Program
February 1, 2017 to February 28, 2017
 
38,572

 
$
36.36

 
 
 
 
_______________
(1)
Common shares surrendered or deemed surrendered to us to satisfy such employees' tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting and/or exercise of awards under our equity-based compensation plans.
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligations to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the plan. As of the date of this filing, we have not repurchased any shares under this plan.

42



ITEM 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
ITEM 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
ITEM 5.     Other Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 6.     Exhibits
The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

43



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Andrew M. Alexander
 
 
Andrew M. Alexander
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Joe D. Shafer
 
 
Joe D. Shafer
 
 
Senior Vice President/Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
DATE: May 3, 2017

44



EXHIBIT INDEX
(a)
 
Exhibits:
 
 
 
31.1*
Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).
31.2*
Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).
32.1**
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).
32.2**
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).
101.INS**
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*
Filed with this report.
 
**
Furnished with this report.
 
Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.



45