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FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

[ X ]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002

 

Commission file number: 1-13820

 

SOVRAN SELF STORAGE, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

                Maryland                 

      16-1194043      

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

6467 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14221
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(716) 633-1850
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ____

As of November 8, 2002 there were outstanding 13,141,257 shares of the registrant's Common Stock, $.01 par value.

 

 

PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SOVRAN SELF STORAGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



(dollars in thousands, except share data)

September 30,
   2002      
  (unaudited) 


December 31, 
       2001        

 Assets

 

 

 Investment in storage facilities:

 

 

   Land

$ 127,607 

$ 117,069 

   Building and equipment

   548,434 

   494,220 

 

676,041 

611,289 

   Less:  accumulated depreciation

   (70,916)

   (59,091)

Investment in storage facilities, net

605,125 

552,198 

Cash and cash equivalents

6,694 

1,883 

Accounts receivable

1,325 

1,064 

Receivable from related parties

95 

122 

Notes receivable from joint ventures

1,045 

679 

Investment in joint ventures

4,157 

3,659 

Prepaid expenses

       3,519 

       2,505 

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements

       -  

       373 

Other assets

       5,022 

       5,355 

  Total Assets

$ 626,982 

$ 567,838 

Liabilities

   

Line of credit

$96,000 

$134,000 

Term note

105,000 

105,000 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

7,599 

4,359 

Deferred revenue

3,453 

3,157 

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements

9,664 

-  

Accrued dividends

7,833 

7,293 

Mortgage payable

    47,748 

     2,190 

  Total Liabilities

277,297 

  255,999 

Minority interest - Operating Partnership

14,237 

17,590 

Minority interest - consolidated joint venture

16,676 

17,085 

     

Shareholders' Equity

   

Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $.01 par

  value, 250,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and

  outstanding



- -   



- -   

9.85% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock, $.01 par value,

  1,700,000 shares authorized, 1,200,000   shares issued and

  outstanding, $30,000 liquidation value



28,585 



28,585 

8.375% Series C Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock, $.01 par

  value, 2,800,000 shares authorized, 1,600,000 shares issued and

  outstanding, $40,000 liquidation value



37,396 



- -  

Common stock $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized,

  13,055,107 shares outstanding (12,354,961 at December 31, 2001)


139 


132 

Additional paid-in capital

314,293 

293,835 

Unearned restricted stock

(1,724)

(1,978)

Dividends in excess of net income

(32,216)

(25,746)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(9,664)

373 

Treasury stock at cost, 839,453 shares

   (18,037)

  (18,037)

  Total Shareholders' Equity

   318,772 

  277,164 

  Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$626,982 

$567,838 

See notes to financial statements.

   


SOVRAN SELF STORAGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)

 



(dollars in thousands, except share data)

      July 1, 2002
              to          
September 30, 2002

          July 1, 2001
          to          
September 30, 2001

Revenues:

   

  Rental income

$   25,679    

$   22,913    

  Interest and other income

      652    

      622    

  Equity in income of joint ventures

          9    

         80    

     Total revenues

26,340    

23,615    

     

Expenses:

   

  Property operations and maintenance

6,319    

5,200    

  Real estate taxes

2,271    

2,079    

  General and administrative

2,278    

1,593    

  Interest

3,744    

3,216    

  Depreciation and amortization

   4,403    

     3,789    

     Total expenses

 19,015    

   15,877    

     

  Income before minority interest

7,325    

7,738    
 

  Minority interest - Operating Partnership

        (280)   

        (466)   

  Minority interest - consolidated joint venture

        (208)   

             -     

     

  Net Income

6,837    

7,272    

  
  Preferred stock dividends


        (1,558)   


        (739)   

  Series C preferred stock deemed dividend

        (230)   

             -     

  Net income available to common shareholders

  $   5,049    

  $   6,533    

     

Per common share:

   

  Earnings per common share - basic

    $   0.39    

   $   0.53    

     

  Earnings per common share - diluted

    $   0.38    

   $   0.53    

     

  Common shares used in basic earnings
    per share calculation


12,961,626    


12,279,982    

  Common shares used in diluted earnings
    per share calculation


13,123,911    


12,382,764    

     

  Dividends declared per common share

$         0.60    

$         0.59    

See notes to financial statements.

SOVRAN SELF STORAGE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)

 



(dollars in thousands, except share data)

   January 1, 2002
              to          
September 30, 2002

      January 1, 2001
            to          
September 30, 2001

Revenues:

   

  Rental income

$   74,161    

$   66,844    

  Interest and other income

      1,690    

      1,609    

     Total revenues

75,851    

68,453    

     

Expenses:

   

  Property operations and maintenance

17,539    

15,226    

  Real estate taxes

6,973    

6,284    

  General and administrative

6,276    

4,893    

  Interest

11,122    

10,802    

  Depreciation and amortization

12,701    

11,160    

  Equity in losses (income) of joint ventures

        47    

         (226)   

     Total expenses

 54,658    

      48,139    

     

  Income before minority interest

21,193    

20,314    
 

  Minority interest - Operating Partnership

        (893)   

        (1,246)   

  Minority interest - consolidated joint venture

        (709)   

              -     

     

  Net Income

19,591    

19,068    

  

  Preferred stock dividends


     (3,036)   


     (2,216)   

  Series C preferred stock deemed dividend

        (230)   

             -     

  Net income available to common shareholders

  $ 16,325    

  $ 16,852    

     

Per common share:

   

  Earnings per common share - basic

  $     1.29    

 $     1.38    

     

  Earnings per common share - diluted

  $     1.27    

 $     1.38    

     

  Common shares used in basic earnings
    per share calculation


12,666,585    


12,180,717    

  Common shares used in diluted earnings
    per share calculation


12,865,883    


12,252,258    

     

  Dividends declared per common share

$         1.78    

$         1.75    

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SOVRAN SELF STORAGE, INC.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
(unaudited)



(dollars in thousands)

  January 1, 2002
             to           
September 30, 2002

January 1, 2001
           to            
September 30, 2001

Operating Activities

   

Net income

$ 19,591    

$  19,068     

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:

   

    Depreciation and amortization

12,701    

11,160     

    Equity in losses (income) of joint ventures

47    

(226)    

    Minority interest

1,602    

1,246     

    Restricted stock earned

254    

297     

    Changes in assets and liabilities:

   

      Accounts receivable

(236)   

(86)    

      Prepaid expenses and other assets

(922)   

(1,631)    

      Accounts payable and other liabilities

2,977    

1,209     

      Deferred revenue

            2    

      (153)    

Net cash provided by operating activities

   36,016    

   30,884     

     

Investing Activities

   

  Additions to storage facilities

(64,394)   

(12,414)    

  Advances to joint ventures

(911)   

(12,160)    

  Receipts from (advances to) related parties

          27     

     (700)    

Net cash used in investing activities

  (65,278)    

  (25,274)    

     

Financing Activities

   

  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    through Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
    Purchase Plan and Stock Option Plan



19,487     



5,009     

  Net proceeds from the sale of preferred stock

38,143     

-      

 (Paydown of) Proceeds from line of credit down

(38,000)    

18,000     

  Proceeds from mortgage financing

48,000     

-      

  Financing costs

(460)    

-      

  Dividends paid-common stock

(22,255)    

(21,129)    

  Dividends paid-preferred stock

(3,036)    

(2,216)    

  Minority interest distributions

(2,115)    

(1,339)    

  Purchase of treasury stock

-      

(449)    

  Redemption of Operating Partnership Units

(3,249)    

(3,650)    

  Mortgage principal payments

     (2,442)    

         (25)    

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     34,073     

    (5,799)    

Net increase (decrease) in cash

4,811     

(189)    

Cash at beginning of period

    1,883     

    1,421     

Cash at end of period

$    6,694     

$    1,232     


Supplemental cash flow information
  Cash paid for interest



$ 10,996     



$ 10,744     

  Fair value of net liabilities assumed on the
    acquisition of storage facilities


440     


- -      

Dividends declared but unpaid were $7,833 at September 30, 2002 and $7,252 at September 30, 2001.

See notes to financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited financial statements of Sovran Self Storage, Inc. (the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2002.

2.

ORGANIZATION

The Company, a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (a "REIT"), was formed on April 19, 1995 to own and operate self-storage facilities throughout the United States. On June 26, 1995, the Company commenced operations effective with the completion of its initial public offering of 5,890,000 shares. At September 30, 2002, the Company owned and/or managed 260 self-storage properties under the "Uncle Bob's Self Storage"® trade name in 21 states.

All of the Company's assets are owned by, and all its operations are conducted through, Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership"). Sovran Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Subsidiary"), is the sole general partner; and the Company is a limited partner of the Operating Partnership, and thereby controls the operations of the Operating Partnership holding a 95.91% ownership interest therein as of September 30, 2002. The remaining ownership interests in the Operating Partnership (the "Units") are held by certain former owners of assets acquired by the Operating Partnership subsequent to its formation.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, and Locke Sovran II, LLC, a majority owned joint venture. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Investments in joint ventures which are not majority owned are reported using the equity method.

3.

INVESTMENT IN STORAGE FACILITIES

The following summarizes activity in storage facilities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002.

(dollars in thousands)                                                            

Cost:

 

  Beginning balance

$   611,289

  Property acquisitions

53,620 

  Improvements and equipment additions

11,302 

  Dispositions                                                                         

         (170)

Ending balance                                                                      

$   676,041

 

 

Accumulated Depreciation:

 

  Beginning balance

$    59,091 

  Additions during the period

11,908 

  Dispositions                                                                        

            (83)

Ending balance                                                                     

$    70,916 

4.

UNSECURED LINE OF CREDIT AND TERM NOTE

The Company has a $150 million revolving line of credit due November 2003 at LIBOR plus 1.375%, a $75 million term loan due November 2003 (extendable, at the Company's option to November 2005) at LIBOR plus 1.75%, and a $30 million term loan due November 2002 at LIBOR plus 1.375%, which was repaid prior to the filing date of this report (see Note 5 below). The weighted average interest rate at September 30, 2002 on the Company's credit facility before the effect of interest rate swaps was approximately 3.4%. At September 30, 2002, there was $54 million available on the line of credit.

The Company has entered into three interest rate swap agreements, one in March 2001 for $50 million and two in September 2001 for $50 million and $30 million, to effectively convert a total of $130 million of variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. One of the $50 million interest rate swap agreements matures in November 2005, the other matures in October 2006, and the $30 million swap agreement matures in September 2008.

Based on current interest rates, the Company estimates that payments under the interest rate swaps will be approximately $3.9 million in 2002. Payments made under the interest rate swap agreements will be reclassified to interest expense as settlements occur. The fair value of the swap agreements at September 30, 2002 was a $9.7 million liability.

The net carrying amount of the Company's debt instruments approximates fair value.

5.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On November 7, 2002, the Company used the proceeds from a draw on the line of credit to pay off the maturing $30 million term note.

6.

MORTGAGES PAYABLE

In February 2002, the consolidated joint venture (Locke Sovran II, LLC) entered into a mortgage note of $48 million. The note is secured by the 27 properties owned by the joint venture with a value of $80 million. The 10-year note bears interest at 7.19%.

7.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company's current practice is to conduct environmental investigations in connection with property acquisitions. At this time, the Company is not aware of any environmental contamination of any of its facilities that individually or in the aggregate would be material to the Company's overall business, financial condition, or results of operations.

8.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


Total comprehensive income consisting of net income and the change in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements was $9.6 million and $16.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

9.

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES


Investment in joint ventures includes an ownership interest in Locke Sovran I, LLC, which operates 11 self-storage facilities in various states, and an ownership interest in Iskalo Office Holdings, LLC, which owns the building that houses the Company's headquarters and other tenants.

In December 2000, the Company contributed seven self-storage properties with a fair market value of $19.8 million to Locke Sovran I, LLC, in exchange for a $15 million one year note receivable bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% (which was repaid in 2001), and a 45% interest in Locke Sovran I, LLC. This transaction resulted in a gain on the disposal of the properties of approximately $4.3 million; $1.9 million of this gain was deferred as a result of the Company's continuing ownership interest in Locke Sovran I, LLC, as such the initial investment, including cash funding, was recorded at $3.1 million. The deferred gain is being amortized over the life of the properties, consistent with the depreciation expense recorded by Locke Sovran I, LLC.

The Company also had a 49% ownership interest in Iskalo Office Holdings, LLC at September 30, 2002. The majority of the $1.4 million investment relates to interest bearing loans made by the Company to the joint venture.

10.

EARNINGS PER SHARE


The Company reports earnings per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." In computing earnings per share, the Company excludes preferred stock dividends from net income to arrive at net income available to common shareholders. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:


(in thousands except per share data)

Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2002

Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2001

Numerator:

   

  Net income available to common shareholders

$  16,325                

$  16,852                 

     

Denominator:

   

  Denominator for basic earnings per share -
    weighted average shares


12,667                


12,181                 

     

Effect of Dilutive Securities:

   

  Stock options

199                

71                 

  Denominator for diluted earnings per share -
    adjusted weighted average shares and
    assumed conversion



12,866                



12,252                 

     

Basic earnings per common share

$       1.29                 

$      1.38                 

Diluted earnings per common share

$       1.27                 

$      1.38                 

 

11.

SERIES C CONVERTIBLE CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK

On July 3, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement providing for the issuance of $70 million of Series C Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred") in a privately negotiated transaction. The Company immediately issued $40 million of the Series C Preferred ("Initial Closing") and agreed to issue the remaining $30 million of Series C Preferred in up to two subsequent closings with a final closing date of no later than November 30, 2002.

The Series C Preferred has a fixed annual dividend rate equal to the greater of 8.375% or the actual dividend paid on the number of the Company's common shares into which the Series C Preferred is convertible. The Series C Preferred has a conversion price of $32.60 per share and can be redeemed at the Company's option after five years. In addition, the Company issued warrants to the investors to purchase 379,166 common shares of the Company at a price of $32.60 per share that expire November 30, 2007. Also, one of the investors received a placement certificate that entitles it to receive cash from the Company in the amount of 650,000 multiplied by the excess of the fair market value of the Company's common stock over $32.60 on the date the certificate is exercised.  This arrangement expires on November 30, 2007.  Based upon the Company's common stock price at September 30, 2002, no amount is currently payable under this arrangement.

Proceeds from the Initial Closing were partially used to reduce indebtedness that was incurred in the June acquisition of seven self-storage properties located in Houston, TX. The remaining proceeds are expected to be used to repay the Company's line of credit.

The Company has recorded a deemed dividend in connection with the issuance of the Series C Preferred. The deemed dividend represents the calculated value of the beneficial conversion feature that existed at the date of issuance of the Series C Preferred. The beneficial conversion feature is calculated as the excess of, on the date of issuance of the Series C Preferred, the fair value of the common stock into which the Series C Preferred is convertible, over the issuance amount allocated to the Series C Preferred.

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.

The Company operates as a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") and owns and/or manages a portfolio of 260 self-storage facilities, providing storage space for business and personal use to customers in 21 states. The Company's investment objective is to increase cash flow and enhance shareholder value by aggressively managing its portfolio, to expand and enhance the facilities in that portfolio and to selectively acquire new properties in geographic areas that will either complement or efficiently grow the portfolio.

When used in this discussion and elsewhere in this document, the words "intends," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," and similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and in Section 21F of Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of competition from new self-storage facilities, which would cause rents and occupancy rates to decline; the Company's ability to evaluate, finance and integrate acquired businesses into the Company's existing business and operations; the Company's ability to form joint ventures and sell existing properties to those joint ventures; the Company's abil ity to effectively compete in the industry in which it does business; the Company's existing indebtedness may mature in an unfavorable credit environment, preventing refinancing or forcing refinancing of the indebtedness on terms that are not as favorable as the existing terms; interest rates may fluctuate, impacting costs associated with the Company's outstanding floating rate debt; the Company's ability to successfully implement its Uncle Bob's Flex-a-Space strategy; the Company's cash flow may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest; and tax law changes which may change the taxability of future income.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's unsecured credit facility provides availability up to $150 million, of which $96 million was drawn on September 30, 2002. The facility matures in November 2003 and bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.375%.

In addition to the credit facility, the Company has two unsecured term notes; one in the amount of $30 million due November 2002 bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.375% and the other in the a mount of $75 million bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%. The $75 million note has a maturity date of November 2003, but can be extended through November 2005 at the Company's option. Subsequent to September 30, 2002, the Company used the proceeds from a draw on the line of credit to pay off the maturing $30 million term note.

The credit facility and remaining term note currently have investment grade ratings from Standard and Poor's (BBB-), Moody's (Baa3), and Fitch (BBB-).

In July 1999 the Company issued 1,200,000 shares of 9.85% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The net proceeds of $28.6 million were used to repay a portion of the outstanding balance on the credit facility. The Series B Preferred Stock is currently rated by Standard and Poor's (BB+), Moody's (Ba2) and Fitch (BB+).

In February 2002, the consolidated joint venture (Locke Sovran II, LLC) entered into a mortgage note of $48 million. The note is secured by the 27 properties owned by the joint venture with a value of $80 million. The 10-year note bears interest at 7.19%.

On July 3, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement for the issuance of $70 million of Series C Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock through a privately negotiated transaction. Fitch assigned a credit rating of BB+ to the Series C Preferred. The Company immediately issued $40 million of the Series C Preferred and agreed to issue the remaining $30 million of Series C Preferred in up to two subsequent closings with a final closing date of no later than November 30, 2002.

The Series C Preferred has a fixed annual dividend rate equal to the greater of 8.375% or the actual dividend paid on the number of the Company's common shares into which the Series C Preferred is convertible. The Series C Preferred has a conversion price of $32.60 per share and can be redeemed at the Company's option after five years. In addition, the Company issued warrants to the investors to purchase 379,166 common shares of the Company at a price of $32.60 per share that expire November 30, 2007. Also, one of the investors received a placement certificate that entitles them to receive cash from the Company in the amount of 650,000 multiplied by the excess of the fair market value of the Company's common stock over $32.60 on the date the certificate is exercised.  This arrangement expires November 30, 2007.

Proceeds from the Initial Closing were partially used to reduce indebtedness that was incurred in the acquisition of seven self-storage properties located in Houston, TX totaling $25.5 million. The proceeds from the issuance of the remaining $30 million of Series C Preferred will be used to pay down the line of credit.

The Company believes that its internally generated cash flows and borrowing capacity under the credit facility will be sufficient to fund ongoing operations, capital improvements, dividends, and share repurchases for the year 2002. The Company funded its maturing $30 million term note with a line of credit draw. Future growth is expected to be funded through issuance of the remaining $30 million of Series C Preferred, secured or unsecured term notes, issuance of common or preferred stock, sale of properties, private placement solicitation of joint venture equity and other sources of capital.

 

UMBRELLA PARTNERSHIP REIT

The Company was formed as an Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Trust ("UPREIT") and, as such, has the ability to issue Operating Partnership ("OP") Units in exchange for properties sold by independent owners. By utilizing such OP Units as currency in facility acquisitions, the Company may partially defer the seller's income-tax liability and obtain more favorable pricing or terms. As of September 30, 2002, 557,175 Units are outstanding that were issued in exchange for property at the request of the sellers.

 

ACQUISITION OF PROPERTIES

The Company's external growth strategy is to increase the number of facilities it owns by acquiring suitable facilities in markets in which it already has an operating presence or to expand into new markets by acquiring several facilities at once in those new markets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the Company purchased 7 properties for $25.9 million and the Company's consolidated joint venture (Locke Sovran II, LLC) purchased 12 properties for $27.7 million. The properties are located in Houston, TX and Syracuse, NY.

 

REIT QUALIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS

As a REIT, the Company is not required to pay federal income tax on income that it distributes to its shareholders, provided that the amount distributed is equal to at least 90% of taxable income. These distributions must be made in the year to which they relate or in the following year if declared before the Company files its federal income tax return and if it is paid before the first regular dividend of the following year.

As a REIT, the Company must derive at least 95% of its total gross income from income related to real property, interest and dividends. In the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the Company's percentage of revenue from such sources exceeded 97%, thereby passing the 95% test, and no special measures are expected to be required to enable the Company to maintain its REIT designation.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, COMPARED TO THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2001 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Total revenues increased from $68,453 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, to $75,851 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of $7,398 or 10.8%. This increase consisted of $539 that was realized as a result of increased rental rates at the 222 properties owned by the Company at January 1, 2001, and $6,859 resulted from the operations of 27 properties acquired in 2001 and 2002. Overall, same-store revenues grew .8% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 as compared to the same period in 2001.

Property operating and real estate tax expense increased $3,002, or 14.0%, during the period. $759 related to the operations of its sites operated more than one year, and $2,243 was a result of absorbing additional expenses from operating the newly acquired properties.

General and administrative expenses increased from $4,893 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, to $6,276 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of $1,383, or 28.3%. The increase was a result of administrative costs associated with managing the additional properties and the costs related to the Company's customer care center.

Interest expense increased $320, or 3.0% as a result of the $48 million mortgage entered into by the consolidated joint venture, Locke Sovran II, LLC, offset by reduced interest rates on the line of credit and term note.

Income before minority interest increased from $20,314 to $21,193.

Preferred stock dividends increased from $2,216 to $3,036 as a result of the dividend paid on the $40 million of Series C Preferred Stock that was issued in July 2002.

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

The following discussion compares the activities of the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2002 with the activities of the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2001.

Total revenues increased from $23,615 for the three months ended September 30, 2001 to $26,340 for the three months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of $2,725 or 11.5%. This increase consisted of $14 that was realized as a result of increased rental rates at the 222 properties owned by the Company at January 1, 2001, and $2,711 resulted from the operations of 27 properties acquired in 2001 and 2002. Overall, same-store revenue was unchanged for the three-month period ended September 30, 2002 as compared to the same period in 2001. Increased rental rates were offset by a decrease in occupancy.

Property operating and real estate tax expense increased $1,311 or 18.0% during the period. $268 related to the operations of its sites operated more than one year, and $1,043 was a result of absorbing additional expenses from operating the newly acquired properties.

General and administrative expenses increased from $1,593 for the three months ended September 30, 2001 to $2,278 for the three months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of $685 or 43%. The increase was a result of increased administrative costs associated with managing the additional properties and the costs related to the Company's customer care center.

Interest expense increased $528, or 16.4% due to increased borrowings offset by a reduction of interest rates.

Income before minority interest decreased from $7,738 to $7,325 due to the net impact of the effects described above and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense.

 

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

The Company believes that Funds From Operations ("FFO") is helpful to investors as a measure of the performance of an equity REIT because, when considered in conjunction with cash flows from operating activities, financing activities, and investing activities, it provides investors with an understanding of the ability of the Company to incur and service debt and to make capital expenditures. FFO is defined as income before minority interest and extraordinary item, computed in accordance with GAAP, plus depreciation of real estate assets and amortization of intangible assets exclusive of deferred financing fees, and excluding gains (losses) from debt restructuring and sales of property. FFO should not be considered a substitute for net income or cash flows, nor should it be considered an alternative to operating performance or liquidity. The following table sets forth the calculation of FFO:



(in thousands)

Nine months ended
  September 30,
         2002               

Nine months ended
  September 30,    
         2001              

Net income

$  19,591   

$  19,068     

Minority interest in income

1,602   

1,246     

Depreciation of real estate and amortization
  of intangible assets exclusive of deferred
  financing fees



12,038   



10,470     

Depreciation and amortization from
  unconsolidated joint ventures


      380   


     232     

Preferred dividends

     (3,036)  

        (2,216)    

Funds from operations allocable to
  minority interest in Operating Partnership

(1,268)  


       (1,766)    

Funds from operations allocable to
  minority interest in consolidated joint venture

   (1,323)  


             -       

FFO available to common shareholders

$  27,984   

$  27,034     

 

INFLATION

The Company does not believe that inflation has had or will have a direct adverse effect on its operations. Substantially all of the leases at the facilities allow for monthly rent increases, which provides the Company with the opportunity to achieve increases in rental income as each lease matures.

 

SEASONALITY

The Company's revenues typically have been higher in the third and fourth quarters, primarily because the Company increases its rental rates on most of its storage units at the beginning of May and, to a lesser extent, because self-storage facilities tend to experience greater occupancy during the late spring, summer and early fall months due to the greater incidence of residential moves during these periods. However, the Company believes that its tenant mix, diverse geographical locations, rental structure and expense structure provide adequate protection against undue fluctuations in cash flows and net revenues during off-peak seasons. Thus, the Company does not expect seasonality to affect materially distributions to shareholders.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company manages its exposure to interest rate changes by entering into interest rate swap and cap agreements. At September 30, 2002, the Company has three outstanding interest rate swap agreements. The first, entered in March 2001, effectively fixes the LIBOR base rate at 5.36% through November 2005 on $50 million notional amount. The second, entered in September 2001, effectively fixes the LIBOR base rate at 4.485% through October 2006 on another $50 million notional amount. The third, also entered in September 2001, effectively fixes the LIBOR base rate at 4.805% through September 2008 on $30 million notional amount. The Company has an unsecured credit facility in place through November 2003 enabling the Company to borrow funds at rates of LIBOR plus 1.375% and 1.75%. Accordingly, as a result of the above described interest rate swap agreements, the Company has fixed its interest rate through November 2003 on $50 million at 6.735%, on another $50 million at 5.86%, and on $30 million at 6. 555%. Upon renewal or replacement of the credit facility, the Company's total interest may change dependent on the terms it negotiates with its lenders; however, the LIBOR base rates have been contractually fixed on $130 million of the Company's debt through the interest rate swap termination dates.

Because all but $130 million of the Company's outstanding unsecured debt of $201 million is on a floating rate basis, changes in short term interest rates could have a significant impact on the Company's earnings and funds from operations. Should the Company enter into further rate swap agreements, earnings could be negatively affected, as short-term rates are presently significantly below the five and seven year cost of funds.

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required is incorporated by reference to the information appearing under the caption " Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk " in Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" above.

ITEM 4.

controls and procedures

As of September 30, 2002, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with participation of the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2002. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to September 30, 2002.

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

No disclosure required.

 

ITEM 2.

CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

On July 3, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement for the issuance of $70 million of Series C Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock through a privately negotiated transaction. The Company immediately issued $40 million of the Series C Preferred and agreed to issue the remaining $30 million of Series C Preferred in up to two subsequent closings with a final closing date of no later than November 30, 2002.

The Series C Preferred has a fixed annual dividend rate equal to the greater of 8.375% or the actual dividend paid on the number of the Company's common shares into which the Series C Preferred is convertible. The Series C Preferred is on parity with the Series B Preferred with respect to dividends and liquidation preferences. The Series C Preferred has a conversion price of $32.60 per share and can be redeemed at the Company's option after five years. In addition, the Company issued warrants to the investors to purchase 379,166 common shares of the Company at a price of $32.60 per share that expire November 30, 2007. Also, one of the investors received a placement certificate that entitles them to receive cash from the Company in the amount of 650,000 multiplied by the excess of the fair market value of the Company's common stock over $32.60 on the date the certificate is exercised.  This arrangement expires November 30, 2007.

Proceeds from the Initial Closing were partially used to reduce indebtedness that was incurred in the June acquisition of seven self-storage properties located in Houston, TX. The remaining proceeds are expected to be used to repay the Company's line of credit.

 

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

No disclosure required.

 

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No disclosure required.

 

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

No disclosure required.

 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)

Exhibits:


Exhibit Number


Description

99.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K:


A Form 8-K was filed on July 12, 2002, date of report July 3, 2002, regarding the Registrant's entering into a Securities Purchase Agreement for the issuance of 2,800,000 shares of Series C Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock.

 

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.

 

 

Sovran Self Storage, Inc.

 


By:     / S / David L. Rogers                        
           David L. Rogers
           Secretary, Chief Financial Officer

November 13, 2002      
Date

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14 OR 15D-14 OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert J. Attea, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sovran Self Storage, Inc.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

 

c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:          November 13, 2002

 

   / S / Robert J. Attea                          
Robert J. Attea
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14 OR 15D-14 OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, David L. Rogers, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sovran Self Storage, Inc.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

 

c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:          November 13, 2002

 

   / S / David L. Rogers                         
David L. Rogers
Secretary, Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

               In connection with the Quarterly Report of Sovran Self Storage, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), each of the undersigned does hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

   

2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:          November 13, 2002

 

   / S / Robert J. Attea                          
Robert J. Attea
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer

 



   / S / David L. Rogers                       
 
David L. Rogers
Chief Financial Officer