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Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004   Commission File Number 1-09349

 

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant, as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   72-1082589

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

2542 Williams Blvd. Kenner, Louisiana   70062
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (504) 471-6200

 

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

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange on which registered


Common Stock, $.0001 par value   New York Stock Exchange
9.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable    
Preferred Stock, $.0001 par value   New York Stock Exchange

9% Convertible Subordinated

Debentures, due 2009

  New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

 

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   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent files pursuant to Item 405 of the Registration S-K (‘ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statement incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K    x.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes  x    No  ¨

 

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $114,348,000 at June 30, 2004.

 

The number of shares of common stock outstanding at March 3, 2005, was 13,396,000.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2005 annual meeting of its shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.

 



Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

The Company

 

Who We Are.

 

We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). We develop, acquire and own income producing retail shopping centers and apartment communities in the southeastern United States. We seek to increase shareholder value through an effective value-added asset management program which emphasizes increasing funds from operations, the appreciation of property values and the selective development of new properties and redevelopment of existing properties. At December 31, 2004, our investment portfolio consisted of thirteen retail shopping centers, three enclosed shopping malls, and fifteen apartment communities. The properties are located in Louisiana (16), Florida (11), and Alabama (4). Leaseable area of the retail properties totaled approximately 1,542,000 s.f. in retail shopping centers, 1,183,000 s.f. in enclosed shopping malls, and the apartment communities contained 3,303 units. At December 31, 2004, our retail and apartment properties were approximately 91% and 95% leased, respectively. We define “leased” as an executed conveyance whereby the tenant possesses the premises, including those in which the tenant may not have commenced occupancy or rental payments.

 

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1986, prior to our initial public offering that year. We reincorporated in Maryland in 2001. We have elected to qualify and be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and intend to maintain our qualification as a REIT in the future. As a qualified REIT, with limited exceptions, we will not be taxed under federal and certain state income tax laws at the corporate level on taxable income that we distribute to our shareholders. At December 31, 2004, we had 175 employees.

 

Efforts to Enhance Asset Value through New Development and Redevelopment

 

In recent years, we began a number of initiatives to enhance our asset value and shareholder returns. In 2001, we became a self-managed real estate investment trust through the acquisition of the company that has managed our properties since our 1986 initial public offering. In 2002, in response to our perception of the relative values of real estate assets in our key markets, we began to develop new apartment communities, initially Governor’s Gate II in Pensacola, FL and Greenbrier Estates in Slidell, LA, and to improve the market reception of our three apartment communities in Mobile, AL. In November 2002, we began the redevelopment of the Mobile properties. We began to see the favorable effects of these development and redevelopment efforts in our 2004 performance. Our Board of Directors and management, however, recognized the difficulty in predicting the timing and extent of the contributions resulting from these multi-year efforts. In some cases, this difficulty was due to factors beyond our control. Thus, the Board determined, after lengthy examination and discussion, to take a number of additional steps intended to further enhance shareholder value over the near and longer term. These actions were reflected in our expanded strategic plan, formally adopted on August 6, 2004.

 

Implementation of our Strategic Plan

 

Key elements of our strategic plan include the following:

 

    Reductions in operating expenses focused on generating operating efficiencies.

 

    Reduction in the dividend payout rate to fund property repositioning from internally-generated capital. The Board believed that shareholders could obtain better returns through reinvestment of these funds than through distribution.

 

    Recycle capital through the disposition of fully-appreciated properties to generate funds for the repayment of debt and for new projects.

 

    Emphasize rapidly growing markets, especially within Florida, for future development and acquisition. This strategy takes advantage of management’s experience and insights into individual sub-markets.

 

    In seeking to add to the portfolio in these markets, utilize our expertise in developing, redeveloping and acquiring properties.

 

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    Explore the possibility for alternative ownership structures for the malls with other mall owners and operators.

 

    Focus on a balanced portfolio of apartments and retail assets, because the Board believes that these two property types have proven over many real estate cycles to be counter-cyclical.

 

    Strengthen our balance sheet and reduce long-term debt and interest expense.

 

    Further improve our balance sheet through reduction of short-term, floating rate bank debt.

 

    Through these deleveraging efforts, enable us to undertake new acquisition and development projects which are planned to contribute to long-term growth in cash flow.

 

    Pursue merchant development activities (i.e., the development of properties for sale or for long-term ownership) through our newly formed taxable REIT subsidiary, which are planned to generate fee income and profit opportunities from gains on sale of the assets, as well as to contribute to increases in asset value.

 

Highlights of Effort to Improve Shareholder Value

 

We have achieved a number of the objectives of our strategic plan and longer term efforts to enhance performance and asset value. These include:

    Sale of the Lakeview Club apartments in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at a 4.2% trailing cap rate for a gain of approximately $17.9 million, resulting in debt reduction of $40.5 million.

 

    Improvement in overall apartment occupancy rates to 95.0% in 2004 from 89.2% in 2003.

 

    The addition of 348 new apartment units through one new development project brought on-line in 2004 and a partially-completed second development project to be fully completed in 2005.

 

    Beneficiary of enabling legislation, after lobbying efforts, that will allow us to develop a new property in Slidell, LA.

 

From time to time in the future, we intend to provide updates to our stockholders regarding additional developments in pursuit of our strategic plan. Updates may come in the form of press releases or filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Investment Objectives; Investment Policies and Criteria

 

Our investment objective is to develop and manage a relatively balanced portfolio of retail and apartment assets in rapidly growing markets within the Southeastern United States. We believe that our regional concentration and substantial knowledge of the markets in which we operate affords a competitive advantage in the identification of real estate trends and investment opportunities for acquisition or development of additional properties within these markets. We seek to enhance operating results through efforts to improve operating performance of our properties by effective leasing and management programs, efforts to achieve more critical mass in certain sub-markets, and redevelopment or expansion of existing properties.

 

In our experience, the ability to develop new projects also provides us a competitive advantage. We own approximately 69 acres of land in proximity or adjacent to existing properties which are available for development. Construction is continuing on one of our new apartment communities, Greenbrier Estates, which is located in proximity to the North Shore Square Mall in Slidell, Louisiana. We have completed 82 of the 144 units in this project.

 

We seek to increase cash flow and portfolio value through:

 

    Maximizing rental income by achieving an optimum level of rental rates and occupancy levels;

 

    Operating properties in an efficient and cost-effective manner;

 

    Renovating properties in order to maintain and improve our competitive position and performance in the marketplace; and,

 

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    Assessing the most cost-effective available sources of capital to finance our properties.

 

We consider numerous factors in the evaluation of potential real estate investments including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    Acquisition and/or development cost and initial cash flow in relation to yield objective;

 

    Current and expected economic environment of local and regional real estate markets;

 

    Current and historical occupancy levels;

 

    Current and historical sales levels of retail tenants;

 

    Credit-worthiness;

 

    The potential to increase cash flow through effective property management;

 

    Geographic area and demographic profile;

 

    Property size and composition of tenants;

 

    Availability of financing, including the possibility of assuming existing mortgage financing or the potential for refinancing;

 

    Condition, quality of design, construction and other physical attributes;

 

    The presence of or proximity to potential environmental issues;

 

    Level of real property taxes and property insurance and the ability to pass through these costs as contractual charges to tenants;

 

    Anticipated future treatment under applicable federal, state and local tax laws and regulations;

 

    Existence of entry barriers for comparable property offerings; and,

 

    Potential for appreciation in value.

 

Competition

 

Competition in the market areas in which the Company operates is significant and affects the potential for property acquisitions and/or development of properties, occupancy levels, rental rates, and operating expenses of certain properties. The Company also competes with a wide variety of institutional investors and other investors for capital funds necessary to support its investment activities which will contribute to the Company’s overall asset growth.

 

The Company believes that the significant operating and financial experience of management, combined with the Company’s regional concentration, as well as the location, quality, condition, and overall appearance of its properties, should enable the Company to continue to compete effectively with other entities in the markets where its properties are located.

 

Environmental Matters

 

Under regulatory laws, investments in real property have the potential for environmental liability on the part of the owner of such property. The Company is not aware of any environmental liabilities to the Company relating to the Company’s investment properties which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, assets, or results of operations.

 

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The Company’s guidelines require a Phase I environmental study prior to the acquisition or development of a property that, because of its prior use or its proximity to other properties with environmental risks, may be subject to possible environmental hazards. Where determined appropriate by a Phase I study, a more extensive evaluation may be undertaken to further investigate the potential for environmental liability prior to an investment in a property. The Company does not presently maintain insurance coverage for all forms of environmental risks.

 

Certain  Investment and Financial Policies

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to classify and reclassify any of the Company’s unissued shares of capital stock into shares of capital stock with such preferences, rights, powers and restrictions as the Board may determine. The Company has in the past and may in the future issue one or more series of senior securities. The Company’s policies do not preclude the issuance of its securities in exchange for properties.

 

The Company may invest in securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such issuers, and may repurchase or otherwise reacquire its shares or other securities. The Company has occasionally invested in securities of other issuers and periodically reacquired its own shares for the purpose of increasing shareholder value.

 

The Company’s Charter and Bylaws do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness that the Company may incur. The Company has in most cases arranged for mortgage and bank financing for its real estate assets. Any limit on the number or aggregate or dollar amount of mortgage loans or other loans the Company may enter into is based on market conditions and the terms available at that time.

 

The Company has no policy limit on the amount or percentage of assets invested in a specific property. North Shore Square Mall in Slidell, Louisiana, is its only property having a book value exceeding 10% of total assets.

 

The Company holds its properties as long-term investments and has no maximum holding period, but may determine to sell certain properties that no longer meet its investment criteria. The Company may provide financing in connection with such sales of property if market conditions so require, but it does not presently intend to make loans other than in connection with such transactions. In 2004, the Company created a non-REIT subsidiary, DEVGROUP, Inc., for the purpose of acquiring and developing properties. As a non-REIT subsidiary, DEVGROUP, Inc. is not limited to long-term investments and may acquire properties for the purpose of development and resale. As at December 31, 2004, DEVGROUP, Inc. has acquired no properties, but it is investigating potential acquisitions and it is supervising the redevelopment of Hammond Square Mall.

 

The Company has no present intention of underwriting securities of other issuers. The strategies and policies set forth above were determined and are subject to review by the Company’s Board of Directors, which may change such strategies or policies without shareholder vote based upon its evaluation of the state of the real estate market, the performance of the Company’s assets, capital market conditions, and other relevant factors.

 

Executive Officers

 

The Company is self-administered and self-managed and does not engage a separate advisor or pay an advisory fee for administrative or investment services. Management of the Company is provided by its officers. The executive officers of the Company are elected annually by, and serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors.

 

The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

 

 

Name


   Age

  

Position(s) with the Company


Sidney W. Lassen

   70    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Thomas A. Masilla, Jr.

   58    President, and Principal Operating Officer

Guy M. Cheramie

   58    Chief Financial Officer

James W. Brodie

   36    Secretary and Vice President of Acquisition and Development

 

Sidney W. Lassen has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since the Company’s inception in 1986, and has been involved in the acquisition, development, management, and disposition of shopping center and apartment properties for over 40 years. Mr. Lassen previously served as a trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the national association for the shopping center industry, and as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Hibernia National Bank and Hibernia Corporation. He is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sizeler Realty Co., Inc. and serves as a Director and

 

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Vice Chairman of Hibernia Corporation and Hibernia National Bank. Mr. Lassen is also emeritus on the Board of Administrators of Tulane University and has chaired both the Finance and Bond Committee and the Real Estate Committee of the Board of Administrators of Tulane University.

 

Mr. Masilla formerly practiced as a certified public accountant, has served as a Director since the Company’s inception in 1986 and was elected to the position of Principal Operating Officer and President in 1995. Mr. Masilla has been a corporate executive and manager for more than 30 years, with extensive experience in both the real estate and commercial bank industries.

 

Mr. Cheramie was appointed Chief Financial Officer in January 2005. For the previous ten years, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Sizeler Real Estate Management Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Cheramie formerly practiced as a certified public accountant and has over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry.

 

Mr. Brodie has served as Vice-President since 1991 and secretary since 1999. His responsibilities have included the acquisition, development, management, and disposition of shopping center and apartment properties since he joined the Company in May 1989.

 

Property Management

 

On October 5, 2001, the Company became self-managed as a result of the acquisition of Sizeler Real Estate Management Co., Inc. (the “Management Company”) from Sizeler Realty Co., Inc. The Management Company had been the property manager since the inception of the Company in 1986. As a result of the transaction, the Management Company now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

Economic Conditions

 

The Company is affected by national and local economic conditions as well as by changes in both the real estate and capital markets. The financial performance of retail properties is partially dependent upon the strength of retail sales, which in turn is directly affected by trends in employment and personal income. Apartment properties are affected by market conditions, economic trends, and employment conditions in the communities in which they are located.

 

Sixteen of the Company’s properties, comprising approximately 48% of its investment portfolio, are located in Louisiana. While the oil and natural gas industry has played a significant role in the state’s economy for many years, since the 1980’s there has been an influx of new industries into the State, including pharmaceutical, furniture and apparel manufacturing ventures, which have provided diversification of the State’s economy. The national and global economies also have an impact on Louisiana, particularly as they affect the tourism, convention, and port industries, which are also important segments of the Louisiana economy.

 

Eleven of the Company’s existing properties, comprising approximately 36% of its investment portfolio, are located in Florida. The Florida economy was historically dominated by farming; however, in recent years it has greatly expanded into other economic sectors. Florida leads the Southeast in high-tech employment and ranks fourth nationwide. Tourism-services is the dominant industry, while manufacturing and health technology also contribute heavily to the Florida economy. Florida’s population has grown from approximately 12.9 million in 1990 to over 17.0 million in 2003.

 

Available Information

 

We maintain a website at www.sizeler.net. We make available free of charge on or through its website its annual reports on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend to disclose on our website any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of its code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our directors and executive officers that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC or the American Stock Exchange. Copies of these corporate governance documents may be obtained, free of charge, from our website. Any shareholder also may obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, by sending a request in writing to: Investor Relations, Sizeler Property Investors, Inc., 2542 Williams Boulevard, Kenner, LA 70062.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company’s real estate portfolio included interests in sixteen shopping centers and fifteen apartment communities. The Company holds, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries, a fee interest in twenty-nine of its properties, and long-term ground leases on the remaining two properties-Southwood Shopping Center in Gretna, Louisiana and the Westland Shopping Center in Kenner, Louisiana. Fifteen properties are held through partnerships and limited partnerships whereby the owners are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. One of the properties, Southwood Shopping Center, is owned by a partnership of which the Company has a 50% interest. The other sixteen properties in the portfolio are held through wholly-owned subsidiary corporations and limited liability companies. The Company, the wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and limited partnerships, are referred to collectively as the “Company”. Fifteen of the Company’s properties were subject to mortgage loans at December 31, 2004.

 

In the opinion of Management, all of the Company’s properties are well maintained and in good repair; suitable for their intended uses; and are adequately covered by insurance.

 

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The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Company’s real estate investments as of December 31, 2004

 

Description


   Year (s)
Completed


   

Year (s)

Renovated


   Gross Leasable Area
in Square Feet or
Rentable Units


    Percent
Leased [c]
December 31


 
          2004

    2003

 

Regional Enclosed Malls (3)

                             

Southland Mall

   1970, 1981     1994, 2003    469,000     95 %   95 %

(Houma, Louisiana)

              623,000 (a)            

Hammond Square Mall

   1978     1992, 1995    361,000     85 %   85 %

(Hammond, Louisiana)

              431,000 (a)            

North Shore Square Mall

   1986     1995, 2001, 2002, 2003    353,000     94 %   94 %

(Slidell, Louisiana)

              621,000 (a)            

Retail Shopping Centers (13)

                             

Lantana Plaza

   1992     1999    274,000     61 %   60 %

(Palm Beach County, Florida)

                             

Westward

   1961, 1990     1995, 2000, 2003    222,000     100 %   96 %

(W. Palm Beach, Florida)

                             

Westgate

   1964     1987, 2001    208,000     98 %   98 %

(Alexandria, Louisiana)

                             

Town & Country

   1989     2000, 2001, 2002    193,000     95 %   96 %

(Palatka, Florida)

                             

Rainbow Square

   1986     2001, 2003    116,000     84 %   92 %

(Dunnellon, Florida)

                             

Westland

   1966     1990, 1999    110,000     100 %   100 %

(Kenner, Louisiana)

                             

Weeki Wachee Village

   1987     2000, 2002    82,000     95 %   93 %

(Weeki Wachee, Florida)

                             

Florida Shores Plaza

   1983     —      80,000     97 %   100 %

(Edgewater, Florida)

                             

Gonzales Plaza

   1989     2001, 2002, 2003    73,000     100 %   92 %

(Gonzales, Louisiana)

              290,000 (a)            

Airline Park

   1973     1986, 2001, 2003    54,000     100 %   100 %

(Metairie, Louisiana)

                             

Azalea Gardens

   1950     1986, 2002, 2003    45,000     100 %   100 %

(Jefferson, Louisiana)

                             

Colonial

   1967     1987, 1999    45,000     100 %   100 %

(Harahan, Louisiana)

                             

Southwood (b)

   1986     2001    40,000     100 %   92 %
               

 

 

(Gretna, Louisiana)

              2,725,000     91 %   91 %
               

 

 

Apartment Communities (15)

                             

Lafayette Square

   1969-1972     1995, 1999, 2003, 2004    675 units     97 %   82 %

(Mobile, Alabama)

                             

The Hamptons at Pine Bend

   1977     1995, 2003, 2004    300 units     94 %   87 %

(Mobile, Alabama)

                             

Garden Lane

   1966, 1971     1999    262 units     98 %   93 %

(Gretna, Louisiana)

                             

Bryn Mawr

   1991     1999    240 units     99 %   99 %

(Naples, Florida)

                             

Governors Gate

   1999     —      240 units     100 %   92 %

(Pensacola, Florida)

                             

Governors Gate II

   2004     —      204 units     100 %   72 %

(Pensacola, Florida)

                             

Bel Air

   1968, 1974     2003    202 units     94 %   98 %

(Mobile, Alabama)

                             

Steeplechase

   1982     —      192 units     93 %   94 %

(Lafayette, Louisiana)

                             

Woodcliff

   1977     1999, 2003    184 units     100 %   91 %

(Pensacola, Florida)

                             

Jamestown Estates

   1972     —      177 units     100 %   98 %

(Pensacola, Florida)

                             

Pine Bend

   1979     2003    152 units     96 %   81 %

(Mobile, Alabama)

                             

Magnolia Place

   1984     —      148 units     89 %   91 %

(New Iberia, Louisiana)

                             

Greenbrier Estates

   (d )   —      144 units     54 %   46 %

(Slidell, Louisiana)

                             

Georgian

   1951     1993, 2004    135 units     99 %   100 %

(New Orleans, Louisiana)

                             

Colonial Manor

   1967     1994    48 units     100 %   98 %

(Harahan, Louisiana)

                             
               

 

 

                3,303 units     95 %   89 %
               

 

 


(a) The larger number is the total area of the indicated center, including owner-occupied stores in which the Company

 

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has no ownership interest. Hammond Square and Southland Mall have stores owned by Dillard Department Stores, Inc., comprising 70,000 s.f. and 154,000 s.f. of space, respectively; North Shore Square Mall has stores owned by Dillard Department Stores, Inc. comprising 116,000 s.f. and 77,000 s.f. of space, and Mervyn’s comprising 75,000 s.f. of space; Gonzales Plaza has a store owned by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., comprising 217,000 s.f.

(b) The Company has a 50% partnership interest in Southwood Shopping Center.
(c) The Company defines “leased” as an executed conveyance whereby the tenant possesses the premises, including those in which the tenant may not have commenced occupancy or rental payments. Percent leased for retail is computed as the ratio of total space leased, including anchor stores, to total leasable space, expressed as a percentage. The computation excludes owner-occupied stores in which the Company has no ownership interest.
(d) Greenbrier Estates is still under construction with 82 of the 144 units in service at December 31, 2004.

 

The following table presents additional detailed information on North Shore Square Mall, located in Slidell, Louisiana and Southland Mall, located in Houma, Louisiana. Both properties contributed more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues during 2004. As of December 31, 2004, one property, North Shore Square located in Slidell, Louisiana, had a book value exceeding 10% of total assets.

 

Property name

and location


   Occupancy rates

   

Average effective

annual rent per s.f.


   Year

   %

    Year

   $

North Shore Square

   2004    94 %   2004    17.64

Slidell, Louisiana

   2003    94 %   2003    18.64
     2002    96 %   2002    18.45
     2001    98 %   2001    17.52
     2000    98 %   2000    18.19

 

Tenants occupying 10% or more of rentable square footage


Number of

Tenants


 

Principle

nature

of business


 

$ Rent per

annum


 

Lease

expiration

dates


 

Renewal

options


2

  Retail sales   705,000   11/30/2035   No options
            8/31/2016   6 five-year options

 

Leases expiring during the next ten years


Year


 

Number of

tenants


  Square feet

  $ Rent

 

% of

Annual rent


2005

  28   49,680   959,301   25%

2006

  16   32,531   810,204   21%

2007

  7   24,838   377,410   10%

2008

  7   15,968   358,165   9%

2009

  4   8,911   197,865   5%

2010

  6   7,578   259,149   7%

2011

  2   7,171   176,837   5%

2012

  2   3,803   134,000   3%

2013

  —     —     —     0%

2014

  —     —     —     0%

 

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Property name

and location


   Occupancy rates

   

Average effective

annual rent per s.f.


   Year

   %

    Year

   $

Southland Mall

   2004    95 %   2004    14.58

Houma, Louisiana

   2003    95 %   2003    16.12
     2002    93 %   2002    15.78
     2001    93 %   2001    15.75
     2000    95 %   2000    14.93

 

Tenants occupying 10% or more of rentable square footage


Number of

Tenants


 

Principle

nature

of business


 

$ Rent per

Annum


 

Lease

expiration

dates


 

Renewal

options


2

  Retail sales   667,000   10/19/2006   No options
            8/31/2006   3 five-year options

 

Leases expiring during the next ten years


Year


 

Number of

tenants


  Square feet

  $ Rent

 

% of

Annual rent


2005

  29   57,146   821,069   19%

2006

  19   230,951   974,047   22%

2007

  12   46,478   544,280   12%

2008

  12   54,349   845,890   19%

2009

  5   15,591   286,130   6%

2010

  1   4,464   78,120   2%

2011

  5   15,195   451,550   10%

2012

  1   4,933   118,392   3%

2013

  3   8,962   189,360   4%

2014

  2   7,260   154,375   3%

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The Company’s shares of common stock (“shares”) are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SIZ”.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales price of the shares for the periods indicated, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, and the distributions paid per share in such periods.

 

     High

   Low

  

Distributions

Paid


2004

                    

1st Quarter

   $ 11.91    $ 10.69    $ 0.23

2nd Quarter

     11.95      8.92      0.23

3rd Quarter

     9.45      7.37      0.10

4th Quarter

     11.78      8.95      0.10

2003

                    

1st Quarter

   $ 9.64    $ 8.40    $ 0.23

2nd Quarter

     10.37      9.24      0.23

3rd Quarter

     10.58      9.90      0.23

4th Quarter

     10.99      10.13      0.23

 

As of March 3, 2005, there were 783 individually listed owners of record of the Company’s shares. Approximately 96% of the Company’s outstanding shares are held in nominee name by CEDE & Co., which is accounted for as a single shareholder of record for multiple beneficial owners. CEDE & Co. is a nominee of the Depository Trust Company (DTC), with respect to securities deposited by participants with DTC, e.g., mutual funds, brokerage firms, banks, and other financial organizations.

 

The Company has paid distributions in each quarter since its inception as a publicly owned company in 1987, with a cumulative total of approximately $134 million paid to shareholders over this time period.

 

Under the REIT rules of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company must pay at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income as distributions in order to avoid taxation as a regular corporation. The declaration of distributions is a discretionary decision of the Board of Directors and depends upon the Company’s funds from operations, financial requirements, tax considerations, and other factors. A portion of the Company’s distributions paid may be deemed capital gain income, a return of capital, or both, to its shareholders. The Company annually provides its shareholders a statement as to its designation of the taxability of the distribution. Distributions are declared and paid quarterly for both preferred and common shares.

 

The federal income tax status of common stock distributions per share paid for each of the five years ended December 31 was as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

Ordinary Income

   $ —      $ 0.11    $ 0.31    $ 0.54    $ 0.54

Return of Capital

     —        0.81      0.61      0.30      0.37

Capital Gain

     0.66      —        —        0.08      —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 0.66    $ 0.92    $ 0.92    $ 0.92    $ 0.91
    

  

  

  

  

 

The Company paid approximately $819,000 in preferred distributions on its Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock in 2004, all of which was classified as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 

The Company has a distribution reinvestment and stock purchase plan pursuant to which the Company’s shareholders of record may use their distributions to purchase additional shares. The Company has reserved shares for new issuance under the plan and may also direct the agent to acquire shares through open market purchases for issuance pursuant to the plan.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data (in thousands, except per share data) for the Company and its subsidiaries and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein:

 

     Year ended December 31

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

 

OPERATING DATA

                                        

Operating Revenue (1)

                                        

Contractual rental and other charges and other income

   $ 51,380     $ 48,572     $ 48,234     $ 47,944     $ 46,962  

Operating Expenses (2)

     (39,730 )     (36,233 )     (33,718 )     (33,069 )     (30,749 )
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     11,650       12,339       14,516       14,875       16,213  

Interest Expense

     (13,472 )     (11,318 )     (12,220 )     (14,068 )     (14,712 )
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE EQUITY IN INCOME OF PARTNERSHIP, NET EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND GAIN ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS

     (1,822 )     1,021       2,296       807       1,501  

Equity in income of partnership

     230       89       105       98       117  
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NET EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND GAIN ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS

     (1,592 )     1,110       2,401       905       1,618  

Net earnings from discontinued operations

     42       113       441       792       710  

Gain on sale of real estate

     17,913       —         —         506       —    
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 16,363     $ 1,223     $ 2,842     $ 2,203     $ 2,328  
    


 


 


 


 


Funds From Operations - Basic (3)

   $ 10,513     $ 11,729     $ 13,328     $ 13,694     $ 12,907  

Net Cash Provided by (Used in):

                                        

Operating Activities

   $ 11,617     $ 8,705     $ 12,476     $ 11,309     $ 14,010  

Investing Activities

   $ 22,778     $ (36,997 )   $ (14,351 )   $ (2,038 )   $ (10,496 )

Financing Activities

   $ (31,663 )   $ 28,209     $ 4,295     $ (9,939 )   $ (2,955 )

Distributions Paid

   $ 9,505     $ 12,857     $ 12,252     $ 7,601     $ 7,234  

Per Common Share Data - Available - Basic and Diluted:

                                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic

   $ (0.18 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.15     $ 0.11     $ 0.20  

Income from discontinued real estate operations and gain on sale of real estate operations - basic

   $ 1.36     $ 0.01     $ 0.03     $ 0.16     $ 0.09  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income available per common share - basic

   $ 1.18     $ 0.03     $ 0.18     $ 0.27     $ 0.29  
    


 


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations - diluted

   $ 0.16     $                            

Income from discontinued real estate operations and gain on sale of real estate operations - diluted

   $ 0.98     $                            
    


 


 


 


 


Net income available per common share - diluted (4)

   $ 1.14     $ (4 )     (4 )     (4 )     (4 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 1.18     $ 0.03     $ 0.18     $ 0.27     $ 0.29  

Distributions paid

   $ 0.66     $ 0.92     $ 0.92     $ 0.92     $ 0.91  

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic

     13,167       13,086       12,855       8,313       7,950  

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted

     18,312       18,231       18,000       13,938       13,575  
     2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

 

BALANCE SHEET DATA

                                        

Gross Investment in Real Estate

   $ 394,634     $ 404,231     $ 365,947     $ 350,284     $ 349,675  

Total Assets

     303,350       315,898       287,746       279,770       285,421  

Mortgage Notes Payable

     107,713       109,140       108,883       111,223       113,163  

Notes Payable

     27,958       50,100       9,250       2,390       35,716  

Convertible Subordinated Debentures

     56,599       56,599       56,599       61,878       61,878  

Total Liabilities

     204,436       225,044       185,190       185,087       218,294  

Shareholders’ Equity

     98,914       90,854       102,556       94,679       67,127  

(1) See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for information regarding factors such as property development and other transactions which have affected operating performance during the periods indicated.
(2) In 2001, the Company recorded a non-recurring charge of $1.2 million related to the acquisition of the Management Company.

 

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(3) The Company defines Funds from operations (FFO) as net income, computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), excluding: gains or losses from sales of property; those items defined as extraordinary under GAAP; plus depreciation on real estate assets and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships (and joint ventures). Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis. A reconciliation of FFO to net income is provided under Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on page 14.
(4) Net income per share diluted for the years ended 2000 through 2003 are not shown since the amounts are anti-dilutive.

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Historical results and percentage relationships, including trends which might appear, set forth in the consolidated statements of income contained in the consolidated financial statements, should not be taken as indicative of future operating results.

 

The Company’s real estate investment portfolio is composed of sixteen retail properties and fifteen apartment communities, one of which is currently under construction. In July 2003, the Company added approximately 80,000 s.f. of additional retail space, acquiring the Florida Shores Plaza Shopping Center in Edgewater, Florida. As of December 31, 2004, the Company’s gross investment in real estate totaled $395 million and consisted of approximately 59%, or $232 million, in retail properties and approximately 41%, or $163 million, in apartment communities. Total revenue for 2004, was $51.4 million, and consisted of approximately 57%, or $29.4 million, generated by the retail properties, and approximately 43%, or $22.0 million, generated by the apartment communities.

 

On May 1, 2002, the Company completed an exchange offer for its outstanding 8.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2003 (Old Debentures). As a result of the exchange offer, the Company accepted tenders from holders of a total of $28,067,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old Debentures, to exchange into $27,299,000 of the Company’s 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009, and 30,720 shares of the Company’s 9.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock (at $25 per share). On May 10, 2002, the Company closed the sale of $29,300,000 in principal amount of its 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009, and 305,320 shares of its 9.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock (at $25 per share). After completion of the exchange and cash offerings, the entire $61,878,000 principal amount of the Old Debentures had been retired. The Company now has outstanding $56,599,000 principal amount of its 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009 and 336,040 shares of its 9.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock (with a liquidation price of $25 per share plus accumulated distributions).

 

The most significant change to the Company’s financial and asset structure in 2004 related to its apartment communities. Lakeview Club Apartments, a 443 unit apartment community located in Fort Lauderdale (Oakland Park), Florida and acquired by the Company in 1994, was sold in December 2004 for $43.8 million. The sale resulted in a net gain of $17.9 million which resulted in, for income tax purposes, a reclassification of all of the distributions paid in 2004 from ordinary income to capital gain. The net cash proceeds from the sale were used to reduce floating rate bank debt and for general corporate purposes. Also, the Company completed construction on one apartment development, Governors Gate II in Pensacola, Florida – 204 units - and continued construction on another new apartment development – Greenbrier Estates in Slidell, Louisiana – 144 units. At year end, 82 of the 144 units at Greenbrier were in service. In addition, the Company undertook extensive interior and exterior remodeling and landscaping of three apartment communities in Mobile, Alabama, with the goal of making them more competitive in the Mobile rental market and increasing their occupancy rates. Interior remodeling of the dwelling units of these apartment properties have occurred and will occur as the units become vacant, which results in holding each vacant unit off the rental market during remodeling and extending completion of the total program.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

Operating revenue totaled $51.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $48.6 million, earned a year ago. Operating revenue was positively affected by contributions from Florida Shores Plaza Shopping Center, purchased in July 2003 and the renting of newly delivered apartment units in the two new apartment properties previously mentioned as well as an overall improvement in apartment occupancy during 2004 compared to 2003. Operating expenses were $39.7 million in 2004, compared to $36.2 million in 2003. The increase in operating expenses was due primarily to the addition of the three properties during 2004 and 2003, as well as approximately $900,000 in damages to the Company’s Alabama and Florida properties from multiple hurricanes in September 2004. Increased real

 

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estate taxes and utilities partially offset by lower insurance costs account for the remainder of the increase. General and administrative costs increased approximately $535,000 for the year 2004 due to higher accounting and legal fees for regulatory compliance as well as higher health care costs for our employees partially offset by lower capitalized cost related to new development projects.

 

Interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 increased $2.2 million compared to last year, due to higher average outstanding balances on the Company’s lines of credit, higher interest rates in a rising rate environment, lower amounts of interest capitalization related to new development projects and the addition of two new mortgages in 2004. During the year 2004, the Company capitalized $819,000 in interest costs, as compared to $1.7 million in the prior year. The average credit line interest rate was 3.16% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, compared to 2.82% in the prior year.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, net income was $16.4 million, compared to $1.2 million in the prior year. Net income available to common shareholders was $15.5 million for the year 2004 compared to $404,000 in the prior year.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

For the property accounted for as discontinued operations, Lakeview Club Apartments, the results of operations sold during the period were required to be classified as discontinued operations. The property-specific components of net earnings that were classified as discontinued operations include rental revenue, rental expense, real estate tax expense, depreciation expense and interest expense, defined as interest related to the Lakeview Club mortgage.

 

The following is a summary of net earnings from discontinued operations:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating revenues

   $ 4,326,000     $ 4,308,000     $ 4,448,000  

Operating expenses

     (1,452,000 )     (1,443,000 )     (1,329,000 )

Real estate taxes

     (854,000 )     (772,000 )     (705,000 )

Depreciation

     (855,000 )     (839,000 )     (816,000 )

Mortgage interest expense

     (1,123,000 )     (1,141,000 )     (1,157,000 )
    


 


 


     $ 42,000     $ 113,000     $ 441,000  
    


 


 


 

Gain on Disposition of Real Estate Investment

 

The Company recognized a gain of $17.9 million on the disposition of real estate assets, Lakeview Club Apartments, a 443-unit apartment community located in Fort Lauderdale, (Oakland Park), Florida during 2004, owned by the Company since 1994. The Lakeview Club transaction helps to reposition the Company’s real estate portfolio, key elements of which include:

 

  Selected realization of appreciated asset values in the Company’s portfolio;

 

  Reduction of the Company’s outstanding debt;

 

  Generation of additional funds to invest in properties to be acquired or developed and in existing properties;

 

  Efforts to achieve a greater balance between shopping centers and apartments within the portfolio;

 

  A greater focus on more rapidly growing markets within the Company’s geographic markets.

 

The Company had a net investment book value in Lakeview Club Apartments of approximately $23.2 million at the time of sale. Completed on December 30, 2004, the net proceeds of the transaction, totaling $41.2 million, were used to reduce the Company’s total debt by approximately $40.5 million, comprised of a reduction in long-term mortgage debt of approximately $16.0 million and floating rate bank debt of approximately $24.5 million and the remainder was used for general corporate purposes. This transaction contributed to the increase in shareholders equity at December 31, 2004 to approximately $98.9 million. No director, officer or other related party of the Company participated in the transaction.

 

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Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

Operating revenue totaled $48.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $48.2 million, earned in 2002. Operating revenue was positively affected by contributions from Florida Shores Plaza Shopping Center, purchased in July 2003 and the two apartment complexes under construction which were partially completed at December 31, 2003; partially offset by lower apartment revenue as a result of lower occupancies during 2003. Operating expenses were $36.2 million in 2003, compared to $33.7 million in 2002. The increase in operating expenses was due primarily to the addition of the three properties in 2003, increased utilities, insurance costs, real estate taxes and repair and maintenance costs. General and administrative costs increased approximately $871,000 for the year 2003 due primarily to increased payroll, legal and professional fees, insurance and maintenance costs.

 

Interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 decreased $902,000 compared to 2002, due primarily to higher capitalized interest costs and lower interest rates, partially offset by higher balances on the Company’s lines of credit. During 2003, the Company capitalized $1.7 million in interest costs, as compared to $490,000 in the prior year. The average credit line interest rate was 2.82% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003, compared to 4.11% in the prior year.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The sources of working capital for the Company on both a short-term and long-term basis are provided by operating activities, from which the Company funds normal operating requirements, periodic distributions to investors and capital expenditure requirements, supplemented by mortgage financings of properties in its portfolio. At December 31, 2004, the Company had $6.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. In addition, the Company maintains unsecured credit lines with commercial banks, which it utilizes to temporarily finance the cost of portfolio growth, property improvements, and other expenditures. These bank lines of credit total $60 million of which approximately $32.0 million was available at December 31, 2004. Utilization of the bank lines is subject to certain restrictive covenants that impose maximum borrowing levels by the Company through the maintenance of prescribed financial ratios:

 

    Minimum net worth, adding back accumulated depreciation - must exceed $115 million

 

    Debt to equity – must not exceed 150% of equity

 

    Distributions to funds from operations – must not exceed 100% of funds from operations

 

    Unencumbered assets to committed bank lines – must exceed 100% of committed bank lines

 

    Interest coverage – funds from operations plus interest expense must exceed 150% of interest expense

 

    Net operating income from unencumbered assets to the funded portion of committed bank lines – must exceed 15% of funded bank lines

 

    Funds from operations from unencumbered assets to interest expense on funded unsecured debt – must exceed 200% of interest expense on funded unsecured debt

 

From time to time, the Company has obtained waivers of covenants when necessary. As of December 31, 2004, there were no issues regarding these covenants. The Company believes that the sources discussed above will be adequate to fund its capital requirements for the next twelve months and thereafter.

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities increased $2.9 million in 2004 from 2003 due to the timing of payments related to real estate taxes, and storm damages as well as decreases in prepaid items.

 

Net cash flows provided by investing activities increased $59.8 million in 2004 from 2003, primarily attributable to proceeds from the sale of Lakeview Club Apartments in December 2004 as well as a reduction in construction expenditures in 2004 compared to 2003. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company capitalized $819,000 in interest costs related to these and other developments.

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities increased $59.9 million in 2004 from 2003, primarily due to an decrease of $63.3 million in amount of borrowing on notes payable to banks in 2004 compared to 2003 and an increase of $15.8 million in principal payments on mortgage notes payable – both primarily due to the sale of Lakeview Club Apartments – partially offset by a $14.1 million increase in mortgage notes payable due to new mortgages and a reduction in shareholder distributions paid of $3.4 million.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had mortgage debt of $107.7 million. All of these mortgages are non-recourse and bear fixed rates of interest for fixed terms. The Company has a 50% interest in a partnership which owns the Southwood Shopping Center located in Gretna, Louisiana. This property was subject to a mortgage for which the other 50% owner was liable. This mortgage was paid off in 2004. Fifteen of the operating properties in the portfolio are currently unencumbered by mortgage debt. The Company anticipates that its current cash balance, operating and

 

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investing cash flows, and borrowings (including borrowings under its lines of credit) will be adequate to fund the Company’s future (i) operating and administrative expenses, (ii) debt service obligations, (iii) distributions to common and preferred shareholders, (iv) capital improvements on existing properties, (v) development of new properties, and (vi) normal repair and maintenance costs at its properties. The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations for each of the subsequent five years in thousands (000’s):

 

     2005

   2006

   2007

   2008

   2009

   Thereafter

   Total

Fixed rate mortgages

   $ 10,028    $ 10,028    $ 10,028    $ 46,781    $ 8,562    $ 62,595    $ 148,022

Convertible subordinated debentures

   $ 5,094      5,094      5,094      5,094      59,146      —      $ 79,522

Construction contractual obligations

   $ 2,815      —        —        —        —        —      $ 2,815

 

The Company currently has two long-term ground lease obligations at Westland Shopping Center and Southwood Shopping Center. The Westland lease requires the Company to pay annually 8% of the total rent collected, and expires on December 31, 2046. The Company contractually paid ground rent of $65,000 in 2004, $63,000 in 2003 and $65,000 2002. The Southwood lease requires the Company to pay annually 50% of cash flow after debt service and certain other adjustments, and expires on March 31, 2031. The Company paid ground rent of $0 in 2004, $10,000 in 2003 and $27,000 in 2002. These two long-term ground lease obligations are contingencies and not included in the above table.

 

Holders of the Company’s Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of distributions, preferential cumulative cash distributions at the rate of 9.75% per annum of the liquidation preference per share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $2.4375 per share). Distributions on the Series B preferred stock will be payable quarterly in arrears on the fifteenth day of February, May, August and November of each year, or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day. The Board of Directors, on February 4, 2005, declared a $0.609375 per share cash distribution, payable on May 16, 2005, to preferred shareholders of record on May 6, 2005. The preferred stock may be redeemed solely at the Company’s option following the fifth anniversary of the issuance date at the liquidation price of $25 per share plus accrued and unpaid distributions.

 

The Company’s current common stock distribution policy is to pay quarterly distributions to shareholders, based upon funds from operations, among other factors, as opposed to net income. Because funds from operations excludes the deduction of non-cash charges, principally depreciation of real estate assets, quarterly distributions will typically be greater than net income and may include a tax-deferred return of capital component or a capital gain component. The Board of Directors, on February 4, 2005, declared a cash distribution with respect to the period October 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004 of $0.10 per share, to shareholders of record as of February 25, 2005.

 

Funds From Operations

 

The Company defines Funds from Operations (FFO) as net income, computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), excluding: gains or losses from sales of property; those items defined as extraordinary under GAAP; plus depreciation on real estate assets and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships (and joint ventures). Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.

 

FFO is a key operating measure used by management in evaluating operating performance, and trends in operating performance. Management also uses FFO to compare operating performance with other equity REITs, particularly those who own retail and residential properties. The Company also considers FFO, as well as other criteria, in evaluating and granting incentive compensation. The Company believes that FFO may also be helpful to investors as a measure of the performance of an equity REIT. In computing FFO, the Company excludes the effect of depreciation, amortization and gains and losses from sales of real estate. In the Company’s view, these amounts, which are derived from historical cost, are of limited relevance in evaluating current performance. The Company’s experience, and the experience of other owners of shopping centers and apartment communities in the markets in which we operate, is that depreciation and amortization have virtually no correlation with changes in the value of the properties. Real estate assets can also appreciate, rather than depreciate in value over time.

 

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Management believes, however, that FFO, by excluding such items, which can vary among owners of similar assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, can help compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods as compared to different companies. The Company’s FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs. Other REITs may not define FFO in a comparable manner or may use different interpretations in the calculation. The Company believes that use of FFO may also facilitate comparisons of operating performance between operating periods and among us and other equity REITs. Investors should review FFO, along with GAAP net income and other appropriate operating measures and cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities when trying to understand an equity REIT’s operating performance. FFO is not a GAAP measure or a disclosure required by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

As previously stated, computations of FFO differ among REITs. Thus, an investor should be attentive to differences in FFO computations when comparing FFO among REITs. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor does it represent cash available to pay distributions and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of financial performance, or to cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as a measure of liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund cash needs, including the ability to make cash distributions. A reconciliation of net income to basic FFO is presented below (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31

     2004

   2003

   2002

     Dollars

   Shares

   Dollars

   Shares

   Dollars

   Shares

Net income

   $ 16,363    13,167    $ 1,223    13,086    $ 2,842    12,855

Additions:

                                   

Depreciation and amortization

     12,863           11,352           10,916     

Partnership depreciation

     35           32           37     

Deductions:

                                   

Gain on sale of real estate

     17,913           —             —       

Minority depreciation

     16           59           57     

Preferred dividends

     819           819           410     
    

  
  

  
  

  

Funds from operations - available to common shareholders

   $ 10,513    13,167    $ 11,729    13,086    $ 13,328    12,855
    

  
  

  
  

  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, FFO available to common stock decreased approximately $1.2 million to $10.5 million, compared to $11.7 million in 2003 primarily due to hurricane damages expenses of approximately $900,000.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, FFO available to common shareholders decreased approximately $1.6 million to $11.7 million, compared to $13.3 million in 2002. The decrease was primarily attributable to increased real estate taxes, property insurance costs, utilities and general and administrative expenses, as well as the payout of preferred distributions, partially offset by increased revenues and decreased interest expense.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In response to the SEC’s Release No. 33-8040, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies,” we identified the most critical accounting principles upon which our financial status depends. We determined the critical principles by considering accounting policies that involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments. We state these accounting policies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in relevant sections in this discussion and analysis. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

 

Revenue recognition. Certain of our operating leases for retail space contain contingent rent provisions under which tenants are required to pay a percentage of their sales in excess of a specified target amount, or breakpoint, as additional rent. We defer recognition of percentage rent until those specified targets are met.

 

Real estate investments. We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 144 (Statement 144) to measure impairment in long lived assets. Rental properties are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist which may indicate that it is probable that the sum of expected future cash flows (on an undiscounted basis) from a rental property is less than its historical net cost basis. These expected future cash flows consider factors such as future operating income, trends and prospects as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors on occupancy. Upon determination that a permanent impairment has occurred, rental properties are reduced to their fair value. For properties to be disposed of, an impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the property, less the estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying amount of the property measured at the time there is a commitment to sell

 

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the property and/or it is actively being marketed for sale. A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Subsequent to the date that a property is held for disposition, depreciation expense is not recorded. The Company has no impaired properties.

 

Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003) (“FIN 46R”), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which was issued in January 2003. The Company was required to apply FIN 46R to variable interests in variable interest entities (“VIEs”) by March 31, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46R did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as the Company did not have variable interest entities.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS No. 150 affects the issuer’s accounting for three types of freestanding financial instruments. One type is mandatory redeemable shares, which the issuing company is obligated to buy back in exchange for cash or other assets. A second type, which includes put options and forward purchase contracts, involves instruments that do or may require the issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets. The third type of instrument that is a liability under this Statement is an obligation that can be settled with shares, the monetary value of which is fixed, tied solely or predominantly to a variable such as a market index, or varies inversely with the value of the issuer’s shares. SFAS No. 150 does not apply to features embedded in a financial instrument that is not a derivative in its entirety. Most of the guidance in SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 (FAS No. 148), Accounting for Stock Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, which amends FAS No. 123, the following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FAS No. 123 to stock based employee compensation. The pro forma data presented below is not representative of the effects on reported amounts for future years.

 

     As Reported

   Proforma Results

     2004

   2003

   2002

   2004

   2003

   2002

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 15,544,000    $ 404,000    $ 2,295,000    $ 15,582,000    $ 354,000    $ 2,234,000

Net income per common share

   $ 1.18    $ 0.03    $ 0.18    $ 1.18    $ 0.03    $ 0.17

 

No new options were granted in 2004 or 2003. For grants in 2002, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes pricing model based on the following assumptions:

 

     2002

 

Risk-free interest rate

   5.3 %

Expected life (years)

   10 years  

Volatility

   24.6 %

Dividend yield

   9.6 %

 

In December 2004, the FASB revised its SFAS No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123R”), “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.” The revision establishes standards for the accounting of transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, particularly transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. The revised statement requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is to be recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period are to be recognized as compensation cost over that period. In addition, the revised statement amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require that excess tax benefits to be reported as a financing cash flow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. The provisions of the revised statement are

 

17


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effective for financial statements issued for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005, with early adoption encouraged. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this statement will have on its financial condition or results of operations.

 

Future Results

 

This Form 10-K and other documents prepared and statements made by the Company may contain certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainty. Investors and potential investors in the Company’s securities are cautioned that a number of factors could adversely affect the Company and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to (a) the inability to lease current or future vacant space in the Company’s properties; (b) decisions by tenants and anchor tenants who own their space to close stores at the Company’s properties; (c) the inability of tenants to pay rent and other expenses; (d) tenant financial difficulties; (e) general economic and world conditions, including threats to the United States homeland from unfriendly factions; (f) decreases in rental rates available from tenants; (g) increases in operating costs at the Company’s properties; (h) increases in corporate operating costs associated with new regulatory requirements; (i) lack of availability of financing for acquisition, development and rehabilitation of properties by the Company; (j) force majeure as it relates to construction and rehabilitation projects; (k) possible dispositions of mature properties since the Company is continuously engaged in the examination of its various lines of business; (l) increases in interest rates; (m) a general economic downturn resulting in lower retail sales and causing downward pressure on occupancies and rents at retail properties; (n) forces of nature; (o) the adverse tax consequences if the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year; and (p) inability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives for foregoing or other reasons. Except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

Inflation has had a minimal impact on the operating performance of our properties. Substantially all of the Company’s retail leases contain provisions designed to provide the Company with a hedge against inflation. Most of the Company’s retail leases contain provisions which enable the Company to receive percentage rentals based on tenant sales in excess of a stated breakpoint and/or provide for periodic increases in minimum rent during the lease term. The majority of the Company’s retail leases are for terms of less than ten years, which allows the Company to adjust rentals to changing market conditions. In addition, most retail leases require tenants to pay a contribution towards property operating expenses, thereby reducing the Company’s exposure to higher operating costs caused by inflation. The Company’s apartment leases are written for short terms, generally six to twelve months, and are adjusted according to changing market conditions. These factors reduce the Company’s exposure to increased cost and operating expenses resulting from inflation.

 

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its bank lines of credit and long-term debt used to maintain liquidity, fund capital expenditures, operations and expansion of the Company’s real estate investment portfolio. The Company’s interest rate risk management objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows, and to optimize its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objective, the Company utilizes its variable LIBOR-based, short-term (one to six month maturities) bank credit lines to fund the development and acquisition of new investments until such investments can be financed with long-term fixed-rate non-recourse mortgage debt. At December 31, 2004, borrowings under the Company’s bank lines of credit totaled $28.0 million and bore an average interest rate of 3.44%. The carrying amounts of these instruments approximate fair value because they are short-term and therefore utilize interest rates which are adjusted to market at maturity.

 

Based on the balance of bank lines of credit outstanding at December 31, 2004 and the average interest rate at year-end, each basis point increase in variable interest rates would increase the Company’s interest expense in 2004 by approximately $3,000. Conversely, each basis point decrease in variable interest rates would decrease the Company’s interest expense in 2004 by a like amount.

 

As the bank lines of credit are obligations that existed as of December 31, 2004, it does not consider those exposures or positions which could arise after that date. The Company’s ultimate realized gain or loss with respect to interest rate fluctuations will depend on the exposures that arise during such future period and the level of interest rates at that time.

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had mortgage debt totaling $107.7 million with an average interest rate of 7.18%.

 

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The weighted average interest rate of this debt will be 7.18% in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and 7.39% in 2008 and 2009. The following table summarizes the Company’s obligations under long-term debt for each of the subsequent five years in thousands (000’s):

 

     2005

    2006

    2007

    2008

    2009

    Thereafter

    Total

 

Fixed rate mortgages

   $ 2,326     $ 2,501     $ 2,685     $ 41,051     $ 4,234     $ 54,916     $ 107,713  

Effective interest rate

     7.18 %     7.18 %     7.18 %     7.39 %     7.39 %     6.79 %     7.07 %

Convertible subordinated debentures

     —         —         —         —       $ 56,599     $ —       $ 56,599  

Effective interest rate

                                     9.00 %             9.00 %

 

    

Fair

Value


   Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate


 

Fixed rate mortgages

   $ 113,656    7.18 %

Convertible subordinated debentures

     59,570    9.00 %
    

      
     $ 173,226       
    

      

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and its Consolidated Statements of Income, Shareholders’ Equity, Cash Flows, and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, together with the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are included under Item 15 of this report and are incorporated herein by reference. Unaudited quarterly results of operations included in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are also incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosures.

 

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures

 

(i) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective.

 

(ii) Changes in Internal Controls

 

In addition, the Company reviewed its internal controls, and there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004 or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their last evaluation.

 

(iii) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of

 

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financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 based upon criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment, management determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004 based on the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

 

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

Dated February 24, 2005

 

Sidney W. Lassen            Guy M. Cheramie

Chief Executive Officer

           Chief Financial Officer

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Sizeler Property Investors, Inc.:

 

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 and financial statement schedules, and our report dated February 24, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules.

 

(signed) KPMG LLP

 

New Orleans, Louisiana

February 24, 2005

 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

For information regarding the executive officers of the Company, see “Executive Officers” in Part I, Item 1 of this report. The other information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table summarizes equity compensation plan information. The Company has no equity compensation plans that have not been approved by security holders.

 

    

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding

options


   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options


   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   718,750    $ 9.20    1,305,276

 

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The amended 1996 Stock Option and Incentive Plan had 1,132,000 securities remaining available for issue as of December 31, 2004. The 1994 Incentive Award Plan has 173,276 securities remaining available for issue as of December 31, 2004.

 

Additional information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) (1) and (2) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 22 of this Form 10-K.

 

(b) Form 10-K Exhibits

See “Form 10-K Exhibits” beginning on page 43 of this Form 10-K.

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

     Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   24

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   27

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002

   28

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002

   29

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002

   30

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   31

Financial Statement Schedules

    

Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   44

Schedule III. Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

   45

 

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not submitted because they are not required or the required information appears in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Sizeler Property Investors, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules referred to in Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 24, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.

 

(signed) KPMG LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana

February 24, 2005

 

 

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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Sizeler Property Investors, Inc.:

 

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 and financial statement schedules, and our report dated February 24, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules.

 

(signed) KPMG LLP

 

New Orleans, Louisiana

February 24, 2005

 

 

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Table of Contents

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31

 
     2004

    2003

 
ASSETS                 

Real estate investments (Note B):

                

Land

   $ 50,999,000     $ 55,653,000  

Buildings and improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $113,421,000 in 2004 and $108,594,000 in 2003

     215,022,000       221,111,000  

Construction in progress

     14,259,000       18,067,000  

Investment in real estate partnership

     933,000       806,000  
    


 


       281,213,000       295,637,000  

Cash and cash equivalents

     6,297,000       3,565,000  

Accounts receivable and accrued revenue, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $316,000 in 2004 and $62,000 in 2003

     2,741,000       2,697,000  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     13,099,000       13,999,000  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 303,350,000     $ 315,898,000  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

LIABILITIES

                

Mortgage notes payable (Note D)

   $ 107,713,000     $ 109,140,000  

Notes payable (Note D)

     27,958,000       50,100,000  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     11,274,000       8,251,000  

Tenant deposits and advance rents

     892,000       954,000  
    


 


       147,837,000       168,445,000  

Convertible subordinated debentures (Note D)

     56,599,000       56,599,000  
    


 


Total Liabilities

     204,436,000       225,044,000  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Series A preferred stock, 40,000 shares authorized, none issued

     —         —    

Series B preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, liquidation preference $25 per share, 2,476,000 shares authorized, 336,000 issued and outstanding in 2004 and 2003 (Notes D and E)

     1,000       1,000  

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 51,484,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding — 13,210,000 in 2004 and 13,091,000 in 2003

     1,000       1,000  

Excess stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 16,000,000 authorized, none issued

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     170,611,000       169,490,000  

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

     63,000       (18,000 )

Cumulative net income

     62,360,000       45,997,000  

Cumulative distributions paid

     (134,122,000 )     (124,617,000 )
    


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     98,914,000       90,854,000  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 303,350,000     $ 315,898,000  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2004

    2003

   2002

OPERATING REVENUE (Notes B and C)

                     

Contractual rental and other charges

   $ 49,346,000     $ 46,631,000    $ 46,199,000

Other income

     2,034,000       1,941,000      2,035,000
    


 

  

       51,380,000       48,572,000      48,234,000

OPERATING EXPENSES (Notes B and C)

                     

Utilities

     2,533,000       2,215,000      1,958,000

Real estate taxes

     3,828,000       3,668,000      3,611,000

Administrative expenses

     6,911,000       6,376,000      5,505,000

Operations and maintenance

     8,301,000       7,843,000      7,329,000

Other operating expenses

     5,480,000       4,992,000      4,607,000

Depreciation and amortization (Note A)

     12,677,000       11,139,000      10,708,000
    


 

  

       39,730,000       36,233,000      33,718,000
    


 

  

OPERATING INCOME

     11,650,000       12,339,000      14,516,000

Interest expense (Note D)

     13,472,000       11,318,000      12,220,000
    


 

  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE EQUITY IN INCOME OF PARTNERSHIP, NET EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND GAIN ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS

     (1,822,000 )     1,021,000      2,296,000

Equity in income of partnership

     230,000       89,000      105,000
    


 

  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NET EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND GAIN ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS

     (1,592,000 )     1,110,000      2,401,000

Net earnings from discontinued real estate operations (Note B)

     42,000       113,000      441,000

Gain on sale of real estate operations (Note B)

     17,913,000       —        —  
    


 

  

NET INCOME

   $ 16,363,000     $ 1,223,000    $ 2,842,000
    


 

  

NET INCOME ALLOCATION

                     

Allocable to preferred shareholders

     819,000       819,000      547,000

Allocable to common shareholders

     15,544,000       404,000      2,295,000
    


 

  

NET INCOME

   $ 16,363,000     $ 1,223,000    $ 2,842,000
    


 

  

Income (loss) from continuing operations available per common share - basic

   $ (0.18 )   $ 0.02    $ 0.15

Income from discontinued real estate operations and gain on sale of real estate operations - basic

   $ 1.36     $ 0.01    $ 0.03
    


 

  

Net income available per common share - basic

   $ 1.18     $ 0.03    $ 0.18
    


 

  

Income from continuing operations available per common share - diluted

   $ 0.16     $ —        —  

Income from discontinued real estate operations and gain on sale of real estate operations - diluted

   $ 0.98     $ —        —  
    


 

  

Net income available per common share - diluted (Note A)

   $ 1.14     $ N/A      N/A
    


 

  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

                     

Basic

     13,167,000       13,086,000      12,855,000
    


 

  

Diluted

     18,312,000       18,231,000      18,000,000
    


 

  

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

27


Table of Contents

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     Common Stock

   Preferred Stock

  

Additional

Paid-in Capital


   

Cumulative

Net Income


  

Accumlated
Other
Comprehensive

Income or (Loss)


   

Cumulative

Distributions


    Total

 
     Shares

    Amount

   Shares

   Amount

           

Balance at January 1, 2002

   12,012,559     $ 1,000    $ —      $ —      $ 152,266,000     $ 41,932,000    $ (8,000 )   $ (99,508,000 )   $ 94,683,000  

Net income for 2002

                                        2,842,000                      2,842,000  

Change in accumulated other comprehesive income

                                               28,000               28,000  
                                                              


Total comprehensive income

                                                               2,870,000  

Cash common stock distributions declared and paid ($.92 per share) (Notes G and H)

                                                       (11,842,000 )     (11,842,000 )

Cash preferred stock distributions declared and paid ($1.21875 per share) (Notes G and H)

                                                       (410,000 )     (410,000 )

Shares issued pursuant to Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan (Note E)

   14,000                            130,000                              130,000  

Shares issued pursuant to Incentive Award Plan

   8,505                            76,000                              76,000  

Shares issued pursuant to Direct Stock Purchase Plan

   1,070,323                            9,583,000                              9,583,000  

Proceeds from Preferred Stock Offering

                  336,040      1,000      7,722,000                              7,723,000  

Purchase of Company’s Stock

   (28,328 )                          (274,000 )                            (274,000 )

Options exercised

   2,000                            17,000                              17,000  
    

 

  

  

  


 

  


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2002

   13,079,059     $ 1,000    $ 336,040    $ 1,000    $ 169,520,000     $ 44,774,000    $ 20,000     $ (111,760,000 )   $ 102,556,000  

Net income for 2003

                                        1,223,000                      1,223,000  

Change in accumulated other comprehesive loss

                                               (38,000 )             (38,000 )
                                                              


Total comprehensive income

                                                               1,185,000  

Cash common stock distributions declared and paid ($.92 per share) (Notes G and H)

                                                       (12,038,000 )     (12,038,000 )

Cash preferred stock distributions declared and paid ($2.4375 per share) (Notes G and H)

                                                       (819,000 )     (819,000 )

Shares issued pursuant to Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan (Note E)

   14,000                            131,000                              131,000  

Shares issued pursuant to Incentive Award Plan

   7,331                            72,000                              72,000  

Charges related to Direct Stock Purchase Plan

                                (122,000 )                            (122,000 )

Purchase of Company’s Stock

   (36,500 )                          (334,000 )                            (334,000 )

Options exercised

   27,500                            223,000                              223,000  
    

 

  

  

  


 

  


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

   13,091,390     $ 1,000    $ 336,040    $ 1,000    $ 169,490,000     $ 45,997,000    $ (18,000 )   $ (124,617,000 )   $ 90,854,000  

Net income for 2004

                                        16,363,000                      16,363,000  

Change in accumulated other comprehesive gain

                                               81,000               81,000  
                                                              


Total comprehensive income

                                                               16,444,000  

Cash common stock distributions declared and paid ($.66 per share) (Notes G and H)

                                                       (8,686,000 )     (8,686,000 )

Cash preferred stock distributions declared and paid ($2.4375 per share) (Notes G and H)

                                                       (819,000 )     (819,000 )

Shares issued pursuant to Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan (Note E)

   14,000                            153,000                              153,000  

Shares issued pursuant to Incentive Award Plan

   7,797                            79,000                              79,000  

Shares issued pursuant to Direct Stock Purchase Plan

   55,350                            527,000                              527,000  

Purchase of Company’s Stock

   (3,000 )                          (27,000 )                            (27,000 )

Options exercised

   44,000                            389,000                              389,000  
    

 

  

  

  


 

  


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2004

   13,209,537     $ 1,000    $ 336,040    $ 1,000    $ 170,611,000     $ 62,360,000    $ 63,000     $ (134,122,000 )   $ 98,914,000  
    

 

  

  

  


 

  


 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Net income

   $ 16,363,000     $ 1,223,000     $ 2,842,000  

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

                        

Depreciation and amortization (Note B)

     13,532,000       11,978,000       11,524,000  

Gain from sale of real estate

     (17,913,000 )     —         —    

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable and accrued revenue

     (44,000 )     90,000       606,000  

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets

     322,000       (1,236,000 )     (91,000 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (643,000 )     (3,350,000 )     (2,405,000 )
    


 


 


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     11,617,000       8,705,000       12,476,000  
    


 


 


INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Acquisitions of and improvements to real estate investments

     (18,409,000 )     (36,997,000 )     (14,351,000 )

Proceeds from sale of real estate (Note B)

     41,187,000       —         —    
    


 


 


Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities

     22,778,000       (36,997,000 )     (14,351,000 )
    


 


 


FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Principal payments on mortgage notes payable (Note D)

     (18,400,000 )     (2,567,000 )     (2,340,000 )

Proceeds from mortgage notes payable (Note D)

     16,973,000       2,824,000       —    

Net (payments) proceeds on notes payable to banks (Note D)

     (21,722,000 )     41,560,000       8,811,000  

Increase in mortgage escrow deposits and debt issuance costs

     (130,000 )     (721,000 )     (74,000 )

Cash distributions to shareholders (Note H)

     (9,505,000 )     (12,857,000 )     (12,252,000 )

Cash redemption of debentures

     —         —         (33,811,000 )

Proceeds from debenture offering

     —         —         29,300,000  

Proceeds from preferred stock offering

     —         —         6,954,000  

Debenture issuance costs

     —         —         (1,826,000 )

Purchase of company stock

     (27,000 )     (334,000 )     (274,000 )

Proceeds from issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to direct stock purchase, stock option, and stock award plans

     1,148,000       304,000       9,807,000  
    


 


 


Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities

     (31,663,000 )     28,209,000       4,295,000  
    


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     2,732,000       (83,000 )     2,420,000  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     3,565,000       3,648,000       1,228,000  
    


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 6,297,000     $ 3,565,000     $ 3,648,000  
    


 


 


Supplemental cash flow information:

                        

Cash interest payments, net of capitalized interest

   $ 13,453,000     $ 12,439,000     $ 13,141,000  
    


 


 


Non-cash operating and investing activities

   $ 3,020,000     $ 652,000     $ 185,000  
    


 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

29


Table of Contents

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002

 

NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation. As of December 31, 2004, the Company’s real estate portfolio included interests in sixteen shopping centers and fifteen apartment communities. The Company holds, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries, a fee interest in twenty-nine of its properties, and long-term ground leases on the remaining two properties - Southwood Shopping Center in Gretna, Louisiana and the Westland Shopping Center in Kenner, Louisiana. Fifteen properties are held through partnerships and limited partnerships whereby the owners are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. One of the properties, Southwood Shopping Center, is owned by a partnership of which the Company has a 50% interest. The other sixteen properties in the portfolio are held through wholly-owned subsidiary corporations and limited liability companies. The Company, the wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and limited partnerships, are referred to collectively as the “Company”.

 

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, as defined above. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s investment in a real estate partnership at December 31, 2004 and 2003 represents a 50% interest in a partnership which owns a community shopping center and is accounted for by the equity method.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents represent investments that are highly liquid and have a maturity of three months or less at the time the investment is made.

 

Real Estate Investments. Real estate investments are recorded at cost. Depreciation of buildings and improvements is provided for by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from ten to forty years. Improvements and major replacements are capitalized and the replaced asset and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Tenant improvement costs are depreciated using the straight-line method over the term of the related leases. Maintenance and repairs are expensed in the period incurred.

 

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (Statement 144) which supersedes FASB Statement 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of (Statement 121). Statement 144 retains the fundamental provisions in Statement 121 for recognizing and measuring impairment losses on long-lived assets held for use and long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, while also resolving significant implementation issues associated with Statement 121. Statement 144 was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2002. Its adoption had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the impairment assessment under Statement 144 is largely unchanged from Statement 121.

 

We apply Statement 144 to measure impairment in long lived assets. Rental properties are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist which may indicate that it is probable that the sum of expected future cash flows (on an undiscounted basis) from a rental property is less than its historical net cost basis. These expected future cash flows consider factors such as future operating income, trends and prospects as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. Upon determination that a permanent impairment has occurred, rental properties are reduced to their fair value. For properties to be disposed of, an impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the property, less the estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying amount of the property measured at the time there is a commitment to sell the property and/or it is actively being marketed for sale. A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Subsequent to the date that a property is held for disposition, depreciation expense is not recorded.

 

Developments in process are carried at cost, which includes land acquisition cost, architectural fees, general contractor fees, capitalized interest, internal costs related directly to the development and other costs related directly to the construction of the property. Depreciation is not recorded until the property is placed in service.

 

Project costs clearly associated with the acquisition, development and construction of real estate assets are capitalized as a cost of that project. Indirect project costs that do not clearly relate to projects under development or construction, including general and administrative expenses, are charged to expense as incurred.

 

30


Table of Contents

Business Combinations and Goodwill. In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 141, Business Combinations, and Statement 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations subsequent to June 30, 2001, as well as all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. In accordance with Statement 141, we are accounting for all business combinations initiated or completed after June 30, 2001 using the purchase method of accounting. Statement 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provision of Statement 142. Statement 142 was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2002 and requires that the Company reassess the useful lives and residual values of all intangible assets acquired, and make any necessary amortization period adjustments. No such impairment losses were recognized in 2004.

 

The Company allocates the purchase price of each acquired investment property between land, building and improvements, other intangibles (including acquired above market leases, acquired below market leases, customer relationships and acquired in place leases) and any assumed financing that is determined to be above or below market terms. The Company uses the information contained in the third party appraisals as the primary basis for allocating the purchase price between land and site improvements. The aggregate value of other intangibles is measured based on the difference between the purchase price and the property value as if vacant.

 

Deferred Charges. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with issuance of the Company’s 9% Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the “Debentures”) and mortgage financings and refinancings are included in prepaid expense and other assets. The costs are being amortized over the term of the related obligations. Unamortized costs related to the Debentures are offset against shareholders’ equity upon conversion by debenture holders. Unamortized costs related to mortgage financings and refinancings are charged to expense upon prepayment of the obligation.

 

Costs incurred in connection with the execution of leases are included in prepaid expenses and other assets. The costs are amortized over the term of the respective lease. Unamortized costs are charged to expense upon termination of the lease prior to the expiration of the lease term.

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003) (“FIN 46R”), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which was issued in January 2003. The adoption of FIN 46R had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as the Company does not have variable interest entities.

 

Rental Income. Rental income includes contractual rents and percentage rents as well as other contractual rental charges from shopping center properties as well as contractual rents from apartment properties. Minimum rents from shopping center leases are accounted for ratably over the term of the lease. Percentage rents are recognized based upon tenant sales that exceed specific levels or breakpoints.

 

On May 21, 1998, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board reached a consensus decision on Issue No. 98-9, Accounting for Contingent Rent in Interim Financial Periods, which provides that recognition of contingent (percentage) rental income in interim periods must be deferred until the specified target (breakpoint) that triggers the percentage rental income is achieved. The SEC subsequently issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 on December 3, 1999, which affirmed Issue No. 98-9. The Company adopted Issue No. 98-9 in 1999 and has deferred the recognition of percentage rental income until the date that the tenants’ sales exceed the breakpoint set forth in the lease agreements.

 

Federal Income Taxes. The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) under the Internal Revenue Code and intends to maintain its qualification as a REIT in the future. As a REIT, the Company is allowed to reduce taxable income by all or a portion of its distribution to shareholders. As distributions have exceeded taxable income, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been recorded.

 

A REIT is required to distribute to shareholders at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income and meet certain income source and investment restriction requirements. Taxable income differs from net income for financial reporting purposes principally because of differences in the amount and timing of depreciation of the properties. At December 31, 2004, the income tax basis, net of accumulated tax depreciation, of the Company’s real estate properties was approximately $293 million.

 

 

31


Table of Contents

Earnings Per Share. SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share, requires disclosure of both basic and fully diluted earnings per share (EPS). Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, options to purchase 718,750 shares, 793,250 and 906,943 shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding. The inclusion of in-the-money options had no effect on the calculation of diluted EPS. The Company’s outstanding debentures are also excluded from the computation for 2003 and 2002 due to their antidilutive effect. The dilutive effect of the Company’s outstanding debentures on the calculation of diluted EPS is reflected in 2004.

 

Capital Stock. On June 25, 2001, Sizeler Property Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, reincorporated in the State of Maryland. Maryland General Corporate Law recognizes repurchased stock of a corporation as authorized but unissued stock rather than treasury stock. Accordingly, effective June 25, 2001, the par value of treasury stock was reclassed as a reduction of capital stock issued. The cost of treasury stock in excess of par value was charged to additional paid-in capital. This change in law as a result of the reincorporation had no effect on total shareholders’ equity. The Company has one class of common stock with 13,210,000 outstanding shares and 336,000 outstanding shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock as of December 31, 2004.

 

Stock Option Plans. The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations, in accounting for its fixed plan stock options. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. As allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply the intrinsic value-based method of accounting described above, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure (Statement 148). Statement 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, Statement 148 amends the disclosure requirements of Statement 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to require more prominent and frequent disclosures in financial statements about the effects of stock-based compensation. The transition guidance and annual disclosure provisions of Statement 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002, and the interim disclosure provisions are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2002. The transition options presented in Statement 148 had no impact on the Company. The disclosures required by Statement 148 are included below.

 

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its 1986 and 1996 Stock Option Plans, and accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options in the consolidated financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the proforma grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income would have been changed to the proforma amounts indicated below:

 

     As Reported

   Proforma Results

     2004

   2003

   2002

   2004

   2003

   2002

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 15,544,000    $ 404,000    $ 2,295,000    $ 15,582,000    $ 354,000    $ 2,234,000

Net income per common share

   $ 1.18    $ 0.03    $ 0.18    $ 1.18    $ 0.03    $ 0.17

 

There were no options granted in 2004 or 2003. For grants in 2002, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes pricing model based on the following assumptions:

 

     2002

 

Risk-free interest rate

   5.3 %

Expected life (years)

   10  years

Volatility

   24.6 %

Dividend yield

   9.6 %

 

32


Table of Contents

In December 2004, the FASB revised SFAS No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123R”), “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.” The revision establishes standards for the accounting of transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, particularly transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. The revised statement requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is to be recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period are to be recognized as compensation cost over that period. In addition, the revised statement amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require that excess tax benefits to be reported as a financing cash flow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. The provisions of the revised statement are effective for financial statements issued for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005, with early adoption encouraged. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this statement will have on its financial condition or results of operations.

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts, when available, could materially differ from these estimates.

 

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made in the 2003 and 2002 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2004 financial statement presentation.

 

NOTE B: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

 

Certain real estate investments with a book value of $139.4 million at December 31, 2004 are pledged as collateral for notes payable described in Note D. In addition, certain notes are secured by collateral assignments of rents and leases on such real estate. Certain real estate investments are located on land subject to long-term ground leases expiring through 2046.

 

In December 2004, the Company sold for $43.8 million the Lakeview Club Apartments, a 443 unit apartment community located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Oakland Park) acquired by the Company in 1994. The sale resulted in a net gain of approximately $17.9 million which resulted in, for income tax purposes, a reclassification of all of the distributions paid in 2004 from ordinary income to capital gain. The cash proceeds of approximately $41.2 million from the sale were used to reduce mortgage debt and floating rate bank debt and for general corporate purposes. The results of operations of Lakeview Club Apartments were classified as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. The property-specific components of net earnings that were classified as discontinued operations include rental revenue, rental expense, real estate tax expense, depreciation expense and interest expense, defined as interest related to the Lakeview Club mortgage. The following is a summary of these property-specific components of net earnings from discontinued operations:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating revenues

   $ 4,326,000     $ 4,308,000     $ 4,448,000  

Operating expenses

     (1,452,000 )     (1,443,000 )     (1,329,000 )

Real estate taxes

     (854,000 )     (772,000 )     (705,000 )

Depreciation

     (855,000 )     (839,000 )     (816,000 )

Mortgage interest expense

     (1,123,000 )     (1,141,000 )     (1,157,000 )
    


 


 


     $ 42,000     $ 113,000     $ 441,000  
    


 


 


 

In July 2003, the Company acquired Florida Shores Plaza Shopping Center, located in Edgewater, Florida. The property was purchased for approximately $4.4 million with the purchase price allocated $1.5 million to land and $2.9 million to buildings and improvements. Included in the purchase price was the assumption of a $2.8 million mortgage. The acquisition added approximately 80,000 s.f. of leasable area to the Company’s retail portfolio.

 

 

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In August 2002, the Company executed a construction contract for approximately $10.9 million for the construction of Greenbrier Estates, a new apartment community located in Slidell, Louisiana. As of December 31, 2004, the Company considered this project to be partially completed, with 82 of the 144 units in service. The Company’s policy is to have all material construction contracts joined by a financial surety to insure performance by the general contractor. Also, renovation continues on the Mobile, Alabama properties.

 

NOTE C: REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS

 

The Company’s principal business is investing in shopping centers and apartment communities, located in the southeastern United States. Tenants in the Company’s shopping centers include national, regional, and local retailers. Most of the Company’s shopping center leases provide for the payment of fixed contractual monthly rentals (minimum rents), and the contractual reimbursement of common area maintenance, utilities, taxes, and insurance expenses, and many of the Company’s retail leases also provide for payment of additional contractual rents based upon a percentage of retail sales in excess of stated breakpoints. The non-cancelable portions of such lease terms range from approximately one to forty years. The Company’s apartment leases are written for short terms, generally six to twelve months, and are adjusted according to changing market conditions.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents with high credit-quality financial institutions. With respect to accounts receivable and accrued revenue from tenants, the Company believes that such items do not represent significant concentrations of credit risk due to diversity in the Company’s tenant base and its geographical dispersion throughout the southern United States.

 

The Company’s shopping centers are leased to tenants under operating leases. The future minimum rents on non-cancelable operating leases on the Company’s shopping centers at December 31, 2004 are as follows:

 

Year


   Amount

2005

   $ 18,341,000

2006

     15,298,000

2007

     12,378,000

2008

     9,910,000

2009

     8,586,000

Thereafter

     32,357,000
    

     $ 96,870,000
    

 

The above amounts do not include rental income that is based on tenants’ sales or uses.

 

Reportable Operating Segments. SFAS No. 131, Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in financial statements. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers.

 

The Company is engaged in two operating segments, the ownership and rental of retail shopping center properties and apartment properties. These reportable segments offer different products or services and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise. There are no material intersegment sales or transfers. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A, Significant Accounting Policies.

 

The Company assesses and measures segment operating results based on a performance measure referred to as Net Operating Income and is based on the operating revenues and operating expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties (excluding depreciation, administrative, and interest expense). Net Operating Income is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

 

The operating revenues, operating expenses, operating income, and real estate investments for each of the reportable segments are summarized below for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002.

 

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Table of Contents
     2004

 
     Retail

    Apartments

    Total

 

Operating revenues

   $ 29,432,000     $ 21,948,000     $ 51,380,000  

Operating expenses

     (9,883,000 )     (10,259,000 )     (20,142,000 )
    


 


 


Operating income

     19,549,000       11,689,000       31,238,000  

Administrative expenses

                     (6,911,000 )

Depreciation and amortization

                     (12,677,000 )
                    


Income from continuing operations

                     11,650,000  

Interest expense

                     (13,472,000 )
                    


Income (loss) before equity in income of partnership, net earnings from discontinued operations and gain on sale of real estate operations

                     (1,822,000 )

Equity in income of partnership

                     230,000  
                    


Income (loss) before income from continuing operations and gain on sale of real estate operations

                     (1,592,000 )

Net earnings from discontinued real estate operations

                     42,000  

Gain on sale of real estate

                     17,913,000  
                    


Net income

                   $ 16,363,000  
                    


     2003

 
     Retail

    Apartments

    Total

 

Operating revenues

   $ 29,577,000     $ 18,995,000     $ 48,572,000  

Operating expenses

     (9,775,000 )     (8,943,000 )     (18,718,000 )
    


 


 


Operating income

     19,802,000       10,052,000       29,854,000  

Administrative expenses

                     (6,376,000 )

Depreciation and amortization

                     (11,139,000 )
                    


Income from continuing operations

                     12,339,000  

Interest expense

                     (11,318,000 )
                    


Income (loss) before equity in income of partnership, net earnings from discontinued operations and gain on sale of real estate operations

                     1,021,000  

Equity in income of partnership

                     89,000  
                    


Income (loss) before income from continuing operations and gain on sale of real estate operations

                     1,110,000  

Net earnings from discontinued real estate operations

                     113,000  

Gain on sale of real estate

                     —    
                    


Net income

                   $ 1,223,000  
                    


 

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Table of Contents
     2002

 
     Retail

    Apartments

    Total

 

Operating revenues

   $ 28,685,000     $ 19,549,000     $ 48,234,000  

Operating expenses

     (9,382,000 )     (8,123,000 )     (17,505,000 )
    


 


 


Operating income

     19,303,000       11,426,000       30,729,000  

Administrative expenses

                     (5,505,000 )

Depreciation and amortization

                     (10,708,000 )
                    


Income from continuing operations

                     14,516,000  

Interest expense

                     (12,220,000 )
                    


Income (loss) before equity in income of partnership, net earnings from discontinued operations and gain on sale of real estate operations

                     2,296,000  

Equity in income of partnership

                     105,000  
                    


Income (loss) before income from continuing operations and gain on sale of real estate operations

                     2,401,000  

Net earnings from discontinued real estate operations

                     441,000  

Gain on sale of real estate

                     —    
                    


Net income

                   $ 2,842,000  
                    


 

     December 31

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Gross real estate investments:

                        

Retail

   $ 232,266,000     $ 227,562,000     $ 218,840,000  

Apartments

     162,368,000       176,669,000       147,107,000  
    


 


 


       394,634,000       404,231,000       365,947,000  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (113,421,000 )     (108,594,000 )     (97,322,000 )
    


 


 


Net real estate investment

   $ 281,213,000     $ 295,637,000     $ 268,625,000  
    


 


 


 

The Company’s retail segment had capital expenditures of approximately $4,704,000 in 2004, $8,722,000 in 2003 and $7,769,000 in 2002. The apartment segment had capital expenditures, including new development activities, of approximately $16,852,000 in 2004, $29,562,000 in 2003, and $7,894,000 in 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTE D: NOTES PAYABLE, OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES AND REDEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

The weighted average interest rate on mortgage debt at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was 7.18% and 7.38% respectively. The Company’s mortgage notes payable at December 31, 2004 and 2003, are as follows:

 

Principal Maturity


   Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate


    Secured by Land
Buildings, and
Improvements
with Book Value on
December 31, 2004


  

Balance

Outstanding at

December 31,


        2004

   2003

May 1, 2008

   7.17 %   $ 4,304,000    $ 3,912,000    $ 3,970,000

June 1, 2008

   7.07 %     9,062,000      9,242,000      9,386,000

October 1, 2009

   7.50 %     4,450,000      2,691,000      2,782,000

May 1, 2008

   7.38 %     4,458,000      5,382,000      5,456,000

May 1, 2010

   7.94 %     12,021,000      10,329,000      10,432,000

August 1, 2014

   5.97 %     17,366,000      11,448,000      —  

May 1, 2008

   7.22 %     13,767,000      9,802,000      9,947,000

May 1, 2008

   7.20 %     4,387,000      3,981,000      4,041,000

May 1, 2008

   7.18 %     23,533,000      14,801,000      15,023,000

May 1, 2008 (a)

   6.95 %     —        —        16,256,000

January 1, 2011

   7.42 %     2,165,000      3,848,000      3,892,000

January 1, 2013

   7.33 %     30,529,000      21,498,000      16,901,000

August 1, 2011

   7.16 %     5,225,000      2,517,000      2,671,000

May 1, 2008

   7.32 %     3,671,000      4,191,000      4,251,000

May 1, 2008

   7.19 %     4,443,000      4,071,000      4,132,000
          

  

  

           $ 139,381,000    $ 107,713,000    $ 109,140,000
          

  

  


(a) - Property sold and mortgage paid December 30, 2004.

 

Future principal payments on the Company’s mortgage notes payable at December 31, 2004 for each of the subsequent five years are as follows:

 

Year


   Amount

2005

   $ 2,326,000

2006

     2,501,000

2007

     2,685,000

2008

     41,051,000

2009

     4,234,000
    

     $ 52,797,000
    

 

The Company has commitments for lines of credit from several commercial banks totalling $60 million, of which approximately $32.0 million was available at December 31, 2004. The weighted average interest rate on these bank lines was 3.2% and 2.8% for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The terms of the agreements for each of the bank lines of credit are renewable on an annualized basis, and generally provide for the right of the banks to terminate such commitments and to accelerate all outstanding advances upon the occurrence of a material adverse change in the financial condition or operation of the Company. In addition, the bank credit agreements also contain restrictive covenants that impose maximum borrowing levels by the Company through the maintenance of financial ratios:

 

    Minimum net worth

 

    Debt to equity

 

    Distributions to funds from operations

 

    Unencumbered assets to committed bank lines

 

    Interest coverage

 

    Net operating income from unencumbered assets to the funded portion of committed bank lines

 

    Funds from operations from unencumbered assets to interest expense on funded unsecured debt

 

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On May 1, 2002, the Company completed an exchange offer for its outstanding 8.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2003 (Old Debentures). As a result of the exchange offer, the Company accepted tenders from holders of a total of $28,067,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old Debentures, to exchange into $27,299,000 of the Company’s 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009, and 30,720 shares of the Company’s 9.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock (at $25 per share). On May 10, 2002, the Company closed the sale of $29,300,000 in principal amount of its 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009 and 305,320 shares of its 9.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock (at $25 per share). After completion of the exchange and cash offerings, the entire $61,878,000 principal amount of the Old Debentures had been retired. The Company now has outstanding $56,599,000 principal amount of its 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009 and 336,040 shares of its 9.75% cumulative redeemable preferred stock. The preferred stock may be redeemed solely at the Company’s option following the fifth anniversary of the issuance date at the liquidation price of $25 per share plus accrued and unpaid distributions. As a result of the transaction, the Company recognized a loss of $155,000 related to the write-off of the Old Debentures’ unamortized issuance costs.

 

The Company can redeem its 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures subsequent to after May 1, 2005 for 100% of the principal plus accrued interest. Additionally, the debentures are convertible into the Company’s common stock at any time prior to maturity at $11.00 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2004, there were no conversions of the Company’s 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures.

 

NOTE E: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

In the second quarter of 2002, the Company issued 336,040 shares of 9.75% cumulative redeemable preferred stock. As described in Note D, 30,720 shares were issued in exchange for the Company’s Old Debentures and the remaining 305,320 were issued for cash. The net proceeds of $7.0 million were used to retire the Old Debentures and for general corporate purposes.

 

NOTE F: STOCK OPTION AND OWNERSHIP PLANS

 

On February 1, 1996, the Company adopted the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”). Under the 1996 Plan, “10-year” options may be granted to key employees, and are granted to non-employee directors at the average of the high and low sales price for a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. A total of 600,000 shares of common stock of the Company were made available for grant, of which a maximum of 125,000 shares may be issued to non-employee directors upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options granted. Options granted under the 1996 Plan vest, for key employees, 50% after one year, and the remaining 50% after two years, from the grant date; for non-employee directors, 100% vests six months from the grant date. On May 10, 2002, shareholders voted to amend the Plan, increasing the total of options available for grant to 1,800,000 and increasing the maximum of options available to non-employee directors to 500,000. At December 31, 2004, there were a total of 670,000 options granted, of which 597,500 were exercisable under the 1996 plan.

 

On May 9, 2003 shareholders voted to amend the Plan, renaming it the “Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Incentive Plan”. The amendment extended the term of the 1996 Plan, which would have originally expired on February 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013 and provides for grants to employees of restricted stock, deferred stock, performance shares, stock bonuses, and shares in place of cash compensation. No options or shares were issued from this plan in 2004 or 2003.

 

The Company had a 1986 Stock Option Plan (the “1986 Plan”) which terminated in October 1996. Under the 1986 Plan, 10-year options were granted to key employees and non-employee directors at the average of the high and low sales price for a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. At December 31, 2004, there was a remaining total of 121,250 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under the 1986 Plan. Options granted under the 1986 Plan vest, for key employees, 50% after one year, and the remaining 50% after two years, from the grant date; for non-employee directors, 100% vests six months from the grant date.

 

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Table of Contents

The following is a summary of the Company’s 1996 and 1986 Plans combined for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

     Options

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Options

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Options

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


Outstanding at beginning of year

   793,250     $ 9.28    906,943     $ 9.53    753,443     $ 9.85

Granted

   —         —      —         —      158,500       9.58

Forfeited

   (10,500 )     9.91    —         —      —         —  

Exercised

   (44,000 )     8.84    (27,500 )     8.13    (2,000 )     8.56

Expired

   (20,000 )     12.88    (86,193 )     12.19    (3,000 )     11.50
    

 

  

 

  

 

Outstanding at end of year

   718,750     $ 9.20    793,250     $ 9.28    906,943     $ 9.53
    

 

  

 

  

 

Options exercisable

   718,750     $ 9.20    739,000     $ 9.26    733,443     $ 9.59
    

 

  

 

  

 

 

No new options were granted in 2004 or 2003. Based on the Black-Scholes pricing model, the weighted-average fair value of options on the date of grant, which were granted in 2002, was $0.62.

 

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s stock option plans outstanding at December 31, 2004:

 

Options Outstanding


   Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Price


   Number
Outstanding
at December 31,
2004


  

Weighted -

Average
Remaining
Contractual Life


  

Weighted -

Average
Exercise Price


   Number
Exercisable at
Exercise Price


  

Weighted -

Average
Exercise Price


$ 8.00 - 8.99

   379,250    4.4    $ 8.38    379,250    $ 8.38

$ 9.00 - 9.99

   153,000    6.4      9.49    153,000      9.49

$ 10.00 - 11.00

   186,500    2.3      10.63    186,500      10.63
    
  
  

  
  

     718,750    4.3    $ 9.20    718,750    $ 9.20
    
  
  

  
  

 

The 1994 Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan, effective in January 1994, provides that directors of the Company, who are not salaried officers of the Company, were entitled to receive an annual director’s fee of 750 shares. The number of shares entitled was amended to 1,000 shares effective January 1, 1996; amended to 1,500 shares effective January 1, 1997; and amended to 2,000 shares effective May 10, 2002. Alternatively, a director may elect to be paid a cash substitute, equal to 90% of the value of the shares for which the director elects the cash substitute, in lieu of all or part of the annual stock award. Under this Plan, there were 14,000 shares issued in 2004, 14,000 shares issued in 2003 and 14,000 shares issued in 2002.

 

The Company adopted an Incentive Award Plan, effective January 1, 1994. The purpose of the Plan is to reward eligible officers of the Company on the basis of their contribution to the Company, and in particular on the basis of their contribution to the achievement of the Company’s funds from operations per share. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. An award under this Plan is payable by the Company one-half in cash and one-half in shares of common stock of the Company. The Company incurred compensation costs totaling approximately $182,600 in 2004, $157,500 in 2003 and $145,000 in 2002.

 

NOTE G: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company paid $20,000 in 2004 and $14,000 in both 2003 and 2002, for engineering consulting fees to a majority-owned subsidiary of Sizeler Realty. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company received management fees and commissions of approximately $303,000, $294,000 and $461,000, respectively, from various entities in which Mr. Lassen and/or his spouse have an interest.

 

The Company leases approximately 14,800 square feet of non-retail space at the Westland Shopping Center to Sizeler Realty. Under this lease, Sizeler Realty paid an annual market rate of rent, including expense reimbursements, of

 

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$112,000 in 2004 and $111,000 in 2003 and 2002. The term of the lease expires January 31, 2007 and the lease provides for one remaining five-year renewal option. Pursuant to a month-to-month agreement between Sizeler Real Estate Management Co., Inc. (“SREMCO”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Sizeler Realty, SREMCO occupies approximately 97% of the 14,800 square feet of space and paid rent to Sizeler Realty of $112,000 in 2004 and $111,000 in 2003 and 2002 for use of the space.

 

The Company holds its interest in the Westland Shopping Center pursuant to a long-term ground lease with Westland Shopping Center LLC (the “LLC”), expiring on December 31, 2046. The LLC is owned by the wife of Mr. Lassen and her brother. The Company contractually paid ground rent of $65,000 in 2004, $63,000 in 2003 and $65,000 in 2002.

 

In March 1991, the Company purchased a 50% interest in the Southwood Shopping Center (“Southwood”) from Sizeler Realty (LaPalco), Inc. (“LaPalco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sizeler Realty, for $900,000. Southwood is subject to a long-term ground lease expiring on March 31, 2031 from an entity in which Mr. Lassen’s wife, her brother and her brother’s wife own the total interests. The rent under the ground lease is 50% of cash flow (after debt service and certain other adjustments) up to a maximum of $225,000, and in the event the rental payment shall reach $225,000 in any year, it shall remain fixed at $225,000 for each year thereafter. No ground rent was paid under the lease agreement in 2004. Ground rent in the amount of $10,000 was paid in 2003 and $27,000 was paid in 2002. In July 2004, LaPalco paid off the entire balance of the mortgage note and subsequently cancelled the mortgage on the property.

 

Mr. Lassen is a director and Vice Chairman of Hibernia National Bank (“Hibernia”) and Hibernia Corporation. At December 31, 2004, $15,000,000 of the Company’s $60,000,000 of bank lines of credit was provided by Hibernia. The Company had borrowings under this line totaling $136,000 at December 31, 2004. The Company had borrowings under a line of credit from Hibernia totaling $11,633,000 at December 31, 2003.

 

NOTE H: SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The quarterly common stock distributions paid in 2004, 2003, and 2002 for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

     Total

   Per
Share


   Total

   Per
Share


   Total

   Per
Share


Ordinary Income

   $ —      $ —      $ 1,439,000    $ 0.11    $ 3,990,000    $ 0.31

Return of Capital

     —        —        10,599,000      0.81      7,852,000      0.61

Capital Gain

     8,686,000      0.66      —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 8,686,000    $ 0.66    $ 12,038,000    $ 0.92    $ 11,842,000    $ 0.92
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

The Company paid $819,000 in preferred distributions on its Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock in 2004, all of which were classified as capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

 

NOTE I: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On February 4, 2005, the Company declared a $.10 per share distribution on its common stock, payable on March 4, 2005 to shareholders of record as of February 25, 2005. Also on February 4, 2005, the Company declared a $.609375 per share distribution on its 9.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, payable on May 16, 2005 to shareholders of record on May 6, 2005.

 

On February 15, 2005, the Company paid a $.609375 per share distribution on its 9.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, payable to shareholders of record on January 28, 2005.

 

NOTE J: CASH FLOWS

 

In the second quarter of 2002, the Company closed the sale of $29,300,000 in principal amount of its 9.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2009, and 305,320 shares of its 9.75% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock (at $25 per share). Gross cash proceeds of these offerings were $36,933,000. These proceeds after payment of issuance costs were used to retire the Company’s 8.0% convertible subordinated debentures due July 15, 2003 and for general corporate purposes.

 

The Company capitalized $819,000 in interest costs in 2004, $1.7 million in 2003 and $490,000 in 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTE K: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company’s officers defer a portion of their current compensation. Total charges to earnings associated with such deferred compensation were $113,000, $113,000 and $121,000 in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.

 

The Company, from time to time, may be subject to litigation arising from the ordinary course of its business. Management, based on advice of external counsel, does not believe that any existing litigation involving the Company will materially affect its financial condition or future results of operations.

 

NOTE L: SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

 

On August 6, 1998, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a replacement shareholder rights plan (“Plan”) to supersede a shareholder rights plan which had been in effect since 1989. Simultaneously, the Board declared a distribution of one purchase right (“Right”) for each share of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding at the close of business August 27, 1998, or subsequently issued. Each Right entitles the holder to purchase 1/1,000 of a share of a new Series A Preferred Stock of the Company (“Preferred Stock”).

 

The Rights become exercisable upon the earlier of (i) the date of the Company’s public announcement that a person or affiliated group has acquired, or obtained the right to, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) ten business days following the commencement of a tender offer that would result in a person or affiliated group owning 30% or more of the Company’s Common Stock; or (iii) ten business days after the Company’s Board of Directors determines that a person or affiliated group has become the beneficial owner of at least 10% of the Company’s Common Stock and that ownership (a) is intended to cause pressure on the Company to take action or enter into a transaction or transactions intended to provide such persons with short-term financial gain under circumstances where the best long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders would not be served, or (b) is causing or is reasonably likely to cause a material adverse impact on the business or prospects of the Company (including but not limited to jeopardizing the Company’s status as a real estate investment trust, impairing relationships with the Company’s tenants, customers, lenders, providers of financial and other services, or regulators or impairing the Company’s ability to maintain its competitive position).

 

The exercise price of a Right has been established at $40, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. Once exercisable, each Right would entitle the holder to purchase Preferred Stock having a value equal to two times the value of the Right. The Rights expire on August 27, 2008.

 

NOTE M: DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 107, Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies and are described in the following paragraphs.

 

Fair value estimates are subject to certain inherent limitations. Estimates of fair value are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. The estimated fair values of financial instruments presented below are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company might realize in actual market transactions. Estimates of fair value are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued revenue, accounts payable, accrued expenses and deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items. The carrying amounts of notes payable outstanding under the Company’s lines of credit with commercial banks approximate fair value because the interest rates on these instruments change with market interest rates.

 

The carrying values and respective fair market values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and 9% convertible subordinated debentures are presented below. The estimated fair values of the mortgage notes were calculated as the net present value of the total payments through the loan term discounted using rates available to the Company for issuance of similar debt with similar terms at year-end 2004 and 2003. The estimated fair values of the convertible subordinated debentures were calculated using year-end market quotes obtained from the New York Stock Exchange.

 

 

 

41


Table of Contents
     Carrying Value

  

Estimated

Fair Market Value


Mortgage notes payable

             

2004

   $ 107,713,000    $ 113,656,000

2003

     109,140,000      117,377,000

Convertible subordinated debentures

             

2004

   $ 56,599,000    $ 59,570,000

2003

     56,599,000      60,844,000

 

NOTE N: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

Summarized (unaudited) quarterly financial data for the years ended 2004 and 2003 are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three months ended in 2004

     March 31

    June 30

    September 30

    December 31

Revenues

   $ 13,509     $ 13,789     $ 13,916     $ 14,492

Income from operations

   $ 2,966     $ 3,490     $ 2,538     $ 3,821

Net (loss) income

   $ (333 )   $ (85 )   $ (1,261 )   $ 18,042

Net (loss) income available to common shareholders

   $ (537 )   $ (290 )   $ (1,466 )   $ 17,837

Net (loss) income available per common share - basic

   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.11 )   $ 1.35

Net (loss) income avialable per common share - diluted

   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.11 )   $ 1.31

Shares outstanding

     13,131       13,166       13,180       13,197

Diltued shares outstanding

     18,276       18,311       18,325       18,342
     Three months ended in 2003

     March 31

    June 30

    September 30

    December 31

Revenues

   $ 13,158     $ 12,725     $ 13,276     $ 13,721

Income from operations

   $ 3,414     $ 3,242     $ 3,249     $ 3,688

Net income

   $ 297     $ 299     $ 174     $ 453

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

   $ 93     $ 94     $ (31 )   $ 248

Net income available per common share - basic

   $ 0.00     $ 0.01     $ 0.00     $ 0.02

Net income available per common share - diluted

   $ 0.00     $ 0.01     $ 0.00     $ 0.02

Shares outstanding

     13,084       13,085       13,086       13,089

Diltued shares outstanding

     18,229       18,230       18,231       18,234

 

42


Table of Contents

SCHEDULE II

 

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002

 

COLUMN A


   COLUMN B

   COLUMN C

   COLUMN D

   COLUMN E

     Balance at
Beginning of
Period


   Additons
Charged to
Operations


   Deductions

   Balance at
End of
Period


Year ended December 31, 2004

                           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 62,000    $ 298,000    $ 44,000    $ 316,000

Year ended December 31, 2003

                           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 116,000    $ 46,000    $ 100,000    $ 62,000

Year ended December 31, 2002

                           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 165,000    $ 79,000    $ 128,000    $ 116,000

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE III

 

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

December 31, 2004

 

Column A


  Column B

  Column C

      Column D

  Column E

  Column F

  Column G

  Column H

  Column I

Description


 

Encumbrance


  Initial Cost to Company

 

Cost

Capitalized

Subsequent to

Acquisition


 

Gross Amount at which Carried

at Close of Period


  Accumulated
Depreciation


 

Date of

Construction


  Date
Acquired


 

Life on

which

Depreciation

in Latest

Income

Statement is
Computed


    Land

  Building &
Improvements


  Net
Improvements


  Land

  Building &
Improvements


  Total

       

Regional enclosed malls:

                                           

Hammond Square

  —     2,574,000   23,664,000   5,284,000   4,026,000   27,496,000   31,522,000   13,254,000   1978, 1992, 1995   1987   10-40yrs

North Shore Square

  21,498,000   4,000,000   30,150,000   9,491,000   4,109,000   39,532,000   43,641,000   13,111,000   1986, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003   1994   10-40yrs

Southland Mall

  —     2,408,000   28,289,000   15,506,000   2,485,000   43,718,000   46,203,000   19,723,000   1970, 1981, 1994, 2003   1986   10-40yrs
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
    21,498,000   8,982,000   82,103,000   30,281,000   10,620,000   110,746,000   121,366,000   46,088,000            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

Community shopping centers:

                                           

Airline Park

  —     977,000   1,037,000   1,511,000   977,000   2,548,000   3,525,000   903,000   1973, 1986, 2001, 2003   1987   10-40yrs

Azalea Gardens

  —     574,000   806,000   790,000   575,000   1,595,000   2,170,000   688,000   1950, 1986, 2002, 2003   1987   10-40yrs

Colonial

  —     554,000   555,000   834,000   559,000   1,384,000   1,943,000   838,000   1967, 1987, 1999   1987   10-40yrs

Florida Shores

  2,691,000   1,507,000   2,893,000   266,000   1,507,000   3,159,000   4,666,000   216,000   1983   2003   10-40yrs

Gonzales Plaza

  —     713,000   4,381,000   1,369,000   727,000   5,736,000   6,463,000   2,225,000   1989, 2001, 2002, 2003   1991   10-40yrs

Lantana Plaza

  —     7,923,000   14,107,000   3,511,000   8,386,000   17,155,000   25,541,000   5,108,000   1992, 1999   1993   10-40yrs

Rainbow Square

  2,517,000   970,000   4,443,000   2,098,000   984,000   6,527,000   7,511,000   2,286,000   1986, 2001, 2003   1988   10-40yrs

Town and Country

  —     860,000   3,194,000   8,591,000   1,502,000   11,143,000   12,645,000   1,774,000   1989, 2000, 2001, 2002   1993   10-40yrs

Weeki Wachee

  —     2,185,000   4,179,000   1,257,000   2,149,000   5,472,000   7,621,000   2,219,000   1987, 2000, 2002   1988   10-40yrs

Westgate

  —     1,809,000   2,162,000   2,616,000   1,774,000   4,813,000   6,587,000   1,901,000   1964, 1987, 2001   1987   10-40yrs

Westland

  —     —     3,068,000   2,334,000   0   5,402,000   5,402,000   2,706,000   1966, 1990, 1999   1987   10-40yrs

Westward

  —     5,938,000   13,506,000   4,521,000   5,997,000   17,968,000   23,965,000   6,434,000   1961, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2003   1992   10-40yrs
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
    5,208,000   24,010,000   54,331,000   29,698,000   25,137,000   82,902,000   108,039,000   27,298,000            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

Apartments:

                                           

Bel Air

  3,912,000   500,000   3,674,000   2,375,000   500,000   6,049,000   6,549,000   2,244,000   1968, 1974, 2003   1992   10-40yrs

Bryn Mawr

  9,242,000   1,575,000   9,020,000   2,070,000   1,654,000   11,011,000   12,665,000   3,603,000   1991, 1999   1993   10-40yrs

Colonial Manor

  —     212,000   771,000   567,000   212,000   1,338,000   1,550,000   685,000   1967, 1994   1987   10-40yrs

Garden Lane

  5,382,000   500,000   3,117,000   3,426,000   500,000   6,543,000   7,043,000   2,584,000   1966, 1971, 1999   1992   10-40yrs

Georgian

  —     839,000   2,420,000   3,152,000   839,000   5,572,000   6,411,000   2,074,000   1951, 1993, 2004   1992   10-40yrs

Governors Gate

  10,329,000   499,000   14,417,000   542,000   500,000   14,958,000   15,458,000   3,279,000   1999   1998   10-40yrs

Governors Gate I I

  11,448,000   1,149,000   16,719,000   194,000   1,185,000   16,877,000   18,062,000   538,000   2004   2004   10-40yrs

Greenbrier

  —     370,000   15,336,000   0   370,000   15,336,000   15,706,000   293,000   (a)   (a)   10-40yrs

Hampton Park

  6,861,000   1,305,000   6,616,000   5,055,000   1,162,000   11,814,000   12,976,000   4,738,000   1977, 1995, 2003, 2004   1993   10-40yrs

Jamestown

  3,981,000   712,000   4,035,000   1,681,000   712,000   5,716,000   6,428,000   1,883,000   1972   1995   10-40yrs

Lafayette Square

  14,801,000   2,632,000   14,282,000   17,168,000   2,471,000   31,611,000   34,082,000   10,391,000   1969-1972, 1995, 1999,
2003, 2004
  1993   10-40yrs

Magnolia Place

  3,848,000   175,000   2,050,000   1,290,000   175,000   3,340,000   3,515,000   1,349,000   1984   1991   10-40yrs

Pine Bend

  2,941,000   450,000   3,029,000   4,031,000   452,000   7,058,000   7,510,000   1,981,000   1979, 2003   1992   10-40yrs

Steeplechase

  4,191,000   594,000   3,328,000   1,729,000   594,000   5,057,000   5,651,000   1,980,000   1982   1992   10-40yrs

Woodcliff

  4,071,000   695,000   4,047,000   2,272,000   695,000   6,319,000   7,014,000   2,413,000   1977, 1999, 2003   1993   10-40yrs
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
    81,007,000   12,207,000   102,861,000   45,552,000   12,021,000   148,599,000   160,620,000   40,035,000            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

Undeveloped Land

      2,736,000   57,000   385,000   3,221,000   455,000   3,676,000                
       
 
 
 
 
 
               

TOTAL

  107,713,000   47,935,000   239,352,000   105,916,000   50,999,000   342,702,000   393,701,000   113,421,000            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

(a) Greenbrier Estates, a new apartment community located in Slidell, Louisiana as of December 31, 2004 is considered by the Company to be partially completed, with 82 of the 144 units in service.

 

Note: This schedule does not include the Company’s 50% interest in a real estate partnership.

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE III — REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION — (Continued)

 

Note (a) Changes in real estate owned were as follows:

 

     2004

    2003

   2002

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 403,425,000     $ 365,112,000    $ 349,437,000

Additions during year:

                     

Investments in land

     1,900,000       395,000      892,000

Improvements

     19,529,000       32,218,000      14,783,000

Acquisitions

     —         5,700,000      —  

Deductions during the period

                     

Sale of properties

     (31,153,000 )     —        —  
    


 

  

Balance at end of year

   $ 393,701,000     $ 403,425,000    $ 365,112,000
    


 

  

 

Note (b) Changes in accumulated depreciation of real estate assets owned were as follows:

 

     2004

    2003

   2002

Balance at beginning of year

     108,594,000       97,322,000      86,627,000

Additions during year:

                     

Depreciation on real estate

     12,759,000       11,272,000      10,695,000

Deductions during the period

                     

Sale of properties

     (7,932,000 )     —        —  
    


 

  

Balance at end of year

   $ 113,421,000     $ 108,594,000    $ 97,322,000
    


 

  

 

Note (c) The income tax basis of real estate, net of accumulated tax depreciation, was approximately $293 million at December 31, 2004.

 

Note (d) Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, which are as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements

   10 - 40 years

Parking lots

   20 years

Tenant improvements

   Lease term

 

Note (e) The Company holds its interest in the Westland Shopping Center under a long-term ground lease.

 

45


Table of Contents

FORM 10-K EXHIBITS

 

3.1   

Articles of Incorporation

   Incorporated by Reference (16)
3.2   

By-Laws, as amended

   Incorporated by Reference (17)
3.3   

Articles supplementary creating the Registrant’s 9.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

   Incorporated by Reference (18)
4.1   

Form of Certificate for Common Stock, $.0001 par value

   Incorporated by Reference (22)
4.2   

Indenture for the Registrant’s 9% Convertible Subordinated Debentures, due 2009

   Incorporated by Reference (18)
4.3   

Debenture for the Registrant’s 9% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2009

   Incorporated by Reference (18)
4.4   

Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of August 6, 1998

   Incorporated by Reference (6)
4.5   

Amendment No. 1 to Shareholder Rights Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (15)
10.1A   

Management Agreement between the Company and Sizeler Real Estate Management Co., Inc.

   Incorporated by Reference (1)
10.1B   

Amendment No. 1 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (3)
10.1C   

Amendment No. 2 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (4)
10.1D   

Amendment No. 3 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (8)
10.1E   

Amendment No. 5 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (10)
10.1F   

Amendment No. 4 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (14)
10.1G   

Amendment No. 6 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (14)
10.1H   

Amendment No. 7 to Management Agreement

   Incorporated by Reference (14)
10.2   

Form of Indemnification Agreement which the Company has entered into with each officer and director

   Filed herewith
10.3   

Form of Right of First Refusal which has been entered into by the Company and each of Sidney W. Lassen and Sizeler Realty Co., Inc.

   Incorporated by Reference (2)
10.4   

The Company’s 1986 Stock Option Plan, as amended through January 25, 1991*

   Incorporated by Reference (8)
10.5   

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement (The Company has such an agreement with Sidney W. Lassen)*

   Incorporated by Reference (9)
10.6   

The Company’s 1989 Directors Stock Option Plan*

   Incorporated by Reference (5)
10.7   

Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. Incentive Award Plan*

   Incorporated by Reference (12)
10.8   

First Amendment to the Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. Incentive Award Plan*

   Incorporated by Reference (12)

 

46


Table of Contents
10.9   

Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. 1994 Directors’ Stock Ownership Plan, as amended*

   Incorporated by Reference (20)
10.10   

Severance Agreement, as restated, between the Company and Sidney W. Lassen*

   Incorporated by Reference (19)
10.11   

Severance Agreement, as restated, between the Company and Thomas A. Masilla, Jr.* (The Company also has a Severance Agreement with James W. Brodie, which is identical to Mr. Masilla’s Agreement)

   Incorporated by Reference (19)
10.12   

Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement between Company and Thomas A. Masilla, Jr. (The Company also has Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreements with Sidney W. Lassen and James W. Brodie which contain substantially similar terms)*

   Incorporated by Reference (13)
10.13   

The Company’s 1996 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended*

   Incorporated by Reference (21)
10.14   

Trust Agreement between the Company and Hibernia National Bank Dated February 24, 2005

   Incorporated by Reference (23)
10.15A   

Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement effective January 1, 2005, entered into between the Company and Sidney W. Lassen*

   Incorporated by Reference (23)
10.15B   

Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement effective January 1, 2005 entered into between the Company and Thomas A. Masilla Jr.*

   Incorporated by Reference (23)
10.15C   

Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement effective January 1, 2005, entered into between the Company and James W. Brodie.*

   Incorporated by Reference (23)
10.15D   

Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement effective January 1, 2005, entered into between the Company and Guy M. Cheramie*

   Incorporated by Reference (23)
10.16   

Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Lakeview Club Apartments effective November 18, 2004 together with the First Amendment effective December 3, 2004, the Second Amendment effective December 10, 2004, the Third Amendment effective December 16, 2004, and the Reinstatement and Fourth Amendment effective December 21, 2004

   Incorporated by Reference (24)
21   

List of Subsidiaries

   Filed herewith
23.1   

Consent of KPMG LLP

   Filed herewith
31.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

   Filed herewith
31.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

   Filed herewith
32.1   

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer

   Filed herewith
32.2   

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Chief Financial Officer

   Filed herewith

 

47


Table of Contents

(1) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed on November 5, 1986, with the Company’s original registration statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-9973).
(2) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed on November 24, 1986, with Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-11.
(3) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed on January 14, 1987, with Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-11.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed on February 6, 1987, with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-11.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated March 23, 1989.
(6) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-A, filed on August 26, 1998.
(7) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated April 5, 1991.
(8) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.
(9) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991.
(10) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992.
(11) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated May 26, 1993.
(12) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed on March 7, 1994, with the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-76134).
(13) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.
(14) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(15) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(16) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated June 26, 2001.
(17) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed on October 25, 2001 with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-72208).
(18) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2002.
(19) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.
(20) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company’s definitive proxy material for its 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(21) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company’s definitive proxy material for its 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(22) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company’s registration statement on Form 8-A/A filed on December 18, 2001.
(23) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2005.
(24) Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2005.
* Management compensation plan agreements.

 

48


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC.

By:  

/s/ GUY M. CHERAMIE


                Guy M. Cheramie
                Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: March 14, 2005

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

   

Signature


 

Title


 

Date


By:  

/s/ SIDNEY W. LASSEN


  Chairman of the Board   March 14, 2005
    Sidney W. Lassen   (Chief Executive Officer)    
By:  

/s/ THOMAS A. MASILLA, JR.


  President (Principal Operating Office)   March 14, 2005
    Thomas A. Masilla, Jr.        
By:  

/s/ GUY M. CHERAMIE


  Chief Financial Officer   March 14, 2005
    Guy M. Cheramie   (Principal Financial Officer)    
By:  

/s/ J. TERRELL BROWN


  Director   March 14, 2005
    J. Terrell Brown        
By:  

/s/ JAMES R. PELTIER


  Director   March 14, 2005
    James R. Peltier        
By:  

/s/ HAROLD B. JUDELL


  Director   March 14, 2005
    Harold B. Judell        
By:  

/s/ JAMES W. MCFARLAND


  Director   March 14, 2005
    James W. McFarland        
By:  

/s/ RICHARD L. PEARLSTONE


  Director   March 14, 2005
    Richard L. Pearlstone        
By:  

/s/ THEODORE H. STRAUSS


  Director   March 14, 2005
    Theodore H. Strauss        
By:  

/s/ WILLIAM G. BYRNES


  Director and Vice Chairman of the Board   March 14, 2005
    William G. Byrnes        

 

49