UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2017

or

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number 001-35624

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(701) 837-4738

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

The number of common shares of beneficial interest outstanding as of March 6, 2017, was 121,917,954.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - THIRD QUARTER - FISCAL 2017

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (unaudited)

for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, continued)

for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016

NOTE 1 • ORGANIZATION 

Investors Real Estate Trust, collectively with our consolidated subsidiaries (“IRET”, “we” or “us”) is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the acquisition, development, redevelopment and management of multifamily communities located primarily in select growth markets throughout the Midwest. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a REIT, we are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute 90% of ordinary taxable income to shareholders, and, generally, are not subject to federal income tax on net income, except for taxes on undistributed REIT taxable income and taxes on the income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). Our TRS is subject to corporate federal and state income tax on its taxable income at regular statutory rates. We have considered estimated future taxable income and have determined that there were no material income tax provisions or material net deferred income tax items for our TRS for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016.

Our properties are located mainly in the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, but also in the states of Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. As of January 31, 2017, we held for investment 86 multifamily properties with 12,813 apartment units and 2.7 million net rentable square feet in 30 healthcare and 14 other properties. We held for sale 14 multifamily properties, 22 healthcare properties, 1 retail property and 1 parcel of land as of January 31, 2017. We conduct a majority of our business activities through our consolidated operating partnership, IRET Properties, a North Dakota Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), as well as through a number of other consolidated subsidiary entities.

All references to IRET, we or us refer to Investors Real Estate Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries.

NOTE 2 • BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of all our subsidiaries in which we maintain a controlling interest, including the Operating Partnership. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Our fiscal year ends April 30th.

Our interest in the Operating Partnership was 88.4% of the limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership (“Units”) as of January 31, 2017 and 88.1% as of April 30, 2016. Under the terms of the Operating Partnership’s Agreement of Limited Partnership, limited partners have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem their Units for cash any time following the first anniversary of the date they acquired such Units (“Exchange Right”). When a limited partner exercises the Exchange Right, we have the right, in our sole discretion, to acquire such Units by either making a cash payment or exchanging the Units for our common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”), on a one-for-one basis. The Exchange Right is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including the limited partner may not exercise the Exchange Right more than two times during a calendar year and the limited partner may not exercise for less than 1,000 Units, or, if such limited partner holds less than 1,000 Units, for less than all of the Units held by such limited partner. The Operating Partnership and some limited partners have contractually agreed to a holding period of greater than one year, a greater number of redemptions during a calendar year or other limitations to their Exchange Right.

The condensed consolidated financial statements also reflect the ownership by the Operating Partnership of certain joint venture entities in which the Operating Partnership has a general partner or controlling interest. These entities are consolidated into our other operations, with noncontrolling interests reflecting the noncontrolling partners’ share of ownership and income and expenses.

UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP are omitted. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been included.

The current period’s results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results which ultimately may be achieved for the year. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 29, 2016.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard will eliminate the transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 does not apply to lease contracts accounted for under ASC 840, Leases. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We do not expect adoption of this update to have a material impact on our operating results or financial position.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments: (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, (iii) affect the consolidated analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, and (iv) provide a scope exception for certain entities. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-02 as of May 1, 2016, as more fully described in the Variable Interest Entity section below.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability to which they relate, consistent with debt discounts, as opposed to being presented as assets. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-03 as of May 1, 2016.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. Under ASU 2015-05, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Our adoption of the guidance in ASU 2015-05 did not have a material impact on our operating results or financial position.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirement to measure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We do not expect adoption of this update to have a material impact on our operating results or financial position.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 amends existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including by requiring lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet and making certain changes to lessor accounting. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, accrual of compensation cost, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. The cash flow issues include debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs and proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business and provides further guidance for evaluating whether a transaction will be accounted for as an acquisition of an asset or a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Under the ASU, we believe most of our future acquisitions of operating properties will qualify as asset acquisitions and most future transaction costs associated with these acquisitions will be capitalized.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets, including investments in real estate, for impairment indicators. The impairment evaluation is performed on assets by property such that assets for a property form an asset group. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions, expected holding period of each asset group and legal and environmental concerns. If indicators exist, we compare the expected future undiscounted cash flows for the long-lived asset group against the carrying amount of that asset group. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amount of the asset group. If our anticipated holding period for properties, the estimated fair value of properties or other factors change based on market conditions or otherwise, our evaluation of impairment charges may be different and such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is subjective and is based, in part, on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results. Plans to hold properties over longer periods decrease the likelihood of recording impairment losses.

During the nine months ended January 31, 2017, we recognized impairments of $40.9 million, $5.8 million, $4.7 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, on three multifamily properties and one parcel of unimproved land in Williston, North Dakota, due to deterioration of this energy-impacted market, which resulted in poor leasing activity and declining rental rates during the three months ended July 31, 2016, which should generally be a strong leasing period. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value based on an independent appraisal in the case of one property and management cash flow estimates and market data in the case of the remaining assets. The properties impaired for $40.9 million, $4.7 million, and $2.8 million are owned by joint venture entities in which, at the time of impairment, we had an approximately 71.5%, 60% and 70% interest, respectively, but which are consolidated in our financial statements.

During the nine months ended January 31, 2016, we incurred a loss of approximately $3.8 million due to impairment of one office property, two parcels of land and eight multifamily properties. We recognized impairments of approximately $440,000 on an office property in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; $1.3 million on a parcel of land in Grand Chute, Wisconsin; $1.9 million on eight multifamily properties in St. Cloud, Minnesota; and $162,000 on a parcel of land in River Falls,

Wisconsin. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value during the first, second and third quarters of fiscal year 2016 based on receipt of individual market offers to purchase and our intent to dispose of the properties or, in the case of the Grand Chute, Wisconsin, the sale listing price and our intent to dispose of the property. The impairment loss of the Eden Prairie, Minnesota property for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 is reported in discontinued operations. See Note 7 for additional information. 

HELD FOR SALE

We classify properties as held for sale when they meet the U.S. GAAP criteria, which include: (a) management commits to and initiates a plan to sell the asset (disposal group), (b) the sale is probable and expected to be completed within one year under terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets (disposal groups), and (c) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less disposal costs. Depreciation is not recorded on assets classified as held for sale. Liabilities classified as held for sale consist of liabilities to be included in the transaction and liabilities directly associated with assets that will be transferred in the transaction. Twenty-two healthcare properties, fourteen multifamily properties, one commercial property, and one parcel of land were classified as held for sale at January 31, 2017. Thirty-five healthcare properties, one multifamily property, one industrial property and three parcels of unimproved land were classified as held for sale at April 30, 2016.

COMPENSATING BALANCES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS; HOLDBACKS

We maintain compensating balances, not restricted as to withdrawal, with several financial institutions in connection with financing received from those institutions and/or to ensure future credit availability. At January 31, 2017, our compensating balances totaled $2.1 million and consisted of the following:

We have a number of mortgage loans under which the lender retains a portion of the loan proceeds or requires a deposit for the payment of construction costs or tenant improvements. The decrease of $1.7 million in lender holdbacks for improvements reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 is due primarily to the release of loan proceeds to us upon completion of construction and tenant improvement projects, while the increase of approximately $646,000 represents additional amounts retained by lenders for new projects.

IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND GOODWILL

Upon acquisition of real estate, we record the intangible assets and liabilities acquired (for example, if the leases in place for the real estate property acquired carry rents above the market rent, the difference is classified as an intangible asset) at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives based on the period over which the assets and liabilities are expected to affect, directly or indirectly, the future cash flows of the real estate property acquired (generally the life of the lease). There were no new intangible assets or new intangible liabilities added in the nine months ended January 31, 2017. In the nine months ended January 31, 2016, we added $1.3 million in new intangible assets and approximately $101,000 of new intangible liabilities. The weighted average lives of the intangible assets acquired in the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016 are 0 and .8 years, respectively. Amortization of intangibles related to above or below-market leases is recorded in real estate rentals in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amortization of other intangibles is recorded in depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances

indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.

Our identified intangible assets and intangible liabilities at January 31, 2017 and April 30, 2016 were as follows:

The amortization of acquired below-market leases and acquired above-market leases increased rental income by approximately $1,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2017 and reduced rental income by approximately $3,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2016, and approximately $8,000 and $14,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The estimated annual amortization of acquired below-market leases, net of acquired above-market leases, for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

Amortization of all other identified intangible assets (a component of depreciation and amortization expense) was approximately $106,000 and $533,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1.1 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The estimated annual amortization of all other identified intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

The excess of the cost of an acquired property over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Our goodwill has an indeterminate life and is not amortized, but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The book value of goodwill as of January 31, 2017 and April 30, 2016 was $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The annual review at April 30, 2016 indicated no impairment to goodwill and there was no indication of impairment at January 31, 2017.  During the nine months ended January 31, 2017, we disposed of two commercial properties to which goodwill had been assigned, and as a result, approximately $26,000 of goodwill was derecognized. Approximately $26,000 and $17,000 of goodwill is included in assets held for sale at January 31, 2017 and April 30, 2016, respectively. During the nine months ended January 31, 2016, we disposed of eight commercial properties to which goodwill had been assigned, and as a result, approximately $196,000 of goodwill was derecognized.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation.  On the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, we combined utilities, maintenance, insurance, property management expenses and other property expenses onto a single line called property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes. We also combined depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments and amortization related to non-real estate investments onto a single line called depreciation and amortization. Additionally on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, we reclassed acquisition and project costs from other expenses to acquisition and investment related costs. On the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, we moved additions to notes receivable from the cash flow from investing activities section to the cash flows from financing activities section, where it was originally reported in the second quarter of 2017.

We report, in discontinued operations, the results of operations and the related gains or losses of properties that have either been disposed of or classified as held for sale and for which the disposition represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. As the result of discontinued operations, retroactive reclassifications that change prior period numbers have been made. See Note 7 for additional information. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016, we classified as discontinued operations 34 senior housing properties, of which 8 were sold during the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, 5 were sold in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, and 21 remained held for sale at January 31, 2017.

PROCEEDS FROM FINANCING LIABILITY

During fiscal year 2014, we sold a non-core assisted living property in exchange for $7.9 million in cash and a $29.0 million contract for deed. The buyer leased the property back to us, and also granted us an option to repurchase the property at a specified price at or prior to July 31, 2018. We accounted for the transaction as a financing liability due to our continuing involvement with the property and recorded the $7.9 million in sales proceeds within other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The balance of the liability as of January 31, 2017 was $7.9 million.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

As discussed in the Recent Accounting Pronouncements section, effective May 1, 2016, we adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-02.  As a result, the Operating Partnership and each of our less than wholly-owned real estate partnerships have been deemed to have the characteristics of a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  However, we were not required to consolidate any previously unconsolidated entities or deconsolidate any previously consolidated entities as a result of the change in classification. Accordingly, there has been no change to the recognized amounts in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations or amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We determined that an additional six consolidated partnerships, including the Operating Partnership, are VIEs under the new standard because the limited partners are not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights. We are the VIEs primary beneficiary and the partnerships are required to be consolidated on our balance sheet because we have a controlling financial interest in the VIEs, and have both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. Because the Operating Partnership is a VIE, all of our assets and liabilities are held through a VIE.

NOTE 3 • EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. We have no outstanding options, warrants, convertible stock or other contractual obligations requiring issuance of additional shares that would result in dilution of earnings. Upon the exercise of Exchange Rights, and in our sole discretion, we may issue shares in exchange for Units on a one-for-one basis after a minimum holding period of one year. The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2017 and 2016: