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Common
Equity Repurchase Program
In 1999,
Gables announced a common equity repurchase program pursuant to
which it is authorized to purchase up to $100 million of its outstanding
common shares or Units. Gables has repurchased shares from time
to time in open market and privately negotiated transactions,
depending on market prices and other conditions, using proceeds
from sales of selected assets. Units have also been repurchased
for cash upon their presentation for redemption by unitholders.
As of December 31, 1999, Gables had repurchased 2,131 common shares
and 248 Units for a total of $55,935, of which $1,168 was accrued
for unsettled share repurchases at December 31, 1999.
Shelf
Registration Statement
Gables and
the Operating Partnership have an effective shelf registration
statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
providing $500 million of equity capacity and $300 million of
debt capacity. Gables believes it is prudent to maintain shelf
registration capacity in order to facilitate future capital raising
activities. To date, there have been no issuances under this shelf
registration statement.
Other
Financing Activity
Property
Sales
During 1999,
Gables sold three apartment communities located in Atlanta comprising
676 apartment homes, two apartment communities located in Memphis
comprising 490 apartment homes, one apartment community located
in Houston comprising 412 apartment homes, and an outparcel of
land from an existing development community located in Dallas.
The net proceeds from these sales totaled $96.7 million and were
used to pay down outstanding borrowings under interim financing
vehicles and purchase common shares and Units under Gables common
equity repurchase program.
Gables
Residential Apartment Portfolio Joint Venture
On March
26, 1999, Gables entered into a joint venture agreement with an
affiliate of J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (“J.P. Morgan”).
Gables economic ownership interest in the joint venture is currently
20%. The business purpose of the joint venture is to develop,
own and operate eight multifamily apartment communities, located
in four of Gables nine markets. On March 26, 1999, Gables contributed
its interest in seven of the development communities to the joint
venture in return for (1) cash of $60,347 and (2) an initial capital
account in the joint venture of $15,214. On December 2, 1999,
Gables contributed its interest in the eighth development community
to the joint venture in return for (1) cash of $4,774 and (2)
an increase in the initial capital account in the joint venture
of $1,233. As of the respective contribution dates, Gables (1)
had commenced construction of four of the communities, (2) owned
the land for the future development of three of the communities,
and (3) owned the acquisition right for the land for the future
development of one of the communities. The capital budget for
the development of the eight communities is $238 million and is
being funded with 50% equity and 50% debt. The equity component
is being funded 80% by J.P. Morgan and 20% by Gables. Gables
portion of the equity is being funded through contributions of
cash and property. As of December 31, 1999, Gables had funded
$22.2 million of its budgeted $23.8 million equity commitment
to the joint venture. Gables serves as the managing member of
the venture and has responsibility for all day-to-day operating
matters. Gables also serves as the property manager, developer
and general contractor for construction activities.
Results
of Operations
Comparison
of operating results for the year ended December 31, 1999 to the
year ended December 31, 1998
Gables
net income is generated primarily from the operation of its apartment
communities. For purposes of evaluating comparative operating
performance, Gables categorizes its operating communities based
on the period each community reaches stabilized occupancy. A community
is considered by Gables to have achieved stabilized occupancy
on the earlier to occur of (1) attainment of 93% physical occupancy
or (2) one year after completion of construction. The operating
performance for all of Gables apartment communities combined
for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 is summarized as
follows:
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