Item 1.
Business.
Overview
Forestar Group Inc. is committed to maximizing stockholder value. We own directly or through ventures over 365,000 acres of real estate located in ten states and 13 markets and about 622,000 net acres of oil and gas mineral interests. In 2008, we generated revenues of $160 million and net income of $12 million. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” and “Forestar” mean Forestar Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, information is presented as of December 31, 2008, and references to acreage owned includes all acres owned by ventures regardless of our ownership interest in a venture.
Prior to December 28, 2007, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temple-Inland Inc. (“Temple-Inland”). On December 28, 2007, Temple-Inland distributed all our issued and outstanding shares of common stock to its stockholders. In first quarter 2008, we changed our reportable segments to reflect our post-spin management of the operations transferred to us from Temple-Inland. All prior period segment information has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. In fourth quarter 2008, we changed our name from Forestar Real Estate Group Inc. to Forestar Group Inc.
We manage our operations through three business segments:
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Real estate,
•
Mineral resources, and
•
Fiber resources.
A summary of business segment assets, including assets owned through ventures, follows:
Our real estate segment provided 62 percent of our 2008 consolidated revenues. We secure entitlements and develop infrastructure, primarily for single-family residential and mixed-use communities. We own about 300,000 acres in a broad area around Atlanta, Georgia, with the balance located primarily in Texas. We invest in projects principally in our strategic growth corridors, regions across the southern half of the United States that
possess key demographic and growth characteristics that we believe make them attractive for long-term real estate investment.
We have 25 real estate projects representing almost 34,000 acres in the entitlement process, principally in Georgia. We also have 78 entitled, developed or under development projects in eight states and 12 markets encompassing over 16,000 remaining acres, comprised of almost 30,000 residential lots and over 2,200 commercial acres, principally in the major markets of Texas. We own and manage projects both directly and through ventures. By using ventures, we achieve various business objectives including more efficient capital deployment, risk management, and leveraging a partner’s local market contacts and expertise.
Our mineral resources segment provided 30 percent of our 2008 consolidated revenues. We promote the exploitation, exploration, and development of oil and gas on our 622,000 net mineral acres. The four principal areas of operation are Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia. The majority of our revenues are from lease bonus payments and oil and gas royalties from over 300 producing wells. Historically, these operations require low capital investment and are low risk. In 2009, we anticipate increasing our participation in production, including non-operating working interests in development and production of oil and gas wells on or near our mineral interests.
Our fiber resources segment provided 8 percent of our 2008 consolidated revenues. We sell wood fiber from our land, primarily in Georgia, and lease land for recreational uses. We have over 340,000 acres of timber on our land, and about 18,000 acres of timber under lease.
Our real estate origins date back to the 1955 incorporation of Lumbermen’s Investment Corporation, which in 2006 changed its name to Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group Inc. We have a decades-long legacy of residential and commercial real estate development operations, primarily in Texas. Our mineral resources origins date back to the mid-1940s when we started leasing our oil and gas mineral interests to third-party exploration and production companies. In 2006, Temple-Inland began reporting Forestar Real Estate Group as a separate business segment. On December 28, 2007, Temple-Inland distributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock to the holders of record of Temple-Inland common stock as of the close of business on December 14, 2007, which we will refer to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as the “spin-off” or the “separation.” Each Temple-Inland stockholder received one share of our common stock for every three shares of Temple-Inland common stock held. (Also on December 28, 2007, Temple-Inland distributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of Guaranty Financial Group Inc. (“Guaranty”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temple-Inland that operated Temple-Inland’s financial services business.)
Leveraging years of real estate, oil and gas, and fiber experience, we believe our management team brings extensive knowledge and expertise to position us to maximize long-term value for our stockholders.
Strategy
Our strategy is to maximize and grow long-term stockholder value through:
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entitlement and development of real estate;
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realization of value from mineral and fiber resources; and
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growth through strategic and disciplined investment in our business.
We are focused on maximizing real estate values through the entitlement and development of well-located residential and mixed-use communities. We secure entitlements by delivering thoughtful plans and balanced solutions that meet the needs of the communities where we operate. Moving land through the entitlement and development process creates significant real estate value. Residential development activities target lot sales to national and regional home builders who build quality products and have strong and effective marketing and sales programs. The lots we deliver in the majority of our communities are for mid-priced homes, predominantly in the first and second move-up categories. We also actively market and sell undeveloped land. Commercial tracts are either sold to or ventured with commercial developers that specialize in the construction and operation of income-producing properties.
We maximize value from our oil and gas mineral interests by increasing the acreage leased, lease rates, royalty interests and additional participation in production in the form of non-operating working interests. In addition, we realize value from our undeveloped land by selling fiber and by managing it for future real estate
development and conservation uses. We also generate cash flow and create additional value through recreational leases.
We are committed to disciplined growth of our business. In 2008, we did not acquire additional real estate projects.
Our real estate, mineral and fiber assets in combination with our strategy, management expertise, stewardship and reinvestment in our business, position Forestar to maximize and grow long-term value for stockholders.
Strategic Initiatives
On February 11, 2009, we announced the following strategic initiatives to enhance stockholder value:
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Generate significant cash flow, principally from the sale of approximately 175,000 acres of higher and better use (HBU) timberland;
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Reduce debt by approximately $150 million; and
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Repurchase up to 20% of our common stock.
The debt reduction and share repurchases will be funded by proceeds from the asset sales.
Value Creation Highlights
Activities during 2008 include:
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Leasing over 61,500 net mineral acres to oil and gas companies for exploration and production activities;
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Recruiting a new minerals team to maximize value of Forestar’s 622,000 net mineral acres through leasing, royalties and additional participation in production revenues;
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Actively pursuing entitlement on an additional 7,300 acres;
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Entitling five projects which include over 2,500 acres, representing over 1,050 residential lots and 580 commercial acres; and
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Investing $34.9 million in our Cibolo Canyons mixed-use development in San Antonio, Texas, which includes the 1,002 room JW Marriott®
hotel and golf resort expected to open in early 2010. When the hotel opens, Forestar will have the right to receive 9% of hotel occupancy revenues and 1.5% of sales generated within the resort through 2034.
Real Estate
In our real estate segment, we conduct a wide array of project planning and management activities related to the acquisition, entitlement, development and sale of real estate, primarily residential and mixed-use communities. We own and manage our projects either directly or through ventures, which we use to achieve a variety of business objectives, including more effective capital deployment, risk management, and leveraging a partner’s local market contacts and expertise.
We have real estate in ten states and 13 markets encompassing over 365,000 acres, including about 300,000 acres located in a broad area around Atlanta, Georgia, with the balance located primarily in Texas. Our development projects are principally located in the major markets of Texas.
Our strategy for creating value in our real estate segment is to move acres up the value chain by moving land located in growth corridors but not yet entitled, through the entitlement process, and into development. The chart below depicts our real estate value chain, including real estate owned through ventures.
We have nearly 315,000 undeveloped acres located in the path of population growth. As markets grow and mature, we intend to secure the necessary entitlements, the timing for which varies depending upon the size, location, use and complexity of a project. We have almost 34,000 acres in the entitlement process, which includes obtaining zoning, other governmental approvals, and access to utilities. We have over 16,000 acres entitled, developed and under development, comprised of almost 30,000 residential lots and over 2,200 commercial acres. We use return criteria, which include return on cost, internal rate of return, and cash multiple, when determining whether to invest initially or make additional investment in a project. When investment in development meets our return criteria, we will initiate the development process with subsequent sale of lots to homebuilders or, for commercial parcels, sale to or venture with commercial developers. We sell land at any point within the value chain when additional time required for entitlement or investment in development will not meet our return criteria. In 2008, we sold over 6,000 acres of undeveloped land at an average price of about $4,800 per acre.
For information about our plan to sell approximately 175,000 acres of our undeveloped land, see “Business - Strategic Initiatives.”
A summary of our real estate projects in the entitlement process(a) at
year-end 2008 follows:
(a)
A project is deemed to be in the entitlement process when customary steps necessary for the preparation and submittal of an application, like conducting pre-application meetings or similar discussions with governmental officials, have commenced, or an application has been filed. Projects listed may have significant steps remaining, and there is no assurance that entitlements ultimately will be received.
(b)
Project acres, which are the total for the project regardless of our ownership interest, are approximate. The actual number of acres entitled may vary.
(c)
We own a 50 percent interest in these projects.
Products
The majority of our projects are single-family residential and mixed-use communities. In some cases, commercial land uses within a project enhance the desirability of the community by providing convenient locations for resident support services. We sometimes undertake projects consisting exclusively of commercial tracts and, on occasion, we invest in a venture to develop a single commercial project.
We develop lots for single-family homes and commercial tracts that are substantially ready for construction of buildings for retail, multifamily, office, industrial or other commercial uses. We sell residential lots
primarily to national and regional homebuilders and, to a lesser extent, local homebuilders. We have 78 entitled, developed or under development projects in eight states and 12 markets, principally in major markets of Texas, encompassing over 16,000 remaining acres, comprised of almost 30,000 residential lots and over 2,200 commercial acres. We focus our lot sales on the first and second move-up primary housing categories. First and second move-up segments are homes priced above entry-level products yet below the high-end and custom home segments. We anticipate decreased development activity in 2009. We also actively market and sell undeveloped land.
Commercial tracts are either sold to or ventured with commercial developers that specialize in the construction and operation of income-producing properties, such as apartments, retail centers, or office buildings. We sell land designated for commercial uses to national retailers and to regional and local commercial developers. We have over 2,200 acres of entitled land designated for commercial use.
One of our current significant mixed-use projects is Cibolo Canyons in the San Antonio market area. Cibolo Canyons is a 2,800 acre mixed-use development planned to include 1,749 residential lots of which 537 have been sold as of year-end 2008 at an average price of $61,000 per lot. The residential component will include not only traditional single-family homes but also an active adult section and condominiums. Our commercial component is planned to include 145 acres designated for multifamily and retail uses, of which 64 acres have been sold as of year-end 2008. Currently under construction at Cibolo Canyons is the JW Marriott®
San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, planned to include a 1,002 room destination resort and two TPC golf courses designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman. We have the right to receive 9% of hotel occupancy revenues and 1.5% of sales generated within the resort through 2034 and to reimbursement of certain infrastructure costs.
A summary of activity within our projects in the development process, which includes entitled(a),
developed and under development real estate projects, at year-end 2008 follows:
(a)
A project is deemed entitled when all major discretionary governmental land-use approvals have been received. Some projects may require additional permits and/or non-governmental authorizations for development.
(b)
Interest owned reflects our net equity interest in the project, whether owned directly or indirectly. There are some projects that have multiple ownership structures within them. Accordingly, portions of these projects may appear as owned, consolidated, and/or accounted for on the equity method.
(c)
Lots are for the total project, regardless of our ownership interest.
(d)
Commercial acres are for the total project, regardless of our ownership interest, and are net developable acres, which may be fewer than the gross acres available in the project.
(e)
The Lantana project consists of a series of 21 partnerships in which our voting interests range from 25 percent to 55 percent. We account for eight of these partnerships using the equity method and we consolidate the remaining partnerships.
A summary of our commercial operating properties and commercial and condominium projects at December 31, 2008 follows:
(a)
Interest owned reflects our net equity interest in the project, whether owned directly or indirectly.
Our strategy includes not only entitlement and development on our own lands but also growth through strategic and disciplined investment in acquisitions that meet our investment criteria. We did not acquire any new projects in 2008. We continually monitor the markets in our strategic growth corridors for opportunities to purchase developed lots and land at prices that meet our return criteria.
Markets
We target investments primarily in markets within our strategic growth corridors, which we define as areas possessing favorable growth characteristics for population, employment and household formation. These markets are generally located across the southern half of the U.S., and we believe they represent attractive long-term real estate investment opportunities. Demand for residential lots, single-family housing, and commercial land is substantially influenced by the aforementioned growth characteristics, as well as by immigration and in-migration. Currently, most of our development projects are located within the major metropolitan areas of Texas.
Our ten strategic growth corridors encompass 165,000 square miles, or approximately 5% of the total land area in the U.S. According to 2005 census data, 85 million people, 29% of the U.S. total, reside in these corridors. The population density in these growth corridors is almost seven times the national average and is projected to grow at nine times the national average between 2000 and 2030. During that time, the corridors are projected to garner approximately 43% of the nation’s population growth and 38% of total employment growth. Estimated housing demand from these ten growth corridors from 2000 to 2030 exceeds 23 million new homes.
Forestar Strategic Growth Corridors
Competition
We face competition for the acquisition, entitlement, development and sale of real estate in our markets. Our major competitors include other landowners who market and sell undeveloped land and numerous national, regional and local developers. In addition, our projects compete with other development projects offering similar amenities, products and/or locations. Competition also exists for investment opportunities, financing, available land, raw materials and labor, with entities that may possess greater financial, marketing and other resources than us. The presence of competition may increase the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell. These competitive market pressures sometimes make it difficult to acquire, entitle, develop or sell land at prices that meet our return criteria. Some of our real estate competitors are well established and financially strong, may have greater financial resources than we do, or may be larger than us and/or have lower cost of capital and operating costs than we have and expect to have.
The land acquisition and development business is highly fragmented, and we are unaware of any meaningful concentration of market share by any one competitor. Enterprises of varying sizes, from individuals or small companies to large corporations, actively engage in the real estate development business. Many competitors are local, privately-owned companies. We have a few regional competitors and virtually no national competitors other than national homebuilders that, depending on business cycles and/or market conditions, may enter or exit the real estate development business in some locations to develop lots on which they construct and sell homes. There are very few national homebuilders currently developing lots. During periods when access to capital is restricted, participants with weaker financial conditions tend to be less active. We believe the current environment is one where participants with stronger financial conditions will have a competitive advantage, and where fewer participants will be active.
Mineral Resources
We lease our oil and gas mineral interests to third parties for the exploration and production of oil and gas, principally in Texas and Louisiana. When we lease our mineral interests, we retain a royalty interest and may take an additional participation in production, including a non-operating working interest. Non-operating working interests refer to well interests in which we pay a share of the costs to drill, complete and operate a well and receive a proportionate share of the production revenues.
Our royalty revenues are contractually defined and based on a percentage of production and are received in cash. Our royalty revenues fluctuate based on changes in the market prices for oil and gas and other factors affecting the third party oil and gas exploration and production entities including the cost of development and production.
Products
We own oil and gas mineral interests on approximately 622,000 net acres in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia. Our minerals revenue is primarily from lease bonus payments, delay rentals, oil and gas royalty interests, non-operating working interests and other related activities. We engage in leasing certain portions of these oil and gas mineral interests to third parties for the exploration and production of oil and gas, and we are increasingly leveraging our mineral interests to participate in wells drilled on or near our mineral acreage. We do not estimate or maintain oil or gas reserve information related to our mineral interests.
Our strategy for maximizing value from our oil and gas mineral interests is to move acres up the minerals value chain by increasing the net acreage leased, the lease bonus amount per acre, and the size of retained royalty interests. Additionally, we participate in non-operating working interests in the drilling, completion, and/or production of oil and natural gas on or nearby our mineral interests. The chart below depicts our minerals value chain.
Of our 622,000 net acres of oil and gas mineral interests, about 476,000 net acres are available for lease. Included in mineral acreage available for lease is about 11,200 net acres subject to a geophysical option. The option gives the holder the right to lease these acres upon satisfaction of certain conditions. We have about 121,000 net acres leased for exploration activities, and about 25,000 net acres held by production from over 300 oil and gas wells that are owned and operated by others.
The principal areas in which we operate are as follows:
East Texas Basin
We have about 243,000 net mineral acres in East Texas and about 121,000 net mineral acres in Northern Louisiana located within the East Texas Basin. This basin contains numerous oil and gas producing formations consisting of conventional, unconventional, and tight sand reservoirs. Of these reservoirs, we have mineral interests in and around production trends in the Wilcox, Frio, James Lime, Pettet, Travis Peak, Cotton Valley, Austin Chalk, Haynesville Shale, and Bossier formations.
Fort Worth Basin
We have about 1,000 net mineral acres in the Fort Worth Basin. This basin contains numerous oil and gas producing formations consisting of conventional, unconventional, and tight sand reservoirs. Of these reservoirs, we have mineral interests in and around the Barnett Shale.
Alabama & Georgia
We have about 57,000 net mineral acres in Alabama and 200,000 net mineral acres in Georgia. These areas have historically had very little oil and gas exploration activity. However, there has been recent activity in the Floyd and Conesuega Shales in and around our mineral interests and we currently have about 9,000 acres under lease in Northeastern Alabama.
A summary of our oil and gas mineral interests(a)
at year-end 2008 follows:
(a)
Includes ventures.
(b)
Includes leases in primary lease term only.
(c)
Acres being held by production are producing oil or gas in paying quantities.
(d)
Texas and Louisiana net acres are calculated as the gross number of surface acres multiplied by our percentage ownership of the mineral interest. Alabama and Georgia net acres are calculated as the gross number of surface acres multiplied by our estimated percentage ownership of the mineral interest based on county sampling.
Leasing mineral acres for exploration and production creates significant value because we retain a royalty interest in all revenues generated by the lessee from oil and gas production. The significant terms of these arrangements include granting the exploration company the rights to any oil or gas it may find and requiring that drilling be commenced within a specified period. In return we receive an initial payment (bonus), subsequent payments if drilling has not started within the specified period (delay rentals), and a percentage interest in the value of any oil or gas produced (royalties). If no oil or gas is produced during the required period, all rights are returned to us. Capital requirements are minimal and primarily consist of acquisition costs allocated to mineral interests and administrative costs.
Most agreements are for a three-year term although a portion or all of an agreement may be extended by the lessee if actual production is occurring. Financial terms vary based on a number of market factors including the location of the mineral interest, the number of acres subject to the agreement, our mineral interest, and proximity to transportation facilities such as pipelines, depth of formations to be drilled and risk. From our retained royalty interests, we received an average net price in 2008, 2007 and 2006 per barrel of oil of $106.66, $65.24 and $64.14, respectively, and per thousand cubic feet of gas of $8.76, $6.69 and $7.95, respectively.
We also have water interest in about 1.7 million acres, principally consisting of a 45 percent nonparticipating royalty interest in groundwater produced or withdrawn for commercial purposes or sold from approximately 1.38 million acres in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama. We have not received any income from this interest.
Markets
Oil and gas revenues are influenced by the prices of these commodities as determined by both regional and global markets. Mineral leasing activity is influenced by the location of our mineral interests relative to existing or projected oil and gas reserves and by the proximity of successful extractive efforts to our mineral interests.
Competition
In locations where our mineral interests are close to producing wells and proven reserves, other parties will compete to lease our mineral interests. Conversely, where our mineral interests are close to areas where reserves have not been discovered we may receive nominal interest in leasing our minerals. When oil and gas prices are higher, we are likely to receive greater interest in leasing our minerals close to these areas because the economics for exploration companies will support more exploration activities. Portions of our Texas and Louisiana minerals are close to producing wells and proven reserves.
We have little competition from others in our production participation activities and resulting non-operating working interests. These wells historically have been drilled on or near our owned mineral interests, which allow us to achieve favorable terms from the oil and gas operators. Risk and the increasing need of capital to support drilling, completion and production activities may impact our ability to participate in non-operating working interests.
Fiber Resources
We sell wood fiber from our land, primarily in Georgia, and lease land for hunting and other recreational uses.
Products
We have about 340,000 acres of timber on our undeveloped land, and about 18,000 acres of timber under lease. In 2008, we sold at market prices, primarily to Temple-Inland, about 1,080,000 tons of timber from our lands. We manage our timberland in accordance with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®
program of Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. Over 296,000 acres of our land, primarily in Georgia, are leased for recreational purposes. Most recreational leases are for a three-year term but may be terminated by us on 30 days’ notice to the lessee.
For information about our plan to sell approximately 175,000 acres of our undeveloped land, see “Business - Strategic Initiatives.”
Markets
Our principal timber products include pulpwood and sawtimber. We have an agreement to sell wood fiber to Temple-Inland at market prices, primarily for use at Temple-Inland’s Rome, Georgia mill complex. The agreement expires in 2013 although the purchase and sale commitments are established annually based on Forestar’s annual harvest plan. Base prices are determined by independent sources and are indexed to third party indexing sources. Payment for timber is advanced to us by Temple-Inland on a quarterly basis. It is likely that Temple-Inland will continue to be our largest wood fiber customer. We also sell wood fiber to other parties at market prices.
Competition
We face significant competition from other landowners for the sale of our wood fiber. Some of these competitors own similar timber assets that are located in the same or nearby markets. However, due to its weight, the cost for transporting wood fiber long distances is significant, resulting in a competitive advantage for timber that is located reasonably close to paper and building products manufacturing facilities. A
significant portion of our wood fiber is reasonably close to such facilities, so we expect continued demand for our wood fiber.
Employees
We have 93 employees. None of our employees participate in collective bargaining arrangements. We believe we have a good relationship with our employees.
Environmental Regulations
Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances relating to protection of public health and the environment. These laws may impose liability on property owners or operators for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on real property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew, or was responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. The presence of, or the failure to properly remediate, such substances may adversely affect the value of a property, as well as our ability to sell the property or to borrow funds using that property as collateral or the ability to produce oil and gas from that property. Environmental claims generally would not be covered by our insurance programs.
The particular environmental laws that apply to any given development site vary according to the site’s location, its environmental condition, and the present and former uses of the site and adjoining properties. Environmental laws and conditions may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance or other costs and can prohibit or severely restrict development activity or mineral production in environmentally sensitive regions or areas, which could negatively affect our results of operations.
We own approximately 288 acres in several parcels in or near Antioch, California, portions of which were sites of a Temple-Inland paper manufacturing operation that are in remediation. The remediation is being conducted voluntarily with oversight by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, or DTSC. The DTSC issued Certificates of Completion for approximately 180 acres in 2006. We estimate the cost to complete remediation activities will be about $3.9 million.
Legal Structure
Forestar Group Inc. is a Delaware corporation. The following chart presents the ownership structure for our significant subsidiaries and ventures. It does not contain all our subsidiaries and ventures, some of which are immaterial entities. Except as indicated, all subsidiaries shown are 100 percent owned by their immediate parent.
Our principal executive offices are located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building Two, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78746-5149. Our telephone number is (512) 433-5200.
Available Information
From our Internet website, http://www.forestargroup.com, you may obtain additional information about us including:
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our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, including amendments to these reports, and other documents as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or “SEC”);
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beneficial ownership reports filed by officers, directors, and principal security holders under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the “Exchange Act”); and
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corporate governance information that includes our
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corporate governance guidelines,
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audit committee charter,
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management development and executive compensation committee charter,
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nominating and governance committee charter,
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standards of business conduct and ethics,
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code of ethics for senior financial officers, and
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information on how to communicate directly with our board of directors.
We will also provide printed copies of any of these documents to any stockholder free of charge upon request. In addition, the materials we file with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that is filed electronically with the SEC.
Financial Information
Our results of operation, including information regarding our principal business segments, are shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto attached as pages through to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Executive Officers
The names, ages and titles of our executive officers are:
James M. DeCosmo has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since 2006. He served as Group Vice President of Temple-Inland from 2005 to 2007, as Vice President, Forest from 2000 to 2005 and as Director of Forest Management from 1999 to 2000. Prior to 1999, he held land management positions with several companies throughout the southeastern United States.
Christopher L. Nines has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2007. He served as Temple-Inland’s Director of Investor Relations from 2003 to 2007, and as Corporate Finance Director from 2001 to 2003. He was Senior Vice President of Finance for ConnectSouth Communications, Inc. from 2000 to 2001.
Craig A. Knight has served as our Chief Investment Officer since 2006. From 1994 to 2006, he served as President of Lumbermen’s Investment Corporation, which changed its name in 2006 to Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group Inc. Mr. Knight was a principal in the real estate development firm of Heath and Knight Properties from 1991 to 1994, and was a partner with Centre Development from 1978 to 1994.
Charles T. Etheredge, Jr. has served as our Executive Vice President since 2006. He was a member of Guaranty Bank’s commercial real estate lending segment from 1992 to 2006, where he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director for the Eastern Region from 1999 to 2006, and as Vice President and Division Manager from 1997 to 1999.
Flavious J. Smith, Jr. has served as our Executive Vice President since August 2008. He served as Division Land Manger for EOG Resources, Inc. from 2005 to August 2008. He owned Flavious Smith Petroleum Properties, an independent oil and gas operator, from 1995 to 2005, and previously held various leadership positions with several oil and gas and energy-related companies.
David M. Grimm has served as our Chief Administrative Officer since 2007, in addition to holding the offices of General Counsel and Secretary since 2006. Mr. Grimm served Temple-Inland as Group General Counsel from 2005 to 2006, Associate General Counsel from 2003 to 2005, and held various other legal positions from 1992 to 2003. Prior to joining Temple-Inland, Mr. Grimm was an attorney in private practice in Dallas, Texas.
Charles D. Jehl has served as our Chief Accounting Officer since 2006. He served as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Guaranty Insurance Services, Inc. from 2005 to 2006, and as Senior Vice President and Controller from 2000 to 2005. From 1989 to 1999, Mr. Jehl held various financial management positions within Temple-Inland’s financial services segment.
Item 1A.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
A decrease in demand for new housing in the markets where we operate could decrease our profitability.
The residential development industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, such as employment levels, availability of financing for home buyers, interest rates, consumer confidence and housing demand. Adverse changes in these conditions generally, or in the markets where we operate, could decrease demand for lots for new homes in these areas. The current market conditions include a general over-supply of housing, decreased sales volumes for both new and existing homes, and flat to declining home prices. There also has been significant tightening of mortgage credit standards, decreasing the availability of mortgage loans to acquire new and existing homes. A further decline in housing demand could negatively affect our real estate development activities, which could result in a decrease in our revenues and earnings.
Furthermore, the market value of undeveloped land and lots held by us can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing economic and real estate market conditions. If there are significant adverse changes in economic or real estate market conditions, we may have to hold land in inventory longer than planned. Inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses or lower returns.
Both our real estate and mineral resources businesses are cyclical in nature.
The operating results of our business segments reflect the general cyclical pattern of each segment. While the cycles of each industry do not necessarily coincide, demand and prices in each may drop substantially in an economic downturn. Real estate development of residential lots is further influenced by new home construction activity. Mineral resources may be further influenced by national and international commodity prices, principally for oil and gas. Cyclical downturns may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Development of real estate entails a lengthy, uncertain, and costly entitlement process.
Approval to develop real property entails an extensive entitlement process involving multiple and overlapping regulatory jurisdictions and often requiring discretionary action by local governments. This process is often political, uncertain and may require significant exactions in order to secure approvals. Real estate projects must generally comply with local land development regulations and may need to comply with state and federal regulations. The process to comply with these regulations is usually lengthy and costly, may not result in the approvals we seek, and can be expected to materially affect our real estate development activities.
The real estate and mineral resource industries are highly competitive and a number of entities with which we compete are larger and have greater resources, and competitive conditions may adversely affect our results of operations.
The real estate and mineral resource industries in which we operate are highly competitive and are affected to varying degrees by supply and demand factors and economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, new housing starts, home repair and remodeling activities, credit availability, housing affordability and federal energy policies. No single company is dominant in any of our industries.
We compete with numerous regional and local developers for the acquisition, entitlement, and development of land suitable for development. We also compete with some of our national and regional home builder customers who develop real estate for their own use in homebuilding operations, many of which are larger and have greater resources, including greater marketing and technology budgets. Any improvement in the cost structure or service of our competitors will increase the competition we face.
The competitive conditions in the real estate industry result in:
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difficulties in acquiring suitable land at acceptable prices;
•
lower sales volumes;
•
lower sale prices;
•
increased development costs; and
•
delays in construction.
Our business and results of operations are negatively affected by the existence of these conditions.
Our activities are subject to environmental regulations and liabilities that could have a negative effect on our operating results.
Our operations are subject to federal, state, and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment and otherwise related to the protection of the environment. Compliance with these provisions may result in delays, may cause us to invest substantial funds to ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations and can prohibit or severely restrict real estate development or mineral production activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas.
Our real estate development operations are currently concentrated in the major markets of Texas, and a significant portion of our undeveloped land holdings are concentrated in Georgia. As a result, our financial results are dependent on the economic growth and strength of those areas.
The economic growth and strength of Texas, where the majority of our real estate development activity is located, are important factors in sustaining demand for our real estate development activities. As a result, any adverse change to the economic growth and health of those areas could materially adversely affect our financial results. The future economic growth in certain portions of Georgia in particular may be adversely affected if its infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, and schools, are not improved to meet increased demand. There can be no assurance that these improvements will occur.
If we are unable to retain or attract experienced management personnel, our business may be adversely affected.
Our future success depends on our ability to retain and attract experienced management personnel. The market for these employees is highly competitive. If we cannot continue to retain and attract quality personnel, our ability to effectively operate our business may be significantly limited.
Our real estate development operations are increasingly dependent upon national, regional, and local homebuilders, as well as other strategic partners, who may have interests that differ from ours and may take actions that adversely affect us.
We are highly dependent upon our relationships with national, regional, and local homebuilders to purchase lots in our residential developments. If homebuilders do not view our developments as desirable locations for homebuilding operations, our business will be adversely affected. Also, a national homebuilder could decide to delay purchases of lots in one of our developments due to adverse real estate conditions wholly unrelated to our areas of operations.
We are also involved in strategic alliances or venture relationships as part of our overall strategy for particular developments or regions. These venture partners may bring development experience, industry expertise, financing capabilities, and local credibility or other competitive attributes. Strategic partners, however, may have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours or that are influenced by factors unrelated to our business. We may also be subject to adverse business consequences if the market reputation of a strategic partner deteriorates.
A formal agreement with a venture partner may also involve special risks such as:
•
we may not have voting control over the venture;
•
the venture partner may take actions contrary to our instructions or requests, or contrary to our policies or objectives with respect to the real estate investments;
•
the venture partner could experience financial difficulties; and
•
actions by a venture partner may subject property owned by the venture to liabilities greater than those contemplated by the venture agreement or have other adverse consequences.
Our customers may be unwilling or unable to meet lot takedown commitments due to liquidity limitations or slowing market conditions.
We enter into contracts to sell lots to builders. Home mortgage credit standards have tightened substantially and many markets have excess housing inventory so fewer new houses are being constructed and sold. Some builders are experiencing liquidity shortfalls and may be unwilling or unable to close on previously committed lot purchases. As a result, we may sell fewer lots and may have lower sales revenues, which could have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
Significant reductions in cash flow from slowing real estate, mineral resources or fiber resources market conditions could lead to higher levels of indebtedness, limiting our financial and operating flexibility.
Under our senior credit facility, we have a $175 million term loan and a revolving line of credit with a borrowing limit of $290 million. We had drawn $175 million of the term loan and $59.9 million of the revolving line of credit at year-end 2008. Amounts due under our senior credit facility are secured by certain of our assets. For a further description of our senior credit facility, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Capital Resources and Liquidity - Senior Credit Facility.”
We must comply with various covenants contained in our senior credit facility, and any other future debt arrangements. Significant reductions in cash flow from slowing real estate, mineral resources or fiber resources market conditions could lead to higher levels of indebtedness, limiting our financial and operating flexibility, and ultimately limiting our ability to comply with our debt covenants. If we fail to comply with the terms of any of our debt covenants, our lenders will have the right to accelerate the maturity of that debt and foreclose upon the collateral securing that debt. Realization of any of these factors could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Debt within some of our ventures may not be renewed or may be difficult or more expensive to replace.
Some of our ventures have debt, most of which is non-recourse to us. Many lenders have substantially curtailed or ceased making real estate acquisition and development loans. When debt within our ventures matures, some of our ventures may be unable to renew existing loans or secure replacement financing, or replacement financing may be more expensive. If our ventures are unable to renew existing loans or secure replacement financing, we may be required to contribute additional equity to our ventures which could increase our risk or increase our borrowings under our senior credit facility, or both. If our ventures secure replacement financing that is more expensive, our profits may be reduced.
Our lenders may be unable or unwilling to fund their commitments under our senior credit facility.
Our senior credit facility includes a revolving line of credit under which we regularly draw funds as required for routine operating liquidity. Many U.S. financial institutions are having difficulty maintaining regulatory capital at levels required for additional lending, and some institutions are experiencing liquidity shortfalls. If some of the lenders participating in our senior credit facility fail to meet their funding commitments, we could be required to borrow from other sources at a higher cost or we may be required to monetize some of our assets to meet our liquidity requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
The current turmoil in the credit markets could limit demand for our products, and affect the overall availability and cost of credit.
At this time, it is unclear whether and to what extent actions recently taken by the U.S. government, including passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will mitigate the effects of the current turmoil in the credit markets and in the economy generally. Demand for our products could be limited by the reduction in availability or increased cost of credit. While we have no immediate need to access the credit markets, the impact of the current turmoil on our ability to obtain financing in the future, and the cost and terms of financing, is unclear. No assurances can be given that the effects of the current credit markets turmoil will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Delays or failures by third parties to take expected actions could reduce our returns or cause us to incur losses on certain real estate development projects.
We rely on governmental utility and special improvement districts to issue bonds as a revenue source for the districts to reimburse us for qualified expenses, such as road and utility infrastructure costs. Bonds must be supported by districts tax revenues, usually from ad valorem taxes. Slowing new home sales, decreasing real estate prices or difficult credit markets for bond sales can reduce or delay district bond sale revenues, causing such districts to delay reimbursement of our qualified expenses. Failure to receive timely reimbursement for qualified expenses could reduce our returns or cause us to incur losses on certain real estate development projects.
Also, to satisfy certain conditions to receive revenues funded by hotel occupancy, sales and ad valorem taxes under various agreements associated with our Cibolo Canyons project, the JW Marriott®
resort hotel must be open and operating on July 1, 2011. Failure to satisfy the hotel opening condition could be caused by a number of factors outside of our control, such as failure of the hotel owner or parties under contract with the hotel owner to obtain sufficient equity investment or debt for the resort project or to meet contractual obligations related to hotel financing or construction. Although the hotel is currently on schedule to open well in advance of the required date, failure by the hotel’s owner to complete and open the hotel on a timely basis could cause us to lose significant revenues that are currently anticipated for the project, resulting in a reduction of our returns or causing us to incur losses related to our investment.
We cannot control activities on oil or gas properties we do not operate.
We do not operate any of the properties in which we have oil or gas mineral interests and have very limited ability to exercise influence over operations for these properties or their associated costs. The success and timing of drilling, development and exploitation activities on properties operated by others depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control, including the operator’s expertise and financial resources, approval of other participants for drilling wells and utilization of technology.
Volatile oil and gas prices could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.
Our cash flows and results of operations are dependent in part on oil and gas prices, which are volatile. Any substantial or extended decline in the price of oil and gas below current levels could have a negative impact on our business operations and future revenues. Moreover, oil and gas prices depend on factors we cannot control, such as: actions by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; weather; political conditions in other oil-producing countries, including the possibility of insurgency or war in such areas; prices of foreign exports; availability of alternate fuel sources; the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other major currencies; and governmental regulations.
We have only a limited operating history as an independent, publicly-traded company upon which you can evaluate our performance, and accordingly, our prospects must be considered in light of the risks that any newly independent company encounters.
We have only a limited experience operating as an independent, publicly-traded company. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties encountered by companies in the early stages of independent business operations, particularly companies such as ours in highly competitive markets.
Our historical financial information prior to 2008 is not necessarily indicative of our results as a separate company and, therefore, may not be reliable as an indicator of our future financial results.
Our historical financial information prior to 2008 has been created using our historical results of operations and historical bases of assets and liabilities as part of Temple-Inland. This historical financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been if we had been a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
It also is not necessarily indicative of what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows will be in the future and does not reflect many significant changes that have occurred in our capital structure, funding, and operations as a result of the spin-off. While our historical results of operations prior to 2008 include all costs of Temple-Inland’s real estate development and minerals operations, our historical costs and
expenses prior to 2008 do not include all of the costs that would have been or will be incurred by us as an independent, publicly-traded company.
If the spin-off is determined to be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities.
Temple-Inland has received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, that the spin-off qualifies for tax-free treatment under applicable sections of the Code. In addition, Temple-Inland has received an opinion from tax counsel that the spin-off so qualifies. The IRS ruling and the opinion rely on certain representations, assumptions, and undertakings, including those relating to the past and future conduct of our business, and neither the IRS ruling nor the opinion would be valid if such representations, assumptions, and undertakings were incorrect. Notwithstanding the IRS private letter ruling and opinion, the IRS could determine that the spin-off should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions, or undertakings that were included in the request for the private letter ruling are false or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion that are not covered by the IRS ruling. If the spin-off fails to qualify for tax-free treatment, under the tax matters agreement between Temple-Inland and us, we would generally be required to indemnify Temple-Inland against any tax resulting from the distribution to the extent that such tax resulted from (1) an issuance of our equity securities, a redemption of our equity securities, or our involvement in other acquisitions of our equity securities, (2) other actions or failures to act by us, or (3) any of our representations or undertakings being incorrect or violated. If we are required to indemnify Temple-Inland or such other persons under the circumstances set forth in the tax matters agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.
We must abide by certain restrictions to preserve the tax-free treatment of the spin-off and may not be able to engage in desirable acquisitions and other strategic transactions following the spin-off.
To preserve the tax-free treatment of the spin-off to Temple-Inland, under the tax matters agreement that we entered into with Temple-Inland and Guaranty, for the two-year period following the distribution, we may be prohibited, except in specified circumstances, from:
•
issuing equity securities to satisfy financing needs,
•
acquiring businesses or assets with equity securities, or
•
engaging in mergers or asset transfers that could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution.
These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue strategic transactions or engage in new business or other transactions that may maximize the value of our business.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, the spin-off, or the trading price of our common stock.
The risks and uncertainties we face are not limited to those set forth in the risk factors described above. Although we believe that the risks identified above are our material risks in each of these categories, our assessment is based on the information currently known to us. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to us or that we do not currently believe to be material, if they occur, also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, the spin-off, or the trading price of our common stock.
Item 1B.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2.
Item 2.
Properties.
Our principal executive offices are located in Austin, Texas, where we lease approximately 32,000 square feet of office space from Palisades West, LLC, a venture in which we own a 25% interest. We also lease office space in Dallas, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Diboll, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia. We believe these offices are suitable for conducting our business.
For a description of our properties in our real estate, mineral resources and fiber resources segments, see “Business - Real Estate”, “Business - Mineral Resources” and “Business - Fiber Resources”, respectively, in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
We are involved directly or through ventures in various legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business. We believe we have established adequate reserves for any probable losses and that the outcome of any of the proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or long-term results of operations or cash flows. It is possible, however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to results of operations or cash flow in any single accounting period.
Item 4.
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The high and low sales prices in each quarter in 2008 and in the fourth quarter in 2007 since our stock began trading on December 13, 2007 were:
Stockholders
Our stock transfer records indicated that as of February 28, 2009, there were approximately 4,270 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividend Policy
We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including without limitation, our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business, the terms of any credit agreements to which we may be a party at the time, legal requirements (including compliance with the IRS private letter ruling), industry practice, and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We have only one equity compensation plan, the Forestar 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by our sole stockholder prior to the spin-off. Information at December 31, 2008 about our equity compensation plan under which our common stock may be issued follows:
Due to the equitable adjustment of Temple-Inland equity awards in connection with our spin-off, over 60% of the securities authorized for issuance under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan were committed to Temple-Inland equity award holders immediately upon our spin-off.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We made no purchases of our equity securities in 2008. On February 11, 2009, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 7,000,000 shares of our common stock, to be funded principally from the sale of approximately 175,000 acres of higher and better use timberland. We have not purchased any shares under this authorization, which has no expiration date, and no repurchases will be made under this repurchase authorization until after completion of the asset sales. We have no repurchase plans or programs that expired during 2008 and no repurchase plans or programs that we intend to terminate prior to expiration or under which we no longer intend to make further purchases.
Performance Graph
We composed an index of our peers consisting of Avatar Holdings Inc., Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., Tejon Ranch Co. and The St. Joe Company (“Peer Index”). In 2008, our cumulative total stockholder return compared to the Russell 2000 Index and to the Peer Index was as shown in the following graph (assuming $100 invested on January 1, 2008):
Item 6.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
(a)
Beginning in 2006, we eliminated our historical one-month lag in accounting for our investment in our two largest real estate ventures as financial information became more readily available. The one-time effect of eliminating this one-month lag was to increase our equity in earnings by about $1,104,000.
(b)
In 2006, Temple-Inland adopted the modified prospective application of SFAS No. 123 (revised December 2004), Share-Based Payment. As a result, share-based compensation expense allocated to us increased by $153,000.
(c)
In 2006, other non-operating income included $459,000 expense associated with early repayment of debt.
(d)
For 2007 and prior years, we computed diluted net income per share based upon the number of shares of our common stock distributed by Temple-Inland on December 28, 2007.
Item 7.
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other materials we have filed or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “estimate,” “likely,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “expect,” and similar expressions, including references to assumptions. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are
subject to risk and uncertainties. We note that a variety of factors and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors and uncertainties that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
•
general economic, market or business conditions;
•
economic, market or business conditions in Texas or Georgia, where our real estate activities are concentrated;
•
the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to us and that we may pursue;
•
future residential or commercial entitlements;
•
expected development timetables and projected timing for sales of lots or other parcels of land;
•
development approvals and the ability to obtain such approvals;
•
the anticipated price ranges of lots in our developments;
•
the number, price and timing of land sales or acquisitions;
•
absorption rates and expected gains on land and lot sales;
•
the levels of resale inventory in our development projects and the regions in which they are located;
•
the development of relationships with strategic partners;
•
fluctuations in costs and expenses;
•
demand for new housing, which can be affected by the availability of mortgage credit;
•
government energy policies;
•
demand for oil and gas;
•
fluctuations in oil and gas prices;
•
competitive actions by other companies;
•
changes in laws or regulations and actions or restrictions of regulatory agencies;
•
the results of financing efforts, including our ability to obtain financing with favorable terms;
•
our partners’ ability to fund their capital commitments;
•
the ability to complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans; regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture; and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture;
•
the final resolutions or outcomes with respect to our contingent and other corporate liabilities related to our business; and
•
our customers may be unwilling or unable to meet lot takedown commitments due to liquidity limitations or slowing market conditions.
Other factors, including the risk factors described in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by our forward-looking statements. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the impact of any such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Background
Prior to December 28, 2007, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temple-Inland Inc. On December 28, 2007, Temple-Inland distributed all our issued and outstanding shares of common stock to its stockholders. As a result of the spin-off, our financial statements prior to 2008 reflect the historical accounts of the real estate development, minerals and fiber operations contributed to us and have been derived from the historical financial statements and accounts of Temple-Inland. In 2008, we operated our first full year as a stand-alone public company and the following discussion and analysis reflect the post-spin results of operations and the effect on our financial condition.
Strategy
Our strategy is to maximize and grow long-term stockholder value through:
•
Entitlement and development of real estate;
•
Realization of value from minerals and fiber resources; and
•
Growth through strategic and disciplined investment in our business.
On February 11, 2009, we announced the following strategic initiatives to enhance shareholder value:
•
Generate significant cash flow, principally from the sale of approximately 175,000 acres of higher and better use (HBU) timberland;
•
Reduce debt by approximately $150 million; and
•
Repurchase up to 20% of our common stock.
The debt reduction and share repurchases will be funded by proceeds from the assets sales.
Results of Operations for the Years Ended 2008, 2007 and 2006
Net income was $11,974,000 or $0.33 per diluted share in 2008, compared with $24,795,000 or $0.70 per diluted share in 2007 and $51,844,000 or $1.47 per diluted share in 2006.
A summary of our consolidated results follows:
Significant aspects of our results of operations follow:
•
Real estate segment earnings declined principally due to a continued decrease in the sales of residential real estate, decreased commercial sales activity, increased costs associated with environmental remediation, and asset impairments.
•
Mineral resources segment earnings increased as a result of bonus payments received for leasing over 61,500 net mineral acres. This leasing activity was located principally in East Texas and was driven by our proximity to the Cotton Valley, James Lime and Haynesville natural gas formations. Mineral resources segment earnings also benefited from increased production volumes from new well activity and higher average oil and gas prices.
•
General and administrative expenses increased as a result of costs associated with the continued development of corporate functions as well as start-up costs necessary as a stand-alone public company.
•
Share-based compensation expense increased primarily due to accelerated expense recognition in conjunction with awards granted to retirement-eligible employees, and an increase in the number of participants in our plan.
•
Interest expense increased as a result of higher debt levels and higher borrowing costs.
•
Net income decreased as a result of the overall decline in the housing industry and a reduction in activity within our mineral resources segment.
•
General and administrative expenses increased as a result of costs associated with the development of corporate functions as a stand-alone company.
•
Interest expense increased principally as a result of higher debt levels.
•
Net income increased due to the continued strength for new housing in the markets in which we operate and increased activity within our mineral resources segment.
•
General and administrative expenses increased as a result of costs associated with the segmentation of the real estate business within Temple-Inland.
Current Market Conditions
Current market conditions in the residential development industry are extremely difficult due to the oversupply of housing, declining sales volume for existing and new homes, flat to declining sales prices and a significant tightening of mortgage credit. Consumer confidence is near or at an all time low. Many home builders are experiencing liquidity shortfalls and are unwilling or unable to close committed lot purchases. All geographic markets and products have not been affected to the same extent or with equal severity, but most have experienced declines. It is likely these conditions will continue throughout 2009.
Current market conditions in the oil and gas industry have declined as oil and gas commodity prices have decreased from recent highs. Exploration and production companies have reduced capital expenditures for lease acquisition and production due to lower world wide demand and higher inventories resulting in lower oil and gas commodity prices. These conditions may impact the demand for new mineral leases, new exploration activity and the amount of royalty revenues we receive.
Pulpwood demand in our markets is stable. Pulpwood prices in our market areas have increased modestly due to pulp mill demand and wet weather conditions. Sawtimber prices have declined due to the decrease in demand for lumber products consistent with the decline in the housing industry.
Business Segments
In first quarter 2008, we changed our reportable segments to reflect our post-spin management of the operations transferred to us from Temple-Inland. All prior period segment information has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. We manage our operations through three business segments:
•
Real estate,
•
Mineral resources, and
•
Fiber resources.
We evaluate performance based on earnings before unallocated items and income taxes. Segment earnings consist of operating income and equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures, less minority interest expense in consolidated ventures. Unallocated items consist of general and administrative expense, share-based compensation, other non-operating income and expense, and interest expense. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the accounting policy note to the consolidated financial statements.
We operate in cyclical industries. Our operations are affected to varying degrees by supply and demand factors and economic conditions including changes in interest rates, availability of mortgage credit, consumer sentiment, new housing starts, real estate values, employment levels, changes in the market prices for oil, gas, and timber, and the overall strength or weakness of the U.S. economy.
Real Estate
We own directly or through ventures over 365,000 acres of real estate located in ten states and 13 markets. Our real estate segment secures entitlements and develops infrastructure on our lands, primarily for single-family residential and mixed-use communities. We own about 300,000 acres in a broad area around Atlanta, Georgia, with the balance located primarily in Texas. We target investments principally in our strategic growth corridors, regions of accelerated growth across the southern half of the United States that possess key demographic and growth characteristics that we believe make them attractive for long-term real estate investment. We own and manage our projects either directly or through ventures. Our real estate segment revenues are principally derived from the sales of residential single-family lots, undeveloped land sales and commercial real estate and to a lesser degree from the operation of commercial properties, primarily a hotel.
A summary of our real estate results follows:
In 2008, operating expenses principally consist of $10,280,000 in property taxes, $8,109,000 in employee compensation and benefits and $3,007,000 related to environmental remediation activities. Cost of sales includes $3,000,000 in asset impairment charges related to wholly-owned residential real estate projects, principally in Texas. Segment earnings benefited from $943,000 in recovered project infrastructure costs from an improvement district related to a project in Texas in which we no longer have an investment.
In 2007, operating expenses principally consist of $7,405,000 in property taxes, $3,907,000 related to employee compensation and benefits, and depreciation expense of $2,333,000. Cost of sales includes $6,518,000 in asset impairment charges related to residential real estate projects and a commercial golf club operation in Texas. The decrease in equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures is principally due to the overall decline in the housing industry.
In 2006, operating expenses principally consist of $8,063,000 in property taxes, and $3,976,000 related to employee compensation and benefits. We eliminated our historical one-month lag in accounting for our investment in our two largest real estate ventures as financial information became more readily available. The one-time effect of eliminating this one-month lag was to increase our equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures in 2006 by about $1,104,000.
Revenues in our owned and consolidated ventures consist of:
Units sold in our owned and consolidated ventures consist of:
Residential real estate revenues principally consist of the sale of single-family lots to national, regional and local homebuilders. In 2008, residential real estate revenues declined as a result of decreased demand for single-family lots due to the overall decline in the housing industry and significant tightening of mortgage credit availability. We expect difficult housing markets and credit conditions throughout 2009.
Commercial real estate revenues in 2007 included $31,000,000 from three sales aggregating 91 acres on which we recognized income of $17,000,000. In 2006, commercial real estate revenues included $39,000,000 from two sales aggregating 131 acres on which we recognized income of $14,000,000.
As market conditions for residential and commercial real estate continued to deteriorate in 2008, we allocated additional internal resources and focused our strategic marketing efforts toward sale of our undeveloped land. As a result, we sold 5,577 acres from our owned and consolidated ventures at an average price of $4,663 per acre, generating $26,005,000 in undeveloped land sales revenues in 2008.
In 2007, undeveloped land sales revenues decreased compared to 2006 as a result of significant tightening of credit standards.
Other revenues in 2006 included the sale of a country club property for $4,300,000.
Information about our real estate projects and our real estate ventures follows:
Mineral Resources
We own directly or through ventures about 622,000 net acres of oil and gas mineral interests. Our mineral resources segment is focused on maximizing the value from royalties and other lease revenues from our oil and gas mineral interests located in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia. At year-end 2008, we have about 121,000 net acres under lease and about 25,000 net acres held by production.
A summary of our mineral resources results follows:
In 2008, operating expenses principally consist of $911,000 related to employee compensation and benefits and $1,714,000 related to oil and gas production severance taxes. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures includes our share of a lease bonus payment as result of leasing 241 net mineral acres for $1,568,000.
In 2007 and 2006, oil and gas production severance taxes were reflected as a reduction of revenues. Operating expenses were allocated to us from Temple-Inland.
Revenues consist of:
In 2008, other lease revenues include $23,356,000 in lease bonus payments as a result of leasing over 61,500 net mineral acres. The leasing activity was located principally in East Texas and was driven by our proximity to the Cotton Valley, James Lime and Haynesville natural gas formations.
In 2008, royalty revenues include our share of about 88,000 barrels of oil and approximately 1,363 million cubic feet (mmcf) of natural gas production related to our royalty interests. In 2008, royalty revenues benefited from increased production volume from new well activity and higher oil and natural gas prices. The average price per barrel of oil was $106.66 in 2008, $65.24 in 2007 and $64.14 in 2006. The average price per thousand cubic feet (mcf) of natural gas was $8.76 in 2008, $6.69 in 2007 and $7.95 in 2006.
A summary of our oil and gas mineral interests(a)
at year-end 2008 follows:
(a)
Includes ventures.
(b)
Includes leases in primary lease term only.
(c)
Acres being held by production are producing oil or gas in paying quantities.
(d)
Texas and Louisiana net acres are calculated as the gross number of surface acres multiplied by our percentage ownership of the mineral interest. Alabama and Georgia net acres are calculated as the gross number of surface acres multiplied by our estimated percentage ownership of the mineral interest based on county sampling.
We also have a 45 percent nonparticipating royalty interest in groundwater produced or withdrawn for commercial purposes or sold from approximately 1.38 million acres in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama. We have not received any income from this interest.
Fiber Resources
Our fiber resources segment focuses principally on the management of our timber holdings. We have over 340,000 acres of timber on our undeveloped land and about 18,000 acres of timber under lease. We sell wood fiber from our land, primarily in Georgia, and lease land for hunting and other recreational uses.
A summary of our fiber resources results follows:
In 2008, operating expenses decreased as a result of establishing our post-spin operating structure and principally consist of $1,036,000 related to employee compensation and benefits, and $600,000 related to contract services. In 2007 and 2006, costs and expenses were allocated to us from Temple-Inland.
In 2008 and 2007, other operating income principally reflects a gain from partial termination of a timber lease related to land sold from Ironstob LLC, a venture created in 2007. We have a 58% ownership interest in this venture which controls about 16,000 acres of undeveloped land near Atlanta, Georgia.
Revenues consist of:
Fiber sold consists of:
In 2008, revenue per ton decreased because we harvested and sold higher levels of pulpwood. The majority of our sales were to Temple-Inland at market prices.
In 2007, Temple-Inland retained a greater portion of recreational lease revenues.
Items Not Allocated to Segments
Unallocated items represent income and expenses managed on a company-wide basis and include general and administrative expenses, share-based compensation, other non-operating income and expense and interest expense.
In 2008 and 2007, the increase in interest expense was due to higher average debt balances and higher borrowing costs.
In 2008, the increase in share-based compensation expense was a result of recognizing accelerated expense for retirement eligible employees and fully vested awards to members of our board of directors, and from an increase in the number of participants in our plan. In 2007 and 2006, share-based compensation was allocated from Temple-Inland and represents the expense of Temple-Inland share-based awards granted to our employees.
In 2008 and 2007, the increase in general and administrative expenses was due to increased costs associated with implementing corporate functions as a stand-alone public company.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate, which is income tax as a percentage of income before taxes, was 30 percent in 2008, 36 percent in 2007 and 37 percent in 2006. The 2008 rate reflects a benefit from increased percentage depletion deduction related to our mineral activities and a federal income tax rate change for qualified timber gains due to the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. We anticipate that our effective tax rate in 2009 will be about 37 percent due to our announced 2009 strategic initiatives and the expiration in June 2009 of special tax rates for qualified timber gains under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. We have not provided a valuation allowance for our deferred tax asset because we believe it is likely it will be recoverable in future periods.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Sources and Uses of Cash
We operate in cyclical industries and our cash flows fluctuate accordingly. Our principal operating cash requirements are for the acquisition and development of real estate, either directly or indirectly through ventures, taxes, interest, and compensation. Our principal sources of cash are proceeds from the sale of real estate and timber, the cash flow from minerals and commercial operating properties, and borrowings. Operating cash flows are affected by the timing of the payment of real estate development expenditures and the collection of proceeds from the eventual sale of the real estate, the timing of which can vary substantially depending on many factors including the size of the project, state and local permitting requirements, and availability of utilities. Working capital is subject to operating needs, the timing of sales of real estate and timber, the timing of collection of mineral royalties or mineral lease payments, collection of receivables, reimbursement from utility or improvement districts, and the payment of payables and expenses.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows from real estate development activities, undeveloped land sales, timber sales, and mineral and recreational leases are classified as operating cash flows.
Net cash (used for) operations was $(51,889,000) in 2008, $(63,981,000) in 2007 and $(27,705,000) in 2006. In 2008, expenditures for real estate development and acquisition exceeded non-cash real estate cost of sales principally due to contractual commitments to our Cibolo Canyons project. We invested $34,863,000 in this project in 2008. In 2007, expenditures for real estate development and acquisition significantly exceeded non-cash real estate cost of sales principally due to the investment of $47,000,000 in new real estate projects, an increase in the deferred tax asset of $19,544,000 due primarily to a tax gain resulting from our contractual right to receive certain hotel occupancy and sales revenues through 2034 at our Cibolo Canyons project, and distributions to minority interests of $11,042,000. In 2006, expenditures for real estate development and acquisition significantly exceeded non-cash real estate cost of sales principally due to the investment of $74,000,000 in ten new real estate projects.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital contributions to and capital distributions from unconsolidated ventures are classified as investing activities. In addition, expenditures related to reforestation activities in our fiber resources segment are classified as investing activities.
In 2008, net cash (used for) investing activities was $(16,667,000) as capital contributed to unconsolidated ventures exceeded distributions received principally due to our contractual commitment to Palisades West LLC. In 2008, we contributed $9,118,000 to this venture which consists of two office buildings totaling approximately 375,000 square feet located in Austin, Texas. In 2007, net cash (used for) investing activities was $(10,828,000) as capital contributed to unconsolidated ventures exceeded distributions received. Net cash provided by investing activities was $7,410,000 in 2006 as capital distributions we received from unconsolidated ventures exceeded contributions.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $69,163,000 in 2008, $71,979,000 in 2007 and $17,703,000 in 2006. In 2008, our debt increased by $71,387,000 to fund our real estate development expenditures, net investment in our unconsolidated ventures and net working capital to operate our business. In 2007, the increase in debt funded expenditures for real estate development and acquisitions. In 2006, the increase in debt, including borrowings under our credit facility with Temple-Inland, funded expenditures for real estate development and acquisitions in excess of the net distributions we received from ventures.
Liquidity and Contractual Obligations
Liquidity
At year-end 2008, we had $187,933,000 in net unused borrowing capacity under our senior credit facility.
Our senior credit facility provides for a $175,000,000 term loan and a $290,000,000 revolving line of credit. We may, upon notice to the lenders, request an increase in the credit facility to provide for a total of $500,000,000. The revolving line of credit may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The term loan may be prepaid at any time; however, repayment prior to June 1, 2009 requires a fee of 1.00% of the principal amount. There is no prepayment fee for the term loan on or after June 1, 2009. The senior credit facility matures December 1, 2010. The revolving line of credit includes a $100,000,000 sublimit for letters of credit, of which $13,135,000 was outstanding at year-end 2008. Total borrowings under our senior credit facility (including the face amount of letters of credit) may not exceed a borrowing base formula, and include a $35,000,000 minimum liquidity requirement at each quarter-end.
At our option, we can borrow at LIBOR plus 4 percent or Prime plus 2 percent. All borrowings under the senior credit facility are secured by (a) an initial pledge of approximately 250,000 acres of undeveloped land, (b) assignments of current and future leases, rents and contracts, including our mineral leases, (c) a security interest in our primary operating account, (d) pledge of the equity interests in current and future material operating subsidiaries or joint venture interests, or if such pledge is not permitted, a pledge of the right to distributions from such entities, and (e) negative pledge (without a mortgage) on most other wholly-owned assets. The senior credit facility provides for releases of real estate provided that borrowing base compliance is maintained.
As a result of current financial market conditions, we closely monitor the banks in our senior credit facility. We have not experienced any difficulty borrowing under our credit facility to date, and we currently have no reason to believe that the participants will not be able to honor their commitments under these facilities.
In 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement. This instrument expires in 2010 and is for a total notional amount of $100,000,000. It is non-exchange traded and is valued using third-party resources and models. Under the agreement, we mitigate interest rate fluctuations by fixing the interest rate on the first $100,000,000 of our variable rate borrowings at 6.57 percent compared with a floating interest rate of one month LIBOR plus 4 percent (4.77% at year-end 2008). At year-end 2008, the fair value of our interest rate instrument was a $1,938,000 liability that is included in other liabilities.
Our senior credit facility and other debt agreements contain terms, conditions and financial covenants customary for such agreements including minimum levels of interest coverage and limitations on leverage. At year-end 2008, we had complied with the terms, conditions and financial covenants of these agreements. The following table details our compliance with the financial covenants of these agreements:
(a)
Calculated as EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) plus all non-cash compensation expenses plus other non-cash expenses, divided by interest expense. This covenant is applied at the end of each quarter on a rolling four quarter basis, and the requirement increases to 2.00 in second quarter 2009.
(b)
Calculated as total gross revenues plus our pro rata share of the operating revenues from unconsolidated ventures, divided by capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are defined as consolidated development and acquisition expenditures plus our pro rata share of unconsolidated ventures’ development and acquisition expenditures. This covenant is applied at the end of each quarter on a rolling four quarter basis, and the requirement increases to 1.0:1.0 after third quarter 2009.
(c)
Calculated as total funded debt divided by adjusted asset value. Total funded debt includes all indebtedness for borrowed funds, all secured liabilities, and all reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or similar instruments. Adjusted asset value is defined as the sum of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, timberlands, high value timberlands, raw entitled lands, entitled land under development, minerals business, and all other real estate owned at book value without regard to any indebtedness, and our pro rata share of joint ventures’ book value without regard to any indebtedness. This covenant is applied at the end of each quarter.
(d)
Calculated as the amount available for drawing under the revolving commitment, plus unrestricted cash, plus cash equivalents which are not pledged or encumbered and the use of which is not restricted by the terms of any agreement. This covenant is applied at the end of each quarter.
(e)
Calculated as the amount by which consolidated total assets exceeds consolidated total liabilities. At year-end 2008, the requirement is $355 million, computed as: $350 million, plus eighty five percent of the aggregate net proceeds received by us from any equity offering, plus fifty percent of all positive net income, on a cumulative basis. This covenant is applied at the end of each quarter.
Based on our current operating projections, we believe that we will remain in compliance with our senior credit facility covenants in the future. However, if market conditions continue to deteriorate or continue for an extended period, we may be unable to comply with our financial covenants and may need to seek amendments, waivers or forbearance of our senior credit facility, or may need to refinance. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any amendments, waivers or forbearance when, as and if needed, or if the lenders would be willing to refinance on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Any amended facilities could be on terms that are both more expensive and more restrictive than our current senior credit facility.
There can be no assurance that these covenants will not adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to pursue available business opportunities. A breach of any of these covenants or our inability to maintain the required financial ratios could result in a default of the senior credit facility. If a default occurs, the affected lenders could elect to declare the indebtedness, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable.
Contractual Obligations
At year-end 2008, contractual obligations consist of:
(a)
Denotes items included in our balance sheet.
Interest payments on debt include interest payments related to our fixed rate debt and estimated interest payments related to our variable rate debt. Estimated interest payments on variable rate debt were calculated assuming that the outstanding balances and interest rates that existed at year-end 2008 remain constant through maturity.
Purchase obligations are defined as legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods and services. Our purchase obligations include commitments for land acquisition and land development, engineering and construction contracts for land development and service contracts. Our commitment to support third-party construction and ownership of a resort hotel, spa and golf facilities at our Cibolo Canyons mixed-use development near San Antonio, Texas represents our most significant purchase obligation. At year-end 2008, our unfunded commitment related to the Cibolo Canyons resort was $13,083,000, which is expected to be funded in 2009.
Our operating leases are for timberland, facilities and equipment. In second quarter 2008, we entered into a 10-year agreement with Palisades West LLC, in which we have a 25 percent ownership interest, to lease approximately 32,000 square feet in Austin, Texas. We occupy this facility as our corporate headquarters effective in fourth quarter 2008. At year-end 2008, the remaining contractual obligation is $12,133,000. Also included in operating leases is a long-term timber lease of over 16,000 acres that has a remaining lease term of 16 years and a remaining contractual obligation of $9,106,000.
Venture contributions represent commitments to contribute a stated amount to a venture as and when needed by the venture. We have excluded from the table contributions that may be made in the ordinary course of business for which there is no commitment to contribute an amount that is quantifiable or identifiable to specific dates.
Estimated payments related to our interest rate swap agreement are excluded from the table because we cannot reasonably estimate the amount or timing of payment obligations. Additionally, we have other long-term liabilities that are not included in the table because they do not have scheduled maturities.
Our sources of funding are our operating cash flows and borrowings under our senior credit facility. Our contractual obligations due in 2009 will likely be paid from operating cash flows and from borrowings under our senior credit facility.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
From time to time, we enter into off-balance sheet arrangements to facilitate our operating activities. At year-end 2008, our off-balance sheet unfunded arrangements, excluding contractual interest payments, purchase obligations, and operating lease obligations, included in the table of contractual obligations, consist of:
Performance bonds, letters of credit, and recourse obligations are primarily for our real estate development activities and include $3,151,000 of performance bonds and letters of credit we provided on behalf of certain ventures. Our venture partners also provide performance bonds and letters of credit. Generally these performance bonds or letters of credit would be drawn on due to lack of specific performance by us or the ventures, such as failure to deliver streets and utilities in accordance with local codes and ordinances.
Cibolo Canyons - San Antonio, Texas
Mixed-Use Development
The Cibolo Canyons mixed-use development consists of 2,100 acres planned to include 1,749 residential lots and 145 commercial acres designated for multifamily and retail uses, of which 537 lots and 64 commercial acres have been sold at year-end 2008. We have $65,894,000 invested in the development at year-end 2008.
The construction and opening of the resort hotel (discussed below) will satisfy a condition to our right to obtain reimbursement of certain infrastructure costs related to our mixed-use development under an Ad Valorem Tax and Non Resort Sales and Use Tax Public Improvement Financing Agreement between us and a Special Purpose Improvement District (SPID).
Until the SPID achieves an adequate tax base to support issuance of bonds, the proceeds of which will be used by the SPID to reimburse us for qualified infrastructure costs, we will not include the estimated reimbursements as a reduction of our real estate cost of sales. At year-end 2008, we have billed the SPID $49,529,000 for qualified infrastructure costs. These costs have been audited by the SPID and approved for payment, and are included in our investment in the mixed-use development.
If the resort hotel is not open and operating on July 1, 2011, the City of San Antonio could terminate the SPID and we would have no payor for reimbursement of qualified infrastructure costs. The resort hotel is under construction and is currently scheduled to open well before July 1, 2011.
Resort Hotel, Spa and Golf
In 2007, we entered into agreements to facilitate third-party construction and ownership of the JW Marriott®
San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, planned to include a 1,002 room destination resort and two PGA Tour®
Tournament Players Club®
golf courses. Under these agreements, we transferred to the third-party owners about 700 acres of undeveloped land and we agreed to provide about $38,500,000. In exchange, the third-party owners assigned to us certain rights under an Economic Development Agreement, including the right to receive 9% of hotel occupancy revenues and 1.5% of sales generated within the resort through 2034. At year-end 2008, we have provided $25,417,000 and expect to fund our remaining commitment of $13,083,000 by year-end 2009.
If the resort hotel is not open and operating on July 1, 2011, the City of San Antonio could terminate the SPID and there would be no source of revenue to fund payments under the Economic Development Agreement. The resort hotel is under construction and is currently scheduled to open well before July 1, 2011.
Accounting Policies
Critical Accounting Estimates
In preparing our financial statements, we follow generally accepted accounting principles, which in many cases require us to make assumptions, estimates, and judgments that affect the amounts reported. Our significant accounting policies are included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Many of these principles are relatively straightforward. There are, however, a few accounting policies that are critical because they are important in determining our financial condition and results and involve significant assumptions, estimates, and judgments that are difficult to determine. We must make these assumptions, estimates, and judgments currently about matters that are inherently uncertain, such as future economic conditions, operating results, and valuations, as well as our intentions. As the difficulty increases, the level of precision decreases, meaning actual results can, and probably will, differ from those currently estimated. We base our assumptions, estimates, and judgments on a combination of historical experiences and other factors that we believe are reasonable. We have reviewed the selection and disclosure of these critical accounting estimates with our Audit Committee.
•
Investment in Real Estate and Cost of Real Estate Sales - In allocating costs to real estate owned and real estate sold, we must estimate current and future real estate values. Our estimates of future real estate values sometimes must extend over periods 15 to 20 years from today and are dependent on numerous assumptions including our intentions and future market and economic conditions. In addition, when we sell real estate from projects that are not finished, we must estimate future development costs through completion. Differences between our estimates and actual results will affect future carrying values and operating results.
•
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Measuring assets for impairment requires estimating future fair values based on our intentions as to holding periods, future operating cash flows and the residual value of assets under review, primarily undeveloped land. Depending on the asset under review, we use varying methods to determine fair value, such as discounting expected future cash flows, determining resale values by market, or applying a capitalization rate to net operating income using prevailing rates in a given market. Changes in economic conditions, demand for real estate, and the projected net operating income for a specific property will inevitably change our estimates.
•
Share-Based Compensation - We currently use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of other variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors (term of option), risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. We have limited historical experience as a stand-alone company so we utilized alternative methods in determining our valuation assumptions. The expected life was based on the simplified method utilizing the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual life of the awards. The expected stock price volatility was based on historical prices of our peers’ common stock for a period corresponding to the expected life of the options. Pre-vesting forfeitures are estimated based upon the pool of participants and their expected activity.
•
Income Taxes - In preparing our consolidated financial statements, significant management judgment is required to estimate our income taxes. Our estimates are based on our interpretation of federal and state tax laws. We estimate our actual current tax due and assess temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. The temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheet. If needed, we record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets based upon our analysis of the timing and reversal of future taxable amounts and our history and future expectations of taxable income. Adjustments may be required by a change in assessment of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes due to audit adjustments by federal and state tax authorities, and changes in tax laws. To the extent adjustments are required in any given period; we will include the adjustments in the tax
provision in our financial statements. These adjustments could materially impact our financial position, cash flow and results of operation.
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
There are three new accounting pronouncements that we will adopt in 2009 or will be required to adopt in 2010. Please read Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Effects of Inflation
Inflation has had minimal effects on operating results the past three years. Our real estate, timber, and property and equipment are carried at historical costs. If carried at current replacement costs, the cost of real estate sold, timber cut, and depreciation expense would have been significantly higher than what we reported.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business. We believe we have established adequate reserves for any probable losses, and we do not believe that the outcome of any of these proceedings should have a material adverse effect on our financial position, long-term results of operations, or cash flow. It is possible, however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to results of operations or cash flows in any one accounting period.
Item 7A.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk is principally related to our variable-rate debt. Interest rate changes impact earnings due to the resulting increase or decrease in the cost of our variable-rate debt, which was $229,030,000 at year-end 2008 and $238,716,000 at year-end 2007.
The following table illustrates the estimated effect on our pre-tax income of immediate, parallel, and sustained shifts in interest rates for the next 12 months at year-end 2008 on our variable-rate debt, with comparative year-end 2007 information. This estimate assumes that debt reductions from contractual payments will be replaced with short-term, variable-rate debt; however, that may not be the financing alternative we choose.
Changes in interest rates affect the value of our interest rate swap agreement ($100,000,000 notional value at year-end 2008). We believe any change in the value of this agreement would not be significant.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have no exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.
Commodity Price Risk
We have no significant exposure to commodity price fluctuations.
Item 8.
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and schedules are indexed on page, and are attached as pages through, to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.
(a) Disclosure controls and procedures
Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Internal control over financial reporting
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K on page .
(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) in fourth quarter 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B.
Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Set forth below is certain information about the members of our Board of Directors:
The remaining information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement, involving the election of directors, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K (or Definitive Proxy Statement). Certain information required by this item concerning executive officers is included in Part I of this report.
Item 11.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Documents filed as part of this report.
(1) Financial Statements
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are attached as pages through to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation is attached as pages S-1 through S-6 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Schedules other than those listed above are omitted as the required information is either inapplicable or the information is presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index in (b) below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b) Exhibits

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(1)
Filed herewith.
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 by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Forestar Group Inc.
By:
/s/ James M. DeCosmo
James M. DeCosmo
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 5, 2009
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.
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Forestar is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management has designed our internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance that our published financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Management is required by paragraph (c) of Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of each year end. In making this assessment, management used the Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued in July 1994 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Management conducted the required assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of year end. Based upon this assessment, management believes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of year-end 2008.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this Form 10-K, has also audited our internal control over financial reporting. Their attestation report follows this report of management.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Forestar Group Inc.:
We have audited Forestar Group Inc. and subsidiaries (Forestar Group) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Forestar Group’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 including in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express 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, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, 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, Forestar Group maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Forestar Group as of December 31, 2008 and December 29, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and our report dated March 4, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Ernst & Young LLP
Austin, Texas
March 4, 2009
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Forestar Group Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Forestar Group Inc. and subsidiaries (Forestar Group) as of December 31, 2008 and December 29, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The financial statements of CL Realty, L.L.C., (a Limited Liability Company in which Forestar Group has a 50% interest), have been audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for CL Realty, L.L.C., is based solely on the report of the other auditors. In the consolidated financial statements, Forestar Group’s investment in CL Realty, L.L.C. is stated at $51,963,000 and $50,189,000, respectively, at December 31, 2008 and December 29, 2007, and Forestar Group’s equity in the net income of CL Realty, L.L.C. is stated at $3,377,000 and $1,700,000, for the years then ended.
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 and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Forestar Group at December 31, 2008 and December 29, 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents 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 Forestar Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 4, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Ernst & Young LLP
Austin, Texas
March 4, 2009
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Please read the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Please read the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’/PARENT’S EQUITY
Please read the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Please read the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 -
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Background
Prior to December 28, 2007, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temple-Inland Inc. On December 28, 2007, Temple-Inland distributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock to its stockholders. In connection with the spin-off, Temple-Inland contributed the assets, liabilities, operations and cash flow of its real estate development and minerals operations to us. Our operations consist of the former real estate segment of Temple-Inland and several smaller real estate operations and assets previously included in Temple-Inland’s other business segments, and the minerals operations previously included in Temple-Inland’s forest products segment. We converted to a Delaware corporation before the spin-off.
Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forestar Group Inc., all subsidiaries, ventures, and other entities in which we have a controlling interest and variable interest entities of which we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Minority interest in consolidated pass-through entities is recognized before income taxes. We account for our investment in other entities in which we have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the equity method (we recognize our share of the entities’ income or loss and any preferential returns and treat distributions as a reduction of our investment). We account for our investment in other entities in which we do not have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the cost method (we recognize as income only distribution of accumulated earnings).
In 2007 and 2006, our consolidated financial statements reflect the historical accounts of the real estate development, minerals and fiber operations contributed to us and have been derived from the historical financial statements and accounts of Temple-Inland. These operations were conducted within separate legal entities and their subsidiaries or within segments or components of segments of Temple-Inland.
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events. Actual results can, and probably will, differ from those we currently estimate. Examples of significant estimates include those related to allocating costs to real estate and measuring assets for impairment.
In 2008, we changed our fiscal year from a 52/53 week year ending the Saturday closest to December 31 to a calendar year. In 2007 and 2006, our fiscal year ended on the Saturday closest to December 31. All of the periods presented had 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2007 ended on December 29, 2007 and fiscal year 2006 ended on December 30, 2006.
In 2007 and 2006, we used Temple-Inland as a source of capital and for services such as environmental, finance, financial reporting, human resources, internal audit, insurance, legal, tax and technology. The estimated costs of these services were allocated to us and are included in general and administrative expense.
In addition, we have also included other expenses incurred by Temple-Inland but not directly attributable to us such as costs associated with investor relations and executive officers. The allocations were based on actual usage or in some cases estimated usage based on Temple-Inland’s net investment in us relative to its other segments, revenues, operating profits, employee count, or similar measures. These allocated costs, which include salaries and benefits, totaled $7,909,000 in 2007 and $7,128,000 in 2006.
For 2007 and 2006, we believe the assumptions and methodologies used to derive the allocations in our financial statements are reasonable; however, they may not necessarily be indicative of what expenses would have been had we been a separate stand-alone company. We have no practical way of determining what expenses we would have incurred if we would have been a stand-alone company in 2007 and 2006.
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and other short-term instruments with original maturities of three months or less. At year end 2008, restricted cash included in cash and cash equivalents was $2,159,000.
Cash Flows
Expenditures for the acquisition and development of real estate are classified as operating activities. Expenditures for the acquisition of commercial operating properties are classified as investing activities.
Capitalized Software
We capitalize purchased software costs as well as the direct internal and external costs associated with software we develop for our own use. We amortize these capitalized costs using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years. The carrying value of capitalized software was $2,604,000 at year-end 2008 and $2,720,000 at year-end 2007 and is included in other assets. The amortization of these capitalized costs was $784,000 in 2008, $370,000 in 2007 and $6,000 in 2006 and is included in general and administrative expense.
Derivative Instruments
We periodically enter into interest rate agreements in the normal course of business to mitigate the risk inherent in interest rate fluctuations. We account for derivative financial instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We defer and include in other comprehensive income changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges. We recognize the ineffective portion of these hedges in income.
Environmental Obligations and Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize environmental remediation liabilities on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments or remediation are probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. We adjust these liabilities as further information is obtained or circumstances change. We currently do not have any asset retirement obligations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This pronouncement applies under other accounting standards that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new fair value measurement. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. SFAS 157 is amended by FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement 157, which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). This FSP partially defers the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items within the scope of this FSP. We adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008, except as it applies to those nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities as noted in FSP FAS 157-2. The partial adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
In addition, SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which permits the election of fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement method for many financial assets and financial liabilities, was effective for us in 2008. We did not elect the fair value option.
Please read Note 7 and Note 8 for information about fair value of our financial instruments.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets held for use for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows expected from its use and eventual disposition. We determine the amount of the impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. In the absence of quoted market prices, we determine estimated fair value generally based on the present value of future probability weighted cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the long-lived asset. We recognized asset impairments of $3,000,000 in 2008, $6,518,000 in 2007 and none in 2006. Impairment charges are included in cost of real estate sales.
Income Taxes
We provide deferred income taxes using current tax rates for temporary differences between the financial accounting carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax accounting carrying values. We recognize and value income tax exposures for the various taxing jurisdictions where we operate based on laws, elections, commonly accepted tax positions, and management estimates. We include tax penalties and interest in income tax expense. In 2007 and 2006, we were included in Temple-Inland’s consolidated federal income tax return prior to our spin-off, and our income tax expense was computed as if we filed a separate tax return. We provide a valuation allowance for any deferred tax asset that is not likely to be recoverable in future periods.
Beginning first quarter 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). We determined that no material unrecognized deferred tax assets or liabilities existed at the date of adoption, and accordingly, the adoption of FIN 48 did not impact our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we believe that no material unrecognized deferred tax assets or liabilities existed at year-end 2008. We classify interest and penalties related to underpayments of income tax as income tax expense.
Mineral Interests
We acquire real estate that may include the subsurface rights associated with the property, including minerals. We capitalize the costs of acquiring these mineral interests. We amortize the cost assigned to unproved interests, principally acquisition costs, using the straight-line method over appropriate periods based on our experience, generally no longer than 10 years. Costs assigned to individual unproven interests are minimal and amortized on an aggregate basis. When we lease these interests to third party oil and gas exploration and production entities, any related unamortized costs are accounted for using the cost recovery method from the cash proceeds received from lease bonus payments. We have fully amortized all previously-capitalized acquisition costs and did not capitalize any costs in 2008 or 2007.
When we lease our mineral interests to third party exploration and production entities, we retain a royalty interest and may take an additional participation in production, including a non-operating working interest. Non-operating working interests refer to well interests in which we pay a share of the costs to drill, complete and operate a well and receive a proportionate share of the production revenues. We use the successful efforts method to account for our mineral interest participations. Mineral interests and non-operating working interests, net of amortization, are included in property and equipment on our balance sheet.
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
We do not know the oil and gas reserves related to our royalty interests. We do not make such estimates, and the lessees do not make this reserve information available to us.
Operating Leases
We occupy office space in various locations under operating leases. The lease agreements may contain rent escalation clauses, construction allowances and/or contingent rent provisions. For scheduled rent escalation clauses, we recognize the minimum rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rent expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred lease credits included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred lease credits are amortized over the lease term. For construction allowances, we record leasehold improvement assets included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. The related deferred lease credits are amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.
Property and Equipment
We carry property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. We capitalize the cost of significant additions and improvements, and we expense the cost of repairs and maintenance. We capitalize interest costs incurred on major construction projects. We depreciate these assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Depreciation expense of property and equipment was $650,000 in 2008, $392,000 in 2007 and $341,000 in 2006. We expense operating leases ratably over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term.
Real Estate
We carry real estate at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. We capitalize interest costs and property taxes once development begins, and we continue to capitalize throughout the development period. We also capitalize infrastructure, improvements, amenities, and other development costs incurred during the development period. We determine the cost of real estate sold using the relative sales value method. When we sell real estate from projects that are not finished, we include in the cost of real estate sold estimates of future development costs though completion, allocated based on relative sales values. These estimates of future development costs are reevaluated at least annually, with any adjustments being allocated prospectively to the remaining units available for sale.
Commercial properties are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (three to 39 years).
We have agreements with utility or improvement districts, principally in Texas, whereby we agree to convey to the districts water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets we have constructed in connection with projects within their jurisdiction. The reimbursement for these assets ranges from 70 to 100 percent of allowable cost as defined by the district. The transfer is consummated and we receive payment when the
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
districts have a sufficient tax base to support funding of their bonds. The cost we incur in constructing these assets is included in capitalized development costs, and upon collection, we remove the assets from capitalized development costs. We provide an allowance to reflect our past experiences related to claimed allowable development costs.
Reclassifications
In 2008, we changed our reportable segments to reflect our post-spin management of the operations transferred to us by Temple-Inland and all prior period information has been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Revenue
Real Estate
We recognize revenue from sales of real estate when a sale is consummated, the buyer’s initial investment is adequate, any receivables are probable of collection, the usual risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, and we do not have significant continuing involvement with the real estate sold. If we determine that the earnings process is not complete, we defer recognition of any gain until earned. We recognize revenue from hotel room sales and other guest services when rooms are occupied and other guest services have been rendered.
We exclude from revenue amounts we collect from utility or improvement districts related to the conveyance of water, sewer, and other infrastructure related assets. We also exclude from revenue amounts we collect for timber sold on land being developed. These proceeds reduce capitalized development costs. We exclude from revenue amounts we collect from customers that represent sales tax or other taxes that are based on the sale. These amounts are included in other accrued expenses until paid.
Mineral Resources
We recognize revenue from mineral bonus payments when we have received an executed agreement with the exploration company transferring the rights to any oil or gas it may find and requiring drilling be done within a specified period, the payment has been collected, and we have no obligation to refund the payment. We recognize revenue from delay rentals if drilling has not started within the specified period, when the payment has been collected, and we have no further obligation. We recognize revenue from mineral royalties and non-operating working interests when the minerals have been delivered to the buyer, the value is determinable, and we are reasonably sure of collection.
Fiber Resources
We recognize revenue from timber sales upon passage of title, which occurs at delivery; when the price is fixed and determinable; and we are reasonably sure of collection. We recognize revenue from hunting and recreational leases on the straight-line basis over the lease term if we are reasonably sure of collection.
Share-Based Compensation
Our directors and certain of our employees participate in and have received share-based compensation awards under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by our sole stockholder prior to the spin-off.
Prior to the spin-off, we participated in Temple-Inland’s share-based compensation plans, and as a result, certain of our employees received share-based compensation awards under those plans. The expense for those
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
awards was allocated to us by Temple-Inland and was determined by Temple-Inland using the following accounting principles:
•
Beginning January 2006, Temple-Inland adopted the modified prospective application method contained in SFAS No. 123 (revised December 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)), to account for share-based payments. As a result, Temple-Inland applied this pronouncement to new awards or modifications of existing awards in 2006. Prior to adopting SFAS 123(R), Temple-Inland had been expensing, over the service period, the fair value of share-based compensation awards granted, modified, or settled in 2003 through 2005, using the prospective transition method of accounting contained in SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.
Please read Note 16 for additional information about share-based compensation.
Timber
We carry timber at cost, less the cost of timber cut. We expense the cost of timber cut based on the relationship of the timber carrying value to the estimated volume of recoverable timber multiplied by the amount of timber cut. We include the cost of timber cut in cost of fiber resources in the income statement. We determine the estimated volume of recoverable timber using statistical information and other data related to growth rates and yields gathered from physical observations, models, and other information gathering techniques. Changes in yields are generally due to adjustments in growth rates and similar matters and are accounted for prospectively as changes in estimates. We capitalize reforestation costs incurred in developing viable seedling plantations (up to two years from planting), such as site preparation, seedlings, planting, fertilization, insect and wildlife control, and herbicide application. We expense all other costs, such as property taxes and costs of forest management personnel, as incurred. Once the seedling plantation is viable, we expense all costs to maintain the viable plantations, such as fertilization, herbicide application, insect and wildlife control, and thinning, as incurred.
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS No. 141(R), Applying the Acquisition Method - SFAS No. 141(R) requires valuation of assets and liabilities acquired to be based upon fair values and eliminates recognition of minority interest as well as the inclusion of transaction costs in the purchase price. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for business combinations occurring after year-end 2008.
SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests - SFAS No. 160 clarifies the classification of noncontrolling interests in consolidated statement of financial position and the accounting for and reporting of transactions between the reporting entity and holders of such noncontrolling interest. Under the new standard, noncontrolling interests will be classified as equity, net income will encompass the total income of all consolidated subsidiaries with separate disclosure on the face of the income statement of the attribution of that income between the controlling and noncontrolling interests and changes in the noncontrolling ownership interest will be accounted for as a change to the controlling interest’s equity. SFAS No. 160 is effective for our first quarter 2009. Based on our current understanding, we do not expect that adoption will have a significant effect on our earnings or financial position. At year-end 2008, minority interest in consolidated ventures was $6,660,000.
SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of SFAS No. 133 - SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments including how and why they are used; how they are accounted for; and how they affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for our first quarter 2009. Based on our current understanding, we do not expect that adoption will have a significant effect on our earnings or financial position.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 2 -
Real Estate
Real estate consists of:
Included in entitled, developed, and under development projects are the estimated costs of assets we expect to convey to utility or improvement districts of $76,173,000 in 2008 and $40,843,000 in 2007, including $49,529,000 at year-end 2008 and $25,516,000 at year-end 2007 related to our Cibolo Canyons project near San Antonio, Texas. These costs relate to water, sewer and other infrastructure assets for which the utility or improvement districts have agreed to reimburse us. We billed these districts $27,581,000 in 2008 and $37,137,000 in 2007, and we collected from these districts $674,000 in 2008 and $10,628,000 in 2007. We expect to collect the remaining amounts billed in 2008 and 2007 when these districts achieve adequate tax bases to support payment.
We recognized asset impairments of $3,000,000 in 2008, $6,518,000 in 2007 and none in 2006. Impairment charges are included in cost of real estate sales and in 2008 and 2007, and are related to residential projects principally in Texas.
Depreciation expense primarily related to commercial operating properties was $1,770,000 in 2008, $2,014,000 in 2007 and $2,008,000 in 2006 and is included in other operating expense.
Please read Schedule III for additional information.
Note 3 -
Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures
At year-end 2008, we had ownership interests ranging from 25 to 50 percent in 15 ventures that we account for using the equity method. We have no real estate ventures that are accounted for using the cost method. Our three largest ventures at year-end 2008 are CL Realty, Temco and Palisades West. We own a 50 percent interest in both CL Realty and Temco and Cousins Real Estate Corporation owns the other 50 percent interest. We own a 25 percent interest in Palisades West, Cousins Properties Incorporated owns a 50 percent interest and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owns the remaining 25 percent. Information regarding these ventures follows:
•
CL Realty, L.L.C. was formed in 2002 for the purpose of developing residential and mixed-use communities in Texas and across the southeastern United States. At year-end 2008, the venture had 15 residential and mixed-use communities, of which 10 are in Texas, 3 are in Florida and 2 are in Georgia, representing about 7,600 residential lots and 560 commercial acres.
•
Temco Associates, LLC was formed in 1991 for the purpose of acquiring and developing residential real estate sites in Georgia. At year-end 2008, the venture had 5 residential and mixed-use communities, representing about 1,500 residential lots, all of which are located in Paulding County, Georgia. The venture also owns approximately 5,600 acres of undeveloped land in Paulding County, Georgia. In 2008, the venture sold approximately 486 acres of undeveloped land for $6,300 per acre.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
•
Palisades West LLC was formed in 2006 for the purpose of constructing a commercial office park in Austin, Texas. The project includes two office buildings totaling approximately 375,000 square feet and an accompanying parking garage. Construction of the project was completed in fourth quarter 2008 and is approximately 67% leased. Our remaining commitment for investment in this venture as of year-end 2008 is $2,792,000. We have entered into a 10-year operating lease for approximately 32,000 square feet that we occupy as our corporate headquarters effective in fourth quarter 2008. Please read Note 14 for additional information about operating leases.
Combined summarized balance sheet information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Combined summarized income statement information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:
(a)
Includes current maturities of debt of $21,150,000 in 2008 and $36,337,000 in 2007.
(b)
Our share of the equity in other ventures reflects our ownership interests ranging from 25 to 50 percent, excluding venture losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to fund those losses.
(c)
In 2003, we contributed real estate with a $13,800,000 carrying value to CL Realty in exchange for $13,800,000 cash and a 50 percent interest in the partnership. We deferred the $14,587,000 gain on the sale and are recognizing it as the partnership sells the real estate to third parties. The deferred gain is reflected as an offset to our investment in unconsolidated ventures.
(d)
Beginning in 2006, we eliminated our historic one-month lag in accounting for our investment in CL Realty and Temco as financial information became more readily available. The one-time effect of eliminating this one-month lag was to increase our equity in earnings for 2006 by $754,000 for CL Realty and $350,000 for Temco.
In 2008, we invested $17,845,000 in these ventures and received $7,221,000 in distributions; in 2007, we invested $14,492,000 in these ventures and received $6,102,000 in distributions; and in 2006, we invested $17,611,000 in these ventures and received $23,727,000 in distributions. Distributions include both return of investments and distributions of earnings.
We provide development services for some of these ventures for which we receive a fee. Fees for these services were $120,000 in 2008, $344,000 in 2007 and $729,000 in 2006 and are included in real estate revenues.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 4 -
Receivables
Receivables consist of:
Seller financing notes receivable are generally secured by a deed of trust with a 10 percent down payment and mature through 2009. In November 2006, we ceased providing seller financing in connection with the sale of residential lots.
Notes receivable are funds advanced to potential venture partners and will be converted to an equity interest in a venture or collected. It is anticipated that these notes will be satisfied by year-end 2009.
Other receivables are miscellaneous operating receivables arising in the normal course of business. We expect to collect $1,625,000 in 2009.
Note 5 -
Timber
We have about 340,000 acres of timber on our undeveloped land, located primarily in Georgia. We capitalized reforestation expenditures of $282,000 in 2008, $411,000 in 2007 and $1,409,000 in 2006. The cost of timber cut was $2,968,000 in 2008, $4,060,000 in 2007 and $3,441,000 in 2006.
Note 6 -
Debt
Debt consists of:
Our senior credit facility and other debt agreements contain terms, conditions and financial covenants customary for such agreements including minimum levels of interest coverage and limitations on leverage. At year-end 2008, we had complied with the terms, conditions and financial covenants of these agreements.
Our senior credit facility provides for a $175,000,000 term loan and a $290,000,000 revolving line of credit. We may, upon notice to the lenders, request an increase in the credit facility to provide for a total of $500,000,000. The revolving line of credit may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The term loan may be prepaid at any time; however, repayment prior to June 1, 2009 requires a fee of 1.00% of the principal amount. There is no prepayment fee for the term loan on or after June 1, 2009. The senior credit facility
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
matures December 1, 2010. The revolving line of credit includes a $100,000,000 sublimit for letters of credit, of which $13,135,000 was outstanding at year-end 2008. Total borrowings under our senior credit facility (including the face amount of letters of credit) may not exceed a borrowing base formula, and include a $35,000,000 minimum liquidity requirement at each quarter-end. At year-end 2008, we had $187,933,000 in net unused borrowing capacity under our senior credit facility.
At our option, we can borrow at LIBOR plus 4 percent or Prime plus 2 percent. All borrowings under the senior credit facility are secured by (a) an initial pledge of approximately 250,000 acres of undeveloped land, (b) assignments of current and future leases, rents and contracts, including our mineral leases, (c) a security interest in our primary operating account, (d) pledge of the equity interests in current and future material operating subsidiaries or joint venture interests, or if such pledge is not permitted, a pledge of the right to distributions from such entities, and (e) negative pledge (without a mortgage) on all other wholly-owned assets. The senior credit facility provides for releases of real estate provided that borrowing base compliance is maintained.
We incurred origination and other fees related to our credit facility of $10,573,000, of which $6,928,000 is unamortized at year-end 2008 and is included in other assets. Amortization of deferred financing fees in connection with our senior credit facility was $3,506,000 in 2008, $139,000 in 2007 and none in 2006.
At year-end 2008, commercial operating properties having a book value of $21,051,000 were subject to liens in connection with $16,000,000 of debt. On October 1, 2008, we refinanced this debt through 2010 with interest payable at LIBOR plus 2.5 percent or Prime plus 2 percent, at our option.
At year-end 2008, entitled, developed and under development projects having a book value of $162,141,000 was subject to liens in connection with $86,502,000 of principally non-recourse debt. Please read Schedule III for additional information.
Maturities of our debt during the next five years are: 2009 - $35,207,000; 2010 - $264,453,000; 2011 - $37,742,000; 2012 - $0; 2013 - $0; and thereafter - $0.
Note 7 -
Derivative Instruments
We periodically use interest rate agreements in the normal course of business to mitigate the risk inherent in interest rate fluctuations by entering into contracts with major U.S. securities firms.
In first quarter 2008, we entered into a $100,000,000 notional amount interest rate swap agreement that matures in 2010. The swap agreement was designed to offset the cash flow variability of interest rate payments associated with the first $100,000,000 of our variable-rate borrowings. Under this swap agreement, we pay a fixed interest rate of 6.57 percent and receive a floating interest rate of one month LIBOR plus 4 percent (4.77 percent at year-end 2008).
At year-end 2008, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was a $1,939,000 liability that is included in other liabilities. In 2008, the fair value of our interest rate swap decreased and as a result we recognized an after-tax loss of $1,260,000 that is included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) under SFAS No. 157.
The effectiveness of the hedge relationship is periodically assessed by comparing the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows on the variable leg of the swap and the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future hedged cash flows. In 2008, hedge ineffectiveness was not significant.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 8 -
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments follow:
At year-end 2008 and 2007, carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The interest rate swap agreement is carried at its fair value at year-end 2008. The carrying amount of debt approximates fair value at year-end 2008 and 2007 since it is primarily made up of variable-rate borrowings. We estimated the fair value of our fixed-rate borrowings using quoted market prices for similar securities (Level 2).
Note 9 -
Capital Stock
Pursuant to our shareholder rights plan, each share of common stock outstanding is coupled with one-quarter of a preferred stock purchase right (Right). Each Right entitles our shareholders to purchase, under certain conditions, one one-hundredth of a share of newly issued Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $100. Rights will be exercisable only if someone acquires beneficial ownership of 20 percent or more of our common shares or commences a tender or exchange offer, upon consummation of which they would beneficially own 20 percent or more of our common shares. We will generally be entitled to redeem the Rights at $0.001 per Right at any time until the 10th business day following public announcement that a 20 percent position has been acquired. The Rights will expire on December 11, 2017.
Please read Note 16 for information about additional shares of common stock that could be issued under terms of our share-based compensation plans.
As a result of our spin-off from Temple-Inland, all of Temple-Inland’s outstanding share-based compensation awards were equitably adjusted into separate awards: one related to our common stock, one related to Temple-Inland common stock and one related to Guaranty common stock. All awards issued as part of this adjustment are subject to their original vesting schedules.
At year-end 2008, Temple-Inland and Guaranty directors and employees held 27,000 equity-settled restricted stock awards on our stock.
The following table summarizes outstanding stock option awards on our stock held by Temple-Inland and Guaranty directors and employees at year-end 2008:
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 10 -
Other Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income consists of:
Note 11 -
Net Income per Share
Our basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute net income per share are as follows:
For 2007 and 2006, we computed basic and diluted net income per share based upon the number of shares of our common stock distributed by Temple-Inland on December 28, 2007.
At year-end 2008, the effect of 1,713,000 stock options and unvested shares of restricted stock were not included in the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding because their impact would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 12 -
Income Taxes
Income tax expense consists of:
Our 2008 income tax expense reflects a benefit of $800,000 from a federal income tax rate change for qualified timber gains due to the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
In 2006, Texas enacted a margin tax to replace the franchise tax, which for us resulted in a lower overall Texas tax rate. As a result, in 2006 we recognized a one-time, non-cash benefit of $780,000 related to the reduction of previously provided deferred state income taxes.
We were included in the federal consolidated income tax return of Temple-Inland prior to our spin-off.
A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the effective income tax rate on continuing operations follows:
Significant components of deferred taxes are:
We, or Temple-Inland prior to our spin-off, file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2005. We have no significant unrecognized deferred tax assets or liabilities at year-end 2008 or 2007.
Note 13 -
Litigation and Environmental Contingencies
We are involved in various legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business and believe that adequate reserves have been established for any probable losses. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these proceedings should have a significant adverse effect on our financial position, long-term results of operations or cash flows. It is possible; however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to our results or cash flows in any one accounting period.
Environmental remediation liabilities arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business, and we believe we have established adequate reserves for any probable losses. We own 288 acres near
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Antioch, California, portions of which were sites of a Temple-Inland paper manufacturing operation that are in remediation. In 2008, we increased our reserves for environmental remediation by about $2,900,000. We estimate the cost to complete remediation activities will be about $3,900,000, which is included in other accrued expenses and will likely be paid in 2009. Our estimate requires us to make assumptions regarding the scope of required remediation, the effectiveness of planned remediation activities, and approvals by regulatory authorities. Our estimate is subject to revision as new information becomes available.
Note 14 -
Commitments and Other Contingencies
We lease timberland, facilities and equipment under non-cancelable long-term operating lease agreements. In addition, we have various obligations under other office space and equipment leases of less than one year. Rent expense on timberland was $346,000 in 2008, $428,000 in 2007 and $414,000 in 2006. Rent expense on facilities and equipment was $2,135,000 in 2008, $536,000 in 2007 and $445,000 in 2006. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases having a remaining term in excess of one year are: 2009 - $2,226,000; 2010 - $2,123,000; 2011 - $2,073,000; 2012 - $1,956,000; 2013 - $1,763,000 and thereafter - $13,605,000.
We have 16 years remaining on a 65-year timber lease of over 16,000 acres. At year-end 2008, the remaining contractual obligation for this lease is $9,106,000.
During 2008, we entered into a 10-year operating lease for approximately 32,000 square feet in the Palisades West Office Park in Austin, Texas. Effective in fourth quarter 2008, we occupy this space as our corporate headquarters. This lease contains predetermined fixed increases of the minimum rental rate during the initial lease term and a construction allowance for leasehold improvements. The remaining contractual obligation for this lease is $12,133,000.
We have a commitment to support third-party construction and ownership of a resort hotel, spa and golf facilities at our Cibolo Canyons mixed-use development near San Antonio, Texas. At year-end 2008, our unfunded commitment was $13,083,000 which is expected to be funded in 2009.
In connection with our unconsolidated venture operations, we have provided performance bonds and letters of credit aggregating $3,151,000 at year-end 2008. Generally these performance bonds and letters of credit would be drawn on due to lack of specific performance by the ventures, such as failure to deliver streets and utilities in accordance with local codes and ordinances. In addition, we own a 25 percent interest in Palisades West LLC to which all the members have committed to make additional proportionate capital contributions, our share of which is $2,792,000 at year-end 2008.
Temple-Inland has received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that the spin-off qualifies for tax-free treatment under applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and has also received an opinion of tax counsel that the spin-off so qualifies. However, if the spin-off fails to qualify for tax-free treatment, under the tax matters agreement between Temple-Inland and us we would generally be required to indemnify Temple-Inland against any tax resulting from the distribution of our shares of stock to the extent that such tax resulted from (1) an issuance of our equity securities, a redemption of our equity securities or our involvement in other acquisitions of our equity securities, (2) other actions or failures to act by us or (3) any of our representations or undertakings being incorrect or violated.
Note 15 -
Segment Information
In first quarter 2008, we changed our reportable segments to reflect our post-spin management of the operations transferred to us from Temple-Inland. All prior period segment information has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. We operate three business segments: real estate, mineral resources and fiber resources. Real estate secures entitlements and develops infrastructure on our lands for single-family residential and mixed-use communities and manages our undeveloped land and our commercial operating
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
properties. Mineral resources manages our oil and gas mineral interests. Fiber resources manages our timber and recreational leases.
We evaluate performance based on segment earnings before unallocated items and income taxes. Segment earnings consist of operating income, equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures, and minority interest expense in consolidated ventures. Unallocated items consist of general and administrative expense, share-based compensation, other non-operating income and expense, and interest expense. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the accounting policy note to the consolidated financial statements. Our revenues are derived from our U.S. operations and all of our assets are located in the U.S. No single customer accounts for more than 10 percent of our revenues.
(a)
Items not allocated to segments consists of:
(b)
Consists of expenditures for property and equipment and reforestation.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Note 16 -
Share-Based Compensation
Post-Spin Awards
A summary of the awards granted under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan follows.
Cash-settled awards
Cash-settled awards vest 50 percent after year one and 50 percent after year two from the date of grant and provide for accelerated vesting upon retirement, death, disability or if there is a change in control. The following table summarizes the activity of awards granted under our plan for 2008:
The aggregate current value of non-vested awards as of December 31, 2008 is $50,000.
Equity-settled awards
Equity-settled awards in the form of restricted stock units granted to our directors are fully vested at the time of grant and payable upon retirement. The following table summarizes the activity of awards granted under our plan for 2008:
The total fair value of awards vested in 2008 was $1,550,000, of which $800,000 are classified as deferred director fees.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Restricted stock
Restricted stock awards vest after three years if we achieve a minimum one percent annualized return on assets over such three-year period. The following table summarizes the activity of awards granted under our plan for 2008:
Stock options
Stock options have a ten-year term, generally become exercisable ratably over three to four years and provide for accelerated or continued vesting upon retirement, death, disability or if there is a change in control. Options were granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of our stock on the date of grant. The following table summarizes the activity of awards granted under our plan for 2008:
There was no aggregate intrinsic value for stock options outstanding or exercisable at December 31, 2008.
Stock options are valued based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Awards granted in 2008 were valued based upon the following assumptions:
We have limited historical experience as a stand-alone company so we utilized alternative methods in determining our valuation assumptions. The expected life was based on the simplified method utilizing the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual life of the awards. The expected stock price volatility was based on historical prices of our peers’ common stock for a period corresponding to the expected life of the options. Pre-vesting forfeitures are estimated based upon the pool of participants and their expected activity.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Pre-Spin Awards
Prior to the spin-off, we participated in Temple-Inland’s share-based compensation plans, and as a result, certain of our directors and employees received share-based compensation in the form of restricted or performance stock units, restricted stock, or options to purchase shares of Temple-Inland’s common stock. Concurrent with Temple-Inland’s distribution of our common stock, all outstanding Temple-Inland awards were adjusted into three separate awards: one related to Forestar common stock, one related to Guaranty common stock and one related to Temple-Inland common stock.
In 2007 and 2006, the expense for share-based compensation awards granted to our employees under Temple-Inland’s plans was allocated to us by Temple-Inland. We continue to recognize share-based compensation expense over the remaining vesting periods associated with our employees’ and directors’ awards in Forestar, Guaranty and Temple-Inland stock.
Cash-settled awards
Cash-settled awards generally vest and are paid after three years from the date of grant or the attainment of defined performance goals, generally measured over a three-year period. A summary of cash-settled awards outstanding to our directors and employees at year-end 2008, following the adjustments described previously, follows:
In 2008, we paid $166,000 to settle vested cash-settled awards.
Restricted stock
All outstanding restricted stock awards at year-end 2007 vested in first quarter 2008. The total fair value of these awards was $474,000.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Stock options
Stock options have a ten-year term, generally become exercisable ratably over four years and provide for accelerated or continued vesting upon retirement, death, disability or if there is a change in control. Options were granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of Temple-Inland common stock on the date of grant. A summary of stock option awards outstanding to our directors and employees at year-end 2008, following the adjustments described previously, follows:
The intrinsic value of options exercised in 2008 was $146,000.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
Share-based compensation expense for post-spin and pre-spin awards consists of:
The fair value of awards granted to retirement-eligible employees and expensed at the date of grant was $1,321,000 in 2008.
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense is included in:
We did not capitalize any share-based compensation in 2008, 2007 or 2006.
Unrecognized share-based compensation for post-spin awards not vested was $7,311,000 at year-end 2008. It is likely that this cost will be recognized as expense over the next three years. Unrecognized share-
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
based compensation for pre-spin awards not vested was $542,000 at year-end 2008. It is likely that this cost will be recognized as expense over the next two years.
In connection with restricted stock vested and stock options exercised, we withheld shares having a value of $1,858,000 for payment of payroll taxes in 2008. These shares are accounted for as treasury stock. Payroll taxes on restricted stock and stock options are reflected in financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Note 17 -
Retirement, Pension and Postretirement Plans
Our defined contribution retirement plans include a 401(k) plan, which is funded, and a supplemental plan for key employees, which is unfunded. The expense of our defined contribution retirement plans was $1,134,000 in 2008. The unfunded liability for our supplemental plan was $132,000 at year-end 2008 and is included in other liabilities.
Prior to the spin-off, we participated in Temple-Inland’s retirement, pension and postretirement plans. The retirement expense for certain of our employees was $262,000 in 2007 and $223,000 in 2006. The pension and postretirement expense allocated to us by Temple-Inland for certain of our employees was $218,000 in 2007 and $716,000 in 2006. Subsequent to the spin-off, our employees no longer participate in the Temple-Inland postretirement plans, and our employees who participate in Temple-Inland retirement and pension plans will not accrue any additional benefits. The liability for their benefits as of the spin-off date has been retained by Temple-Inland.
Note 18 -
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Summarized quarterly financial results for 2008 and 2007 follows:
Note 19 -
Pre-Spin Transactions with Temple-Inland
Prior to the spin-off, we reimbursed Temple-Inland for expenses incurred on our behalf and allocated to us. Additional allocated expenses incurred by Temple-Inland but not directly attributable to us were allocated
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
to us and recognized as expense with a corresponding increase to Temple-Inland’s investment, net of tax. Please read Note 1 for additional information.
A summary of allocated expenses from Temple-Inland follows:
Prior to the spin-off, we paid income taxes to Temple-Inland as if we filed a separate income tax return. Please read Note 12 for additional information. In addition, rent paid to a former subsidiary of Temple-Inland was $190,000 in 2007 and $178,000 in 2006.
We own an undivided 15 percent interest in corporate aircraft contributed to us by Temple-Inland at spin-off. Under the terms of the joint ownership agreement, we pay 15 percent of the fixed costs associated with ownership of the aircraft and pay our portion of the variable costs based on our usage. The agreement has a two-year term at which time it can be renewed or terminated. At year-end 2008, the carrying value of the aircraft of $5,319,000 is included in other assets.
Fiber resources and other revenues include sales of timber to Temple-Inland of $12,167,000 in 2007 and $8,867,000 in 2006. Cost of fiber resources includes cost of timber sold to Temple-Inland of $3,241,000 in 2007 and $2,140,000 in 2006.
Note 20 -
Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)
We lease our oil and gas mineral interests, principally in Texas and Louisiana, to third party oil and gas exploration and production entities for the exploration and production of oil and gas. When we lease our mineral interests, we retain a royalty interest and may take an additional participation in production, including a non-operating working interest. Non-operating working interests refer to well interests in which we pay a share of the costs to drill, complete and operate a well and receive a proportionate share of the production revenues. At year-end 2008, non-operating working interests capitalized costs were $131,000 and represent our proportionate share of exploration and development costs to date related to one well located in Louisiana. We incurred no exploration or development costs in 2007 or 2006.
We did not acquire any oil or gas mineral interests in 2008, and unamortized costs of our oil and gas mineral interests were not material at year-end 2007 and 2006.
Our royalty revenues are contractually defined and based on a percentage of production and are received in cash. Our royalty revenues fluctuate based on changes in the market prices for oil and gas and other factors affecting the third party oil and gas exploration and production entities including the cost of development and production. In 2007 and 2006, our royalty revenues were allocated to us by Temple-Inland.
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Information about the results of operations of our oil and gas mineral interests follows:
In 2008, production costs represent our share of oil and gas production severance taxes. In 2007 and 2006, oil and gas production severance taxes were reflected as a reduction of royalty revenues and were allocated to us by Temple-Inland.
Other lease revenues, principally bonus and delay rentals, were $26,032,000 in 2008, $7,704,000 in 2007 and $10,599,000 in 2006. In 2008, our share of lease bonus revenues from unconsolidated ventures was $1,162,000.
Estimates of oil and gas reserve information related to our royalty interests are unknown to us. We do not make such estimates and our lessees do not make this information available to us. Our share of oil and gas produced and average unit prices related to our royalty interests follows:
Note 21 -
Subsequent Event
On February 11, 2009, we announced the following strategic initiatives to enhance stockholder value: generate significant free cash flow, principally from the sale of approximately 175,000 acres of higher and better use (HBU) timberland; reduce debt by approximately $150 million; and repurchase up to 20 percent of our outstanding shares of common stock. Debt reduction and share repurchases will be funded by proceeds from the asset sales. We are in the process of marketing a portion of our HBU timberland and will classify that portion of the HBU timberland we anticipate selling as assets held for sale at first quarter-end 2009.
Forestar Group Inc.
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Year-End
(In thousands)
S-1
Forestar Group Inc.
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation - (Continued)
S-2
Forestar Group Inc.
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
S-3
Forestar Group Inc.
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation - (Continued)
S-4
Forestar Group Inc.
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation - (Continued)
(a)
We do not capitalize carrying costs until development begins.
S-5
Forestar Group Inc.
Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Reconciliation of real estate:
Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation:
S-6