ITEM 1. Business
BUSINESS
Overview
Ventas, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a REIT with a highly diversified portfolio of seniors housing and healthcare properties located throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. As of December 31, 2014, we owned more than 1,500 properties (including properties classified as held for sale), consisting of seniors housing communities, MOBs, skilled nursing and other facilities, and hospitals, and we had one new property under development. Our company was originally founded in 1983 and is currently headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
We primarily invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties through acquisitions and lease our properties to unaffiliated tenants or operate them through independent third-party managers. As of December 31, 2014, we leased a total of 922 properties (excluding MOBs and properties classified as held for sale) to various healthcare operating companies under “triple-net” or “absolute-net” leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures, and we engaged independent operators, such as Atria and Sunrise, to manage 270 seniors housing communities for us pursuant to long-term management agreements.
Through our Lillibridge Healthcare Services, Inc. (“Lillibridge”) subsidiary and our ownership interest in PMB Real Estate Services LLC (“PMBRES”), we also provide MOB management, leasing, marketing, facility development and advisory services to highly rated hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. In addition, from time to time, we make secured and unsecured loans and other investments relating to seniors housing and healthcare operators or properties.
We conduct our operations through three reportable business segments: triple-net leased properties; senior living operations; and MOB operations. See our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes, including “Note 2-Accounting Policies,” included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Business Strategy
We aim to enhance shareholder value by delivering consistent, superior total returns through a strategy of: (1) generating reliable and growing cash flows; (2) maintaining a balanced, diversified portfolio of high-quality assets; and (3) preserving our financial strength, flexibility and liquidity.
Generating Reliable and Growing Cash Flows
Generating reliable and growing cash flows from our seniors housing and healthcare assets enables us to pay regular cash dividends to stockholders and creates opportunities to increase shareholder value through profitable investments. The combination of steady contractual growth from our long-term triple-net leases, steady, reliable cash flows from our loan investments and stable cash flows from our MOBs with the higher growth potential inherent in our seniors housing operating communities drives our ability to generate sustainable, growing cash flows that are resilient to economic downturns.
Maintaining a Balanced, Diversified Portfolio
We believe that maintaining a balanced portfolio of high-quality assets diversified by investment type, geographic location, asset type, tenant/operator, revenue source and operating model diminishes the risk that any single factor or event could materially harm our business. Portfolio diversification also enhances the reliability of our cash flows by reducing our exposure to any individual tenant, operator or manager and making us less susceptible to single-state regulatory or reimbursement changes, regional climate events and local economic downturns.
Preserving Our Financial Strength, Flexibility and Liquidity
A strong, flexible balance sheet and excellent liquidity position us favorably to capitalize on strategic growth opportunities in the seniors housing and healthcare industries through acquisitions, investments, and development and redevelopment projects. We maintain our financial strength to pursue profitable investment opportunities by actively managing our leverage, improving our cost of capital and preserving our access to multiple sources of liquidity, including unsecured bank debt, mortgage financings and public debt and equity markets.
2014 Highlights and Other Recent Developments
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In 2014, we paid an annual cash dividend on our common stock of $2.965 per share.
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During 2014, we made investments totaling approximately $2.4 billion in seniors housing and healthcare assets, including 29 seniors housing communities located in Canada that we acquired from Holiday Retirement (the “Holiday Canada Acquisition”), three high-quality private hospitals located in the United Kingdom and a $425.0 million secured mezzanine loan investment that has a blended annual interest rate of 8.1% and has contractual maturities ranging between 2016 and 2019.
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In January 2015, we acquired publicly traded American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc. (“HCT”) in a stock and cash transaction (the “HCT Acquisition”), which added 152 properties (some of which are located on the same campus) to our portfolio. We funded the transaction through the issuance of approximately 28.4 million shares of our common stock, 1.1 million limited partnership units that are redeemable for shares of our common stock, cash and the assumption of debt.
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In 2015, we made other investments totaling approximately $320 million, including the acquisition of five triple-net leased properties in the United Kingdom and 12 skilled nursing facilities.
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In April 2014, we issued and sold $700 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes with a weighted average interest rate of 2.75% and a weighted average maturity of seven years.
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In September 2014, we issued and sold CAD 650.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, with an effective weighted average interest rate of 3.5% and a weighted average maturity of 6.9 years, on a private placement basis in Canada. We used the net proceeds from the sale to repay a portion of the CAD 791.0 million unsecured term loan we incurred to initially fund the Holiday Canada Acquisition.
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In January 2015, we issued and sold $900 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.8% and a weighted average maturity of 16.7 years, and we issued and sold CAD 250.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, with an interest rate of 3.3% and a maturity of seven years, on a private placement basis in Canada.
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Under our “at-the-market” equity offering program, during 2014 and 2015 we issued and sold a total of approximately 7.1 million shares of our common stock at a weighted average price of $75.18 per share for aggregate net proceeds (after sales agent commissions) of $528.1 million.
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During 2014, we sold 22 properties for $118.2 million and received loans receivable repayments of $55.9 million.
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In 2015, we sold 17 properties for $275.1 million, including $5.5 million of lease termination fees.
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By the end of 2014, we had re-leased to Kindred, transitioned to new operators or sold 107 of the 108 licensed healthcare assets whose lease terms with Kindred were scheduled to expire on September 30, 2014, and we expect to sell the remaining asset during 2015. See “Triple-Net Lease Expirations.”
Portfolio Summary
The following table summarizes our consolidated portfolio of properties and other investments (excluding properties included in discontinued operations during 2014 and properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014:
(1)
As of December 31, 2014, we also owned 20 seniors housing communities, 17 MOBs and 14 skilled nursing facilities through investments in unconsolidated entities, and we classified five seniors housing communities, nine skilled nursing facilities, and 36 MOBs as held for sale. Our consolidated properties were located in 46 states, the District of Columbia, seven Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom and, excluding MOBs, were operated or managed by 94 unaffiliated healthcare operating companies, including the following publicly traded companies or their subsidiaries: Brookdale (161 properties) (excluding six properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities); Kindred (83 properties); 21st Century Oncology Holdings, Inc. (12 properties); Capital Senior Living Corporation (12 properties); Spire Healthcare plc (three properties); and HealthSouth Corp. (two properties).
(2)
Seniors housing communities are measured in units; MOBs are measured by square footage; and skilled nursing and other facilities and hospitals are measured by bed count.
(3)
Total revenues exclude revenues attributable to properties included in discontinued operations during 2014 and properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014.
(4)
As of December 31, 2014, we leased 30 of our consolidated MOBs pursuant to triple-net leases, Lillibridge or PMBRES managed 246 of our consolidated MOBs and 29 of our consolidated MOBs were managed by nine unaffiliated managers. Through Lillibridge and PMBRES, we also provided management and leasing services for 75 MOBs owned by third parties as of December 31, 2014.
Seniors Housing and Healthcare Properties
As of December 31, 2014, we owned a total of 1,484 seniors housing and healthcare properties (excluding properties classified as held for sale), including through our investments in unconsolidated entities, as follows:
Seniors Housing Communities
Our seniors housing communities include independent and assisted living communities, continuing care retirement communities and communities providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory loss. These communities offer studio, one bedroom and two bedroom residential units on a month-to-month basis primarily to elderly individuals requiring various levels of assistance. Basic services for residents of these communities include
housekeeping, meals in a central dining area and group activities organized by the staff with input from the residents. More extensive care and personal supervision, at additional fees, are also available for such needs as eating, bathing, grooming, transportation, limited therapeutic programs and medication administration, which allow residents certain conveniences and enable them to live as independently as possible according to their abilities. These services are often met by home health providers, close coordination with the resident’s physician and skilled nursing facilities. Charges for room, board and services are generally paid from private sources.
Medical Office Buildings
Typically, our MOBs are multi-tenant properties leased to several unrelated medical practices, although in many cases they may be associated with a large single specialty or multi-specialty group. Tenants include physicians, dentists, psychologists, therapists and other healthcare providers, who require space devoted to patient examination and treatment, diagnostic imaging, outpatient surgery and other outpatient services. MOBs are similar to commercial office buildings, although they require greater plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems to accommodate physicians’ requirements such as sinks in every room, brighter lights and specialized medical equipment. As of December 31, 2014, we owned or managed for third parties approximately 21 million square feet of MOBs that are predominantly located on or near an acute care hospital campus (“on campus”).
Skilled Nursing and Other Facilities
Our skilled nursing facilities provide rehabilitative, restorative, skilled nursing and medical treatment for patients and residents who do not require the high technology, care-intensive, high cost setting of an acute care or rehabilitation hospital. Treatment programs include physical, occupational, speech, respiratory and other therapies, including sub-acute clinical protocols such as wound care and intravenous drug treatment. Charges for these services are generally paid from a combination of government reimbursement and private sources.
Our personal care facilities provide specialized care, including supported living services, neurorehabilitation, neurobehavioral management and vocational programs, for persons with acquired or traumatic brain injury.
Hospitals
Substantially all of our hospitals are operated as long-term acute care hospitals, which have a Medicare average length of stay of greater than 25 days and serve medically complex, chronically ill patients who require a high level of monitoring and specialized care, but whose conditions do not necessitate the continued services of an intensive care unit. The operators of these hospitals have the capability to treat patients who suffer from multiple systemic failures or conditions such as neurological disorders, head injuries, brain stem and spinal cord trauma, cerebral vascular accidents, chemical brain injuries, central nervous system disorders, developmental anomalies and cardiopulmonary disorders. Chronic patients often depend on technology for continued life support, such as mechanical ventilators, total parenteral nutrition, respiration or cardiac monitors and dialysis machines, and, due to their severe medical conditions, generally are not clinically appropriate for admission to a nursing facility or rehabilitation hospital. All of our long-term acute care hospitals are freestanding facilities, and we do not own any “hospitals within hospitals.” We also own two hospitals focused on providing children’s care and five rehabilitation hospitals devoted to the rehabilitation of patients with various neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic and other medical conditions following stabilization of their acute medical issues.
Geographic Diversification of Properties
Our portfolio of seniors housing and healthcare properties is broadly diversified by geographic location throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with properties in only one state (California) accounting for more than 10% of our total revenues and total net operating income (“NOI,” which is defined as total revenues, excluding interest and other income, less property-level operating expenses and medical office building services costs) (in each case excluding amounts in discontinued operations) for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following table shows our rental income and resident fees and services by geographic location for the year ended December 31, 2014:
(1)
This presentation excludes revenues from properties included in discontinued operations during 2014.
(2)
The remainder of our total revenues is medical office building and other services revenue, income from loans and investments and interest and other income.
The following table shows our NOI by geographic location for the year ended December 31, 2014:
(1)
This presentation excludes NOI from properties included in discontinued operations during 2014.
See “Note 20-Segment Information” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the geographic diversification of our portfolio.
Certificates of Need
Our skilled nursing facilities and hospitals are generally subject to federal, state and local licensure statutes and statutes that may require regulatory approval, in the form of a certificate of need (“CON”) issued by a governmental agency with jurisdiction over healthcare facilities, prior to the expansion of existing facilities, construction of new facilities, addition of beds, acquisition of major equipment or introduction of new services. CON requirements, which are not uniform throughout the United States, may restrict our or our operators’ ability to expand our properties in certain circumstances.
The following table shows the percentages of our rental income (excluding amounts in discontinued operations) for the year ended December 31, 2014 that are derived by skilled nursing facilities and hospitals in states with and without CON requirements:
Loans and Investments
As of December 31, 2014, we had $927.7 million of net loans receivable and investments relating to seniors housing and healthcare operators or properties. Our loans receivable and investments provide us with interest income, principal amortization and transaction fees and are typically secured by mortgage liens or leasehold mortgages on the underlying properties and corporate or personal guarantees by affiliates of the borrowing entity. In some cases, the loans are secured by a pledge of ownership interests in the entity or entities that own the related seniors housing or healthcare properties. From time to time, we also make investments in mezzanine loans, which are subordinated to senior secured loans held by other investors that
encumber the same real estate. See “Note 6-Loans Receivable and Investments” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Development and Redevelopment Projects
We are party to certain agreements that obligate us to develop seniors housing or healthcare properties funded through capital that we and, in certain circumstances, our joint venture partners provide. As of December 31, 2014, we had one new property under development pursuant to these agreements. In addition, from time to time, we engage in redevelopment projects with respect to our existing seniors housing communities to maximize the value, increase NOI, maintain a market-competitive position, achieve property stabilization or change the primary use of the property.
Segment Information
We evaluate our operating performance and allocate resources based on three reportable business segments: triple-net leased properties; senior living operations; and MOB operations. Non-segment assets, classified as “all other,” consist primarily of corporate assets, including cash, restricted cash, deferred financing costs, loans receivable and investments, and miscellaneous accounts receivable. For further information regarding our business segments, see “Note 20-Segment Information” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Significant Tenants, Operators and Managers
The following table summarizes certain information regarding our tenant, operator and manager concentration as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (excluding properties included in discontinued operations during 2014 and properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities):
(1)
Based on gross book value.
(2)
Excludes six properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities and one property managed by Brookdale Senior Living pursuant to a long-term management agreement.
Triple-Net Leased Properties
Each of our leases with Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred is a triple-net lease that obligates the tenant to pay all property-related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures, and to comply with the terms of the mortgage financing documents, if any, affecting the properties. In addition, each of these leases has guaranty and cross-default provisions tied to other leases with the same tenant or its affiliates, as well as bundled lease renewals (as described in more detail below).
The properties we lease to Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred accounted for a significant portion of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and NOI for the year ended December 31, 2014. If either Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred becomes unable or unwilling to satisfy its obligations to us or to renew its leases with us upon expiration of the terms thereof, our financial condition and results of operations could decline and our ability to service our indebtedness and to make distributions to our stockholders could be impaired. We cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to satisfy their respective obligations to us, and any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity and our ability to service our indebtedness and other obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders, as required for us to continue to qualify as a REIT (a “Material Adverse Effect”). We also cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will elect to renew their respective leases with us upon expiration of the leases or that we will be able to reposition any non-renewed properties on a timely basis or on the same or better economic terms, if at all. See “Risks Factors-Risks Arising from Our Business-Our leases with Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred account for a significant portion of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and operating income; Any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to satisfy its obligations under our agreements could have a Material Adverse Effect on us” included in Item 1A
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
This section discusses the most significant factors that affect our business, operations and financial condition. It does not describe all risks and uncertainties applicable to us, our industry or ownership of our securities. If any of the following risks, or any other risks and uncertainties that are not addressed below or that we have not yet identified, actually occur, we could be materially adversely affected and the value of our securities could decline.
We have grouped these risk factors into three general categories:
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Risks arising from our business;
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Risks arising from our capital structure; and
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Risks arising from our status as a REIT.
Risks Arising from Our Business
The properties managed by Atria and Sunrise account for a significant portion of our revenues and operating income; Adverse developments in Atria’s or Sunrise’s business and affairs or financial condition could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
As of December 31, 2014, Atria and Sunrise, collectively, managed 269 of our seniors housing communities pursuant to long-term management agreements. These properties represent a substantial portion of our portfolio, based on their gross book value, and account for a significant portion of our revenues and NOI. Although we have various rights as the property owner under our management agreements, we rely on Atria’s and Sunrise’s personnel, expertise, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information, good faith and judgment to manage our senior living operations efficiently and effectively. We also rely on Atria and Sunrise to set appropriate resident fees, to provide accurate property-level financial results for our properties in a timely manner and to otherwise operate our seniors housing communities in compliance with the terms of our management agreements and all applicable laws and regulations. For example, we depend on Atria’s and Sunrise’s ability to attract and retain skilled management personnel who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of our seniors housing communities. A shortage of nurses or other trained personnel or general inflationary pressures may force Atria or Sunrise to enhance its pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel, but it may not be able to offset these added costs by increasing the rates charged to residents. Any increase in labor costs and other property operating expenses, any failure by Atria or Sunrise to attract and retain qualified personnel, or significant changes in Atria’s or Sunrise’s senior management or equity ownership could adversely affect the income we receive from our seniors housing communities and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Because Atria and Sunrise manage our properties in exchange for the receipt of a management fee from us, we are not directly exposed to the credit risk of our managers in the same manner or to the same extent as our triple-net tenants. However, any adverse developments in Atria’s or Sunrise’s business and affairs or financial condition could impair its ability to manage our properties efficiently and effectively and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. If Atria or Sunrise experiences any significant financial, legal, accounting or regulatory difficulties due to a weak economy or otherwise, such difficulties could result in, among other adverse events, acceleration of its indebtedness, impairment of its continued access to capital, the enforcement of default remedies by its counterparties, or the commencement of insolvency proceedings by or against it under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, any one or a combination of which indirectly could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our leases with Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred account for a significant portion of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and operating income; Any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to satisfy its obligations under our agreements could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
The properties we lease to Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred account for a significant portion of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and NOI, and because our leases with Brookdale Senior Living and the Kindred Master Leases are triple-net leases, we depend on Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred to pay all insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance and repair expenses in connection with the leased properties. We cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to satisfy their respective obligations to us, and any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to do so could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. In addition, any failure by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to effectively conduct its operations or to maintain and improve our properties could adversely affect its business reputation and its ability to attract and retain patients and residents in our
properties, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred have agreed to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities arising in connection with their respective businesses, and we cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will have sufficient assets, income, access to financing and insurance coverage to enable them to satisfy their respective indemnification obligations.
We face potential adverse consequences of bankruptcy or insolvency by our tenants, operators, borrowers, managers and other obligors.
We are exposed to the risk that our tenants, operators, borrowers, managers or other obligors may become bankrupt or insolvent. Although our lease, loan and management agreements give us the right to exercise certain remedies in the event of default on the obligations owing to us or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency events, federal laws afford certain rights to a party that has filed for bankruptcy or reorganization. For example, a debtor-lessee may reject our lease in a bankruptcy proceeding, in which case our claim against the debtor-lessee for unpaid and future rents would be limited by the statutory cap of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This statutory cap could be substantially less than the remaining rent actually owed under the lease, and any claim we have for unpaid rent might not be paid in full. In addition, a debtor-lessee may assert in a bankruptcy proceeding that our lease should be re-characterized as a financing agreement, in which case our rights and remedies as a lender, compared to a landlord, generally would be more limited. If a debtor-manager seeks bankruptcy protection, the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code would preclude us from enforcing our remedies against the manager unless relief is first obtained from the court having jurisdiction over the bankruptcy case. In any of these events, we also may be required to fund certain expenses and obligations (e.g., real estate taxes, debt costs and maintenance expenses) to preserve the value of our properties, avoid the imposition of liens on our properties or transition our properties to a new tenant, operator or manager.
We have rights to terminate our management agreements with Atria and Sunrise in whole or with respect to specific properties under certain circumstances, and we may be unable to replace Atria or Sunrise if our management agreements are terminated or not renewed.
We are parties to long-term management agreements pursuant to which Atria and Sunrise, collectively, provided comprehensive property management and accounting services with respect to 269 of our seniors housing communities as of December 31, 2014. Most of our management agreements with Atria have terms expiring either July 31, 2024 or December 31, 2027, with successive automatic ten-year renewal periods, and our management agreements with Sunrise have terms ranging from 25 to 30 years (which commenced as early as 2004 and as recently as 2012). Our ability to terminate these long-term management agreements is limited to specific circumstances set forth in the agreements and may relate to all properties or a specific property or group of properties.
We may terminate any of our Atria management agreements upon the occurrence of an event of default by Atria in the performance of a material covenant or term thereof (including, in certain circumstances, the revocation of any license or certificate necessary for operation), subject in most cases to Atria’s right to cure such default, or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency events relating to Atria. In addition, we may terminate our management agreements with Atria based on the failure to achieve certain NOI targets or upon the payment of a fee.
Similarly, we may terminate any of our Sunrise management agreements upon the occurrence of an event of default by Sunrise in the performance of a material covenant or term thereof (including, in certain circumstances, the revocation of any license or certificate necessary for operation), subject in most cases to Sunrise’s right to cure such default, or upon the occurrence of certain insolvency events relating to Sunrise. We also may terminate most of our management agreements with Sunrise based on the failure to achieve certain NOI targets or to comply with certain expense control covenants, subject to certain rights of Sunrise to make cure payments to us, and upon the occurrence of certain other events or the existence of certain other conditions.
We continually monitor and assess our contractual rights and remedies under our management agreements with Atria and Sunrise. When determining whether to pursue any existing or future rights or remedies under those agreements, including termination rights, we consider numerous factors, including legal, contractual, regulatory, business and other relevant considerations. In the event that we exercise our rights to terminate the Atria or Sunrise management agreements for any reason or such agreements are not renewed upon expiration of their terms, we would attempt to reposition the affected properties with another manager. Although we believe that many qualified national and regional seniors housing operators would be interested in managing our seniors housing communities, we cannot assure you that we would be able to locate another suitable manager or, if we are successful in locating such a manager, that it would manage the properties effectively. Moreover, the transition to a replacement manager would require approval by the applicable regulatory authorities and, in most cases, the mortgage lenders for the properties, and we cannot assure you that such approvals would be granted on a timely basis, if at all. Any inability to replace, or a lengthy delay in replacing, Atria or Sunrise as the manager of our seniors housing
communities following termination or non-renewal of the applicable management agreements could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
If we must replace any of our tenants or operators, we might be unable to reposition the properties on as favorable terms, or at all, and we could be subject to delays, limitations and expenses, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
We cannot predict whether our tenants will renew existing leases beyond their current term. If our leases with Brookdale Senior Living, the Kindred Master Leases or any of our other triple-net leases are not renewed, we would attempt to reposition those properties with another tenant or operator. In case of non-renewal, we generally have one year prior to expiration of the lease term to arrange for repositioning of the properties and our tenants are required to continue to perform all of their obligations (including the payment of all rental amounts) for the non-renewed assets until such expiration. However, following expiration of a lease term or if we exercise our right to replace a tenant or operator in default, rental payments on the related properties could decline or cease altogether while we reposition the properties with a suitable replacement tenant or operator. We also might not be successful in identifying suitable replacements or entering into leases or other arrangements with new tenants or operators on a timely basis or on terms as favorable to us as our current leases, if at all, and we may be required to fund certain expenses and obligations (e.g., real estate taxes, debt costs and maintenance expenses) to preserve the value of, and avoid the imposition of liens on, our properties while they are being repositioned. In addition, we may incur certain obligations and liabilities, including obligations to indemnify the replacement tenant or operator, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
In the event of non-renewal or a tenant default, our ability to reposition our properties with a suitable replacement tenant or operator could be significantly delayed or limited by state licensing, receivership, CON or other laws, as well as by the Medicare and Medicaid change-of-ownership rules, and we could incur substantial additional expenses in connection with any licensing, receivership or change-of-ownership proceedings. Our ability to locate and attract suitable replacement tenants also could be impaired by the specialized healthcare uses or contractual restrictions on use of the properties, and we may be forced to spend substantial amounts to adapt the properties to other uses. Any such delays, limitations and expenses could adversely impact our ability to collect rent, obtain possession of leased properties or otherwise exercise remedies for tenant default and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Moreover, in connection with certain of our properties, we have entered into intercreditor agreements with the tenants’ lenders or tri-party agreements with our lenders. Our ability to exercise remedies under the applicable leases or management agreements or to reposition the applicable properties may be significantly delayed or limited by the terms of the intercreditor agreement or tri-party agreement. Any such delay or limit on our rights and remedies could adversely affect our ability to mitigate our losses and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Merger and acquisition activity or consolidation in the seniors housing and healthcare industries resulting in a change of control of, or a competitor’s investment in, one or more of our tenants, operators or managers could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
The seniors housing and healthcare industries have recently experienced increased consolidation, including among owners of real estate and care providers. We compete with other healthcare REITs, healthcare providers, healthcare lenders, real estate partnerships, banks, insurance companies, private equity firms and other investors that pursue a variety of investments, which may include investments in our tenants, operators or managers. A competitor’s investment in one of our tenants, operators or managers could enable our competitor to influence that tenant’s, operator’s or manager’s business and strategy in a manner that impairs our relationship with the tenant, operator or manager or is otherwise adverse to our interests. Depending on our contractual agreements and the specific facts and circumstances, we may have the right to consent to, or otherwise exercise rights and remedies, including termination rights, on account of, a competitor’s investment in, a change of control of, or other transactions impacting a tenant, operator or manager. In deciding whether to exercise our rights and remedies, including termination rights, we assess numerous factors, including legal, contractual, regulatory, business and other relevant considerations. In addition, in connection with any change of control of a tenant, operator or manager, the tenant’s, operator’s or manager’s management team may change, which could lead to a change in the tenant’s, operator’s or manager’s strategy or adversely affect the business of the tenant, operator or manager, either of which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our pursuit of investments in and acquisitions of, or our development or redevelopment of, seniors housing and healthcare assets may be unsuccessful or fail to meet our expectations.
An important part of our business strategy is to continue to expand and diversify our portfolio through accretive acquisition, investment, development and redevelopment opportunities in domestic and international seniors housing and healthcare properties. Our execution of this strategy by successfully identifying, securing and consummating beneficial transactions is made more challenging by increased competition and can be affected by many factors, including our
relationships with current and prospective clients, our ability to obtain debt and equity capital at costs comparable to or better than our competitors, and our ability to negotiate favorable terms with property owners seeking to sell and other contractual counterparties. Our competitors for these opportunities include other healthcare REITs, real estate partnerships, healthcare providers, healthcare lenders and other investors, including developers, banks, insurance companies, pension funds, government-sponsored entities and private equity firms, some of whom may have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital than we do. See “Business-Competition” included in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. If we are unsuccessful at identifying and capitalizing on investment, acquisition, development and redevelopment opportunities, our growth and profitability may be adversely affected.
Investments in and acquisitions of seniors housing and healthcare properties entail risks associated with real estate investments generally, including risks that the investment will not achieve expected returns, that the cost estimates for necessary property improvements will prove inaccurate or that the tenant, operator or manager will fail to meet performance expectations. Investments outside the United States raise legal, economic and market risks associated with doing business in foreign countries, such as currency exchange fluctuations, costly regulatory requirements and foreign tax risks. Domestic and international real estate development and redevelopment projects present additional risks, including construction delays or cost overruns that increase expenses, the inability to obtain required zoning, occupancy and other governmental approvals and permits on a timely basis, and the incurrence of significant costs prior to completion of the project. Furthermore, healthcare properties are often highly customized and the development or redevelopment of such properties may require costly tenant-specific improvements. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will achieve the economic benefit we expect from acquisition, investment, development and redevelopment opportunities.
Our significant acquisition and investment activity presents certain risks to our business and operations.
We have made and expect to continue to make significant acquisitions and investments as part of our overall business strategy. Our significant acquisition and investment activity presents certain risks to our business and operations, including, among other things, that:
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We may be unable to successfully integrate the operations, personnel or systems of acquired companies, maintain consistent standards, controls, policies and procedures, or realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and other investments within the anticipated time frame or at all;
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We may be unable to effectively monitor and manage our expanded portfolio of properties, retain key employees or attract highly qualified new employees;
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Projections of estimated future revenues, costs savings or operating metrics that we develop during the due diligence and integration planning process might be inaccurate;
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Our leverage could increase or our per share financial results could decline if we incur additional debt or issue equity securities to finance acquisitions and investments;
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Acquisitions and other new investments could divert management’s attention from our existing assets;
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The value of acquired assets or the market price of our common stock may decline; and
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We may be unable to continue paying dividends at the current rate.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to integrate acquisitions and investments without encountering difficulties or that any such difficulties will not have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
If the liabilities we assume in connection with acquisitions are greater than expected, or if there are unknown liabilities, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
We may assume or incur liabilities in connection with our acquisitions, including, in some cases, contingent liabilities. As we integrate these acquisitions, we may learn additional information about the sellers, the properties, their operations and their liabilities that adversely affects us, such as:
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Liabilities relating to the clean-up or remediation of undisclosed environmental conditions;
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Unasserted claims of vendors or other persons dealing with the sellers;
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Liabilities, claims and litigation, including indemnification obligations, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business, relating to periods prior to or following our acquisition;
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Claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the sellers; and
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Liabilities for taxes relating to periods prior to our acquisition.
As a result, we cannot assure you that our past or future acquisitions will be successful or will not, in fact, harm our business. Among other things, if the liabilities we assume in connection with acquisitions are greater than expected, or if we discover obligations relating to the acquired properties or businesses of which we were not aware at the time of acquisition, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We expect to incur substantial expenses related to our acquisition of HCT.
The HCT Acquisition was completed in January 2015. We may incur substantial expenses in connection with integrating HCT’s business, operations, networks, systems, technologies, policies and procedures with ours. While we expect to incur a certain level of integration expenses, factors beyond our control could affect the total amount or the timing of integration expenses. Many of the expenses that will be incurred, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately. As a result, the integration expenses associated with the HCT Acquisition could, particularly in the near term, exceed any savings that we expect to achieve from the elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale and cost savings related to the integration of the businesses.
Our future results will suffer if we do not effectively manage our expanded portfolio and operations following the acquisition of HCT.
As a result of the HCT Acquisition, we have an expanded portfolio and operations and likely will continue to expand operations through additional acquisitions and other strategic transactions, some of which may involve complex challenges. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to manage our expansion opportunities, integrate new operations into our existing business in an efficient and timely manner, successfully monitor our operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality, and maintain other necessary internal controls. It is possible that our expansion or acquisition opportunities will not be successful. It is also possible that we will not realize expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements, synergies or other benefits.
Our investments are concentrated in seniors housing and healthcare real estate, making us more vulnerable economically to adverse changes in the real estate market and the seniors housing and healthcare industries than if our investments were diversified.
We invest primarily in seniors housing and healthcare properties and are constrained by the terms of our existing indebtedness from making investments outside those industries. This investment focus exposes us to greater economic risk than if our portfolio were to include real estate assets in other industries or assets unrelated to real estate.
The healthcare industry is highly regulated, and changes in government regulation and reimbursement can have material adverse consequences on its participants, some of which may be unintended. The healthcare industry is also highly competitive, and our operators and managers may encounter increased competition for residents and patients, including with respect to the scope and quality of care and services provided, reputation and financial condition, physical appearance of the properties, price and location. If our tenants, operators and managers are unable to successfully compete with other operators and managers by maintaining profitable occupancy and rate levels, their ability to meet their respective obligations to us may be materially adversely affected. We cannot assure you that future changes in government regulation will not adversely affect the healthcare industry, including our seniors housing and healthcare operations, tenants and operators, nor can we be certain that our tenants, operators and managers will achieve and maintain occupancy and rate levels that will enable them to satisfy their obligations to us. Any adverse changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry or the competitiveness of our tenants, operators and managers could have a more pronounced effect on us than if we had investments outside the seniors housing and healthcare industries.
Real estate investments are relatively illiquid, and our ability to quickly sell or exchange our properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions is limited. In the event we market any of our properties for sale, the value of those properties and our ability to sell at prices or on terms acceptable to us could be adversely affected by a downturn in the real estate industry or any economic weakness in the seniors housing and healthcare industries. In addition, transfers of healthcare properties may be subject to regulatory approvals that are not required for transfers of other types of commercial properties. We cannot assure you that we will recognize the full value of any property that we sell for liquidity or other reasons, and the inability to respond quickly to changes in the performance of our investments could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our operating assets expose us to various operational risks, liabilities and claims that could adversely affect our ability to generate revenues or increase our costs and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our senior living and MOB operating assets expose us to various operational risks, liabilities and claims that could increase our costs or adversely affect our ability to generate revenues, thereby reducing our profitability. These operational
risks include fluctuations in occupancy levels, the inability to achieve economic resident fees (including anticipated increases in those fees), increases in the cost of food, materials, energy, labor (as a result of unionization or otherwise) or other services, rent control regulations, national and regional economic conditions, the imposition of new or increased taxes, capital expenditure requirements, professional and general liability claims, and the availability and cost of professional and general liability insurance. Any one or a combination of these factors could result in operating deficiencies in our senior living operations or MOB operations reportable business segments, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our ownership of properties outside the United States exposes us to different risks than those associated with our domestic properties.
Our current or future ownership of properties outside the United States subjects us to risks that may be different or greater than those we face with our domestic properties. These risks include, but are not limited to:
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Challenges with respect to repatriation on foreign earnings and cash;
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Foreign ownership restrictions with respect to operations in countries;
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Regional or country-specific business cycles and economic instability;
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Challenges of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations, including those relating to real estate, corporate governance, operations, taxes, employment and legal proceedings;
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Differences in lending practices and the willingness of domestic or foreign lenders to provide financing; and
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Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations in the United States that affect foreign operations, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Increased construction in the markets in which our seniors housing communities and MOBs are located could adversely affect our future occupancy rates, operating margins and profitability.
Limited barriers to entry in the seniors housing and MOB industries could lead to the development of new seniors housing communities or MOBs that outpaces demand. If development outpaces demand for those assets in the markets in which our properties are located, those markets may become saturated and we could experience decreased occupancy, reduced operating margins and lower profitability.
We have now, and may have in the future, exposure to contingent rent escalators, which could hinder our growth and profitability.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from leasing properties pursuant to long-term triple-net leases that generally provide for fixed rental rates, subject to annual escalations. In certain cases, the annual escalations are contingent upon the achievement of specified revenue parameters or based on changes in CPI, with caps and floors. If, as a result of weak economic conditions or other factors, the properties subject to these leases do not generate sufficient revenue to achieve the specified rent escalation parameters or CPI does not increase, our growth and profitability may be hindered. If strong economic conditions result in significant increases in CPI, but the escalations under our leases are capped, our growth and profitability also may be limited.
We own certain properties subject to ground lease, air rights or other restrictive agreements that limit our uses of the properties, restrict our ability to sell or otherwise transfer the properties and expose us to loss of the properties if such agreements are breached by us or terminated.
Our investments in MOBs and other properties may be made through leasehold interests in the land on which the buildings are located, leases of air rights for the space above the land on which the buildings are located, or other similar restrictive arrangements. Many of these ground lease, air rights and other restrictive agreements impose significant limitations on our uses of the subject properties, restrict our ability to sell or otherwise transfer our interests in the properties or restrict the leasing of the properties. These restrictions may limit our ability to timely sell or exchange the properties, impair the properties’ value or negatively impact our ability to find suitable tenants for the properties. In addition, we could lose our interests in the subject properties if the ground lease, air rights or other restrictive agreements are breached by us or terminated.
We may be unable to successfully foreclose on the collateral securing our loans and other investments, and even if we are successful in our foreclosure efforts, we may be unable to successfully sell any acquired equity interests or reposition any acquired properties, which could adversely affect our ability to recover our investments.
If a borrower defaults under mortgage or other secured loans for which we are the lender, we may attempt to foreclose on the collateral securing those loans, including by acquiring any pledged equity interests or acquiring title to the subject properties, to protect our investment. In response, the defaulting borrower may contest our enforcement of foreclosure or other
available remedies, seek bankruptcy protection against our exercise of enforcement or other available remedies, or bring claims against us for lender liability. If a defaulting borrower seeks bankruptcy protection, the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code would preclude us from enforcing foreclosure or other available remedies against the borrower unless relief is first obtained from the court with jurisdiction over the bankruptcy case. In addition, we may be subject to intercreditor or tri-party agreements that delay, impact, govern or limit our ability to foreclose on a lien securing a loan or otherwise delay or limit our pursuit of our rights and remedies. Any such delay or limit on our ability to pursue our rights or remedies could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Even if we successfully foreclose on the collateral securing our mortgage loans and other investments, costs related to enforcement of our remedies, high loan-to-value ratios or declines in the value of the collateral could prevent us from realizing the full amount of our secured loans, and we could be required to record a valuation allowance for such losses. Moreover, the collateral may include equity interests that we are unable to sell due to securities law restrictions or otherwise, or properties that we are unable to reposition with new tenants or operators on a timely basis, if at all, or without making improvements or repairs. Any delay or costs incurred in selling or repositioning acquired collateral could adversely affect our ability to recover our investments.
Some of our loan investments are subordinated to loans held by third parties.
Our mezzanine loan investments are subordinated to senior secured loans held by other investors that encumber the same real estate. If a senior secured loan is foreclosed, that foreclosure would extinguish our rights in the collateral for our mezzanine loan. In order to protect our economic interest in that collateral, we would need to be prepared, on an expedited basis, to advance funds to the senior lenders in order to cure defaults under the senior secured loans and prevent such a foreclosure. If a senior secured loan has matured or has been accelerated, then in order to protect our economic interest in the collateral, we would need to be prepared, on an expedited basis, to purchase or pay off that senior secured loan, which could require an infusion of fresh capital as large or larger than our initial investment. Our ability to sell or syndicate a mezzanine loan could be limited by transfer restrictions in the intercreditor agreement with the senior secured lenders. Our ability to negotiate modifications to the mezzanine loan documents with our borrowers could be limited by restrictions on modifications in the intercreditor agreement. Since mezzanine loans are typically secured by pledges of equity rather than direct liens on real estate, our mezzanine loan investments are more vulnerable than our mortgage loan investments to losses caused by competing creditor claims, unauthorized transfers, or bankruptcies.
Our tenants, operators and managers may be adversely affected by healthcare regulation and enforcement.
Regulation of the long-term healthcare industry generally has intensified over time both in the number and type of regulations and in the efforts to enforce those regulations. This is particularly true for large for-profit, multi-facility providers like Atria, Sunrise, Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred. Federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the healthcare industry include those relating to, among other things, licensure, conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities and equipment, allowable costs, services, prices for services, qualified beneficiaries, quality of care, patient rights, fraudulent or abusive behavior, and financial and other arrangements that may be entered into by healthcare providers. In addition, changes in enforcement policies by federal and state governments have resulted in an increase in the number of inspections, citations of regulatory deficiencies and other regulatory sanctions, including terminations from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, bars on Medicare and Medicaid payments for new admissions, civil monetary penalties and even criminal penalties. See “Governmental Regulation-Healthcare Regulation” included in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We are unable to predict the scope of future federal, state and local regulations and legislation, including the Medicare and Medicaid statutes and regulations, or the intensity of enforcement efforts with respect to such regulations and legislation, and any changes in the regulatory framework could have a material adverse effect on our tenants, operators and managers, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
If our tenants, operators and managers fail to comply with the extensive laws, regulations and other requirements applicable to their businesses and the operation of our properties, they could become ineligible to receive reimbursement from governmental and private third-party payor programs, face bans on admissions of new patients or residents, suffer civil or criminal penalties or be required to make significant changes to their operations. Our tenants, operators and managers also could face increased costs related to healthcare regulation, such as the Affordable Care Act, or be forced to expend considerable resources in responding to an investigation or other enforcement action under applicable laws or regulations. In such event, the results of operations and financial condition of our tenants, operators and managers and the results of operations of our properties operated or managed by those entities could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Changes in the reimbursement rates or methods of payment from third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, could have a material adverse effect on certain of our tenants and operators and on us.
Certain of our tenants and operators rely on reimbursement from third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, for substantially all of their revenues. Federal and state legislators and regulators have adopted or proposed various cost-containment measures that would limit payments to healthcare providers, and budget crises and financial shortfalls have caused states to implement or consider Medicaid rate freezes or cuts. See “Governmental Regulation-Healthcare Regulation” included in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Private third-party payors also have continued their efforts to control healthcare costs. We cannot assure you that our tenants and operators who currently depend on governmental or private payor reimbursement will be adequately reimbursed for the services they provide. Significant limits by governmental and private third-party payors on the scope of services reimbursed or on reimbursement rates and fees, whether from legislation, administrative actions or private payor efforts, could have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition and results of operations of certain of our tenants and operators, which could affect adversely their ability to comply with the terms of our leases and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
The hospitals on or near whose campuses our MOBs are located and their affiliated health systems could fail to remain competitive or financially viable, which could adversely impact their ability to attract physicians and physician groups to our MOBs.
Our MOB operations depend on the competitiveness and financial viability of the hospitals on or near whose campuses our MOBs are located and their ability to attract physicians and other healthcare-related clients to our MOBs. The viability of these hospitals, in turn, depends on factors such as the quality and mix of healthcare services provided, competition for patients, physicians and physician groups, demographic trends in the surrounding community, market position and growth potential, as well as the ability of the affiliated health systems to provide economies of scale and access to capital. If a hospital on or near whose campus one of our MOBs is located fails or becomes unable to meet its financial obligations, and if an affiliated health system is unable to support that hospital, the hospital may be unable to compete successfully or could be forced to close or relocate, which could adversely impact its ability to attract physicians and other healthcare-related clients. Because we rely on proximity to and affiliations with hospitals to create leasing demand in our MOBs, a hospital’s inability to remain competitive or financially viable, or to attract physicians and physician groups, could materially adversely affect our MOB operations and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
We may not be able to maintain or expand our relationships with our existing and future hospital and health system clients.
The success of our MOB operations depends, to a large extent, on our past, current and future relationships with hospitals and their affiliated health systems. We invest significant amounts of time in developing our relationships with both new and existing clients, and these relationships have helped us to secure acquisition and development opportunities, as well as other advisory, property management and hospital project management projects. If our relationships with hospitals and their affiliated health systems deteriorate, or if a conflict of interest or non-compete arrangement prevents us from expanding these relationships, our ability to secure new acquisition and development opportunities or other advisory, property management and hospital project management projects could be impaired and our professional reputation within the industry could be damaged.
Our development and redevelopment projects, including projects undertaken on a fee-for-service basis or through our joint ventures, may not yield anticipated returns.
We consider and, when appropriate, invest in various development and redevelopment projects. In deciding whether to make an investment in a particular project, we make certain assumptions regarding the expected future performance of the property. Our assumptions are subject to risks generally associated with development and redevelopment projects, including, among others, that:
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We may be unable to obtain financing for the project on favorable terms or at all;
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We may not complete the project on schedule or within budgeted amounts;
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We may encounter delays in obtaining or fail to obtain all necessary zoning, land use, building, occupancy, environmental and other governmental permits and authorizations, or underestimate the costs necessary to develop or redevelop the property to market standards;
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Construction or other delays may provide tenants or residents the right to terminate preconstruction leases or cause us to incur additional costs;
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Volatility in the price of construction materials or labor may increase our project costs;
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In the case of our MOB developments, hospitals or health systems may maintain significant decision-making authority with respect to the development schedule;
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Our builders may fail to perform or satisfy the expectations of our clients or prospective clients;
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We may incorrectly forecast risks associated with development in new geographic regions;
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Tenants may not lease space at the quantity or rental rate levels or on the schedule projected;
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Demand for our project may decrease prior to completion, including due to competition from other developments; and
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Lease rates and rents at newly developed or redeveloped properties may fluctuate based on factors beyond our control, including market and economic conditions.
In MOB development projects that we undertake on a fee-for-service basis, we generally construct properties for clients in exchange for a fixed fee, which creates additional risks such as the inability to pass on increased labor and construction material costs to our clients, development and construction delays that could give our counterparties the right to receive penalties from us, and bankruptcy or default by our contractors. We attempt to mitigate these risks by establishing certain limits on our obligations, shifting some of the risk to the general contractor or seeking other legal protections, but we cannot assure you that our mitigation efforts will be effective. In connection with these projects, we provide engineering, construction and architectural services, and any design, construction or systems failures related to the properties we develop could result in substantial injury or damage to clients or third parties. Any such injury or damage claims may arise in the ordinary course and may be asserted with respect to ongoing or completed projects. Although we maintain liability insurance to protect us against these claims, if any claim results in a loss, we cannot assure you that our policy limits would be adequate to cover the loss in full. If we sustain losses in excess of our insurance coverage, we may be required to fund the difference and could lose our investment in, or experience reduced profits and cash flows from, the affected MOB, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
If any of the risks described above occur, our development and redevelopment projects, including projects undertaken on a fee-for-service basis or through our joint ventures, may not yield anticipated returns, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated entities could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance on our joint venture partners’ financial condition, any disputes that may arise between us and our joint venture partners, and our exposure to potential losses from the actions of our joint venture partners.
As of December 31, 2014, we owned 28 MOBs, 15 seniors housing communities, six skilled nursing facilities and one hospital through consolidated joint ventures, and we had ownership interests ranging between 5% and 25% in 17 MOBs, 20 seniors housing communities and 14 skilled nursing facilities through investments in unconsolidated entities. In addition, we had a 34% ownership interest in Atria as of December 31, 2014. These joint ventures and unconsolidated entities involve risks not present with respect to our wholly owned properties, including the following:
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We may be unable to take actions that are opposed by our joint venture partners under arrangements that require us to share decision-making authority over major decisions affecting the ownership or operation of the joint venture and any property owned by the joint venture, such as the sale or financing of the property or the making of additional capital contributions for the benefit of the property;
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For joint ventures in which we have a noncontrolling interest, our joint venture partners may take actions that we oppose;
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Our ability to sell or transfer our interest in a joint venture to a third party may be restricted if we fail to obtain the prior consent of our joint venture partners;
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Our joint venture partners may become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions, which could delay construction or development of a property or increase our financial commitment to the joint venture;
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Our joint venture partners may have business interests or goals with respect to a property that conflict with our business interests and goals, including with respect to the timing, terms and strategies for investment, which could increase the likelihood of disputes regarding the ownership, management or disposition of the property;
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Disagreements with our joint venture partners could result in litigation or arbitration that increases our expenses, distracts our officers and directors, and disrupts the day-to-day operations of the property, including by delaying important decisions until the dispute is resolved; and
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We may suffer losses as a result of actions taken by our joint venture partners with respect to our joint venture investments.
Events that adversely affect the ability of seniors and their families to afford daily resident fees at our seniors housing communities could cause our occupancy rates, resident fee revenues and results of operations to decline.
Assisted and independent living services generally are not reimbursable under government reimbursement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Substantially all of the resident fee revenues generated by our senior living operations, therefore, are derived from private pay sources consisting of the income or assets of residents or their family members. In light of the significant expense associated with building new properties and staffing and other costs of providing services, typically only seniors with income or assets that meet or exceed the comparable region median can afford the daily resident and care fees at our seniors housing communities, and a weak economy, depressed housing market or changes in demographics could adversely affect their continued ability to do so. If the managers of our seniors housing communities are unable to attract and retain seniors that have sufficient income, assets or other resources to pay the fees associated with assisted and independent living services, the occupancy rates, resident fee revenues and results of operations of our senior living operations could decline, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Termination of resident lease agreements in our seniors housing communities could adversely affect our revenues and earnings.
State regulations generally require assisted living communities to have a written lease agreement with each resident that permits the resident to terminate his or her lease for any reason on reasonable notice, unlike typical apartment lease agreements that have initial terms of one year or longer. Consistent with these regulations, the managers of our seniors housing communities generally enter into resident lease agreements that allow residents to terminate their lease agreements on 30 days’ notice. Due to these lease termination rights and the advanced age of the residents, the resident turnover rate in our seniors housing communities may be difficult to predict. If a large number of resident lease agreements terminate at or around the same time, and if the affected units remain unoccupied, our revenues and earnings could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
The amount and scope of insurance coverage provided by our policies and policies maintained by our tenants, operators and managers may not adequately insure against losses.
We maintain or require in our lease, management and other agreements that our tenants, operators and managers maintain all applicable lines of insurance on our properties and their operations. Although we regularly review the amount and scope of insurance provided by our policies and required to be maintained by our tenants, operators and managers and believe the coverage provided to be customary for similarly situated companies in our industry, we cannot assure you that we or our tenants, operators and managers will continue to be able to maintain adequate levels of insurance. We also cannot assure you that we or our tenants, operators and managers will maintain the required coverages, that we will continue to require the same levels of insurance under our lease, management and other agreements, that such insurance will be available at a reasonable cost in the future or that the policies maintained will fully cover all losses on our properties upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event, nor can we make any guaranty as to the future financial viability of the insurers that underwrite our policies and the policies maintained by our tenants, operators and managers.
For various reasons, including to reduce and manage costs, many healthcare companies utilize different organizational and corporate structures coupled with self-insurance trusts or captive programs that may provide less insurance coverage than a traditional insurance policy. Companies that insure any part of their general and professional liability risks through their own captive limited purpose entities generally estimate the future cost of general and professional liability through actuarial studies that rely primarily on historical data. However, due to the rise in the number and severity of professional claims against healthcare providers, these actuarial studies may underestimate the future cost of claims, and reserves for future claims may not be adequate to cover the actual cost of those claims. As a result, the tenants and operators of our properties who self-insure could incur large funded and unfunded general and professional liability expenses, which could materially adversely affect their liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, their ability to satisfy their obligations to us. If we or the managers of our senior living operations decide to implement a captive or self-insurance program, any large funded and unfunded general and professional liability expenses incurred could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could incur substantial liability or lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenues from the property. Following the occurrence of such an event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property. We cannot assure you that material uninsured losses, or losses in excess of insurance proceeds, will not occur in the future.
Significant legal actions or regulatory proceedings could subject us or our tenants, operators and managers to increased operating costs and substantial uninsured liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our or their liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we may be subject to claims brought against us in lawsuits and other legal or regulatory proceedings arising out of our alleged actions or the alleged actions of our tenants, operators and managers for which such tenants, operators and managers may have agreed to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless. An unfavorable resolution of any such litigation or proceeding could materially adversely affect our or their liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
In certain cases, we and our tenants, operators and managers may be subject to professional liability claims brought by plaintiffs’ attorneys seeking significant punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. Due to the historically high frequency and severity of professional liability claims against seniors housing and healthcare providers, the availability of professional liability insurance has decreased and the premiums on such insurance coverage remain costly. As a result, insurance protection against such claims may not be sufficient to cover all claims against us or our tenants, operators or managers, and may not be available at a reasonable cost. If we or our tenants, operators and managers are unable to maintain adequate insurance coverage or are required to pay punitive damages, we or they may be exposed to substantial liabilities.
The occurrence of cyber incidents could disrupt our operations, result in the loss of confidential information and/or damage our business relationships and reputation.
As our reliance on technology has increased, our business is subject to greater risk from cyber incidents, including attempts to gain unauthorized access to our or our managers’ systems to disrupt operations, corrupt data or steal confidential information, and other electronic security breaches. While we and our managers have implemented measures to help mitigate these threats, such measures cannot guarantee that we will be successful in preventing a cyber incident. The occurrence of a cyber incident could disrupt our operations, or the operations of our managers, compromise the confidential information of our employees or the residents in our seniors housing communities, and/or damage our business relationships and reputation.
Reductions in federal government spending, tax reform initiatives or other federal legislation to address the federal government’s projected operating deficit could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.
President Obama and members of the U.S. Congress have approved or proposed various spending cuts and tax reform initiatives that have resulted or could result in changes (including substantial reductions in funding) to Medicare, Medicaid or Medicare Advantage Plans. Any such existing or future federal legislation relating to deficit reduction that reduces reimbursement payments to healthcare providers could have a material adverse effect on certain of our operators’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations, which could adversely affect their ability to satisfy their obligations to us and could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our operators may be sued under a federal whistleblower statute.
Our operators who engage in business with the federal government may be sued under a federal whistleblower statute designed to combat fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry. See “Governmental Regulation-Healthcare Regulation” included in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These lawsuits can involve significant monetary damages and award bounties to private plaintiffs who successfully bring these suits. If any of these lawsuits were brought against our operators, such suits combined with increased operating costs and substantial uninsured liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and on their ability to satisfy their obligations under our leases, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
We could incur substantial liabilities and costs if any of our properties are found to be contaminated with hazardous substances or we become involved in any environmental disputes.
Under federal and state environmental laws and regulations, a current or former owner of real property may be liable for costs related to the investigation, removal and remediation of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum that are released from or are present at or under, or that are disposed of in connection with such property. Owners of real property may also face other environmental liabilities, including government fines and penalties imposed by regulatory authorities and damages for injuries to persons, property or natural resources. Environmental laws and regulations often impose liability without regard to whether the owner was aware of, or was responsible for, the presence, release or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum. In certain circumstances, environmental liability may result from the activities of a current or former operator of the property. Although we generally have indemnification rights against the current operators of our properties for contamination caused by them, such indemnification may not adequately cover all environmental costs. See “Governmental Regulation-Environmental Regulation” included in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Volatility or disruption in the capital markets could prevent our counterparties from satisfying their obligations to us.
Interest rate fluctuations, financial market volatility or credit market disruptions could limit the ability of our tenants, operators and managers to obtain capital to finance their businesses on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect their ability to satisfy their obligations to us. In addition, any difficulty in accessing capital or other financing sources experienced by our other counterparties, such as letters of credit issuers, insurance carriers, banking institutions, title companies and escrow agents, could prevent those counterparties from remaining viable entities or satisfying their obligations to us, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain talented employees, and the loss of any one of our key personnel could adversely impact our business.
The success of our business depends, in part, on the leadership and performance of our executive management team and key employees, and our ability to attract, retain and motivate talented employees could significantly impact our future performance. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we cannot assure you that we will retain our key officers and employees or that we will be able to attract and retain other highly qualified individuals in the future. Losing any one or more of these persons could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to provide a report by management on internal control over financial reporting, including management’s assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud, effective internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatement and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls as a result of changes to our business or otherwise, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely harmed and we could fail to meet our reporting obligations.
Economic and other conditions that negatively affect geographic locations to which a greater percentage of our NOI is attributed could adversely affect our financial results.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 37.7% of our total NOI (excluding amounts in discontinued operations) was derived from properties located in California (13.7%), Texas (8.0%), New York (6.8%), Illinois (4.7%), and Florida (4.5%). As a result, we are subject to increased exposure to adverse conditions affecting these regions, including downturns in the local economies or changes in local real estate conditions, increased construction and competition or decreased demand for our properties, regional climate events and changes in state-specific legislation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Our ownership of properties in Canada and the United Kingdom currently subjects us to fluctuations in the exchange rates between U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars or the British pound, which may, from time to time, impact our financial condition and results of operations. If we continue to expand our international presence through investments in, or acquisitions or development of, seniors housing or healthcare assets outside the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, we may transact business in other foreign currencies. Although we may pursue hedging alternatives, including borrowing in local currencies, to protect against foreign currency fluctuations, we cannot assure you that such fluctuations will not have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Risks Arising from Our Capital Structure
We may become more leveraged.
As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $10.9 billion of outstanding indebtedness. The instruments governing our existing indebtedness permit us to incur substantial additional debt, including secured debt, and we may satisfy our capital and liquidity needs through additional borrowings. A high level of indebtedness would require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of debt service, thereby reducing the funds available to implement our business strategy and make distributions to stockholders. A high level of indebtedness could also have the following consequences:
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Potential limits on our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions and vulnerability in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or in the real estate or healthcare industries;
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Potential impairment of our ability to obtain additional financing to execute on our business strategy; and
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Potential downgrade in the rating of our debt securities by one or more rating agencies, which could have the effect of, among other things, limiting our access to capital and increasing our cost of borrowing.
In addition, from time to time, we mortgage certain of our properties to secure payment of indebtedness. If we are unable to meet our mortgage payments, then the encumbered properties could be foreclosed upon or transferred to the mortgagee with a resulting loss of income and asset value.
We are exposed to increases in interest rates, which could reduce our profitability and adversely impact our ability to refinance existing debt, sell assets or engage in acquisition, investment, development and redevelopment activity, and our decision to hedge against interest rate risk might not be effective.
We receive a significant portion of our revenues by leasing assets under long-term triple-net leases that generally provide for fixed rental rates subject to annual escalations, while certain of our debt obligations are floating rate obligations with interest and related payments that vary with the movement of LIBOR, Bankers’ Acceptance or other indexes. The generally fixed rate nature of a significant portion of our revenues and the variable rate nature of certain of our debt obligations create interest rate risk. Although our operating assets provide a partial hedge against interest rate fluctuations, if interest rates rise, the costs of our existing floating rate debt and any new debt that we incur would increase. These increased costs could reduce our profitability, impair our ability to meet our debt obligations, or increase the cost of financing our acquisition, investment, development and redevelopment activity. An increase in interest rates also could limit our ability to refinance existing debt upon maturity or cause us to pay higher rates upon refinancing, as well as decrease the amount that third parties are willing to pay for our assets, thereby limiting our ability to promptly reposition our portfolio in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
We may seek to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility with hedging arrangements that involve additional risks, including the risks that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes, that the amount of income we earn from hedging transactions may be limited by federal tax provisions governing REITs, and that these arrangements may cause us to pay higher interest rates on our debt obligations than otherwise would be the case. Moreover, no amount of hedging activity can fully insulate us from the risks associated with changes in interest rates. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate risk, if we choose to engage in such activities, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Limitations on our ability to access capital could have an adverse effect on our ability to make required payments on our debt obligations, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to raise the capital necessary to meet our debt service obligations, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy, if our cash flow from operations is insufficient to satisfy these needs, and the failure to do so could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. Although we believe that we have sufficient access to capital and other sources of funding to meet our expected liquidity needs, we cannot assure you that conditions in the capital markets will not deteriorate or that our access to capital and other sources of funding will not become constrained, which could adversely affect the availability and terms of future borrowings, renewals or refinancings and our results of operation and financial condition. If we cannot access capital at an acceptable cost or at all, we may be required to liquidate one or more investments in properties at times that may not permit us to maximize the return on those investments or that could result in adverse tax consequences to us.
As a public company, our access to debt and equity capital depends, in part, on the trading prices of our senior notes and common stock, which, in turn, depend upon market conditions that change from time to time, such as the market’s perception of our financial condition, our growth potential and our current and expected future earnings and cash distributions. Our failure to meet the market’s expectation with regard to future earnings and cash distributions or a significant downgrade in the ratings assigned to our long-term debt could impact our ability to access capital or increase our borrowing costs. We also rely on the financial institutions that are parties to our unsecured revolving credit facility. If these institutions become capital constrained, tighten their lending standards or become insolvent or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests from other borrowers within a short period of time, they may be unable or unwilling to honor their funding commitments to us, which would adversely affect our ability to draw on our unsecured revolving credit facility and, over time, could negatively impact our ability to consummate acquisitions, repay indebtedness as it matures, fund capital expenditures or make distributions to our stockholders.
Covenants in the instruments governing our existing indebtedness limit our operational flexibility, and a covenant breach could materially adversely affect our operations.
The terms of the instruments governing our existing indebtedness require us to comply with certain customary financial and other covenants, such as maintaining debt service coverage, leverage ratios and minimum net worth requirements. Our continued ability to incur additional debt and to conduct business in general is subject to our compliance with these covenants, which limit our operational flexibility. Breaches of these covenants could result in defaults under the applicable debt instruments and could trigger defaults under any of our other indebtedness that is cross-defaulted against such instruments, even if we satisfy our payment obligations. Financial and other covenants that limit our operational flexibility, as well as defaults resulting from our breach of any of these covenants, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Risks Arising from Our Status as a REIT
Loss of our status as a REIT would have significant adverse consequences for us and the value of our common stock.
If we lose our status as a REIT (currently or with respect to any tax years for which the statute of limitations has not expired), we will face serious tax consequences that will substantially reduce the funds available to satisfy our obligations, to implement our business strategy and to make distributions to our stockholders for each of the years involved because:
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We would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates;
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We could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and increased state and local taxes; and
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Unless we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions, we could not elect to be subject to tax as a REIT for four taxable years following the year during which we were disqualified.
In addition, in such event we would no longer be required to pay dividends to maintain REIT status, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The determination of factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control, as well as new legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions, may adversely affect our investors or our ability to remain qualified as a REIT for tax purposes. Although we believe that we currently qualify as a REIT, we cannot assure you that we will continue to qualify for all future periods.
The 90% distribution requirement will decrease our liquidity and may limit our ability to engage in otherwise beneficial transactions.
To comply with the 90% distribution requirement applicable to REITs and to avoid the nondeductible excise tax, we must make distributions to our stockholders. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Requirements for Qualification as a REIT-Annual Distribution Requirements” included in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such distributions reduce the funds we have available to finance our investment, acquisition, development and redevelopment activity and may limit our ability to engage in transactions that are otherwise in the best interests of our stockholders.
Although we do not anticipate any inability to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to do so. For example, timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, on the one hand, and the inclusion of that income and deduction of those expenses in arriving at our taxable income, on the other hand, or non-deductible expenses such as principal amortization or repayments or capital expenditures in excess of non-cash deductions may prevent us from having sufficient cash or liquid assets to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement.
In the event that timing differences occur or we decide to retain cash or to distribute such greater amount as may be necessary to avoid income and excise taxation, we may seek to borrow funds, issue additional equity securities, pay taxable stock dividends, distribute other property or securities or engage in a transaction intended to enable us to meet the REIT distribution requirements. Any of these actions may require us to raise additional capital to meet our obligations; however, see “-Risks Arising from Our Capital Structure-Limitations on our ability to access capital could have an adverse effect on our ability to make required payments on our debt obligations, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy.” The terms of the instruments governing our existing indebtedness restrict our ability to engage in certain of these transactions.
To preserve our qualification as a REIT, our certificate of incorporation contains ownership limits with respect to our capital stock that may delay, defer or prevent a change of control of our company.
To assist us in preserving our qualification as a REIT, our certificate of incorporation provides that if a person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 9.0% of our outstanding common stock or more than 9.9% of our outstanding preferred stock, the shares that are beneficially owned in excess of the applicable limit are considered “excess shares” and are automatically deemed transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable institution or other qualifying organization selected by our Board of Directors. The trust is entitled to all dividends with respect to the excess shares and the trustee may exercise all voting power over the excess shares. In addition, we have the right to purchase the excess shares for a price equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that created the excess shares or (ii) the market price on the day we purchase the shares, but if we do not purchase the excess shares, the trustee of the trust is required to transfer the shares at the direction of our Board of Directors. These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. Properties
Seniors Housing and Healthcare Properties
As of December 31, 2014, we owned more than 1,500 properties (including properties classified as held for sale), consisting of seniors housing communities, MOBs, skilled nursing and other facilities, and hospitals, and we had one new property under development. We believe that maintaining a balanced portfolio of high-quality assets diversified by investment type, geographic location, asset type, tenant/operator, revenue source and operating model makes us less susceptible to single-state regulatory or reimbursement changes, regional climate events and local economic downturns and diminishes the risk that any single factor or event could materially harm our business.
As of December 31, 2014, we had $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of mortgage loan indebtedness outstanding, secured by 178 of our properties. Excluding those portions attributed to our joint venture and operating partners, our share of mortgage loan indebtedness outstanding was $2.2 billion.
The following table provides additional information regarding the geographic diversification of our portfolio of properties as of December 31, 2014 (including properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities, but excluding properties classified as held for sale):
Corporate Offices
Our headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois, and we have additional corporate offices in: Louisville, Kentucky; Plano, Texas; and Irvine, California. We lease all of our corporate offices.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
The information contained in “Note 16-Litigation” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3. Except as set forth therein, we are not a party to, nor is any of our property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings.
In July 2014, we voluntarily contacted the SEC to advise it of the determination by our former registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), that it was not independent of us due solely to an inappropriate personal relationship between an EY partner, who until June 30, 2014 was the lead audit partner on our 2014 audit and quarterly review and was previously an audit engagement partner on our 2013 and 2012 audits, and an individual in a financial reporting oversight role at our company. We have cooperated with the SEC and intend to continue to do so with respect to its inquiries related to this matter. At this time, the matter is ongoing and we cannot reasonably assess its timing or outcome.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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, par value $0.25 per share, is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “VTR.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the NYSE and the dividends declared per share.
As of February 10, 2015, we had 330,809,789 shares of our common stock outstanding held by approximately 5,284 stockholders of record.
Dividends and Distributions
We pay regular quarterly dividends to holders of our common stock to comply with the provisions of the Code governing REITs. In connection with the HCT Acquisition, on January 5, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a prorated first quarter dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.2107 per share, which was paid in cash on January 27, 2015 to stockholders of record on January 15, 2015. On February 13, 2015, our Board of Directors declared another prorated dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.5793 per share, payable in cash on March 31, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 6, 2015. Together, these two prorated amounts equate to the first quarterly installment of our 2015 dividend of $0.79 per share.
We expect to distribute at least 100% of our taxable net income, after the use of any net operating loss carryforwards, to our stockholders for 2015. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Requirements for Qualification as a REIT-Annual Distribution Requirements” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In general, our Board of Directors makes decisions regarding the nature, frequency and amount of our dividends on a quarterly basis. Because the Board considers many factors when making these decisions, including our present and future liquidity needs, our current and projected financial condition and results of operations and the performance and credit quality of our tenants, operators, borrowers and managers, we cannot assure you that we will maintain the practice of paying regular quarterly dividends to continue to qualify as a REIT. Please see “Cautionary Statements” and the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of other factors that may affect our distribution policy.
Prior to its suspension in July 2014, our stockholders were entitled to reinvest all or a portion of any cash distribution on their shares of our common stock by participating in our Distribution Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”), subject to the terms of the plan. See “Note 17-Permanent and Temporary Equity” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We may determine whether or not to reinstate the DRIP at any time, in our sole discretion.
Director and Employee Stock Sales
Certain of our directors, executive officers and other employees have adopted and, from time to time in the future, may adopt non-discretionary, written trading plans that comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, or otherwise monetize, gift or transfer their equity-based compensation. These transactions typically are conducted for estate, tax and financial planning purposes and are subject to compliance with our Amended and Restated Securities Trading Policy and Procedures (“Securities Trading Policy”), the minimum stock ownership requirements contained in our Guidelines on Governance and all applicable laws and regulations.
Our Securities Trading Policy expressly prohibits our directors, executive officers and employees from buying or selling derivatives with respect to our securities or other financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in the market value of our securities and from engaging in short sales with respect to our securities. In addition, our Securities Trading Policy prohibits our directors and executive officers from holding our securities in margin accounts or pledging our securities to secure loans without the prior approval of our Audit and Compliance Committee. Each of our executive officers has advised us that he or she is in compliance with the Securities Trading Policy and has not pledged any of our equity securities to secure margin or other loans.
Stock Repurchases
The table below summarizes repurchases of our common stock made during the quarter ended December 31, 2014:
(1)
Repurchases represent shares withheld to pay taxes on the vesting of restricted stock granted to employees under our 2006 Incentive Plan or 2012 Incentive Plan or restricted stock units granted to employees under the Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (“NHP”) 2005 Performance Incentive Plan and assumed by us in connection with our acquisition of NHP. The value of the shares withheld is the closing price of our common stock on the date the vesting or exercise occurred (or, if not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) or the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the exercise, as the case may be.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
On November 14, 2014, we issued 92,993 shares of our common stock to Sarah M. Jensen as consideration for our acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Jensen Construction Management, Inc. (“Jensen Construction”). In connection with the acquisition, we entered into waiver and release agreements with two Jensen Construction employees pursuant to which we issued 53,469 shares and 1,779 shares, respectively, of our common stock to those employees in exchange for, and in full satisfaction of, any right, interest, ownership or claim that they may have had with respect to any interest in, or securities or assets of, Jensen Construction. The shares of our common stock were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.
On December 1, 2014, NHP/PMB L.P. (“NHP/PMB”), a limited partnership in which we own a majority interest, issued 383,062 Class A limited partnership units (“OP Units”) in connection with the contribution of an MOB to NHP/PMB. At any time following the first anniversary of their issuance, the OP Units may be redeemed at the election of the holder for cash or, at our option, 0.7866 shares of our common stock per unit, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The OP Units were issued solely to “accredited investors” (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Stock Performance Graph
The following performance graph compares the cumulative total return (including dividends) to the holders of our common stock from December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2014, with the cumulative total returns of the NYSE Composite Index, the FTSE NAREIT Composite REIT Index (the “Composite REIT Index”) and the S&P 500 Index over the same period. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2009 in our common stock and in each of the foregoing indexes and assumes reinvestment of dividends, as applicable. We have included the NYSE Composite Index in the performance graph because our common stock is listed on the NYSE, and we have included the S&P 500 Index because we are a member of the S&P 500. We have included the Composite REIT Index because we believe that it is most representative of the industries in which we compete, or otherwise provides a fair basis for comparison with us, and is therefore particularly relevant to an assessment of our performance. The figures in the table below are rounded to the nearest dollar.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
You should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant to an understanding and assessment of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Ventas, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or except where the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us” or “our”). You should read this discussion in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as it will help you understand:
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Our company and the environment in which we operate;
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Our 2014 highlights and other recent developments;
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Our critical accounting policies and estimates;
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Our results of operations for the last three years;
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How we manage our assets and liabilities;
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Our liquidity and capital resources;
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Our cash flows; and
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Our future contractual obligations.
Corporate and Operating Environment
We are a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) with a highly diversified portfolio of seniors housing and healthcare properties located throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. As of December 31, 2014, we owned more than 1,500 properties (including properties classified as held for sale), consisting of seniors housing communities, medical
office buildings (“MOBs”), skilled nursing and other facilities, and hospitals, and we had one new property under development. We are an S&P 500 company and currently headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
We primarily invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties through acquisitions and lease our properties to unaffiliated tenants or operate them through independent third-party managers. As of December 31, 2014, we leased a total of 922 properties (excluding MOBs and properties classified as held for sale) to various healthcare operating companies under “triple-net” or “absolute-net” leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures, and we engaged independent operators, such as Atria Senior Living, Inc. (“Atria”) and Sunrise Senior Living, LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “Sunrise”), to manage 270 of our seniors housing communities (excluding properties classified as held for sale) for us pursuant to long-term management agreements. Our two largest tenants, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Brookdale Senior Living”) and Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Kindred”), leased from us 160 properties (excluding six properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities and one property managed by Brookdale Senior Living pursuant to a long-term management agreement) and 83 properties, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.
Through our Lillibridge Healthcare Services, Inc. (“Lillibridge”) subsidiary and our ownership interest in PMB Real Estate Services LLC (“PMBRES”), we also provide MOB management, leasing, marketing, facility development and advisory services to highly rated hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. In addition, from time to time, we make secured and unsecured loans and other investments relating to seniors housing and healthcare operators or properties.
We conduct our operations through three reportable business segments: triple-net leased properties; senior living operations; and MOB operations. See “Note 20-Segment Information” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As of December 31, 2014, our consolidated portfolio included 100% ownership interests in 1,383 properties and controlling joint venture interests in 50 properties, and we had non-controlling ownership interests in 51 properties through investments in unconsolidated entities. Through Lillibridge and PMBRES, we provided management and leasing services to third parties with respect to 75 MOBs as of December 31, 2014.
We aim to enhance shareholder value by delivering consistent, superior total returns through a strategy of: (1) generating reliable and growing cash flows; (2) maintaining a balanced, diversified portfolio of high-quality assets; and (3) preserving our financial strength, flexibility and liquidity.
Our ability to access capital in a timely and cost-effective manner is critical to the success of our business strategy because it affects our ability to satisfy existing obligations, including the repayment of maturing indebtedness, and to make future investments. Factors such as general market conditions, interest rates, credit ratings on our securities, expectations of our potential future earnings and cash distributions, and the trading price of our common stock that are beyond our control and fluctuate over time all impact our access to and cost of external capital. For that reason, we generally attempt to match the long-term duration of our investments in real property with long-term financing through the issuance of shares of our common stock or the incurrence of long-term fixed rate debt. At December 31, 2014, 21.9% of our consolidated debt (excluding debt related to properties classified as held for sale) was variable rate debt.
2014 Highlights and Other Recent Developments
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In 2014, we paid an annual cash dividend on our common stock of $2.965 per share.
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During 2014, we made investments totaling approximately $2.4 billion in seniors housing and healthcare assets, including 29 seniors housing communities located in Canada that we acquired from Holiday Retirement (the “Holiday Canada Acquisition”), three high-quality private hospitals located in the United Kingdom and a $425.0 million secured mezzanine loan investment that has a blended annual interest rate of 8.1% and has contractual maturities ranging between 2016 and 2019.
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In January 2015, we acquired publicly traded American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc. (“HCT”) in a stock and cash transaction (the “HCT Acquisition”), which added 152 properties (some of which are located on the same campus) to our portfolio. We funded the transaction through the issuance of approximately 28.4 million shares of our common stock, 1.1 million limited partnership units that are redeemable for shares of our common stock, cash and the assumption of debt.
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In 2015, we made other investments totaling approximately $320 million, including the acquisition of five triple-net leased properties in the United Kingdom and 12 skilled nursing facilities.
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In April 2014, we issued and sold $700 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes with a weighted average interest rate of 2.75% and a weighted average maturity of seven years.
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In September 2014, we issued and sold CAD 650.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, with an effective weighted average interest rate of 3.5% and a weighted average maturity of 6.9 years, on a private placement basis in Canada. We used the net proceeds from the sale to repay a portion of the CAD 791.0 million unsecured term loan we incurred initially to fund the Holiday Canada Acquisition.
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In January 2015, we issued and sold $900 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.8% and a weighted average maturity of 16.7 years, and we issued and sold CAD 250.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, with an interest rate of 3.3% and a maturity of seven years, on a private placement basis in Canada.
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Under our “at-the-market” equity offering program, during 2014 and 2015 we issued and sold a total of approximately 7.1 million shares of our common stock at a weighted average price of $75.18 per share for aggregate net proceeds (after sales agent commissions) of $528.1 million.
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During 2014, we sold 22 properties for $118.2 million and received loans receivable repayments of $55.9 million.
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In 2015, we sold 17 properties for $275.1 million, including $5.5 million of lease termination fees.
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As of December 31, 2014, we had re-leased to Kindred, transitioned to new operators or sold 107 of the 108 licensed healthcare assets whose lease terms with Kindred were scheduled to expire on September 30, 2014, and we expect to sell the remaining asset during 2015. See “Triple-Net Lease Expirations.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), as published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions regarding future events that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We base these estimates on our experience and assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, if our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions or other matters had been different, we may have applied a different accounting treatment, resulting in a different presentation of our financial statements. We periodically reevaluate our estimates and assumptions, and in the event they prove to be different from actual results, we make adjustments in subsequent periods to reflect more current estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe that the critical accounting policies described below, among others, affect our more significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements. For more information regarding our critical accounting policies, see “Note 2-Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries and the joint venture entities over which we exercise control. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation, and our net earnings are reduced by the portion of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests.
GAAP requires us to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; and (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. We consolidate our investment in a VIE when we determine that we are its primary beneficiary. We may change our original assessment of a VIE upon subsequent events such as the modification of contractual arrangements that affects the characteristics or adequacy of the entity’s equity investments at risk and the disposition of all or a portion of an interest held by the primary beneficiary.
We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.
As it relates to investments in joint ventures, GAAP may preclude consolidation by the sole general partner in certain circumstances based on the type of rights held by the limited partner(s). We assess limited partners’ rights and their impact on the presumption of control of the limited partnership by the sole general partner when an investor becomes the sole general partner, and we perform a reassessment when there is a change to the terms or in the exercisability of the rights of the limited partners, the sole general partner increases or decreases its ownership of limited partnership interests, or there is an increase or decrease in the number of outstanding limited partnership interests. We also apply this guidance to managing member interests in limited liability companies.
Business Combinations
We account for acquisitions using the acquisition method and allocate the cost of the businesses acquired among tangible and recognized intangible assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Recognized intangibles primarily include the value of in-place leases, acquired lease contracts, tenant and customer relationships, trade names/trademarks and goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets of the acquired business and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our method for allocating the purchase price to acquired investments in real estate requires us to make subjective assessments for determining fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This includes determining the value of the buildings, land and improvements, construction in progress, ground leases, tenant improvements, in-place leases, above and/or below market leases, purchase option intangible assets and/or liabilities, and any debt assumed. These estimates require significant judgment and in some cases involve complex calculations. These allocation assessments directly impact our results of operations, as amounts allocated to certain assets and liabilities have different depreciation or amortization lives. In addition, we amortize the value assigned to above and/or below market leases as a component of revenue, unlike in-place leases and other intangibles, which we include in depreciation and amortization in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
We estimate the fair value of buildings acquired on an as-if-vacant basis and depreciate the building value over the estimated remaining life of the building, not to exceed 35 years. We determine the allocated value of other fixed assets, such as site improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment, based upon the replacement cost and depreciate such value over the assets’ estimated remaining useful lives as determined at the applicable acquisition date. We determine the value of land either by considering the sales prices of similar properties in recent transactions or based on internal analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties within our portfolio. We generally determine the value of construction in progress based upon the replacement cost. However, for certain acquired properties that are part of a ground-up development, we determine fair value by using the same valuation approach as for all other properties and deducting the estimated cost to complete the development. During the remaining construction period, we capitalize interest expense until the development has reached substantial completion. Construction in progress, including capitalized interest, is not depreciated until the development has reached substantial completion.
The fair value of acquired lease-related intangibles, if any, reflects: (i) the estimated value of any above and/or below market leases, determined by discounting the difference between the estimated market rent and in-place lease rent; and (ii) the estimated value of in-place leases related to the cost to obtain tenants, including leasing commissions, and an estimated value of the absorption period to reflect the value of the rent and recovery costs foregone during a reasonable lease-up period as if the acquired space was vacant. We amortize any acquired lease-related intangibles to revenue or amortization expense over the remaining life of the associated lease plus any assumed bargain renewal periods. If a lease is terminated prior to its stated expiration or not renewed upon expiration, we recognize all unamortized lease-related intangibles associated with that lease in operations at that time.
We estimate the fair value of purchase option intangible assets and liabilities by discounting the difference between the applicable property’s acquisition date fair value and an estimate of its future option price. We do not amortize the resulting intangible asset or liability over the term of the lease, but rather adjust the recognized value of the asset or liability upon sale.
We estimate the fair value of tenant or other customer relationships acquired, if any, by considering the nature and extent of existing business relationships with the tenant or customer, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant or customer, the tenant’s credit quality, expectations of lease renewals with the tenant, and the potential for significant, additional future leasing arrangements with the tenant, and we amortize that value over the expected life of the associated arrangements or leases, including the remaining terms of the related leases and any expected renewal periods. We estimate the fair value of trade names and trademarks using a royalty rate methodology and amortize that value over the estimated useful life of the trade name or trademark.
In connection with a business combination, we may assume rights and obligations under certain lease agreements pursuant to which we become the lessee of a given property. We assume the lease classification previously determined by the prior lessee absent a modification in the assumed lease agreement. We assess assumed operating leases, including ground
leases, to determine whether the lease terms are favorable or unfavorable to us given current market conditions on the acquisition date. To the extent the lease terms are favorable or unfavorable relative to market conditions on the acquisition date, we recognize an intangible asset or liability, as applicable, at fair value and amortize that asset or liability (excluding purchase option intangibles) to interest or rental expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income over the applicable lease term. We include all lease-related intangible assets and liabilities within acquired lease intangibles and accounts payable and other liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We determine the fair value of loans receivable acquired in connection with a business combination by discounting the estimated future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans on the same terms with the same length to maturity would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. We do not establish a valuation allowance at the acquisition date because the estimated future cash flows already reflect our judgment regarding their uncertainty. We recognize the difference between the acquisition date fair value and the total expected cash flows as interest income using an effective interest method over the life of the applicable loan. Subsequent to the acquisition date, we evaluate changes regarding the uncertainty of future cash flows and the need for a valuation allowance, as appropriate.
We estimate the fair value of noncontrolling interests assumed consistent with the manner in which we value all of the underlying assets and liabilities.
We base the initial carrying value of investments in unconsolidated entities on the fair value of the assets at the time we acquired the joint venture interest. We estimate fair values for our equity method investments based on discounted cash flow models that include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specified holding period and, where applicable, any estimated debt premiums or discounts. The capitalization rates, discount rates and credit spreads we use in these models are based upon assumptions that we believe to be within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective investments.
We generally amortize any difference between our cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level over the lives of the related assets and liabilities and include that amortization in our share of income or loss from unconsolidated entities. For earnings of equity method investments with pro rata distribution allocations, net income or loss is allocated between the partners in the joint venture based on their respective stated ownership percentages. In other instances, net income or loss is allocated between the partners in the joint venture based on the hypothetical liquidation at book value method.
We calculate the fair value of long-term debt by discounting the remaining contractual cash flows on each instrument at the current market rate for those borrowings, which we approximate based on the rate at which we would expect to incur a replacement instrument on the date of acquisition, and recognize any fair value adjustments related to long-term debt as effective yield adjustments over the remaining term of the instrument.
Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets, primarily consisting of investments in real estate, for impairment indicators. If indicators of impairment are present, we evaluate the carrying value of the related real estate investments in relation to the future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying operations. In performing this evaluation, we consider market conditions and our current intentions with respect to holding or disposing of the asset. We adjust the net book value of leased properties and other long-lived assets to fair value if the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows, including sales proceeds, is less than book value. We recognize an impairment loss at the time we make any such determination.
If impairment indicators arise with respect to intangible assets with finite useful lives, we evaluate impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, then we estimate the fair value of the asset and compare the estimated fair value to the intangible asset’s carrying value. We recognize any shortfall from carrying value as an impairment loss in the current period.
We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may exceed its fair value. If we determine that a decline in the fair value of our investment in an unconsolidated entity is other-than-temporary, and if such reduced fair value is below the carrying value, we record an impairment. The determination of the fair value of investments in unconsolidated entities involves significant judgment, and our estimates consider all available evidence, including, as appropriate, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at market rates, general economic conditions and trends and other relevant factors.
We test goodwill for impairment at least annually, and more frequently if indicators arise. We first assess qualitative factors, such as current macroeconomic conditions, state of the equity and capital markets and our overall financial and operating performance, to determine the likelihood that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we proceed with the two-step approach to evaluating impairment. First, we estimate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the
reporting unit’s carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, we proceed with the second step, which requires us to assign the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if it had been acquired in a business combination at the date of the impairment test. The excess fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied value of goodwill and is used to determine the amount of impairment. We recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied value in the current period.
Estimates of fair value used in our evaluation of goodwill, investments in real estate and intangible assets are based upon discounted future cash flow projections or other acceptable valuation techniques that are based, in turn, upon various estimates and assumptions, such as revenue and expense growth rates, capitalization rates, discount rates or other available market data. Our ability to accurately predict future operating results and cash flows and to estimate and allocate fair values impacts the timing and recognition of impairments. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on our financial results.
Loans Receivable
We record loans receivable, other than those acquired in connection with a business combination, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (either in secured loans receivable and investments, net or other assets, in the case of unsecured loans receivable) at the unpaid principal balance, net of any deferred origination fees, purchase discounts or premiums and valuation allowances. We amortize net deferred origination fees, which are comprised of loan fees collected from the borrower net of certain direct costs, and purchase discounts or premiums over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method and immediately recognize in income any unamortized balances if the loan is repaid before its contractual maturity.
We regularly evaluate the collectibility of loans receivable based on factors such as corporate and facility-level financial and operational reports, compliance with financial covenants set forth in the applicable loan agreement, the financial strength of the borrower and any guarantor, the payment history of the borrower and current economic conditions. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due under the terms of the applicable loan agreement, we provide a reserve against the portion of the receivable that we estimate may not be collected.
Fair Value
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and we determine fair value based on the assumptions that we expect market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
Level one inputs utilize unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access. Level two inputs consist of inputs other than quoted prices included in level one that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Level two inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and other inputs for the asset or liability that are observable at commonly quoted intervals, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves. Level three inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which typically are based on our own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. If the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the entire fair value measurement falls is the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. If the volume and level of market activity for an asset or liability has decreased significantly relative to the normal market activity for such asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities), then transactions or quoted prices may not accurately reflect fair value. In addition, if there is evidence that a transaction for an asset or liability is not orderly, little, if any, weight is placed on that transaction price as an indicator of fair value. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
Revenue Recognition
Triple-Net Leased Properties and MOB Operations
Certain of our triple-net leases and most of our MOB leases provide for periodic and determinable increases in base rent. We recognize base rental revenues under these leases on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term when collectibility is reasonably assured. Recognizing rental income on a straight-line basis generally results in recognized revenues during the first half of a lease term exceeding the cash amounts contractually due from our tenants, creating a straight-line rent receivable that is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Certain of our leases provide for periodic increases in base rent only if certain revenue parameters or other substantive contingencies are met. We recognize the increased rental revenue under these leases as the related parameters or contingencies are met, rather than on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.
Senior Living Operations
We recognize resident fees and services, other than move-in fees, monthly as services are provided. We recognize move-in fees on a straight-line basis over the average resident stay. Our lease agreements with residents generally have terms of 12 to 18 months and are cancelable by the resident upon 30 days’ notice.
Other
We recognize interest income from loans and investments, including discounts and premiums, using the effective interest method when collectibility is reasonably assured. We apply the effective interest method on a loan-by-loan basis and recognize discounts and premiums as yield adjustments over the related loan term. We recognize interest income on an impaired loan to the extent our estimate of the fair value of the collateral is sufficient to support the balance of the loan, other receivables and all related accrued interest. When the balance of the loan, other receivables and all related accrued interest is equal to our estimate of the fair value of the collateral, we recognize interest income on a cash basis. We provide a reserve against an impaired loan to the extent our total investment in the loan exceeds our estimate of the fair value of the loan collateral.
We recognize income from rent, lease termination fees, development services, management advisory services, and all other income when all of the following criteria are met in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin 104: (i) the applicable agreement has been fully executed and delivered; (ii) services have been rendered; (iii) the amount is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.
Allowances
We assess the collectibility of our rent receivables, including straight-line rent receivables. We base our assessment of the collectibility of rent receivables (other than straight-line rent receivables) on several factors, including, among other things, payment history, the financial strength of the tenant and any guarantors, the value of the underlying collateral, if any, and current economic conditions. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is probable that we will be unable to recover the full value of the receivable, we provide a reserve against the portion of the receivable that we estimate may not be recovered. We also base our assessment of the collectibility of straight-line rent receivables on several factors, including, among other things, the financial strength of the tenant and any guarantors, the historical operations and operating trends of the property, the historical payment pattern of the tenant and the type of property. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is probable that we will be unable to receive the rent payments due in the future, we provide a reserve against the recognized straight-line rent receivable asset for the portion, up to its full value, that we estimate may not be recovered. If we change our assumptions or estimates regarding the collectibility of future rent payments required by a lease, we may adjust our reserve to increase or reduce the rental revenue recognized in the period we make such change in our assumptions or estimates.
Federal Income Tax
We have elected to be treated as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for every year beginning with the year ended December 31, 1999. Accordingly, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on net income that we distribute to our stockholders, provided that we continue to qualify as a REIT. However, with respect to certain of our subsidiaries that have elected to be treated as “taxable REIT subsidiaries,” we record income tax expense or benefit, as those entities are subject to federal income tax similar to regular corporations.
We account for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method and recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Any increase or decrease in the deferred tax liability that results from a change in circumstances, and that causes us to change our judgment about expected future tax consequences of events, is included in the tax provision when such changes occur. Deferred income taxes also reflect the impact of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided if we believe it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Any increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from a change in circumstances, and that causes us to change our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset, is included in the tax provision when such changes occur.
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards
In 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”), which raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. A discontinued operation is defined as: (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results; or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the acquisition date. ASU 2014-08 also requires additional disclosures regarding discontinued operations, as well as material disposals that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. The application of this guidance is prospective from the date of adoption and applies only to disposals (or new classifications to held for sale) that have not been reported as discontinued operations in our previously issued financial statements. We adopted ASU 2014-08 during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
In 2014, the FASB also issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which outlines a comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 states that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” While ASU 2014-09 specifically references contracts with customers, it may apply to certain other transactions such as the sale of real estate or equipment. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2017. We are continuing to evaluate this guidance; however, we do not expect its adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements, as a substantial portion of our revenue consists of rental income from leasing arrangements, which are specifically excluded from ASU 2014-09.
Results of Operations
As of December 31, 2014, we operated through three reportable business segments: triple-net leased properties; senior living operations and MOB operations. In our triple-net leased properties segment, we invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties throughout the United States and the United Kingdom and lease our properties to healthcare operating companies under “triple-net” or “absolute-net” leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses. In our senior living operations segment, we invest in seniors housing communities throughout the United States and Canada and engage independent operators, such as Atria and Sunrise, to manage those communities. In our MOB operations segment, we primarily acquire, own, develop, lease, and manage MOBs. Information provided for “all other” includes income from loans and investments and other miscellaneous income and various corporate-level expenses not directly attributable to our three reportable business segments. Assets included in “all other” consist primarily of corporate assets, including cash, restricted cash, deferred financing costs, loans receivable and miscellaneous accounts receivable.
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
The table below shows our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the effect of changes in those results from period to period on our net income attributable to common stockholders.
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Segment NOI-Triple-Net Leased Properties
NOI for our triple-net leased properties reportable business segment equals the rental income and other services revenue earned from our triple-net assets. We incur no direct operating expenses for this segment.
The following table summarizes results of continuing operations in our triple-net leased properties reportable business segment:
Triple-net leased properties segment NOI increased in 2014 over the prior year primarily due to rent from the properties we acquired during 2014 and 2013, contractual escalations in rent pursuant to the terms of our leases, and increases in base and other rent under certain of our leases.
In our triple-net leased properties segment, our revenues generally consist of fixed rental amounts (subject to annual contractual escalations) received from our tenants in accordance with the applicable lease terms and do not vary based on the underlying operating performance of the properties. Therefore, while occupancy rates may affect the profitability of our tenants’ operations, they do not have a direct impact on our revenues or financial results. The following table sets forth average continuing occupancy rates related to the triple-net leased properties we owned at December 31, 2014 for the trailing 12 months ended September 30, 2014 (which is the most recent information available to us from our tenants) and average continuing occupancy rates related to the triple-net leased properties we owned at December 31, 2013 for the trailing 12 months ended September 30, 2013.
(1)
Excludes properties included in discontinued operations during 2014 and properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014, non-stabilized properties, properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities and certain properties for which we do not receive occupancy information. Also excludes properties acquired during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and properties that transitioned operators for which we do not have eight full quarters of results subsequent to the transition.
The following table compares results of continuing operations for our 829 same-store triple-net leased properties. Throughout this discussion, “same-store” refers to properties that we owned for the full period in both comparison periods.
Segment NOI-Senior Living Operations
The following table summarizes results of continuing operations in our senior living operations reportable business segment:
Revenues attributed to our senior living operations segment consist of resident fees and services, which include all amounts earned from residents at our seniors housing communities, such as rental fees related to resident leases, extended
health care fees and other ancillary service income. Our senior living operations segment revenues increased in 2014 over the prior year primarily due to the Holiday Canada Acquisition and other seniors housing communities we acquired during 2014 and 2013.
Property-level operating expenses related to our senior living operations segment include labor, food, utilities, marketing, management and other costs of operating the properties. Property-level operating expenses also increased year over year primarily due to the acquired properties described above.
The following table compares results of continuing operations for our 220 same-store senior living operating communities.
The following table sets forth average unit occupancy rates and the average monthly revenue per occupied room related to continuing operations in our senior living operations segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Segment NOI-MOB Operations
The following table summarizes results of continuing operations in our MOB operations reportable business segment:
The increase in our MOB operations segment rental income in 2014 over the prior year is attributed primarily to the MOBs we acquired during 2014 and 2013 and slightly higher base rents. The increase in our MOB property-level operating expenses is due primarily to those acquired MOBs and increases in utilities, snow removal, payroll and insurance expenses, partially offset by decreases in operating costs resulting from expense controls.
Medical office building services revenue and costs both increased in 2014 over the prior year primarily due to increased construction activity during 2014 compared to 2013.
The following table compares results of continuing operations for our 295 same-store MOBs.
The following table sets forth occupancy rates and the annualized average rent per occupied square foot related to continuing operations in our MOB operations segment at and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Segment NOI-All Other
All other NOI consists solely of income from loans and investments. Income from loans and investments decreased in 2014 over the prior year due primarily to final repayments and sales of portions of certain loans receivable throughout 2013.
Interest Expense
The $38.2 million increase in total interest expense, including interest allocated to discontinued operations of $1.7 million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is attributed primarily to $50.9 million of additional interest due to higher debt balances, partially offset by a $15.6 million reduction in interest due to lower effective interest rates, including the amortization of any fair value adjustments. Our effective interest rate was 3.7% for 2014, compared to 3.8% for 2013.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $104.8 million in 2014 primarily due to real estate acquisitions we made in 2013 and 2014.
General, Administrative and Professional Fees
General, administrative and professional fees increased $6.6 million in 2014 primarily due to our continued organizational growth.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt, Net
The loss on extinguishment of debt, net in 2014 resulted primarily from various debt repayments. The loss on extinguishment of debt, net in 2013 resulted primarily from the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees as a result of replacing our previous $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a new $3.0 billion unsecured credit facility and the repayment of certain mortgage debt.
Merger-Related Expenses and Deal Costs
Merger-related expenses and deal costs in both years consist of transition, integration, deal and severance-related expenses primarily related to pending and consummated transactions required by GAAP to be expensed rather than capitalized into the asset value. The $23.4 million increase in merger-related expenses and deal costs in 2014 over the prior year is primarily due to increased 2014 investment activity.
Other
Other primarily includes building rent expense paid to lease certain of our senior living operating communities, as well as certain unreimbursable expenses related to our triple-net leased portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2014, other also includes expenses related to the re-audit and re-review of our historical financial statements.
Income Tax Benefit
Income tax benefit for 2014 was due primarily to the income tax benefit of ordinary losses and restructuring related to certain taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS” or “TRS entities”). Income tax benefit for 2013 was due primarily to the release of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets of one of our TRS entities.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations for 2014 reflects activity related to 17 properties, 12 of which were sold during 2014, resulting in a net gain of $1.2 million, and five of which were classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014. Discontinued operations for 2013 reflects activity related to 39 properties, 22 of which were sold during 2013, resulting in a net gain of $3.6 million.
Gain on Real Estate Dispositions
The gain on real estate dispositions in 2014 resulted primarily from the sale of ten properties that are not classified as discontinued operations in accordance with ASU 2014-08, resulting in a net gain of $18.0 million. Gains on real estate dispositions in 2013 are classified in discontinued operations.
Net Income/Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for 2014 represents our partners’ joint venture interests in 51 properties. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest for 2013 represents our partners’ joint venture interests in 58 properties.
Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
The table below shows our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the effect of changes in those results from period to period on our net income attributable to common stockholders.
Segment NOI-Triple-Net Leased Properties
The following table summarizes results of continuing operations in our triple-net leased properties reportable business segment:
Triple-net leased properties segment NOI increased in 2013 over the prior year primarily due to contractual rent escalations pursuant to the terms of our leases, increases in base and other rent under certain of our existing triple-net leases and rent from the properties we acquired during 2013 and 2012.
The following table compares results of continuing operations for our 807 same-store triple-net leased properties.
Segment NOI-Senior Living Operations
The following table summarizes results of continuing operations in our senior living operations reportable business segment:
Our senior living operations segment revenues increased in 2013 over the prior year primarily due to the seniors housing communities we acquired during 2013 and 2012, including 16 seniors housing communities managed by Sunrise that we acquired in May 2012 (the “Sunrise-Managed 16 Communities”) and 25 seniors housing communities whose operations we transitioned to Atria at the time of closing, and higher average unit occupancy rates and higher average monthly revenue per occupied room in our communities.
Property-level operating expenses increased in 2013 over the prior year primarily due to the acquired properties described above, increases in salaries, taxes and insurance costs and higher management fees as a result of increased revenues.
The following table compares results of continuing operations for our 195 same-store senior living operating communities.
Same-store senior living operations NOI increased in 2013 over the prior year primarily due to higher average unit occupancy rates and higher average monthly revenue per occupied room, partially offset by increases in salaries, taxes and insurance costs and higher management fees as a result of increased revenues.
The following table sets forth average unit occupancy rates and the average monthly revenue per occupied room related to continuing operations in our senior living operations segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Segment NOI-MOB Operations
The following table summarizes results of continuing operations in our MOB operations reportable business segment:
The increases in our MOB operations segment revenues and property-level operating expenses in 2013 over the prior year are primarily due to our acquisition of Cogdell Spencer Inc. (“Cogdell”) in April 2012, the August 2012 and March 2013 acquisitions of the controlling interests in 38 MOBs that we had previously accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities and other MOBs we acquired during 2013 and 2012.
Medical office building services revenue and costs both decreased year over year primarily due to a reduction in construction activity during 2013 compared to 2012 and our acquisitions of the controlling interests in 38 MOBs that we had previously accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities, which reduced our management fee revenue.
The following table compares results of continuing operations for our 184 same-store MOBs.
Same-store MOB operations NOI increased primarily due to lower expenses as a result of savings in contract cleaning, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, and management fees throughout 2013.
The following table sets forth occupancy rates and the annualized average rent per occupied square foot related to continuing operations in our MOB operations segment at and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Segment NOI-All Other
All other NOI consists solely of income from loans and investments. Income from loans and investments increased in 2013 over the prior year due primarily to $446.0 million aggregate amount of secured loans and other investments we made in December 2012 and thereafter, which had a weighted average effective interest rate of 9.3% at issuance, partially offset by final repayments on and the sales of portions of certain loans receivable throughout 2013.
Interest Expense
The $38.4 million increase in total interest expense, including interest allocated to discontinued operations of $5.5 million and $13.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is attributed primarily to $55.3 million of additional interest due to higher debt balances, partially offset by a $14.8 million reduction in interest due to lower effective interest rates, including the amortization of any fair value adjustments. Our effective interest rate, excluding activity related to our capital leases in 2012, was 3.8% for 2013, as compared to 4.0% for 2012.
General, Administrative and Professional Fees
General, administrative and professional fees increased in 2013 primarily due to our continued organizational growth, as a result of the Cogdell acquisition and subsequent thereto.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt, Net
The loss on extinguishment of debt, net in 2013 resulted primarily from the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees as a result of replacing our previous $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a new $3.0 billion unsecured credit facility and the repayment of certain mortgage debt. The loss on extinguishment of debt, net in 2012 resulted primarily from our redemption in March 2012 of all $200.0 million principal amount outstanding of our 6½% senior notes due 2016 and our redemption in May 2012 of all $225.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6¾% senior notes due 2017, partially offset by gains recognized on the repayment of certain mortgage debt.
Merger-Related Expenses and Deal Costs
Merger-related expenses and deal costs in both years consist of transition and integration expenses related to consummated transactions and deal costs required by GAAP to be expensed rather than capitalized into the asset value. The $41.5 million decrease in merger-related expenses and deal costs in 2013 over the prior year reflects lower transition and integration costs attributable to a decline in investment activity in 2013 compared to 2012.
Other
Other consists primarily of building rent expense paid to lease certain of our senior living operating communities. Certain of these leasing arrangements were acquired in late December 2012.
Loss/Income from Unconsolidated Entities
Loss/income from unconsolidated entities in 2013 and 2012 relates to our interests in joint ventures that we account for under the equity method of accounting. Income from unconsolidated entities for the year ended December 31, 2012 is attributed primarily to a gain of $16.6 million as a result of the re-measurement of equity interest upon our acquisition of the controlling interests (ranging from 80% to 95%) in 36 MOBs that we previously accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities. Since the acquisition date, operations relating to these properties have been consolidated in our Consolidated Statements of Income. As of December 31, 2013, we had ownership interests ranging between 5% and 25% in joint ventures with respect to 18 MOBs, 20 seniors housing communities and 14 skilled nursing facilities, and we had a 34% ownership interest in Atria, which we acquired in late December 2012.
Income Tax Benefit
Income tax benefit for 2013 was due primarily to the release of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets of one of our TRS entities. Income tax benefit for 2012 was due primarily to the income tax benefit of ordinary losses related to our TRS entities, partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets of one of our other TRS entities.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations for 2013 reflects activity related to 39 properties, 22 of which were sold during 2013, resulting in a net gain of $3.6 million. Discontinued operations for 2012 reflects activity related to 82 properties, 43 of which were sold during 2012, resulting in a net gain of $81.0 million.
Net Income/Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for 2013 represents our partners’ joint venture interests in 58 properties. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest for 2012 represents our partners’ joint venture interests in 57 properties.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We believe that net income, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate earnings measurement. However, we consider certain non-GAAP financial measures to be useful supplemental measures of our operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is a measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are not so excluded from or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Described below are the non-GAAP financial measures used by management to evaluate our operating performance and that we consider most useful to investors, together with reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
The non-GAAP financial measures we present in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not be comparable to those presented by other real estate companies due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as indicators of our financial performance or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as measures of our liquidity, nor are these measures necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of our needs. In order to facilitate a clear understanding of our consolidated historical operating results, you should examine these measures in conjunction with net income as presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial data included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations
Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. However, since real estate values historically have risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors deem presentations of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. For that reason, we consider Funds From Operations (“FFO”) and normalized FFO to be appropriate measures of operating performance of an equity REIT. In particular, we believe that normalized FFO is useful because it allows investors, analysts and our management to compare our operating performance to the operating performance of other real estate companies and between periods on a consistent basis without having to account for differences caused by unanticipated items and other events such as transactions and litigation. In some cases, we provide information about identified non-cash components of FFO and normalized FFO because it allows investors, analysts and our management to assess the impact of those items on our financial results.
We use the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) definition of FFO. NAREIT defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of real estate property, including gain on re-measurement of equity method investments, and impairment write-downs of depreciable real estate, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis. We define normalized FFO as FFO excluding the following income and expense items (which may be recurring in nature): (a) merger-related costs and expenses, including amortization of intangibles, transition and integration expenses, and deal costs and expenses, including expenses and recoveries relating to our acquisition lawsuits; (b) the impact of any expenses related to asset impairment and valuation allowances, the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees, or additional costs, expenses, discounts, make-whole payments, penalties or premiums incurred as a result of early retirement or payment of our debt; (c) the non-cash effect of income tax benefits or expenses and derivative transactions that have non-cash mark-to-market impacts on our Consolidated Statements of Income; (d) the impact of future acquisitions, divestitures (including pursuant to tenant options to purchase) and
capital transactions; (e) the financial impact of contingent consideration, severance-related costs, charitable donations made to the Ventas Charitable Foundation, gains and losses for non-operational foreign currency hedge agreements and changes in the fair value of financial instruments; and (f) expenses related to the re-audit and re-review in 2014 of our historical financial statements and related matters.
The following table summarizes our FFO and normalized FFO for each of the five years ended December 31, 2014. Our normalized FFO for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased over the prior year due primarily to our 2014 and 2013 investments, net of capital costs, and same-store growth across our portfolio of properties, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses and loan repayments since January 1, 2013.
Adjusted EBITDA
We consider Adjusted EBITDA an important supplemental measure to net income because it provides another manner in which to evaluate our operating performance and serves as another indicator of our ability to service debt. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (including non-cash stock-based compensation expense), excluding gains or losses on extinguishment of debt, merger-related expenses and deal costs, expenses related to the re-audit and re-review of our historical financial statements, net gains on real estate activity and changes in the fair value of financial instruments (including amounts in discontinued operations). The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA to net income (including amounts in discontinued operations) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
NOI
We also consider NOI an important supplemental measure to net income because it enables investors, analysts and our management to assess our unlevered property-level operating results and to compare our operating results with the operating results of other real estate companies and between periods on a consistent basis. We define NOI as total revenues, less interest and other income, property-level operating expenses and medical office building services costs (including amounts in discontinued operations). Cash receipts may differ due to straight-line recognition of certain rental income and the application of other GAAP policies. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our NOI to net income (including amounts in discontinued operations) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
Asset/Liability Management
Asset/liability management, a key element of enterprise risk management, is designed to support the achievement of our business strategy, while ensuring that we maintain appropriate and tolerable levels of market risk (primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk) and credit risk. Effective management of these risks is a contributing factor to the absolute levels and variability of our FFO and net worth. The following discussion addresses our integrated management of assets and liabilities, including the use of derivative financial instruments.
Market Risk
Market risk related to changes in interest rates, such as LIBOR or prime rates, has a direct impact on borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility and our unsecured term loans, certain of our mortgage loans that are floating rate obligations, mortgage loans receivable that bear interest at floating rates and marketable debt securities. To mitigate these risks, we continuously monitor our level of floating rate debt with respect to total debt and other factors, including our expectations regarding current and future economic conditions.
The table below sets forth certain information with respect to our debt, excluding premiums, discounts and capital lease obligations.
(1)
Excludes mortgage debt of $43.5 million, $13.1 million and $23.2 million related to real estate assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which debt is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The variable rate debt in the table above reflects, in part, the effect of $153.6 million notional amount of interest rate swaps with a maturity of March 21, 2016 that effectively convert fixed rate debt to variable rate debt. In addition, the fixed rate debt in the table above reflects, in part, the effect of $59.0 million notional amount of interest rate swaps with maturities ranging from March 2, 2015 to April 1, 2019, in each case that effectively convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The increase in our outstanding variable rate debt at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013 is attributable primarily to 2014 borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility. Pursuant to the terms of certain leases with one of our tenants, if interest rates increase on certain variable rate debt that we have totaling $80.0 million as of December 31, 2014, our tenant is required to pay us additional rent (on a dollar-for-dollar basis) in an amount equal to the increase in interest expense resulting from the increased interest rates. Therefore, the increase in interest expense related to this debt is equally offset by an increase in additional rent due to us from the tenant. Assuming no change in our variable rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2014, if the weighted average interest rate related to our variable rate debt were to increase 100 basis points, interest expense for 2015 would increase by approximately $23.8 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our joint venture and operating partners’ aggregate share of total debt was $141.4 million and $174.5 million, respectively, with respect to certain properties we owned through consolidated joint ventures and an operating partnership. Total debt does not include our portion of debt related to investments in unconsolidated entities, which was $97.5 million and $89.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The fair value of our fixed and variable rate debt is based on current interest rates at which we could obtain similar borrowings. For fixed rate debt, interest rate fluctuations generally affect fair value, but not our earnings or cash flows. Therefore, interest rate risk does not significantly impact our fixed rate debt obligations until their maturity or earlier prepayment and refinancing. If interest rates have risen at the time we seek to refinance our fixed rate debt, whether at maturity or otherwise, our future earnings and cash flows could be adversely affected by increased borrowing costs. Conversely, lower interest rates at the time of refinancing may reduce our overall borrowing costs.
To highlight the sensitivity of our fixed rate debt to changes in interest rates, the following summary shows the effects of a hypothetical instantaneous change of 100 basis points (“BPS”) in interest rates as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
(1)
The change in fair value of our fixed rate debt from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 was due primarily to 2014 senior note issuances, partially offset by mortgage loan repayments.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of our secured and unsecured loans receivable, based on our estimates of currently prevailing rates for comparable loans, was $798.0 million and $395.7 million, respectively. See “Note 6-Loans Receivable and Investments” and “Note 11-Fair Values of Financial Instruments” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As a result of our Canadian and United Kingdom operations, we are subject to fluctuations in certain foreign currency exchange rates that may, from time to time, affect our financial condition and operating performance. Based solely on our results for the year ended December 31, 2014 (on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Holiday Canada Acquisition, our 2014 Canadian senior note issuances, our U.K. hospital acquisition, and including the impact of existing hedging arrangements ), if the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the British pound and Canadian dollar were to increase or decrease by 10% compared to the average exchange rate during that year, our 2014 normalized FFO per share would have decreased or increased, as applicable, by less than $0.02 and $0.02 per share, respectively. We will continue to mitigate these risks through a layered approach to hedging looking out for the next year and continual assessment of our foreign operational capital structure. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that any such fluctuations will not have an effect on our earnings.
Concentration and Credit Risk
We use concentration ratios to identify, understand and evaluate the potential impact of economic downturns and other adverse events that may affect our asset types, geographic locations, business models, and tenants, operators and managers. We evaluate concentration risk in terms of investment mix and operations mix. Investment mix measures the percentage of our investments that is concentrated in a specific asset type or that is operated or managed by a particular tenant, operator or manager. Operations mix measures the percentage of our operating results that is attributed to a particular tenant, operator or manager, geographic location or business model. The following tables reflect our concentration risk as of the dates and for the periods presented:
(1)
Ratios are based on the gross book value of real estate investments (excluding assets classified as held for sale) as of each reporting date.
(1)
Total revenues include medical office building and other services revenue, revenue from loans and investments and interest and other income (excluding amounts in discontinued operations).
(2)
Excludes one seniors housing community included in senior living operations.
(3)
Includes amounts in discontinued operations.
(4)
Excludes amounts in discontinued operations.
(5)
Ratios are based on total revenues (excluding amounts in discontinued operations) for each period presented.
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional disclosure and reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and NOI to our net income as computed in accordance with GAAP.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues by leasing assets under long-term triple-net leases in which the rental rate is generally fixed with annual escalators, subject to certain limitations. Some of our triple-net lease escalators are contingent upon the satisfaction of specified facility revenue parameters or based on increases in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”), with caps, floors or collars. We also earn revenues directly from individual residents in our seniors housing communities that are managed by independent operators, such as Atria and Sunrise, and tenants in our MOBs. For the year ended December 31, 2014, 44.0% of our Adjusted EBITDA (including amounts in discontinued operations) was derived from our senior living operations and MOB operations, for which rental rates may fluctuate more frequently upon lease rollovers and renewals due to shorter term leases and changing economic or market conditions.
The concentration of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and operating income that are attributed to Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred creates credit risk. If either Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred becomes unable or unwilling to satisfy its obligations to us, our financial condition and results of operations could be weakened and our ability to service our indebtedness and to make distributions to our stockholders could be limited. We cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to satisfy their respective
obligations to us, and any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to do so could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. In addition, any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to effectively conduct its operations or to maintain and improve our properties could adversely affect its business reputation and its ability to attract and retain patients and residents in our properties, which could have an indirect Material Adverse Effect on us. See “Risk Factors-Risks Arising from Our Business-Our leases with Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred account for a significant portion of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and operating income; Any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to satisfy its obligations under our agreements could have a Material Adverse Effect on us” included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and “Note 3-Concentration of Credit Risk” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We regularly monitor and assess any changes in the relative credit risk of our significant tenants, and in particular those tenants that have recourse obligations under our triple-net leases. The ratios and metrics we use to evaluate a significant tenant’s liquidity and creditworthiness depend on facts and circumstances specific to that tenant and the industry or industries in which it operates, including without limitation the tenant’s credit history and economic conditions related to the tenant, its operations and the markets in which the tenant operates, that may vary over time. Among other things, we may (i) review and analyze information regarding the real estate, seniors housing and healthcare industries generally, publicly available information regarding the significant tenant, and information required to be provided by the tenant under the terms of its lease agreements with us, (ii) examine monthly and/or quarterly financial statements of the significant tenant to the extent publicly available or otherwise provided under the terms of our lease agreements, and (iii) participate in periodic discussions and in-person meetings with representatives of the significant tenant. Using this information, we calculate multiple financial ratios (which may, but do not necessarily, include net debt to EBITDAR or EBITDARM, fixed charge coverage and tangible net worth), after making certain adjustments based on our judgment, and assess other metrics we deem relevant to an understanding of the significant tenant’s credit risk.
Because Atria and Sunrise manage our properties in exchange for the receipt of a management fee from us, we are not directly exposed to the credit risk of our managers in the same manner or to the same extent as our triple-net tenants. However, we rely on our managers’ personnel, expertise, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information, good faith and judgment to manage our senior living operations efficiently and effectively. We also rely on our managers to set appropriate resident fees and to otherwise operate our seniors housing communities in compliance with the terms of our management agreements and all applicable laws and regulations. Although we have various rights as the property owner under our management agreements, including various rights to terminate and exercise remedies under the agreements as provided therein, Atria’s or Sunrise’s failure, inability or unwillingness to satisfy its respective obligations under those agreements, to efficiently and effectively manage our properties or to provide timely and accurate accounting information with respect thereto could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. In addition, significant changes in Atria’s or Sunrise’s senior management or equity ownership or any adverse developments in their businesses and affairs or financial condition could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. See “Risk Factors-Risks Arising from Our Business-The properties managed by Atria and Sunrise account for a significant portion of our revenues and operating income; Adverse developments in Atria’s or Sunrise’s business and affairs or financial condition could have a Material Adverse Effect on us” and “-We have rights to terminate our management agreements with Atria and Sunrise in whole or with respect to specific properties under certain circumstances, and we may be unable to replace Atria or Sunrise if our management agreements are terminated or not renewed” included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In December 2012, we acquired a 34% ownership interest in Atria, which entitles us to certain rights and minority protections as well as the right to appoint two of five members on the Atria board of directors.
Triple-Net Lease Expirations
As our triple-net leases expire, we face the risk that our tenants may elect not to renew those leases and, in the event of non-renewal, we may be unable to reposition the applicable properties on a timely basis or on the same or better economic terms, if at all. Although the non-renewal of some or all of our triple-net leases could have a Material Adverse Effect on us, during the year ended December 31, 2014, none of our triple-net lease renewals or expirations without renewal had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations for that period. See “Risk Factors-Risks Arising from Our Business-If we must replace any of our tenants or operators, we might be unable to reposition the properties on as favorable terms, or at all, and we could be subject to delays, limitations and expenses, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us” included in Part I, Item IA of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table summarizes our triple-net lease expirations currently scheduled to occur over the next ten years (excluding leases related to assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014):
As of December 31, 2014, we had re-leased to Kindred, transitioned to new operators or sold 107 of the 108 licensed healthcare assets whose lease terms with Kindred were scheduled to expire on September 30, 2014, and we expect to sell the remaining asset during 2015; however, this transaction remains subject to customary due diligence conditions, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully complete the sale on a timely basis or at all.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2014, we had a total of $55.3 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, operating cash and cash related to our senior living operations and MOB operations reportable business segments that is deposited and held in property-level accounts. Funds maintained in the property-level accounts are used primarily for the payment of property-level expenses, debt service payments and certain capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2014, we also had escrow deposits and restricted cash of $71.8 million and $1.1 billion of unused borrowing capacity available under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
During 2014, our principal sources of liquidity were cash flows from operations, borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility and CAD unsecured term loan, proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities, proceeds from asset sales and cash on hand.
For the next 12 months, our principal liquidity needs are to: (i) fund operating expenses; (ii) meet our debt service requirements; (iii) repay maturing mortgage and other debt, including $634.4 million of senior notes; (iv) fund capital expenditures; (v) fund acquisitions, investments and commitments, including development and redevelopment activities; and (vi) make distributions to our stockholders and unitholders, as required for us to continue to qualify as a REIT. In addition, we may elect to prepay outstanding indebtedness prior to maturity based on our analysis of various factors. We expect that these liquidity needs generally will be satisfied by a combination of the following: cash flows from operations, cash on hand, debt assumptions and financings (including secured financings), issuances of debt and equity securities, dispositions of assets (in whole or in part through joint venture arrangements with third parties) and borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility. However, an inability to access liquidity through multiple capital sources concurrently could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. See “Risk Factors-Risks Arising from Our Capital Structure-Limitations on our ability to access capital could have an adverse effect on our ability to make required payments on our debt obligations, make distributions to our stockholders or make future investments necessary to implement our business strategy” included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In January 2015, we funded the HCT Acquisition through the issuance of approximately 28.4 million shares of our common stock and 1.1 million limited partnership units that are redeemable for shares of our common stock, the payment of approximately $11 million in cash (excluding cash in lieu of fractional shares) and the assumption or repayment of debt, net of HCT cash in hand.
Unsecured Credit Facility and Unsecured Term Loans
Our unsecured credit facility is comprised of a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility priced at LIBOR plus 1.0% as of December 31, 2014, and a $200.0 million four-year term loan and an $800.0 million five-year term loan, each priced at LIBOR plus 1.05% as of December 31, 2014. The revolving credit facility matures in January 2018, but may be extended, at our option subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, for an additional period of one year. The $200.0 million and $800.0 million term loans mature in January 2018 and January 2019, respectively. The unsecured credit facility also includes an accordion feature that permits us to increase our aggregate borrowing capacity thereunder to up to $3.5 billion.
As of December 31, 2014, we had $919.1 million of borrowings outstanding, $13.3 million of letters of credit outstanding and $1.1 billion of unused borrowing capacity available under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
In July 2014, we entered into a new CAD 791.0 million unsecured term loan to initially fund the Holiday Canada Acquisition. The term loan was scheduled to mature on July 30, 2015, but in September 2014, we repaid CAD 660.0 million of borrowings principally with proceeds from the sale of unsecured senior notes issued by our wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited, and in December 2014, we repaid in full all remaining amounts outstanding under the term loan.
The agreement governing our unsecured credit facility requires us to comply with various financial and other restrictive covenants. See “Note 10-Borrowing Arrangements” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We were in compliance with all of these covenants at December 31, 2014.
Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2014, we had $5.8 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes issued by our subsidiary, Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership (“Ventas Realty”), and guaranteed by Ventas, Inc. outstanding as follows:
•$400.0 million principal amount of 3.125% senior notes due 2015;
•$550.0 million principal amount of 1.55% senior notes due 2016;
•$300.0 million principal amount of 1.250% senior notes due 2017;
•
$700.0 million principal amount of 2.00% senior notes due 2018;
•
$600.0 million principal amount of 4.00% senior notes due 2019;
•
$500.0 million principal amount of 2.700% senior notes due 2020;
•
$700.0 million principal amount of 4.750% senior notes due 2021;
•
$600.0 million principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due 2022;
•
$500.0 million principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due 2022;
•
$400.0 million principal amount of 3.750% senior notes due 2024;
•
$258.8 million principal amount of 5.45% senior notes due 2043; and
•
$300.0 million principal amount of 5.70% senior notes due 2043.
With the exception of the senior notes due 2016, the senior notes due 2017, the senior notes due 2024, and the 5.70% senior notes due 2043, all of these senior notes were co-issued with Ventas Realty’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation.
As of December 31, 2014, we had $309.8 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes of our subsidiary, Nationwide Health Properties, LLC (“NHP LLC”), as successor to NHP, outstanding as follows:
•
$234.4 million principal amount of 6% senior notes due 2015;
•
$52.4 million principal amount of 6.90% senior notes due 2037 (subject to earlier repayment at the option of the holder); and
•
$23.0 million principal amount of 6.59% senior notes due 2038 (subject to earlier repayment at the option of the holder).
In addition, as of December 31, 2014, we had $559.3 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes of our wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited, and guaranteed by Ventas, Inc. outstanding as follows:
•
$344.2 million (CAD 400.0 million) principal amount of 3.00% senior notes, series A due 2019; and
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$215.1 million (CAD 250.0 million) principal amount of 4.125% senior notes, series B due 2024.
In January 2015, we issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.500% senior notes due 2025 at a public offering price equal to 99.663% of par, for total proceeds of $598.0 million before the underwriting discount and expenses, and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior notes due 2045 at a public offering price equal to 99.500% of par, for total proceeds of $298.5 million before the underwriting discount and expenses. The notes are guaranteed by Ventas, Inc.
Also in January 2015, our wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited, issued and sold CAD 250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.30% senior notes, series C due 2022 at an offering price equal to 99.992% of par, for total proceeds of CAD 250.0 million before the agent fees and expenses. The notes are guaranteed by Ventas, Inc. and were offered on a private placement basis in Canada.
2014 Activity
In April 2014, we issued and sold $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.250% senior notes due 2017 at a public offering price equal to 99.815% of par, for total proceeds of $299.4 million before the underwriting discount and expenses, and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior notes due 2024 at a public offering price equal to 99.304% of par, for total proceeds of $397.2 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In September 2014, our wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited, issued and sold CAD 400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.00% senior notes, series A due 2019 at an offering price equal to 99.713% of par, for total proceeds of CAD 398.9 million before the agent fees and expenses, and CAD 250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes, series B due 2024 at an offering price equal to 99.601% of par, for total proceeds of CAD 249.0 million before the agent fees and expenses. The notes were offered on a private placement basis in Canada. We used the proceeds from the issuance to repay a portion of the CAD 791.0 million unsecured term loan.
2013 Activity
In February 2013, we repaid in full, at par, $270.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6.25% senior notes due 2013 upon maturity.
In March 2013, we issued and sold: $258.8 million aggregate principal amount of 5.45% senior notes due 2043 at a public offering price equal to par, for total proceeds of $258.8 million before the underwriting discounts and expenses; and $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.700% senior notes due 2020 at a public offering price equal to 99.942% of par, for total proceeds of $499.7 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In September 2013, we issued and sold: $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.55% senior notes due 2016 at a public offering price equal to 99.910% of par, for total proceeds of $549.5 million before the underwriting discount and expenses; and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.70% senior notes due 2043 at a public offering price equal to 99.628% of par, for total proceeds of $298.9 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
2012 Activity
In February 2012, we issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due 2022 at a public offering price equal to 99.214% of par, for total proceeds of $595.3 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In April 2012, we issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% senior notes due 2019 at a public offering price equal to 99.489% of par, for total proceeds of $596.9 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In August 2012, we initially issued and sold $275.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due 2022 (“2022 notes”) at a public offering price equal to 99.027% of par, for total proceeds of $272.3 million before the underwriting discount and expenses. In December 2012, we issued and sold an additional $225.0 million principal amount of 2022 notes at a public offering price equal to 98.509% of par, for total proceeds of $221.6 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
Also in December 2012, we issued and sold $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.00% senior notes due 2018 at a public offering price equal to 99.739% of par, for total proceeds of $698.2 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
During 2012, we repaid in full, at par, $155.4 million aggregate principal amount then outstanding of our 9% senior notes due 2012 and our 8.25% senior notes due 2012 upon maturity, and we redeemed: all $225.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6¾% senior notes due 2017 at a redemption price equal to 103.375% of par, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date; and all $200.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6½% senior notes due 2016 at a redemption price equal to 103.25% of par, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, in each case pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture governing the notes. As a result of these redemptions, we recognized a total loss on extinguishment of debt of $39.7 million.
We may, from time to time, seek to retire or purchase our outstanding senior notes for cash or in exchange for equity securities in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, prospects for future access to capital and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
The indentures governing our outstanding senior notes require us to comply with various financial and other restrictive covenants. See “Note 10-Borrowing Arrangements” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We were in compliance with all of these covenants at December 31, 2014.
Mortgage Loan Obligations
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our consolidated aggregate principal amount of mortgage debt outstanding was $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, of which our share was $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively.
During 2014, we assumed or originated mortgage debt of $246.8 million and repaid in full mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $398.0 million. We recognized a net loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.3 million in connection with these repayments.
During 2013, we assumed or originated mortgage debt of $178.8 million in connection with our $1.8 billion of gross investments, and we repaid in full mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $493.7 million. We recognized a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million in connection with these repayments.
During 2012, we assumed $380.3 million of mortgage debt and repaid in full mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $344.2 million. We recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $2.1 million in connection with these repayments.
See “Note 4-Acquisitions of Real Estate Property” and “Note 10-Borrowing Arrangements” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Dividends
In order to continue to qualify as a REIT, we must make annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gain). In 2014, our Board of Directors declared and we paid cash dividends on our common stock aggregating $2.965 per share, which exceeds 100% of our 2014 estimated taxable income after the use of any net operating loss carryforwards. We intend to pay dividends greater than 100% of our taxable income, after the use of any net operating loss carryforwards, for 2015. In connection with the HCT Acquisition, on January 5, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a prorated first quarter dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.2107 per share, which was paid in cash on January 27, 2015 to stockholders of record on January 15, 2015. On February 13, 2015, our Board of Directors declared another prorated dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.5793 per share, payable in cash on March 31, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 6, 2015. Together, these two prorated amounts equate to the first quarterly installment of our 2015 dividend of $0.79 per share.
We expect that our cash flows will exceed our REIT taxable income due to depreciation and other non-cash deductions in computing REIT taxable income and that we will be able to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash on hand or other liquid assets to meet this requirement or we may decide to retain cash or distribute such greater amount as may be necessary to avoid income and excise taxation. If we do not have sufficient cash on hand or other liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, or if we desire to retain cash, we may borrow funds, issue additional equity securities, pay taxable stock dividends, if possible, distribute other property or securities or engage in a transaction intended to enable us to meet the REIT distribution requirements or any combination of the
foregoing. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Requirements for Qualification as a REIT-Annual Distribution Requirements” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Capital Expenditures
The terms of our triple-net leases generally obligate our tenants to pay all capital expenditures necessary to maintain and improve our triple-net leased properties. However, from time to time, we may fund the capital expenditures for our triple-net leased properties through loans to the tenants or advances, which may increase the amount of rent payable with respect to the properties in certain cases. We expect to fund any capital expenditures for which we may become responsible upon expiration of our triple-net leases or in the event that our tenants are unable or unwilling to meet their obligations under those leases with cash flows from operations or through additional borrowings.
We also expect to fund capital expenditures related to our senior living operations and MOB operations reportable business segments with the cash flows from the properties or through additional borrowings. To the extent that unanticipated capital expenditure needs arise or significant borrowings are required, our liquidity may be affected adversely. Our ability to borrow additional funds may be restricted in certain circumstances by the terms of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
We are party to certain agreements that obligate us to develop seniors housing or healthcare properties funded through capital that we and, in certain circumstances, our joint venture partners provide. As of December 31, 2014, we had one new property under development pursuant to these agreements. Through December 31, 2014, we have funded $3.4 million of our estimated total commitment over the projected development period ($10.0 million to $11.0 million) toward these projects. In addition, from time to time, we engage in redevelopment projects with respect to our existing seniors housing communities to maximize the value, increase NOI, maintain a market-competitive position, achieve property stabilization or change the primary use of the property.
Equity Offerings and Related Events
In March 2013, we established an “at-the-market” (“ATM”) equity offering program through which we may sell from time to time up to an aggregate of $750 million of our common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we issued and sold a total of 3,381,678 shares of common stock under the program for aggregate net proceeds of $242.3 million (all of which was received in the fourth quarter of 2014), after sales agent commissions of $3.7 million. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $360.4 million of our common stock remained available for sale under our ATM equity offering program. In January 2015, we issued and sold a total of 3,750,202 shares of common stock under the ATM program for aggregate net proceeds of $285.8 million, after sales agent commissions of $4.4 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we issued and sold a total of 2,069,200 shares of common stock under the ATM program for aggregate net proceeds of $141.5 million, after sales agent commissions of $2.1 million.
In December 2012, through our acquisition of certain private equity funds, we acquired 3.7 million shares of our common stock that were held in treasury and subsequently canceled in February 2014. See “Note 4-Acquisitions of Real Estate Property.”
In June 2012, we completed the public offering and sale of 5,980,000 shares of our common stock for $342.5 million in aggregate proceeds.
In April 2012, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the sale, from time to time, of an indeterminate amount of debt securities and related guarantees, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants. This registration statement replaced our previous automatic shelf registration statement, which expired pursuant to the SEC’s rules.
Other
We received proceeds of $26.2 million and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from the exercises of outstanding stock options. Future proceeds from the exercises of stock options will be affected primarily by the future trading price of our common stock and the number of options outstanding. The number of options outstanding increased to 2,460,628 as of December 31, 2014, from 2,258,763 as of December 31, 2013. The weighted average exercise price was $57.45 as of December 31, 2014.
We issued approximately 19,000 and 29,000 shares of common stock under our Distribution Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) for net proceeds of $1.2 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The DRIP was suspended effective July 3, 2014. We may determine whether or not to reinstate the DRIP at any time, in our sole discretion.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth our sources and uses of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows from operating activities increased in 2014 over the prior year primarily due to our 2013 and 2014 investments, net of capital costs, and same-store growth across our portfolio of properties, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses and merger-related expenses and deal costs, and expenses related to the re-audit and re-review in 2014 of our historical financial statements and related matters.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities during 2014 and 2013 consisted primarily of cash paid for our investments in real estate ($1.5 billion and $1.4 billion in 2014 and 2013, respectively), investments in loans receivable ($499.0 million and $38.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively), purchase of marketable securities ($96.7 million in 2014), capital expenditures ($87.5 million and $81.6 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively) and development project expenditures ($107.0 million and $95.7 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively). These uses were partially offset by proceeds from loans receivable ($73.6 million and $325.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively), proceeds from the sale or maturity of marketable debt securities ($21.7 million and $5.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively), and proceeds from real estate dispositions ($118.2 million and $35.6 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively).
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities during 2014 and 2013 consisted primarily of net borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility ($540.2 million in 2014), net proceeds from the issuance of debt ($2.0 billion and $2.8 billion in 2014 and 2013, respectively) and net proceeds from the issuance of common stock ($242.1 million and $141.3 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively). These cash inflows were partially offset by debt repayments ($1.2 billion and $1.8 billion in 2014 and 2013, respectively), cash distributions to common stockholders, unitholders and noncontrolling interest parties ($890.9 million and $816.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively), net payments made on our unsecured revolving credit facility ($164.0 million in 2013) and payments for deferred financing costs ($14.2 million and $31.3 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively).
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the effect that minimum debt (which includes principal and interest payments) and other material noncancelable commitments are expected to have on our cash flow in future periods as of December 31, 2014:
(1)
Amounts represent contractual amounts due, including interest.
(2)
Interest on variable rate debt was based on forward rates obtained as of December 31, 2014.
(3)
Excludes $43.5 million of mortgage debt related to real estate assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 that is scheduled to mature between 2015 and 2018.
(4)
Includes $400.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 3.125% senior notes due 2015 and $234.4 million outstanding principal amount of our 6% senior notes due 2015.
(5)
Includes $550.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 1.55% senior notes due 2016 and $300.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 1.250% senior notes due 2017.
(6)
Includes $919.1 million of borrowings outstanding on our unsecured revolving credit facility, $700.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 2.00% senior notes due 2018, $200.0 million of borrowings under our unsecured term loan due 2018, $790.6 million of borrowings under our unsecured term loan due 2019, $600.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 4.00% senior notes due 2019 and $344.2 million outstanding principal amount of our 3.00% senior notes, series A due 2019.
(7)
Includes $3.5 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding of our senior notes maturing between 2020 and 2043. $52.4 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 6.90% senior notes due 2037 are subject to repurchase, at the option of the holders, on October 1 in each of 2017 and 2027, and $23.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 6.59% senior notes due 2038 are subject to repurchase, at the option of the holders, on July 7 in each of 2018, 2023 and 2028.
As of December 31, 2014, we had $25.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits that are excluded from the table above, as we are unable to make a reasonable reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement, if any, with the respective tax authority.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The information set forth in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Asset/Liability Management” is incorporated by reference into this Item 7A.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Ventas, Inc.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Ventas, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the original framework (1992 framework) established in a report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 was effective.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Ventas, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ventas, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the information in financial statement Schedules II, III and IV. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ventas, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the financial statement Schedules II, III and IV when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for discontinued operations in 2014 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 13, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
February 13, 2015
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Ventas, Inc.:
We have audited Ventas, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on the Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on 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, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included 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, Ventas Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, respectively, and our report dated February 13, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. Our report refers to a change in the method of accounting for discontinued operations.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 13, 2015
VENTAS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
See accompanying notes.
VENTAS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
See accompanying notes.
VENTAS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
See accompanying notes.
VENTAS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
See accompanying notes.
VENTAS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
VENTAS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
See accompanying notes.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1-Description of Business
Ventas, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or except where the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us” or “our”), an S&P 500 company, is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) with a highly diversified portfolio of seniors housing and healthcare properties located throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. As of December 31, 2014, we owned more than 1,500 properties (including properties classified as held for sale), consisting of seniors housing communities, medical office buildings (“MOBs”), skilled nursing and other facilities, and hospitals, and we had one property under development. Our company was originally founded in 1983 and is currently headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
We primarily invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties through acquisitions and lease our properties to unaffiliated tenants or operate them through independent third-party managers. As of December 31, 2014, we leased a total of 922 properties (excluding MOBs and properties classified as held for sale) to various healthcare operating companies under “triple-net” or “absolute-net” leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures, and we engaged independent operators, such as Atria Senior Living, Inc. (“Atria”) and Sunrise Senior Living, LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “Sunrise”), to manage 270 seniors housing communities for us pursuant to long-term management agreements. Our two largest tenants, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Brookdale Senior Living”) and Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Kindred”) leased from us 160 properties (excluding six properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities and one property managed by Brookdale Senior Living pursuant to a long-term management agreement) and 83 properties, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.
Through our Lillibridge Healthcare Services, Inc. (“Lillibridge”) subsidiary and our ownership interest in PMB Real Estate Services LLC (“PMBRES”), we also provide MOB management, leasing, marketing, facility development and advisory services to highly rated hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. In addition, from time to time, we make secured and unsecured loans and other investments relating to seniors housing and healthcare operators or properties.
Note 2-Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries and the joint venture entities over which we exercise control. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation, and our net earnings are reduced by the portion of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests.
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires us to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; and (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. We consolidate our investment in a VIE when we determine that we are its primary beneficiary. We may change our original assessment of a VIE upon subsequent events such as the modification of contractual arrangements that affects the characteristics or adequacy of the entity’s equity investments at risk and the disposition of all or a portion of an interest held by the primary beneficiary.
We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.
As it relates to investments in joint ventures, GAAP may preclude consolidation by the sole general partner in certain circumstances based on the type of rights held by the limited partner(s). We assess limited partners’ rights and their impact on the presumption of control of the limited partnership by the sole general partner when an investor becomes the sole general partner, and we reassess if there is a change to the terms or in the exercisability of the rights of the limited partners, the sole
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
general partner increases or decreases its ownership of limited partnership interests, or there is an increase or decrease in the number of outstanding limited partnership interests. We also apply this guidance to managing member interests in limited liability companies.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
We report investments in unconsolidated entities over whose operating and financial policies we have the ability to exercise significant influence under the equity method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, our share of the investee’s earnings or losses is included in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
We base the initial carrying value of investments in unconsolidated entities on the fair value of the assets at the time we acquired the joint venture interest. We estimate fair values for our equity method investments based on discounted cash flow models that include all estimated cash inflows and outflows over a specified holding period and, where applicable, any estimated debt premiums or discounts. The capitalization rates, discount rates and credit spreads we use in these models are based upon assumptions that we believe to be within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective investments.
We generally amortize any difference between our cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level over the lives of the related assets and liabilities and include that amortization in our share of income or loss from unconsolidated entities. For earnings of equity method investments with pro rata distribution allocations, net income or loss is allocated between the partners in the joint venture based on their respective stated ownership percentages. In other instances, net income or loss is allocated between the partners in the joint venture based on the hypothetical liquidation at book value method (the “HLBV method”). Under the HLBV method, net income or loss is allocated between the partners based on the difference between each partner’s claim on the net assets of the joint venture at the end and beginning of the period, after taking into account contributions and distributions. Each partner’s share of the net assets of the joint venture is calculated as the amount that the partner would receive if the joint venture were to liquidate all of its assets at net book value and distribute the resulting cash to creditors and partners in accordance with their respective priorities. Under this method, in any given period, we could record more or less income than the joint venture has generated, than actual cash distributions received or than the amount we may receive in the event of an actual liquidation.
Redeemable OP Unitholder and Noncontrolling Interests
We own a majority interest in NHP/PMB L.P. (“NHP/PMB”), a limited partnership formed in 2008 to acquire properties from entities affiliated with Pacific Medical Buildings LLC. We consolidate NHP/PMB, as our wholly owned subsidiary is the general partner and exercises control of the partnership. As of December 31, 2014, third party investors owned 2,821,627 Class A limited partnership units in NHP/PMB (“OP Units”), which represented 29.6% of the total units then outstanding, and we owned 6,710,261 Class B limited partnership units in NHP/PMB, representing the remaining 70.4%. At any time following the first anniversary of the date of their issuance, the OP Units may be redeemed at the election of the holder for cash or, at our option, 0.7866 shares of our common stock per unit, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. We are party by assumption to a registration rights agreement with the holders of the OP Units that requires us, subject to the terms and conditions and certain exceptions set forth therein, to file and maintain a registration statement relating to the issuance of shares of our common stock upon redemption of OP Units.
As redemption rights are outside of our control, the redeemable OP unitholder interests are classified outside of permanent equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We reflect the redeemable OP unitholder interests at the greater of cost or fair value. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the redeemable OP unitholder interests was $159.1 million and $111.6 million, respectively. We recognize changes in fair value through capital in excess of par value, net of cash distributions paid and purchases by us of any OP Units. Our diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) includes the effect of any potential shares outstanding from redemption of the OP Units.
Certain noncontrolling interests of other consolidated joint ventures were also classified as redeemable at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Accordingly, we record the carrying amount of these noncontrolling interests at the greater of their initial carrying amount (increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interest’s share of net income or loss and distributions) or the redemption value. Our joint venture partners have certain redemption rights with respect to their noncontrolling interests in these joint ventures that are outside of our control, and the redeemable noncontrolling interests are classified outside of permanent equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize changes in carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests through capital in excess of par value.
Noncontrolling Interests
Excluding the redeemable noncontrolling interests described above, we present the portion of any equity that we do not own in entities that we control (and thus consolidate) as noncontrolling interests and classify those interests as a component of
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
consolidated equity, separate from total Ventas stockholders’ equity, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For consolidated joint ventures with pro rata distribution allocations, net income or loss is allocated between the joint venture partners based on their respective stated ownership percentages. In other instances, net income or loss is allocated between the joint venture partners based on the HLBV method. We account for purchases or sales of equity interests that do not result in a change of control as equity transactions, through capital in excess of par value. In addition, we include net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests in net income in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions regarding future events that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Business Combinations
We account for acquisitions using the acquisition method and allocate the cost of the businesses acquired among tangible and recognized intangible assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Recognized intangibles primarily include the value of in-place leases, acquired lease contracts, tenant and customer relationships, trade names/trademarks and goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets of the acquired business and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We estimate the fair value of buildings acquired on an as-if-vacant basis and depreciate the building value over the estimated remaining life of the building, generally not to exceed 35 years. We determine the allocated value of other fixed assets, such as site improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment, based upon the replacement cost and depreciate such value over the assets’ estimated remaining useful lives as determined at the applicable acquisition date. We determine the value of land either by considering the sales prices of similar properties in recent transactions or based on internal analyses of recently acquired and existing comparable properties within our portfolio. We generally determine the value of construction in progress based upon the replacement cost. However, for certain acquired properties that are part of a ground-up development, we determine fair value by using the same valuation approach as for all other properties and deducting the estimated cost to complete the development. During the remaining construction period, we capitalize interest expense until the development has reached substantial completion. Construction in progress, including capitalized interest, is not depreciated until the development has reached substantial completion.
The fair value of acquired lease-related intangibles, if any, reflects: (i) the estimated value of any above and/or below market leases, determined by discounting the difference between the estimated market rent and in-place lease rent; and (ii) the estimated value of in-place leases related to the cost to obtain tenants, including leasing commissions, and an estimated value of the absorption period to reflect the value of the rent and recovery costs foregone during a reasonable lease-up period as if the acquired space was vacant. We amortize any acquired lease-related intangibles to revenue or amortization expense over the remaining life of the associated lease plus any assumed bargain renewal periods. If a lease is terminated prior to its stated expiration or not renewed upon expiration, we recognize all unamortized amounts of lease-related intangibles associated with that lease in operations at that time.
We estimate the fair value of purchase option intangible assets and liabilities by discounting the difference between the applicable property’s acquisition date fair value and an estimate of its future option price. We do not amortize the resulting intangible asset or liability over the term of the lease, but rather adjust the recognized value of the asset or liability upon sale. Net real estate property for which we have recorded a tenant purchase option intangible liability (excluding properties classified as held for sale) was $354.1 million and $386.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
We estimate the fair value of tenant or other customer relationships acquired, if any, by considering the nature and extent of existing business relationships with the tenant or customer, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant or customer, the tenant’s credit quality, expectations of lease renewals with the tenant, and the potential for significant, additional future leasing arrangements with the tenant, and we amortize that value over the expected life of the associated arrangements or leases, including the remaining terms of the related leases and any expected renewal periods. We estimate the fair value of trade names and trademarks using a royalty rate methodology and amortize that value over the estimated useful life of the trade name or trademark.
In connection with a business combination, we may assume rights and obligations under certain lease agreements pursuant to which we become the lessee of a given property. We assume the lease classification previously determined by the prior lessee absent a modification in the assumed lease agreement. We assess assumed operating leases, including ground leases, to determine whether the lease terms are favorable or unfavorable to us given current market conditions on the
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
acquisition date. To the extent the lease terms are favorable or unfavorable to us relative to market conditions on the acquisition date, we recognize an intangible asset or liability at fair value and amortize that asset or liability to interest or rental expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income over the applicable lease term. We include all lease-related intangible assets and liabilities within acquired lease intangibles and accounts payable and other liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We determine the fair value of loans receivable acquired in connection with a business combination by discounting the estimated future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans with the same terms and length to maturity would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. We do not establish a valuation allowance at the acquisition date because the estimated future cash flows already reflect our judgment regarding their uncertainty. We recognize the difference between the acquisition date fair value and the total expected cash flows as interest income using an effective interest method over the life of the applicable loan. Subsequent to the acquisition date, we evaluate changes regarding the uncertainty of future cash flows and the need for a valuation allowance, as appropriate.
We estimate the fair value of noncontrolling interests assumed consistent with the manner in which we value all of the underlying assets and liabilities.
We calculate the fair value of long-term debt by discounting the remaining contractual cash flows on each instrument at the current market rate for those borrowings, which we approximate based on the rate at which we would expect to incur a replacement instrument on the date of acquisition, and recognize any fair value adjustments related to long-term debt as effective yield adjustments over the remaining term of the instrument.
Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets, primarily consisting of investments in real estate, for impairment indicators. If indicators of impairment are present, we evaluate the carrying value of the related real estate investments in relation to the future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying operations. In performing this evaluation, we consider market conditions and our current intentions with respect to holding or disposing of the asset. We adjust the net book value of leased properties and other long-lived assets to fair value if the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows, including sales proceeds, is less than book value. We recognize an impairment loss at the time we make any such determination.
If impairment indicators arise with respect to intangible assets with finite useful lives, we evaluate impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, then we estimate the fair value of the asset and compare the estimated fair value to the intangible asset’s carrying value. We recognize any shortfall from carrying value as an impairment loss in the current period.
We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may exceed its fair value. If we determine that a decline in the fair value of our investment in an unconsolidated entity is other-than-temporary, and if such reduced fair value is below the carrying value, we record an impairment. The determination of the fair value of investments in unconsolidated entities involves significant judgment, and our estimates consider all available evidence, including, as appropriate, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at market rates, general economic conditions and trends and other relevant factors.
We test goodwill for impairment at least annually, and more frequently if indicators arise. We first assess qualitative factors, such as current macroeconomic conditions, state of the equity and capital markets and our overall financial and operating performance, to determine the likelihood that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we proceed with the two-step approach to evaluating impairment. First, we estimate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the reporting unit’s carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, we proceed with the second step, which requires us to assign the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if it had been acquired in a business combination at the date of the impairment test. The excess fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied value of goodwill and is used to determine the amount of impairment. We recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied value in the current period.
Estimates of fair value used in our evaluation of goodwill, investments in real estate, investments in unconsolidated entities and intangible assets are based upon discounted future cash flow projections or other acceptable valuation techniques that are based, in turn, upon level three inputs, such as revenue and expense growth rates, capitalization rates, discount rates or other available market data. Our ability to accurately predict future operating results and cash flows and to estimate and allocate fair values impacts the timing and recognition of impairments. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on our financial results.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
We sell properties from time to time for various reasons, including favorable market conditions or the exercise of purchase options by tenants. We classify certain long-lived assets as held for sale once the criteria, as defined by GAAP, has been met. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value minus cost to sell and are no longer depreciated.
In 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”), which raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. A discontinued operation is defined as: (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results; or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the acquisition date. ASU 2014-08 also requires additional disclosures regarding discontinued operations, as well as material disposals that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. The application of this guidance is prospective from the date of adoption and applies only to disposals (or new classifications to held for sale) that have not been reported as discontinued operations in our previously issued financial statements. We adopted ASU 2014-08 during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
The results of operations for assets meeting the definition of discontinued operations are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Income as discontinued operations for all periods presented. We allocate estimated interest expense to discontinued operations based on property values and our weighted average interest rate or the property’s actual mortgage interest.
Loans Receivable
We record loans receivable, other than those acquired in connection with a business combination, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (either in secured loans receivable and investments, net or other assets, in the case of unsecured loans receivable) at the unpaid principal balance, net of any deferred origination fees, purchase discounts or premiums and valuation allowances. We amortize net deferred origination fees, which are comprised of loan fees collected from the borrower net of certain direct costs, and purchase discounts or premiums over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method and immediately recognize in income any unamortized balances if the loan is repaid before its contractual maturity.
We regularly evaluate the collectibility of loans receivable based on factors such as corporate and facility-level financial and operational reports, compliance with financial covenants set forth in the applicable loan agreement, the financial strength of the borrower and any guarantor, the payment history of the borrower and current economic conditions. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due under the terms of the applicable loan agreement, we provide a reserve against the portion of the receivable that we estimate may not be collected.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
Escrow Deposits and Restricted Cash
Escrow deposits consist of amounts held by us or our lenders to provide for future real estate tax and insurance expenditures and tenant improvements related to our properties and operations. Restricted cash represents amounts paid to us for security deposits and other similar purposes.
Deferred Financing Costs
We amortize deferred financing costs as a component of interest expense over the terms of the related borrowings using a method that approximates a level yield. Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization, were approximately $60.3 million and $62.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortized costs of approximately $16.9 million, $13.5 million and $10.5 million were included in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Marketable Debt and Equity Securities
We record marketable debt and equity securities (other than our interests in government-sponsored pooled loan investments, which are classified as secured loans receivable and investments, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets) as available-for-sale and classify them as a component of other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We record these securities at fair value and include unrealized gains and losses recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We report interest income, including discount or premium
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
amortization, on marketable debt securities and gains or losses on securities sold, which are based on the specific identification method, in income from loans and investments in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Derivative Instruments
We recognize all derivative instruments in other assets or accounts payable and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of the reporting date. We recognize changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in other expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income or accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the intended use of the derivative and our designation of the instrument.
We do not use our derivative financial instruments, including interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes. Our foreign currency forward contracts and certain of our interest rate swaps (including the interest rate swap contracts of unconsolidated joint ventures) are designated as effectively hedging the variability of expected cash flows related to their underlying securities and, therefore, also are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in the fair value of these instruments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize our proportionate share of the change in fair value of swap contracts of our unconsolidated joint ventures in accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain of our other interest rate swaps and rate caps were not designated as having a hedging relationship with the underlying securities and therefore do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting under GAAP. Accordingly, these interest rate swaps are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, and we recognize changes in the fair value of these instruments in current earnings (in other expenses) in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and we determine fair value based on the assumptions that we expect market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
Level one inputs utilize unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access. Level two inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in level one that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Level two inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and other inputs for the asset or liability that are observable at commonly quoted intervals, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves. Level three inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which typically are based on our own assumptions, because there is little, if any, related market activity. If the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the entire fair value measurement falls is the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. If the volume and level of market activity for an asset or liability has decreased significantly relative to the normal market activity for such asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities), then transactions or quoted prices may not accurately reflect fair value. In addition, if there is evidence that a transaction for an asset or liability is not orderly, little, if any, weight is placed on that transaction price as an indicator of fair value. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments.
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Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
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Loans receivable - We estimate the fair value of loans receivable using level two and level three inputs: we discount future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans with the same terms and length to maturity would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings.
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Marketable debt securities - We estimate the fair value of corporate bonds using level two inputs: we observe quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access. We estimate the fair value of certain government-sponsored pooled loan investments using level three inputs: we consider credit spreads, underlying asset performance and credit quality, default rates and any other applicable criteria.
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Derivative instruments - With the assistance of a third party, we estimate the fair value of derivative instruments, including interest rate caps, interest rate swaps, and foreign currency forward contracts using level two inputs: for interest rate caps, we observe forward yield curves and other relevant information; for interest rate swaps, we
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
observe alternative financing rates derived from market-based financing rates, forward yield curves and discount rates; and for foreign currency forward contracts, we estimate the future values of the two currency tranches using forward exchange rates that are based on traded forward points and calculate a present value of the net amount using a discount factor based on observable traded interest rates.
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Senior notes payable and other debt - We estimate the fair value of senior notes payable and other debt using level two inputs: we discount the future cash flows using current interest rates at which we could obtain similar borrowings. For mortgage debt, we may estimate fair value using level three inputs.
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Redeemable OP unitholder interests - We estimate the fair value of our redeemable OP unitholder interests using level one inputs: we base fair value on the closing price of our common stock, as OP Units may be redeemed at the election of the holder for cash or, at our option, 0.7866 shares of our common stock per unit, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
Revenue Recognition
Triple-Net Leased Properties and MOB Operations
Certain of our triple-net leases and most of our MOB leases provide for periodic and determinable increases in base rent. We recognize base rental revenues under these leases on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term when collectability is reasonably assured. Recognizing rental income on a straight-line basis generally results in recognized revenues during the first half of a lease term exceeding the cash amounts contractually due from our tenants, creating a straight-line rent receivable that is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, this cumulative excess totaled $188.0 million (net of allowances of $145.1 million) and $150.8 million (net of allowances of $101.4 million), respectively.
Certain of our leases provide for periodic increases in base rent only if certain revenue parameters or other substantive contingencies are met. We recognize the increased rental revenue under these leases as the related parameters or contingencies are met, rather than on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.
Senior Living Operations
We recognize resident fees and services, other than move-in fees, monthly as services are provided. We recognize move-in fees on a straight-line basis over the average resident stay. Our lease agreements with residents generally have terms of 12 to 18 months and are cancelable by the resident upon 30 days’ notice.
Other
We recognize interest income from loans and investments, including discounts and premiums, using the effective interest method when collectibility is reasonably assured. We apply the effective interest method on a loan-by-loan basis and recognize discounts and premiums as yield adjustments over the related loan term. We recognize interest income on an impaired loan to the extent our estimate of the fair value of the collateral is sufficient to support the balance of the loan, other receivables and all related accrued interest. When the balance of the loan, other receivables and all related accrued interest is equal to or less than our estimate of the fair value of the collateral, we recognize interest income on a cash basis. We provide a reserve against an impaired loan to the extent our total investment in the loan exceeds our estimate of the fair value of the loan collateral.
We recognize income from rent, lease termination fees, development services, management advisory services, and all other income when all of the following criteria are met in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin 104: (i) the applicable agreement has been fully executed and delivered; (ii) services have been rendered; (iii) the amount is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.
Allowances
We assess the collectibility of our rent receivables, including straight-line rent receivables. We base our assessment of the collectibility of rent receivables (other than straight-line rent receivables) on several factors, including, among other things, payment history, the financial strength of the tenant and any guarantors, the value of the underlying collateral, if any, and current economic conditions. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is probable that we will be unable to recover the full value of the receivable, we provide a reserve against the portion of the receivable that we estimate may not be recovered. We also base our assessment of the collectibility of straight-line rent receivables on several factors, including, among other things, the financial strength of the tenant and any guarantors, the historical operations and operating trends of the property, the historical payment pattern of the tenant and the type of property. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is probable that we will be unable to receive the rent payments due in the future, we provide a reserve against the recognized straight-line rent receivable asset for the portion, up to its full value, that we estimate may not be recovered. If we change our assumptions or
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
estimates regarding the collectibility of future rent payments required by a lease, we may adjust our reserve to increase or reduce the rental revenue recognized in the period we make such change in our assumptions or estimates.
Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of stock options, included in General, administrative and professional fees in our Consolidated Statements of Income generally on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value of the award.
Gain on Sale of Assets
We recognize sales of assets only upon the closing of the transaction with the purchaser. We record payments received from purchasers prior to closing as deposits and classify them as other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize gains on assets sold using the full accrual method upon closing if the collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured, we are not obligated to perform any significant activities after the sale to earn the profit, we have received adequate initial investment from the purchaser, and other profit recognition criteria have been satisfied. We may defer recognition of gains in whole or in part until: (i) the profit is determinable, meaning that the collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured or the amount that will not be collectible can be estimated; and (ii) the earnings process is virtually complete, meaning that we are not obliged to perform any significant activities after the sale to earn the profit.
Federal Income Tax
We have elected to be treated as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for every year beginning with the year ended December 31, 1999. Accordingly, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on net income that we distribute to our stockholders, provided that we continue to qualify as a REIT. However, with respect to certain of our subsidiaries that have elected to be treated as “taxable REIT subsidiaries,” we record income tax expense or benefit, as those entities are subject to federal income tax similar to regular corporations.
We account for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method and recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Any increase or decrease in the deferred tax liability that results from a change in circumstances, and that causes us to change our judgment about expected future tax consequences of events, is included in the tax provision when such changes occur. Deferred income taxes also reflect the impact of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided if we believe it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Any increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from a change in circumstances, and that causes us to change our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset, is included in the tax provision when such changes occur.
Foreign Currency
Certain of our subsidiaries’ functional currencies are the local currencies of their respective foreign jurisdictions. We translate the results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars using average rates of exchange in effect during the period, and we translate balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. We record resulting currency translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and we record foreign currency transaction gains and losses in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Segment Reporting
As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we operated through three reportable business segments: triple-net leased properties; senior living operations; and MOB operations. In our triple-net leased properties segment, we invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties throughout the United States and the United Kingdom and lease those properties to healthcare operating companies under “triple-net” or “absolute-net” leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses. In our senior living operations segment, we invest in seniors housing communities throughout the United States and Canada and engage independent operators, such as Atria and Sunrise, to manage those communities. In our MOB operations segment, we primarily acquire, own, develop, lease, and manage MOBs throughout the United States. See “Note 20-Segment Information.”
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Operating Leases
We account for payments made pursuant to operating leases in our Consolidated Statements of Income based on actual rent paid, plus or minus a straight-line rent adjustment for leases that provide for periodic and determinable increases in base rent.
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards
In 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which outlines a comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 states that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” While ASU 2014-09 specifically references contracts with customers, it may apply to certain other transactions such as the sale of real estate or equipment. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2017. We are continuing to evaluate this guidance; however, we do not expect its adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements, as a substantial portion of our revenue consists of rental income from leasing arrangements, which are specifically excluded from ASU 2014-09.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Note 3-Concentration of Credit Risk
As of December 31, 2014, Atria, Sunrise, Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred managed or operated approximately 23.6%, 12.3%, 10.2% and 2.0%, respectively, of our real estate investments based on gross book value (excluding properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014). Seniors housing communities constituted approximately 65.5% of our real estate investments based on gross book value (excluding properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014), while MOBs, skilled nursing and other facilities, and hospitals collectively comprised the remaining 34.5% Our properties were located in 46 states, the District of Columbia, seven Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom as of December 31, 2014, with properties in one state (California) accounting for more than 10% of our total revenues and total net operating income (“NOI,” which is defined as total revenues, excluding interest and other income, less property-level operating expenses and medical office building services costs) (in each case excluding amounts in discontinued operations) for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Triple-Net Leased Properties
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 5.5%, 5.6% and 6.3%, respectively, of our total revenues and 9.2%, 9.2% and 10.5%, respectively, of our total NOI (in each case excluding amounts in discontinued operations) were derived from our lease agreements with Brookdale Senior Living. For the same periods, approximately 6.2%, 8.1% and 10.3%, respectively, of our total revenues and 10.2%, 13.4% and 17.1%, respectively, of our total NOI (in each case excluding amounts in discontinued operations) were derived from our lease agreements with Kindred. Each of our leases with Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred is a triple-net lease that obligates the tenant to pay all property-related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures, and to comply with the terms of the mortgage financing documents, if any, affecting the properties. In addition, each of these leases has guaranty and cross-default provisions tied to other leases with the same tenant or its affiliates, as well as bundled lease renewals.
The properties we lease to Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred accounted for a significant portion of our triple-net leased properties segment revenues and NOI for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. If either Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred becomes unable or unwilling to satisfy its obligations to us or to renew its leases with us upon expiration of the terms thereof, our financial condition and results of operations could decline and our ability to service our indebtedness and to make distributions to our stockholders could be impaired. We cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to satisfy their respective obligations to us, and any failure, inability or unwillingness by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, our ability to service our indebtedness and other obligations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders, as required for us to continue to qualify as a REIT (a “Material Adverse Effect”). We also cannot assure you that Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred will elect to renew their respective leases with us upon expiration of the leases or that we will be able to reposition any non-renewed properties on a timely basis or on the same or better economic terms, if at all.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In July 2014, Brookdale Senior Living completed its acquisition of Emeritus Corporation (“Emeritus”), which operates 15 of our triple-net leased properties. In connection with the transaction, we entered into favorable arrangements with Brookdale Senior Living and Emeritus regarding the terms of our existing leases. The transaction and those arrangements have not had, nor do we expect them to have, a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
As of December 31, 2014, we had re-leased to Kindred, transitioned to new operators or sold 107 of the 108 licensed healthcare assets whose lease terms with Kindred were scheduled to expire on September 30, 2014. We expect to sell the remaining asset during 2015; however, this transaction remains subject to customary due diligence conditions, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully complete the sale on a timely basis or at all.
In December 2014, we entered into favorable agreements with Kindred to transition the operations of nine licensed healthcare assets, make modifications to the master leases governing 34 leased assets, and reimburse us for certain deferred capital expenditures at skilled nursing facilities previously transferred to new operators. In January 2015, Kindred paid us $37 million in connection with these agreements, which will be amortized over the remaining lease term for the 34 assets governed by the modified master leases. We own or have the rights to all licenses and CONs at the nine properties to be transitioned, and Kindred has extensive and detailed obligations to cooperate and ensure an orderly transition of the properties to another operator.
The following table sets forth the future contracted minimum rentals, excluding contingent rent escalations, but including straight-line rent adjustments where applicable, for all of our triple-net and MOB leases as of December 31, 2014 (excluding properties owned through investments in unconsolidated entities and properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014):
Senior Living Operations
As of December 31, 2014, Atria and Sunrise, collectively, provided comprehensive property management and accounting services with respect to 269 of our seniors housing communities, for which we pay annual management fees pursuant to long-term management agreements.
Because Atria and Sunrise manage our properties in exchange for the receipt of a management fee from us, we are not directly exposed to the credit risk of our managers in the same manner or to the same extent as our triple-net tenants. However, we rely on our managers’ personnel, expertise, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information, good faith and judgment to manage our senior living operations efficiently and effectively. We also rely on our managers to set appropriate resident fees and otherwise operate our seniors housing communities in compliance with the terms of our management agreements and all applicable laws and regulations. Although we have various rights as the property owner under our management agreements, including various rights to terminate and exercise remedies under the agreements as provided therein, Atria’s or Sunrise’s failure, inability or unwillingness to satisfy its respective obligations under those agreements, to efficiently and effectively manage our properties or to provide timely and accurate accounting information with respect thereto could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. In addition, significant changes in Atria’s or Sunrise’s senior management or equity ownership or any adverse developments in their businesses and affairs or financial condition could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Our 34% ownership interest in Atria entitles us to certain rights and minority protections, as well as the right to appoint two of five members on the Atria board of directors.
Brookdale Senior Living, Kindred, Atria and Sunrise Information
Each of Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred is subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC and is required to file with the SEC annual reports containing audited financial information and quarterly reports containing unaudited financial information. The information related to Brookdale Senior Living and Kindred contained or referred to in this Annual Report on
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Form 10-K has been derived from SEC filings made by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred, as the case may be, or other publicly available information, or was provided to us by Brookdale Senior Living or Kindred, and we have not verified this information through an independent investigation or otherwise. We have no reason to believe that this information is inaccurate in any material respect, but we cannot assure you of its accuracy. We are providing this data for informational purposes only, and you are encouraged to obtain Brookdale Senior Living’s and Kindred’s publicly available filings, which can be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Neither Atria nor Sunrise is currently subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC. The information related to Atria and Sunrise contained or referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been derived from publicly available information or was provided to us by Atria or Sunrise, as the case may be, and we have not verified this information through an independent investigation or otherwise. We have no reason to believe that this information is inaccurate in any material respect, but we cannot assure you of its accuracy.
Note 4-Acquisitions of Real Estate Property
The following summarizes our acquisition and development activities during 2014, 2013 and 2012. We invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties primarily to achieve an expected yield on our investment, to grow and diversify our portfolio and revenue base, and to reduce our dependence on any single tenant, operator or manager, geographic location, asset type, business model or revenue source.
2014 Acquisitions
Holiday Canada Acquisition
In August 2014, we acquired 29 seniors housing communities located in Canada from Holiday Retirement (the “Holiday Canada Acquisition”) for a purchase price of CAD 957.0 million. We also paid CAD 26.9 million in costs relating to the early repayment of debt at closing. We funded the Holiday Canada Acquisition initially through borrowings under a CAD 791.0 million unsecured term loan that we incurred in July 2014 (and subsequently repaid primarily through a private placement of senior notes in Canada) and the assumption of CAD 193.7 million of debt.
Other 2014 Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we also acquired three triple-net leased private hospitals (located in the United Kingdom), 26 triple-net leased seniors housing communities and four seniors housing communities that are being operated by independent third-party managers for aggregate consideration of approximately $812.0 million. We also paid $18.8 million in costs relating to the early repayment of debt at closing of the applicable transactions. In addition, we acquired a construction design, planning and consulting business to complement our MOB operations through the issuance of 148,241 shares of our common stock.
Completed Developments
During 2014, we completed the development of two MOBs and one seniors housing community, representing $41.2 million of net real estate property on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Estimated Fair Value
We are accounting for our 2014 acquisitions under the acquisition method in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), and have completed our initial accounting, which is subject to further adjustment. The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our 2014 real estate acquisitions, which we determined using level two and level three inputs:
Aggregate Revenue and NOI
For the year ended December 31, 2014, aggregate revenues and NOI derived from our 2014 real estate acquisitions (for our period of ownership) were $75.9 million and $41.5 million, respectively.
Transaction Costs
As of December 31, 2014, we had incurred a total of $26.2 million of acquisition-related costs related to our completed 2014 acquisitions, all of which were expensed as incurred and included in merger-related expenses and deal costs in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the applicable periods. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we expensed $23.8 million of these acquisition-related costs related to our completed 2014 acquisitions.
2013 Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired 27 triple-net leased seniors housing communities, 24 seniors housing communities that are being operated by independent third-party managers (eight of which we previously leased pursuant to a capital lease) and 11 MOBs for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.8 billion.
Completed Developments
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we completed the development of two seniors housing communities, one MOB, and one hospital, representing $65.5 million of net real estate property on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Estimated Fair Value
We accounted for our 2013 acquisitions under the acquisition method in accordance with ASC 805, and we have completed our accounting for these acquisitions. We accounted for the acquisition of the eight seniors housing communities that we previously leased pursuant to a capital lease in accordance with ASC Topic 840, Leases. The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our 2013 real estate acquisitions, which we determined using level two and level three inputs:
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(1) Includes settlement of a $142.2 million capital lease obligation related to eight seniors housing communities.
2012 Acquisitions
Funds Acquisition
In December 2012, we acquired 100% of certain private equity funds previously managed by Lazard Frères Real Estate Investments LLC (“LFREI”) or its affiliates. The acquired funds primarily owned a 34% interest in Atria, which is recorded as an investment in unconsolidated entities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and approximately 3.7 million shares of our common stock. In conjunction with this acquisition, we also extinguished our obligation related to the “earnout,” a contingent performance-based payment arising out of our 2011 acquisition of the real estate assets of Atria Senior Living Group, Inc. (together with its affiliates, “ASLG”), for an additional $44 million. This amount represented the discounted net present value of the potential future payment, which was previously reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a liability.
Cogdell Acquisition
In April 2012, we acquired Cogdell Spencer Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Cogdell”), including its 71 real estate assets (including properties owned through joint ventures) and its MOB property management business, which had existing agreements with third parties to manage 44 MOBs, in an all-cash transaction. At closing, our investment in Cogdell, including our share of debt, was approximately $760 million and our joint venture partners’ share of net debt assumed was $36.3 million.
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the agreement and plan of merger dated as of December 24, 2011, at the effective time of the merger, (a) each outstanding share of Cogdell common stock, and each outstanding unit of limited partnership interest in Cogdell’s operating partnership, Cogdell Spencer LP, that was not owned by subsidiaries of Cogdell was converted into the right to receive $4.25 in cash, and (b) each outstanding share of Cogdell’s 8.500% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock was converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $25.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends through the date of closing. We funded the Cogdell acquisition through the assumption of $203.8 million of existing Cogdell mortgage debt (inclusive of our joint venture partners’ share of $36.3 million) and borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility. Prior to the closing, Cogdell completed the sale of its design-build and development business to an unaffiliated third party.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Other 2012 Acquisitions
In May 2012, we acquired 16 seniors housing communities managed by Sunrise in an all-cash transaction. Sunrise continues to manage the acquired assets under existing long-term management agreements. During 2012, we also invested in 21 seniors housing communities, two skilled nursing facilities and 44 MOBs, including 36 MOBs that we had previously accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities. See “Note 7-Investments in Unconsolidated Entities.”
Completed Developments
During 2012, we completed the development of three MOBs and two seniors housing communities, representing $116.9 million of net real estate property on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012.
Estimated Fair Value
We accounted for our 2012 acquisitions under the acquisition method in accordance with ASC 805, and we have completed our accounting for these acquisitions. The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our 2012 real estate acquisitions, which we determined using level two and level three inputs:
______________
(1) Includes the Cogdell acquisition.
HCT Acquisition
In January 2015, we acquired American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc. (“HCT”) in a stock and cash transaction, which added 152 properties (some of which are located on the same campus) to our portfolio. At the effective time of the merger, each share of HCT common stock outstanding (other than shares held by us, HCT or our respective subsidiaries, which shares were cancelled) was converted into the right to receive either 0.1688 shares of our common stock (with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) or $11.33 per share in cash, at the election of each HCT shareholder. Shares of HCT common stock for which a valid election was not made were converted into the stock consideration. We funded the transaction through the issuance of approximately 28.4 million shares of our common stock and 1.1 million limited partnership units that are redeemable for shares of our common stock and the payment of approximately $11 million in cash (excluding cash in lieu of fractional shares). In addition, we assumed $167 million of mortgage debt and repaid approximately $740 million of debt, net of HCT cash on hand.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we incurred a total of $8.8 million of acquisition-related costs related to the HCT acquisition, all of which we expensed as incurred and included in merger-related expenses and deal costs on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Unaudited Pro Forma
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if we had consummated the HCT acquisition as of January 1, 2013.
Acquisition-related costs related to the HCT acquisition are not expected to have a continuing impact and therefore have been excluded from these pro forma results. The pro forma results also do not include the impact of any synergies that may be achieved in the HCT acquisition, any lower costs of borrowing resulting from the acquisition or any strategies that management may consider in order to continue to efficiently manage our operations, nor do they give pro forma effect to any other acquisitions, dispositions or capital markets transactions that we completed during the periods presented. These pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been obtained had the HCT acquisition occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Other 2015 Acquisitions
In 2015, we made other investments totaling approximately $320 million, including the acquisition of five triple-net leased properties in the United Kingdom and 12 skilled nursing facilities.
Note 5-Dispositions
2014 Activity
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we sold 16 triple-net leased properties, two seniors housing communities included in our seniors housing operations reportable business segment and four properties included in our MOB operations reportable business segment for aggregate consideration of $118.2 million. We recognized a net gain on the sales of these assets of $21.3 million, $1.5 million of which is reported within discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
2013 Activity
During 2013, we sold 19 triple-net leased properties, one seniors housing community included in our senior living operations reportable business segment and two properties included in our MOB operations reportable business segment for aggregate consideration of $35.1 million, including lease termination fees of $0.3 million. We recognized a net gain on the sales of these assets of $5.0 million, all of which is reported within discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
2012 Activity
During 2012, we sold 38 triple-net leased properties (ten of which were pursuant to the exercise of tenant purchase options) and five properties included in our MOB operations reportable business segment for aggregate consideration of $346.1 million, including fees of $5.0 million. We recognized a net gain on the sales of these assets of $85.5 million, all of which is reported within discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income. In June 2012, we declined to exercise our
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
renewal option on the operating leases (in which we were the tenant) related to two seniors housing communities we acquired as part of the ASLG acquisition that expired on June 30, 2012.
Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
We present separately, as discontinued operations in all periods presented, the results of operations for all real estate assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 and all real estate assets disposed of during the three-year period then ended that meet the criteria of discontinued operations.
The table below summarizes our real estate assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, including the amounts reported within other assets and accounts payable and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(1)
The operations for three triple-net leased properties and two MOBs are reported in discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)
The operations for all properties listed are reported in discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
(3)
Includes 34 MOBs that are being marketed for sale and were classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014. Aggregate NOI for this portfolio of assets was $11.9 million, $13.8 million, and $14.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 respectively. The sale of these MOBs does not meet the criteria for reporting as discontinued operations.
We recognized impairments of $56.6 million, $51.5 million and $35.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively, which are recorded primarily as a component of depreciation and amortization. A portion of these impairments ($1.5 million, $39.7 million, and $13.9 million, respectively) was recorded in discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. For both 2014 and 2013, our recorded impairments were primarily the result of a change in our intent to hold the impaired assets. In each case, we recognized an impairment in the periods in which our change in intent was made. In December 2014, we executed an agreement to sell four triple-net leased seniors housing assets for a sales price of $20.0 million. We recognized a $30.6 million impairment loss on these assets, as the assets’ carrying amount of $49.5 million exceeded the estimated fair value (less costs to sell) of $19.0 million.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Set forth below is a summary of our results of operations for properties within discontinued operations for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Note 6-Loans Receivable and Investments
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $927.7 million and $414.8 million, respectively, of net loans receivable and investments relating to seniors housing and healthcare operators or properties. The following is a summary of our net loans receivable and investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, including amortized cost, fair value and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we made a $425.0 million secured mezzanine loan investment that has a blended annual interest rate of 8.1% and has contractual maturities ranging between 2016 and 2019, and we purchased $71.0 million principal amount of senior unsecured corporate bonds, a $38.7 million interest in a government-sponsored pooled loan investment, and $21.7 million of marketable equity securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we sold all of our marketable equity securities for $22.3 million and recognized a gain of $0.6 million. Our investments in marketable debt securities and government-sponsored pooled loans are classified as available-for-sale, with contractual maturity dates in 2022 and 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we received aggregate proceeds of $55.9 million in final repayment of three secured and two unsecured loans receivable. We recognized aggregate gains of $5.2 million on the repayment of these loans receivable that are recorded in income from loans and investments in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2014.
In 2013, we sold portions of a $375.0 million secured loan receivable to third parties in separate transactions, as evidenced by separate notes. As of December 31, 2014, our remaining investment in this loan receivable was $174.8 million, which bears interest at an all-in rate of 10.6% per annum. Under the terms of the loan agreement, we act as the administrative agent and will continue to receive the stated interest rate on our remaining loan receivable balance.
During 2013, we received aggregate proceeds of $102.3 million in final repayment of seven secured and three unsecured loans receivable and recognized aggregate gains of $5.1 million.
Note 7-Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
We report investments in unconsolidated entities over whose operating and financial policies we have the ability to exercise significant influence under the equity method of accounting. We are not required to consolidate these entities because our joint venture partners have significant participating rights, nor are these entities considered VIEs, as they are controlled by equity holders with sufficient capital. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had ownership interests (ranging from 5% to 25%) in joint ventures that owned 51 properties and 52 properties, respectively. We account for our interests in these joint ventures, as well as our 34% interest in Atria, under the equity method of accounting.
With the exception of our interest in Atria, we provide various services to each unconsolidated entity in exchange for fees and reimbursements. Total management fees earned in connection with these entities were $8.4 million, $7.0 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively (which is included in Medical office building and other services revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Income).
In March 2013, we acquired two MOBs for aggregate consideration of approximately $55.6 million from a joint venture entity in which we have a 5% interest and that we account for as an equity method investment. In connection with this acquisition, we re-measured our previously held equity interest (associated with the acquired MOBs) and recognized a gain of $1.3 million, which is included in income from unconsolidated entities in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Since the acquisition, operations relating to these properties have been consolidated in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
In August 2012, we acquired 36 MOBs (plus one MOB that was being marketed for sale and has since been sold) from joint venture entities in which we had interests ranging between 5% and 20% and accounted for as equity method investments. We acquired these MOBs for approximately $350.0 million, including the assumption of $101.6 million in debt. In connection with this acquisition, we re-measured our previously held equity interests and recognized a net gain of $16.6 million, which is
included in income from unconsolidated entities in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Since the acquisition, operations relating to these properties have been consolidated in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Note 8-Intangibles
The following is a summary of our intangibles as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
________
N/A-Not Applicable
Above market lease intangibles and in-place and other lease intangibles are included in acquired lease intangibles within real estate investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill and other intangibles (including non-compete agreements, trade names and trademarks) are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Below market lease intangibles, other lease intangibles and purchase option intangibles are included in accounts payable and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our net amortization expense related to these intangibles was $51.2 million, $65.2 million and $123.3 million, respectively. The estimated net amortization expense related to these intangibles for each of the next five years is as follows: 2015-$58.8 million; 2016-$29.1 million; 2017-$16.2 million; 2018-$10.0 million; and 2019-$5.7 million.
Note 9-Other Assets
The following is a summary of our other assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 10-Borrowing Arrangements
The following is a summary of our senior notes payable and other debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
_______
(1)
$164.1 million and $7.3 million of aggregate borrowings are denominated in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(2)
These amounts represent in aggregate the approximate $1.0 billion of unsecured term loan borrowings under our unsecured credit facility, of which $107.0 million of borrowings included in the 2019 tranche are denominated in Canadian dollar borrowings.
(3)
These senior notes are denominated in Canadian dollars.
(4)
2014 excludes $43.5 million of mortgage debt related to real estate assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 that is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. 2013 excludes $13.1 million of mortgage debt that is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Unsecured Credit Facility and Unsecured Term Loans
Our unsecured credit facility is comprised of a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility priced at LIBOR plus 1.0% as of December 31, 2014, and a $200.0 million four-year term loan and an $800.0 million five-year term loan, each priced at LIBOR plus 1.05% as of December 31, 2014. The revolving credit facility matures in January 2018, but may be extended, at our option subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, for an additional period of one year. The $200.0 million and $800.0 million term loans mature in January 2018 and January 2019, respectively. The unsecured credit facility also includes an accordion feature that permits us to increase our aggregate borrowing capacity thereunder to up to $3.5 billion.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Our unsecured credit facility imposes certain customary restrictions on us, including restrictions pertaining to: (i) liens; (ii) investments; (iii) the incurrence of additional indebtedness; (iv) mergers and dissolutions; (v) certain dividend, distribution and other payments; (vi) permitted businesses; (vii) transactions with affiliates; (viii) agreements limiting certain liens; and (ix) the maintenance of certain consolidated total leverage, secured debt leverage, unsecured debt leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and minimum consolidated adjusted net worth, and contains customary events of default.
As of December 31, 2014, we had $919.1 million of borrowings outstanding, $13.3 million of letters of credit outstanding and $1.1 billion of unused borrowing capacity available under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
In July 2014, we entered into a new CAD 791.0 million unsecured term loan to initially fund the Holiday Canada Acquisition. The term loan was scheduled to mature on July 30, 2015, but in September 2014, we repaid CAD 660.0 million of the unsecured term loan principally with proceeds from the sale of unsecured senior notes issued by our wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited, and in December 2014, we repaid in full the remaining borrowings outstanding under the term loan.
We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 representing the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees as a result of the replacement of our previous unsecured revolving credit facility.
Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2014, we had outstanding $5.8 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes issued by our subsidiary, Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership (“Ventas Realty”) ($4.3 billion of which was co-issued by Ventas Realty’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation), approximately $309.8 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes issued by Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (“NHP”) and assumed by our subsidiary, Nationwide Health Properties, LLC (“NHP LLC”), as successor to NHP, in connection with our acquisition of NHP, and CAD 650.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes issued by our subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited. All of the senior notes issued by Ventas Realty and Ventas Canada Finance Limited are unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas, Inc.
In January 2015, Ventas Realty issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.500% senior notes due 2025 at a public offering price equal to 99.663% of par, for total proceeds of $598.0 million before the underwriting discount and expenses, and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior notes due 2045 at a public offering price equal to 99.500% of par, for total proceeds of $298.5 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
Also in January 2015, Ventas Canada Finance Limited issued and sold CAD 250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.30% senior notes, series C due 2022 at an offering price equal to 99.992% of par, for total proceeds of CAD 250.0 million before the agent fees and expenses. The notes were offered on a private placement basis in Canada.
In September 2014, Ventas Canada Finance Limited issued and sold CAD 400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.00% senior notes, series A due 2019 at an offering price equal to 99.713% of par, for total proceeds of CAD 398.9 million before the agent fees and expenses, and CAD 250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes, series B due 2024 at an offering price equal to 99.601% of par, for total proceeds of CAD 249.0 million before the agent fees and expenses. The notes were offered on a private placement basis in Canada.
In April 2014, Ventas Realty issued and sold $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.250% senior notes due 2017 at a public offering price equal to 99.815% of par, for total proceeds of $299.4 million before the underwriting discount and expenses, and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior notes due 2024 at a public offering price equal to 99.304% of par, for total proceeds of $397.2 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In September 2013, Ventas Realty issued and sold: $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.55% senior notes due 2016 at a public offering price equal to 99.910% of par, for total proceeds of $549.5 million before the underwriting discount and expenses; and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.70% senior notes due 2043 at a public offering price equal to 99.628% of par, for total proceeds of $298.9 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In March 2013, Ventas Realty issued and sold: $258.8 million aggregate principal amount of 5.45% senior notes due 2043 at a public offering price equal to par, for total proceeds of $258.8 million before the underwriting discounts and expenses; and $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.700% senior notes due 2020 at a public offering price equal to 99.942% of par, for total proceeds of $499.7 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In February 2013, we repaid in full, at par, $270.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6.25% senior notes due 2013 upon maturity.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In December 2012, Ventas Realty issued and sold $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.00% senior notes due 2018 at a public offering price equal to 99.739% of par, for total proceeds of $698.2 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In August 2012, Ventas Realty initially issued and sold $275.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) at a public offering price equal to 99.027% of par, for total proceeds of $272.3 million before the underwriting discount and expenses. In December 2012, Ventas Realty issued and sold an additional $225.0 million principal amount of 2022 Notes at a public offering price equal to 98.509% of par, for total proceeds of $221.6 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In April 2012, Ventas Realty issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% senior notes due 2019 at a public offering price equal to 99.489% of par, for total proceeds of $596.9 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
In February 2012, Ventas Realty issued and sold $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due 2022 at a public offering price equal to 99.214% of par, for total proceeds of $595.3 million before the underwriting discount and expenses.
During 2012, we repaid in full, at par, $155.4 million aggregate principal amount then outstanding of our 9% senior notes due 2012 and our 8.25% senior notes due 2012 upon maturity, and we redeemed: all $225.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6¾% senior notes due 2017 at a redemption price equal to 103.375% of par, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date; and all $200.0 million principal amount then outstanding of our 6½% senior notes due 2016 at a redemption price equal to 103.25% of par, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, in each case pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture governing the notes. As a result of these redemptions, we recognized a total loss on extinguishment of debt of $39.7 million.
Ventas Realty’s senior notes are part of our and Ventas Realty’s general unsecured obligations, ranking equal in right of payment with all of our and Ventas Realty’s existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior in right of payment to all of our and Ventas Realty’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness. However, Ventas Realty’s senior notes are effectively subordinated to our and Ventas Realty’s secured indebtedness, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Ventas Realty’s senior notes are also structurally subordinated to the preferred equity and indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, of our subsidiaries (other than Ventas Realty and, with respect to those senior notes co-issued by Ventas Capital Corporation, Ventas Capital Corporation).
Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s senior notes are part of our and Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s general unsecured obligations, ranking equal in right of payment with all of Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness. However, Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s senior notes are effectively subordinated to our and Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s secured indebtedness, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s senior notes are also structurally subordinated to the preferred equity and indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, of our subsidiaries (other than Ventas Canada Finance Limited).
NHP LLC’s senior notes are part of NHP LLC’s general unsecured obligations, ranking equal in right of payment with all of NHP LLC’s existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior to all of NHP LLC’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness. However, NHP LLC’s senior notes are effectively subordinated to NHP LLC’s secured indebtedness, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. NHP LLC’s senior notes are also structurally subordinated to the preferred equity and indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, of its subsidiaries.
Ventas Realty, Ventas Canada Finance Limited and NHP LLC may redeem each series of their respective senior notes (other than NHP LLC’s 6.90% senior notes due 2037 and 6.59% senior notes due 2038), in whole at any time or in part from time to time, prior to maturity at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable indenture (which include, in many instances, a make-whole premium), plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.
NHP LLC’s 6.90% senior notes due 2037 are subject to repurchase at the option of the holders, at par, on October 1 in each of 2017 and 2027, and its 6.59% senior notes due 2038 are subject to repurchase at the option of the holders, at par, on July 7 in each of 2018, 2023 and 2028.
Mortgages
At December 31, 2014, we had 160 mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $2.3 billion and secured by 178 of our properties. Of these loans, 143 loans in the aggregate principal amount of $1.8 billion bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 3.6% to 8.6% per annum, and 17 loans in the aggregate principal amount of $474.0 million bear
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
interest at variable rates ranging from 0.7% to 3.5% per annum as of December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, the weighted average annual rate on our fixed rate mortgage loans was 5.9%, and the weighted average annual rate on our variable rate mortgage loans was 2.3%. Our mortgage loans had a weighted average maturity of 5.6 years as of December 31, 2014.
During 2014, we assumed or originated mortgage debt of $246.8 million and repaid in full mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $398.0 million, and recognized a net loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.3 million in connection with these repayments.
During 2013, we assumed or originated mortgage debt of $178.8 million and repaid in full mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $493.7 million, and recognized a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million in connection with these repayments.
During 2012, we assumed mortgage debt of $380.3 million and repaid in full mortgage loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $344.2 million, and recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $2.1 million in connection with these repayments.
Scheduled Maturities of Borrowing Arrangements and Other Provisions
As of December 31, 2014, our indebtedness had the following maturities:
(1)
At December 31, 2014, we had $55.3 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, for $863.8 million of net borrowings outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
(2)
Excludes $43.5 million of mortgage debt related to real estate assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 that is scheduled to mature between 2015 and 2018.
(3)
Includes $52.4 million aggregate principal amount of 6.90% senior notes due 2037 that is subject to repurchase, at the option of the holders, on October 1 in each of 2017 and 2027, and $23.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.59% senior notes due 2038 that is subject to repurchase, at the option of the holders, on July 7 in each of 2018, 2023 and 2028.
The instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness contain covenants that limit our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur debt; (ii) make certain dividends, distributions and investments; (iii) enter into certain transactions; and/or (iv) merge, consolidate or sell certain assets. Ventas Realty’s and Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s senior notes also require us and our subsidiaries to maintain total unencumbered assets of at least 150% of our unsecured debt. Our unsecured credit facility also requires us to maintain certain financial covenants pertaining to, among other things, our consolidated total leverage, secured debt, unsecured debt, fixed charge coverage and net worth.
As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of these covenants.
Derivatives and Hedging
In the normal course of our business, interest rate fluctuations affect future cash flows under our variable rate debt obligations, loans receivable and marketable debt securities and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations affect our operating results. We follow established risk management policies and procedures, including the use of derivative instruments, to mitigate the impact of these risks.
For interest rate exposures, we use derivatives primarily to fix the rate on our variable rate debt and to manage our borrowing costs. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes, and we have a policy of entering
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
into contracts only with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When considered together with the underlying exposure that the derivative is designed to hedge, we do not expect that the use of derivatives in this manner would have any material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations.
As of December 31, 2014, our variable rate debt obligations of $2.4 billion reflect, in part, the effect of $153.6 million notional amount of interest rate swaps with a maturity of March 21, 2016 that effectively convert fixed rate debt to variable rate debt. As of December 31, 2014, our fixed rate debt obligations of $8.5 billion reflect, in part, the effect of $59.0 million notional amount of interest rate swaps with maturities ranging from March 2, 2015 to April 1, 2019, in each case that effectively convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt.
Unamortized Fair Value Adjustment
As of December 31, 2014, the unamortized fair value adjustment related to the long-term debt we assumed in connection with various acquisitions was $41.9 million and will be recognized as effective yield adjustments over the remaining terms of the instruments. The estimated aggregate amortization of the fair value adjustment related to long-term debt (which is reflected as a reduction of interest expense) was $20.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and for each of the next five years will be as follows: 2015-$13.6 million; 2016-$9.2 million; 2017-$5.4 million; 2018-$2.1 million; and 2019-$1.5 million.
Note 11-Fair Values of Financial Instruments
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments were as follows:
Fair value estimates are subjective in nature and based upon several important assumptions, including estimates of future cash flows, risks, discount rates and relevant comparable market information associated with each financial instrument. The use of different market assumptions and estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the reported estimated fair value amounts. Accordingly, the estimates presented above are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we would realize in a current market exchange.
Note 12-Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation Plans
We currently have: five plans under which outstanding options to purchase common stock, shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units have been, or may in the future be, granted to our officers, employees and non-employee directors (the 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan (Employee Plan), the 2004 Stock Plan for Directors, the 2006 Incentive Plan, the 2006 Stock Plan for Directors, and the 2012 Incentive Plan); one plan under which executive officers may receive common stock in lieu of compensation (the Executive Deferred Stock Compensation Plan); and one plan under which certain non-employee directors have received or may receive common stock in lieu of director fees (the Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock Compensation Plan). These plans are referred to collectively as the “Plans.”
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we were permitted to issue shares and grant options, restricted stock and restricted stock units only under the Executive Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, the Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Compensation Plan and the 2012 Incentive Plan. The 2006 Incentive Plan and the 2006 Stock Plan for Directors (collectively, the “2006 Plans”) expired on December 31, 2012, and no additional grants were permitted under those Plans after that date.
The number of shares initially reserved for issuance and the number of shares available for future grants or issuance under these Plans as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
•
Executive Deferred Stock Compensation Plan-500,000 shares were reserved initially for issuance to our executive officers in lieu of the payment of all or a portion of their salary, at their option, and 500,000 shares were available for future issuance as of December 31, 2014.
•
Nonemployee Directors’ Deferred Stock Compensation Plan-500,000 shares were reserved initially for issuance to nonemployee directors in lieu of the payment of all or a portion of their retainer and meeting fees, at their option, and 411,745 shares were available for future issuance as of December 31, 2014.
•
2012 Incentive Plan-8,836,614 shares (plus the number of shares or options outstanding under the 2006 Plans as of December 31, 2012 that were or are subsequently forfeited or expire unexercised) were reserved initially for grants or issuance to employees and non-employee directors, and 7,170,536 shares (plus the number of shares or options outstanding under the 2006 Plans as of December 31, 2014 that were or are subsequently forfeited or expire unexercised) were available for future issuance as of December 31, 2014.
Outstanding options issued under the Plans are exercisable at the market price on the date of grant, expire ten years from the date of grant, and vest or have vested over periods of two or three years. If provided in the applicable Plan or award agreement, the vesting of stock options may accelerate upon a change of control (as defined in the applicable Plan) of Ventas, Inc. and other specified events.
In connection with the NHP acquisition, we assumed certain outstanding options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units previously issued to NHP employees pursuant to the Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. 2005 Performance Incentive Plan, as amended (the “NHP Plan”). Any remaining outstanding awards continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the NHP Plan and the applicable award agreements.
Stock Options
In determining the estimated fair value of our stock options as of the date of grant, we used the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
The following is a summary of stock option activity in 2014:
Compensation costs for all share-based awards are based on the grant date fair value and are recognized on a straight-line basis during the requisite service periods. Compensation costs related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $4.7 million, $4.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value at the vesting date of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.7 million, $3.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of the status of our nonvested stock options as of December 31, 2014 and changes during the year then ended follows:
As of December 31, 2014, we had $1.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Plans. We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of 1.2 years. Aggregate proceeds received from options exercised under the Plans or the NHP Plan for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $26.2 million, $7.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value at exercise of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $19.3 million, $4.0 million and $14.7 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
We recognize the fair value of shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units on the grant date of the award as stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period, with charges to general and administrative expenses of approximately $16.2 million in 2014, $16.1 million in 2013 and $16.4 million in 2012. Restricted stock and restricted stock units generally vest over periods ranging from two to five years. If provided in the applicable Plan or award agreement, the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units may accelerate upon a change of control (as defined in the applicable Plan) of Ventas and other specified events.
A summary of the status of our nonvested restricted stock and restricted stock units as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year ended December 31, 2014 follows:
As of December 31, 2014, we had $10.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock and restricted stock units under the Plans. We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of 1.6 years. The total fair value at the vesting date for restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $17.7 million, $16.9 million and $17.5 million, respectively.
Employee and Director Stock Purchase Plan
We have in effect an Employee and Director Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) under which our employees and directors may purchase shares of our common stock at a discount. Pursuant to the terms of the ESPP, on each purchase date, participants may purchase shares of common stock at a price not less than 90% of the market price on that date (with respect to the employee tax-favored portion of the plan) and not less than 95% of the market price on that date (with respect to the additional employee and director portion of the plan). We initially reserved 2,500,000 shares for issuance under the ESPP. As of December 31, 2014, 69,395 shares had been purchased under the ESPP and 2,430,605 shares were available for future issuance.
Employee Benefit Plan
We maintain a 401(k) plan that allows eligible employees to defer compensation subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code. In 2014, we made contributions for each qualifying employee of up to 3.5% of his or her salary, subject to certain limitations. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, our aggregate contributions were approximately $1,136,000, $1,036,000 and $768,000, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 13-Income Taxes
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code for every year beginning with the year ended December 31, 1999. We have also elected for certain of our subsidiaries to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS” or “TRS entities”), which are subject to federal, state and foreign income taxes. All entities other than the TRS entities are collectively referred to as the “REIT” within this Note 13. Certain REIT entities are subject to foreign income tax.
Although we intend to continue to operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify as a REIT, such qualification depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various distribution, stock ownership and other tests. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our tax treatment of distributions per common share was as follows:
We believe we have met the annual REIT distribution requirement by payment of at least 90% of our estimated taxable income for 2014, 2013 and 2012. Our consolidated benefit for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2014 is due primarily to the income tax benefit of ordinary losses and restructuring related to certain TRS entities. The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily relates to the release of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets of our TRS entities.
Although the TRS entities have paid minimal cash federal income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2014, their federal income tax liabilities may increase in future years as we exhaust net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and as our senior living operations reportable business segment grows. Such increases could be significant.
A reconciliation of income tax expense and benefit, which is computed by applying the federal corporate tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, to the income tax benefit is as follows:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The REIT made minimal state and foreign income tax payments and no Federal income tax payments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
In connection with our acquisitions of Sunrise Senior Living Real Estate Investment Trust (“Sunrise REIT”) in 2007, and ASLG in 2011, and the Holiday Canada Acquisition in 2014, we established a beginning net deferred tax liability of $306.3 million, $44.6 million and $107.7 million, respectively, related to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (primarily property, intangible and related assets, net of NOL carryforwards). No net deferred tax asset or liability was recorded for the Lillibridge acquisition in 2010 or the acquisition of three triple-net leased private hospitals (located in the United Kingdom) in 2014.
Each TRS is a tax paying component for purposes of classifying deferred tax assets and liabilities. The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards (in addition to the REIT carryforwards) included in the net deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:
(1)
Includes approximately $0 million, $0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of deferred tax assets included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Due to uncertainty regarding the realization of certain deferred tax assets, we have established valuation allowances, primarily in connection with the NOL carryforward related to the REIT.
A rollforward of valuation allowances, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, is as follows:
Our net deferred tax liability increased $94.2 million during 2014 primarily due to $107.7 million of recorded deferred tax liability as a result of the Holiday Canada Acquisition. Our net deferred tax liability decreased $6.9 million during 2013 primarily due to the reversal of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets.
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the net difference between tax bases and the reported amount of REIT assets and liabilities for federal income tax purposes was approximately $4.1 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, less than the book bases of those assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes.
We are subject to corporate level taxes for any asset dispositions during the ten-year period immediately after the assets were owned by a C corporation (either prior to our REIT election, through stock acquisition or merger) (“built-in gains tax”). The amount of income potentially subject to built-in gains tax is generally equal to the lesser of the excess of the fair value of the asset over its adjusted tax basis as of the date it became a REIT asset or the actual amount of gain. Some, but not all, future gains could be offset by available NOL carryforwards.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Generally, we are subject to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the year ended December 31, 2011 and subsequent years and are subject to audit by state taxing authorities for the year ended December 31, 2010 and subsequent years. We are subject to audit by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and provincial authorities with respect to entities acquired or formed in connection with our 2007 acquisition of Sunrise Senior Living Real Estate Investment Trust generally for periods subsequent to the acquisition. We are also subject to audit in Canada for periods subsequent to the acquisition, and certain prior periods, with respect to the entities acquired in connection with the Holiday Canada Acquisition.
At December 31, 2014, we had a combined NOL carryforward of $363.2 million related to the TRS entities and an NOL carryforward of $717.3 million related to the REIT. These amounts can be used to offset future taxable income (and/or taxable income for prior years if an audit determines that tax is owed), if any. The REIT will be entitled to utilize NOLs and tax credit carryforwards only to the extent that REIT taxable income exceeds our deduction for dividends paid. Lillibridge and ASLG NOL carryforwards are limited as to their utilization by Section 382 of the Code. The NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2024 with respect to the TRS entities and in 2016 for the REIT.
As a result of our uncertainty regarding the use of existing REIT NOLs, we have not ascribed any net deferred tax benefit to REIT NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The IRS may challenge our entitlement to these tax attributes during its review of the tax returns for the previous tax years. We believe we are entitled to these tax attributes but cannot assure you as to the outcome of these matters.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits:
Included in these unrecognized tax benefits of $25.4 million and $21.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were $23.9 million and $20.4 million of tax benefits at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that, if recognized, would reduce our annual effective tax rate. We accrued interest of $0.4 million related to the unrecognized tax benefits during 2014, but no penalties. We expect our unrecognized tax benefits to decrease by $1.0 million during 2015.
Note 14-Commitments and Contingencies
Certain Obligations, Liabilities and Litigation
We may be subject to various obligations, liabilities and litigation assumed in connection with or arising out of our acquisitions or otherwise arising in connection with our business, some of which may be indemnifiable by third parties. If these liabilities are greater than expected or were not known to us at the time of acquisition, if we are not entitled to indemnification, or if the responsible third party fails to indemnify us, such obligations, liabilities and litigation could have a Material Adverse Effect on us. In addition, in connection with the sale or leasing of our properties, we may incur various obligations and liabilities, including indemnification obligations to the buyer or tenant, relating to the operations of those properties, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Other
With respect to certain of our properties, we are subject to operating and ground lease obligations that generally require fixed monthly or annual rent payments and may include escalation clauses and renewal options. These leases have terms that expire during the next 86 years, excluding extension options. Our future minimum lease obligations under non-cancelable operating and ground leases as of December 31, 2014 were $33.3 million in 2015, $29.6 million in 2016, $22.7 million in 2017, $18.4 million in 2018, $15.3 million in 2019, and $509.2 million thereafter.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 15-Earnings Per Share
The following table shows the amounts used in computing our basic and diluted earnings per common share:
There were 479,291, 504,815 and 372,440 anti-dilutive options outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Note 16-Litigation
Litigation Relating to the HCT Acquisition
In the weeks following the announcement on June 2, 2014 of our agreement to acquire HCT, a total of 13 putative class actions were filed by purported HCT stockholders challenging the transaction. Certain of the actions also purport to bring derivative claims on behalf of HCT. Among other things, the lawsuits allege that the directors of HCT breached their fiduciary duties by approving the transaction and that we and our subsidiaries, Stripe Sub, LLC and Stripe OP, LP, aided and abetted this purported breach of fiduciary duty. The complaints seek injunctive relief and damages.
Ten of these actions were filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland and consolidated under the caption In re: American Realty Capital, Healthcare Trust, Inc. Shareholder & Derivative Litigation, Case No. 24-C-14-003534, two actions were filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, and one action was filed in the United States District Court of Maryland.
On January 2, 2015, the parties to the consolidated state court action agreed to a memorandum of understanding regarding settlement of all claims asserted on behalf of each alleged class of HCT stockholders. In connection with the settlement contemplated by that memorandum of understanding, each action and all claims asserted therein will be dismissed, subject to approval by each applicable court. The proposed settlement terms require HCT to make certain additional disclosures related to the merger, which were set forth in HCT's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 2, 2015. The memorandum of understanding further contemplates that the parties will enter into a stipulation of settlement, which will be subject to customary conditions, including confirmatory discovery and court approval following notice to HCT’s stockholders. If the parties enter into a stipulation of settlement, a hearing will be scheduled at which the court will consider the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement. There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter into a stipulation
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
of settlement, that the applicable court will approve any proposed settlement, or that any eventual settlement will be under the same terms as those contemplated by the memorandum of understanding.
On January 5, 2015, the parties to the federal action also agreed to a memorandum of understanding regarding settlement of all claims asserted on behalf of each alleged class of HCT stockholders. In connection with the settlement contemplated by that memorandum of understanding, each action and all claims asserted therein will be dismissed, subject to approval by each applicable court. The proposed settlement terms require HCT to make certain additional disclosures related to the merger,which were set forth in HCT's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 5, 2015. The memorandum of understanding further contemplates that the parties will enter into a stipulation of settlement, which will be subject to customary conditions, including confirmatory discovery and court approval following notice to HCT’s stockholders. If the parties enter into a stipulation of settlement, a hearing will be scheduled at which the court will consider the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement. There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter into a stipulation of settlement, that the applicable court will approve any proposed settlement, or that any eventual settlement will be under the same terms as those contemplated by the memorandum of understanding.
We believe that each of these actions is without merit.
Proceedings against Tenants, Operators and Managers
From time to time, Brookdale Senior Living, Kindred, Atria, Sunrise and our other tenants, operators and managers are parties to certain legal actions, regulatory investigations and claims arising in the conduct of their business and operations. Even though we generally are not party to these proceedings, the unfavorable resolution of any such actions, investigations or claims could, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect such tenants’, operators’ or managers’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations and their ability to satisfy their respective obligations to us, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Proceedings Indemnified and Defended by Third Parties
From time to time, we are party to certain legal actions, regulatory investigations and claims for which third parties are contractually obligated to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless. The tenants of our triple-net leased properties and, in some cases, their affiliates are required by the terms of their leases and other agreements with us to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless against certain actions, investigations and claims arising in the course of their business and related to the operations of our triple-net leased properties. In addition, third parties from whom we acquired certain of our assets and, in some cases, their affiliates are required by the terms of the related conveyance documents to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless against certain actions, investigations and claims related to the acquired assets and arising prior to our ownership or related to excluded assets and liabilities. In some cases, a portion of the purchase price consideration is held in escrow for a specified period of time as collateral for these indemnification obligations. We are presently being defended by certain tenants and other obligated third parties in these types of matters. We cannot assure you that our tenants, their affiliates or other obligated third parties will continue to defend us in these matters, that our tenants, their affiliates or other obligated third parties will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to satisfy their defense and indemnification obligations to us or that any purchase price consideration held in escrow will be sufficient to satisfy claims for which we are entitled to indemnification. The unfavorable resolution of any such actions, investigations or claims could, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect our tenants’ or other obligated third parties’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations and their ability to satisfy their respective obligations to us, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
Proceedings Arising in Connection with Senior Living and MOB Operations; Other Litigation
From time to time, we are party to various legal actions, regulatory investigations and claims (some of which may not be insured and some of which may allege large damage amounts) arising in connection with our senior living and MOB operations or otherwise in the course of our business. In limited circumstances, the manager of the applicable seniors housing community or MOB may be contractually obligated to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless against such actions, investigations and claims. It is the opinion of management that, except as otherwise set forth in this Note 16, the disposition of any such actions, investigations and claims that are currently pending will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on us. However, regardless of their merits, we may be forced to expend significant financial resources to defend and resolve these matters. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, investigations and claims, and if management’s assessment of our liability with respect thereto is incorrect, such actions, investigations and claims could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 17-Permanent and Temporary Equity
Capital Stock
In March 2013, we established an “at-the-market” (“ATM”) equity offering program through which we may sell from time to time up to an aggregate of $750 million of our common stock. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we issued and sold a total of 3,381,678 shares of common stock under the program for aggregate net proceeds of $242.3 million (all of which was received in the fourth quarter of 2014), after sales agent commissions of $3.7 million. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $360.4 million of our common stock remained available for sale under our ATM equity offering program.
In January 2015, we issued and sold an additional 3,750,202 shares of common stock under the ATM for aggregate net proceeds of $285.8 million, after sales agent commissions of $4.4 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, we issued and sold a total of 2,069,200 shares of common stock under the ATM program for aggregate net proceeds of $141.5 million, after sales agent commissions of $2.1 million.
In December 2012, through our acquisition of certain private equity funds, we acquired 3.7 million shares of our common stock that we subsequently canceled in February 2014. See “Note 4-Acquisitions of Real Estate Property.”
In June 2012, we completed the public offering and sale of 5,980,000 shares of our common stock for $342.5 million in aggregate proceeds.
Excess Share Provision
In order to preserve our ability to maintain REIT status, our Charter provides that if a person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 9% of our outstanding common stock or 9.9% of our outstanding preferred stock, the shares that are beneficially owned in excess of such limit are deemed to be excess shares. These shares are automatically deemed transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable institution or other qualifying organization selected by our Board of Directors. The trust is entitled to all dividends with respect to the shares and the trustee may exercise all voting power over the shares.
We have the right to buy the excess shares for a purchase price equal to the lesser of the price per share in the transaction that created the excess shares or the market price on the date we buy the shares, and we may defer payment of the purchase price for the excess shares for up to five years. If we do not purchase the excess shares, the trustee of the trust is required to transfer the excess shares at the direction of the Board of Directors. The owner of the excess shares is entitled to receive the lesser of the proceeds from the sale or the original purchase price for such excess shares, and any additional amounts are payable to the beneficiary of the trust.
Our Board of Directors is empowered to grant waivers from the excess share provisions of our Charter.
Distribution Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
Prior to its suspension in July 2014, our Distribution Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) enabled existing stockholders to purchase shares of common stock by reinvesting all or a portion of the cash distribution on their shares of our common stock, subject to certain limits. Existing stockholders and new investors also could purchase shares of our common stock under the DRIP by making optional cash payments, subject to certain limits. In 2014, we offered a 1% discount on the purchase price of our common stock to shareholders who reinvested their dividends or made optional cash purchases through the DRIP. We may determine whether or not to reinstate the DRIP at any time at our sole discretion, and if so, the amount and availability of this discount will be at our discretion. The granting of a discount for one month or quarter, as applicable, will not insure the availability or amount of a discount in future periods, and each month or quarter, as applicable, we may lower or eliminate the discount without prior notice. In addition, we may change our determination as to whether common shares will be purchased by the plan administrator directly from us or in the open market without prior notice to investors.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following is a summary of our accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Redeemable OP Unitholder and Noncontrolling Interest
The following is a rollforward of our redeemable OP unitholder interests and noncontrolling interests for 2014:
Note 18-Related Party Transactions
We own an MOB located on the Sutter Medical Center-Castro Valley campus that is subject to a ground lease from Sutter Health and is 100% leased by Sutter Health pursuant to long-term triple-net leases. We received $2.2 million and $2.1 million of base rent from Sutter Health for this MOB in 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, we acquired an interest in another MOB (through our investment in an unconsolidated joint venture entity) that is 100% leased by Sutter Health. Our unconsolidated joint venture entity received $0.8 million of base rent from Sutter Health for this MOB in 2014. Robert D. Reed, who was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sutter Health until his retirement on January 1, 2015, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2008.
Upon consummation of the ASLG acquisition in May 2011, we entered into long-term management agreements with Atria to operate the acquired assets. During 2012, we paid Atria $33.9 million in management fees under our agreements. Matthew J. Lustig, a member of our Board of Directors since May 2011, served as Chairman of Atria until our acquisition of certain private equity funds on December 21, 2012 (see “Note 4-Acquisitions of Real Estate Property”) and is employed by affiliates of LFREI.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 19-Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided below.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
________________________
(1)
The amounts presented for the three months ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013 differ from the amounts previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 as a result of properties previously included in discontinued operations as of December 31, 2013.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 20-Segment Information
As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 we operated through three reportable business segments: triple-net leased properties, senior living operations and MOB operations. Under our triple-net leased properties segment, we invest in seniors housing and healthcare properties throughout the United States and the United Kingdom and lease those properties to healthcare operating companies under “triple-net” or “absolute-net” leases that obligate the tenants to pay all property-related expenses. In our senior living operations segment, we invest in seniors housing communities throughout the United States and Canada and engage independent operators, such as Atria and Sunrise, to manage those communities. In our MOB operations segment, we primarily acquire, own, develop, lease, and manage MOBs throughout the United States. Information provided for “all other” includes income from loans and investments and other miscellaneous income and various corporate-level expenses not directly attributable to our three reportable business segments. Assets included in “all other” consist primarily of corporate assets, including cash, restricted cash, deferred financing costs, loans receivable and investments, and miscellaneous accounts receivable.
We evaluate performance of the combined properties in each reportable business segment based on segment profit, which we define as NOI adjusted for income/loss from unconsolidated entities. We define NOI as total revenues, less interest and other income, property-level operating expenses and medical office building services costs. We consider segment profit useful because it allows investors, analysts and our management to measure unlevered property-level operating results and to compare our operating results to the operating results of other real estate companies and between periods on a consistent basis. In order to facilitate a clear understanding of our historical consolidated historical operating results, segment profit should be examined in conjunction with net income as presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial data included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Interest expense, depreciation and amortization, general, administrative and professional fees, income tax expense, discontinued operations and other non-property specific revenues and expenses are not allocated to individual reportable business segments for purposes of assessing segment performance. There are no intersegment sales or transfers.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Summary information by reportable business segment is as follows:
For the year ended December 31, 2014:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2013:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012:
Assets by reportable business segment are as follows:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Capital expenditures, including investments in real estate property and development project expenditures, by reportable business segment are as follows:
(1)
Includes funds held in a Code Section 1031 exchange escrow account with a qualified intermediary as follows: triple-net leased - $58.1 million; senior living - $64.7 million; and MOB - $11.2 million.
Our portfolio of properties and mortgage loan and other investments are located in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Revenues are attributed to an individual country based on the location of each property.
Geographic information regarding our operations is as follows:
Note 21-Condensed Consolidating Information
Ventas, Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligation to pay principal and interest with respect to the outstanding senior notes issued by our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Realty, including the senior notes that were jointly issued with Ventas Capital Corporation. Ventas Capital Corporation is a direct 100% owned subsidiary of Ventas Realty that has no assets or operations, but was formed in 2002 solely to facilitate offerings of senior notes by a limited partnership. None of our other subsidiaries (such subsidiaries, excluding Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital Corporation, the “Ventas Subsidiaries”) is obligated with respect to Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes.
Ventas, Inc. has also fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligation to pay principal and interest with respect to the outstanding senior notes issued by our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Canada Finance Limited. None of our other subsidiaries is obligated with respect to Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s outstanding senior notes, all of which were issued on a private placement basis in Canada.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In connection with the NHP acquisition, our 100% owned subsidiary, NHP LLC, as successor to NHP, assumed the obligation to pay principal and interest with respect to the outstanding senior notes issued by NHP. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries (other than NHP LLC) is obligated with respect to any of NHP LLC’s outstanding senior notes.
Under certain circumstances, contractual and legal restrictions, including those contained in the instruments governing our subsidiaries’ outstanding mortgage indebtedness, may restrict our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries for the purpose of meeting our debt service obligations, including our payment guarantees with respect to Ventas Realty’s and Ventas Canada Finance Limited’s senior notes. Certain of our real estate assets are also subject to mortgages.
The following summarizes our condensed consolidating information as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of December 31, 2014
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of December 31, 2013
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(1)
Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
VENTAS, INC.
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
VENTAS, INC.
SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
VENTAS, INC.
SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
VENTAS, INC.
SCHEDULE IV
REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE LOANS
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of December 31, 2014, at the reasonable assurance level.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The information set forth under “Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 9A.
Internal Control Changes
During the fourth quarter of 2014, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the material under the headings “Proposals Requiring Your Vote-Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Our Executive Officers,” “Securities Ownership-Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance-Governance Policies” and “Audit and Compliance Committee” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC not later than April 30, 2015.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the material under the headings “Executive Compensation,” “Non-Employee Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation Committee” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC not later than April 30, 2015.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the material under the headings “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Securities Ownership” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC not later than April 30, 2015.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the material under the headings “Corporate Governance-Transactions with Related Persons,” “Our Board of Directors-Director Independence,” “Audit and Compliance
Committee,” “Executive Compensation Committee” and “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC not later than April 30, 2015.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the material under the heading “Proposals Requiring Your Vote-Proposal 2: Ratification of the Selection of KPMG LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2015” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC not later than April 30, 2015.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents have been included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
All other schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable, not required or the information is included elsewhere in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
Exhibits
________________________
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.
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.
Date: February 13, 2015
VENTAS, INC.
By:
/s/ DEBRA A. CAFARO
Debra A. Cafaro
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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.
EXHIBIT INDEX
________________________
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.