Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number: 001-13561
 
EPR PROPERTIES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
 
43-1790877
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
909 Walnut Street, Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri
 
64106
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (816) 472-1700

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
x
  
Accelerated filer
 
o
Non-accelerated filer
 
o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
o
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes  o    No  x

At May 7, 2018, there were 74,320,559 common shares outstanding.



CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
With the exception of historical information, certain statements contained or incorporated by reference herein may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), such as those pertaining to our acquisition or disposition of properties, our capital resources, future expenditures for development projects, and our results of operations and financial condition. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of actual events. There is no assurance the events or circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will occur. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “will be,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,” “hope,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “pipeline,” “estimates,” “offers,” “plans,” “would,” or other similar expressions or other comparable terms or discussions of strategy, plans or intentions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, references to our budgeted amounts and guidance are forward-looking statements.
Factors that could materially and adversely affect us include, but are not limited to, the factors listed below:
•
Global economic uncertainty and disruptions in financial markets;
•
Reduction in discretionary spending by consumers;
•
Adverse changes in our credit ratings;
•
Fluctuations in interest rates;
•
The duration or outcome of litigation, or other factors outside of litigation such as project financing, relating to our significant investment in a planned casino and resort development which may cause the development to be indefinitely delayed or cancelled;
•
Unsuccessful development, operation, financing or compliance with licensing requirements of the planned casino and resort development by the third-party lessee;
•
Risks related to overruns for the construction of common infrastructure at our planned casino and resort development for which we would be responsible;
•
Defaults in the performance of lease terms by our tenants;
•
Defaults by our customers and counterparties on their obligations owed to us;
•
A borrower's bankruptcy or default;
•
Our ability to renew maturing leases with theatre tenants on terms comparable to prior leases and/or our ability to lease any re-claimed space from some of our larger theatres at economically favorable terms;
•
Risks of operating in the entertainment industry;
•
Our ability to compete effectively;
•
Risks associated with a single tenant representing a substantial portion of our lease revenues;
•
The ability of our public charter school tenants to comply with their charters and continue to receive funding from local, state and federal governments, the approval by applicable governing authorities of substitute operators to assume control of any failed public charter schools and our ability to negotiate the terms of new leases with such substitute tenants on acceptable terms, and our ability to complete collateral substitutions as applicable;
•
The ability of our build-to-suit education tenants to achieve sufficient enrollment within expected timeframes and therefore have capacity to pay their agreed upon rent, including the ability of our early education tenant, Children's Learning Adventure, to successfully negotiate a restructuring and secure capital necessary to achieve positive cash flow;
•
Risks associated with the recent criminal indictments against one of our waterpark mortgagors and certain related parties, which may negatively impact the likelihood of repayment of the related mortgage loans secured by the waterpark and other collateral;
•
Risks relating to our tenants' exercise of purchase options or borrowers' exercise of prepayment options related to our education properties;
•
Risks associated with our level of indebtedness;
•
Risks associated with use of leverage to acquire properties;
•
Financing arrangements that require lump-sum payments;
•
Our ability to raise capital;
•
Covenants in our debt instruments that limit our ability to take certain actions;

i

•
The concentration and lack of diversification of our investment portfolio;
•
Our continued qualification as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
•
The ability of our subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations;
•
Financing arrangements that expose us to funding or purchase risks;
•
Our reliance on a limited number of employees, the loss of which could harm operations;
•
Risks associated with security breaches and other disruptions;
•
Changes in accounting standards that may adversely affect our consolidated financial statements;
•
Fluctuations in the value of real estate income and investments;
•
Risks relating to real estate ownership, leasing and development, including local conditions such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for real estate in the area, competition from other available space, whether tenants and users such as customers of our tenants consider a property attractive, changes in real estate taxes and other expenses, changes in market rental rates, the timing and costs associated with property improvements and rentals, changes in taxation or zoning laws or other governmental regulation, whether we are able to pass some or all of any increased operating costs through to tenants, and how well we manage our properties;
•
Our ability to secure adequate insurance and risk of potential uninsured losses, including from natural disasters;
•
Risks involved in joint ventures;
•
Risks in leasing multi-tenant properties;
•
A failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act or other laws;
•
Risks of environmental liability;
•
Risks associated with the relatively illiquid nature of our real estate investments;
•
Risks with owning assets in foreign countries;
•
Risks associated with owning, operating or financing properties for which the tenants', mortgagors' or our operations may be impacted by weather conditions and climate change;
•
Risks associated with the development, redevelopment and expansion of properties and the acquisition of other real estate related companies;
•
Our ability to pay dividends in cash or at current rates;
•
Fluctuations in the market prices for our shares;
•
Certain limits on changes in control imposed under law and by our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws;
•
Policy changes obtained without the approval of our shareholders;
•
Equity issuances that could dilute the value of our shares;
•
Future offerings of debt or equity securities, which may rank senior to our common shares;
•
Risks associated with changes in the Canadian exchange rate; and
•
Changes in laws and regulations, including tax laws and regulations.

Our forward-looking statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Many of the factors that will determine these items are beyond our ability to control or predict. For further discussion of these factors see Item 1A - "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2018, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1A- "Risk Factors" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or the date of any document incorporated by reference herein. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.



ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
Item 2.
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Item 3.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Item 4.
 
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
 
Item 2.
 
Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Item 3.
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Item 4.
 
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Item 5.
 
Other Information
 
Item 6.
 
Exhibits

iii

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
EPR PROPERTIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands except share data)
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Rental properties, net of accumulated depreciation of $776,404 and $741,334 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
$
4,815,137

 
$
4,604,231

Land held for development
33,693

 
33,692

Property under development
249,931

 
257,629

Mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable
819,837

 
970,749

Investment in direct financing leases, net
58,101

 
57,903

Investment in joint ventures
5,538

 
5,602

Cash and cash equivalents
24,514

 
41,917

Restricted cash
15,640

 
17,069

Accounts receivable, net
88,750

 
93,693

Other assets
127,725

 
109,008

Total assets
$
6,238,866

 
$
6,191,493

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
117,583

 
$
136,929

Common dividends payable
26,755

 
25,203

Preferred dividends payable
6,036

 
4,982

Unearned rents and interest
81,461

 
68,227

Debt
3,131,437

 
3,028,827

Total liabilities
3,363,272

 
3,264,168

Equity:
 
 
 
Common Shares, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 77,161,235 and 76,858,632 shares issued at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
772

 
769

Preferred Shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
 
 
 
5,399,050 Series C convertible shares issued at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; liquidation preference of $134,976,250
54

 
54

3,447,381 and 3,449,115 Series E convertible shares issued at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively; liquidation preference of $86,184,525
34

 
34

6,000,000 Series G shares issued at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; liquidation preference of $150,000,000
60

 
60

Additional paid-in-capital
3,487,130

 
3,478,986

Treasury shares at cost: 2,842,294 and 2,733,552 common shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
(128,707
)
 
(121,591
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
16,481

 
12,483

Distributions in excess of net income
(500,230
)
 
(443,470
)
Total equity
$
2,875,594

 
$
2,927,325

Total liabilities and equity
$
6,238,866

 
$
6,191,493

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

1


EPR PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Rental revenue
$
128,933

 
$
107,037

Tenant reimbursements
3,991

 
3,749

Other income
630

 
692

Mortgage and other financing income
21,414

 
17,634

Total revenue
154,968

 
129,112

Property operating expense
7,564

 
6,350

General and administrative expense
12,324

 
11,057

Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff
31,943

 
5

Interest expense, net
34,337

 
30,692

Transaction costs
609

 
57

Depreciation and amortization
37,684

 
28,077

Income before equity in income from joint ventures and other items
30,507

 
52,874

Equity in income (loss) from joint ventures
51

 
(8
)
Gain on sale of real estate
—

 
2,004

Income before income taxes
30,558

 
54,870

Income tax expense
(1,020
)
 
(954
)
Net income
29,538

 
53,916

Preferred dividend requirements
(6,036
)
 
(5,952
)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
23,502

 
$
47,964

Per share data attributable to EPR Properties common shareholders:
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share data:
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
0.32

 
$
0.75

Diluted earnings per share data:
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
0.32

 
$
0.75

Shares used for computation (in thousands):
 
 
 
Basic
74,146

 
64,033

Diluted
74,180

 
64,102

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

EPR PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
$
29,538

 
$
53,916

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(5,400
)
 
1,674

Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
9,398

 
(802
)
Comprehensive income
$
33,536

 
$
54,788

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3




EPR PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
EPR Properties Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Preferred Stock
 
Additional
paid-in capital
 
Treasury
shares
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
Distributions
in excess of
net income
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Par
 
Shares
 
Par
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
76,858,632

 
$
769

 
14,848,165

 
$
148

 
$
3,478,986

 
$
(121,591
)
 
$
12,483

 
$
(443,470
)
 
$
2,927,325

Issuance of nonvested shares, net
295,202

 
3

 
—

 
—

 
3,971

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,974

Purchase of common shares for vesting
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7,116
)
 
—

 
—

 
(7,116
)
Amortization of nonvested shares and restricted share units
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,718

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,718

Share option expense
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
73

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
73

Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,400
)
 
—

 
(5,400
)
Change in unrealized gain on derivatives
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,398

 
—

 
9,398

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
29,538

 
29,538

Issuances of common shares
6,601

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
382

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
382

Conversion of Series E Convertible Preferred shares to common shares
800

 
—

 
(1,734
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Dividends to common and preferred shareholders
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(86,298
)
 
(86,298
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
77,161,235

 
$
772

 
14,846,431

 
$
148

 
$
3,487,130

 
$
(128,707
)
 
$
16,481

 
$
(500,230
)
 
$
2,875,594


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

EPR PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
29,538

 
$
53,916

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Gain on sale of real estate
—

 
(2,004
)
Deferred income tax expense
428

 
634

Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff
31,943

 
5

Equity in (income) loss from joint ventures
(51
)
 
8

Distributions from joint ventures
116

 
442

Depreciation and amortization
37,684

 
28,077

Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,398

 
1,456

Amortization of above/below market leases and tenant allowances, net
(417
)
 
45

Share-based compensation expense to management and Trustees
3,791

 
3,458

Decrease in mortgage notes accrued interest receivable
845

 
1,098

Decrease in accounts receivable, net
3,597

 
2,720

Increase in direct financing leases receivable
(198
)
 
(397
)
Increase in other assets
(3,826
)
 
(3,147
)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(9,118
)
 
(7,311
)
Increase in unearned rents and interest
13,234

 
14,550

Net cash provided by operating activities
108,964

 
93,550

Investing activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of and investments in rental properties and other assets
(38,869
)
 
(60,764
)
Proceeds from sale of real estate
—

 
18,105

Investment in mortgage notes receivable
(16,223
)
 
(67,057
)
Proceeds from mortgage notes receivable paydowns
11,555

 
8,140

Investment in promissory notes receivable
(7,677
)
 
(554
)
Proceeds from promissory note receivable paydown
—

 
1,599

Additions to properties under development
(55,702
)
 
(100,184
)
Net cash used by investing activities
(106,916
)
 
(200,715
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from debt facilities and senior unsecured notes
380,000

 
175,000

Principal payments on debt
(281,684
)
 
(45,331
)
Deferred financing fees paid
(38
)
 
(33
)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff (cash portion)
(28,650
)
 
(1
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares
303

 
68,141

Impact of stock option exercises, net
—

 
(138
)
Purchase of common shares for treasury for vesting
(7,116
)
 
(6,729
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
(83,613
)
 
(69,856
)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
(20,798
)
 
121,053

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(82
)
 
2

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
(18,832
)
 
13,890

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period
58,986

 
29,079

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period
$
40,154

 
$
42,969

Supplemental information continued on next page.
 
 
 

5

EPR PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Continued from previous page.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
$
41,917

 
$
19,335

Restricted cash at beginning of the period
17,069

 
9,744

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period
$
58,986

 
$
29,079

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
$
24,514

 
$
14,446

Restricted cash at end of the period
15,640

 
28,523

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period
$
40,154

 
$
42,969

 
 
 
 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activity:
 
 
 
Transfer of property under development to rental properties
$
55,377

 
$
63,672

Issuance of nonvested shares and restricted share units at fair value, including nonvested shares issued for payment of bonuses
$
16,809

 
$
21,698

Conversion or reclassification of mortgage notes receivable to rental properties
$
155,185

 
$
—

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
$
41,948

 
$
41,030

Cash paid during the period for income taxes
$
290

 
$
317

Interest cost capitalized
$
2,244

 
$
2,791

Decrease in accrued capital expenditures
$
(4,278
)
 
$
(5,506
)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6


EPR PROPERTIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


1. Organization

Description of Business
EPR Properties (the Company) is a specialty real estate investment trust (REIT) organized on August 29, 1997 in Maryland. The Company develops, owns, leases and finances properties in select market segments primarily related to Entertainment, Recreation and Education. The Company’s properties are located in the United States and Canada.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. In addition, operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.

The Company consolidates certain entities when it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity (VIE) in which it has a controlling financial interest in accordance with the consolidation guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC).

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 1, 2018.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows, and certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to current presentation in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Under ASU No. 2016-18, transfers to or from restricted cash which have been previously shown in the Company's operating activities section of the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows are now required to be shown as part of the total change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows. In addition, on January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The ASU clarifies the treatment of several cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. The adoption of this ASU had no impact to the Company's financial position, results of operations or presentation in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) and ASC 610-20, Other Income: Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Non-financial Assets (ASC 610-20) using a modified retrospective (cumulative effect) method of adoption. The core principal of ASC 606 is that an entity will recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers when it satisfies performance obligations. The Company’s primary source of revenue is from lease revenue (which is excluded from the revenue standard but will be impacted upon adoption of the lease standard in 2019 discussed in Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards) and mortgage and other financing income (which is not in scope of the revenue standard). ASC 610-20 provides guidance on how entities recognize sales to non-customers including presentation of gain or loss on a net basis in the consolidated statements of income. The Company has concluded that its property sales represent transactions with non-customers. The Company had two property sale transactions that occurred in 2017 in which the Company received an aggregate of $12.3 million

7

in mortgage notes receivable as full consideration for the sales. The mortgage notes require interest only payments until maturity and the Company determined in 2017 that these transactions qualified as sales; however, the gain on each sale was deferred. Upon adoption of ASC 610-20 on January 1, 2018, the Company determined that these transactions did not qualify for de-recognition. Accordingly, the Company recorded an adjustment in the three months ended March 31, 2018 to reclassify these assets from mortgage notes receivable to rental properties on its consolidated balance sheet. All other sales of real estate were all cash transactions in which the purchaser obtained control of the property, therefore, there was no cumulative adjustment recognized to beginning retained earnings as a result of adopting ASC 610-20.

Operating Segments
The Company has four reportable operating segments: Entertainment, Recreation, Education and Other. See Note 14 for financial information related to these operating segments.

Rental Properties
Rental properties are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs incurred for the acquisition and development of the properties are capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally are estimated to be 30 to 40 years for buildings and three to 25 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and 10 to 20 years for site improvements. Tenant improvements, including allowances, are depreciated over the shorter of the base term of the lease or the estimated useful life and leasehold interests are depreciated over the useful life of the underlying ground lease. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the period incurred. Significant renovations and improvements that improve or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life.

Management reviews a property for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a property may not be recoverable. The review of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If impairment exists due to the inability to recover the carrying value of the property, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the property exceeds its estimated fair value.

The Company evaluates the held-for-sale classification of its real estate as of the end of each quarter. Assets that are classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Assets are generally classified as held for sale once management has initiated an active program to market them for sale and it is probable the assets will be sold within one year. On occasion, the Company will receive unsolicited offers from third parties to buy individual Company properties. Under these circumstances, the Company will classify the properties as held for sale when a sales contract is executed with no contingencies and the prospective buyer has funds at risk to ensure performance.

Real Estate Acquisitions
Upon acquisition of real estate properties, the Company evaluates the acquisition to determine if it is a business combination or an asset acquisition. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether acquisitions should be accounted for as business combinations or asset acquisitions. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application of the guidance permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-01 as of January 1, 2017. As a result, the Company expects that fewer of its real estate acquisitions will be accounted for as business combinations.

Costs incurred for asset acquisitions and development properties, including transaction costs, are capitalized. For asset acquisitions, the Company allocates the purchase price and other related costs incurred to the acquired tangible assets and identified intangible assets and liabilities based on recent independent appraisals or methods similar to those used by independent appraisers and management judgment. Acquisition-related costs in connection with business combinations are expensed as incurred. Costs related to such transactions, as well as costs associated with terminated transactions, are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as transaction costs.



8


Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt obligations or mortgage note receivable as applicable. Deferred financing costs of $28.6 million and $32.9 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are shown as a reduction of debt. The deferred financing costs related to the unsecured revolving credit facility are included in other assets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for amounts where collection is not probable. The Company’s accounts receivable balance is comprised primarily of rents and operating cost recoveries due from tenants as well as accrued rental rate increases to be received over the life of the existing leases. The Company regularly evaluates the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts. The evaluation primarily consists of reviewing past due account balances and considering such factors as the credit quality of the Company’s tenants, historical trends of the tenant and/or other debtor, current economic conditions and changes in customer payment terms. Additionally, with respect to tenants in bankruptcy, the Company estimates the expected recovery through bankruptcy claims and increases the allowance for amounts deemed uncollectible. These estimates have a direct impact on the Company's net income.

Revenue Recognition
Rents that are fixed and determinable are recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable terms of the leases. Straight-line rental revenue is subject to an evaluation for collectability, and the Company records a provision for losses against rental revenues if collectability of these future rents is not reasonably assured. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized $1.9 million and $5.1 million, respectively, of straight-line rental revenue. Base rent escalation on leases that are dependent upon increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is recognized when known. In addition, most of the Company's tenants are subject to additional rents if gross revenues of the properties exceed certain thresholds defined in the lease agreements (percentage rents). Percentage rents as well as participating interest for those mortgage agreements that contain similar such clauses are recognized at the time when specific triggering events occur as provided by the lease or mortgage agreements. Rental revenue included percentage rents of $1.3 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Direct financing lease income is recognized on the effective interest method to produce a level yield on funds not yet recovered. Estimated unguaranteed residual values at the date of lease inception represent management's initial estimates of fair value of the leased assets at the expiration of the lease, not to exceed original cost. Significant assumptions used in estimating residual values include estimated net cash flows over the remaining lease term and expected future real estate values. The Company evaluates on an annual basis (or more frequently, if necessary) the collectability of its direct financing lease receivable and unguaranteed residual value to determine whether they are impaired. A direct financing lease receivable is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a direct financing lease receivable is considered to be impaired, the amount of loss is calculated by comparing the recorded investment to the value determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the direct financing lease receivable's effective interest rate or to the fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, if such receivable is collateralized.

Property Sales
Sales of real estate properties are recognized when a contract exists, collectability is probable and the purchaser has obtained control of the property. Gains on sales of properties are recognized in full in a partial sale of nonfinancial assets, to the extent control is not retained. Any noncontrolling interest retained by the seller would, accordingly, be measured at fair value.

The Company evaluates each sale or disposal transaction to determine if it meets the criteria to qualify as discontinued operations. A discontinued operation is a component of an entity or group of components that have been disposed of or are classified as held for sale and represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results. If the sale or disposal transaction does not meet the criteria, the operations and related gain or loss on sale is included in income from continuing operations.



9


Mortgage Notes and Other Notes Receivable
Mortgage notes and other notes receivable, including related accrued interest receivable, consist of loans originated by the Company and the related accrued and unpaid interest income as of the balance sheet date. Mortgage notes and other notes receivable are initially recorded at the amount advanced to the borrower. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method based on the stated interest rate over the estimated life of the note. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into income over the estimated life of the note using the effective interest method. The Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal of each of its loans to determine whether it is impaired. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, the Company determines that it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. An insignificant delay or shortfall in amounts of payments does not necessarily result in the loan being identified as impaired. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of loss, if any, is calculated by comparing the recorded investment to the value determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the loan’s effective interest rate or to the fair value of the Company’s interest in the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent. For impaired loans, interest income is recognized on a cash basis, unless the Company determines based on the loan to estimated fair value ratio the loan should be on the cost recovery method, and any cash payments received would then be reflected as a reduction of principal. Interest income recognition is recommenced if and when the impaired loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed.

Concentrations of Risk
American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (AMC) was the lessee of a substantial portion (38%) of the megaplex theatre rental properties held by the Company at March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $28.6 million or 18.4% and $29.2 million or 22.7%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues were derived from rental payments by AMC. These rental payments are from AMC under the leases, or from its parent, AMC Entertainment, Inc. (AMCE), as the guarantor of AMC’s obligations under the leases. AMCE is wholly owned by AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMCEH). AMCEH is a publicly held company (NYSE: AMC) and its consolidated financial information is publicly available at www.sec.gov.

Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation to employees of the Company is granted pursuant to the Company's Annual Incentive Program and Long-Term Incentive Plan and share-based compensation to non-employee Trustees of the Company is granted pursuant to the Company's Trustee compensation program. Prior to May 12, 2016, share-based compensation granted to employees and non-employee Trustees was issued under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2016 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by shareholders at the May 11, 2016 annual shareholder meeting and this plan replaced the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Accordingly, all share-based compensation granted on or after May 12, 2016 has been issued under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

Share-based compensation expense consists of share option expense and amortization of nonvested share grants issued to employees, and amortization of share units issued to non-employee Trustees for payment of their annual retainers. Share-based compensation included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income totaled $3.8 million and $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Share Options
Share options are granted to employees pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The fair value of share options granted is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share options granted to employees vest over a period of four years and share option expense for these options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Expense recognized related to share options and included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income was $73 thousand and $194 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Nonvested Shares Issued to Employees
The Company grants nonvested shares to employees pursuant to both the Annual Incentive Program and the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Company amortizes the expense related to the nonvested shares awarded to employees under the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the premium awarded under the nonvested share alternative of the Annual Incentive

10

Program on a straight-line basis over the future vesting period (three or four years). Expense recognized related to nonvested shares and included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income was $3.4 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Restricted Share Units Issued to Non-Employee Trustees
The Company issues restricted share units to non-employee Trustees for payment of their annual retainers under the Company's Trustee compensation program. The fair value of the share units granted was based on the share price at the date of grant. The share units vest upon the earlier of the day preceding the next annual meeting of shareholders or a change of control. The settlement date for the shares is selected by the non-employee Trustee, and ranges from one year from the grant date to upon termination of service. This expense is amortized by the Company on a straight-line basis over the year of service by the non-employee Trustees. Total expense recognized related to shares issued to non-employee Trustees was $337 thousand and $280 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Derivative Instruments
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The update amended existing guidance in order to better align a company's financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. It requires the Company to disclose the effect of its hedging activities on its consolidated statements of income and eliminated the periodic measurement and recognition of hedging ineffectiveness. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application of the guidance permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-12 as of October 1, 2017. Early adoption had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

The Company has entered into certain derivative instruments to reduce exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and variable interest rates. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. These derivatives consist of foreign currency forward contracts, cross-currency swaps and interest rate swaps.

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

The Company's policy is to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which amends existing accounting standards for lease accounting and is intended to improve financial reporting related to lease transactions. The ASU will require lessees to classify leases as either finance or operating leases based on certain criteria and to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged from current U.S. GAAP. The standard eliminates current real estate-specific provisions and changes the guidance on sale-leaseback transactions, and also will require new disclosures within the notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements.

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Although the Company is primarily a lessor, ASU No. 2016-02 will impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures as it has certain operating land leases and other arrangements for which it is the lessee and will be required to recognize these arrangements on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has completed its initial inventory and evaluation of the land leases and expects that it will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for the present value of the minimum lease payments. The Company is in the process of preparing the initial estimates of the amount of its right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
A substantial portion of the Company’s lease contracts (under which it is lessor) are triple-net leases, which require the tenants to make payments to third parties for operating expenses such as property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance costs associated with the properties. The Company currently does not include these payments made by the lessee to third parties in rental revenue or property operating expenses. As a result of applying the guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, the Company may be required to show certain payments made by its tenants on a gross basis in its consolidated statements of income. Although no impact to net income or cash flows is expected as a result of a gross presentation, it would have the impact of increasing both reported revenues and property operating expenses. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of this potential presentation.
The ASU will become effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company expects to adopt the new standard on its effective date. The standard offers a number of practical expedients for transition and certain expedients specific to lessees or lessors. Both lessees and lessors are permitted to make an election to apply a package of practical expedients available for implementation under the standard. The Company has concluded it will apply the package of practical expedients and certain other transition expedients. For transition, the Company intends to recognize all effects of transition in the beginning of the adoption reporting period on January 1, 2019.
The Company will continue its implementation work in 2018 including enhancements to the Company’s internal control framework, accounting systems and related documentation surrounding its lease accounting processes and the preparation of any additional disclosures that will be required.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The ASU changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and timing of when such losses are recorded. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-13 require the Company to measure all expected credit losses based upon historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of financial assets and eliminates the incurred losses methodology under current U.S. GAAP. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

3. Rental Properties

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts of rental properties as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Buildings and improvements
$
4,327,847

 
$
4,123,356

Furniture, fixtures & equipment
89,506

 
87,630

Land
1,148,414

 
1,108,805

Leasehold interests
25,774

 
25,774

 
5,591,541

 
5,345,565

Accumulated depreciation
(776,404
)
 
(741,334
)
Total
$
4,815,137

 
$
4,604,231

Depreciation expense on rental properties was $36.5 million and $27.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


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4. Investments and Dispositions

The Company's investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $108.6 million, and included investments in each of its primary operating segments.

Entertainment investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $25.5 million, including spending on build-to-suit development and redevelopment of megaplex theatres, entertainment retail centers and family entertainment centers, as well as a $7.5 million megaplex theatre acquisition.

Recreation investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $62.0 million, including spending on build-to-suit development of golf entertainment complexes and attractions, redevelopment of ski areas, a $7.8 million acquisition of a recreation facility, and an investment of $10.3 million in a mortgage note secured by one other recreation facility.

Education investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $21.1 million, including spending on build-to-suit development and redevelopment of public charter schools, early education centers and private schools, as well as $8.4 million on two early education center acquisitions.

On February 16, 2018, a borrower exercised its put option to convert its mortgage note agreement, totaling $142.9 million and secured by 28 education facilities including both early education and private school properties, to a lease agreement. As a result, the Company recorded the rental property at the carrying value, which approximated fair value, of the mortgage note on the conversion date and allocated this cost on a relative fair value basis. The properties are leased pursuant to a triple-net master lease with a 23-year remaining term.

On March 11, 2018, the Company received payment in full on one mortgage note receivable of $1.5 million that was secured by land located in California. Additionally, on March 26, 2018, the Company received payment in full on one mortgage note receivable of $9.0 million that was secured by real estate in Washington. There were no prepayment fees received in connection with these note payoffs.

Subsequent to March 31, 2018, on May 7, 2018, Boyne USA, Inc. (Boyne) purchased seven resort and attraction assets from Och-Ziff Real Estate (OZRE). These properties partially secure the Company’s mortgage note receivable due from OZRE with a carrying value of $249.2 million at March 31, 2018. Following the acquisition by Boyne, OZRE made a partial prepayment to the Company of approximately $175.4 million on this mortgage note receivable, leaving a carrying value of approximately $73.8 million that is secured by the remaining six ski properties. In connection with the partial prepayment of this note, the Company will recognize a prepayment fee totaling approximately $45.0 million during the second quarter of 2018.

5. Accounts Receivable, Net
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts of accounts receivable, net as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Receivable from tenants
$
16,642

 
$
19,923

Receivable from non-tenants
3,919

 
3,932

Receivable from Sullivan County Infrastructure Revenue Bonds
11,423

 
14,718

Straight-line rent receivable
65,203

 
62,605

Allowance for doubtful accounts
(8,437
)
 
(7,485
)
Total
$
88,750

 
$
93,693


The above totals include receivables from tenants of approximately $6.7 million and $6.0 million from Children's Learning Adventure USA (CLA Parent and collectively with its subsidiaries, CLA), which were fully reserved in the allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. See Note 13 for further

13

discussion related to CLA. The Company had approximately $253.6 million related to CLA classified in rental properties, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2018. Additionally, the Company had approximately $11.2 million classified in land held for development and $14.7 million classified in property under development related to CLA in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2018. The Company reviewed these balances for impairment at March 31, 2018 and determined that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceeded the carrying value of these properties.
6. Investment in Direct Financing Leases

The Company’s investment in direct financing leases relates to the Company’s leases of six public charter school properties as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, with affiliates of Imagine Schools, Inc. (Imagine). Investment in direct financing leases, net represents estimated unguaranteed residual values of leased assets and net unpaid rentals, less related deferred income. The following table summarizes the carrying amounts of investment in direct financing leases, net as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Total minimum lease payments receivable
$
110,852

 
$
112,411

Estimated unguaranteed residual value of leased assets
47,000

 
47,000

Less deferred income (1)
(99,751
)
 
(101,508
)
Investment in direct financing leases, net
$
58,101

 
$
57,903

 
 
 
 
(1) Deferred income is net of $0.8 million of initial direct costs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $9.6 million, which included an allowance for lease loss of $7.3 million and a charge of $2.3 million related to estimated unguaranteed residual value. The Company determined that no additional allowance for losses was necessary at March 31, 2018.

Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company performed its annual review of the estimated unguaranteed residual value on its other properties leased to Imagine and determined that the residual value on one of these properties was impaired. As such, the Company recorded an impairment charge of the unguaranteed residual value of $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The Company’s direct financing leases have expiration dates ranging from approximately 14 to 16 years. Future minimum rentals receivable on these direct financing leases at March 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands): 
 
Amount
Year:
 
2018
$
4,742

2019
6,490

2020
6,685

2021
6,885

2022
7,092

Thereafter
78,958

Total
$
110,852


7. Debt and Capital Markets

On January 2, 2018, the Company prepaid in full a mortgage note payable totaling $11.7 million with an annual interest rate of 6.19%, which was secured by one theatre property.

Additionally, on February 28, 2018, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding 7.75% Senior Notes due July 15, 2020. The notes were redeemed at a price equal to the principal amount of $250.0 million plus a premium calculated pursuant to the terms of the indenture of $28.6 million, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including

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the redemption date of $2.3 million. In connection with the redemption, the Company recorded a non-cash write off of $3.3 million in deferred financing costs. The premium and non-cash write off were recognized as costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Subsequent to March 31, 2018, the Company issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due April 15, 2028 pursuant to an underwritten public offering. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.95%. Interest is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year beginning on October 15, 2018 until the stated maturity date of April 15, 2028. The notes were issued at 98.883% of their face value and are unsecured. The notes contain various covenants, including: (i) a limitation on incurrence of any debt which would cause the ratio of the Company’s debt to adjusted total assets to exceed 60%; (ii) a limitation on incurrence of any secured debt which would cause the ratio of the Company’s secured debt to adjusted total assets to exceed 40%; (iii) a limitation on incurrence of any debt which would cause the Company’s debt service coverage ratio to be less than 1.5 times and (iv) the maintenance at all times of the Company's total unencumbered assets such that they are not less than 150% of the Company’s outstanding unsecured debt. Net proceeds from the note offering were used to pay down the Company's unsecured revolving credit facility.

8. Variable Interest Entities

The Company’s variable interest in VIEs currently are in the form of equity ownership and loans provided by the Company to a VIE or other partner. The Company examines specific criteria and uses its judgment when determining if the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Factors considered in determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of other partner(s), voting rights, involvement in day-to-day capital and operating decisions, representation on a VIE’s executive committee, existence of unilateral kick-out rights or voting rights, and level of economic disproportionality between the Company and the other partner(s).

Consolidated VIEs
As of March 31, 2018, the Company had invested approximately $23.3 million included in property under development in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for one real estate project which is a VIE. This entity does not have any other significant assets or liabilities at March 31, 2018 and was established to facilitate the development of a theatre project.

Unconsolidated VIE
At March 31, 2018, the Company's recorded investment in two unconsolidated VIEs totaled $180.4 million. The Company's maximum exposure to loss associated with these VIEs is limited to the Company's outstanding mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable of $180.4 million. These mortgage notes are secured by three recreation properties and one public charter school. While these entities are VIEs, the Company has determined that the power to direct the activities of these VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs' economic performance is not held by the Company.

9. Derivative Instruments

All derivatives are recognized at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets within the line items "Other assets" and "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" as applicable. The Company's derivatives are subject to a master netting arrangement and the Company has elected not to offset its derivative position for purposes of balance sheet presentation and disclosure. The Company had derivative liabilities of $0.1 million recorded in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017. The Company had derivative assets of $35.0 million and $25.8 million recorded in “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company had not posted or received collateral with its derivative counterparties as of March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017. See Note 10 for disclosures relating to the fair value of the derivative instruments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.


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Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risk arising from both its business operations and economic conditions including the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates on its LIBOR based borrowings. The Company manages this risk by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives. The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to reported earnings and to manage its exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate movements or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forwards.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on its LIBOR based borrowings. To accomplish these objectives, the Company currently uses interest rate swaps as its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
 
As of March 31, 2018, the Company had two interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate at 2.64% on $300.0 million of borrowings under the unsecured term loan facility from July 6, 2017 to April 5, 2019. Additionally, as of March 31, 2018, the Company had three additional interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate at 3.15% on an additional $50.0 million of borrowings under its unsecured term loan facility from November 6, 2017 to April 5, 2019 and on $350.0 million of borrowings under the unsecured term loan facility from April 6, 2019 to February 7, 2022.

The change in the fair value of interest rate derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings within the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged transaction. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt.

Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2018, the Company estimates that during the twelve months ending March 31, 2019, $1.8 million will be reclassified from AOCI to a reduction of interest expense.

Cash Flow Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk against its functional currency, USD, on its four Canadian properties. The Company uses cross currency swaps and foreign currency forwards to mitigate its exposure to fluctuations in the USD-CAD exchange rate on its Canadian properties. These foreign currency derivatives should hedge a significant portion of the Company's expected CAD denominated cash flow of the Canadian properties as their impact on the Company's cash flow when settled should move in the opposite direction of the exchange rates used to translate revenues and expenses of these properties.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had USD-CAD cross-currency swaps with a fixed original notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $98.1 million USD. The net effect of these swaps is to lock in an exchange rate of $1.05 CAD per USD on approximately $13.5 million of annual CAD denominated cash flows on the properties through June 2018. Additionally, on August 30, 2017, the Company entered into a cross-currency swap that will be effective July 1, 2018 with a fixed original notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $79.5 million USD. The net effect of these swaps is to lock in an exchange rate of 1.26 CAD per USD on approximately $13.5 million of annual CAD denominated cash flows on the properties through June 2020.

The change in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings within the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged transaction. As of March 31, 2018, the Company estimates that during the twelve months ending March 31, 2019, $0.8 million of gains will be reclassified from AOCI to other income.


16

Net Investment Hedges
As discussed above, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on its four Canadian properties. As such, the Company uses currency forward agreements to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates. Currency forward agreements involve fixing the USD-CAD exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The currency forward agreements are typically cash settled in USD for their fair value at or close to their settlement date. In order to hedge the net investment in four of the Canadian properties, on June 13, 2013, the Company entered into a forward contract with a fixed notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $94.3 million USD with a July 2018 settlement. The exchange rate of this forward contract is approximately $1.06 CAD per USD. Additionally, on February 28, 2014, the Company entered into a forward contract with a fixed notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $88.1 million USD with a July 2018 settlement date. The exchange rate of this forward contract is approximately $1.13 CAD per USD. These forward contracts should hedge a significant portion of the Company’s CAD denominated net investment in these four centers through July 2018 as the impact on AOCI from marking the derivative to market should move in the opposite direction of the translation adjustment on the net assets of these four Canadian properties.

For foreign currency derivatives designated as net investment hedges, the change in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. Amounts are reclassified out of AOCI into earnings when the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated.
 
Below is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of changes in equity and income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Description
2018
 
2017
Interest Rate Swaps
 
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivative
$
4,778

 
$
504

Amount of Expense Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings (1)
(13
)
 
(1,071
)
Cross-Currency Swaps
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative
615

 
(166
)
Amount of Income Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings (2)
554

 
662

Currency Forward Agreements
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative
4,546

 
(1,549
)
Amount of Income Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings
—

 
—

Total
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives
$
9,939

 
$
(1,211
)
Amount of Income (Expense) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings
541

 
(409
)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net in accompanying consolidated statements of income
34,337

 
30,692

Other income in accompanying consolidated statements of income
630

 
692

(1)
Included in "Interest expense, net" in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
(2)
Included in "Other income" in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
The Company has agreements with each of its interest rate derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its obligations for borrowed money or credit in an amount exceeding $25.0 million

17

for two of the agreements and $50.0 million for three of the agreements and such default is not waived or cured within a specified period of time, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its interest rate derivative obligations.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had no derivatives in a liability position related to these agreements. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had not posted any collateral related to these agreements and was not in breach of any provisions in these agreements. If the Company breached any of the contractual provisions of these derivative contracts, it would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value.

10. Fair Value Disclosures

The Company has certain financial instruments that are required to be measured under the FASB’s Fair Value Measurement guidance. The Company currently does not have any non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the FASB’s Fair Value Measurement guidance 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 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy). Level 1 inputs use quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s 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.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards and cross-currency swaps to manage its interest rate and foreign currency risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates, and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees. In conjunction with the FASB's Fair Value Measurement guidance, the Company made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.

Although the Company determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives also use Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. As of March 31, 2018, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives and therefore, classified its derivatives as Level 2 within the fair value reporting hierarchy.


18

The table below presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements are classified and by derivative type.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at
March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)
Description
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level I)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
Assets (Liabilities) Balance at
end of period
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-Currency Swaps*
$
—

 
$
968

 
$
—

 
$
968

Currency Forward Agreements*
$
—

 
$
26,782

 
$
—

 
$
26,782

Interest Rate Swap Agreements*
$
—

 
$
7,287

 
$
—

 
$
7,287

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-Currency Swaps*
$
—

 
$
1,041

 
$
—

 
$
1,041

Cross-Currency Swaps**
$
—

 
$
(134
)
 
$
—

 
$
(134
)
Currency Forward Agreements*
$
—

 
$
22,235

 
$
—

 
$
22,235

Interest Rate Swap Agreements*
$
—

 
$
2,496

 
$
—

 
$
2,496

*Included in "Other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
**Included in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
   
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

Mortgage notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable:
The fair value of the Company’s mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument using current market rates. At March 31, 2018, the Company had a carrying value of $819.8 million in fixed rate mortgage notes receivable outstanding, including related accrued interest, with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 8.62%. The fixed rate mortgage notes bear interest at rates of 7.00% to 11.31%. Discounting the future cash flows for fixed rate mortgage notes receivable using rates of 7.50% to 11.50%, management estimates the fair value of the fixed rate mortgage notes receivable to be approximately $841.2 million with an estimated weighted average market rate of 9.16% at March 31, 2018.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had a carrying value of $970.7 million in fixed rate mortgage notes receivable outstanding, including related accrued interest, with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 8.42%. The fixed rate mortgage notes bear interest at rates of 7.00% to 11.31%. Discounting the future cash flows for fixed rate mortgage notes receivable using rates of 7.00% to 11.50%, management estimates the fair value of the fixed rate mortgage notes receivable to be $992.6 million with an estimated weighted average market rate of 8.79% at December 31, 2017.

Investment in direct financing leases, net:
At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had an investment in direct financing leases with a carrying value of $58.1 million and $57.9 million, respectively, and with a weighted average effective interest rate of 11.98% for both periods. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the investment in direct financing leases bear interest at effective rates of 11.90% to 12.38%. The carrying value of the investment in direct financing leases approximated the fair value at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Derivative instruments:
Derivative instruments are carried at their fair value.

Debt instruments:
The fair value of the Company's debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument using current market rates. At March 31, 2018, the Company had a carrying value of $995.0 million in variable rate

19

debt outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 2.75%. The carrying value of the variable rate debt outstanding approximated the fair value at March 31, 2018.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had a carrying value of $635.0 million in variable rate debt outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 2.58%. The carrying value of the variable rate debt outstanding approximated the fair value at December 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $350.0 million of the Company's variable rate debt, discussed above, had been effectively converted to a fixed rate through February 7, 2022 by interest rate swap agreements.

At March 31, 2018, the Company had a carrying value of $2.17 billion in fixed rate long-term debt outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 4.84%. Discounting the future cash flows for fixed rate debt using March 31, 2018 market rates of 2.79% to 4.84%, management estimates the fair value of the fixed rate debt to be approximately $2.19 billion with an estimated weighted average market rate of 4.47% at March 31, 2018.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had a carrying value of $2.43 billion in fixed rate long-term debt outstanding with an average weighted interest rate of approximately 5.15%. Discounting the future cash flows for fixed rate debt using December 31, 2017 market rates of 2.49% to 4.56%, management estimates the fair value of the fixed rate debt to be approximately $2.53 billion with an estimated weighted average market rate of 4.04% at December 31, 2017.

11. Earnings Per Share

The following table summarizes the Company’s computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands except per share information):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Income
(numerator)
 
Shares
(denominator)
 
Per Share
Amount
Basic EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
29,538

 
 
 
 
Less: preferred dividend requirements
(6,036
)
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
23,502

 
74,146

 
$
0.32

Diluted EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
23,502

 
74,146

 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Share options
—

 
34

 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
23,502

 
74,180

 
$
0.32



20

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Income
(numerator)
 
Shares
(denominator)
 
Per Share
Amount
Basic EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
53,916

 
 
 
 
Less: preferred dividend requirements
(5,952
)
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
47,964

 
64,033

 
$
0.75

Diluted EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
47,964

 
64,033

 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Share options
—

 
69

 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
47,964

 
64,102

 
$
0.75


The additional 2.1 million common shares that would result from the conversion of the Company’s 5.75% Series C cumulative convertible preferred shares and the additional 1.6 million common shares that would result from the conversion of the Company’s 9.0% Series E cumulative convertible preferred shares and the corresponding add-back of the preferred dividends declared on those shares are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, because the effect is anti-dilutive.

The dilutive effect of potential common shares from the exercise of share options is included in diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. However, options to purchase 87 thousand and 4 thousand common shares at per share prices ranging from $56.94 to $76.63, were outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

12. Equity Incentive Plan

All grants of common shares and options to purchase common shares were issued under the Company's 2007 Equity Incentive Plan prior to May 12, 2016 and under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan on and after May 12, 2016. Under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, an aggregate of 1,950,000 common shares, options to purchase common shares and restricted share units, subject to adjustment in the event of certain capital events, may be granted. At March 31, 2018, there were 1,332,842 shares available for grant under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

Share Options

Share options granted under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan have exercise prices equal to the fair market value of a common share at the date of grant. The options may be granted for any reasonable term, not to exceed 10 years, and for employees typically become exercisable at a rate of 25% per year over a four-year period. The Company generally issues new common shares upon option exercise. A summary of the Company’s share option activity and related information is as follows:
 
 
Number of
options
 
Option price
per share
 
Weighted avg.
exercise price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
257,606

 
$
19.02

 
—

 
$
76.63

 
$
51.81

Granted
3,835

 
56.94

 
—

 
56.94

 
56.94

Outstanding at March 31, 2018
261,441

 
$
19.02

 
—

 
$
76.63

 
$
51.88

The weighted average fair value of options granted was $3.03 and $7.91 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no share option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The intrinsic value of share options exercised was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018, share-option expense to be recognized in future periods was $0.2 million.


21

The expense related to share options included in the determination of net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The following assumptions were used in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model at the grant dates for the three months ended March 31, 2018: risk-free interest rate of 2.7%, dividend yield of 7.6%, volatility factors in the expected market price of the Company’s common shares of 18.9%, 0.74% expected forfeiture rate and an expected life of approximately six years. The Company uses historical data to estimate the expected life of the option and the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Additionally, expected volatility is computed based on the average historical volatility of the Company’s publicly traded shares.

The following table summarizes outstanding options at March 31, 2018:
Exercise price range
 
Options
outstanding
 
Weighted avg.
life remaining
 
Weighted avg.
exercise price
 
Aggregate intrinsic
value  (in thousands)
$ 19.02 - 19.99
 
11,097

 
1.1

 
 
 
 
20.00 - 29.99
 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
30.00 - 39.99
 
1,428

 
1.8

 
 
 
 
40.00 - 49.99
 
86,041

 
3.8

 
 
 
 
50.00 - 59.99
 
79,774

 
5.8

 
 
 
 
60.00 - 69.99
 
80,886

 
6.9

 
 
 
 
70.00 - 76.63
 
2,215

 
8.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
261,441

 
5.3

 
$
51.88

 
$
1,489

The following table summarizes exercisable options at March 31, 2018:
Exercise price range
 
Options
outstanding
 
Weighted avg.
life  remaining
 
Weighted avg.
exercise price
 
Aggregate  intrinsic
value (in thousands)
$ 19.02 - 19.99
 
11,097

 
1.1

 
 
 
 
20.00 - 29.99
 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
30.00 - 39.99
 
1,428

 
1.8

 
 
 
 
40.00 - 49.99
 
86,041

 
3.8

 
 
 
 
50.00 - 59.99
 
75,939

 
5.6

 
 
 
 
60.00 - 69.99
 
59,557

 
6.9

 
 
 
 
70.00 - 76.63
 
554

 
8.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
234,616

 
5.0

 
$
50.73

 
$
1,489


Nonvested Shares
A summary of the Company’s nonvested share activity and related information is as follows:
 
Number  of
shares
 
Weighted avg.
grant  date
fair value
 
Weighted avg.
life remaining
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
620,122

 
$
68.07

 
 
Granted
295,202

 
56.94

 
 
Vested
(243,057
)
 
65.34

 
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2018
672,267

 
$
64.17

 
1.65
The holders of nonvested shares have voting rights and receive dividends from the date of grant. These shares vest ratably over a period of three to four years. The fair value of the nonvested shares that vested was $15.9 million and $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At March 31, 2018, unamortized share-based compensation expense related to nonvested shares was $30.6 million.




22

Restricted Share Units
A summary of the Company’s restricted share unit activity and related information is as follows:
 
Number  of
shares
 
Weighted avg.
grant date
fair value
 
Weighted avg.
life remaining
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
19,030

 
$
70.91

 
 
Granted
—

 
—

 
 
Vested
—

 
—

 
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2018
19,030

 
$
70.91

 
0.08

The holders of restricted share units receive dividend equivalents from the date of grant. The share units vest upon the earlier of the day preceding the next annual meeting of shareholders or a change of control. The settlement date for the shares is selected by the non-employee Trustee, and ranges from one year from the grant date to upon termination of service. At March 31, 2018, unamortized share-based compensation expense related to restricted share units was $112 thousand.

13. Other Commitments and Contingencies

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had an aggregate of approximately $143.5 million of commitments to fund development projects including 16 entertainment development projects for which it had commitments to fund approximately $45.0 million, three recreation development projects for which it had commitments to fund approximately $49.6 million and nine education development projects for which it had commitments to fund approximately $48.9 million. Development costs are advanced by the Company in periodic draws. If the Company determines that construction is not being completed in accordance with the terms of the development agreement, it can discontinue funding construction draws. The Company has agreed to lease the properties to the operators at pre-determined rates upon completion of construction.

Additionally as of March 31, 2018, the Company had a commitment to fund approximately $201.0 million over the next three years, of which $60.4 million had been funded, to complete an indoor waterpark hotel and adventure park at its casino and resort project in Sullivan County, New York. The Company is also responsible for the construction of the casino and resort project common infrastructure. In June 2016, the Sullivan County Infrastructure Local Development Corporation issued $110.0 million of Series 2016 Revenue Bonds which is expected to fund a substantial portion of such construction costs. The Company received reimbursements of $43.4 million and $23.9 million of construction costs during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company received an additional reimbursement of $6.9 million. Construction of infrastructure improvements is currently expected to be completed in the remainder of 2018.

The Company has certain commitments related to its mortgage note investments that it may be required to fund in the future. The Company is generally obligated to fund these commitments at the request of the borrower or upon the occurrence of events outside of its direct control. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had six mortgage notes receivable with commitments totaling approximately $19.4 million. If commitments are funded in the future, interest will be charged at rates consistent with the existing investments.

The Company has provided guarantees of the payment of certain economic development revenue bonds totaling $24.7 million related to two theatres in Louisiana for which the Company earns a fee at an annual rate of 4.00% over the 30-year terms of the related bonds. The Company recorded $13.3 million as a deferred asset included in other assets and $13.3 million included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 related to these guarantees. No amounts have been accrued as a loss contingency related to these guarantees because payment by the Company is not probable.

In connection with construction of its development projects and related infrastructure, certain public agencies require posting of surety bonds to guarantee that the Company's obligations are satisfied. These bonds expire upon the

23

completion of the improvements or infrastructure. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had six surety bonds outstanding totaling $22.8 million.

Resort Project in Sullivan County, New York
Prior proposed casino and resort developers Concord Associates, L.P., Concord Resort, LLC and Concord Kiamesha LLC, which are affiliates of Louis Cappelli and from whom the Company acquired the Resorts World Catskills resort property (the Cappelli Group), commenced litigation against the Company beginning in 2011 regarding matters relating to the acquisition of that property and the Company's relationship with the Empire Resorts, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. This litigation involves three separate cases filed in state and federal court. Two of the cases, a state and the federal case, are closed and resulted in no liability by the Company.

The remaining case was filed on October 20, 2011 by the Cappelli Group against the Company and two of its affiliates in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester (the Westchester Action), asserting a claim for breach of contract and the implied covenant of good faith, and seeking damages of at least $800 million, based on allegations that the Company had breached an agreement (the Casino Development Agreement), dated June 18, 2010. The Company moved to dismiss the complaint in the Westchester Action based on a decision issued by the Sullivan County Supreme Court (one of the two closed cases referenced above) on June 30, 2014, as affirmed by the Appellate Division, Third Department (the Sullivan Action). On January 26, 2016, the Westchester County Supreme Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss but ordered the Cappelli Group to amend its pleading and remove all claims and allegations previously determined by the Sullivan Action. On February 18, 2016, the Cappelli Group filed an amended complaint asserting a single cause of action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing based upon allegations the Company had interfered with plaintiffs’ ability to obtain financing which complied with the Casino Development Agreement. On March 23, 2016, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the Cappelli Group’s revised amended complaint. On January 5, 2017, the Westchester County Supreme Court denied the Company’s second motion to dismiss. Discovery is ongoing.

The Company has not determined that losses related to the remaining Westchester Action are probable. In light of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation generally, the Company does not have sufficient information to determine the amount or range of reasonably possible loss with respect to these matters. The Company’s assessments are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management, but that may prove to be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that might cause the Company to change those estimates and assumptions. The Company intends to vigorously defend the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries by the Cappelli Group and its affiliates, for which the Company believes it has meritorious defenses, but there can be no assurances as to the outcome of the claims and related litigation.

Early Childhood Education Tenant
During 2017, cash flow of CLA was negatively impacted by challenges brought on by its rapid expansion and related ramp up to stabilization and by adverse weather conditions in Texas during the third quarter of 2017. As a result, CLA initiated negotiations with the Company and other landlords regarding a potential restructuring. However, CLA did not secure the investments necessary to accomplish the restructuring. As a result, the Company sent CLA notices of lease termination on October 12, 2017 for the following CLA properties: (i) Broomfield, Colorado, (ii) Ashburn, Virginia, (iii) West Chester, Ohio, (iv) Chanhassen, Minnesota, (v) Ellisville, Missouri, (vi) Farm Road-Las Vegas, Nevada, (vii) Fishers, Indiana, (viii) Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania, and (ix) Westerville, Ohio.

On December 18, 2017, ten subsidiaries of CLA Parent filed separate voluntary petitions for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona (Jointly Administered under Case No. 2:17-bk-14851-BMW). The CLA Debtors consist of CLA Properties SPE, LLC, CLA Maple Grove, LLC, CLA Carmel, LLC, CLA West Chester, LLC, CLA One Loudoun, LLC, LLC, CLA Fishers, LLC, CLA Chanhassen, LLC, CLA Ellisville, LLC, CLA Farm, LLC, and CLA Westerville, LLC. CLA Parent has not filed a petition for bankruptcy. The CLA Debtors include each of the Company's direct or indirect tenants on 24 out of the Company's 25 CLA properties, including 21 operating properties, two partially completed properties and one unimproved land parcel. The only CLA tenant unaffected by the bankruptcy is CLA King of Prussia, LLC, which is the CLA tenant entity for an unimproved land parcel located in Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania. It is the Company's understanding that the CLA Debtors filed bankruptcy petitions to stay the termination of the remaining CLA leases and delay the eviction process.

24


CLA continues to seek negotiation of a restructuring with third parties. The Company will continue to consider whether all or a portion of the Company's properties should be leased to other operators based on results of the restructuring process. Absent an acceptable restructuring, the Company's intention is to vigorously pursue the process of regaining possession of the properties with the goal of securing leases with one or more new tenants. On January 8, 2018, the Company filed with the Court (i) motions seeking rent for the post-petition period beginning on December 18, 2017, and (ii) motions seeking relief from the automatic stay seeking the right to terminate the remaining leases and evict the CLA Debtors from the properties.

On March 14, 2018, the CLA Parties and the Company entered into a Stipulation providing that (a) the CLA Parties will pay monthly rent for the months of March, April, May, June and July in the amounts of $750 thousand, $750 thousand, $750 thousand, $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, (b) resolution of restructuring of the leases between the Company and the CLA Parties will be concluded no later than July 31, 2018 (the Forbearance Period), (c) relief from stay is granted with respect to the Company’s properties as needed to implement the Stipulation, (d) the parties will not commence or prosecute litigation against any other party during the Forbearance Period, and (e) the deadline for any motion by the CLA Debtors to assume or reject the leases under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code was extended to July 31, 2018. The CLA Parties have made each of the required rent payments since entering into the Stipulation. On May 7, 2018, the Court entered an order approving the Stipulation.

14. Segment Information

The Company groups investments into four reportable operating segments: Entertainment, Recreation, Education and Other. The financial information summarized below is presented by reportable operating segment:
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
 
Entertainment
Recreation
Education
Other
Corporate/Unallocated
Consolidated
Total Assets
 
$
2,388,438

$
2,159,147

$
1,425,133

$
196,799

$
69,349

$
6,238,866

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
Entertainment
Recreation
Education
Other
Corporate/Unallocated
Consolidated
Total Assets
 
$
2,380,129

$
2,102,041

$
1,429,992

$
199,052

$
80,279

$
6,191,493



25

Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
 
Entertainment
Recreation
Education
Other
Corporate/Unallocated
Consolidated
Rental revenue
 
$
70,862

$
33,432

$
22,380

$
2,259

$
—

$
128,933

Tenant reimbursements
 
3,986

—

5

—

—

3,991

Other income
 
—

62

—

—

568

630

Mortgage and other financing income
 
802

13,705

6,907

—

—

21,414

Total revenue
 
75,650

47,199

29,292

2,259

568

154,968

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating expense
 
6,229

33

829

314

159

7,564

Total investment expenses
 
6,229

33

829

314

159

7,564

Net operating income - before unallocated items
 
69,421

47,166

28,463

1,945

409

147,404

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
 
 
 
 
(12,324
)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff
 
 
 
(31,943
)
Interest expense, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
(34,337
)
Transaction costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
(609
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
(37,684
)
Equity in income from joint ventures
 
 
 
 
51

Income tax expense
 
 
 
(1,020
)
Net income
 
 
 
29,538

Preferred dividend requirements
 
 
 
(6,036
)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
23,502



26

Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
 
Entertainment
Recreation
Education
Other
Corporate/Unallocated
Consolidated
Rental revenue
 
$
65,091

$
17,299

$
22,357

$
2,290

$
—

$
107,037

Tenant reimbursements
 
3,749

—

—

—

—

3,749

Other income
 
6

—

—

—

686

692

Mortgage and other financing income
 
1,179

7,906

8,549

—

—

17,634

Total revenue
 
70,025

25,205

30,906

2,290

686

129,112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating expense
 
5,835

28

—

340

147

6,350

Total investment expenses
 
5,835

28

—

340

147

6,350

Net operating income - before unallocated items
 
64,190

25,177

30,906

1,950

539

122,762

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
 
 
 
 
(11,057
)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff
 
 
 
(5
)
Interest expense, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
(30,692
)
Transaction costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
(57
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
(28,077
)
Equity in loss from joint ventures
 
 
 
(8
)
Gain on sale of real estate
 
 
 
2,004

Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
(954
)
Net income
 
 
 
53,916

Preferred dividend requirements
 
 
(5,952
)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
47,964













27

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EPR Properties (the “Company”, “EPR”, “we” or “us”). The forward-looking statements included in this discussion and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including anticipated financial performance, business prospects, industry trends, shareholder returns, performance of leases by tenants, performance on loans to customers and other matters, which reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” which is incorporated herein by reference. Actual results and experience could differ materially from the anticipated results and other expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to those discussed in Part II, Item 1A - "Risk Factors" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Item 1A - “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.

Overview

Business

Our principal business objective is to enhance shareholder value by achieving predictable and increasing Funds From Operations ("FFO") and dividends per share. Our prevailing strategy is to focus on long-term investments in a limited number of categories in which we maintain a depth of knowledge and relationships, and which we believe offer sustained performance throughout all economic cycles. Our investment portfolio includes ownership of and long-term mortgages on entertainment, recreation and education properties. Substantially all of our owned single-tenant properties are leased pursuant to long-term, triple net leases, under which the tenants typically pay all operating expenses of the property. Tenants at our owned multi-tenant properties are typically required to pay common area maintenance charges to reimburse us for their pro-rata portion of these costs.

It has been our strategy to structure leases and financings to ensure a positive spread between our cost of capital and the rentals or interest paid by our tenants. We have primarily acquired or developed new properties that are pre-leased to a single tenant or multi-tenant properties that have a high occupancy rate. We have also entered into certain joint ventures and we have provided mortgage note financing. We intend to continue entering into some or all of these types of arrangements in the foreseeable future.

Historically, our primary challenges have been locating suitable properties, negotiating favorable lease or financing terms (on new or existing properties), and managing our portfolio as we have continued to grow. We believe our management’s knowledge and industry relationships have facilitated opportunities for us to acquire, finance and lease properties. Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part II, Item 1A - "Risk Factors" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Item 1A - “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.

We group our investments into four reportable operating segments: Entertainment, Recreation, Education and Other. As of March 31, 2018, our total assets were approximately $6.2 billion (after accumulated depreciation of approximately $0.8 billion) which included investments in each of our four operating segments with properties located in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada.

•
Our Entertainment segment included investments in 149 megaplex theatre properties, seven entertainment retail centers (which include seven additional megaplex theatre properties) and 11 family entertainment centers. Our portfolio of owned entertainment properties consisted of 13.2 million square feet and was 99% leased, including megaplex theatres that were 100% leased.
•
Our Recreation segment included investments in 25 ski areas, 20 attractions, 31 golf entertainment complexes and ten other recreation facilities. Our portfolio of owned recreation properties was 100% leased.
•
Our Education segment included investments in 65 public charter school properties, 67 early education centers and 14 private schools. Our portfolio of owned education properties consisted of 4.7 million square feet and was 98% leased.

28

•
Our Other segment consisted primarily of land under ground lease, property under development and land held for development related to the Resorts World Catskills casino and resort project in Sullivan County, New York.

The combined owned portfolio consisted of 21.0 million square feet and was 99% leased. As of March 31, 2018, we had a total of approximately $249.9 million invested in property under development.

Our total investments (a non-GAAP financial measure) were approximately $6.8 billion at March 31, 2018. We define total investments as the sum of the carrying values of rental properties and rental properties held for sale (before accumulated depreciation), land held for development, property under development, mortgage notes receivable (including related accrued interest receivable), investment in a direct financing leases, net, investment in joint ventures, intangible assets, gross (before accumulated amortization and included in other assets) and notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable (included in other assets). Total investments is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for the calculation of total investments and reconciliation of total investments to "Total assets" in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
    
Of our total investments of $6.8 billion at March 31, 2018, $3.0 billion or 43% related to our Entertainment segment, $2.2 billion or 33% related to our Recreation segment, $1.4 billion or 21% related to our Education segment and $179.3 million or 3% related to our Other segment.

Operating Results

Our total revenue, net income available to common shareholders per diluted share and Funds From Operations As Adjusted ("FFOAA") per diluted share (a non-GAAP financial measure) are detailed below for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions, except per share information):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
2017
Increase
Total revenue (1)
$
155.0

$
129.1

20
 %
Net income available to common shareholders per diluted share (2)
0.32

0.75

-57
 %
FFOAA per diluted share (3)
1.26

1.19

6
 %

(1) Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 versus the three months ended March 31, 2017 was favorably impacted by the effect of investment spending, including our transaction with CNL Lifestyle Properties Inc. ("CNL Lifestyle") and funds affiliated with Och-Ziff Real Estate ("OZRE") which closed on April 6, 2017. Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was unfavorably impacted by property dispositions and note payoffs that occurred in 2018 and 2017.

(2) Net income available to common shareholders per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 versus the three months ended March 31, 2017 was also impacted by the items affecting total revenue as described above. Additionally, net income available to common shareholders per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 versus the three months ended March 31, 2017 was unfavorably impacted by increases in interest expense, costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff (primarily related to our redemption of our 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020), general and administrative expense, bad debt expense and transaction costs. Net income available to common shareholders per diluted share was also unfavorably impacted by lower gains on sale of real estate and an increase in common shares outstanding primarily due to shares issued in connection with the transactions with CNL Lifestyle and OZRE that closed on April 6, 2017.

(3) FFOAA per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 versus the three months ended March 31, 2017 was also impacted by the items affecting total revenue as described above. Additionally, FFOAA per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 versus the three months ended March 31, 2017 was unfavorably impacted by lower termination fees recognized with the exercise of tenant purchase options, as well as increases in interest expense, general and administrative expense, bad debt expense and common shares outstanding, primarily due to shares issued in connection with the transactions with CNL Lifestyle and OZRE.

29


FFOAA is a non-GAAP financial measure. For the definitions and further details on the calculations of FFOAA and certain other non-GAAP financial measures, see section below titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities. The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the valuation of real estate, accounting for real estate acquisitions, estimating reserves for uncollectible receivables and the impairment of mortgage and other notes receivable, all of which are described as our critical accounting policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Application of these assumptions requires the exercise of judgment as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no changes to critical accounting policies.

Recent Developments and Capital Recycling

Debt Financing

On January 2, 2018, we prepaid in full a mortgage note payable totaling $11.7 million with an annual interest rate of 6.19%, which was secured by a theatre property.

Additionally, on February 28, 2018, we redeemed all of our outstanding 7.75% Senior Notes due July 15, 2020. The notes were redeemed at a price equal to the principal amount of $250.0 million plus a premium calculated pursuant to the terms of the indenture of $28.6 million, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including the redemption date of $2.3 million. In connection with the redemption, we recorded a non-cash write off of $3.3 million in deferred financing costs. The premium and non-cash write off were recognized as costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Subsequent to March 31, 2018, we issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due April 15, 2028 pursuant to an underwritten public offering. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.95%. Interest is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year beginning on October 15, 2018 until the stated maturity date of April 15, 2028. The notes were issued at 98.883% of their face value and are unsecured. We used the net proceeds from the note offering of $391.8 million to pay down our unsecured revolving credit facility.

Investment Spending

Our investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $108.6 million, and included investments in each of our primary operating segments.

Entertainment investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $25.5 million, including spending on build-to-suit development and redevelopment of megaplex theatres, entertainment retail centers and family entertainment centers, as well as a $7.5 million megaplex theatre acquisition.

Recreation investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $62.0 million, including spending on build-to-suit development of golf entertainment complexes and attractions, redevelopment of ski areas, a $7.8 million acquisition of a recreation facility, and an investment of $10.3 million in a mortgage note secured by one other recreation facility.


30

Education investment spending during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $21.1 million, including spending on build-to-suit development and redevelopment of public charter schools, early education centers and private schools, as well as $8.4 million on two early education center acquisitions.

The following table details our investment spending by category during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Operating Segment
 
Total Investment Spending
 
New Development
 
Re-development
 
Asset Acquisition
 
 Mortgage Notes or Notes Receivable
Entertainment
 
$
25,505

 
$
10,147

 
$
7,863

 
$
7,495

 
$
—

Recreation
 
61,977

 
43,061

 
20

 
7,812

 
11,084

Education
 
21,129

 
9,397

 
—

 
8,416

 
3,316

Other
 
29

 
29

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total Investment Spending
 
$
108,640

 
$
62,634

 
$
7,883

 
$
23,723

 
$
14,400

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Operating Segment
 
Total Investment Spending
 
New Development
 
Re-development
 
Asset Acquisition
 
Mortgage Notes or Notes Receivable
Entertainment
 
$
30,131

 
$
10,625

 
$
18,529

 
$
—

 
$
977

Recreation
 
90,500

 
38,357

 
464

 
34,156

 
17,523

Education
 
105,855

 
49,429

 
—

 
7,315

 
49,111

Other
 
735

 
735

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total Investment Spending
 
$
227,221

 
$
99,146

 
$
18,993

 
$
41,471

 
$
67,611

 
The above amounts include $14 thousand and $51 thousand in capitalized payroll, $2.2 million and $2.8 million in capitalized interest and $0.3 million and $1.6 million in capitalized other general and administrative direct project costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Excluded from the table above is approximately $9.8 million and $1.3 million of maintenance capital expenditures and other spending for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Mortgage Notes Receivable

On March 11, 2018, we received payment in full on one mortgage note receivable of $1.5 million that was secured by land located in California. Additionally, on March 26, 2018, we received payment in full on one mortgage note receivable of $9.0 million that was secured by real estate in Washington. There were no prepayment fees received in connection with these note payoffs.

On February 16, 2018, a borrower exercised its put option to convert its mortgage note agreement, totaling $142.9 million and secured by 28 education facilities including both early education and private school properties, to a lease agreement. As a result, we recorded the rental property at the carrying value, which approximated fair value, of the mortgage note on the conversion date and allocated this cost on a relative fair value basis. The properties are leased pursuant to a triple-net master lease with a 23-year remaining term.

On May 7, 2018, Boyne USA, Inc. ("Boyne") purchased seven resort and attraction assets from OZRE. These properties partially secure our mortgage note receivable due from OZRE with a carrying value of $249.2 million at March 31, 2018. Following the acquisition by Boyne, OZRE made a partial prepayment of approximately $175.4 million on this mortgage note receivable, leaving a carrying value of approximately $73.8 million that is secured by the remaining six ski properties. In connection with the partial prepayment of this note, we will recognize a prepayment fee totaling approximately $45.0 million during the second quarter of 2018.

31

Early Childhood Education Tenant Update
As previously disclosed, certain subsidiaries of Children’s Learning Adventure USA, LLC ("CLA Parent" and collectively with its subsidiaries, "CLA") that are tenants of our leases (the "CLA Debtors") filed petitions in bankruptcy under Chapter 11 seeking the protections of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On March 14, 2018, we, CLA Parent, CLA Debtors and certain other CLA subsidiaries' operating properties owned by us (collectively, the "CLA Parties") entered into and filed a Stipulation to Resolve Pending Motions (the "Stipulation") providing that (a) the CLA Parties will pay monthly rent of $750,000 for the months of March, April and May, and monthly rent of $1.0 million for the months of June and July, (b) resolution of restructuring of the leases between us and the CLA Parties will be concluded no later than July 31, 2018 (the "Forbearance Period"), (c) relief from stay is granted with respect to our properties as needed to implement the Stipulation, (d) the parties will not commence or prosecute litigation against any other party during the Forbearance Period, and (e) the deadline for any motion by the CLA Debtors to assume or reject the leases under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code was extended to July 31, 2018. The CLA Parties have made the March, April and May payments since entering into the Stipulation. On May 7, 2018, the Court entered an order approving the Stipulation.
While we continue to support negotiation of a restructuring that would permit CLA to continue operations, we are unwilling to negotiate indefinitely. We believe the Forbearance Period in the Stipulation provides CLA ample opportunity to negotiate a restructuring which, if successful, would obviate the need to evict CLA from our properties. There can be no assurances as to the ultimate outcome of such a restructuring or our pursuit of our legal remedies with respect to the CLA properties.
We fully reserved approximately $6.7 million and $6.0 million in receivables from CLA at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. If we receive payments from CLA in the future, we will recognize such payments on a cash basis until a successful restructuring is completed. We had approximately $253.6 million related to CLA classified in rental properties, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2018. Additionally, we had approximately $11.2 million classified in land held for development and $14.7 million classified in property under development related to CLA in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2018. We reviewed these balances for impairment at March 31, 2018 and determined that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceeded the carrying value of these properties.
Results of Operations

Three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to three months ended March 31, 2017

Rental revenue was $128.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $107.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase resulted primarily from $24.5 million of rental revenue related to property acquisitions and developments completed in 2018 and 2017 (including our transaction with CNL Lifestyle which closed on April 6, 2017), and conversion and reclassification of certain mortgage notes, partially offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in rental revenue due primarily to property dispositions, as well as a reduction in rental revenue of $2.0 million relating to CLA. Percentage rents of $1.3 million and $0.8 million were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Straight-line rents of $1.9 million and $5.1 million were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we renewed two lease agreements on approximately 238,857 square feet and funded or agreed to fund an average of $20.29 per square foot in tenant improvements. We experienced an increase of approximately 8.03% in rental rates and paid no leasing commissions with respect to these renewals.

Mortgage and other financing income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $21.4 million compared to $17.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $3.8 million increase was primarily due to additional real estate lending activities during 2018 and 2017, including our investment in a mortgage note receivable with OZRE which closed on April 6, 2017. This increase was partially offset by the conversion of a mortgage note secured by 28 early education properties to leased properties during the three months ended March 31, 2018, as well as six public charter school properties reclassified from direct financing lease to operating leases in 2017 and other other note payoffs during 2018 and 2017.

32

Our property operating expenses totaled $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. These property operating expenses arise from the operations of our retail centers and other specialty properties. The $1.2 million increase resulted from higher property operating expenses at our multi-tenant properties, as well as an increase in bad debt expense.
Our general and administrative expense totaled $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase of $1.2 million related to an increase in payroll and benefits costs, including share based compensation, as well as an increase in professional fees and franchise taxes.
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $31.9 million and primarily related to the redemption of the 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020. Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $5 thousand and related to the prepayment of two secured fixed rate mortgage notes payable.
Our net interest expense increased by $3.6 million to $34.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $30.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase resulted from an increase in average borrowings partially offset by a decrease in the weighted average interest rate used to finance our real estate acquisitions and fund our mortgage notes receivable.

Transaction costs totaled $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase of $0.5 million was due to an increase in potential and terminated transactions.

Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $37.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $28.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $9.6 million increase resulted primarily from acquisitions and developments completed in 2018 and 2017, including our transaction with CNL Lifestyle which closed on April 6, 2017. This increase was partially offset by property dispositions that occurred during 2017.

There was no gain on sale of real estate for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Gain on sale of real estate was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and related to the exercise of two tenant purchase options on public charter school properties.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $24.5 million at March 31, 2018. Of cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2018, $8.8 million related to funds held for a Section 1031 exchange under the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, we had restricted cash of $15.6 million at March 31, 2018. Of the restricted cash at March 31, 2018, $11.1 million related to cash held for our borrowers’ debt service reserves for mortgage notes receivable or tenants' off-season rent reserves and $4.5 million related to escrow deposits held for potential acquisitions and redevelopments.

Mortgage Debt, Senior Notes, Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Unsecured Term Loan Facility

At March 31, 2018, we had total debt outstanding of $3.1 billion of which 99% was unsecured.

At March 31, 2018, we had outstanding $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes (excluding the private placement notes discussed below) ranging in interest rates from 4.50% to 5.75%. The notes contain various covenants, including: (i) a limitation on incurrence of any debt which would cause the ratio of our debt to adjusted total assets to exceed 60%; (ii) a limitation on incurrence of any secured debt which would cause the ratio of secured debt to adjusted total assets to exceed 40%; (iii) a limitation on incurrence of any debt which would cause our debt service coverage ratio to be less than 1.5 times; and (iv) the maintenance at all times of our total unencumbered assets such that they are not less than 150% of our outstanding unsecured debt.

At March 31, 2018, we had $570.0 million outstanding under our $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points, which was 2.81% at March 31, 2018.

33


At March 31, 2018, the unsecured term loan facility had a balance of $400.0 million with interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus 110 basis points, which was 2.71% at March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, $300.0 million of this LIBOR-based debt was fixed with interest rate swaps at 2.64% from July 6, 2017 to April 5, 2019. In addition, as of March 31, 2018, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate at 3.15% on an additional $50.0 million of this LIBOR-based debt from November 6, 2017 to April 5, 2019 and on $350.0 million of this LIBOR-based debt from April 6, 2019 to February 7, 2022.

At March 31, 2018, we had outstanding $340.0 million of senior unsecured notes that were issued in a private placement transaction. The private placement notes were issued in two tranches with $148.0 million bearing interest at 4.35% and due August 22, 2024, and $192.0 million bearing interest at 4.56% and due August 22, 2026. 
Our unsecured credit facilities and the private placement notes contain financial covenants or restrictions that limit our levels of consolidated debt, secured debt, investment levels outside certain categories and dividend distributions; and require us to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth and meet certain coverage levels for fixed charges and debt service. Additionally, these debt instruments contain cross-default provisions if we default under other indebtedness exceeding certain amounts. Those cross-default thresholds vary from $25.0 million to, in the case of the note purchase agreement governing the private placement notes, $75.0 million.  We were in compliance with all financial covenants under our debt instruments at March 31, 2018.
Our principal investing activities are acquiring, developing and financing entertainment, recreation and education properties. These investing activities have generally been financed with mortgage debt and senior unsecured notes, as well as the proceeds from equity offerings. Our unsecured revolving credit facility is also used to finance the acquisition or development of properties, and to provide mortgage financing. We have and expect to continue to issue debt securities in public or private offerings. We have and may in the future assume mortgage debt in connection with property acquisitions or incur new mortgage debt on existing properties. We may also issue equity securities in connection with acquisitions. Continued growth of our rental property and mortgage financing portfolios will depend in part on our continued ability to access funds through additional borrowings and securities offerings and, to a lesser extent, our ability to assume debt in connection with property acquisitions. We may also fund investments with the proceeds from asset dispositions.

Certain of our other long-term debt agreements contain customary restrictive covenants related to financial and operating performance as well as certain cross-default provisions. We were in compliance with all financial covenants at March 31, 2018.

On April 16, 2018, we issued $400.0 million in senior unsecured notes due April 15, 2028, pursuant to an underwritten public offering. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.95%. We used the net proceeds from the note offering of $391.8 million to pay down our unsecured revolving credit facility.

Liquidity Requirements

Short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of normal recurring corporate operating expenses, debt service requirements and distributions to shareholders. We meet these requirements primarily through cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $109.0 million and $93.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net cash used by investing activities was $106.9 million and $200.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net cash used by financing activities was $20.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and net cash provided by financing activities was $121.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. We anticipate that our cash on hand, cash from operations, funds available under our unsecured revolving credit facility and proceeds from asset dispositions will provide adequate liquidity to meet our financial commitments including to fund our operations, make interest and principal payments on our debt, and allow distributions to our shareholders and avoid corporate level federal income or excise tax in accordance with REIT Internal Revenue Code requirements.


34

Commitments

As of March 31, 2018, we had an aggregate of approximately $143.5 million of commitments to fund development projects including 16 entertainment development projects for which we had commitments to fund approximately $45.0 million, three recreation development projects for which we had commitments to fund approximately $49.6 million and nine education development projects for which we had commitments to fund approximately $48.9 million, of which approximately $120.9 million is expected to be funded in 2018 and the remainder is expected to be funded in 2019. Development costs are advanced by us in periodic draws. If we determine that construction is not being completed in accordance with the terms of the development agreement, we can discontinue funding construction draws. We have agreed to lease the properties to the operators at pre-determined rates upon completion of construction.

Additionally, as of March 31, 2018, we had a commitment to fund approximately $201.0 million over the next three years, of which $60.4 million had been funded, to complete an indoor waterpark hotel and adventure park at our casino and resort project in Sullivan County, New York. We are also responsible for the construction of the casino and resort project common infrastructure. In June 2016, the Sullivan County Infrastructure Local Development Corporation issued $110.0 million of Series 2016 Revenue Bonds which is expected to fund a substantial portion of such construction costs. We received reimbursements of $43.4 million and $23.9 million of construction costs during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we received an additional reimbursement of $6.9 million. Construction of infrastructure improvements is currently expected to be completed in the remainder of 2018.

We have certain commitments related to our mortgage note investments that we may be required to fund in the future. We are generally obligated to fund these commitments at the request of the borrower or upon the occurrence of events outside of its direct control. As of March 31, 2018, we had six mortgage notes receivable with commitments totaling approximately $19.4 million. If commitments are funded in the future, interest will be charged at rates consistent with the existing investments.

We have provided guarantees of the payment of certain economic development revenue bonds totaling $24.7 million related to two theatres in Louisiana for which we earn a fee at an annual rate of 4.00% over the 30-year terms of the related bonds. We have recorded $13.3 million as a deferred asset included in other assets and $13.3 million included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 related to these guarantees. No amounts have been accrued as a loss contingency related to these guarantees because payment by us is not probable.

In connection with construction of our development projects and related infrastructure, certain public agencies require posting of surety bonds to guarantee that our obligations are satisfied. These bonds expire upon the completion of the improvements or infrastructure. As of March 31, 2018, we had six surety bonds outstanding totaling $22.8 million.

Liquidity Analysis

In analyzing our liquidity, we expect that our cash provided by operating activities will meet our normal recurring operating expenses, recurring debt service requirements and distributions to shareholders.

We have no debt payments due until 2022. Our sources of liquidity as of March 31, 2018 to pay the 2018 commitments described above include the amount available under our unsecured revolving credit facility of approximately $430.0 million at March 31, 2018, as well as unrestricted cash on hand of $24.5 million, which includes $8.8 million related to funds held for a Section 1031 exchange under the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, we completed a $400.0 million note offering in April of 2018 as described above, the proceeds of which were used to pay down our unsecured revolving credit facility. Accordingly, while there can be no assurance, we expect that our sources of cash will exceed our existing commitments over the remainder of 2018.

We also believe that we will be able to repay, extend, refinance or otherwise settle our debt maturities as the debt comes due, and that we will be able to fund our remaining commitments as necessary. However, there can be no assurance that additional financing or capital will be available, or that terms will be acceptable or advantageous to us.
    

35

Our primary use of cash after paying operating expenses, debt service, distributions to shareholders and funding existing commitments is in growing our investment portfolio through the acquisition, development and financing of additional properties. We expect to finance these investments with borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility, as well as debt and equity financing alternatives or proceeds from asset dispositions. The availability and terms of any such financing or sales will depend upon market and other conditions. If we borrow the maximum amount available under our unsecured revolving credit facility, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional investment financing. We may also assume mortgage debt in connection with property acquisitions.

Capital Structure

We believe that our shareholders are best served by a conservative capital structure. Therefore, we seek to maintain a conservative debt level on our balance sheet as measured primarily by our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for definitions). We also seek to maintain conservative interest, fixed charge, debt service coverage and net debt to gross asset ratios.
We expect to maintain our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio between 4.6x to 5.6x. Our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 5.80x as of March 31, 2018 (see "Non-GAAP financial measures" for calculation). Because adjusted EBITDA as defined does not include the annualization of adjustments for projects put in service or acquired during the quarter and other items, and net debt includes the debt provided for build-to-suit projects under development that do not have any current EBITDA, we also look at a ratio adjusted for these items. The level of this additional ratio, along with the timing and size of our equity and debt offerings as well as dispositions, may cause us to temporarily operate outside our stated range for the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 4.6x to 5.6x. At March 31, 2018, our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was outside of our targeted range, however, we have reduced our net debt subsequent to March 31, 2018 in conjunction with OZRE partial prepayment discussed in Recent Developments and Capital Recycling above and anticipate additional dispositions over the remainder of 2018. These dispositions are expected to have the impact of reducing this ratio.

Our net debt (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for definition) to gross assets ratio (i.e. net debt to total assets plus accumulated depreciation less cash and cash equivalents) was 45% as of March 31, 2018. Our net debt as a percentage of our total market capitalization at March 31, 2018 was 41%. We calculate our total market capitalization of $7.6 billion by aggregating the following at March 31, 2018:

•
Common shares outstanding of 74,318,941 multiplied by the last reported sales price of our common shares on the NYSE of $55.40 per share, or $4.1 billion;
•
Aggregate liquidation value of our Series C convertible preferred shares of $135.0 million;
•
Aggregate liquidation value of our Series E convertible preferred shares of $86.2 million;
•
Aggregate liquidation value of our Series G redeemable preferred shares of $150.0 million; and
•
Net debt of $3.1 billion.


36

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds From Operations (FFO), Funds From Operations As Adjusted (FFOAA) and Adjusted Funds from Operations (AFFO)

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) developed FFO as a relative non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT in order to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined under GAAP. Pursuant to the definition of FFO by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, we calculate FFO as net income available to common shareholders, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains and losses from sales of depreciable operating properties and impairment losses of depreciable real estate, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships, joint ventures and other affiliates. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships, joint ventures and other affiliates are calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis. We have calculated FFO for all periods presented in accordance with this definition.

In addition to FFO, we present FFOAA and AFFO. FFOAA is presented by adding to FFO costs (gain) associated with loan refinancing or payoff, net, transaction costs, retirement severance expense, preferred share redemption costs, termination fees associated with tenants' exercises of public charter school buy-out options, impairment of direct financing leases (allowance for lease loss portion) and provision for loan losses and subtracting gain on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of land, gain on insurance recovery and deferred income tax benefit (expense). AFFO is presented by adding to FFOAA non-real estate depreciation and amortization, deferred financing fees amortization, share-based compensation expense to management and Trustees and amortization of above market leases, net; and subtracting maintenance capital expenditures (including second generation tenant improvements and leasing commissions), straight-lined rental revenue, and the non-cash portion of mortgage and other financing income.

FFO, FFOAA and AFFO are widely used measures of the operating performance of real estate companies and are provided here as a supplemental measure to GAAP net income available to common shareholders and earnings per share, and management provides FFO, FFOAA and AFFO herein because it believes this information is useful to investors in this regard. FFO, FFOAA and AFFO are non-GAAP financial measures. FFO, FFOAA and AFFO do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP and are not indicative that cash flows are adequate to fund all cash needs and are not to be considered alternatives to net income or any other GAAP measure as a measurement of the results of our operations or our cash flows or liquidity as defined by GAAP. It should also be noted that not all REITs calculate FFO, FFOAA and AFFO the same way so comparisons with other REITs may not be meaningful.

The following table summarizes our FFO, FFOAA and AFFO including per share amounts for FFO and FFOAA, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and reconciles such measures to net income available to common shareholders, the most directly comparable GAAP measure (unaudited, in thousands, except per share information):

37


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
FFO:
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
23,502

 
$
47,964

Gain on sale of real estate
—

 
(2,004
)
Real estate depreciation and amortization
37,464

 
27,880

Allocated share of joint venture depreciation
58

 
54

FFO available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
61,024

 
$
73,894

 
 
 
 
FFO available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
61,024

 
$
73,894

Add: Preferred dividends for Series C preferred shares
—

 
1,941

Diluted FFO available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
61,024

 
$
75,835

FFOAA:
 
 
 
FFO available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
61,024

 
$
73,894

Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff
31,943

 
5

Transaction costs
609

 
57

Termination fee included in gain on sale
—

 
1,920

Deferred income tax expense
428

 
634

FFOAA available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
94,004

 
$
76,510

FFOAA available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
94,004

 
$
76,510

Add: Preferred dividends for Series C preferred shares
1,940

 
1,941

Add: Preferred dividends for Series E preferred shares
1,939

 
—

Diluted FFOAA available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
97,883

 
$
78,451

AFFO:
 
 
 
FFOAA available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
94,004

 
$
76,510

Non-real estate depreciation and amortization
220

 
197

Deferred financing fees amortization
1,398

 
1,456

Share-based compensation expense to management and Trustees
3,791

 
3,458

Amortization of above and below market leases, net and tenant improvements
(417
)
 
45

Maintenance capital expenditures (1)
(698
)
 
(1,601
)
Straight-lined rental revenue
(1,874
)
 
(5,051
)
Non-cash portion of mortgage and other financing income
(656
)
 
(555
)
AFFO available to common shareholders of EPR Properties
$
95,768

 
$
74,459

 
 
 
 

38

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
FFO per common share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.82

 
$
1.15

Diluted
0.82

 
1.15

FFOAA per common share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.27

 
$
1.19

Diluted
1.26

 
1.19

Shares used for computation (in thousands):
 
 
 
Basic
74,146

 
64,033

Diluted
74,180

 
64,102

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted EPS
74,180

 
64,102

Effect of dilutive Series C preferred shares
2,098

 
2,053

Effect of dilutive Series E preferred shares
1,598

 
—

Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
77,876

 
66,155

 
 
 
 
Other financial information:
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
1.08

 
$
1.02

 
 
 
 
(1)
Includes maintenance capital expenditures and certain second generation tenant improvements and leasing commissions.

The conversion of the 5.75% Series C cumulative convertible preferred shares and the 9.00% Series E cumulative preferred shares would be dilutive to FFOAA per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Therefore, the additional 2.1 million and 1.6 million common shares that would result from the conversion and the corresponding add-back of the preferred dividends declared on those shares are included in the calculation of diluted FFOAA per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The effect of the conversion of the 5.75% Series C convertible preferred shares and the 9.00% Series E cumulative convertible preferred shares do not result in more dilution to per share results and are therefore not included in the calculation of diluted FFO per share data for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The conversion of the 5.75% Series C cumulative convertible preferred shares would be dilutive to FFO and FFOAA per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Therefore, the additional 2.1 million common shares that would result from the conversion and the corresponding add-back of the preferred dividends declared on those shares are included in the calculation of diluted FFO and FFOAA per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The effect of the conversion of our 9.0% Series E cumulative convertible preferred shares and the additional 1.6 million common shares that would result from the conversion do not result in more dilution to per share results and are therefore not included in the calculation of diluted FFO and FFOAA per share data for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Net Debt

Net Debt represents debt (reported in accordance with GAAP) adjusted to exclude deferred financing costs, net and reduced for cash and cash equivalents. By excluding deferred financing costs, net and reducing debt for cash and cash equivalents on hand, the result provides an estimate of the contractual amount of borrowed capital to be repaid, net of cash available to repay it. We believe this calculation constitutes a beneficial supplemental non-GAAP financial disclosure to investors in understanding our financial condition. Our method of calculating Net Debt may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

EBITDAre

NAREIT developed EBITDAre as a relative non-GAAP financial measure of REITs, independent of a company's capital structure, to provide a uniform basis to measure the enterprise value of a company. Pursuant to the definition of EBITDAre by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, we calculate EBITDAre as net income, computed in accordance

39

with GAAP, excluding interest expense (net), income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, gains and losses from sales of depreciable operating properties, impairment losses of depreciable real estate, costs (gain) associated with loan refinancing or payoff and adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships, joint ventures and other affiliates.

Management provides EBITDAre herein because it believes this information is useful to investors as a supplemental performance measure as it can help facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and with other REITs. EBITDAre does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by GAAP and is not indicative that cash flows are adequate to fund all cash needs and is not to be considered an alternative to net income or any other GAAP measure as a measurement of the results of our operations or cash flows or liquidity as defined by GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA in its analysis of the performance of the business and operations of the Company. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it excludes various items that management believes are not indicative of operating performance, and that it is an informative measure to use in computing various financial ratios to evaluate the Company. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDAre (defined above) excluding gain on insurance recovery, retirement severance expense, the provision for loan losses and transaction costs (benefit), and which is then multiplied by four to get an annual amount.

Our method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance under GAAP, does not represent cash generated from operations as defined by GAAP and is not indicative of cash available to fund all cash needs, including distributions. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income for the purpose of evaluating the Company's performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio is a supplemental measure derived from non-GAAP financial measures that we use to evaluate our capital structure and the magnitude of our debt against our operating performance. We believe that investors commonly use versions of this ratio in a similar manner. In addition, financial institutions use versions of this ratio in connection with debt agreements to set pricing and covenant limitations. Our method of calculating Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

Reconciliations of debt and net income available to common shareholders (both reported in accordance with GAAP) to Net Debt, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio (each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure) are included in the following tables (unaudited, in thousands):


40

 
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net Debt:
 
 
 
Debt
$
3,131,437

 
$
2,616,382

Deferred financing costs, net
28,558

 
28,231

Cash and cash equivalents
(24,514
)
 
(14,446
)
Net Debt
$
3,135,481

 
$
2,630,167

 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
Net income
$
29,538

 
$
53,916

Interest expense, net
34,337

 
30,692

Income tax expense
1,020

 
954

Depreciation and amortization
37,684

 
28,077

Gain on sale of real estate
—

 
(2,004
)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff
31,943

 
5

Equity in (income) loss from joint ventures
(51
)
 
8

EBITDAre (for the quarter)
$
134,471

 
$
111,648

 
 
 
 
Transaction costs
609

 
57

Adjusted EBITDA (for the quarter)
$
135,080

 
$
111,705

 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$
540,320

 
$
446,820

 
 
 
 
Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA Ratio
5.80

 
5.89

 
 
 
 
(1) Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter is multiplied by four to calculate an annual amount.

Total Investments

Total investments is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as the sum of the carrying values of rental properties (before accumulated depreciation), land held for development, property under development, mortgage notes receivable (including related accrued interest receivable), investment in a direct financing leases, net, investment in joint ventures, intangible assets, gross (before accumulated amortization and included in other assets) and notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable, net (included in other assets). Total investments is a useful measure for management and investors as it illustrates across which asset categories the Company's funds have been invested. Our method of calculating total investments may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs. A reconciliation of total investments to total assets (computed in accordance with GAAP) is included in the following table (unaudited, in thousands):


41

        
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Total Investments:
 
 
 
Rental properties, net of accumulated depreciation
$
4,815,137

 
$
4,604,231

Add back accumulated depreciation on rental properties
776,404

 
741,334

Land held for development
33,693

 
33,692

Property under development
249,931

 
257,629

Mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable
819,837

 
970,749

Investment in direct financing leases, net
58,101

 
57,903

Investment in joint ventures
5,538

 
5,602

Intangible assets, gross(1)
35,363

 
35,209

Notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable, net(1)
12,853

 
5,083

Total investments
$
6,806,857

 
$
6,711,432

 
 
 
 
Total investments
$
6,806,857

 
$
6,711,432

Cash and cash equivalents
24,514

 
41,917

Restricted cash
15,640

 
17,069

Account receivable, net
88,750

 
93,693

Less: accumulated depreciation on rental properties
(776,404
)
 
(741,334
)
Less: accumulated amortization on intangible assets
(6,708
)
 
(6,340
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
86,217

 
75,056

Total assets
$
6,238,866

 
$
6,191,493

 
 
 
 
(1) Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Other assets includes the following:
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Intangible assets, gross
$
35,363

 
$
35,209

Less: accumulated amortization on intangible assets
(6,708
)
 
(6,340
)
Notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable, net
12,853

 
5,083

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
86,217

 
75,056

Total other assets
$
127,725

 
$
109,008

            




42

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information on the impact of recently issued accounting standards on our business.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks, primarily relating to potential losses due to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We seek to mitigate the effects of fluctuations in interest rates by matching the term of new investments with new long-term fixed rate borrowings whenever possible. As of March 31, 2018, we had a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a $570.0 million outstanding balance and $25.0 million in bonds, all of which bear interest at a floating rate. We also had a $400.0 million unsecured term loan facility that bears interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR. As of March 31, 2018, we had two interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate at 2.64% on $300.0 million of this LIBOR-based debt from July 6, 2017 to April 5, 2019. Additionally, as of March 31, 2018, we had three interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate at 3.15% on $50.0 million of this LIBOR-based debt from November 6, 2017 to April 5, 2019 and on $350.0 million of this LIBOR-based debt from April 6, 2019 to February 7, 2022.
We are subject to risks associated with debt financing, including the risk that existing indebtedness may not be refinanced or that the terms of such refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of current indebtedness. The majority of our borrowings are subject to contractual agreements or mortgages which limit the amount of indebtedness we may incur. Accordingly, if we are unable to raise additional equity or borrow money due to these limitations, our ability to make additional real estate investments may be limited.
We are exposed to foreign currency risk against our functional currency, the U.S. dollar, on our four Canadian properties and the rents received from tenants of the properties are payable in CAD. To mitigate our foreign currency risk in future periods on these Canadian properties, we entered into cross currency swaps with a fixed original notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $98.1 million U.S. The net effect of these swaps is to lock in an exchange rate of $1.05 CAD per U.S. dollar on approximately $13.5 million of annual CAD denominated cash flows on the properties through June 2018. There is no initial or final exchange of the notional amounts on these swaps. These foreign currency derivatives should hedge a significant portion of our expected CAD denominated FFO of these four Canadian properties through June 2018 as their impact on our reported FFO when settled should move in the opposite direction of the exchange rates used to translate revenues and expenses of these properties. Additionally, on August 30, 2017, we entered into a cross-currency swap that will be effective July 1, 2018 with a fixed original notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $79.5 million U.S. The net effect of these swaps is to lock in an exchange rate of 1.26 CAD per U.S. dollar on approximately $13.5 million of annual CAD denominated cash flows on the properties through June 2020.
In order to also hedge our net investment on the four Canadian properties, we entered into a forward contract with a fixed notional amount of $100.0 million CAD and $94.3 million U.S. with a July 2018 settlement date. The exchange rate of this forward contract is approximately $1.06 CAD per U.S. dollar. Additionally, the Company entered into another forward contract with a fixed notional value of $100.0 million CAD and $88.1 million U.S. with a July 2018 settlement date. The exchange rate of this forward contract is approximately $1.13 CAD per U.S. dollar. These forward contracts should hedge a significant portion of our CAD denominated net investment in these four centers through July 2018 as the impact on accumulated other comprehensive income from marking the derivative to market should move in the opposite direction of the translation adjustment on the net assets of our four Canadian properties.

See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information on our derivative financial instruments and hedging activities.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2018, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required

43

to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our disclosure controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the controls and procedures would meet their objectives. Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the designed control objectives and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusions of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective, maturing control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customer and ASC 610-20 Other Income: Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. Except for the enhancements to the Company's internal control over financial reporting in relation to our adoption of these standards, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter of the fiscal year to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Resort Project in Sullivan County, New York
Prior proposed casino and resort developers Concord Associates, L.P., Concord Resort, LLC and Concord Kiamesha LLC, which are affiliates of Louis Cappelli and from whom the Company acquired the Resorts World Catskills resort property (the "Cappelli Group"), commenced litigation against the Company beginning in 2011 regarding matters relating to the acquisition of that property and our relationship with Empire Resorts, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. This litigation involves three separate cases filed in state and federal court. Two of the cases, a state and the federal case, are closed and resulted in no liability to the Company.

The remaining case was filed on October 20, 2011 by the Cappelli Group against the Company and two of its affiliates in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester (the "Westchester Action"), asserting a claim for breach of contract and the implied covenant of good faith, and seeking damages of at least $800 million, based on allegations that the Company had breached an agreement (the "Casino Development Agreement"), dated June 18, 2010. The Company moved to dismiss the complaint in the Westchester Action based on a decision issued by the Sullivan County Supreme Court (one of the two closed cases referenced above) on June 30, 2014, as affirmed by the Appellate Division, Third Department (the "Sullivan Action"). On January 26, 2016, the Westchester County Supreme Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss but ordered the Cappelli Group to amend its pleading and remove all claims and allegations previously determined by the Sullivan Action. On February 18, 2016, the Cappelli Group filed an amended complaint asserting a single cause of action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing based upon allegations the Company had interfered with plaintiffs’ ability to obtain financing which complied with the Casino Development Agreement. On March 23, 2016, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the Cappelli Group’s revised amended complaint. On January 5, 2017, the Westchester County Supreme Court denied the Company’s second motion to dismiss. Discovery is ongoing.

The Company has not determined that losses related to the remaining Westchester Action are probable. In light of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation generally, the Company does not have sufficient information to determine the amount or range of reasonably possible loss with respect to these matters. The Company’s assessments

44

are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management, but that may prove to be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that might cause the Company to change those estimates and assumptions. The Company intends to vigorously defend the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries by the Cappelli Group and its affiliates, for which the Company believes it has meritorious defenses, but there can be no assurances as to the outcome of the claims and related litigation.

Early Childhood Education Tenant
During 2017, CLA's cash flow was negatively impacted by challenges brought on by its rapid expansion and related ramp up to stabilization and by adverse weather conditions in Texas during the third quarter of 2017. As a result, CLA initiated negotiations with the Company and other landlords regarding a potential restructuring. Although negotiations are on-going and progress has been made toward a restructuring. However, CLA did not secure the investments necessary to accomplish the restructuring. As a result, the Company sent CLA notices of lease termination on October 12, 2017 for the following CLA properties: (i) Broomfield, Colorado, (ii) Ashburn, Virginia, (iii) West Chester, Ohio, (iv) Chanhassen, Minnesota, (v) Ellisville, Missouri, (vi) Farm Road-Las Vegas, Nevada, (vii) Fishers, Indiana, (viii) Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania, and (ix) Westerville, Ohio.

On December 18, 2017, ten subsidiaries of CLA Parent filed separate voluntary petitions for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona (Jointly Administered under Case No. 2:17-bk-14851-BMW). The CLA Debtors in those cases consist of CLA Properties SPE, LLC, CLA Maple Grove, LLC, CLA Carmel, LLC, CLA West Chester, LLC, CLA One Loudoun, LLC, LLC, CLA Fishers, LLC, CLA Chanhassen, LLC, CLA Ellisville, LLC, CLA Farm, LLC, and CLA Westerville, LLC. CLA Parent has not filed a petition for bankruptcy. The CLA Debtors include each of the Company's direct or indirect tenants on 24 out of the Company's 25 CLA properties, including 21 operating properties, two partially completed properties and one unimproved land parcel. The only CLA tenant unaffected by the bankruptcy is CLA King of Prussia, LLC, which is the CLA tenant entity for an unimproved land parcel located in Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania. It is the Company's understanding that the CLA Debtors filed bankruptcy petitions to stay the termination of the remaining CLA leases and delay the eviction process.

CLA continues to seek negotiation of a restructuring with third parties. The Company will continue to consider whether all or a portion of the Company's properties should be leased to other operators based on results of the restructuring process. Absent an acceptable restructuring, the Company's intention is to vigorously pursue the process of regaining possession of the properties with the goal of securing leases with one or more new tenants. On January 8, 2018, the Company filed with the Court (i) motions seeking rent for the post-petition period beginning on December 18, 2017, and (ii) motions seeking relief from the automatic stay seeking the right to terminate the remaining leases and evict the CLA Debtors from the properties.

On March 14, 2018, the CLA Parties and the Company entered into a Stipulation providing that (a) the CLA Parties will pay monthly rent for the months of March, April, May, June and July in the amounts of $750 thousand, $750 thousand, $750 thousand, $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, (b) resolution of restructuring of the leases between the Company and the CLA Parties will be concluded no later than July 31, 2018 (the Forbearance Period), (c) relief from stay is granted with respect to the Company’s properties as needed to implement the Stipulation, (d) the parties will not commence or prosecute litigation against any other party during the Forbearance Period, and (e) the deadline for any motion by the CLA Debtors to assume or reject the leases under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code was extended to July 31, 2018. CLA has made each of the required rent payments since entering into the Stipulation. On May 7, 2018, the Court entered an order approving the Stipulation.

45

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Other than the risk factor below, there were no material changes during the quarter from the risk factors previously discussed in Item 1A - "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.

Recent criminal indictments against one of the Company's waterpark mortgagors and certain related parties may negatively impact the likelihood of repayment of the related mortgage loans secured by the waterpark and other collateral and have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results, cash flows, financial condition and liquidity.

The Company has provided mortgage loans to SVV I, LLC ("SVV") and certain SVV affiliates, which were originally utilized by SVV to construct the Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark and develop excess property adjacent to the waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas (the "Project"). The aggregate outstanding principal balance and related accrued interest receivable for the mortgage loans was $176.2 million at March 31, 2018, and SVV accounted for approximately 3% of total revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The loans are secured by the Project and certain additional waterpark properties operated by affiliates of SVV located in New Braunfels, Texas and South Padre Island, Texas. On March 21, 2018, SVV, one of the owners of SVV and certain related parties were criminally indicted on multiple counts in connection with the investigation of a 2016 fatality that occurred at the waterpark. The counts alleged in the indictments carry penalties of imprisonment and fines, including aggregate fines for SVV of up to $3.5 million. The Company has no opinion as to the merits of these indictments.
An anticipated source of repayment on the mortgage loans is the issuance of sales tax revenue bonds ("STAR Bonds") which have been committed for the Project. The STAR Bonds are issuable in tranches as the development Project is completed and require additional approval from the State of Kansas and the local government prior to each issuance. There can be no assurance that the recent criminal indictments will not delay or cause the State of Kansas or the local government to refuse to provide the necessary approval for future issuances. If additional STAR Bonds cannot be issued, the likelihood that SVV will be able to fully repay the mortgage loans will be negatively impacted. In addition, negative publicity may have a negative impact on attendance at the Schlitterbahn waterparks, which may reduce the funds available to SVV to repay the mortgage loans. In the event that SVV defaults on the mortgage loans, the Company may need to restructure the mortgage loans, foreclose on the collateral underlying the loans or take other action with respect to the property, which could reduce the Company's revenue associated with the mortgage loans, require the Company to record a provision for loan loss or incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results, cash flows, financial condition and liquidity.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 through January 31, 2018 common stock
 
108,705

(1) 
 
$
65.46

 
—

 
$
—

February 1 through February 28, 2018 common stock
 
—

 
 
—

 
—

 
—

March 1 through March 31, 2018 common stock
 
—

 
 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
 
108,705

 
 
$
65.46

 
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) The repurchase of equity securities during January 2018 was completed in conjunction with the vesting of employee nonvested shares. These repurchases were not made pursuant to a publicly announced plan or program.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

There were no reportable events during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

There were no reportable events during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective March 31, 2018, by and between the Company and Morgan G. Earnest II, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K/A (Commission File No. 001-13561) filed on April 6, 2018, is hereby incorporated as Exhibit 10.1.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges is attached hereto as Exhibit 12.1.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends is attached hereto as Exhibit 12.2.
Certification of Gregory K. Silvers pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is attached hereto as Exhibit 31.1.
Certification of Mark A. Peterson pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is attached hereto as Exhibit 31.2.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is attached hereto as Exhibit 32.1.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is attached hereto as Exhibit 32.2.
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL*
XBRL Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF*
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB*
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE*
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

* Filed herewith.


48

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.


 
 
EPR Properties
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 8, 2018
By
 
/s/ Gregory K. Silvers
 
 
 
 
Gregory K. Silvers, President and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 8, 2018
By
 
/s/ Tonya L. Mater
 
 
 
 
Tonya L. Mater, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)


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