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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarter 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 1-9876
Weingarten Realty Investors
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS
74-1464203
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
2600 Citadel Plaza Drive
 
P.O. Box 924133
 
Houston, Texas
77292-4133
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(713) 866-6000
 
 
(Registrant's telephone number)
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal
year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YESý NOo
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).     YESý NO¨
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 ý
Accelerated filer ¨
        Non-accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨
 
Emerging growth company ¨
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 accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     YES¨ NOý
As of April 27, 2018, there were 128,149,024 common shares of beneficial interest of Weingarten Realty Investors, $.03 par value, outstanding.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
 
Financial Information:
Page Number
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
PART II.
 
Other Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Rentals, net
 
$
128,729

 
$
140,818

Other
 
3,723

 
2,845

Total
 
132,452

 
143,663

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
38,095

 
42,449

Operating
 
23,270

 
29,910

Real estate taxes, net
 
17,639

 
17,517

Impairment loss
 
—

 
14,986

General and administrative
 
5,595

 
7,384

Total
 
84,599

 
112,246

Operating Income
 
47,853

 
31,417

Interest Expense, net
 
(14,672
)
 
(21,082
)
Interest and Other Income / Expense
 
1,533

 
1,622

(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
 
(783
)
 
3,359

Equity in Earnings of Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net
 
5,993

 
5,317

Income from Continuing Operations
 
39,924

 
20,633

Gain on Sale of Property
 
109,045

 
15,763

Net Income
 
148,969

 
36,396

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(2,145
)
 
(5,570
)
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders
 
$
146,824

 
$
30,826

Earnings Per Common Share - Basic:
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
1.15

 
$
.24

Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted:
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
1.13

 
$
.24

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net Income
$
148,969

 
$
36,396

Cumulative effect adjustment of new accounting standards (see Note 2)
(1,541
)
 
—

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain on investments, net of taxes
—

 
298

Net unrealized gain on derivatives
1,379

 
389

Reclassification adjustment of derivatives and designated hedges into net income
(3,633
)
 
139

Retirement liability adjustment
271

 
377

Total
(1,983
)
 
1,203

Comprehensive Income
145,445

 
37,599

Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(2,145
)
 
(5,570
)
Comprehensive Income Adjusted for Noncontrolling Interests
$
143,300

 
$
32,029

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
Property
$
4,365,670

 
$
4,498,859

Accumulated Depreciation
(1,140,653
)
 
(1,166,126
)
Property Held for Sale, net
—

 
54,792

Property, net *
3,225,017

 
3,387,525

Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net
323,590

 
317,763

Total
3,548,607

 
3,705,288

Unamortized Lease Costs, net
172,852

 
181,047

Accrued Rent, Accrued Contract Receivables and Accounts Receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,014 in 2018 and $7,516 in 2017) *
87,091

 
104,357

Cash and Cash Equivalents *
88,238

 
13,219

Restricted Deposits and Mortgage Escrows
7,395

 
8,115

Other, net
204,983

 
184,613

Total Assets
$
4,109,166

 
$
4,196,639

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Debt, net *
$
1,928,570

 
$
2,081,152

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
88,024

 
116,463

Other, net
186,229

 
189,182

Total Liabilities
2,202,823

 
2,386,797

Commitments and Contingencies
—

 
—

Equity:
 
 
 
Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest - par value, $.03 per share;
shares authorized: 275,000; shares issued and outstanding:
128,405 in 2018 and 128,447 in 2017
3,895

 
3,897

Additional Paid-In Capital
1,769,306

 
1,772,066

Net Income Less Than Accumulated Dividends
(35,580
)
 
(137,065
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(9,694
)
 
(6,170
)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
1,727,927

 
1,632,728

Noncontrolling Interests
178,416

 
177,114

Total Equity
1,906,343

 
1,809,842

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
4,109,166

 
$
4,196,639

* Consolidated variable interest entities' assets and debt included in the above balances (see Note 15):
Property, net
$
205,484

 
$
207,969

Accrued Rent, Accrued Contract Receivables and Accounts Receivable, net
10,324

 
12,011

Cash and Cash Equivalents
8,754

 
9,025

Debt, net
46,030

 
46,253

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
148,969

 
$
36,396

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
38,095

 
42,449

Amortization of debt deferred costs and intangibles, net
781

 
768

Impairment loss
—

 
14,986

Equity in earnings of real estate joint ventures and partnerships, net
(5,993
)
 
(5,317
)
Gain on sale of property
(109,045
)
 
(15,763
)
Distributions of income from real estate joint ventures and partnerships
4,115

 
3,253

Changes in accrued rent, accrued contract receivables and accounts receivable, net
13,821

 
2,716

Changes in unamortized lease costs and other assets, net
(2,469
)
 
(6,154
)
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, net
(26,860
)
 
(21,615
)
Other, net
(2,042
)
 
2,215

Net cash provided by operating activities
59,372

 
53,934

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of real estate and land
(1,265
)
 
(610
)
Development and capital improvements
(29,041
)
 
(51,779
)
Proceeds from sale of property and real estate equity investments
255,828

 
52,794

Real estate joint ventures and partnerships - Investments
(5,987
)
 
(198
)
Real estate joint ventures and partnerships - Distribution of capital
1,690

 
1,896

Purchase of investments
—

 
(2,491
)
Proceeds from investments
250

 
3,500

Other, net
4,417

 
607

Net cash provided by investing activities
225,892

 
3,719

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Principal payments of debt
(151,931
)
 
(19,441
)
Changes in unsecured credit facilities
—

 
(14,100
)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares of beneficial interest, net
914

 
877

Repurchase of common shares of beneficial interest, net
(8,108
)
 
—

Common share dividends paid
(50,836
)
 
(49,404
)
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs paid
(782
)
 
(153
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(884
)
 
(8,651
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
41

 
—

Other, net
621

 
(1,146
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(210,965
)
 
(92,018
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents
74,299

 
(34,365
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at January 1
21,334

 
41,279

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at March 31
$
95,633

 
$
6,914

Interest paid during the period (net of amount capitalized of $1,440 and $823, respectively)
$
21,710

 
$
24,138

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
Common
Shares of
Beneficial
Interest
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Net Income
Less Than
Accumulated
Dividends
 
Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Balance, January 1, 2017
$
3,885

 
$
1,718,101

 
$
(177,647
)
 
$
(9,161
)
 
$
181,718

 
$
1,716,896

Net income
 
 
 
 
30,826

 
 
 
5,570

 
36,396

Shares issued under benefit plans, net
10

 
5,655

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,665

Change in classification of deferred compensation plan
 
 
45,377

 
 
 
 
 

 
45,377

Change in redemption value of deferred compensation plan
 
 
 
 
(619
)
 
 
 
 
 
(619
)
Dividends paid – common shares (1)
 
 
 
 
(49,404
)
 
 
 
 
 
(49,404
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,651
)
 
(8,651
)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,203

 
 
 
1,203

Balance, March 31, 2017
$
3,895

 
$
1,769,133

 
$
(196,844
)
 
$
(7,958
)
 
$
178,637

 
$
1,746,863

Balance, January 1, 2018
$
3,897

 
$
1,772,066

 
$
(137,065
)
 
$
(6,170
)
 
$
177,114

 
$
1,809,842

Net income
 
 
 
 
146,824

 
 
 
2,145

 
148,969

Shares repurchased and cancelled
(9
)
 
(8,099
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,108
)
Shares issued under benefit plans, net
7

 
5,339

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,346

Cumulative effect adjustment of new accounting standards (see Note 2)
 
 
 
 
5,497

 
(1,541
)
 
 
 
3,956

Dividends paid – common shares (1)
 
 
 
 
(50,836
)
 
 
 
 
 
(50,836
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(884
)
 
(884
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41

 
41

Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,983
)
 
 
 
(1,983
)
Balance, March 31, 2018
$
3,895

 
$
1,769,306

 
$
(35,580
)
 
$
(9,694
)
 
$
178,416

 
$
1,906,343

_______________
(1)
Common dividend per share was $.395 and $.385 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
Weingarten Realty Investors is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) organized under the Texas Business Organizations Code. We currently operate, and intend to operate in the future, as a REIT.
We, and our predecessor entity, began the ownership of shopping centers and other commercial real estate in 1948. Our primary business is leasing space to tenants in the shopping centers we own or lease. We also provide property management services for which we charge fees to either joint ventures where we are partners or other outside owners.
We operate a portfolio of neighborhood and community shopping centers, totaling approximately 39.5 million square feet of gross leaseable area, that is either owned by us or others. We have a diversified tenant base, with our largest tenant comprising only 2.7% of base minimum rental revenues during the first three months of 2018. Total revenues generated by our centers located in Houston and its surrounding areas was 19.2% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and an additional 9.0% of total revenue was generated during this period from centers that are located in other parts of Texas. Also, in Florida and California, an additional 18.5% and 16.8%, respectively, of total revenue was generated in during the first three months of 2018.
Basis of Presentation
Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our subsidiaries, certain partially owned real estate joint ventures or partnerships and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) which meet the guidelines for consolidation. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report are unaudited; however, amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 are derived from our audited financial statements at that date. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consisted of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and certain information included in our annual financial statements and notes thereto has been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Such statements require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Rentals, net
Rental revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which generally begins the date the tenant takes control of the space. Revenue from tenant reimbursements of taxes, maintenance expenses and insurance is subject to our interpretation of lease provisions and is recognized in the period the related expense is recognized. Both of these revenues have been recognized under Accounting Standards Codification No. 840, “Leases.” Revenue based on a percentage of tenants’ sales is recognized only after the tenant exceeds their sales breakpoint. In circumstances where we provide a tenant improvement allowance for improvements that are owned by the tenant, we recognize the allowance as a reduction of rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Other
Other revenue consists of both customer contract revenue and income from contractual agreements with third parties, tenants or partially owned real estate joint ventures or partnerships, which do not meet the definition of a lease or a customer contract. Revenues which do not meet the definition of a lease or customer contract are recognized as the related services are performed under the respective agreements.

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We have identified primarily three types of customer contract revenue; (1) management contracts with partially-owned real estate joint ventures or partnerships or third parties, (2) licensing and occupancy agreements and (3) certain non-tenant contracts. At contract inception, we assess the services provided in these contracts and identify any performance obligations that are distinct. To identify the performance obligation, we consider all services whether explicitly stated or implied by customary business practices. We have identified the following substantive services, which may or may not be included in each contract type, that represent performance obligations:
Contract Type
 
Performance Obligation Description
 
Elements of Performance Obligations
 
Payment Timing
Management Agreements
 
• Management and asset management services
• Construction and development services
• Marketing fees
 
• Over time
• Right to invoice
• Long-term contracts
 
Typically monthly or quarterly
 
 
• Leasing and legal preparation services
• Sales commissions
 
• Point in time
• Long-term contracts
 
 
Licensing and Occupancy Agreements
 
• Rent of non-specific space
 
• Over time
• Right to invoice
• Short-term contracts
 
Typically monthly
 
 
• Set-up services
 
• Point in time
• Right to invoice
 
 
Non-tenant Contracts
 
• Placement of miscellaneous items at our centers that do not qualify as a lease, i.e. advertisements, trash bins, etc.
 
• Point in time
• Long-term contracts
 
Typically monthly
 
 
• Set-up services
 
• Point in time
• Right to invoice
 
 
We also assess collectability of the customer contract revenue prior to recognition. None of these customer contracts include a significant financing component. Customer contract revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 does not include any amounts that were from obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in prior periods, or was a contract liability at January 1, 2018.
Accrued Rent, Accrued Contract Receivables and Accounts Receivable, net
Receivables include base rents, tenant reimbursements, amounts billed and currently due from customer contracts and receivables attributable to straight-line rental commitments. Accrued contract receivables includes amounts due from customers for contracts that do not qualify as a lease in which we earned the right to the consideration through the satisfaction of the performance obligation, but before the customer pays consideration or before payment is due. An allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and accounts receivable is determined based upon an analysis of balances outstanding, historical bad debt levels, tenant creditworthiness and current economic trends. Additionally, estimates of the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims with respect to tenants in bankruptcy are considered in assessing the collectability of the related receivables. Management’s estimate of the collectability of accrued rents and accounts receivable is based on the best information available to management at the time of evaluation.
Sales of Real Estate
Sales of real estate include the sale of tracts of land within a shopping center development, property adjacent to shopping centers, operating properties, newly developed properties, investments in real estate joint ventures and partnerships and partial sales to real estate joint ventures and partnerships in which we participate.
These sales primarily fall under two types of contracts (1) sales of nonfinancial assets and (2) sales of investments in real estate joint ventures and partnerships. We review the sale contract to determine appropriate accounting guidance. Profits on sales of real estate are primarily not recognized until (a) a contract exists including: each party’s rights are identifiable along with the payment terms, the contract has commercial substance and the collection of consideration is probable; and (b) the performance obligation to transfer control of the asset has occurred; including transfer to the buyer of the usual risks and rewards of ownership.
We recognize gains on the sale of real estate to joint ventures and partnerships in which we participate to the extent we receive cash from the joint venture or partnership, if it meets the sales criteria in accordance with GAAP.

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Impairment
Our property is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the property, including any capitalized costs and any identifiable intangible assets, may not be recoverable.
If such an event occurs, a comparison is made of the current and projected operating cash flows of each such property into the foreseeable future, with consideration of applicable holding periods, on an undiscounted basis to the carrying amount of such property. If we determine the carrying amount is not recoverable, our basis in the property is reduced to its estimated fair value to reflect impairment in the value of the asset. Fair values are determined by management utilizing cash flow models, market capitalization rates and market discount rates, or by obtaining third-party broker or appraisal estimates in accordance with our fair value measurements accounting policy.
We review economic considerations at each reporting period, including the effects of tenant bankruptcies, the suspension of tenant expansion plans for new development projects, declines in real estate values, and any changes to plans related to our new development properties including land held for development, to identify properties where we believe market values may be deteriorating. Determining whether a property is impaired and, if impaired, the amount of write-down to fair value requires a significant amount of judgment by management and is based on the best information available to management at the time of evaluation. If market conditions deteriorate or management’s plans for certain properties change, additional write-downs could be required in the future.
Our investment in partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships is reviewed for impairment each reporting period. The ultimate realization is dependent on a number of factors, including the performance of each investment and market conditions. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment below its carrying amount is other than temporary. There is no certainty that impairments will not occur in the future if market conditions decline or if management’s plans for these investments change.
Our investments in tax increment revenue bonds are reviewed for impairment, including the evaluation of changes in events or circumstances that may indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. Realization is dependent on a number of factors, including investment performance, market conditions and payment structure. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the value of the investment below its carrying amount is other than temporary, recovery of its cost basis is uncertain, and/or it is uncertain if the investment will be held to maturity.
Accrued contract receivables are reviewed for impairment based on changes in events or circumstances effecting our customers that may indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment charge will be recorded if we determine that the decline in the asset value is other than temporary or recovery of the cost basis is uncertain. Factors to be considered include current economic trends such as bankruptcy and market conditions affecting our investments in partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships.
Restricted Deposits and Mortgage Escrows
Restricted deposits and mortgage escrows consist of escrow deposits held by lenders primarily for property taxes, insurance and replacement reserves and restricted deposits that are held for a specific use or in a qualified escrow account for the purposes of completing like-kind exchange transactions.
Our restricted deposits and mortgage escrows consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Restricted deposits
$
6,474

 
$
6,291

Mortgage escrows
921

 
1,824

Total
$
7,395

 
$
8,115


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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component consists of the following (in thousands):
 
Gain
on
Investments
 
Gain
on
Cash Flow
Hedges
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plan-Actuarial Loss
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
(1,541
)
 
$
(7,424
)
 
$
15,135

 
$
6,170

Cumulative effect adjustment of accounting standards (see Note 2)
1,541

 
 
 
 
 
1,541

Change excluding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
(1,379
)
 
 
 
(1,379
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
3,633

(1) 
(271
)
(2) 
3,362

Net other comprehensive loss (income)
—

 
2,254

 
(271
)
 
1,983

Balance, March 31, 2018
$
—

 
$
(5,170
)
 
$
14,864

 
$
9,694

 
Gain
on
Investments
 
Gain
on
Cash Flow
Hedges
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plan-Actuarial Loss
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2016
$
(964
)
 
$
(6,403
)
 
$
16,528

 
$
9,161

Change excluding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(298
)
 
(389
)
 
 
 
(687
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss


 
(139
)
(1) 
(377
)
(2) 
(516
)
Net other comprehensive income
(298
)
 
(528
)
 
(377
)
 
(1,203
)
Balance, March 31, 2017
$
(1,262
)
 
$
(6,931
)
 
$
16,151

 
$
7,958

_______________
(1)    This reclassification component is included in interest expense (see Note 6 for additional information).
(2)    This reclassification component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 12 for additional information).
Retrospective Application of Accounting Standard Update
The retrospective application of adopting Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pensions Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" on prior year's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was made to conform to the current year presentation (see Note 2 for additional information). Also, the retrospective application of adopting ASU No. 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" and ASU No. 2016-18, "Restricted Cash" as of December 31, 2017 on prior year's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows was made to conform to the current year presentation. The adoption of these ASUs in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2017, resulted in a retrospective reclassification of $2.7 million from cash flows from investing activities to cash flows from operating activities, and cash flows from investing activities no longer reflect the change in restricted deposits and mortgage escrows totaling $21.9 million.

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Note 2. Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This ASU's core objective is for an entity to recognize revenue based on the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for goods or services. Additionally, this ASU requires entities to use a single model in accounting for revenues derived from contracts with customers. ASU No. 2014-09 replaces prior guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from sales of real estate, except for revenue from sales that are part of a sale-leaseback transaction. The provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, as amended in subsequently issued amendments, were effective for us on January 1, 2018. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018 and applied it on a modified retrospective approach upon adoption.
The adoption resulted in the identification of primarily three types of customer contracts: (1) management contracts with partially owned real estate joint ventures or partnerships or third parties, (2) licensing and occupancy agreements and (3) certain non-tenant contracts. We will continue to recognize these fees as we currently do with the exception of the timing associated with the performance obligation in our management contracts related to leasing and lease preparation related services. Upon adoption, we recognized the cumulative effect for these fees which has increased retained earnings and accrued rent, accrued contract receivables and accounts receivable, net by $.3 million, respectively. In addition, we evaluated controls around the implementation of this ASU and have concluded there was no significant impact on our control structure. We have included our customer contract revenues under the caption Other revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and have expanded our disclosures related to this ASU in Note 1.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This ASU will require equity investments, excluding those investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee, to be measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in net income; will simplify the impairment assessment of those investments; will eliminate the disclosure of the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and change the fair value calculation for those investments; will change the disclosure in other comprehensive income for financial liabilities that are measured at fair value in accordance with the fair value options for financial instruments; and will clarify that a deferred asset related to available-for-sale securities should be included in an entity's evaluation for a valuation allowance. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-01 were effective for us as of January 1, 2018 and are required to be applied on a modified retrospective approach. Upon adoption, we recognized the cumulative effect for the fair value of equity investments which has increased retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss each by $1.5 million and includes the effects of ASU No. 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income."
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, "Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets." The ASU clarifies that a financial asset is within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 if it meets the definition, as amended, of an in substance nonfinancial asset. If substantially all of the fair value of assets that are promised to a counterparty in a contract is concentrated in nonfinancial assets, then all of the financial assets promised to the counterparty are in substance nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20, including a parent transferring control of a nonfinancial asset through a transfer of ownership interests of a consolidated subsidiary. The provisions of ASU No. 2017-05 were effective for us as of January 1, 2018 and depending on the contract type may be recorded on a retrospective or modified retrospective approach. As a result of our contract analysis under ASU 2014-09, the majority of our contracts relate to property sales to be accounted for under this ASU and could result in future gains being recognized sooner. Upon adoption, we applied the modified retrospective approach for all contract types and for contracts considered not completed. We recognized the cumulative effect for in substance nonfinancial assets in which gains would have been realized and have increased each of retained earnings and other assets by $3.6 million at January 1, 2018.

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In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pensions Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost." The ASU requires the service cost component to be reported as compensation costs arising from services rendered by pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The provisions of ASU No. 2017-07 were effective for us as of January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis for the presentation within the income statement and prospectively for the capitalization of costs. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. We have elected to use the practical expedient in determining estimates for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net periodic benefit cost, excluding the service cost component, of $.1 million, was included in Interest and Other Income/Expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2017, net periodic benefit cost, excluding the service cost component, was $.4 million.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." The ASU amends current hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements. Items focused on include: alignment of an entity’s risk management activities and its financial reporting for hedging relationships, the use of hedge accounting for risk components in hedging relationships involving nonfinancial risk and interest rate risk, updates for designating fair value hedges of interest rate risk and measuring the related change in fair value of the hedged item, alignment of the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item, and permits an entity to exclude certain amounts related to currency swaps. Lastly, the ASU also provides additional relief on effectiveness testing methods and disclosures. The provisions of ASU No. 2017-12 are effective for us as of January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. We have adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2018, which required the modified retrospective transition method upon adoption. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." ASU No. 2018-02 allows for the reclassification of the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to retained earnings. The provisions of ASU No. 2018-02 are effective for us as of January 1, 2019, may be applied either at the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively, and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this ASU along with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 on January 1, 2018.
Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." The ASU sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. The ASU requires lessees to adopt a right-of-use asset approach that will bring substantially all leases onto the balance sheet, with the exception of short-term leases. The subsequent accounting for this right-of-use asset will be based on a dual-model approach, under which the lease will be classified as either a finance or an operating lease. The lessor accounting model under this ASU is similar to current guidance, but certain underlying principles in the lessor model have been aligned with the new revenue recognition standard. This ASU was further updated by ASU 2018-01, "Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition for Topic 842." The provisions of these ASUs are effective for us as of January 1, 2019, are required to be applied on a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted.
In January 2018, the FASB issued an exposure draft ("2018 Exposure Draft") which, if adopted as written, would allow lessors a practical expedient by class of underlying assets to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component if certain criteria are met. Also, the 2018 Exposure Draft indicates that companies may be permitted to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption in lieu of the modified retrospective approach and provides other optional practical expedients.
We are in the process of evaluating the impact to our 5,200 lessor leases and other lessee leases, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements. Within our lessor leases, we are entitled to receive tenant reimbursements for operating expenses such as real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance (“CAM”). Currently upon adoption of this ASU, CAM reimbursement revenue will be accounted for in accordance with Topic 606 (ASU No. 2014-09 as discussed above). We have currently identified some areas we believe may be impacted by this ASU. These include:
•
The bifurcation of lease arrangements in which contractual amounts due are on a gross basis and the amount under contract is not allocated between rental and expense reimbursements, such as real estate taxes and insurance. This process would be based on the underlying fair values of these items.

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•
We have ground lease agreements in which we are the lessee for land underneath all or a portion of 13 centers and three administrative office leases that we account for as operating leases. Rental expense associated with these operating leases for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $.7 million and $.8 million, respectively. We have one capital lease in which we are the lessee of two centers with a $21 million lease obligation. We will record any rights and obligations under these leases as an asset and liability at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.
•
Determination of costs to be capitalized associated with leases. This ASU will limit the capitalization associated with certain costs, primarily certain internally-generated leasing and legal costs, of which we capitalized internal costs of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. We believe we will be able to continue to capitalize internal leasing commissions that are a direct result of obtaining a lease.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This ASU amends prior guidance on the impairment of financial instruments, and adds an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses with the recognition of an allowance based on an estimate of expected credit losses. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 are effective for us as of January 1, 2020, and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Property
Our property consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Land
$
991,321

 
$
1,068,022

Land held for development
66,949

 
69,205

Land under development
49,000

 
48,985

Buildings and improvements
3,151,367

 
3,232,074

Construction in-progress
107,033

 
80,573

Total
$
4,365,670

 
$
4,498,859

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we sold six centers and other property. Aggregate gross sales proceeds from these transactions approximated $260.7 million and generated gains of approximately $109.0 million. Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, we invested $22.6 million in new development projects.
At March 31, 2018, no property was classified as held for sale. At December 31, 2017, three centers, totaling $78.7 million before accumulated depreciation, were classified as held for sale. None of these centers qualified to be reported in discontinued operations.

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Note 4. Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships
We own interests in real estate joint ventures or limited partnerships and have tenancy-in-common interests in which we exercise significant influence, but do not have financial and operating control. We account for these investments using the equity method, and our interests ranged for the periods presented from 20% to 90% in 2018 and 2017. Combined condensed financial information of these ventures (at 100%) is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Combined Condensed Balance Sheets
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Property
$
1,244,419

 
$
1,241,004

Accumulated depreciation
(290,227
)
 
(285,033
)
Property, net
954,192

 
955,971

Other assets, net
112,772

 
115,743

Total Assets
$
1,066,964

 
$
1,071,714

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Debt, net (primarily mortgages payable)
$
286,259

 
$
298,124

Amounts payable to Weingarten Realty Investors and Affiliates
12,005

 
12,017

Other liabilities, net
23,320

 
24,759

Total Liabilities
321,584

 
334,900

Equity
745,380

 
736,814

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
1,066,964

 
$
1,071,714

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Combined Condensed Statements of Operations
 
 
 
Revenues, net
$
33,886

 
$
34,738

Expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
8,043

 
9,013

Interest, net
3,524

 
2,967

Operating
6,428

 
6,118

Real estate taxes, net
4,942

 
4,268

General and administrative
225

 
368

Provision for income taxes
36

 
7

Total
23,198

 
22,741

Gain on dispositions
3,533

 
—

Net income
$
14,221

 
$
11,997

Our investment in real estate joint ventures and partnerships, as reported in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, differs from our proportionate share of the entities' underlying net assets due to basis differences, which arose upon the transfer of assets to the joint ventures. The net positive basis differences, which totaled $3.4 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are generally amortized over the useful lives of the related assets.
Fees earned by us for the management of these real estate joint ventures and partnerships included in Other Revenue totaled $1.5 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

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For the three months ended March 31, 2018, there was a partial sale of a center for gross sales proceeds of approximately $11.7 million, of which our share of the gain, included in equity earnings in real estate joint ventures and partnerships, totaled $2.4 million.
During 2017, two centers were sold with aggregate gross sales proceeds of approximately $19.6 million, of which our share of the gain, included in equity earnings in real estate joint ventures and partnerships, totaled $6.2 million. In June 2017, a venture acquired land with a gross purchase price of $23.5 million for a mixed-use development project, and we simultaneously increased our ownership interest to 90% (See Note 15 for additional information).
Note 5. Debt
Our debt consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Debt payable, net to 2038 (1)
$
1,843,425

 
$
1,996,007

Debt service guaranty liability
64,145

 
64,145

Obligations under capital leases
21,000

 
21,000

Total
$
1,928,570

 
$
2,081,152

_______________
(1)
At March 31, 2018, interest rates ranged from 2.6% to 7.0% at a weighted average rate of 4.0%. At December 31, 2017, interest rates ranged from 2.6% to 7.9% at a weighted average rate of 4.0%.
The allocation of total debt between fixed and variable-rate as well as between secured and unsecured is summarized below (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
As to interest rate (including the effects of interest rate contracts):
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt
$
1,910,741

 
$
2,063,263

Variable-rate debt
17,829

 
17,889

Total
$
1,928,570

 
$
2,081,152

As to collateralization:
 
 
 
Unsecured debt
$
1,554,955

 
$
1,667,462

Secured debt
373,615

 
413,690

Total
$
1,928,570

 
$
2,081,152

We maintain a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which was amended and extended on March 30, 2016. This facility expires in March 2020, provides for two consecutive six-month extensions upon our request, and borrowing rates that float at a margin over LIBOR plus a facility fee. At both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the borrowing margin and facility fee, which are priced off a grid that is tied to our senior unsecured credit ratings, were 90 and 15 basis points, respectively. The facility also contains a competitive bid feature that allows us to request bids for up to $250 million. Additionally, an accordion feature allows us to increase the facility amount up to $850 million.
Additionally, we have a $10 million unsecured short-term facility, which was amended and extended on March 27, 2018, that we maintain for cash management purposes, which matures in March 2019. At both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the facility provided for fixed interest rate loans at a 30-day LIBOR rate plus a borrowing margin, facility fee and an unused facility fee of 125, 10, and 5 basis points, respectively.

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The following table discloses certain information regarding our unsecured notes payable under our credit facilities (in thousands, except percentages):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Unsecured revolving credit facility:
 
 
 
Balance outstanding
$
—

 
$
—

Available balance
497,946

 
493,610

Letters of credit outstanding under facility
2,054

 
6,390

Variable interest rate (excluding facility fee)
—
%
 
—
%
Unsecured short-term facility:
 
 
 
Balance outstanding
$
—

 
$
—

Variable interest rate (excluding facility fee)
—
%
 
—
%
Both facilities:
 
 
 
Maximum balance outstanding during the period
$
—

 
$
245,000

Weighted average balance
—

 
133,386

Year-to-date weighted average interest rate (excluding facility fee)
—
%
 
1.8
%
Related to a development project in Sheridan, Colorado, we have provided a guaranty for the payment of any debt service shortfalls until a coverage rate of 1.4x is met on tax increment revenue bonds issued in connection with the project. The bonds are to be repaid with incremental sales and property taxes and a public improvement fee (“PIF”) to be assessed on current and future retail sales and, to the extent necessary, any amounts we may have to provide under a guaranty. The incremental taxes and PIF are to remain intact until the earlier of the date the bond liability has been paid in full or 2040. Therefore, a debt service guaranty liability equal to the fair value of the amounts funded under the bonds was recorded. As of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $64.1 million outstanding for the debt service guaranty liability.
During March 2018, we prepaid $100 million of our $200 million unsecured variable-rate term loan, swapped to a fixed rate of 2.5%, and terminated the associated interest rate swap contracts (see Note 6 for additional information). Additionally during the three months ended March 31, 2018, we paid at par $50.3 million of outstanding debt. These transactions resulted in a net gain upon their extinguishment of $.4 million. Subsequent to March 31, 2018, we prepaid, without penalty, the remaining $100 million of our $200 million unsecured term loan and repurchased $.6 million in other outstanding debt.
Various leases and properties, and current and future rentals from those leases and properties, collateralize certain debt. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying value of such assets aggregated $.6 billion and $.7 billion, respectively. Additionally, investments of $4.5 million are held as collateral for letters of credit totaling $4.3 million.

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Scheduled principal payments on our debt (excluding $21.0 million of certain capital leases, $(5.2) million net premium/(discount) on debt, $(7.8) million of deferred debt costs, $2.0 million of non-cash debt-related items, and $64.1 million debt service guaranty liability) are due during the following years (in thousands): 
2018 remaining
$
110,270

2019
54,508

2020
104,450

2021
17,553

2022
307,314

2023
305,694

2024
252,154

2025
293,807

2026
277,291

2027
38,288

Thereafter
93,024

Total
$
1,854,353

Our various debt agreements contain restrictive covenants, including minimum interest and fixed charge coverage ratios, minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratios, minimum net worth requirements and maximum total debt levels. We are not aware of any non-compliance with our public debt and revolving credit facility covenants as of March 31, 2018.
Note 6. Derivatives and Hedging
The fair value of all our interest rate swap contracts was reported as follows (in thousands):
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Amount
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Amount
Designated Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
Other Assets, net
 
$
2,035

 
Other Liabilities, net
 
$
—

The gross presentation, the effects of offsetting for derivatives with the right to offset under master netting agreements and the net presentation of our interest rate swap contracts is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not
Offset in Balance
Sheet
 
 
 
Gross
Amounts
Recognized
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in
Balance
Sheet
 
Net
Amounts
Presented
in Balance
Sheet
 
Financial
Instruments
 
Cash
Collateral
Received
 
Net Amount
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
2,035

 
$
—

 
$
2,035

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,035

Cash Flow Hedges
As of March 31, 2018, we had no remaining active interest rate swap contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, associated with the prepayment of an unsecured note, we terminated three interest rate swap contracts that had an aggregate notional amount of $200 million, and we recognized a $3.4 million gain due to the probability that the related hedged forecasted transactions would no longer occur.

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As of December 31, 2017, we had three interest rate swap contracts, maturing through March 1, 2020, with an aggregate notional amount of $200 million that were designated as cash flow hedges and fixed the LIBOR component of the interest rates at 1.5%.
As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the net gain balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to previously terminated cash flow interest rate swap contracts was $5.2 million and $7.4 million, respectively, which will be reclassified to net interest expense as interest payments are made on the originally hedged debt. Within the next 12 months, approximately $.9 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be reclassified as a reduction to interest expense related to our interest rate contracts.
A summary of cash flow interest rate swap contract hedging activity is as follows (in thousands):
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income as a Result That a Forecasted Transaction is No Longer Probable of Occurring
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income as a Result That a Forecasted Transaction is No Longer Probable of Occurring
 
Total Amount of Interest Expense, net Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
$
(1,379
)
 
Interest expense,
net
 
$
243

 
Interest expense,
net
 
$
3,390

 
(14,672
)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
(389
)
 
Interest expense,
net
 
(139
)
 
Interest expense,
net
 
—

 
(21,082
)
Note 7. Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares of beneficial interest ("common shares") from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligations to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the plan.
During March 2018, we repurchased .3 million of our common shares at an average price of $27.37 per share, and at March 31, 2018, $191.9 million of common shares remained available to be repurchased under this plan. As of the date of this filing, $185.0 million of common shares remained available to be repurchased under the plan due to .3 million common shares being repurchased subsequent to March 31, 2018.

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Note 8. Impairment
The following impairment charges were recorded on the following assets based on the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and the estimated fair value (see Note 16 for additional fair value information) (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
Continuing operations:
 
Properties held for sale, marketed for sale or sold (1)
$
12,172

Land held for development and undeveloped land (1)
2,719

Other
95

Total impairment charges
14,986

Other financial statement captions impacted by impairment:
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
36

Net impact of impairment charges
$
15,022

___________________
(1)
Amounts reported were based on changes in management's plans for the properties, third party offers, recent comparable market transactions and/or a change in market conditions.
Note 9. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
$
88,238

 
$
3,615

Restricted deposits and mortgage escrows (see Note 1)
7,395

 
3,299

Total
$
95,633

 
$
6,914

Non-cash investing and financing activities are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Accrued property construction costs
$
12,444

 
$
7,854

Increase in equity associated with deferred compensation plan
—

 
44,758


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Note 10. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per common share – basic is computed using net income attributable to common shareholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic. Earnings per common share – diluted includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders includes gain on sale of property in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines. Earnings per common share – basic and diluted components for the periods indicated are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
39,924

 
$
20,633

Gain on sale of property
109,045

 
15,763

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(2,145
)
 
(5,570
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders - basic
146,824

 
30,826

Income attributable to operating partnership units
528

 
—

Net income attributable to common shareholders - diluted
$
147,352

 
$
30,826

Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
127,926

 
127,610

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
Share options and awards
781

 
938

Operating partnership units
1,432

 
—

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
130,139

 
128,548

Anti-dilutive securities of our common shares, which are excluded from the calculation of earnings per common share – diluted, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating partnership units
—

 
1,462

Note 11. Share Options and Awards
During 2018, we granted share awards incorporating both service-based and market-based measures to promote share ownership among the participants and to emphasize the importance of total shareholder return ("TSR"). The terms of each grant vary depending upon the participant's responsibilities and position within the Company. We categorize these share awards as either service-based share awards or market-based share awards. All awards were valued at the fair market value on the date of grant and earn dividends from the date of grant. Compensation expense is measured at the grant date and recognized over the vesting period. Generally, unvested share awards are forfeited upon the termination of the participant’s employment with us.

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The fair value of the market-based share awards was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model based on the following assumptions:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
Dividend yield
0.0
%
 
5.5
%
Expected volatility (1)
18.5
%
 
20.4
%
Expected life (in years)
N/A

 
3

Risk-free interest rate
1.8
%
 
2.4
%
_______________
(1)    Includes the volatility of the FTSE NAREIT U.S. Shopping Center Index and Weingarten Realty Investors.
A summary of the status of unvested share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:
 
Unvested
Share
Awards
 
Weighted
Average 
Grant
Date Fair 
Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2018
619,606

 
$
33.81

Granted:
 
 
 
Service-based awards
132,693

 
28.12

Market-based awards relative to FTSE NAREIT U.S. Shopping Center
Index
60,909

 
29.69

Market-based awards relative to three-year absolute TSR
60,908

 
13.68

Vested
(191,738
)
 
34.65

Forfeited
(4,541
)
 
33.15

Outstanding, March 31, 2018
677,837

 
$
30.28

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there was approximately $3.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share awards, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average of 2.1 years and 1.7 years, respectively.
Note 12. Employee Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan
We sponsor a noncontributory qualified retirement plan. The components of net periodic benefit cost for this plan are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
$
333

 
$
343

Interest cost
325

 
514

Expected return on plan assets
(492
)
 
(759
)
Amortization of net loss
271

 
377

Total
$
437

 
$
475

The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in Interest and Other Income/Expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The expected contribution to be paid to the qualified retirement plan during 2018 is approximately $2.0 million. During 2017, we contributed $2.5 million to the qualified retirement plan.

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Defined Contribution Plans
Compensation expense related to our defined contribution plans was $.9 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Note 13. Related Parties
Through our management activities and transactions with our real estate joint ventures and partnerships, we had net accounts receivable of $.4 million and $2.0 million outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. We also had accounts payable and accrued expenses of $.3 million and $.4 million outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. We recorded joint venture fee income of $1.5 million included in Other Revenue for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we participated in two real estate ventures structured as DownREIT partnerships that have centers in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas. We have operating and financial control over these ventures and consolidate them in our condensed consolidated financial statements. These ventures allow the outside limited partners to put their interest in the partnership to us, and we have the option to redeem the interest in cash or a fixed number of our common shares, at our discretion. We also participate in a real estate venture that has a property in Texas that allows its outside partner to put operating partnership units to us. We have the option to redeem these units in cash or a fixed number of our common shares, at our discretion. The aggregate redemption value of these interests was approximately $40 million and $47 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
As of March 31, 2018, we have entered into commitments aggregating $229.6 million comprised principally of construction contracts which are generally due in 12 to 36 months. Included in these commitments is our commitment under a contractor agreement for construction costs signed during the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $115.4 million for the 30-story, high-rise residential tower at our River Oaks Shopping Center.
We issue letters of intent signifying a willingness to negotiate for acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures, as well as other types of potential transactions, during the ordinary course of our business. Such letters of intent and other arrangements are non-binding to all parties unless and until a definitive contract is entered into by the parties. Even if definitive contracts relating to the acquisition or disposition of property are entered into, these contracts generally provide the purchaser a time period to evaluate the property and conduct due diligence. The purchaser, during this time, will have the ability to terminate a contract without penalty or forfeiture of any deposit or earnest money. No assurance can be provided that any definitive contracts will be entered into with respect to any matter covered by letters of intent, or that we will consummate any transaction contemplated by a definitive contract. Additionally, due diligence periods for property transactions are frequently extended as needed. An acquisition or disposition of property becomes probable at the time the due diligence period expires and the definitive contract has not been terminated. Our risk is then generally extended only to any earnest money deposits associated with property acquisition contracts, and our obligation to sell under a property sales contract.
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations in the areas where we own or operate properties. We are not aware of any contamination which may have been caused by us or any of our tenants that would have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
As part of our risk management activities, we have applied and been accepted into state sponsored environmental programs which will limit our expenses if contaminants need to be remediated. We also have an environmental insurance policy that covers us against third party liabilities and remediation costs.
While we believe that we do not have any material exposure to environmental remediation costs, we cannot give absolute assurance that changes in the law or new discoveries of contamination will not result in additional liabilities to us.
Litigation
We are involved in various matters of litigation arising in the normal course of business. While we are unable to predict the amounts involved, our management and counsel are of the opinion that, when such litigation is resolved, any additional liability, if any, will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Note 15. Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs:
At both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, nine of our real estate joint ventures, whose activities primarily consisted of owning and operating 22 neighborhood/community shopping centers, were determined to be VIEs. Based on a financing agreement by one of our real estate joint ventures that has a bottom dollar guaranty, which is disproportionate to our ownership, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary and have consolidated this joint venture. For the remaining real estate joint ventures, we concluded we are the primary beneficiary based primarily on our significant power to direct the entities' activities without any substantive kick-out or participating rights.
A summary of our consolidated VIEs is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Assets Held by VIEs
$
231,333

 
$
235,713

Assets Held as Collateral for Debt (1)
41,942

 
42,979

Maximum Risk of Loss (1)
29,784

 
29,784

___________________
(1)
Represents the amount of debt and related assets held as collateral associated with the bottom dollar guaranty at one real estate joint venture.
Restrictions on the use of these assets can be significant because they may serve as collateral for debt. Further, we are generally required to obtain our partner's approval in accordance with the joint venture agreement for any major transactions. Transactions with these joint ventures on our condensed consolidated financial statements have primarily been positive as demonstrated by the generation of net income and operating cash flows, as well as the receipt of cash distributions. We and our partners are subject to the provisions of the joint venture agreements which include provisions for when additional contributions may be required to fund operating cash shortfalls, development expenditures and unplanned capital expenditures. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, $.1 million in additional contributions were made primarily to fund an operating shortfall, and no additional contributions are currently anticipated to be made during the remainder of 2018.
Unconsolidated VIEs:
At both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, two unconsolidated real estate joint ventures were determined to be VIEs. We have determined that one entity was a VIE through the issuance of a secured loan, since the lender had the ability to make decisions that could have a significant impact on the success of the entity. Based on the associated agreements for the future development of a mixed-use project, we concluded that the other entity was a VIE, but we are not the primary beneficiary as the substantive participating rights associated with the entity are shared, and we do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity. Our analysis considered that all major decisions require unanimous member consent and those decisions include significant activities such as development, financing, leasing and operations of the entity.
A summary of our unconsolidated VIEs is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Investment in Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships, net (1)
$
42,533

 
$
36,784

Other Liabilities, net (2)
5,701

 
5,799

Maximum Risk of Loss (3)
34,000

 
34,000

___________________
(1)
The carrying amount of the investment represents our contributions to a real estate joint venture, net of any distributions made and our portion of the equity in earnings of the real estate joint venture. The increase between periods represents new development funding of a mixed-use project.
(2)
Includes the carrying amount of an investment where distributions have exceeded our contributions and our portion of the equity in earnings for a real estate joint venture.
(3)
The maximum risk of loss has been determined to be limited to our debt exposure for the real estate joint ventures.
We and our partners are subject to the provisions of the joint venture agreements that specify conditions, including operating shortfalls, development expenditures and unplanned capital expenditures, under which additional contributions may be required. With respect to our future development of a mixed-used project, we anticipate funding approximately $89 million through 2020.

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Note 16. Fair Value Measurements
Recurring Fair Value Measurements:
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 in which those measurements fall, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value at
March 31,
2018
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents, primarily money market funds (1)
$
81,285

 
 
 
 
 
$
81,285

Investments, mutual funds held in a grantor trust (1)
31,775

 
 
 
 
 
31,775

Investments, mutual funds (1)
7,154

 
 
 
 
 
7,154

Total
$
120,214

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
120,214

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan obligations
$
31,775

 
 
 
 
 
$
31,775

Total
$
31,775

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
31,775

___________________
(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2018, a gain of $1.5 million was included in Interest and Other Income/Expense, of which $.4 million represented an unrealized gain.
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value at
December 31,
2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments, mutual funds held in a grantor trust
$
31,497

 
 
 
 
 
$
31,497

Investments, mutual funds
7,206

 
 
 
 
 
7,206

Derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
 
 
$
2,035

 
 
 
2,035

Total
$
38,703

 
$
2,035

 
$
—

 
$
40,738

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan obligations
$
31,497

 
 
 
 
 
$
31,497

Total
$
31,497

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
31,497

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements:
Property and Property Held for Sale Impairments
Property is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the property, including any identifiable intangible assets, site costs and capitalized interest, may not be recoverable. In such an event, a comparison is made of the current and projected operating cash flows of each such property into the foreseeable future on an undiscounted basis to the carrying amount of such property. If we conclude that an impairment may have occurred, estimated fair values are determined by management utilizing cash flow models, market capitalization rates and market discount rates, or by obtaining third-party broker valuation estimates, appraisals, bona fide purchase offers or the expected sales price of an executed sales agreement in accordance with our fair value measurements accounting policy. Market capitalization rates and market discount rates are determined by reviewing current sales of similar properties and transactions, and utilizing management’s knowledge and expertise in property marketing.

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No assets were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at March 31, 2018. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2017 aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy in which those measurements fall, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets for
Identical 
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant 
Other
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Value
 
Total Gains
(Losses) (1)
Property (2)
 
 
$
12,901

 
$
4,184

 
$
17,085

 
$
(7,828
)
Total
$
—

 
$
12,901

 
$
4,184

 
$
17,085

 
$
(7,828
)
____________
(1)
Total gains (losses) exclude impairments on disposed assets because they are no longer held by us.
(2)
In accordance with our policy of evaluating and recording impairments on the disposal of long-lived assets, property with a carrying amount of $24.9 million was written down to a fair value of $17.1 million, resulting in a loss of $7.8 million, which was included in earnings for the first quarter of 2017. Management’s estimate of fair value of these properties was determined using a bona fide purchase offer for the Level 2 inputs. See the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for our Level 3 fair value measurements table below.
Fair Value Disclosures:
Unless otherwise described below, short-term financial instruments and receivables are carried at amounts which approximate their fair values based on their highly-liquid nature, short-term maturities and/or expected interest rates for similar instruments.
Schedule of our fair value disclosures is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant 
Other
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant 
Other
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Fair Value
Using
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax increment revenue bonds (1)
$
22,097

 
 
 
$
25,000

 
$
22,097

 
 
 
$
25,000

Investments, held to maturity (2)
4,238

 
$
4,225

 
 
 
4,489

 
$
4,479

 
 
Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate debt
1,910,741

 
 
 
1,927,511

 
2,063,263

 
 
 
2,109,658

Variable-rate debt
17,829

 
 
 
17,942

 
17,889

 
 
 
16,393

_______________
(1)
At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the credit loss balance on our tax increment revenue bonds was $31.0 million.
(2)
Investments held to maturity are recorded at cost. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, a $13 thousand and a $10 thousand unrealized loss was recognized, respectively.

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The quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for our Level 3 nonrecurring fair value measurements as of December 31, 2017 reported in the above table, is as follows:

Description
 
Fair Value at
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
2017
 
2017
Property
 
 
$
4,184

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
10.5
%
 
12.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalization rate
 
8.8
%
 
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Holding period (years)
 
5

 
10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected future inflation rate (1)
 
 
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Market rent growth rate (1)
 
 
 
3.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense growth rate (1)
 
 
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vacancy rate (1)
 
 
 
20.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Renewal rate (1)
 
 
 
70.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average market rent rate (1)
 
$
11.00

 
$
16.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average leasing cost per square foot (1)
 
$
10.00

 
$
35.00

_______________
(1)
Only applies to one property valuation.
*****

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ITEM 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by us, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect actual results, performances or achievements. As described in "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, (i) disruptions in financial markets, (ii) general economic and local real estate conditions, (iii) the inability of major tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in their business, (iv) financing risks, such as the inability to obtain equity, debt, or other sources of financing on favorable terms and changes in LIBOR availability, (v) changes in governmental laws and regulations, (vi) the level and volatility of interest rates, (vii) the availability of suitable acquisition opportunities, (viii) the ability to dispose of properties, (ix) changes in expected development activity, (x) increases in operating costs, (xi) tax matters, including the effect of changes in tax laws and the failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust, and (xii) investments through real estate joint ventures and partnerships, which involve risks not present in investments in which we are the sole investor. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will be realized. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the comparative summary of selected financial data appearing elsewhere in this report. Historical results and trends which might appear should not be taken as indicative of future operations. Our results of operations and financial condition, as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes, are subject to management’s evaluation and interpretation of business conditions, retailer performance, changing capital market conditions and other factors which could affect the ongoing viability of our tenants.
Executive Overview
Weingarten Realty Investors is a REIT organized under the Texas Business Organizations Code. We, and our predecessor entity, began the ownership of shopping centers and other commercial real estate in 1948. Our primary business is leasing space to tenants in the shopping centers we own or lease. We also provide property management services for which we charge fees to either joint ventures where we are partners or other outside owners.
We operate a portfolio of rental properties, primarily neighborhood and community shopping centers, totaling approximately 39.5 million square feet of gross leaseable area, that is either owned by us or others. We have a diversified tenant base with our largest tenant comprising only 2.7% of base minimum rental revenues during the first three months of 2018.
At March 31, 2018, we owned or operated under long-term leases, either directly or through our interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships, a total of 196 properties, which are located in 17 states spanning the country from coast to coast.
We also owned interests in 25 parcels of land held for development that totaled approximately 17.6 million square feet at March 31, 2018.

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Table of Contents

We had approximately 5,200 leases with 3,600 different tenants at March 31, 2018. Leases for our properties range from less than a year for smaller spaces to over 25 years for larger tenants. Rental revenues generally include minimum lease payments, which often increase over the lease term, reimbursements of property operating expenses, including real estate taxes, and additional rent payments based on a percentage of the tenants’ sales. Our anchor tenants are supermarkets, value-oriented apparel/discount stores and other retailers or service providers who generally sell basic necessity-type goods and services. Although there is a broad shift in shopping patterns, including internet shopping that continues to affect our tenants, we believe our anchor tenants that drive foot traffic, combined with convenient locations, attractive and well-maintained properties, high quality retailers and a strong tenant mix, should lessen the effects of these conditions and maintain the viability of our portfolio.
Our goal is to remain a leader in owning and operating top-tier neighborhood and community shopping centers in certain markets of the United States. Our strategic initiatives include: (1) raising net asset value and cash flow through quality acquisitions, redevelopments and new developments, (2) maintaining a strong, flexible consolidated balance sheet and a well-managed debt maturity schedule, (3) growing net operating income from our existing portfolio by increasing occupancy and rental rates and (4) owning quality shopping centers in preferred locations that attract strong tenants. We believe these initiatives will keep our portfolio of properties among the strongest in our sector. Due to current capitalization rates in the market along with the uncertainty of the impact of increasing interest rates and various other market conditions, we intend to continue to be very prudent in our evaluation of all new investment opportunities. We believe the pricing of assets that no longer meet our ownership criteria remains reasonably stable while the price of our common shares has dropped well below our net asset value. Given these conditions, we have focused our dispositions of properties in the secondary and tertiary markets and utilized the proceeds to repurchase common shares, pay down our debt and fund both our new development and redevelopment projects. We intend to continue to opportunistically take advantage of the market conditions, and our disposition activities may increase.
As we discussed above, we continuously recycle non-core operating centers that no longer meet our ownership criteria and that will provide capital for growth opportunities. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we disposed of real estate assets, which were owned by us either directly or through our interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships, with our share of aggregate gross sales proceeds totaling $267.9 million. For 2018, we believe we will complete dispositions in amounts between $250 million to $450 million, and we have approximately $175 million of dispositions currently under contracts or letters of intent; however, there are no assurances that these transactions will close at such prices or at all.
We intend to continue to actively seek acquisition properties that meet our return hurdles and to actively evaluate other opportunities as they enter the market. For 2018, we expect to complete acquisition investments in a range from $50 million to $150 million; however, there are no assurances that this will actually occur.
We intend to continue to focus on identifying new development projects as another source of growth, as well as continue to look for redevelopment opportunities. Although we have recently begun the development of mixed-use projects, the opportunities for additional new development projects are limited at this time due to a lack of demand for new retail space. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we invested $20.7 million in three mixed-use new development projects that are partially or wholly owned and a 30-story, high-rise residential tower at our River Oaks Shopping Center in Houston, Texas. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2018, we invested $6.7 million in 14 redevelopment projects that were partially or wholly owned. For 2018, we expect to invest in new development and redevelopments in the range of $125 million to $175 million, but we can give no assurances that this will actually occur.
We strive to maintain a strong, conservative capital structure which should provide ready access to a variety of attractive long and short-term capital sources. We carefully balance lower cost, short-term financing with long-term liabilities associated with acquired or developed long-term assets. We continue to look for transactions that will strengthen our consolidated balance sheet and further enhance our access to various sources of capital, while reducing our cost of capital. Due to the variability in the capital markets, there can be no assurance that favorable pricing and availability will be available in the future. During the first three months of 2018, we paid down debt totaling $150.3 million and repurchased $8.1 million of our common shares. These transactions were funded with proceeds from our disposition program to further strengthen our balance sheet. Subsequent to quarter-end, we further paid down an additional $100.6 million in debt and repurchased an additional $6.9 million of common shares.

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Operational Metrics
In assessing the performance of our centers, management carefully monitors various operating metrics of the portfolio. As a result of our strong leasing activity and low tenant fallout, the operating metrics of our portfolio remained strong through the first quarter of 2018 as we focused on increasing rental rates and same property net operating income ("SPNOI" and see Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional information). Our portfolio delivered solid operating results with:
•
occupancy of 94.8% at March 31, 2018;
•
an increase of 2.0% in SPNOI including redevelopments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 over the same period of 2017; and
•
rental rate increases of 4.9% for new leases and 5.9% for renewals during the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Below are performance metrics associated with our signed occupancy, SPNOI growth and leasing activity on a pro rata basis:
 
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Anchor (space of 10,000 square feet or greater)
97.5
%
 
95.7
%
Non-Anchor
90.4
%
 
90.5
%
Total Occupancy
94.8
%
 
93.7
%
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
SPNOI Growth including Redevelopments (1)
2.0
%
_______________
(1)
See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for a definition of the measurement of SPNOI and a reconciliation to operating income within this section of Item 2.
 
Number
of
Leases
 
Square
Feet
('000's)
 
Average
New
Rent per
Square
Foot ($)
 
Average
Prior
Rent per
Square
Foot ($)
 
Average Cost
of Tenant
Improvements
per Square
Foot ($)
 
Change in
Base Rent
on Cash
Basis
Leasing Activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
New leases (1)
47

 
120

 
$
24.87

 
$
23.70

 
$
39.86

 
4.9
%
Renewals
169

 
866

 
17.21

 
16.25

 
.07

 
5.9
%
Not comparable spaces
28

 
102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
244

 
1,088

 
$
18.14

 
$
17.16

 
$
4.92

 
5.8
%
_______________
(1)
Average external lease commissions per square foot for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $5.80.
Changing shopping habits, driven by rapid expansion of internet-driven procurement, has led to increased financial problems for many retailers, which has had a negative impact on the retail real estate sector. We continue to monitor the effects of these trends, including the impact of retail customer spending over the long-term. We believe the desirability of our physical locations, the significant diversification of our portfolio, both geographically and by tenant base, and the quality of our portfolio, along with its leading retailers and service providers that sell primarily grocery and basic necessity-type goods and services, position us well to mitigate the impact of these changes. Despite recent tenant bankruptcies, we continue to believe there is retailer demand for quality space within strong, strategically located centers.

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While we anticipate occupancy to remain comparable through year end, we may experience some fluctuations due to announced bankruptcies and the repositioning of those spaces in the future. A reduction in quality retail space available, as well as continued retailer demand, contributed to the increase in overall rental rates on a same-space basis as we completed new leases and renewed existing leases; however, the magnitude of these increases decreased in comparison to previous periods due, among other factors, to a recent shift in negotiating leverage to the tenant. We expect rental rate increases to remain minimal in the near term; however, the variability in the mix of leasing transactions as to size of space, market, use and other factors may impact the magnitude of these increases, both positively and negatively. Leasing volume is anticipated to fluctuate due to the uncertainty in tenant fallouts related to bankruptcies and tenant non-renewals. Our expectation is that SPNOI growth including redevelopments will average between 2.5% to 3.5% for 2018 assuming no significant tenant bankruptcies, although there are no assurances that this will occur.
New Development/Redevelopment
At March 31, 2018, we had three mixed-use projects in various stages of development that were partially or wholly owned and a 30-story, high-rise residential tower at our River Oaks Shopping Center in Houston, Texas. We have funded $164.7 million through March 31, 2018 on these projects, and we estimate our aggregate net investment upon completion to be $513.4 million. Overall, the average projected stabilized return on investment for these multi-use properties, that include retail, office and residential components, is expected to approximate 5.5% upon completion.
We have 14 redevelopment projects in which we plan to invest approximately $78.2 million. Upon completion, the average projected stabilized return on our incremental investment on these redevelopment projects is expected to be between 8.0% and 14.0%.
We had approximately $66.9 million in land held for development at March 31, 2018 that may either be developed or sold. While we are experiencing some interest from retailers and other market participants in our land held for development, opportunities for economically viable developments remain limited. We intend to continue to pursue additional development and redevelopment opportunities in multiple markets; however, finding the right opportunities remains challenging.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions are a key component of our long-term growth strategy. The availability of quality acquisition opportunities in the market remains sporadic in our targeted markets. Intense competition, along with a decline in the volume of high-quality core properties on the market, has in many cases driven pricing to pre-recession highs. We intend to remain disciplined in approaching these opportunities, pursuing only those that provide appropriate risk-adjusted returns.
Dispositions
Dispositions are also a key component of our ongoing management process where we selectively prune properties from our portfolio that no longer meet our geographic or growth targets. Dispositions provide capital, which may be recycled into properties that are high barrier-to-entry locations within high growth metropolitan markets, and thus have higher long-term growth potential. Additionally, proceeds from dispositions may be used to reduce outstanding debt, further deleveraging our consolidated balance sheet, to repurchase our common shares and/or debt, dependent upon market prices, or to fund new development and redevelopment projects.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and contingencies as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
A disclosure of our critical accounting policies which affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during 2018.

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Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
The following table is a summary of certain items in income from continuing operations from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, which we believe represent items that significantly changed during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
% Change
Revenues
$
132,452

 
$
143,663

 
$
(11,211
)
 
(7.8
)%
Depreciation and amortization
38,095

 
42,449

 
(4,354
)
 
(10.3
)
Operating expenses
23,270

 
29,910

 
(6,640
)
 
(22.2
)
Impairment loss
—

 
14,986

 
(14,986
)
 
(100.0
)
General and administrative expenses
5,595

 
7,384

 
(1,789
)
 
(24.2
)
Interest expense, net
14,672

 
21,082

 
(6,410
)
 
(30.4
)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
(783
)
 
3,359

 
(4,142
)
 
123.3

Revenues
The decrease in revenues of $11.2 million is primarily attributable to the impact of our dispositions that totaled $13.5 million. The existing portfolio, including acquisitions, new development and redevelopment properties, contributed $2.3 million due to increases in rental rates and changes in occupancy.
Depreciation and Amortization
The decrease in depreciation and amortization of $4.4 million is primarily attributable to the impact of our dispositions that totaled $4.1 million.
Operating Expenses
The decrease in operating expenses of $6.6 million is primarily attributable to our dispositions, a $3.1 million lease termination fee paid in 2017, a $1.1 million decrease in management fees associated primarily with a reduction in salary expense, and a $.4 million decrease in costs associated with our deferred compensation plan.
Impairment Loss
The decrease in impairment losses of $15.0 million is attributable to the losses in 2017 associated with the completed or proposed disposition of four shopping centers, one 50% unconsolidated joint venture interest and the disposition of an unimproved land parcel, which did not reoccur in 2018.
General and Administrative Expenses
The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1.8 million is primarily attributable to a reduction in salary expense associated with a decrease in restricted share compensation due to unanticipated reductions in our share valuation, as well as a reduction in personnel.
Interest Expense, net
Net interest expense decreased $6.4 million or 30.4%. The components of net interest expense were as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Gross interest expense
$
19,089

 
$
21,137

Gain on extinguishment of debt including related swap activity
(3,758
)
 
—

Amortization of debt deferred costs, net
936

 
963

Over-market mortgage adjustment
(155
)
 
(195
)
Capitalized interest
(1,440
)
 
(823
)
Total
$
14,672

 
$
21,082


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The decrease in net interest expense is primarily attributable to a reduction in the weighted average debt outstanding due to the pay down of debt with proceeds from our dispositions and a $3.8 million gain on extinguishment of debt, in the first quarter of 2018, which includes the effect of a swap termination. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the weighted average debt outstanding was $2.1 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 3.9% as compared to $2.3 billion outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 3.8% in the same period of 2017.
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
The increase of $4.1 million in the provision for income taxes is attributable primarily to activities in our taxable REIT subsidiary. In the first quarter of 2018, a tax provision of $.3 million was realized associated primarily with gains from disposition activities as compared to a tax benefit of $3.6 million in the same period of 2017 associated primarily with impairment losses and an NOL carryforward from disposition activities.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Our primary operating liquidity needs are paying our common share dividends, maintaining and operating our existing properties, paying our debt service costs, excluding debt maturities, and funding capital expenditures. Under our 2018 business plan, cash flows from operating activities are expected to meet these planned capital needs.
The primary sources of capital for funding any debt maturities, acquisitions, new developments and redevelopments are our excess cash flow generated by our operating properties; credit facilities; proceeds from both secured and unsecured debt issuances; proceeds from common and preferred equity issuances; and cash generated from the sale of property and the formation of joint ventures. Amounts outstanding under the unsecured revolving credit facility are retired as needed with proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, common and preferred equity, cash generated from the disposition of properties and cash flow generated by our operating properties.
As of March 31, 2018, we had available borrowing capacity of $497.9 million under our unsecured revolving credit facility, and our debt maturities for the remainder of 2018 total $110.3 million. As of March 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents available of $88.2 million. During the first three months of 2018, we used excess cash on hand to prepay $100 million of our $200 million unsecured term loan, to pay at par $50.3 million of outstanding debt, which includes $13.6 million of unsecured debt purchased on the open market, and to repurchase $8.1 million of our common shares. Subsequent to quarter-end, we prepaid without penalty, the remaining $100 million of our $200 million unsecured term loan, repurchased in the open market $.6 million in outstanding debt and repurchased an additional $6.9 million of common shares. Currently, we anticipate our disposition activities to continue and estimate between $250 million to $450 million in dispositions for all of 2018.
We believe net proceeds from planned capital recycling, combined with our available capacity under the revolving credit and short-term borrowing facilities, will provide adequate liquidity to fund our capital needs, including acquisitions, redevelopments and new development activities. In the event our capital recycling program does not progress as expected, we believe other debt and equity alternatives are available to us. Although external market conditions are not within our control, we do not currently foresee any impediment to our entering the capital markets if needed.
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, aggregate gross sales proceeds from our dispositions totaled $267.9 million, which were owned by us either directly or through our interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships. Operating cash flows from assets disposed are included in net cash from operating activities in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, while proceeds from these disposals are included as investing activities.

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We have non-recourse debt secured by acquired or developed properties held in several of our real estate joint ventures and partnerships. Off-balance sheet mortgage debt for our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships totaled $286.3 million, of which our pro rata ownership is $100.2 million, at March 31, 2018. Scheduled principal mortgage payments on this debt, excluding deferred debt costs and non-cash related items totaling $(.7) million, at 100% are as follows (in millions): 
2018 remaining
$
5.3

2019
7.1

2020
81.7

2021
173.0

2022
2.1

Thereafter
17.8

Total
$
287.0

We generally have the right to sell or otherwise dispose of our assets except in certain cases where we are required to obtain our joint venture partners’ consent or a third party consent for assets held in special purpose entities that are 100% owned by us.
Investing Activities
Dispositions
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we sold 8 centers and other property, including real estate assets owned through our interest in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships. Our share of aggregate gross sales proceeds from these transactions totaled $267.9 million and generated our share of the gains of approximately $109.5 million.
New Development/Redevelopment
At March 31, 2018, we had three mixed-use projects under development and a 30-story, high-rise residential tower at our River Oaks Shopping Center with approximately .3 million of total square footage for retail and office space and 962 residential units, that were partially or wholly owned. We have funded $164.7 million through March 31, 2018 on these projects. Upon completion, we expect our aggregate net investment in these multi-use projects to be $513.4 million.
At March 31, 2018, we had 14 redevelopment projects in which we plan to invest approximately $78.2 million. Upon completion, the average projected stabilized return on our incremental investment on these redevelopment projects is expected to be between 8.0% and 14.0%.
We typically finance our new development and redevelopment projects with proceeds from our unsecured revolving credit facility, as it is our general practice not to use third party construction financing. Management monitors amounts outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility and periodically pays down such balances using cash generated from operations, from debt issuances, from common and preferred share issuances and from the disposition of properties.

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Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for additions to the existing portfolio, acquisitions, tenant improvements, new development, redevelopment and our share of investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
New Development
$
19,544

 
$
30,383

Redevelopment
5,698

 
9,028

Tenant Improvements
6,346

 
6,480

Capital Improvements
3,511

 
5,412

Other
1,194

 
1,284

Total
$
36,293

 
$
52,587

The decrease in capital expenditures is attributable primarily to a decrease in new development activity, as we acquired the retail portion of a mixed-use project in Seattle, Washington in 2017 for $24.5 million, which is offset by increased activity at our new development projects.
Our new development and redevelopment investment for 2018 is estimated to be approximately $125 million to $175 million. For 2018, capital and tenant improvements is expected to be consistent with 2017 expenditures. For 2018, we anticipate our acquisitions to total between $50 million to $150 million. No assurances can be provided that our planned capital activities will occur. Further, we have entered into commitments aggregating $229.6 million comprised principally of construction contracts which are generally due in 12 to 36 months and anticipated to be funded under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
Capital expenditures for additions described above relate to cash flows from investing activities as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Acquisition of real estate and land
$
1,265

 
$
610

Development and capital improvements
29,041

 
51,779

Real estate joint ventures and partnerships - Investments
5,987

 
198

Total
$
36,293

 
$
52,587

Capitalized soft costs, including payroll and other general and administrative costs, interest, insurance and real estate taxes, totaled $3.4 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
Financing Activities
Debt
Total debt outstanding was $1.9 billion at March 31, 2018 and consists of $1.9 billion, which bears interest at fixed rates, and $17.8 million, which bears interest at variable rates. Additionally, of our total debt, $373.6 million was secured by operating centers while the remaining $1.6 billion was unsecured.
At March 31, 2018, we have a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in March 2020 and provides borrowing rates that float at a margin over LIBOR plus a facility fee. At March 31, 2018, the borrowing margin and facility fee, which are priced off a grid that is tied to our senior unsecured credit ratings, were 90 and 15 basis points, respectively. The facility also contains a competitive bid feature that allows us to request bids for up to $250 million. Additionally, an accordion feature allows us to increase the facility amount up to $850 million. As of April 27, 2018, we had $20.0 million outstanding, and the available balance was $477.9 million, net of $2.1 million in outstanding letters of credit.

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At March 31, 2018, we have a $10 million unsecured short-term facility that we maintain for cash management purposes. The facility, which matures in March 2019, provides for fixed interest rate loans at a 30-day LIBOR rate plus borrowing margin, facility fee and an unused facility fee of 125, 10, and 5 basis points, respectively. As of April 27, 2018, we had $6.5 million outstanding under this facility.
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, there was no activity under either of these facilities.
During March 2018, we prepaid $100 million of our $200 million unsecured variable-rate term loan, swapped to a fixed rate of 2.5%, and terminated the associated interest rate swap contracts (see Note 6 for additional information). Additionally during the three months ended March 31, 2018, we paid at par $50.3 million of outstanding debt. These transactions resulted in a net gain upon their extinguishment of $.4 million. Subsequent to March 31, 2018, we prepaid, without penalty, the remaining $100 million of our $200 million unsecured term loan and repurchased $.6 million in other outstanding debt.
Our five most restrictive covenants, composed from both our public debt and revolving credit facility, include debt to asset, secured debt to asset, fixed charge, unencumbered asset test and unencumbered interest coverage ratios. We are not aware of any non-compliance with our public debt and revolving credit facility covenants as of March 31, 2018.
Our most restrictive public debt covenant ratios, as defined in our indenture and supplemental indenture agreements, were as follows at March 31, 2018:
Covenant
 
Restriction
 
Actual
Debt to Asset Ratio
 
Less than 60.0%
 
38.5%
Secured Debt to Asset Ratio
 
Less than 40.0%
 
7.5%
Fixed Charge Ratio
 
Greater than 1.5
 
4.6
Unencumbered Asset Test
 
Greater than 150%
 
283.3%
As of March 31, 2018, we had no remaining active interest rate swap contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, associated with the prepayment of an unsecured note, we terminated three interest rate swap contracts that had an aggregate notional amount of $200 million, and we recognized a $3.4 million gain due to the probability that the related hedged forecasted transactions would no longer occur.
Equity
Our Board of Trust Managers approved the current quarter 2018 dividend of $.395 per common share, an increase from $.385 per common share for the respective quarter of 2017. Common share dividends paid totaled $50.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our dividend payout ratio (as calculated as dividends paid on common shares divided by core funds from operations attributable to common shareholders - basic) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 approximated 68.5% (see Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional information).
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligations to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the plan.
During March 2018, we repurchased .3 million of our common shares at an average price of $27.37 per share, and at March 31, 2018, $191.9 million of common shares remained available to be repurchased under this plan. As of the date of this filing, $185.0 million of common shares remained available to be repurchased under the plan due to .3 million common shares being repurchased subsequent to March 31, 2018.
We have an effective universal shelf registration statement which expires in September 2020. We will continue to closely monitor both the debt and equity markets and carefully consider our available financing alternatives, including both public offerings and private placements.

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Contractual Obligations
We have debt obligations related to our mortgage loans and unsecured debt, including any draws on our credit facilities. We have shopping centers that are subject to non-cancelable long-term ground leases where a third party owns and has leased the underlying land to us to construct and/or operate a shopping center. In addition, we have non-cancelable operating leases pertaining to office space from which we conduct our business. The table below excludes obligations related to our new development projects because such amounts are not fixed or determinable, and commitments aggregating $229.6 million comprised principally of construction contracts which are generally due in 12 to 36 months (see Note 14 for additional information). The following table summarizes our primary contractual obligations as of March 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Payments due by period
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 3 years
 
3 - 5 years
 
More than 5 years
Mortgages and Notes Payable (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured Debt
$
1,850,655

 
$
63,347

 
$
208,641

 
$
105,558

 
$
1,473,109

Secured Debt
456,421

 
111,836

 
78,604

 
44,221

 
221,760

Lease Payments
114,251

 
2,168

 
5,337

 
4,683

 
102,063

Other Obligations (2)
78,219

 
45,286

 
32,933

 
 
 
 
Total Contractual Obligations
$
2,499,546

 
$
222,637

 
$
325,515

 
$
154,462

 
$
1,796,932

 
_______________
(1)
Includes principal and interest with interest on variable-rate debt calculated using rates at March 31, 2018. Also, excludes a $64.1 million debt service guaranty liability. See Note 5 for additional information.
(2)
Other obligations include income and real estate tax payments, commitments associated with our secured debt and other employee payments. Included in 2018, is the estimated contribution to our pension plan, which meets or exceeds the minimum statutory funding requirements; however, we have the right to discontinue contributions at any time. See Note 12 for additional information.
Related to a development project in Sheridan, Colorado, we have provided a guaranty for the payment of any debt service shortfalls on tax increment revenue bonds issued in connection with the project. The Sheridan Redevelopment Agency issued Series A bonds used for an urban renewal project, of which $64.1 million remain outstanding at March 31, 2018. The bonds are to be repaid with incremental sales and property taxes and a PIF to be assessed on current and future retail sales and, to the extent necessary, any amounts we may have to provide under a guaranty. The incremental taxes and PIF are to remain intact until the earlier of the payment of the bond liability in full or 2040. The debt associated with this guaranty has been recorded in our condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2018, none of our off-balance sheet arrangements had a material effect on our liquidity or availability of, or requirement for, our capital resources. Letters of credit totaling $6.4 million were outstanding at March 31, 2018.
We have entered into several unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships. Under many of these agreements, we and our joint venture partners are required to fund operating capital upon shortfalls in working capital. As operating manager of most of these entities, we have considered these funding requirements in our business plan.
Reconsideration events, including changes in variable interests, could cause us to consolidate these joint ventures and partnerships. We continuously evaluate these events as we become aware of them. Some triggers to be considered are additional contributions required by each partner and each partner’s ability to make those contributions. Under certain of these circumstances, we may purchase our partner’s interest. Our material unconsolidated real estate joint ventures are with entities which appear sufficiently stable; however, if market conditions were to deteriorate and our partners are unable to meet their commitments, there is a possibility we may have to consolidate these entities. If we were to consolidate all of our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures, we would continue to be in compliance with our debt covenants.

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Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2018, one unconsolidated real estate joint venture was determined to be a VIE through the issuance of a secured loan, since the lender had the ability to make decisions that could have a significant impact on the profitability of the entity. Our maximum risk of loss associated with this VIE was limited to $34.0 million at March 31, 2018. Also at March 31, 2018, another joint venture arrangement for the future development of a mixed-use project was determined to be a VIE. We are not the primary beneficiary as the substantive participating rights associated with the entity are shared, and we do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity. We anticipate funding approximately $89 million associated with the mixed-use project through 2020.
Effective January 1, 2018, a real estate limited partnership agreement with a foreign institutional investor was amended to include potential acquisitions of real estate approved by the institutional investor of up to $61 million through December 31, 2018, which period may be extended for up to two additional one-year periods with consent of the institutional investor. Our ownership in this unconsolidated real estate limited partnership agreement is 51%, and as of the date of this filing, no additional assets have been purchased under this agreement.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Certain of our key performance indicators are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses these measures along with our GAAP financial statements in order to evaluate our operating results. We believe these additional measures provide users of our financial information additional comparable indicators of our industry, as well as, our performance.
Funds from Operations Attributable to Common Shareholders
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations attributable to common shareholders ("NAREIT FFO") as net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding extraordinary items and gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets and interests in real estate equity investments and their applicable taxes, plus depreciation and amortization of operating properties and impairment of depreciable real estate and in substance real estate equity investments, including our share of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships. We calculate NAREIT FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition.
We believe NAREIT FFO is a widely recognized measure of REIT operating performance which provides our shareholders with a relevant basis for comparison among other REITs. Management uses NAREIT FFO as a supplemental internal measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income by itself as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes that the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that uses historical cost accounting is insufficient by itself. There can be no assurance that NAREIT FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs.
We also present core funds from operations attributable to common shareholders (“Core FFO”) as an additional supplemental measure as it is more reflective of the core operating performance of our portfolio of properties. Core FFO is defined as NAREIT FFO excluding charges and gains related to non-cash, non-operating and other transactions or events that hinder the comparability of operating results. Specific examples of items excluded from Core FFO include, but are not limited to, gains or losses associated with the extinguishment of debt or other liabilities, impairments of land, transactional costs associated with acquisition and development activities, certain deferred tax provisions/benefits, redemption costs of preferred shares and gains on the disposal of non-real estate assets.
NAREIT FFO and Core FFO should not be considered as alternatives to net income or other measurements under GAAP as indicators of our operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as measures of liquidity. NAREIT FFO and Core FFO do not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness.

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NAREIT FFO and Core FFO is calculated as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
146,824

 
$
30,826

Depreciation and amortization of real estate
 
37,765

 
42,188

Depreciation and amortization of real estate of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships
 
3,184

 
3,639

Impairment of operating properties and real estate equity investments
 
—

 
12,005

Gain on sale of property and interests in real estate equity investments
 
(109,038
)
 
(15,748
)
Gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships
 
(2,363
)
 
—

Provision (benefit) for income taxes (1)
 
161

 
(2,392
)
Noncontrolling interests and other (2)
 
1,210

 
3,369

NAREIT FFO – basic
 
77,743

 
73,887

Income attributable to operating partnership units
 
528

 
526

NAREIT FFO – diluted
 
78,271

 
74,413

Adjustments to Core FFO:
 
 
 
 
Other impairment loss
 
—

 
3,017

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
—

 
(952
)
Gain on extinguishment of debt including related swap activity
 
(3,557
)
 
—

Other
 
—

 
3,066

Core FFO – diluted
 
$
74,714

 
$
79,544

 
 
 
 
 
FFO Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
 
127,926

 
127,610

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Share options and awards
 
781

 
938

Operating partnership units
 
1,432

 
1,462

FFO Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
 
130,139

 
130,010

 
 
 
 
 
NAREIT FFO per common share – basic
 
$
.61

 
$
.58

 
 
 
 
 
NAREIT FFO per common share – diluted
 
$
.60

 
$
.57

 
 
 
 
 
Core FFO per common share – diluted
 
$
.57

 
$
.61

_______________
(1) The applicable taxes related to gains and impairments of operating properties.
(2) Related to gains, impairments and depreciation on operating properties and unconsolidated real estate joint ventures, where applicable.

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Same Property Net Operating Income
We consider SPNOI an important additional financial measure because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level, and when compared across periods, reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. We calculate this most useful measurement by determining our proportional share of SPNOI from all owned properties, including our share of SPNOI from unconsolidated joint ventures and partnerships, which cannot be readily determined under GAAP measurements and presentation. Although SPNOI is a widely used measure among REITs, there can be no assurance that SPNOI presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. Additionally, we do not control these unconsolidated joint ventures and partnerships, and the assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses of these joint ventures and partnerships, as presented, do not represent our legal claim to such items.
Properties are included in the SPNOI calculation if they are owned and operated for the entirety of the most recent two fiscal year periods, except for properties for which significant redevelopment or expansion occurred during either of the periods presented, and properties that have been sold. While there is judgment surrounding changes in designations, we move new development and redevelopment properties once they have stabilized, which is typically upon attainment of 90% occupancy. A rollforward of the properties included in our same property designation is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
Beginning of the period
 
183

Properties added:
 
 
Acquisitions
 
6

New Developments
 
1

Redevelopments
 
2

Properties removed:
 
 
Dispositions
 
(8
)
End of the period
 
184


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We calculate SPNOI using operating income as defined by GAAP excluding property management fees, certain non-cash revenues and expenses such as straight-line rental revenue and the related reversal of such amounts upon early lease termination, depreciation, amortization, impairment losses, general and administrative expenses, acquisition costs and other items such as lease cancellation income, environmental abatement costs, demolition expenses and lease termination fees. Consistent with the capital treatment of such costs under GAAP, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and other direct leasing costs are excluded from SPNOI. A reconciliation of net income attributable to common shareholders to SPNOI is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
146,824

 
$
30,826

Add:
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
2,145

 
5,570

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
783

 
(3,359
)
Interest expense, net
 
14,672

 
21,082

Less:
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of property
 
(109,045
)
 
(15,763
)
Equity in earnings of real estate joint ventures and partnership interests
 
(5,993
)
 
(5,317
)
Interest and other income/expense
 
(1,533
)
 
(1,622
)
Operating Income
 
47,853

 
31,417

Less:
 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments (1)
 
(3,932
)
 
(4,109
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
Property management fees
 
867

 
926

Depreciation and amortization
 
38,095

 
42,449

Impairment loss
 
—

 
14,986

General and administrative
 
5,595

 
7,384

Acquisition costs
 
—

 
1

Other (2)
 
89

 
3,117

Net Operating Income
 
88,567

 
96,171

Less: NOI related to consolidated entities not defined as same property and noncontrolling interests
 
(3,892
)
 
(13,643
)
Add: Pro rata share of unconsolidated entities defined as same property
 
8,374

 
8,687

Same Property Net Operating Income
 
93,049

 
91,215

Less: Redevelopment Net Operating Income
 
(7,133
)
 
(6,693
)
Same Property Net Operating Income excluding Redevelopments
 
$
85,916

 
$
84,522

___________________
(1)
Revenue adjustments consist primarily of straight-line rentals, lease cancellation income and fee income primarily from real estate joint ventures and partnerships.
(2)
Other includes items such as environmental abatement costs, demolition expenses and lease termination fees.
Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for additional information related to recent accounting pronouncements.

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ITEM 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We use fixed and floating-rate debt to finance our capital requirements. These transactions expose us to market risk related to changes in interest rates. Derivative financial instruments may be used to manage a portion of this risk, primarily interest rate contracts with major financial institutions. These agreements expose us to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counter-parties. We do not engage in the trading of derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2018, we had fixed-rate debt of $1.9 billion, and variable-rate debt of $17.8 million. In the event interest rates were to increase 100 basis points and holding all other variables constant, annual net income and cash flows for the following year would decrease by approximately $.2 million associated with our variable-rate debt. The effect of the 100 basis points increase would decrease the fair value of our variable-rate and fixed-rate debt by approximately $.04 million and $99.7 million, respectively.
ITEM 4.    Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2018. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018.
There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II-OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.     Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various matters of litigation arising in the normal course of business. While we are unable to predict the amounts involved, our management and counsel believe that when such litigation is resolved, our resulting liability, if any, will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors
We have no material changes to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
ITEM 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We have a $200 million share repurchase plan. Under this plan, we may repurchase common shares from time-to-time in open-market or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligations to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the plan.

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Repurchases of our common shares for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program
 
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program
January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2018 (1)
 
2

 
$
32.87

 
 
 
 
February 1, 2018 to February 28, 2018 (1)
 
28

 
27.54

 
 
 
 
March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 (2)
 
296

 
$
27.37

 
296

 
$
191,901

_______________
(1)
Common shares surrendered or deemed surrendered to us to satisfy such employees' tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting and/or exercise of awards under our equity-based compensation plans.
(2)
As of the date of this filing, $185.0 million of common shares remained available to be repurchased under the plan due to .3 million common shares being repurchased subsequent to March 31, 2018.
ITEM 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
ITEM 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
ITEM 5.     Other Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 6.     Exhibits
The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

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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.
 
WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Andrew M. Alexander
 
 
Andrew M. Alexander
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Joe D. Shafer
 
 
Joe D. Shafer
 
 
Senior Vice President/Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
DATE: May 2, 2018

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EXHIBIT INDEX
(a)
 
Exhibits:
10.1*
—
31.1*
—
31.2*
—
32.1**
—
32.2**
—
101.INS**
—
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**
—
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**
—
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**
—
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**
—
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE**
—
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*
Filed with this report.
 
**
Furnished with this report.
 



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