PRSI 10-K/A
Portsmouth Square Inc (PRSI)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For
the fiscal year ended
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| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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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 | ☐ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ |
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ||
| Emerging growth company |
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The
aggregate market value of the Common Stock, no par value, held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the closing price reported
on December 31, 2022 was $
The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s Common Stock, as of October 13, 2023 was.
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| None | None | None |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None
Explanatory note
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources, including anticipated repayment of certain of the Company’s indebtedness, the impact to our business and financial condition, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations and other non-historical statements, the impact from macroeconomic factors (including inflation, increases in interest rates, potential economic slowdown or a recession and geopolitical conflicts). Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, and in some cases, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “projects,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. 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 our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance or future achievements or events.
All such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of management and therefore involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, and we urge investors to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning risks and uncertainties in Item 1A: “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The risk factors discussed in Item 1A: “Risk Factors” could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. Any such risks could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.
Other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:
| ● | risks associated with the lodging industry, including competition, increases in wages, labor relations, energy and fuel costs, actual and threatened pandemics, actual and threatened terrorist attacks, and downturns in domestic and international economic and market conditions, particularly in the San Francisco Bay area; | |
| ● | risks associated with the real estate industry, including changes in real estate and zoning laws or regulations, increases in real property taxes, rising insurance premiums, costs of compliance with environmental laws and other governmental regulations; | |
| ● | the availability and terms of financing and capital and the general volatility of securities markets; | |
| ● | changes in the competitive environment in the hotel industry; | |
| ● | economic volatility and potential recessive trends; | |
| ● | risks related to natural disasters; | |
| ● | hyperinflation; | |
| ● | litigation; and | |
| ● | other risk factors discussed below in this Report. |
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PART I
Item 1. Business.
GENERAL
Portsmouth Square, Inc. (referred to as “Portsmouth” or the “Company” and may also be referred to as “we” “us” or “our”) is a California corporation, incorporated on July 6, 1967, for the purpose of acquiring a hotel property in San Francisco, California through a California limited partnership, Justice Investors Limited Partnership (“Justice” or the “Partnership”). As of June 30, 2023, approximately 75.7% of the outstanding common stock of Portsmouth was owned by The InterGroup Corporation (“InterGroup”), a public company (NASDAQ: INTG). As of June 30, 2023, the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, John V. Winfield, owns approximately 2.5% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Mr. Winfield also serves as the President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of InterGroup and owns approximately 68.6% of the outstanding common shares of InterGroup as of June 30, 2023.
Portsmouth’s primary business was conducted through its general and limited partnership interest in Justice Investors Limited Partnership, a California limited partnership (“Justice” or the “Partnership”). Effective July 15, 2021, Portsmouth completed the purchase of 100% of the limited partnership interest of Justice through the acquisition of the remaining 0.7% non-controlling interest. Effective December 23, 2021, the Partnership was dissolved. The financial statements of Justice were consolidated with those of the Company.
Prior to its dissolution effective December 23, 2021, Justice owned and operated a 544-room hotel property located at 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco California, known as the Hilton San Francisco Financial District (the “Hotel”) and related facilities including a five-level underground parking garage through its subsidiaries Justice Operating Company, LLC (“Operating”) and Justice Mezzanine Company, LLC (“Mezzanine”). Mezzanine was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership; Operating is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mezzanine. Effective December 23, 2021, Portsmouth replaced Justice as the single member of Mezzanine. Mezzanine is the borrower under certain mezzanine indebtedness of Justice, and in December 2013, the Partnership conveyed ownership of the Hotel to Operating. The Hotel is a full-service Hilton brand hotel pursuant to a Franchise License Agreement with HLT Franchise Holding LLC (“Hilton”) through January 31, 2030.
The Company also derives income from the investment of its cash and investment securities assets. The Company has invested in income-producing instruments, equity and debt securities and may consider other investments in the future. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion of the Company’s marketable securities and other investments.
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HILTON HOTELS FRANCHISE LICENSE AGREEMENT
The Partnership entered into a Franchise License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with the HLT Existing Franchise Holding LLC (“Hilton”) on December 10, 2004. The term of the License Agreement was for an initial period of fifteen years commencing on the date the Hotel began operating as a Hilton hotel, with an option to extend the License Agreement for another five years, subject to certain conditions. On June 26, 2015, Operating and Hilton entered into an amended franchise agreement that, among other things, extended the License Agreement through 2030, and provided the Justice with certain key money cash incentives to be earned through 2030.
HOTEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY AGREEMENT
Operating entered into a hotel management agreement (“HMA”) with Aimbridge Hospitality (“Aimbridge”) to manage the Hotel, along with its five-level parking garage, with an effective date of February 3, 2017. The term of the management agreement is for an initial period of ten years commencing on the February 3, 2017 date and automatically renews for successive one (1) year periods, not to exceed five years in the aggregate, subject to certain conditions. Under the terms on the HMA, base management fee (“Basic Fee”) payable to Aimbridge shall be one and seven-tenths percent (1.70%) of total Hotel revenue. In addition to the Basic Fee, Aimbridge shall be entitled to an annual incentive fee for each fiscal year equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount by which Gross Operating Profit in the current fiscal year exceeds the previous fiscal year’s Gross Operating Profit.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, hotel management fees were $711,000 and $530,000, and incentive fees of $505,000 and $525,000, respectively, offset by key money amortization of $250,000 for both years and are included in Hotel operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. As part of the Hotel management agreement, Aimbridge, through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Kearny Street Parking LLC, manages the parking garage in-house.
CHINESE CULTURE FOUNDATION LEASE
On March 15, 2005, the Hotel entered an amended lease with the Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco (the “Foundation”) for the third-floor space of the Hotel commonly known as the Chinese Culture Center, which the Foundation had right to occupy pursuant to a 50-year nominal rent lease that began in 1967.
The amended lease, among other things, requires the Hotel to pay to the Foundation a monthly event space fee in the amount of $5,000, adjusted annually based on the local Consumer Price Index. As of June 30, 2023, monthly event space fee is $7,131. The term of the amended lease expires on October 17, 2023, with an automatic extension for another 10-year term if the property continues to be operated as a hotel. Subject to certain conditions as set forth in the amended lease, the Foundation is entitled to reserve for a maximum of 75 days per calendar year for use of the event space. If the Hotel needs the event space during one of the dates previously reserved by the Foundation, the Hotel shall pay the Foundation $4,000 per day for using the event space. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Hotel paid the Foundation $20,000 and $12,000 for such fees, respectively.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES INVESTMENT POLICIES
In addition to its Hotel operations, the Company also invests from time to time in income producing instruments, corporate debt and equity securities, publicly traded investment funds, mortgage-backed securities, securities issued by REITs and other companies which invest primarily in real estate.
The Company’s securities investments are made under the supervision of an Executive Strategic Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Committee currently has three members and is chaired by the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, John V. Winfield. The Committee has delegated authority to manage the portfolio to the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer together with such assistants and management committees he may engage. The Committee generally follows certain established investment guidelines for the Company’s investments. These guidelines presently include: (i) corporate equity securities should be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NYSE MKT, NYSE Arca or the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ); (ii) the issuer of the listed securities should be in compliance with the listing standards of the applicable national securities exchange; and (iii) investment in a particular issuer should not exceed 10% of the market value of the total portfolio. The investment guidelines do not require the Company to divest itself of investments, which initially meet these guidelines but subsequently fail to meet one or more of the investment criteria. The Committee has in the past approved non-conforming investments and may in the future approve non-conforming investments. The Committee may modify these guidelines from time to time.
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The Company may also invest, with the approval of the Committee, in unlisted securities, such as convertible notes, through private placements including private equity investment funds. Those investments in non-marketable securities are carried at cost on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as part of other investments and reviewed for impairment on a periodic basis.
The Company may utilize margin for its marketable securities purchases using standard margin agreements with national brokerage firms. The margin used by the Company may fluctuate depending on market conditions. The use of leverage could be viewed as risky, and the market value of the portfolio may be subject to large fluctuations. Margin balances due on June 30, 2023 and 2022 were zero and $130,000 respectively.
As Chairman of the Committee and of the Company, John V. Winfield, directs the investment activity of the Company in public and private markets pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors. Mr. Winfield also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of InterGroup and oversees the investment activity of InterGroup. Effective June 2016, Mr. Winfield became the Managing Director of Justice up to Justice’s dissolution in December 2021. Depending on certain market conditions and various risk factors, the Chief Executive Officer and InterGroup may, at times, invest in the same companies in which the Company invests. Such investments align the interests of the Company with the interests of these related parties because it places the personal resources of the Chief Executive Officer and the resources of InterGroup, at risk in substantially the same manner as the Company in connection with investment decisions made on behalf of the Company.
Further information with respect to investment in marketable securities and other investments of the Company is set forth in Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section and Notes 6 and 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SEASONALITY
Historically, the Hotel’s operation has been seasonal under normal circumstances. Like most hotels in the San Francisco area, the Hotel generally maintained high occupancy and room rates during the entire year except for the weeks starting from Thanksgiving to first week of January due to the holiday season. These seasonal patterns can be expected to cause fluctuations in the quarterly revenues of the Hotel. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information regarding the effects on our results of operations.
COMPETITION
The Hotel has navigated this very competitive market nimbly and has consistently been ranked the number one hotel in its Competitive Set (“CompSet”) based on our ability to drive occupancy. During 2021 and first part of calendar 2022, we took advantage of the slow periods to make certain capital improvements including complete refinishing of all guest room furniture, resurfacing half of the hotel bathtubs that needed repair, refreshed meeting space and lobby paint and vinyl, replaced all bed frames and socks, and completed the carpet and wall covering corridor installation. In November 2022, we began our guestroom renovation and had completed approximately 200 guestrooms as of June 30, 2023. Hotel improvements are ongoing to remain competitive and we anticipate completing the guestroom renovations by the end March 2024.
As of the date of this report, the competition for business is very strong as there still hasn’t been a rebound close to 2019 for the overall San Francisco market. The fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the Hotel’s Competitive Set (“CompSet”) was running 64% occupancy and average daily rate of $236 for a RevPAR of $152. The Hotel has fared drastically better than its CompSet by aggressively pursuing all segments and opening all channels on off peak days and limiting access over peak demand dates. At the end of fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the Hotel was running occupancy of 83% including the vacancy of the “Out Of Order” rooms of about 13% at $195 average daily rate for a RevPAR of $161, giving the Hotel a RevPAR index of 106%.
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The Hotel’s location in the San Francisco Financial District historically had provided greater opportunities over its competitors when it comes to developing relationships with the Financial District entities and the customers who regularly do business in the downtown area. With limited business travel to San Francisco for the time, we are competing with hotels in more tourist attracting locations and amenities for the leisure traveler. The ability to capitalize on the strong midweek demand of the individual business traveler to the Financial District has been the focus during the timeframe of strong growth in the market. The shift to attracting leisure travel has pushed the hotel to price aggressively to lure competition from the more tourist locations in San Francisco.
The Hotel is also subject to certain operating risks common to the hospitality industry, which could adversely impact performance.
These risks include, but are not limited to:
| ● | Competition for guests and meetings from other hotels including competition and pricing pressure from internet wholesalers and distributors; | |
| ● | increases in operating costs, including wages, benefits, insurance, property taxes and energy, due to inflation and other factors, which may not be offset in the future by increased room rates; | |
| ● | labor strikes, disruptions or lock outs; | |
| ● | dependence on demand from business and leisure travelers, which may fluctuate and is seasonal; | |
| ● | increases in energy costs, cost of fuel, airline fares and other expenses related to travel, which may negatively affect traveling; | |
| ● | terrorism, terrorism alerts and warnings, wars and other military actions, pandemics or other medical events or warnings which may result in decreases in business and leisure travel; | |
| ● | natural disasters; and | |
| ● | adverse effects of downturns and recessionary conditions in international, national and/or local economies and market conditions. |
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
In connection with the ownership of the Hotel, the Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to environmental protection. Under these laws, the current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances.
Environmental consultants retained by Justice and its lenders conducted updated Phase I environmental site assessments in fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 on the Hotel property. These Phase I assessments relied, in part, on Phase I environmental assessments prepared in connection with the Partnership’s first mortgage loan obtained in December 2013. Phase I assessments are designed to evaluate the potential for environmental contamination on properties based generally upon site inspections, facility personnel interviews, historical information, and certain publicly available databases; however, Phase I assessments will not necessarily reveal the existence or extent of all environmental conditions, liabilities or compliance concerns at the properties.
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Although the Phase I assessments and other environmental reports we have reviewed disclose certain conditions on our property and the use of hazardous substances in operation and maintenance activities that could pose a risk of environmental contamination or liability, we are not aware of any environmental liability that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company believes that the Hotel is in compliance, in all material respects, with all federal, state, and local environmental ordinances and regulations regarding hazardous or toxic substances and other environmental matters, the violation of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has not received written notice from any governmental authority of any material noncompliance, liability or claim relating to hazardous or toxic substances or other environmental matters in connection with any of its present properties.
EMPLOYEES
As of June 30, 2023, Portsmouth had two full-time employees. The employees of the Company are not part of any collective bargaining agreement, and the Company believes that its employee relations are satisfactory.
The hotel operations had 187 employees as of June 30, 2023. On February 3, 2017, Aimbridge assumed all labor union agreements and Justice provides all funding for all payroll and related costs. As of June 30, 2023, approximately 90% of those employees were represented by one of three labor unions, and their terms of employment were determined under various collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) to which Aimbridge was a party. CBA for Local 2 (Hotel and Restaurant Employees) expired on August 13, 2022 and a new MOU was signed June 26, 2023. CBA for Local 856 (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) expired on December 31, 2022 and a new agreement was signed on April 26, 2023. CBA for Local 39 (Stationary Engineers) will expire on July 31, 2024.
Negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, which includes not just terms and conditions of employment, but scope and coverage of employees, is a regular and expected course of business operations for the Company and Aimbridge. The Company expects and anticipates that the terms of conditions of CBAs will have an impact on wage and benefit costs, operating expenses, and certain hotel operations during the life of each CBA and incorporates these principles into its operating and budgetary practices.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company files required annual and quarterly reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or the “Commission”). The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the Commission at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, on official business days during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission.
Other information about the Company can be found on our parent company’s website www.intgla.com. Reference in this document to that website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Adverse changes in the U.S. and global economies could negatively impact our financial performance.
Due to a number of factors affecting consumers, the outlook for the lodging industry remains uncertain. These factors have resulted at times in the past and could continue to result in the future in fewer customers visiting, or customers spending less, in San Francisco, as compared to prior periods. The macro-economic situation of a looming US/Global recession has seen business reducing or eliminating typical travel and group meetings in efforts to be conservative in uncertain financial times. Leisure travel and other leisure activities represent discretionary expenditures, and participation in such activities tends to decline during economic downturns, during which consumers generally have less disposable income. As a result, in those times customer demand for the luxury amenities and leisure activities that we offer may decline. Furthermore, during periods of economic contraction, revenues may decrease while some of our costs remain fixed or even increase, resulting in decreased earnings.
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Weakened global economic conditions may adversely affect our industry, business and results of operations.
Our overall performance depends in part on worldwide economic conditions which could adversely affect the tourism industry. According to current economic news reports, the United States and other key international economies may be subject to a recession, characterized by falling demand for a variety of goods and services, restricted credit, going concern threats to financial institutions, major multinational companies and medium and small businesses, poor liquidity, declining asset values, reduced corporate profitability, and volatility in credit, equity and foreign exchange markets. These conditions affect discretionary and leisure spending and could adversely affect our customers’ ability or willingness to travel to destinations for leisure and cutback on discretionary business travel, which could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, in a weakened economy, companies that have competing properties may reduce room rates and other prices which could also reduce our average revenues and harm our operating results.
We operate a single property located in San Francisco and rely on the San Francisco market. Changes adversely impacting this market could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation, and fair market value of the Hotel.
Our business in San Francisco and the hospitality industry has a limited base of operations and substantially all of our revenues are currently generated by the Hotel in San Francisco, California. Accordingly, we are subject to greater risks than a more diversified hotel or resort operator and the profitability of our operations is linked to local economic conditions in San Francisco. The combination of a decline in the local economy of San Francisco, reliance on a single location and the significant investment associated with it may cause our operating results to fluctuate significantly and may adversely affect us and materially affect our total profitability.
We face intense local and increasingly national competition which could impact our operations and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We operate in the highly competitive San Francisco hotel industry. The Hotel competes with other high-quality Northern California hotels and resorts. Many of these competitors seek to attract customers to their properties by providing, food and beverage outlets, retail stores and other related amenities, in addition to hotel accommodations. To the extent that we seek to enhance our revenue base by offering our own various amenities, we compete with the service offerings provided by these competitors.
Many of the competing properties have themes and attractions which draw a significant number of visitors and directly compete with our operations. Some of these properties are operated by subsidiaries or divisions of large public companies that may have greater name recognition and financial and marketing resources than we do and market to the same target demographic group as we do. Various competitors are expanding and renovating their existing facilities. We believe that competition in the San Francisco hotel and resort industry is based on certain property-specific factors, including overall atmosphere, range of amenities, price, location, technology infrastructure, entertainment attractions, theme and size. Any market perception that we do not excel with respect to such property-specific factors could adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. If we are unable to compete effectively, we could lose market share, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The San Francisco hotel and resort industry are capital intensive; financing our renovations and future capital improvements could reduce our cash flow and adversely affect our financial performance.
The Hotel has an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements to remain competitive, including replacement, from time to time, of furniture, fixtures and equipment. We will also need to make capital expenditures to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Renovations and other capital improvements of hotels require significant capital expenditures. In addition, renovations and capital improvements of hotels usually generate little or no cash flow until the project’s completion. We may not be able to fund such projects solely from cash provided from our operating activities. Consequently, we will rely upon the availability of debt or equity capital and reserve funds to fund renovations and capital improvements and our ability to carry them out will be limited if we cannot obtain satisfactory debt or equity financing, which will depend on, among other things, market conditions. No assurances can be made that we will be able to obtain additional equity or debt financing or that we will be able to obtain such financing on favorable terms.
Renovations and other capital improvements may give rise to the following additional risks, among others: construction cost overruns and delays; increased prices of materials due to tariffs; temporary closures of all or a portion of the Hotel to customers; disruption in service and room availability causing reduced demand, occupancy and rates; and possible environmental issues.
As a result, renovations and any other future capital improvement projects may increase our expenses, reduce our cash flows and our revenues. If capital expenditures exceed our expectations, this excess would have an adverse effect on our available cash.
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We have substantial debt, and we may incur additional indebtedness, which may negatively affect our business and financial results.
We have substantial debt service obligations. Our substantial debt may negatively affect our business and operations in several ways, including: requiring us to use a substantial portion of our funds from operations to make required payments on principal and interest, which will reduce funds available for operations and capital expenditures, future business opportunities and other purposes; making us more vulnerable to economic and industry downturns and reducing our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions; limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the business and the industry in which we operate; placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; limiting our ability to borrow more money for operations, capital or to finance acquisitions in the future; and requiring us to dispose of assets, if needed, in order to make required payments of interest and principal.
The debt agreement that governs our outstanding indebtedness due January 2024 could result in our being required to repay these borrowings on their due date. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or are unable to refinance these borrowings, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our business model involves high fixed costs, including property taxes and insurance costs, which we may be unable to adjust in a timely manner in response to a reduction in our revenues.
The costs associated with owning and operating the Hotel are significant. Some of these costs (such as property taxes and insurance costs) are fixed, meaning that such costs may not be altered in a timely manner in response to changes in demand for services. Failure to adjust our expenses may adversely affect our business and results of operations. Our real property taxes may increase as property tax rates change and as the values of properties are assessed and reassessed by tax authorities. Our real estate taxes do not depend on our revenues, and generally we could not reduce them other than by disposing of our real estate assets.
Insurance premiums have increased significantly in recent years, and continued escalation may result in our inability to obtain adequate insurance at acceptable premium rates. A continuation of this trend would appreciably increase the operating expenses of the Hotel. If we do not obtain adequate insurance, to the extent that any of the events not covered by an insurance policy materialize, our financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
In the future, our property may be subject to increases in real estate and other tax rates, utility costs, operating expenses, insurance costs, repairs and maintenance and administrative expenses, which could reduce our cash flow and adversely affect our financial performance. If our revenues decline and we are unable to reduce our expenses in a timely manner, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Risk of declining market values in marketable securities.
The Company invests from time to time in marketable securities. As a result, the Company is exposed to market volatility in connection with these investments. The Company’s financial position and financial performance could be adversely affected by worsening market conditions or stagnant performance of such investments.
Illiquidity risk in nonmarketable securities.
Nonmarketable securities are, by definition, instruments that are not readily salable in the capital markets, and when sold are usually at a substantial discount. Thus, the holder is limited to return on investment from any income producing feature of the instrument, as any sale of such an instrument would be subject to a substantial discount. Thus, a holder may need to hold such instruments for long period of time and not be able to realize a return of their cash investment should there be a need to liquidate to obtain cash at any given time.
Litigation and legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and thus negatively affect our financial results.
We are a party, from time to time, to various litigation claims and legal proceedings, government and regulatory inquiries and/or proceedings, including, but not limited to, intellectual property, premises liability and breach of contract claims. Material legal proceedings are described more fully in Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, to our consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Litigation is inherently unpredictable and defending these proceedings can result in significant ongoing expenditures and the diversion of our management’s time and attention from the operation of our business, which could have a negative effect on our business operations. Our failure to successfully defend or settle any litigation or legal proceedings could result in liabilities that, to the extent not covered by our insurance, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, revenue and profitability.
The threat of terrorism could adversely affect the number of customer visits to the Hotel.
The threat of terrorism has caused, and may in the future cause, a significant decrease in customer visits to San Francisco due to disruptions in commercial and leisure travel patterns and concerns about travel safety. We cannot predict the extent to which disruptions in air or other forms of travel as a result of any further terrorist act, outbreak of hostilities or escalation of war would adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The possibility of future attacks may hamper business and leisure travel patterns and, accordingly, the performance of our business and our operations.
We depend in part, on third party management companies for the future success of our business and the loss of one or more of their key personnel could have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our business and operate successfully and competitively or could be negatively perceived in the capital markets.
The Hotel is managed by Aimbridge. Their ability to manage the Hotel and to operate successfully and competitively is dependent, in part, upon the efforts and continued service of their managers. The departure of key personnel of current or future management companies could have an adverse effect on our business and our ability to operate successfully and competitively, and it could be difficult to find replacements for these key personnel, as competition for such personnel is intense.
Seasonality and other related factors such as weather can be expected to cause quarterly fluctuations in revenue at the Hotel.
The hotel and resort industry are seasonal in nature. This seasonality can tend to cause quarterly fluctuations in revenues at the Hotel. Our quarterly earnings may also be adversely affected by other related factors outside our control, including weather conditions and poor economic conditions. As a result, we may have to enter into short-term borrowings in certain quarters in order to offset these quarterly fluctuations in our revenues.
The hotel industry is heavily regulated and failure to comply with extensive regulatory requirements may result in an adverse effect on our business.
The hotel industry is subject to extensive regulation and the Hotel must maintain its licenses and pay taxes and fees to continue operations. Our property is subject to numerous laws, including those relating to the preparation and sale of food and beverages, including alcohol. We are also subject to laws governing our relationship with our employees in such areas as minimum wage and maximum working hours, overtime, working conditions, hiring and firing employees and work permits. Also, our ability to remodel, refurbish or add to our property may be dependent upon our obtaining necessary building permits from local authorities. The failure to obtain any of these permits could adversely affect our ability to increase revenues and net income through capital improvements of our property. In addition, we are subject to the numerous rules and regulations relating to state and federal taxation. Compliance with these rules and regulations requires significant management attention. Furthermore, compliance costs associated with such laws, regulations and licenses are significant. Any change in the laws, regulations or licenses applicable to our business or a violation of any current or future laws or regulations applicable to our business or gaming license could require us to make substantial expenditures or could otherwise negatively affect our gaming operations. Any failure to comply with all such rules and regulations could subject us to fines or audits by the applicable taxation authority.
Violations of laws could result in, among other things, disciplinary action. If we fail to comply with regulatory requirements, this may result in an adverse effect on our business.
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Uninsured and underinsured losses could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
There are certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes and floods or terrorist acts, which may be uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be subject to insurance coverage limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments. We will use our discretion in determining amounts, coverage limits, deductibility provisions of insurance and the appropriateness of self-insuring, with a view to maintaining appropriate insurance coverage on our investments at a reasonable cost and on suitable terms. Uninsured and underinsured losses could harm our financial condition and results of operations. We could incur liabilities resulting from loss or injury to the Hotel or to persons at the Hotel. Claims, whether or not they have merit, could harm the reputation of the Hotel or cause us to incur expenses to the extent of insurance deductibles or losses in excess of policy limitations, which could harm our results of operations.
In the event of a catastrophic loss, our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover the full current market value or replacement cost of our lost investment. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in the Hotel, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property. In that event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the Hotel. In the event of a significant loss, our deductible may be high, and we may be required to pay for all such repairs and, as a consequence, it could materially adversely affect our financial condition. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors might also keep us from using insurance proceeds to replace or renovate the Hotel after it has been damaged or destroyed. Under those circumstances, the insurance proceeds we receive might be inadequate to restore our economic position on the damaged or destroyed property.
It has generally become more difficult and expensive to obtain property and casualty insurance, including coverage for terrorism. When our current insurance policies expire, we may encounter difficulty in obtaining or renewing property or casualty insurance on our property at the same levels of coverage and under similar terms. Such insurance may be more limited and for some catastrophic risks (for example, earthquake, flood and terrorism) may not be generally available at current levels. Even if we are able to renew our policies or to obtain new policies at levels and with limitations consistent with our current policies, we cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain such insurance at premium rates that are commercially reasonable. If we were unable to obtain adequate insurance on the Hotel for certain risks, it could cause us to be in default under specific covenants on certain of our indebtedness or other contractual commitments that require us to maintain adequate insurance on the Hotel to protect against the risk of loss. If this were to occur, or if we were unable to obtain adequate insurance and the Hotel experienced damage which would otherwise have been covered by insurance, it could materially adversely affect our financial condition and the operations of the Hotel.
In addition, insurance coverage for the Hotel and for casualty losses does not customarily cover damages that are characterized as punitive or similar damages. As a result, any claims or legal proceedings, or settlement of any such claims or legal proceedings that result in damages that are characterized as punitive or similar damages may not be covered by our insurance. If these types of damages are substantial, our financial resources may be adversely affected.
You may lose all or part of your investment.
There is no assurance that the Company’s initiatives to improve its profitability or liquidity and financial position will be successful.
The price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly, which could negatively affect the Company and holders of its common stock.
The market price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly from time to time as a result of many factors, including: investors’ perceptions of the Company and its prospects; investors’ perceptions of the Company’s and/or the industry’s risk and return characteristics relative to other investment alternatives; difficulties between actual financial and operating results and those expected by investors and analysts; changes in our capital structure; trading volume fluctuations; actual or anticipated fluctuations in quarterly financial and operational results; volatility in the equity securities market; and sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of the Company’s common stock.
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The concentrated beneficial ownership of our common stock and the ability it affords to control our business may limit or eliminate other shareholders’ ability to influence corporate affairs.
As of June 30, 2023, InterGroup owns 75.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Because of this concentrated stock ownership, the Company’s largest shareholders will be able to significantly influence the election of the Company’s board of directors and all other decisions on all matters requiring shareholder approval. As a result, the ability of other shareholders to determine the management and policies of the Company is significantly limited. The interests of these shareholders may differ from the interests of other shareholders with respect to the issuance of shares, business transactions with or sales to other companies, selection of officers and directors and other business decisions. This level of control may also have an adverse impact on the market value of our shares because our largest shareholders may institute or undertake transactions, policies or programs that may result in losses, may not take any steps to increase our visibility in the financial community and/or may sell enough shares to significantly decrease our price per share.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL PROPERTY
The Hotel is owned by Portsmouth through its wholly owned subsidiary, Justice Operating Company, LLC. The Hotel is centrally located in the Financial District in San Francisco, one block from the Transamerica Pyramid. The Embarcadero Center is within walking distance and North Beach is two blocks away. Chinatown is directly across the bridge that runs from the Hotel to Portsmouth Square Park. The Hotel is a 31-story (including parking garage), steel and concrete, A-frame building, built in 1970. The Hotel has 544 well-appointed guest rooms and luxury suites situated on 22 floors. The Hotel has a restaurant, a lounge, and a private dining room on 3,700 square feet; additionally, there are two kitchens to service the restaurant and banquets and a fully equipped gym. The third floor houses the Chinese Culture Center (the “CCC”), its administrative office, and a grand ballroom. The Hotel has approximately 22,000 square feet of meeting room space, including the grand ballroom. Other features of the Hotel include a 5-level underground parking garage and pedestrian bridge across Kearny Street connecting the Hotel and the CCC with Portsmouth Square Park in Chinatown.
As required by its senior lender, the Company will continue to make minimum payments into its furniture, fixtures, and equipment (“FF&E”) escrow account held by its senior lender of the greater of 4% of annual revenues or a minimum of $1,952,000 per annum. In the opinion of management, the Hotel is adequately covered by insurance.
HOTEL FINANCINGS
On December 18, 2013: (i) Justice Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Operating”), entered into a loan agreement (“Mortgage Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America (“Mortgage Lender”); and (ii) Justice Mezzanine Company, a Delaware limited liability company (“Mezzanine”), entered into a mezzanine loan agreement (“Mezzanine Loan Agreement” and, together with the Mortgage Loan Agreement, the “Loan Agreements”) with ISBI San Francisco Mezz Lender LLC (“Mezzanine Lender” and, together with Mortgage Lender, the “Lenders”). The Company is the sole member of Mezzanine, and Mezzanine is the sole member of Operating.
The Loan Agreements provide for a $97,000,000 Mortgage Loan and a $20,000,000 Mezzanine Loan. The proceeds of the Loan Agreements were used to fund the redemption of limited partnership interests and the pay-off of the prior mortgage.
The Mortgage Loan is secured by the Company’s principal asset, the Hotel. The Mortgage Loan bears an interest rate of 5.275% per annum and matures on January 1, 2024. The term of the loan is ten years with interest only due in the first three years and principal and interest payments to be made during the remaining seven years of the loan based on a thirty-year amortization schedule. The Mortgage Loan also requires payments for impounds related to property tax, insurance and FF&E reserves. As additional security for the Mortgage Loan, there is a limited guaranty (“Mortgage Guaranty”) executed by the Company in favor of the Mortgage Lender.
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The Mezzanine Loan is secured by the Operating membership interest held by Mezzanine and is subordinated to the Mortgage Loan. The Mezzanine Loan had an interest rate of 9.75% per annum and a maturity date of January 1, 2024. Interest only payments were due monthly. On July 31, 2019, Mezzanine refinanced the Mezzanine Loan by entering into a new mezzanine loan agreement (“New Mezzanine Loan Agreement”) with Cred Reit Holdco LLC in the amount of $20,000,000. The prior Mezzanine Loan was paid off. Interest rate on the new mezzanine loan is 7.25% and the loan matures on January 1, 2024. Interest only payments are due monthly. As additional security for the new mezzanine loan, there is a limited guaranty executed by the Company in favor of Cred Reit Holdco LLC (the “Mezzanine Guaranty” and, together with the Mortgage Guaranty, the “Guaranties”).
The Guaranties are limited to what are commonly referred to as “bad boy” acts, including: (i) fraud or intentional misrepresentations; (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct; (iii) misapplication or misappropriation of rents, security deposits, insurance, or condemnation proceeds; and (iv) failure to pay taxes or insurance. The Guaranties are full recourse guaranties under identified circumstances, including failure to maintain “single purpose” status which is a factor in a consolidation of Operating or Mezzanine in a bankruptcy of another person, transfer, or encumbrance of the Property in violation of the applicable loan documents, Operating or Mezzanine incurring debts that are not permitted, and the Property becoming subject to a bankruptcy proceeding. Pursuant to the Guaranties, the Partnership was required to maintain a certain minimum net worth and liquidity. Effective as of May 12, 2017, InterGroup agreed to become an additional guarantor under the limited guaranty and an additional indemnitor under the environmental indemnity for the $97,000,000 mortgage loan and the $20,000,000 mezzanine loan. Pursuant to the agreement, InterGroup is required to maintain a certain net worth and liquidity. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, InterGroup is in compliance with both requirements. Justice Operating Company, LLC is not meeting certain of its loan covenants such as the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (“DSCR”) which would trigger the creation of a lockbox and cash sweep by the Lender for all cash collected by the Hotel, and under certain terms, would allow the Lender to request Operating to replace its hotel management company. The DSCR for Operating had been below 1.00 from third quarter of fiscal year 2023 to fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 while it is required to maintain a DSCR of at least 1.10 to 1.00 for two consecutive quarters. However, such lockbox has been created and utilized from the loan inception and will be in place up to loan maturity regardless of the DSCR. Justice has not missed any of its debt service payments and does not anticipate missing any debt obligations up to their maturity.
Each of the Loan Agreements contains customary representations and warranties, events of default, reporting requirements, affirmative covenants and negative covenants, which impose restrictions on, among other things, organizational changes of the respective borrower, operations of the Property, agreements with affiliates and third parties. Each of the Loan Agreements also provides for mandatory prepayments under certain circumstances (including casualty or condemnation events) and voluntary prepayments, subject to satisfaction of prescribed conditions set forth in the Loan Agreements. The Company is working with various potential lenders to refinance its current senior mortgage and mezzanine debt which will mature on January 1, 2024.
On July 2, 2014, the Partnership obtained from InterGroup an unsecured loan in the principal amount of $4,250,000 at 12% per year fixed interest, with a term of 2 years, payable interest only each month. InterGroup received a 3% loan fee. The loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The loan was extended to July 31, 2023. On December 16, 2020, the Partnership and InterGroup entered into a loan modification agreement which increased the Partnership’s borrowing from InterGroup as needed up to $10,000,000. Upon the dissolution of the Partnership in December 2021, Portsmouth assumed the Partnership’s note payable to InterGroup in the amount of $11,350,000. On December 31, 2021, Portsmouth and InterGroup entered into a loan modification agreement which increased Portsmouth’s borrowing from InterGroup as needed up to $16,000,000. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the balance of the loan was $15,700,000 and $14,200,000, net of loan amortization costs of zero, respectively. In July 2023, the note maturity date was extended to July 31, 2025 and the borrowing amount available was increased to $20,000,000. The Company agreed to a 0.5% loan extension and modification fee payable to InterGroup.
As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) signed into law on March 27, 2020, additional avenues of relief may be available to workers and families through enhanced unemployment insurance provisions and to small businesses through programs administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The CARES Act includes, among other things, provisions relating to payroll tax credits and deferrals, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credits and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The CARES Act also established a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), whereby certain small businesses are eligible for a loan to fund payroll expenses, rent, and related costs.On February 3, 2021, Justice entered into a loan agreement (“SBA Loan”) with CIBC Bank USA administered by the SBA. Justice received proceeds of $2,000,000 from the SBA Loan. As of June 30, 2021, Justice used all proceeds from the SBA Loan primarily for payroll costs. The SBA Loan was scheduled to mature on February 3, 2026, had a 1.00% interest rate, and was subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the CARES Act. On November 19, 2021, the SBA Loan was forgiven in full and $2,000,000 was recorded as gain on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company may be subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company will defend itself vigorously against any such claims. Management does not believe that the impact of such matters will have a material effect on the financial conditions or result of operations when resolved.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
MARKET INFORMATION
Portsmouth’s common stock is traded on the OTC Market Inc.’s Pink tier under the symbol PRSI. As of June 30, 2023, the number of holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock was approximately 126. Such number of owners was determined from the Company’s shareholders records and does not include beneficial owners of the Company’s Common Stock whose shares are held in the names of various brokers, clearing agencies or other nominees.
DIVIDENDS
It is expected that the Company will not consider a return to a regular dividend policy until such time that the Hotel cash flows, distributions and other economic factors warrant such consideration. The Company will continue to review and modify its dividend policy as needed to meet such strategic and investment objectives as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Portsmouth has no securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Portsmouth did not repurchase any of its own securities during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 and does not have any publicly announced repurchase program.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements, related notes included thereto and Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the discussion and analysis of our 2022 financial condition and results of operations compared to 2023, refer to Item 7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CIVIL AUTHORITY ACTIONS ON OUR BUSINESS
There are several factors at play that are having a negative impact on our business and the entire hospitality community in San Francisco. The constant “doom loop” of negative headlines picked up in main stream media, particularly outlets like Fox News that have made San Francisco their punching back and find ways to amplify any negative story line in the city. The macro economic situation of a looming US/Global recession have seen business reducing or eliminating typical travel and group meetings in efforts to be conservative in uncertain financial times. The micro economic situation specific to San Francisco and Bay Area is many of the world’s largest tech companies have taken even more drastic cost cutting measures laying off hundreds of thousands of workers in the area and have reduced business travel, group meetings and even major citywides to cancel like Meta, Red Hat and VMWare. The ongoing conditions of the streets in regards to cleanliness, safety and homelessness problems have driven many other citywide customers to rethink hosting meetings in San Francisco and have relocated to other major markets like Las Vegas, Orlando and San Diego. Even factors like the recent culture wars that are dividing much of the country are impacting San Francisco harder than other areas as the city have long been known as the LGBTQ capital of the US, and made recent headlines after Mayor London Breed’s office named the first ever Drag Laureate to an 18 month term as ambassador.
As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) signed into law on March 27, 2020, additional avenues of relief may be available to workers and families through enhanced unemployment insurance provisions and to small businesses through programs administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The CARES Act includes, among other things, provisions relating to payroll tax credits and deferrals, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credits and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The CARES Act also established a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), whereby certain small businesses are eligible for a loan to fund payroll expenses, rent, and related costs.
On February 3, 2021, Justice entered into a loan agreement (“SBA Loan”) with CIBC Bank USA administered by the SBA. Justice received proceeds of $2,000,000 from the Second SBA Loan. As of June 30, 2021, Justice used all proceeds from the SBA Loan primarily for payroll costs. The SBA Loan was scheduled to mature on February 3, 2026, had a 1.00% interest rate, and was subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the CARES Act. On November 19, 2021, the SBA Loan was forgiven in full and $2,000,000 was recorded as gain on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company’s principal source of revenue continues to be derived from its ownership in Justice Operating Company, LLC (“Operating”) inclusive of hotel room revenue, food and beverage revenue, garage revenue, and revenue from other operating departments. Operating owns the Hotel and related facilities, including a five-level underground parking garage. The financial statements of Operating have been consolidated with those of the Company.
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022
The Company had net loss of $13,203,000 for the year ended June 30, 2023 compared to net loss of $6,565,000 for the year ended June 30, 2022. Increase in Hotel revenue is offset by increased operating expenses, reduced gain from debt extinguishment, and loss on marketable securities.
The Company had net loss from Hotel operations of $3,337,000 for the year ended June 30, 2023 compared to net loss of $4,050,000 for the year ended June 30, 2022. The change was primarily attributable to the $10,493,000 increase in Hotel revenue, offset by $7,006,000 increase in operating expenses and the $2,000,000 gain on forgiveness of debt during period ended June 30, 2022.
The following table sets forth a more detailed presentation of Hotel operations for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
| For the year ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Hotel revenues: | ||||||||
| Hotel rooms | $ | 35,684,000 | $ | 26,599,000 | ||||
| Food and beverage | 2,625,000 | 1,471,000 | ||||||
| Garage | 2,790,000 | 3,112,000 | ||||||
| Other operating departments | 928,000 | 352,000 | ||||||
| Total hotel revenues | 42,027,000 | 31,534,000 | ||||||
| Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization | (34,457,000 | ) | (27,451,000 | ) | ||||
| Operating income before interest, depreciation, and amortization and gain on forgiveness of debt | 7,570,000 | 4,083,000 | ||||||
| Gain on forgiveness of debt | - | 2,000,000 | ||||||
| Interest expense - mortgages | (6,467,000 | ) | (6,549,000 | ) | ||||
| Interest expense – related party | (1,725,000 | ) | (1,375,000 | ) | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | (2,715,000 | ) | (2,209,000 | ) | ||||
| Net loss from Hotel operations | $ | (3,337,000 | ) | $ | (4,050,000 | ) | ||
For the year ended June 30, 2023, the Hotel had operating income of $7,570,000 before non-recurring charges, interest, depreciation, and amortization on total operating revenues of $42,027,000. The year over year increase in all areas, except garage revenues, are result of recovery from the business interruption attributable to a variety of responses by federal, state, and local civil authority to the COVID-19 outbreak since March 2020. The following table sets forth the monthly average occupancy percentage of the Hotel for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
| Month | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 - 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Occupancy % | 93 | % | 94 | % | 95 | % | 89 | % | 82 | % | 77 | % | 76 | % | 77 | % | 81 | % | 65 | % | 80 | % | 83 | % | 83 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 - 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Occupancy % | 82 | % | 77 | % | 76 | % | 79 | % | 72 | % | 74 | % | 68 | % | 74 | % | 81 | % | 87 | % | 90 | % | 95 | % | 80 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Beginning in November 2022, the occupancy of our hotel has been reduced by approximately 13% every month to reflect the “out-of-order” rooms that are being renovated at any given time. The guestroom renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 31, 2024. Additionally, 14 guest rooms will be added to inventory as a result of renovating such rooms which had been repurposed for administrative offices in past years.
Total operating expenses increased by $7,006,000 due to increase in rooms, food and beverage, salaries and wages, utilities, credit card commissions, and franchise fees.
The following table sets forth the average daily room rate, average occupancy percentage and room revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) of the Hotel for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
For the Year Ended June 30, | Average Daily Rate | Average Occupancy % | RevPAR | ||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | 217 | 83 | % | $ | 180 | |||||||
| 2022 | $ | 168 | 80 | % | $ | 134 | |||||||
The Hotel’s revenues increased by 33% year over year. Average daily rate increased by $49, average occupancy increased 3%, and RevPAR increased by $46 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2022. As previously mentioned, our occupancy is lowered by approximately 13% beginning November 2022 when we began to take three levels out of service in order to complete our guestroom renovations. Had the Hotel been able to sell the additional 13% of rooms that were out of order, the RevPar would have been approximately $192.
After taking advantage of softer demand to refresh all public spaces and meeting rooms, the Hotel is now deep into a renovation of the guest rooms and suites. The Hotel started it’s full renovation of all guest rooms and suites mid-November 2022 and is over half way complete as of fiscal year end 2023. This includes new carpet, vinyl wall covering, headboards, end tables, wall sconces, art, soft seating and refinish of existing desks and doors. The Hotel removed the existing armoire and has built a closet to replace it. After this project is completed early calendar year 2024, the Hotel will add 14 additional guest rooms bringing back the old Justice offices, spa, and accounting offices to their original purpose. This will all be funded from the Hotel’s cash from operations through the Hotel’s furniture, fixture, and equipment reserve account with our senior lender.
The Company had a net gain on marketable securities of $51,000 for the year ended June 30, 2023 compared to a net loss on marketable securities of $1,141,000 for the year ended June 30, 2022. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Company had $2,056,000 net loss related to the Company’s investment in the common stock of Comstock Mining Inc. (“Comstock” - NYSE MKT: LODE). For the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company had a net realized loss of $137,000 and a net unrealized gain of $188,000. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Company had a net realized loss of $2,489,000 and a net unrealized gain of $1,348,000. Gains and losses on marketable securities may fluctuate significantly from period to period in the future and could have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations. However, the amount of gain or loss on marketable securities for any given period may have no predictive value and variations in amount from period to period may have no analytical value. For a more detailed description of the composition of the Company’s marketable securities see the Marketable Securities section below.
The Company had no other investments at June 30, 2023. During the year ended June 30, 2022 the Company performed an impairment analysis of its other investments and determined its investments had other than temporary impairments and recorded impairment losses of $20,000.
The Company consolidates Justice (Hotel) for financial reporting purposes and is taxed on its Hotel operations. The income tax benefit was recorded for the year ended June 30, 2022 for the pre-tax loss. However for the year ended June 30, 2023 an expense was booked on the pre-tax loss due to the set up of a valuation allowance on all the Companies deferred tax assets.
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MARKETABLE SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had investments in marketable equity securities of $359,000 and $541,000, respectively. The following table shows the composition of the Company’s marketable securities portfolio by selected industry groups:
| % of Total | ||||||||
| As of June 30, 2023 | Investment | |||||||
| Industry Group | Fair Value | Securities | ||||||
| REITs and real estate companies | 350,000 | 97.5 | % | |||||
| Basic materials | 9,000 | 2.5 | % | |||||
| $ | 359,000 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| % of Total | ||||||||
| As of June 30, 2022 | Investment | |||||||
| Industry Group | Fair Value | Securities | ||||||
| Communication services | $ | 355,000 | 65.6 | % | ||||
| REITs and real estate companies | 162,000 | 29.9 | % | |||||
| Basic materials | 18,000 | 3.3 | % | |||||
| Utilities | 5,000 | 0.9 | % | |||||
| Technology | 1,000 | 0.3 | % | |||||
| $ | 541,000 | 100.0 | % | |||||
The following table shows the net gain or loss on the Company’s marketable securities and the associated margin interest and trading expenses for the respective years.
| For the years ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Net gain (loss) on marketable securities | $ | 51,000 | $ | (1,141,000 | ) | |||
| Impairment loss on other investments | - | (20,000 | ) | |||||
| Dividend and interest income | 36,000 | 121,000 | ||||||
| Margin interest expense | (1,000 | ) | (41,000 | ) | ||||
| Trading expenses | (247,000 | ) | (162,000 | ) | ||||
| Net loss from marketable securities | $ | (161,000 | ) | $ | (1,243,000 | ) | ||
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL SOURCES
The Company had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $5,206,000 and $8,888,000 as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had marketable securities, net of margin due to securities brokers, of $359,000 and $411,000 as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These marketable securities are short-term investments and liquid in nature.
On December 16, 2020, Justice and InterGroup entered into a loan modification agreement which increased Justice’s borrowing from InterGroup as needed up to $10,000,000 and extended the maturity date of the loan to July 31, 2021. As of the date of this report, the maturity date was extended to July 31, 2025. Upon the dissolution of Justice in December 2021, Portsmouth assumed Justice’s note payable to InterGroup in the amount of $11,350,000. On December 31, 2021, Portsmouth and InterGroup entered into a loan modification agreement which increased Portsmouth’s borrowing from InterGroup as needed up to $16,000,000. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 and 2022, InterGroup advanced to the Hotel $1,500,000 and $7,550,000, respectively, bringing the total amount due to InterGroup to $15,700,000 and $14,200,000 as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In July 2023, Portsmouth and InterGroup entered into a new loan modification agreement which increased Portsmouth’s borrowing from InterGroup up to $20,000,000. The Company could amend its by-laws and increase the number of authorized shares to issue additional shares to raise capital in the public markets if needed.
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On April 9, 2020, Justice entered into a loan agreement (“SBA Loan”) with CIBC Bank USA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). On February 3, 2021, Justice entered into a loan agreement (“SBA Loan”) with CIBC Bank USA administered by the SBA. Justice received proceeds of $2,000,000 from the SBA Loan. As of June 30, 2021, Justice used all proceeds from the SBA Loan primarily for payroll costs. The SBA Loan was scheduled to mature on February 3, 2026, had a 1.00% interest rate, and was subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the CARES Act. On November 19, 2021, the SBA Loan was forgiven in full and $2,000,000 was recorded as gain on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.
Our known short-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for operating and other expenditures, including management and franchise fees, corporate expenses, payroll and related costs, taxes, interest and principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness, and repairs and maintenance of the Hotel.
Our long-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for scheduled debt maturities and capital improvements of the Hotel. We will continue to finance our business activities primarily with existing cash, including from the activities described above, and cash generated from our operations. The objectives of our cash management policy are to maintain existing leverage levels and the availability of liquidity, while minimizing operational costs. We believe that our cash on hand, along with other potential sources of liquidity that management may be able to obtain, will be sufficient to fund our working capital needs. As well as our capital lease and debt obligations, even if current levels of occupancy and revenue per occupied room (“RevPAR”, calculated by multiplying the hotel’s average daily room rate by its occupancy percentage) were to persist for at least the next twelve months and beyond. However, there can be no guarantee that management will be successful with its plan.
Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As discussed in Note 9 – Mortgage Notes Payable, as of June 30, 2023, the outstanding balance consists of a senior mortgage loan and mezzanine loan totaling $107,117,000. Both loans mature on January 1, 2024, in addition, the Company has recurring losses and has an accumulated deficit of 105,727,000.
Due to these factors and the Company’s ability to successfully refinance the debt on favorable terms in the current lending environment gives rise to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the financial statement issuance date.
The Company is exploring the possibility of refinancing its senior mortgage and mezzanine debt with potential lenders. Alternatively, the Company is also exploring the possibility of a loan modification or extension to the existing debt with the current lenders, however, the Company may be unable to access further financing when needed. As such, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional liquidity when needed or under acceptable terms, if at all. During 2021 and first part of calendar 2022, we took advantage of the slow periods to make certain capital improvements including complete refinishing of all guest room furniture, resurfacing half of the hotel bathtubs that needed repair, refreshed meeting space and lobby paint and vinyl, replaced all bed frames and socks, and completed the carpet and wall covering corridor installation. In November 2022, we began our guestroom renovation and had completed approximately 200 guestrooms as of June 30, 2023. Hotel improvements are ongoing to remain competitive and we anticipate completing the guestroom renovations by the end March 2024. Once the Company completes its full renovation, management anticipates its high occupancy to continue and its average daily rates to increase as it completes renovation up to the point of generating a positive cash flows.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets, liabilities, and reported expenses that may be necessary if the Company were unable to continue as a going concern.
MATERIAL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table provides a summary of the Company’s material financial obligations which also includes interest.
| Total | Year
2024 | Year
2025 | Year 2026 | Year 2027 | Year
2028 | Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable | $ | 107,240,000 | $ | 107,240,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||||
| Related party notes payable | 15,700,000 | - | 15,700,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other notes payable | 2,954,000 | 567,000 | 567,000 | 567,000 | 463,000 | 317,000 | 473,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | 3,243,000 | 3,243,000 | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 129,137,000 | $ | 111,050,000 | $ | 16,267,000 | $ | 567,000 | $ | 463,000 | $ | 317,000 | $ | 473,000 | ||||||||||||||
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has no material off balance sheet arrangements.
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IMPACT OF INFLATION
Hotel room rates are typically impacted by supply and demand factors, not inflation, since rental of a hotel room is usually for a limited number of nights. Room rates can be, and usually are, adjusted to account for inflationary cost increases. Since Aimbridge has the power and ability under the terms of its management agreement to adjust Hotel room rates on an ongoing basis, there should be minimal impact on partnership revenues due to inflation. For the two most recent fiscal years, the impact of inflation on the Company’s income is not viewed by management as material.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies are those that are most significant to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations and require judgments by management in order to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to the consolidation of our subsidiaries, to our revenues, allowances for bad debts, accruals, asset impairments, other investments, income taxes and commitments and contingencies. 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. The actual results may differ from these estimates or our estimates may be affected by different assumptions or conditions.
INCOME TAXES
Judgment is required in addressing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns (e.g., realization of deferred tax assets, changes in tax laws, or interpretations thereof). In addition, we are subject to examination of our income tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities. A change in the assessment of the outcomes of such matters could materially impact our consolidated financial statements. We evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return to determine whether they are more likely than not of being sustained, assuming that the tax reporting positions will be examined by taxing authorities with full knowledge of all relevant information, prior to recording the related tax benefit in our consolidated financial statements. If a position does not meet the more likely than not standard, the benefit cannot be recognized. Assumptions, judgment, and the use of estimates are required in determining if the “more likely than not” standard has been met when developing the provision for income taxes. A change in the assessment of the “more likely than not” standard with respect to a position could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES – VALUATION ALLOWANCE
We assess the realizability of our deferred tax assets quarterly and recognize a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some or all of our deferred tax assets are not realizable. This assessment is completed by tax jurisdiction and relies on the weight of both positive and negative evidence available, with significant weight placed on recent financial results. Cumulative pre-tax losses for the three-year period are considered significant objective negative evidence that some or all of our deferred tax assets may not be realizable. Cumulative reported pre-tax income is considered objectively verifiable positive evidence of our ability to generate positive pre-tax income in the future. In accordance with GAAP, when there is a recent history of pre-tax losses, there is little or no weight placed on forecasts for purposes of assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets. When necessary, we use systematic and logical methods to estimate when deferred tax liabilities will reverse and generate taxable income and when deferred tax assets will reverse and generate tax deductions. Assumptions, judgment, and the use of estimates are required when scheduling the reversal of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the exercise is inherently complex and subjective. However, significant judgment will be required to determine the timing and amount of any reversal of the valuation allowance in future periods.
| 20 |
HOTEL ASSETS AND DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
We evaluate property and equipment, and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment quarterly, and when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, we evaluate the net book value of the assets by comparing to the projected undiscounted cash flows of the assets. We use judgment to determine whether indications of impairment exist and consider our knowledge of the hospitality industry, historical experience, location of the property, market conditions, and property-specific information available at the time of the assessment. The results of our analysis could vary from period to period depending on how our judgment is applied and the facts and circumstances available at the time of the analysis. When an indicator of impairment exists, judgment is also required in determining the assumptions and estimates to use within the recoverability analysis and when calculating the fair value of the asset or asset group, if applicable. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting the judgments used could result in impairments to our long-lived assets in future periods. Historically, changes in estimates used in the property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment process have not resulted in material impairment charges in subsequent periods as a result of changes made to those estimates. There were no indicators of impairment on its hotel investments or intangible assets and accordingly no impairment losses recorded for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders,
Portsmouth Square, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Portsmouth Square, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the entity will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, the outstanding balance as of June 30, 2023 of the mortgage notes payable consists of a senior mortgage loan and mezzanine loan totaling $107,117,000. Both loans mature on January 1, 2024 In addition, the Company has recurring losses and has an accumulated deficit of $105,727,000. Due to these factors and the Company’s ability to successfully refinance the debt on favorable terms in the current lending environment gives rise to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the financial statement issuance date. Management’s plans in regard to this matter are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the entity’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Description of the Matters: Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
As discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, it was determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets at June 30, 2023 will not be realized and thus a full valuation allowance of $33,784,000 has been recorded.
We identified the deferred tax asset valuation allowance as a critical audit matter due to the uncertainty, subjectivity, estimates and judgments required by management when forecasting future profitability and determining whether or not it is likely that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
How We Addressed the Matters in Our Audit
To test the Company’s conclusions about their deferred tax valuation allowance, we obtained an analysis about their plans and reviewed all the positive and negative conditions. In addition to considering the impact of any subsequent events, we received the Company’s five-year income projection. We examined the forecast for reasonableness in addition to reviewing management’s plans and considered whether it is likely that the Company’s projected future profitability will allow them to realize their current deferred tax assets.
/s/
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.
October 13, 2023
PCAOB
ID Number
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PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| As of | June 30, 2023 | June 30, 2022 | ||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Investment in hotel, net | $ | $ | ||||||
| Investment in marketable securities | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||
| Restricted cash | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable - hotel, net | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Deferred tax assets, net | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities - Hotel | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable to related party | ||||||||
| Due to securities broker | ||||||||
| Related party notes payable | ||||||||
| Other notes payable | ||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable - Hotel, net | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies - Note 15 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ deficit: | ||||||||
| Common stock, | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| 23 |
PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| For the years ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Revenue - Hotel | $ | $ | ||||||
| Costs and operating expenses | ||||||||
| Hotel operating expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Hotel depreciation and amortization expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| General and administrative expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total costs and operating expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Income from operations | ||||||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||
| Interest expense - mortgage | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Interest expense - related party | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Gain on forgiveness of debt | ||||||||
| Net realized loss on marketable securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net realized loss on marketable securities - Comstock | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net unrealized gain on marketable securities | ||||||||
| Impairment loss on other investments | ( | ) | ||||||
| Dividend and interest income | ||||||||
| Trading and margin interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total other expense, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Loss before income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | ) | $ | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portsmouth | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | Noncontrolling | Shareholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Deficit | Deficit | Interest | Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at July 1, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reclassify noncontrolling interest due to purchase of Partnership interest | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of Partnership interest | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2022 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| 25 |
PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the year ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net unrealized gain on marketable securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Amortization of other notes payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Gain on forgiveness of debt | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
| Impairment loss on other investments | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Amortization of loan cost | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Investment in marketable securities | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable - Hotel, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities - Hotel | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable related party | ||||||||
| Due to securities broker | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Payments for hotel furniture, equipment and building improvements | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Investment in Justice | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from related party note payable | ||||||||
| Payments of mortgage and finance leases | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Issuance cost from refinance of related party loan | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental information: | ||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| Taxes paid | $ | $ | ||||||
The
Company had cash and cash equivalents of $
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| 26 |
PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
Description of Business
Portsmouth’s
primary business was conducted through its general and limited partnership interest in Justice Investors Limited Partnership, a California
limited partnership (“Justice” or the “Partnership”). Effective July 15, 2021, Portsmouth completed the purchase
of
Prior to its dissolution effective December 23, 2021, Justice owned and operated a 544-room hotel property located at 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco California, known as the Hilton San Francisco Financial District (the “Hotel”) and related facilities including a five-level underground parking garage through its subsidiaries Justice Operating Company, LLC (“Operating”) and Justice Mezzanine Company, LLC (“Mezzanine”). Mezzanine was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership; Operating is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mezzanine. Effective December 23, 2021, Portsmouth replaced Justice as the single member of Mezzanine. Mezzanine is the borrower under certain mezzanine indebtedness of Justice, and in December 2013, the Partnership conveyed ownership of the Hotel to Operating. The Hotel is a full-service Hilton brand hotel pursuant to a Franchise License Agreement with HLT Franchise Holding LLC (“Hilton”) through January 31, 2030.
Operating
entered into a hotel management agreement (“HMA”) with Aimbridge Hospitality (“Aimbridge”) to manage the Hotel,
along with its five-level parking garage, with an effective date of February 3, 2017. The term of the management agreement is for an
initial period of
As
of June 30, 2023, The InterGroup Corporation (“InterGroup”), a public company, owns approximately
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and Justice up to its dissolution in December 2021 at which time all subsidiaries of Justice became subsidiaries of Portsmouth as the Company replaced Justice as the single member of Justice’s subsidiaries where appropriate. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Investment in Hotel, Net
Property
and equipment are stated at cost. Building improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful lives ranging from
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Costs of significant renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the shorter of its remaining estimated useful life or life of the asset. The cost of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts; any resulting gain or loss is included in other income (expenses).
The
Company reviews property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). If the carrying amount
of the asset, including any intangible assets associated with that asset, exceeds its estimated undiscounted net cash flow, before interest,
the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between the assets’ carrying amount and its estimated fair
value. If impairment is recognized, the reduced carrying amount of the asset will be accounted for as its new cost. For a depreciable
asset, the new cost will be depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Generally, fair values are estimated using discounted
cash flow, replacement cost or market comparison analyses. The process of evaluating for impairment requires estimates as to future events
and conditions, which are subject to varying market and economic factors. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that a change in estimate
resulting from judgments as to future events could occur which would affect the recorded amounts of the property.
| 27 |
Investment in Marketable Securities
Marketable securities are stated at fair value as determined by the most recently traded price of each security at the balance sheet date. Marketable securities are classified as trading securities with all unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s investment portfolio recorded through the consolidated statements of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash
equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased and are carried at
cost, which approximates fair value. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company does
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash is comprised of amounts held by lenders for payment of real estate taxes, insurance, replacement and capital addition reserves for the Hotel.
Accounts Receivable - Hotel, Net
Accounts
receivable from Hotel customers are carried at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts that is based on management’s assessment
of the collectability of accounts receivable. The net accounts receivable balance on July 1, 2021 was $
Other Assets
Other
assets include prepaid insurance, estimated life insurance proceeds, prepaid expenses, other investments, net, and other miscellaneous
assets. Other investments include non-marketable securities (carried at cost, net of any impairments loss). The Company has no significant
influence or control over the entities that issue these investments. These investments are reviewed on a periodic basis for other-than-temporary
impairment. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not
limited to: (i) the length of time an investment is in an unrealized loss position, (ii) the extent to which fair value is less than
cost, (iii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iv) our ability to hold the investment for a period of
time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded
impairment losses related to other investments of
Income Taxes
The Company consolidated Justice (“Hotel”) for financial reporting purposes up to its dissolution in December 2021 and was not taxed on its non-controlling interest in the Hotel. Effective July 15, 2021, the Company become the owner of 100% of Justice and began to include all the Hotel’s income and expense accounts into its income taxes calculations going forward. An income tax benefit was recorded during year ended June 30, 2022 for the pre-tax loss. However June 30, 2023 is an expense on the pre-tax loss due to the recording of a full valuation allowance on the Companies deferred tax assets.
| 28 |
Deferred income taxes are calculated under the liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the current enacted tax rates. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities are included as a component of income tax expense. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities attributable to changes in enacted tax rates are charged or credited to income tax expense in the period of enactment. Valuation allowances are established for certain deferred tax assets where realization is not likely.
The Company accounts for its uncertain tax positions pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities, a benefit will be recognized at the largest amount that it believes is cumulatively greater than 50% likely to be realized. A table summarizing the Company’s uncertain positions is presented in the income tax footnote section. Further, any interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions shall be recorded in the income tax provision. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, no interest and penalties were recorded.
Due to Securities Broker
Various securities brokers have advanced funds to the Company for the purchase of marketable securities under standard margin agreements. These advanced funds are recorded as a liability.
Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities
Accounts payable and other liabilities include trade payables, advance customer deposits, accrued wages, accrued real estate taxes, and other liabilities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting standards for fair value measurement establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:
Level 1–inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2–inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.
Level 3–inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.
| 29 |
Revenue Recognition
Performance obligations
We identified the following performance obligations for which revenue is recognized as the respective performance obligations are satisfied, which results in recognizing the amount we expect to be entitled to for providing the goods or services:
| ● | Cancelable room reservations or ancillary services are typically satisfied as the good or service is transferred to the hotel guest, which is generally when the room stay occurs. | |
| ● | Noncancelable room reservations and banquet or conference reservations represent a series of distinct goods or services provided over time and satisfied as each distinct good or service is provided, which is reflected by the duration of the room reservation. | |
| ● | Other ancillary goods and services are purchased independently of the room reservation at standalone selling prices and are considered separate performance obligations, which are satisfied when the related good or service is provided to the hotel guest. | |
| ● | Components of package reservations for which each component could be sold separately to other hotel guests are considered separate performance obligations and are satisfied as set forth above. |
Hotel revenue primarily consists of hotel room rentals, revenue from accommodations sold in conjunction with other services (e.g., package reservations), food and beverage sales and other ancillary goods and services (e.g., parking). Revenue is recognized when rooms are occupied or goods and services have been delivered or rendered, respectively. Payment terms typically align with when the goods and services are provided. For package reservations, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations within the package based on the estimated standalone selling prices of each component.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an expected length of one year or less. Due to the nature of our business, our revenue is not significantly impacted by refunds. Cash payments received in advance of guests staying at our hotel are refunded to hotel guests if the guest cancels within the specified time period, before any services are rendered. Refunds related to service are generally recognized as an adjustment to the transaction price at the time the hotel stay occurs or services are rendered. See Note 3 – Revenue.
Advertising Costs
Advertising
costs are expensed as incurred and are included in Hotel operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Advertising
costs were $
Basic loss per share is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each fiscal year. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any potentially dilutive securities outstanding.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions regarding certain types of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets and when appropriate, records tax valuation allowances based on that evidence and estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the recording of allowance for doubtful accounts which are based on management’s assessment of the collectability of accounts receivable, as of the end of the fiscal year. As of June 30, 2023 based on taxable income that may be available under tax law the deferred taxed asset is not set more likely than not to be realized.
Reclassifications
Certain line items on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2023, for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The related party relationship has been disclosed separately in the financial statements than the other debt obligations the Company has.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are presented in the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability and are amortized over the life of the debt. Loan amortization costs are included in interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
| 30 |
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
As of June 30, 2023, there was no material impact from the recent adoption of new accounting pronouncements, nor expected material impact from recently issued accounting pronouncements yet to be adopted, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Going Concern
The
financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities
in the normal course of business. As discussed in Note 9 – Mortgage Notes Payable, as of June 30, 2023, the outstanding balance
consists of a senior mortgage loan and mezzanine loan totaling $
Due to these factors and the Company’s ability to successfully refinance the debt on favorable terms in the current lending environment gives rise to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the financial statement issuance date.
The Company is exploring the possibility of refinancing its senior mortgage and mezzanine debt with potential lenders. Alternatively, the Company is also exploring the possibility of a loan modification or extension to the existing debt with the current lenders, however, the Company may be unable to access further financing when needed. As such, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional liquidity when needed or under acceptable terms, if at all. During 2021 and first part of calendar 2022, we took advantage of the slow periods to make certain capital improvements including complete refinishing of all guest room furniture, resurfacing half of the hotel bathtubs that needed repair, refreshed meeting space and lobby paint and vinyl, replaced all bed frames and socks, and completed the carpet and wall covering corridor installation. In November 2022, we began our guestroom renovation and had completed approximately 200 guestrooms as of June 30, 2023. Hotel improvements are ongoing to remain competitive and we anticipate completing the guestroom renovations by the end March 2024. Once the Company completes its full renovation, management anticipates its high occupancy to continue and its average daily rates to increase as it completes renovation up to the point of generating a positive cash flows.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets, liabilities, and reported expenses that may be necessary if the Company were unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 2 - LIQUIDITY
Historically,
our cash flows have been primarily generated from our Hotel operations. However, the responses by federal, state, and local civil authorities
to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a material detrimental impact on our liquidity. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 our
net cash provided in operating activities was $
The
Company had cash and cash equivalents of $
On
July 2, 2014, the Partnership obtained from InterGroup an unsecured loan in the principal amount of $
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The Company’s known short-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for operating and other expenditures, including management and franchise fees, corporate expenses, payroll and related costs, taxes, interest and principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness, and repairs and maintenance of the Hotel.
Our long-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for scheduled debt maturities and capital improvements of the Hotel. We will continue to finance our business activities primarily with existing cash, including from the activities described above, and cash generated from our operations. The objectives of our cash management policy are to maintain existing leverage levels and the availability of liquidity, while minimizing operational costs. However, there can be no guarantee that management will be successful with its plan.
The following table provides a summary as of June 30, 2023, the Company’s material financial obligations which also including interest payments:
| Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party notes payable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oher notes payable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 3 - REVENUE
The following table present our revenue disaggregated by revenue streams.
| For the year ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Hotel revenues: | ||||||||
| Hotel rooms | $ | $ | ||||||
| Food and beverage | ||||||||
| Garage | ||||||||
| Other operating departments | ||||||||
| Total Hotel revenue | $ | $ | ||||||
Contract assets and liabilities
The Company does not have any material contract assets as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, other than trade and other receivables, net on our consolidated balance sheets. Our receivables are primarily the result of contracts with customers, which are reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects our estimate of amounts that will not be collected.
The
Company records contract liabilities when cash payments are received or due in advance of guests staying at our hotel, which are presented
within accounts payable and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets and had a balance of $
Contract costs
We consider sales commissions earned to be incremental costs of obtaining a contract with our customers. As a practical expedient, we expense these costs as incurred as our contracts with customers are less than one year.
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NOTE 4 – INVESTMENT IN HOTEL, NET
Investment in Hotel consisted of the following as of:
| Accumulated | Net Book | |||||||||||
| June 30, 2023 | Cost | Depreciation | Value | |||||||||
| Land | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Finance lease ROU assets | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Furniture and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Building and improvements | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Investment in Hotel, net | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Accumulated | Net Book | |||||||||||
| June 30, 2022 | Cost | Depreciation | Value | |||||||||
| Land | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Finance lease ROU assets | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Furniture and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Building and improvements | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Investment in Hotel, net | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
Finance
lease ROU assets, furniture and equipment are stated at cost, depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful lives ranging from
NOTE 5 - INVESTMENT IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES
The Company’s investment in marketable securities consists primarily of corporate equities. The Company has also invested in income producing securities, which may include interests in real estate-based companies and REITs, where financial benefit to its shareholders through income and/or capital gain.
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As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, all of the Company’s marketable securities are classified as trading securities. The change in the unrealized gains and losses on these investments are included in earnings. Trading securities are summarized as follows:
| Gross | Gross | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment | Cost | Unrealized Gain | Unrealized Loss | Unrealized (Loss)Gain | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
| As of June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| As of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||
As
of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $
Net (loss) gain on marketable securities on the statement of operations is comprised of realized and unrealized losses. Below is the breakdown of the two components for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
| For the year ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Realized loss on marketable securities | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Realized loss on marketable securities related to Comstock | ( | ) | ||||||
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities | ||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on marketable securities | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis approximate fair value due to their short maturities (i.e., accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable and other liabilities, due to securities broker and obligations for securities sold) or the nature and terms of the obligation (i.e., other notes payable and mortgage notes payable).
The assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
| % of Total | ||||||||
| As of June 30, 2023 | Investment | |||||||
| Industry Group | Fair Value | Securities | ||||||
| REITs and real estate companies | % | |||||||
| Basic materials | % | |||||||
| $ | % | |||||||
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| As of June 30, 2022 | Level 1 | |||
| Assets: | ||||
| Investment in marketable securities: | ||||
| Communication services | $ | |||
| REITs and real estate companies | ||||
| Basic materials | ||||
| Utilities | ||||
| Technology | ||||
| $ | ||||
The fair values of investments in marketable securities are determined by the most recently traded price of each security at the balance sheet date.
Financial assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are not included in the tables above include “Other investments in non-marketable securities,” that were initially measured at cost and have been written down to fair value as a result of impairment or adjusted to record the fair value of new instruments received (i.e., preferred shares) in exchange for old instruments (i.e., debt instruments). We had no other Investments in non-marketable securities at June 30, 2023. The following table shows the fair value hierarchy for these assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as follows:
| Assets | Level 3 | June 30, 2022 | Net
loss for the year ended June 30, 2022 | |||||||||
| Other non-marketable investments | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||
Other investments in non-marketable securities are carried at cost net of any impairment loss. The Company has no significant influence or control over the entities that issue these investments. These investments are reviewed on a periodic basis for other-than-temporary impairment. When determining the fair value of these investments on a non-recurring basis, the Company uses valuation techniques such as the market approach and the unobservable inputs include factors such as conversion ratios and the stock price of the underlying convertible instruments. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) the length of time an investment is in an unrealized loss position, (ii) the extent to which fair value is less than cost, (iii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iv) our ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
NOTE 7 – OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist of the following as of June 30:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Inventory - Hotel | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous assets | ||||||||
| Total other assets | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 8 – RELATED PARTY AND OTHER FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
The following summarizes the balances of related party and other notes payable as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
| As of June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Related party note payable - InterGroup | $ | $ | ||||||
| Other note payable - Hilton | ||||||||
| Other note payable - Aimbridge | ||||||||
| Total related party and other notes payable | $ | $ | ||||||
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On
July 2, 2014, the Partnership obtained from InterGroup an unsecured loan in the principal amount of $
Note
payable to Hilton (Franchisor) is a self-exhausting, interest free development incentive note which is reduced by approximately $
On
February 1, 2017, Operating entered an HMA with Ambridge to manage the Hotel with an effective takeover date of February 3, 2017. The
term of the management agreement is for an initial period of
On
April 9, 2020, Justice entered into a loan agreement (“SBA Loan”) with CIBC Bank USA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). On February
3, 2021, Justice entered into a loan agreement (“Second SBA Loan”) with CIBC Bank USA administered by the SBA. Justice received
proceeds of $
Future minimum principal payments for all related party and other financing transactions are as follows:
| For the year ending June 30, | ||||
| 2024 | $ | |||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| $ | ||||
As
of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had accounts payable to related party of $
To
fund the redemption of limited partnership interests and to repay the prior mortgage of $
Effective
May 11, 2017, InterGroup agreed to become an additional guarantor under the limited guaranty and an additional indemnitor under the environmental
indemnity for Justice Investors limited partnership’s $
The Company’s Board of Directors is currently comprised of directors John V. Winfield, William J. Nance, John C. Love, Yvonne Murphy, and Steve Grunwald. All the Company’s directors also serve as directors of InterGroup. The Company’s director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, William J. Nance, serves as Comstock’s director and Chairman of the Audit and Finance, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees of Comstock.
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John V. Winfield serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company and InterGroup. Effective June 2016, Mr. Winfield became the Managing Director of Justice till its dissolution in December 2021. Depending on certain market conditions and various risk factors, the Chief Executive Officer and InterGroup may, at times, invest in the same companies in which the Company invests. The Company encourages such investments because it places personal resources of the Chief Executive Officer and the resources of InterGroup, at risk in connection with investment decisions made on behalf of the Company.
On May 24, 2021, John V. Winfield resigned effective immediately as the Company’s President and the Company’s Board of Directors elected David C. Gonzalez as the Company’s new President, effective as of May 24, 2021. Mr. Gonzalez serves as Chief Operating Officer of InterGroup and is an advisor of the Executive Strategic Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee of InterGroup and Portsmouth.
NOTE 9 – MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE
On December 18, 2013: (i) Justice Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Operating”), entered into a loan agreement (“Mortgage Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America (“Mortgage Lender”); and (ii) Justice Mezzanine Company, a Delaware limited liability company (“Mezzanine”), entered into a mezzanine loan agreement (“Mezzanine Loan Agreement” and, together with the Mortgage Loan Agreement, the “Loan Agreements”) with ISBI San Francisco Mezz Lender LLC (“Mezzanine Lender” and, together with Mortgage Lender, the “Lenders”). The Partnership was the sole member of Mezzanine until its dissolution in December 2021 when Portsmouth replaced the Partnership as the sole member of Mezzanine. Mezzanine is the sole member of Operating.
The
Loan Agreements provide for a $
The
Mortgage Loan is secured by Operating’s principal asset, the Hilton San Francisco-Financial District (the “Property”).
The Mortgage Loan bears an interest rate of
The
Mezzanine Loan is secured by the Operating membership interest held by Mezzanine and is subordinated to the Mortgage Loan. The Mezzanine
Loan had an interest rate of
The
Guaranties are limited to what are commonly referred to as “bad boy” acts, including: (i) fraud or intentional misrepresentations;
(ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct; (iii) misapplication or misappropriation of rents, security deposits, insurance or condemnation
proceeds; and (iv) failure to pay taxes or insurance. The Guaranties are full recourse guaranties under identified circumstances, including
failure to maintain “single purpose” status which is a factor in a consolidation of Operating or Mezzanine in a bankruptcy
of another person, transfer or encumbrance of the Property in violation of the applicable loan documents, Operating or Mezzanine incurring
debts that are not permitted, and the Property becoming subject to a bankruptcy proceeding. Pursuant to the Guaranties, the Partnership
was required to maintain a certain minimum net worth and liquidity. Effective as of May 12, 2017, InterGroup agreed to become an additional
guarantor under the limited guaranty and an additional indemnitor under the environmental indemnity for the $
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Each of the Loan Agreements contains customary representations and warranties, events of default, reporting requirements, affirmative covenants and negative covenants, which impose restrictions on, among other things, organizational changes of the respective borrower, operations of the Property, agreements with affiliates and third parties. Each of the Loan Agreements also provides for mandatory prepayments under certain circumstances (including casualty or condemnation events) and voluntary prepayments, subject to satisfaction of prescribed conditions set forth in the Loan Agreements.
As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had the following mortgages:
| June 30, 2023 | June 30, 2022 | Interest Rate | Origination Date | Maturity Date | ||||||||
| $ | $ | Fixed | ||||||||||
| Fixed | ||||||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable - hotel | ||||||||||||
| ( | ) | ( | ) | Net debt issuance costs | ||||||||
| $ | $ | Total mortgage notes payable - hotel | ||||||||||
The Company is working with several prospective lenders to refinance its senior mortgage as well as the mezzanine debt prior to its maturity date of January 1, 2024.
NOTE 10 – MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
Operating
entered into a HMA with Aimbridge Hospitality to manage the Hotel, along with its five-level parking garage, with an effective date of
February 3, 2017. The term of the management agreement is for an initial period of
For
the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, hotel management fees were $
| 38 |
NOTE 11 – CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
As
of June 30, 2023 and 2022, all accounts receivables are related to Hotel customers. The Hotel had two customers that accounted for
The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with various financial institutions that are monitored regularly for credit quality. At times, such cash and cash equivalents holdings may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or other federally insured limits. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have significant adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
NOTE 12 - INCOME TAXES
The provision for income tax (expense) benefit consists of the following:
| For the years ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Federal | ||||||||
| Current tax expense | $ | $ | ||||||
| Deferred tax expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
| State | ||||||||
| Current tax expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Deferred tax (expense) benefit | ( | ) | ||||||
| ( | ) | |||||||
| Total income tax (expense) benefit | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:
| For the years ended June 30, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Statutory federal tax rate | % | % | ||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | - | % | % | |||||
| Non-taxable PPP loan | % | |||||||
| Provision to return adjustment | % | % | ||||||
| Valuation allowance | - | % | - | % | ||||
| Deferral True-Up – Justice Basis Diff in FA | % | |||||||
| Other | % | % | ||||||
| - | % | - | % | |||||
The components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and (liabilities) as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Deferred tax assets | ||||||||
| Net operating loss carryforward | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||
| Accruals and reserves | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| State tax credits | ||||||||
| Capital loss carryforward | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | ||||||||
| Less Valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||
| State taxes | ( | ) | ||||||
| ( | ) | |||||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Management
considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets to determine
if it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized. As of June 30, 2023, it has been determined that it is more
likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be recognized. Thus, there is a full valuation allowance of $
As
of June 30, 2023, the Company had net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $
As
of June 30, 2022, the Company had net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $
| 39 |
Utilization of the certain tax attributes may be subject to a substantial annual limitation if it should be determined that there has been a change in the ownership of more than 50 percent of the value of the Company’s stock, pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses before utilization.
The Company files tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates and is subject to examination by federal, state, and local jurisdictions, where applicable. Note that partnership dissolved on July 15, 2021 when Portsmouth acquired 100% of Justice LLP.
As of June 30, 2023, tax years beginning in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions and are subject to the statute of limitations.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of realizing the benefit from income tax positions that it has taken in various federal, state and foreign filings by considering all relevant facts, circumstances and information available. If the Company determines it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, a benefit will be recognized at the largest amount that it believes is cumulatively greater than 50% likely to be realized. The following table summarizes changes in the amount of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions:
| Unrecognized Tax Benefits at June 30, 2022 | $ | |||
| Increase in tax positions taken | ||||
| Decrease in tax positions taken | ||||
| Unrecognized Tax Benefits at June 30, 2023 | $ |
$
and $
NOTE 13 - SEGMENT INFORMATION
The
Company operates in
Information below represents reporting segments for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Segment loss from Hotel operations consists of the operation of the Hotel and operation of the garage. Loss from investments consists of net investment gain (loss), dividend and interest income and investment related expenses.
| As of and for the year | Hotel | Investment | ||||||||||||||
| ended June 30, 2023 | Operations | Transactions | Other | Total | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Segment operating expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Segment income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense - mortgage | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense – related party | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Loss from investments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| As of and for the year | Hotel | Investment | ||||||||||||||
| ended June 30, 2022 | Operations | Transactions | Other | Total | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Segment operating expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Segment income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense – mortgage | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense – related party | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Gain on debt forgiveness | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Loss from investments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| 40 |
NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As
discussed in Note 8 – Related Party and Other Financing Transactions, upon the dissolution of Justice in December 2021, Portsmouth
assumed Justice’s note payable to InterGroup in the amount of $
Certain
shared costs and expenses, primarily administrative expenses, rent and insurance are allocated between the Company and InterGroup based
on management’s estimate of the pro rata utilization of resources. For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, these expenses were
approximately $
All of the Company’s Directors serve as directors of InterGroup.
As Chairman of the Executive Strategic Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John V. Winfield, directs the investment activity of the Company in public and private markets pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors. Mr. Winfield also serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of InterGroup and oversees the investment activity of InterGroup. Effective June 2016, Mr. Winfield became the Managing Director of Justice. Depending on certain market conditions and various risk factors, the Chief Executive Officer and InterGroup may, at times, invest in the same companies in which the Company invests. Such investments align the interests of the Company with the interests of these related parties because it places the personal resources of the Chief Executive Officer and the resources of InterGroup at risk in substantially the same manner as the Company in connection with investment decisions made on behalf of the Company.
NOTE 15 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Cash Management Agreement
As part of the Hotel refinancing effective December 18, 2013, Operating entered into a Cash Management Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (“Lender”) and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Cash Management Bank”) whereby all cash received by Operating is to be deposited into a business checking account controlled by the Cash Management Bank up to the loan maturity date. Additionally, other terms of the Cash Management Agreement provide that effective February 2019 or upon a Property Improvement Plan (“PIP”) requirement by Hilton (“Franchisor”) deemed the “Cash Sweep Period” during which all excess cash generated by Operating beyond the monthly budgeted expenses and debt services including principal and interest, insurance reserves, real estate taxes reserve, furniture fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”) reserves, for the senior and mezzanine loans, will be held by the Cash Management Bank for future hotel improvements as required by the date or a PIP. Currently, any and all funds are being controlled by the Cash Management Bank according to the Cash Management Agreement.
Franchise Agreements
The
Partnership entered into a Franchise License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with the HLT Existing Franchise Holding
LLC (“Hilton”) on December 10, 2004. The term of the License agreement was for an initial period of
Since
the opening of the Hotel as a full brand Hilton in January 2006, it has incurred monthly royalties, program fees and information technology
recapture charges equal to a percentage of the Hotel’s gross room revenue. Fees for such services during fiscal year 2023 and 2022
totaled approximately $
| 41 |
Hotel Employees
The hotel operations had 187 employees as of June 30, 2023. On February 3, 2017, Aimbridge assumed all labor union agreements and Justice provides all funding for all payroll and related costs. As of June 30, 2023, approximately 90% of those employees were represented by one of three labor unions, and their terms of employment were determined under various collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) to which Aimbridge was a party. CBA for Local 2 (Hotel and Restaurant Employees) expired on August 13, 2022 and a new Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) was signed June 26, 2023. CBA for Local 856 (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) expired on December 31, 2022 and a new agreement was signed on April 26, 2023. CBA for Local 39 (Stationary Engineers) will expire on July 31, 2024.
Negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, which includes not just terms and conditions of employment, but scope and coverage of employees, is a regular and expected course of business operations for the Company and Aimbridge. The Company expects and anticipates that the terms of conditions of CBAs will have an impact on wage and benefit costs, operating expenses, and certain hotel operations during the life of each CBA and incorporates these principles into its operating and budgetary practices.
Legal Matters
Portsmouth Square, Inc., through its operating company Justice Investors Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), is the owner of the real property located at 750 Kearny Street in San Francisco, currently improved with a 27 – story building which houses a Hilton Hotel (the “Property”). The Property was purchased and improved pursuant to the terms of a series of agreements with the City and County of San Francisco (the “City”) in the early 1970’s. The terms of the agreements and subsequent approvals and permits included a condition by which the Company was required to construct an ornamental overhead pedestrian bridge across Kearny Street, connecting the Property to a nearby City park and underground parking garage known as Portsmouth Square (the “Bridge”). Included in the approval process was the City’s issuance of a Major Encroachment Permit (“Permit”) allowing the Bridge to span over Kearney Street. As of May 24, 2022, the City has purported to revoke the Permit and on June 13, 2022, has directed the Company to submit a general bridge removal and restoration plan (the “Plan”) at the Company’s expense. The Company disputes the legality of the purported revocation of the Permit. The Company further disputes the existence of any legal or contractual obligation to remove the Bridge at its expense. In particular, representatives of the Company participated in meetings with the City on and at various times after August 1, 2019, to discuss a collaborative process for the possible removal of the Bridge. Until the purported revocation of the Permit in 2022, the City representatives repeatedly and consistently promised and agreed that the City will pay for the associated costs of any Bridge removal. Nevertheless, without waiving any rights, in an effort to understand all of the available options, and to provide a response to the City’s directives, the Company has engaged a Project Manager, a structural engineering firm and an architect to advise on the development of a Plan for the Bridge removal, as well as the reconstruction of the front of the Hilton Hotel. The Company has been working cooperatively with the City on the process for removal of the Bridge and its related physical encroachments, including obtaining regulatory approvals and permits. A final Plan is currently not expected to be completed until late calendar year of 2023, and permits are unlikely to be obtained until mid-2024 at the earliest. The Company is currently in discussion with the City regarding both the process and financial responsibility for the implementation of the Plan and reconstruction of the impacted portions of the Hotel. Those discussions are expected to continue through the Autumn of 2023.
The Company may be subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company will defend itself vigorously against any such claims. Management does not believe that the impact of such matters will have a material effect on the financial conditions or result of operations when resolved.
NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date that the accompanying financial statements were issued and has determined that no material subsequent events exist through the date of this filing.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
There were no disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, nor auditing scope or procedure.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of June 30, 2023, as required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were not effective because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, the Company’s management has concluded that our control around the interpretation and accounting for the deferred tax asset valuation allowance was not effectively designed or maintained. In light of this material weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
As required by SEC rules and regulations implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
1. pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of our company,
2. provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and
3. provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect errors or misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023. In making these assessments, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessments and those criteria, management determined that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of June 30, 2023.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Other than the material weakness identified above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Directors and Executive Officers of the Company as of June 30, 2023:
| Name | Position with the Company | Age | Term to Expire | |||
| John V. Winfield | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (1) | 76 | Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting | |||
| Yvonne Murphy | Director | 66 | Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting | |||
| John C. Love | Director (2)(3)(4) | 83 | Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting | |||
| William J. Nance | Director (2)(3) | 79 | Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting | |||
| Steve Grunwald | Director (1)(3)(4) | 41 | Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting | |||
| Other Executive Officers: | ||||||
| David C . Gonzalez | President (1) | 56 | N/A | |||
Jolie Kahn
|
Secretary |
58 |
N/A | |||
| Ann Marie Blair | Treasurer, Controller (Principal Financial Officer). Ms. Blair appointed effective July 6, 2023 | 36 | N/A | |||
| Danfeng Xu | Treasurer, Controller (Principal Financial Officer), and Secretary. Ms. Xu resigned effective August 31, 2022 | 35 | N/A | |||
(1) Member of Executive Strategic Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee
(2) Member of Audit Committee
(3) Member of Compensation Committee
(4) Member of Nominating Committee
Business Experience:
The principal occupation and business experience during the last five years for each of the Directors and Executive Officers of the Company are as follows:
John V. Winfield — Mr. Winfield was first elected to the Board in May of 1996 and currently serves as the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. On May 24, 2021, Mr. Winfield resigned effective immediately from the position of the Company’s President. Mr. Winfield is also Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of InterGroup, Portsmouth’s parent company, and has held those positions since 1987. Effective June 2016, Mr. Winfield became the Managing Director of Justice. Mr. Winfield’s extensive experience as an entrepreneur and investor, as well as his managerial and leadership experience from serving as a chief executive officer and director of public companies, led to the Board’s conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.
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David C. Gonzalez — Mr. Gonzalez was elected as the Company’s President in May 2021 upon the resignation of Mr. Winfield. Mr. Gonzalez was appointed Chief Operating Officer on May 31, 2023 and Vice President Real Estate of InterGroup, Portsmouth’s parent company, on January 31, 2001 through May 31, 2023. Since 1989, Mr. Gonzalez has served in numerous capacities with InterGroup, including Controller and Director of Real Estate. Mr. Gonzalez was appointed advisor of the Executive Strategic Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee of InterGroup and Portsmouth in February 2020.
Yvonne L. Murphy — Mrs. Murphy was elected to the Board of Portsmouth in October 2022 and served as a director at Portsmouth from March to December 2019. Mrs. Murphy took the place of Director Babin upon his passing in October 2022. Mrs. Murphy has impressive experiences in corporate management, legal research, and legislative lobbying for over 30 years. She was a member of Governor Kenny C. Guinn’s executive staff in Nevada and was employed for years by the prestigious Jones Vargas law firm in Reno, Nevada. She served in nine legislative sessions during the most challenging years in Nevada’s history. Before starting her lobbying firm, Ms. Murphy worked for RR Partners in its corporate office in Las Vegas, Nevada, and in the Government Affairs Division in Reno. She has a Doctorate and a Master’s in Business Administration from the California Pacific University. Within her community, she also serves as a volunteer board member for the Reno Philharmonic and Renown Health. Mrs. Murphy’s extensive government affairs and business experience led to the Board’s conclusion that she should serve as a director of the Company. Mrs. Murphy has been a Director of InterGroup since 2014.
John C. Love — Mr. Love was appointed a Director of the Company on March 5, 1998. Mr. Love is an international hospitality and tourism consultant. He is a retired partner in the national CPA and consulting firm of Pannell Kerr Forster and, for the last 30 years, a lecturer in hospitality industry management control systems and competition & strategy at Golden Gate University and San Francisco State University. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Golden Gate University and the Executive Secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Foundation. Mr. Love is also a Director of InterGroup, having been appointed in January 1998. Mr. Love’s extensive experience as a CPA and in the hospitality industry, including teaching at the university level for the last 30 years in management control systems, and his knowledge and understanding of finance and financial reporting, led to the Board’s conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.
William J. Nance — Mr. Nance was first elected to the Board in May 1996. He is the President and CEO of Century Plaza Printers, Inc., a company he founded in 1979. He has also served as a consultant in the acquisition and disposition of multi-family and commercial real estate. Mr. Nance is a Certified Public Accountant and, from 1970 to 1976, was employed by Kenneth Leventhal & Company where he was a Senior Accountant specializing in the area of REITs and restructuring of real estate companies, mergers and acquisitions, and all phases of real estate development and financing. Mr. Nance is a Director of InterGroup and has held such position since 1984. Mr. Nance also serves as a director of Comstock Mining, Inc. Mr. Nance’s extensive experience as a CPA and in numerous phases of the real estate industry, his business and management experience gained in running his own businesses, his service as a director and audit committee member for other public companies and his knowledge and understanding of finance and financial reporting, led to the Board’s conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.
Steve Grunwald — Mr. Grunwald joined the Board in December 2019. Mr. Grunwald is a successful hospitality operator with over 15 years of experience. He worked at various positions at the five-star hotel Le Châtelain Brussels and later on became the General Manager of the property. In 2006, Mr. Grunwald actively participated in the construction and opening of a boutique hotel, The Progress Hotel. He became the General Manager of two more properties in 2009. In 2013, he oversaw the renovations and reopening of The Hotel Siru and took over the management of the property. Mr. Grunwald is currently managing four hotels of different styles and categories. Mr. Grunwald obtained his bachelor’s degree from Brussels Business Institute’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2004. Mr. Grunwald’s vast experience in the hospitality industry led to the Board’s conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.
Jerold R. Babin — Mr. Babin was first appointed as a director of the Company in February 1996. Mr. Babin is also a director of Portsmouth’s parent company, InterGroup. Mr. Babin was a retail securities broker. From 1974 to 1989, he worked at Drexel Burnham, and from 1989 to 2010, he worked for Prudential Securities (later Wachovia Securities and now Wells Fargo Advisors), where he held the title of First Vice President. Mr. Babin retired from his position at Wells Fargo advisors in June 2010. Mr. Babin had also served as an arbitrator for FINRA (formerly NASD) for over 20 years. Mr. Babin’s extensive experience in the securities and financial markets, as well as his involvement in the securities and public company regulatory industry, led to the Board’s conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company. Mr. Babin served as a Board Member up to the time of his passing in October 2022.
Ann Marie Blair – Ms. Blair was appointed as Treasurer and Controller of the Company on July 6, 2023. Ms. Blair also serves as Treasurer and Controller of InterGroup, having been appointed to the position on July 6, 2023. Prior to joining the Company, she had served as Chief Financial Officer in the advertising technology industry. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and her Master of Business Administration from Cumberland University.
Danfeng Xu – Ms. Xu was appointed as Treasurer and Controller of the Company on October 16, 2017. Ms. Xu also serves as Treasurer and Controller of InterGroup, having been appointed to the position on October 16, 2017. On June 1, 2018, she was appointed Secretary of the Company and InterGroup. Prior to joining the Company, she had served as Controller and worked in other positions at the Hotel from July 2010 to February 2017. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance from The Ohio State University and her Master of Professional Accounting, with a concentration in Audit and Assurance from University of Washington. Ms. Xu resigned effective August 31, 2022.
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Family Relationships: There are no family relationships among directors, executive officers, or persons nominated or chosen by the Company to become directors or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings: No director or executive officer, or person nominated or chosen to become a director or executive officer, was involved in any legal proceeding requiring disclosure.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s officers and directors, and each beneficial owner of more than ten percent of the Common Stock of the Company, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than ten-percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company during its most recent fiscal year, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the Company believes that during fiscal 2023 all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors, and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with.
Code of Ethics.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its executive officers, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions as well as its Board of Directors. A copy of the Code of Ethics is filed as Exhibit 14 to this Report. A copy is also posted on the Portsmouth page of its parent company’s website at www.intgla.com. The Company will provide any person without charge, upon request, a copy of its Code of Ethics by sending such request to: Portsmouth Square, Inc., Attn: Treasurer, 1516 S Bundy Drive, Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90025. The Company will promptly disclose any amendments or waivers to its Code of Ethics on Form 8-K.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Portsmouth is an unlisted company and a Smaller Reporting Company under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). With the exception of the Company’s Chairman of the Board and CEO, John V. Winfield, all of Portsmouth’s Board of Directors consists of “independent” directors as independence is defined by the applicable rules of the SEC and NASDAQ.
Procedures for Recommendations of Nominees to Board of Directors
There have been no changes to the procedures previously disclosed by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
Portsmouth is an unlisted company and a Smaller Reporting Company under SEC rules and regulations. The Company’s Audit Committee is currently comprised of Directors William J. Nance (Chairperson) and John C. Love, each of whom are independent directors as independence is defined by the applicable rules of the SEC and NASDAQ, and as may be modified or supplemented. William J. Nance and John C. Love also meets the audit committee financial expert requirement based on their qualifications and business experience discussed above in Item 10.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The following table provides certain summary information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Company’s principal executive officer and other named executive officers of the Company whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 for all services rendered to the Company for each of the Company’s last two completed fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. No stock awards, long-term compensation, options or stock appreciation rights were granted to any of the named executive officers during the last two fiscal years.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
| Annual Compensation | ||||||||||||||||||
| Name and | Fiscal | All Other | ||||||||||||||||
| Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Compensation | Total | |||||||||||||
| John V. Winfield | 2023 | $ | 433,000 | (1) | $ | 318,000 | $ | - | $ | 751,000 | ||||||||
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | 2022 | $ | 433,000 | (1) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 433,000 | ||||||||
| David C. Gonzalez | 2023 | $ | 173,000 | $ | 211,000 | $ | - | $ | 384,000 | |||||||||
| President | 2022 | $ | 173,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 173,000 | |||||||||
(1) Amounts shown include $6,000 per year in regular Directors fees.
Portsmouth has no stock option plan or stock appreciation rights for its executive officers. The Company has no pension or long-term incentive plans. There are no employment contracts between Portsmouth and any executive officer, and there are no termination-of-employment or change-in-control arrangements.
Internal Revenue Code Limitations
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), provides that, in the case of a publicly held corporation, the corporation is not generally allowed to deduct remuneration paid to its chief executive officer and certain other highly compensated officers to the extent that such remuneration exceeds $1,000,000 for the taxable year. Certain remuneration, however, is not subject to disallowance, including compensation paid on a commission basis and, if certain requirements prescribed by the Code are satisfied, other performance-based compensation. Since InterGroup and Portsmouth are each a public company, the $1,000,000 limitation applies separately to the compensation paid by each entity. Stock option expenses are also amortized over several years. For fiscal years 2023 and 2022, no compensation paid by the Company to its CEO or other executive officers was subject the deduction disallowance prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table provides information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Company’s directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | All Other Compensation | Total | |||||||||
| Yvonne Murphy | $ | 6,000 | - | $ | 6,000 | |||||||
| John C. Love | $ | 8,000 | (1) | - | $ | 8,000 | ||||||
| William J. Nance | $ | 8,000 | (1) | - | $ | 8,000 | ||||||
| Steve Grunwald | $ | 6,000 | - | $ | 6,000 | |||||||
| John V. Winfield (2) | - | - | - | |||||||||
(1) Amounts shown include regular Board fees and Audit Committee fees.
(2) As an executive officer, Mr. Winfield’s director fees are reported in the Summary Compensation Table.
Each director of the Company is paid a Board retainer fee of $1,500 per quarter for a total annual compensation of $6,000. This policy has been in effect since July 1, 1985. Members of the Company’s Audit Committee also receive a fee of $500 per quarter. Directors and Committee members are also reimbursed for their out-of-pocket travel costs to attend meetings.
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Change in Control or Other Arrangements
Except for the foregoing, there are no other arrangements for compensation of directors and there are no employment contracts between the Company and its directors or any change in control arrangements.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The Company did not have any outstanding equity awards at the end of its fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and has no equity compensation plans in effect.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following table sets forth, as of October 13, 2023, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Common Stock owned by (i) those persons or groups known by the Company to own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each Director and Executive Officer, and (iii) all Directors and Executive Officers as a group.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1) | Percent of Class (2) | ||||||
| John V. Winfield | 18,641 | 2.5 | % | |||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| Yvonne Murphy | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| John C. Love | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| William J. Nance | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| Steve Grunwald | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| David C. Gonzalez | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| Ann Marie Blair (6) | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| Danfeng Xu (5) | - | - | ||||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| The InterGroup Corporation | 555,518 | (4) | 75.7 | % | ||||
| 1516 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 200 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90025 | ||||||||
| All of the above as a group | 574,159 | 78.2 | % | |||||
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned.
(2) Percentages are calculated based of 734,187 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of October 13, 2023.
(4) As directors of InterGroup, Messrs. Winfield, Murphy, Love and Nance have the power to direct the vote of the shares of Portsmouth owned by InterGroup.
(5)Ms. Xu resigned effective August 31, 2022.
(6)Ms. Blair appointed effective July 6, 2023.
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Security Ownership of Management in Parent Corporation.
As Chairman of the Board and a 68.6% beneficial shareholder of InterGroup, Mr. Winfield has voting and dispositive power over the shares owned of record and beneficially by InterGroup.
Changes in Control Arrangements.
There are no arrangements that may result in a change in control of Portsmouth.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.
Portsmouth has no securities authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
As of October 13, 2023, InterGroup and John V. Winfield owned 75.7% and 2.5% of the common stock of Portsmouth, respectively.
As discussed in Note 8 – Related Party and Other Financing Transactions, on July 2, 2014, the Partnership obtained from InterGroup an unsecured loan in the principal amount of $4,250,000 at 12% per year fixed interest, with a term of 2 years, payable interest only each month. InterGroup received a 3% loan fee. The loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty. On December 16, 2020, Justice and InterGroup entered into a loan modification agreement which increased Justice’s borrowing from InterGroup as needed up to $10,000,000. Upon the dissolution of Justice in December 2021, Portsmouth assumed Justice’s note payable to InterGroup in the amount of $11,350,000. On December 31, 2021, Portsmouth and InterGroup entered into a loan modification agreement which increased Portsmouth’s borrowing from InterGroup as needed up to $16,000,000. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the balance of the loan was $15,700,000 and $14,200,000.
Under the terms of the Justice Partnership Agreement, its general partner, Portsmouth, received compensation of one percent of hotel revenue up until the dissolution of Justice in December 2021. During each of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, total compensation earned by Portsmouth under the agreement was zero and $130,000, respectively, and are eliminated in consolidation. Effective with the dissolution of the Partnership, the compensation to Portsmouth from the hotel was terminated.
Certain shared costs and expenses, primarily administrative expenses, rent and insurance are allocated among the Company and InterGroup based on management’s estimate of the pro rata utilization of resources. For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, these expenses were approximately $144,000 and $144,000, respectively.
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All of the Company’s Directors serve as directors of InterGroup. The Company’s President serves as Chief Operating Officer of InterGroup. Director William Nance is a director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Comstock Mining, Inc., since 2005.
As Chairman of the Executive Strategic Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John V. Winfield, directs the investment activity of the Company in public and private markets pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors. Mr. Winfield also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of InterGroup and oversees the investment activity of InterGroup. Effective June 2016, Mr. Winfield became the Managing Director of Justice. Depending on certain market conditions and various risk factors, the Chief Executive Officer and InterGroup may, at times, invest in the same companies in which the Company invests. Such investments align the interests of the Company with the interests of these related parties because it places the personal resources of the Chief Executive Officer and the resources of InterGroup at risk in substantially the same manner as the Company in connection with investment decisions made on behalf of the Company.
There are no other relationships or related transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, five-percent security holders or their families that require disclosure.
Director Independence
Portsmouth is an unlisted company and a Smaller Reporting Company under the rules and regulations of the SEC. With the exception of the Company’s CEO, John V. Winfield, all of Portsmouth’s Board of Directors consists of “independent” directors as independence is defined by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and NASDAQ.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
On January 31, 2022, the Audit Committee retained WithumSmith+Brown, PC, PCAOB ID: 100 (“Withum”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm. upon the resignation of Moss Adams LLP , Irvine CA, PCAOB ID: 659 (“Moss Adams”) in December 2021. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 for professional services rendered by Withum. These fees were billed for audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-Q reports, and services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements for those fiscal years.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Audit fees – Withum | $ | 101,000 | $ | 24,000 | ||||
| Tax fees – Withum | 48,000 | 3,000 | ||||||
| Audit Fees – Moss Adams | - | 103,000 | ||||||
| Tax fees – Moss Adams | - | 10,000 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 149,000 | $ | 140,000 | ||||
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies
The Audit Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm, subject to any de minimis exceptions that may be set for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services described herein were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to its pre-approval policies.
None of the hours expended on the independent registered public accounting firms’ engagement to audit the Company’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the independent registered public accounting firm’s full-time permanent employees.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following financial statements of the Company are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Report at pages 23 through 43:
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All other schedules for which provision is made in Regulation S-X have been omitted because they are not required or are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes to the consolidated financial statements.
(a)(3) Exhibits
Set forth below is an index of applicable exhibits filed with this report according to exhibit table number.
* All exhibits marked by an asterisk have been previously filed with other documents, including Registrant’s Form 10 filed on October 27, 1967, and subsequent filings on Forms 8-K, 10-K, 10-KSB, 10-Q and 10-QSB, which are incorporated herein by reference
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| PORTSMOUTH SQUARE, INC. | ||||
| (Registrant) | ||||
| Date: | October 13, 2023 | by | /s/ John V. Winfield | |
| John V. Winfield, | ||||
| Chairman of the Board and | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| Date: | October 13, 2023 | by | /s/ Ann Marie Blair | |
Ann Marie Blair, Principal Financial Officer | ||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signatures | Title and Position | Date | ||
| /s/ John V Winfield | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | October 13, 2023 | ||
| John V. Winfield | of the Board (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ David C. Gonzalez | President, Advisor of Executive Strategic | October 13, 2023 | ||
| David C. Gonzalez | Real Estate and Securities Investment Committee | |||
| /s/ Yvonne Murphy | Director | October 13, 2023 | ||
| Jerold R. Babin | ||||
| /s/ John C. Love | Director | October 13, 2023 | ||
| John C. Love | ||||
| /s/ William J. Nance | Director | October 13, 2023 | ||
| William J. Nance | ||||
| /s/ Steve Grunwald | Director | October 13, 2023 | ||
| Steve Grunwald |
| 52 |